Strategies to Improve Luminescence Efficiency of Metal‐Halide Perovskites and Light‐Emitting Diodes

Metal‐halide perovskites (MHPs) are well suited to be vivid natural color emitters due to their superior optical and electrical properties, such as narrow emission linewidths, easily and widely tunable emission wavelengths, low material cost, and high charge carrier mobility. Since the first development of MHP light‐emitting diodes (PeLEDs) in 2014, many researchers have tried to understand the properties of MHP emitters and the limitations to luminescence efficiency (LE) of PeLEDs, and have devoted efforts to increase the LE of MHP emitters and PeLEDs. Within three and half years, PeLEDs have shown rapidly increased LE from external quantum efficiency ≈0.1% to ≈14.36%. Herein, the factors that limit the LE of PeLEDs are reviewed; the factors are characterized into the following groups: i) photophysical properties of MHP crystals, ii) morphological factors of MHP layers, and iii) problems caused by device architectures. Then, the strategies to overcome those luminescence‐limiting factors in MHP emitters and PeLEDs are critically evaluated. Finally, research directions to further increase the LE of MHP emitters and the potential of MHPs as a core component in next‐generation displays and solid‐state lightings are suggested.     

A Strategy for Architecture Design of Crystalline Perovskite Light‐Emitting Diodes with High Performance

All present designs of perovskite light‐emitting diodes (PeLEDs) stem from polymer light‐emitting diodes (PLEDs) or perovskite solar cells. The optimal structure of PeLEDs can be predicted to differ from PLEDs due to the different fluorescence dynamics and crystallization between perovskite and polymer. Herein, a new design strategy and conception is introduced, “insulator–perovskite–insulator” (IPI) architecture tailored to PeLEDs. As examples of FAPbBr₃ and MAPbBr₃, it is experimentally shown that the IPI structure effectively induces charge carriers into perovskite crystals, blocks leakage currents via pinholes in the perovskite film, and avoids exciton quenching simultaneously. Consequently, as for FAPbBr₃, a 30‐fold enhancement in the current efficiency of IPI‐structured PeLEDs compared to a control device with poly(3,4ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) as hole‐injection layer is achieved—from 0.64 to 20.3 cd A^?1—while the external quantum efficiency is increased from 0.174% to 5.53%. As the example of CsPbBr₃, compared with the control device, both current efficiency and lifetime of IPI‐structured PeLEDs are improved from 1.42 and 4 h to 9.86 cd A^?1 and 96 h. This IPI architecture represents a novel strategy for the design of light‐emitting didoes based on various perovskites with high efficiencies and stabilities.     

High‐Performance Blue Perovskite Light‐Emitting Diodes Enabled by Efficient Energy Transfer between Coupled Quasi‐2D Perovskite Layers

While there has been extensive investigation into modulating quasi‐2D perovskite compositions in light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) for promoting their electroluminescence, very few reports have studied approaches involving enhancement of the energy transfer between quasi‐2D perovskite layers of the film, which plays very important role for achieving high‐performance perovskite LEDs (PeLEDs). In this work, a bifunctional ligand of 4‐(2‐aminoethyl)benzoic acid (ABA) cation is strategically introduced into the perovskite to diminish the weak van der Waals gap between individual perovskite layers for promoting coupled quasi‐2D perovskite layers. In particular, the strengthened interaction between coupled quasi‐2D perovskite layers favors an efficient energy transfer in the perovskite films. The introduced ABA can also simultaneously passivate the perovskite defects by reducing metallic Pb for less nonradiative recombination loss. Benefiting from the advanced properties of ABA incorporated perovskites, highly efficient blue PeLEDs with external quantum efficiency of 10.11% and a very long operational stability of 81.3 min, among the best performing blue quasi‐2D PeLEDs, are achieved. Consequently, this work contributes an effective approach for high‐performance and stable blue PeLEDs toward practical applications.     

High Performance Quasi‐2D Perovskite Sky‐Blue Light‐Emitting Diodes Using a Dual‐Ligand Strategy

For quasi‐2D perovskite light‐emitting diodes, the introduction of insulating bulky cation reduces the charge transport property, leading to lowered brightness and increased turn‐on voltage. Herein, a dual‐ligand strategy is adopted to prepare perovskite films by using an appropriate ratio of i‐butylammonium (iBA) and phenylethylammonium (PEA) as capping ligands. The introduction of iBA enhances the binding energy of the ligands on the surface of the quasi‐2D perovskite, and effectively controls the proportion of 2D perovskite to allow more efficient energy transfer, resulting in the great enhancement of the electric and luminescent properties of the perovskite. The photoluminescence (PL) mapping of the perovskite films exhibits that enhanced photoluminescence performance with better uniformity and stronger intensity can be achieved with this dual‐ligand strategy. By adjusting the proportion of the two ligands, sky‐blue perovskite light‐emitting diodes (PeLEDs) with electroluminescence (EL) peak located 485 nm are achieved with a maximum luminance up to 1130 cd m^?2 and a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) up to 7.84%. In addition, the color stability and device stability are significantly enhanced by using a dual‐ligand strategy. This simple and feasible method paves the way for improving the performance of quasi‐2D PeLEDs.     

