Au–CsPbBr3 hybrid architecture: Anchoring gold nanoparticles on cubic perovskite nanocrystals

A selective growth of gold (Au) nanoparticles on the corners of CsPbBr3 nanocrystals (NCs) is made possible with the treatment of Au(III) salts such as Au(III) bromide and Au(III) chloride in solution. The surface bound oleylamine ligands not only stabilize NCs but also facilitate reduction of the Au(III) salts followed by nucleation of the Au nanoparticles on the corners of the perovskite NCs. The luminescence quantum yield of NCs is decreased when Au nanoparticles are formed on the corners of CsPbBr3 NCs, suggesting interaction between the two systems. Formation of Au nanoparticles as well as an anion exchange is seen when Au(III) bromide was replaced with Au(III) chloride as a precursor. This simple strategy of designing perovskite–gold hybrid nanostructures with good colloidal stability offers new opportunities to explore their photocatalytic properties.