Growth of millimeter-sized 2D metal iodide crystals induced by ion-specific preference at water-air interfaces

Jingxian Zhong, Dawei Zhou, Qi Bai, Chao Liu, Xinlian Fan, Hehe Zhang, Congzhou Li, Ran Jiang, Peiyi Zhao, Jiaxiao Yuan, Xiaojiao Li, Guixiang Zhan, Hongyu Yang, Jing Liu, Xuefen Song, Junran Zhang, Xiao Huang, Chao Zhu, Chongqin Zhu () and Lin Wang ()
Additional contact information
Jingxian Zhong: Nanjing Tech University (Nanjing Tech)
Dawei Zhou: Nanjing Tech University (Nanjing Tech)
Qi Bai: Beijing Normal University
Chao Liu: Nanjing Tech University (Nanjing Tech)
Xinlian Fan: Nanjing Tech University (Nanjing Tech)
Hehe Zhang: Nanjing Tech University (Nanjing Tech)
Congzhou Li: Nanjing Tech University (Nanjing Tech)
Ran Jiang: Nanjing Tech University (Nanjing Tech)
Peiyi Zhao: Nanjing Tech University (Nanjing Tech)
Jiaxiao Yuan: Nanjing Tech University (Nanjing Tech)
Xiaojiao Li: Beijing Normal University
Guixiang Zhan: Nanjing Tech University (Nanjing Tech)
Hongyu Yang: Nanjing Tech University (Nanjing Tech)
Jing Liu: Nanjing Tech University (Nanjing Tech)
Xuefen Song: Nanjing Tech University (Nanjing Tech)
Junran Zhang: Nanjing Tech University (Nanjing Tech)
Xiao Huang: Nanjing Tech University (Nanjing Tech)
Chao Zhu: Southeast University
Chongqin Zhu: Beijing Normal University
Lin Wang: Nanjing Tech University (Nanjing Tech)

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Conventional liquid-phase methods lack precise control in synthesizing and processing materials with macroscopic sizes and atomic thicknesses. Water interfaces are ubiquitous and unique in catalyzing many chemical reactions. However, investigations on two-dimensional (2D) materials related to water interfaces remain limited. Here we report the growth of millimeter-sized 2D PbI2 single crystals at the water-air interface. The growth mechanism is based on an inherent ion-specific preference, i.e. iodine and lead ions tend to remain at the water-air interface and in bulk water, respectively. The spontaneous accumulation and in-plane arrangement within the 2D crystal of iodide ions at the water-air interface leads to the unique crystallization of PbI2 as well as other metal iodides. In particular, PbI2 crystals can be customized to specific thicknesses and further transformed into millimeter-sized mono- to few-layer perovskites. Additionally, we have developed water-based techniques, including water-soaking, spin-coating, water-etching, and water-flow-assisted transfer to recycle, thin, pattern, and position PbI2, and subsequently, perovskites. Our water-interface mediated synthesis and processing methods represents a significant advancement in achieving simple, cost-effective, and energy-efficient production of functional materials and their integrated devices.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47241-4

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