Methanol-induced fast CsBr release results in phase-pure CsPbBr3 perovskite nanoplatelets

Formation of a non-emissive wide bandgap CsPb2Br5 component often accompanies the synthesis of CsPbBr3 perovskites, introducing undesired energy states and impeding the charge transport. Here, we demonstrate that a small amount of a methanol additive can promote the CsBr release rate, facilitating CsPbBr3 formation and suppressing CsPb2Br5 formation. Some of the methanol ionizes into CH5O+ and CH3O-, which act as surface ligands and change the crystallization environment, inducing shape evolution from spherical nanocrystals to rectangular nanoplatelets (NPLs), leading to monodispersed and phase-pure 8 unit-cell-thick CsPbBr3 NPLs. Meanwhile, nonradiative recombination processes are inhibited as a result of NPL surface passivation. Bright CsPbBr3 NPLs with a photoluminescence quantum yield reaching 90% were employed as emitters for electroluminescent light-emitting devices.