Molecule‐Induced p‐Doping in Perovskite Nanocrystals Enables Efficient Color‐Saturated Red Light‐Emitting Diodes

Color‐saturated red light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) with emission wavelengths at around 620–640 nm are an essential part of high‐definition displays. Metal halide perovskites with very narrow emission linewidth are promising emitters, and rapid progress has been made in perovskite‐based LEDs (PeLEDs); however, the efficiency of the current color—pure red PeLEDs—still far lags behind those of other‐colored ones. Here, a simple but efficient strategy is reported to gradually down‐shift the Fermi level of perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) by controlling the interaction between NCs and their surface molecular electron acceptor—benzyl iodide with aromatic rings—and realize p‐doping in the color‐saturated 625 nm emitting NCs, which significantly reduces the hole injection barrier in devices. Besides, both the luminescence efficiency and electric conductivity of perovskite NCs are enhanced as additional advantages as the result of surface defects passivation. As a result, the external quantum efficiency for the resulting LED is increased from 4.5% to 12.9% after benzyl iodide treatment, making this device the best‐performing color‐saturated red PeLED so far. It is further found that the hole injection plays a more critical role than the photoluminescence efficiency of perovskite emitter in determining the LED performance, which implies design principles for efficient thin‐film planar LEDs.     

High‐Efficiency Perovskite Light‐Emitting Diodes with Synergetic Outcoupling Enhancement

Perovskite light‐emitting diodes (PeLEDs) show great application potential in high‐quality flat‐panel displays and solid‐state lighting due to their steadily improved efficiency, tunable colors, narrow emission peak, and easy solution‐processing capability. However, because of high optical confinement and nonradiative charge recombination during electron–photon conversion, the highest reported efficiency of PeLEDs remains far behind that of their conventional counterparts, such as inorganic LEDs, organic LEDs, and quantum‐dot LEDs. Here a facile route is demonstrated by adopting bioinspired moth‐eye nanostructures at the front electrode/perovskite interface to enhance the outcoupling efficiency of waveguided light in PeLEDs. As a result, the maximum external quantum efficiency and current efficiency of the modified cesium lead bromide (CsPbBr₃) green‐emitting PeLEDs are improved to 20.3% and 61.9 cd A^?1, while retaining spectral and angular independence. Further reducing light loss in the substrate mode using a half‐ball lens, efficiencies of 28.2% and 88.7 cd A^?1 are achieved, which represent the highest values reported to date for PeLEDs. These results represent a substantial step toward achieving practical applications of PeLEDs.     

Versatile Defect Passivation Methods for Metal Halide Perovskite Materials and their Application to Light‐Emitting Devices

Metal halide perovskites (MHPs) have emerged as promising emitters because of their excellent optoelectronic properties, including high photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQYs), wide‐range color tunability, and high color purity. However, a fundamental limitation of MHPs is their low exciton binding energy, which results in a low radiative recombination rate and the dependence of PLQY on the excitation intensity. Under the operating conditions of light‐emitting diodes (LEDs), the injected current densities are typically lower than the trap density, leading to a low actual PLQY. Moreover, the defects not only initiate the decomposition of MHPs caused by extrinsic factors, but also intrinsically stimulate ion migration across the interface and lead to the corrosion of electrodes due to interaction between those electrodes, even under inert conditions. The passivation of defects has proven to be effective for mitigating the effects of defects in MHPs. Herein, the origins and theoretical calculations of the defect tolerance in MHPs and the impact of defects on both the performance and stability of perovskite LEDs are reviewed. The passivation methods and materials for MHP bulk films and nanocrystals are discussed in detail. Based on the currently reported advances, specific requirements and future research directions for display applications are suggested.     

