Compositions and methods relating to luminescent structures

A method for synthesizing a zero-dimensional perovskite in the form of a powder, the method comprising:

• mixing at least one of CsR and Cs(R)2 with at least one of PbR and Pb(R)2 in a solvent to create a mixture, wherein R is at least one of a halogen anion, a monovalent anion, and a conjugate base of an acid;
• heating the mixture to a temperature in a range of about 40° C. to about 180° C. and holding the mixture at the temperature for a period of time to form a precipitate, or
• mixing the mixture with an antisolvent vapor and exposing the mixture to the antisolvent vapor for a period of time to form a precipitate;
• isolating the precipitate;
• washing the precipitate with a wash solvent to produce a washed precipitate;
• and
• drying the washed precipitate by a drying method to produce the zero-dimensional perovskite composition;
• wherein the dried precipitate is a powder consisting essentially of at least 95% pure single phase zero-dimensional perovskite having a formula of Cs4Pb(R)6 and a photoluminescence quantum yield of about 38% or greater.