Transparent near-infrared perovskite light-emitting diodes.

Mobile and wearable devices are increasingly reliant on near-infrared (NIR) covert illumination for facial recognition, eye-tracking or motion and depth sensing functions. However, these small devices offer limited spatial real estate that is typically already occupied by their full-area electronic color displays. Here, we report a transparent perovskite light-emitting diode (LED) that could be overlaid across a color display to provide an efficient and high-intensity NIR illumination. Our transparent devices are constructed with an ITO/AZO/PEIE/FAPbI3/poly-TPD/MoO3/Al/ITO/Ag/ITO architecture, and offer a high average transmittance of more than 55% across the visible spectral region. In particular, our Al/ITO/Ag/ITO top transparent electrode was designed to offer a combination low sheet resistance and low plasma damage upon electrode deposition. The devices emit at 799 nm with a high total external quantum efficiency of 5.7% at a current density of 5.3 mA cm-2 and a high radiance of 1.5 W sr-1 m-2, and possess a large functional device area of 120 mm2. The efficient performance is ideal for battery-powered wearable devices, and could enable advanced security and sensing features on future smart-watches, phones, gaming consoles and augmented or virtual reality headsets.

Thermodynamic Control in the Synthesis of Quantum-Confined Blue-Emitting CsPbBr3 Perovskite Nanostrips.

Size control is critical in the synthesis of quantum-confined semiconductor nanocrystals, otherwise known as quantum dots. The achievement of size-uniformity and narrow spectral line-width in quantum dots conventionally relies on a very precise kinetic control of the reactions, where reaction time plays a significant role in defining the final crystal sizes and distribution. Here, we show that synthesis of quantum-confined perovskite nanostrips could be achieved through a thermodynamically controlled reaction, using a low-temperature and ligand-rich approach. The nanostrip growth proceeds through an initial one-dimensional (1D) nanorod stage, followed by the lateral widening of the rod to form a two-dimensional (2D) nanostrip. The spectral characteristics of the final product remain unchanged after prolonged reaction, indicating no signs of crystal ripening and confirming the thermodynamic nature of this reaction. The CsPbBr3 perovskite nanostrips were highly uniform and emit at a deep-blue wavelength of 462 nm with a remarkably narrow line-width of 13 nm. This corresponds to color coordinates of (0.136, 0.049) on the CIE 1931 color space, which fulfils the stringent Rec. 2020 standard for next-generation color displays. The well-passivated nanostrips also possess negligible defects and provide a near-unity photoluminescence quantum yield at 94%. Crucially, the achievement of blue emission through a pure-halide perovskite circumvents the problems of spectral instability that are frequently experienced in mixed-halide perovskite systems. The convenience and scalability of our thermodynamic approach, coupled with the excellent optical attributes, would likely enable these quantum-confined perovskite systems to be the preferred method toward color control in trichromatic display applications.

Magneto-Fluorescent Perovskite Nanocomposites for Directed Cell Motion and Imaging.

The ability for a magnetic field to penetrate biological tissues without attenuation has led to significant interest in the use of magnetic nanoparticles for biomedical applications. In particular, active research is ongoing in the areas of magnetically guided drug delivery and magnetic hyperthermia treatment. However, the difficulties in tracing these optically nonactive magnetic nanoparticles hinder their usage in medical research or treatment. Here, a new perovskite-based magneto-fluorescent nanocomposite that allows the in situ, real-time optical visualization of magnetically induced cellular movements is reported. A swelling-deswelling technique is employed to capture a cesium lead halide perovskite and magnetite nanoparticles within a biocompatible polyvinylpyrrolidone matrix, to produce a water-dispersible composite that possesses a combination of strong magnetic response and intense fluorescence. The wavelength-tunability of perovskite nanocrystals is taken advantage of to demonstrate simultaneous multicolor fluorescent tagging of cancer stem cells. The magneto-directed motion of the cancer stem cells through a microfluidic channel is also imaged as a proof-of-concept toward an optically traceable magnetic manipulation of biological systems. These dual-functional nanocomposites could find promising applications in advanced biotechnologies, such as in optogenetics, cellular separation, and drug delivery studies.