Multifunctional Charge Transporting Materials for Perovskite Light-Emitting Diodes

Despite their low exciton-binding energies, metal halide perovskites are extensively studied as light-emitting materials owing to narrow emission with high color purity, easy/wide color tunability, and high photoluminescence quantum yields. To improve the efficiency of perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs), much effort has been devoted to controlling the emitting layer morphologies to induce charge confinement and decrease the nonradiative recombination. The interfaces between the emitting layer and charge transporting layer (CTL) are vulnerable to various defects that deteriorate the efficiency and stability of the PeLEDs. Therefore, the establishment of multifunctional CTLs that can improve not only charge transport but also critical factors that influence device performance, such as defect passivation, morphology/phase control, ion migration suppression, and light outcoupling efficiency, are highly required. Herein, the fundamental limitations of perovskites as emitters (i.e., defects, morphological and phase instability, high refractive index with poor outcoupling) and the recent developments with regard to multifunctional CTLs to compensate such limitations are summarized, and their device applications are also reviewed. Finally, based on the importance of multifunctional CTLs, the outlook and research prospects of multifunctional CTLs for the further improvement of PeLEDs are discussed.     

All‐Solution‐Processed Pure Formamidinium‐Based Perovskite Light‐Emitting Diodes

All‐solution‐processed pure formamidinium‐based perovskite light‐emitting diodes (PeLEDs) with record performance are successfully realized. It is found that the FAPbBr₃ device is hole dominant. To achieve charge carrier balance, on the anode side, PEDOT:PSS 8000 is employed as the hole injection layer, replacing PEDOT:PSS 4083 to suppress the hole current. On the cathode side, the solution‐processed ZnO nanoparticle (NP) is used as the electron injection layer in regular PeLEDs to improve the electron current. With the smallest ZnO NPs (2.9 nm) as electron injection layer (EIL), the solution‐processed PeLED exhibits a highest forward viewing power efficiency of 22.3 lm W^?1, a peak current efficiency of 21.3 cd A^?1, and an external quantum efficiency of 4.66%. The maximum brightness reaches a record 1.09 × 10⁵ cd m^?2. A record lifetime T₅₀ of 436 s is achieved at the initial brightness of 10 000 cd m^?2. Not only do PEDOT:PSS 8000 HIL and ZnO NPs EIL modulate the injected charge carriers to reach charge balance, but also they prevent the exciton quenching at the interface between the charge injection layer and the light emission layer. The subbandgap turn‐on voltage is attributed to Auger‐assisted energy up‐conversion process.     

Two‐Dimensional Materials for Halide Perovskite‐Based Optoelectronic Devices

Halide perovskites have high light absorption coefficients, long charge carrier diffusion lengths, intense photoluminescence, and slow rates of non‐radiative charge recombination. Thus, they are attractive photoactive materials for developing high‐performance optoelectronic devices. These devices are also cheap and easy to be fabricated. To realize the optimal performances of halide perovskite‐based optoelectronic devices (HPODs), perovskite photoactive layers should work effectively with other functional materials such as electrodes, interfacial layers and encapsulating films. Conventional two‐dimensional (2D) materials are promising candidates for this purpose because of their unique structures and/or interesting optoelectronic properties. Here, we comprehensively summarize the recent advancements in the applications of conventional 2D materials for halide perovskite‐based photodetectors, solar cells and light‐emitting diodes. The examples of these 2D materials are graphene and its derivatives, mono‐ and few‐layer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), graphdiyne and metal nanosheets, etc. The research related to 2D nanostructured perovskites and 2D Ruddlesden–Popper perovskites as efficient and stable photoactive layers is also outlined. The syntheses, functions and working mechanisms of relevant 2D materials are introduced, and the challenges to achieving practical applications of HPODs using 2D materials are also discussed.     

Perovskite Materials for Light‐Emitting Diodes and Lasers

Organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites have cemented their position as an exceptional class of optoelectronic materials thanks to record photovoltaic efficiencies of 22.1%, as well as promising demonstrations of light‐emitting diodes, lasers, and light‐emitting transistors. Perovskite materials with photoluminescence quantum yields close to 100% and perovskite light‐emitting diodes with external quantum efficiencies of 8% and current efficiencies of 43 cd A^?1 have been achieved. Although perovskite light‐emitting devices are yet to become industrially relevant, in merely two years these devices have achieved the brightness and efficiencies that organic light‐emitting diodes accomplished in two decades. Further advances will rely decisively on the multitude of compositional, structural variants that enable the formation of lower‐dimensionality layered and three‐dimensional perovskites, nanostructures, charge‐transport materials, and device processing with architectural innovations. Here, the rapid advancements in perovskite light‐emitting devices and lasers are reviewed. The key challenges in materials development, device fabrication, operational stability are addressed, and an outlook is presented that will address market viability of perovskite light‐emitting devices.     

