Surface Polarity Engineering of ZnO Layer for Improved Photoluminescence of CsPbBr3 Quantum Dot Films

Abstract The surface polarity of nanocrystalline ZnO film, a typical electron transport material in optoelectronics, is chemically modified using self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of phenethyl trichlorosilane (PETS). The surface treatment is proved to generate a hydrophobic surface by removing the hydroxyl groups on the oxide layer, which reduces the emission quenching of the subsequent CsPbBr3 quantum dot film. In addition, the surface polarity was engineered with varying PETS concentration, thereby contribute to an increased photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) by up to 50%. Meanwhile, the thermal stability of photoluminescence was enhanced showing a wide-range temperature tolerance up to 140 ℃.