Direct in situ photolithography of perovskite quantum dots based on photocatalysis of lead bromide complexes

Abstract

Photolithography has shown great potential in patterning solution-processed nanomaterials for integration into advanced optoelectronic devices. However, photolithography of perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) has so far been hindered by the incompatibility of perovskite with traditional optical lithography processes where lots of solvents and high-energy ultraviolet (UV) light exposure are required. Herein, we report a direct in situ photolithography technique to pattern PQDs based on the photopolymerization catalyzed by lead bromide complexes. By combining direct photolithography with in situ fabrication of PQDs, this method allows to directly photolithograph perovskite precursors, avoiding the complicated lift-off processes and the destruction of PQDs by solvents or high-energy UV light, as PQDs are produced after lithography exposure. We further demonstrate that the thiol-ene free-radical photopolymerization is catalyzed by lead bromide complexes in the perovskite precursor solution, while no external initiators or catalysts are needed. Using direct in situ photolithography, PQD patterns with high resolution up to 2450 pixels per inch (PPI), excellent fluorescence uniformity, and good stability, are successfully demonstrated. This work opens an avenue for non-destructive direct photolithography of high-efficiency light-emitting PQDs, and potentially expands their application in various integrated optoelectronic devices.

Phenyl-Terminated Coupling Interface Enabled Highly Efficient and Stable Multiwavelength Perovskite Single Crystal/Silicon Integrated Photodetector

“…Actually, the perovskite precursors dissolved in solvent form into the colloid solution, in which ligands and solvent molecules cooperate with lead ions to form a variety of lead halide complexes and each complex is in dynamic equilibrium. − In that case, rather than the interaction between the APTES and perovskite precursors resembling that of some amino ligands, the nitrogen atom is concealed in the middle of the AMTES molecule which might not directly react with Pb ions. In order to determine the interaction mechanism of AMTES and perovskite, we screened the relative position between AMTES and Pb dependent systematic energy states with DFT calculation shown in Figure D.…”

A Review on Low-Dimensional Nanomaterials: Nanofabrication, Characterization and Applications

“…Photolithography has demonstrated significant promise in patterning solution-processed nanomaterials for the fabrication of light-emitting devices. For instance, a direct in-situ photolithography method for patterning perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) on lead bromide complexes was recently reported by Zhang et al [ 54 ]. Their work demonstrated the manufacture of efficient red, green, and blue light-emitting PQDs, which were patterned with a minimum feature size of 5 μm and a thickness of 10 μm.…”

Patterning Perovskite Quantum Dots Using Photopolymerization

“…Photolithography has been proved to be effective for patterning nanocrystals, such as group II–VI and III–V semiconductors, and useful for fabricating various products, including QD-LEDs, , photodetectors, , and color filters. , However, conventional photolithographic methods cannot be used for the patterning of perovskite QDs − because of their ionic nature as they can be readily dissolved in polar solvents during photolithographic processes, such as photoresist application and removal (development). Hence, several approaches other than photolithography have been examined for the patterning of perovskite QDs.…”