Morphology Engineering for High‐Performance and Multicolored Perovskite Light‐Emitting Diodes with Simple Device Structures

The film morphology is extremely significant for solution processed perovskite devices. Through fine morphology engineering without using any additives or further posttreatments, a full‐coverage and high quantum yield perovskite film has been achieved based on one‐step spin‐coating method. The morphologies and film characteristics of MAPbBr₃ with different MABr:PbBr₂ starting material ratios are in‐depth investigated by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, photoluminescence, and time resolved photoluminescence. High performance organometal halide perovskite light‐emitting didoes (PeLEDs) based on simple device structure of indium tin oxide/poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS)/perovskite/TPBi/Ca/Al are demonstrated. The green PeLED based on MAPbBr₃ shows a maximum luminance of 8794 cd m^?2 (at 7.3 V) and maximum current efficiency of 5.1 cd A^?1 (at 5.1 V). Furthermore, a class of hybrid PeLEDs by adjusting the halide ratios of methylammonium lead halide (MAPbX₃, where X is Cl, Br, or I) are also demonstrated at room temperature. These mix‐halogenated PeLEDs show bright luminance (above 100 cd m^?2) with narrow and clean emission bands over the wide color gamut.     

High‐Efficiency Solution‐Processed Inorganic Metal Halide Perovskite Light‐Emitting Diodes

This paper reports highly bright and efficient CsPbBr₃ perovskite light‐emitting diodes (PeLEDs) fabricated by simple one‐step spin‐coating of uniform CsPbBr₃ polycrystalline layers on a self‐organized buffer hole injection layer and stoichiometry‐controlled CsPbBr₃ precursor solutions with an optimized concentration. The PeLEDs have maximum current efficiency of 5.39 cd A^?1 and maximum luminance of 13752 cd m^?2. This paper also investigates the origin of current hysteresis, which can be ascribed to migration of Br^? anions. Temperature dependence of the electroluminescence (EL) spectrum is measured and the origins of decreased spectrum area, spectral blue‐shift, and linewidth broadening are analyzed systematically with the activation energies, and are related with Br^? anion migration, thermal dissociation of excitons, thermal expansion, and electron–phonon interaction. This work provides simple ways to improve the efficiency and brightness of all‐inorganic polycrystalline PeLEDs and improves understanding of temperature‐dependent ion migration and EL properties in inorganic PeLEDs.     

Metal‐Halide Perovskite Transistors for Printed Electronics: Challenges and Opportunities

Following the unprecedented rise in photovoltaic power conversion efficiencies during the past five years, metal‐halide perovskites (MHPs) have emerged as a new and highly promising class of solar‐energy materials. Their extraordinary electrical and optical properties combined with the abundance of the raw materials, the simplicity of synthetic routes, and processing versatility make MHPs ideal for cost‐efficient, large‐volume manufacturing of a plethora of optoelectronic devices that span far beyond photovoltaics. Herein looks beyond current applications in the field of energy, to the area of large‐area electronics using MHPs as the semiconductor material. A comprehensive overview of the relevant fundamental material properties of MHPs, including crystal structure, electronic states, and charge transport, is provided first. Thereafter, recent demonstrations of MHP‐based thin‐film transistors and their application in logic circuits, as well as bi‐functional devices such as light‐sensing and light‐emitting transistors, are discussed. Finally, the challenges and opportunities in the area of MHPs‐based electronics, with particular emphasis on manufacturing, stability, and health and environmental concerns, are highlighted.     

Interface and Defect Engineering for Metal Halide Perovskite Optoelectronic Devices

Metal halide perovskites have been in the limelight in recent years due to their enormous potential for use in optoelectronic devices, owing to their unique combination of properties, such as high absorption coefficient, long charge‐carrier diffusion lengths, and high defect tolerance. Perovskite‐based solar cells and light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) have achieved remarkable breakthroughs in a comparatively short amount of time. As of writing, a certified power conversion efficiency of 22.7% and an external quantum efficiency of over 10% have been achieved for perovskite solar cells and LEDs, respectively. Interfaces and defects have a critical influence on the properties and operational stability of metal halide perovskite optoelectronic devices. Therefore, interface and defect engineering are crucial to control the behavior of the charge carriers and to grow high quality, defect‐free perovskite crystals. Herein, a comprehensive review of various strategies that attempt to modify the interfacial characteristics, control the crystal growth, and understand the defect physics in metal halide perovskites, for both solar cell and LED applications, is presented. Lastly, based on the latest advances and breakthroughs, perspectives and possible directions forward in a bid to transcend what has already been achieved in this vast field of metal halide perovskite optoelectronic devices are discussed.     

