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.