Improving the stability of perovskite nanocrystals via SiO₂ coating and their applications

Lead halide perovskite nanocrystals (LHP NCs) with outstanding optical properties have been regarded as promising alternatives to traditional phosphors for lighting and next-generation display technology. However, the practical applications of LHP NCs are seriously hindered by their poor stability upon exposure to moisture, oxygen, light, and heat. Hence, various strategies have been proposed to solve this issue. In this review, we have focused our attention on improving the stability of LHP NCs via SiO2 coating because it has the advantages of simple operation, less toxicity, and easy repetition. SiO2 coating is classified into four types: (a) in situ hydrolytic coating, (b) mesoporous silica loading, (c) mediated anchoring, and (d) double coating. The potential applications of SiO2-coated LHP NCs in the field of optoelectronics, biology, and catalysis are presented to elucidate the reliability and availability of SiO2 coating. Finally, the future development and challenges in the preparation of SiO2-coated LHP NCs are analyzed in order to promote the commercialization process of LHP NC-related commodities.