Ligand-mediated synthesis of colloidal Cs₂SnI₆ three-dimensional nanocrystals and two-dimensional nanoplatelets

Cs₂SnI₆ is a variant on tin-iodide solution-processable materials and may lead to a lead-free material for use in next-generation photovoltaic cells and other optoelectronics. So far, only a few studies have been conducted where shape and geometry control of Cs₂SnI₆ nanocrystals is demonstrated. Here we report a general approach to directly synthesize Cs₂SnI₆ of two-dimensional (2D) layered nanoplatelets as well as three-dimensional (3D) nanocrystals. The shape of Cs₂SnI₆ nanocrystals could be engineered into 3D nanoparticles and different 2D nanoplatelets with well-defined morphology by choosing different organic acid and amine ligands via a hot injection process. Moreover, the thickness of layered 2D nanoplatelets could be adjusted by changing the amount of Cs-oleate present during the synthesis. The photoluminescence emission peaks changed from 643 to 742 nm based on nanomaterial shape. Our method provides a facile and versatile route to rationally control the shape of the Cs₂SnI₆ nanocrystals, which will create opportunities for applications in lead-free optoelectronics.