Fast Postmoisture Treatment of Luminescent Perovskite Films for Efficient Light‐Emitting Diodes

Despite the recent advances in the performance of perovskite light‐emitting diodes (PeLEDs), the effects of water on the perovskite emissive layer and its electroluminescence are still unclear, even though it has been previously demonstrated that moisture has a significant impact on the quality of perovskite films in the fabrication process of perovskite solar cells and is a prerequisite for obtaining high‐performance PeLEDs. Here, the effects of postmoisture on the luminescent CH₃NH₃PbBr₃ (MAPbBr₃) perovskite films are systematically investigated. It is found that postmoisture treatment can efficiently control the morphology and growth of perovskite films and only a fast moisture exposure at a 60% high relative humidity results in significantly improved crystallinity, carrier lifetime, and photoluminescence quantum yield of perovskite films. With the optimized moisture‐treated perovskite films, a high‐performance PeLED is fabricated, exhibiting a maximum current efficiency of 20.4 cd A^?1, which is an almost 20‐fold enhancement when compared with perovskite films without moisture treatment. The results provide valuable insights into the moisture‐assisted growth of luminescent perovskite films and will aid in the development of high‐performance perovskite light‐emitting devices.     

Perovskite Light‐Emitting Diodes with Improved Outcoupling Using a High‐Index Contrast Nanoarray

Organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite light‐emitting diodes (PeLEDs) are promising for next‐generation optoelectronic devices due to their potential to achieve high color purity, efficiency, and brightness. Although the external quantum efficiency (EQE) of PeLEDs has recently surpassed 20%, various strategies are being pursued to increase EQE further and reduce the EQE gap compared to other LED technologies. A key point to further boost EQE of PeLEDs is linked to the high refractive index of the perovskite emissive layer, leading to optical losses of more than 70% of emitted photons. Here, it is demonstrated that a randomly distributed nanohole array with high‐index contrast can effectively enhance outcoupling efficiency in PeLEDs. Based on a comprehensive optical analysis on the perovskite thin film and outcoupling structure, it is confirmed that the nanohole array effectively distributes light into the substrate for improved outcoupling, allowing for 1.64 times higher light extraction. As a result, highly efficient red/near‐infrared PeLEDs with a peak EQE of 14.6% are demonstrated.     

Efficient Red Perovskite Light‐Emitting Diodes Based on Solution‐Processed Multiple Quantum Wells

This paper reports a facile and scalable process to achieve high performance red perovskite light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) by introducing inorganic Cs into multiple quantum well (MQW) perovskites. The MQW structure facilitates the formation of cubic CsPbI₃ perovskites at low temperature, enabling the Cs‐based QWs to provide pure and stable red electroluminescence. The versatile synthesis of MQW perovskites provides freedom to control the crystallinity and morphology of the emission layer. It is demonstrated that the inclusion of chloride can further improve the crystallization and consequently the optical properties of the Cs‐based MQW perovskites, inducing a low turn‐on voltage of 2.0 V, a maximum external quantum efficiency of 3.7%, a luminance of ≈440 cd m^?2 at 4.0 V. These results suggest that the Cs‐based MQW LED is among the best performing red perovskite LEDs. Moreover, the LED device demonstrates a record lifetime of over 5 h under a constant current density of 10 mA cm^?2. This work suggests that the MQW perovskites is a promising platform for achieving high performance visible‐range electroluminescence emission through high‐throughput processing methods, which is attractive for low‐cost lighting and display applications.     

Flexible,Printable Soft‐X‐Ray Detectors Based on All‐Inorganic Perovskite Quantum Dots

Metal halide perovskites represent a family of the most promising materials for fascinating photovoltaic and photodetector applications due to their unique optoelectronic properties and much needed simple and low‐cost fabrication process. The high atomic number (Z) of their constituents and significantly higher carrier mobility also make perovskite semiconductors suitable for the detection of ionizing radiation. By taking advantage of that, the direct detection of soft‐X‐ray‐induced photocurrent is demonstrated in both rigid and flexible detectors based on all‐inorganic halide perovskite quantum dots (QDs) synthesized via a solution process. Utilizing a synchrotron soft‐X‐ray beamline, high sensitivities of up to 1450 µC Gy_air^?1 cm^?2 are achieved under an X‐ray dose rate of 0.0172 mGy_air s^?1 with only 0.1 V bias voltage, which is about 70‐fold more sensitive than conventional α‐Se devices. Furthermore, the perovskite film is printed homogeneously on various substrates by the inexpensive inkjet printing method to demonstrate large‐scale fabrication of arrays of multichannel detectors. These results suggest that the perovskite QDs are ideal candidates for the detection of soft X‐rays and for large‐area flat or flexible panels with tremendous application potential in multidimensional and different architectures imaging technologies.