Deciphering the Role of Water in Promoting the Optoelectronic Performance of Surface-Engineered Lead Halide Perovskite Nanocrystals

Lead halide perovskites are promising candidates for high-performance light-emitting diodes (LEDs); however, their applicability is limited by their structural instability toward moisture. Although a deliberate addition of water to the precursor solution has recently been shown to improve the crystallinity and optical properties of perovskites, the corresponding thin films still do not exhibit a near-unity quantum yield. Herein, we report that the direct addition of a minute amount of water to post-treated formamidinium lead bromide (FAPbBr 3 ) nanocrystals (NCs) substantially enhances the stability while achieving a 95% photoluminescence quantum yield in a NC thin film. We unveil the mechanism of how moisture assists in the formation of an additional NH 4 Br component. Alongside, we demonstrate the crucial role of moisture in assisting localized etching of the perovskite crystal, facilitating the partial incorporation of NH 4 +, which is key for improved performance under ambient conditions. Finally, as a proof-of-concept, the application of post-treated and water-treated perovskites is tested in LEDs, with the latter exhibiting a superior performance, offering opportunities toward commercial application in moisture-stable optoelectronics.