Facile and Tunable Ligand Engineering of Nanofiber-Embedded Perovskite Quantum Dots for Ammonia Sensing

Abstract

Lead halide perovskite quantum dots (QDs) have emerged as a promising material in various optoelectric devices. However, their fabrication and direct patterning remain challenging due to the intrinsic susceptibility of perovskite QDs. Thus, a chemically mild and facile patterning method is required for advancement in QD applications. Herein, we developed a laser-assisted ligand engineering method that enables facile and precise, non-destructive surface modification of QDs. By employing a mid-IR CO₂ laser, surface ligands were selectively removed, resulting in precise modulation of optical and chemical properties without disrupting the nanostructure. This solvent- and mask-free patterning technique offers rapid processing and facile spatial control compared with conventional chemical approaches. We demonstrated the application of this technique in the fabrication of a QD-based fluorescent sensing platform. The laser-assisted ligand engineering enabled CsPbBr₃ perovskite-embedded nanofibers to exhibit a dual-mode fluorescent response to gaseous ammonia, with a detection limit of 0.152 ppm for fluorescence quenching and 0.6 ppm for enhancement. This approach enables direct patterning of visually responsive sensors, highlighting their potential for integrated detection and display.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords

Perovskite quantum dots / CsPbBr₃ lead halide perovskite / Ligand engineering / Laser patterning / Fluorescence sensors / Ammonia detection

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