Strategies for Stabilizing Metal Halide Perovskite Light-Emitting Diodes: Bulk and Surface Reconstruction of Perovskite Nanocrystals

Light-emitting colloidal lead halide perovskite nanocrystals (PeNCs) are considered promising candidates for next-generation vivid displays. However, the operational stability of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) based on PeNCs is still lower than those based on polycrystalline perovskite films, which requires an understanding of defect formation in PeNCs, both inside the crystal lattice (“bulk”) and at the surface. Meanwhile, uncontrollable ion redistribution and electrochemical reactions under LED operation can be severe, which is also related to the bulk and surface quality of PeNCs, and a well-designed device architecture can boost carrier injection and balance radiative recombination. In this review, we consider bulk and surface reconstruction of PeNCs by enhancing the crystal lattice rigidity and rationally selecting the surface ligands. Degradation pathways of PeNCs under applied voltage are discussed, and strategies are considered to avoid both undesirable ion migration and electrochemical reactions in the PeNC films. Subsequently, other critical issues hindering the commercial application of PeNC LEDs are discussed, including the toxicity of Pb in lead halide perovskites, scale-up deposition of PeNC films, and design of active-matrix prototypes for high-resolution LED modules.