New hybrid lead iodides: From one-dimensional chain to two-dimensional layered perovskite structure

Dion-Jacobson to Alternating-Cations-Interaction Reconstruction toward Narrow Bandgap 2D Aromatic Hybrid Perovskite

The 2D aromatic Dion-Jacobson (DJ) hybrid perovskites combining advantages of high stability, enhanced light absorption, and favorable charge transport, are regarded as a kind of very promising materials for high-performance optoelectronic applications. However, due to the rigidity and large size of the aromatic ring, how to further reduce the interlayer distance to achieve better carrier transport and wider light response window still remain extremely challenging. Here, an interesting DJ-to-ACI (alternating-cations-interaction) reconstruction in 2D aromatic perovskite is first realized by inserting MA+ cations into (4-AP)PbI4 (1, 4-AP = 4-amidinopyridinium), successfully constructing an unprecedented ACI perovskite of (4-AP)(MA)2 Pb2 I8 (2, MA = methylamine). Remarkably, such a DJ-to-ACI reconstruction not only effectively reduces the interlayer spacing from 3.89 to 3.15 Å but also alleviates the structural distortion, which jointly causes a significant bandgap narrowing from 2.22 to 1.95 eV (smaller than all current 2D monolayered DJ perovskites), hence achieving a broad photodetection window over 660 nm. This work reports a novel narrow bandgap 2D ACI perovskite derived from the aromatic DJ motif, which sheds light on future regulations on the structure and properties of hybrid perovskites.

Structural chemistry of layered lead halide perovskites containing single octahedral layers

We present a comprehensive review of the structural chemistry of hybrid lead halides of stoichiometry APbX 4, A 2PbX4 or A A'PbX 4, where A and A' are organic ammonium cations and X = Cl, Br or I. These compounds may be considered as layered perovskites, containing isolated, infinite layers of corner-sharing PbX 4 octahedra separated by the organic species. First, over 250 crystal structures were extracted from the CCDC and classified in terms of unit-cell metrics and crystal symmetry. Symmetry mode analysis was then used to identify the nature of key structural distortions of the [PbX 4]∞ layers. Two generic types of distortion are prevalent in this family: tilting of the octahedral units and shifts of the inorganic layers relative to each other. Although the octahedral tilting modes are well known in the crystallography of purely inorganic perovskites, the additional layer-shift modes are shown to enormously enrich the structural options available in layered hybrid perovskites. Some examples and trends are discussed in more detail in order to show how the nature of the interlayer organic species can influence the overall structural architecture; although the main aim of the paper is to encourage workers in the field to make use of the systematic crystallographic methods used here to further understand and rationalize their own compounds, and perhaps to be able to design-in particular structural features in future work.

The 2D Halide Perovskite Rulebook: How the Spacer Influences Everything from the Structure to Optoelectronic Device Efficiency

Two-dimensional (2D) halide perovskites have emerged as outstanding semiconducting materials thanks to their superior stability and structural diversity. However, the ever-growing field of optoelectronic device research using 2D perovskites requires systematic understanding of the effects of the spacer on the structure, properties, and device performance. So far, many studies are based on trial-and-error tests of random spacers with limited ability to predict the resulting structure of these synthetic experiments, hindering the discovery of novel 2D materials to be incorporated into high-performance devices. In this review, we provide guidelines on successfully choosing spacers and incorporating them into crystalline materials and optoelectronic devices. We first provide a summary of various synthetic methods to act as a tutorial for groups interested in pursuing synthesis of novel 2D perovskites. Second, we provide our insights on what kind of spacer cations can stabilize 2D perovskites followed by an extensive review of the spacer cations, which have been shown to stabilize 2D perovskites with an emphasis on the effects of the spacer on the structure and optical properties. Next, we provide a similar explanation for the methods used to fabricate films and their desired properties. Like the synthesis section, we will then focus on various spacers that have been used in devices and how they influence the film structure and device performance. With a comprehensive understanding of these effects, a rational selection of novel spacers can be made, accelerating this already exciting field.

The effect of organic cations on the electronic, optical and luminescence properties of 1D piperidinium, pyridinium, and 3-hydroxypyridinium lead trihalides

We present a structural and optoelectronic study of 1D piperidinium, pyridinium, and 3-hydroxypyridinium lead trihalides. In contrast to the piperidinium and pyridinium species whose single inorganic chains [PbX31-]n are separated by organic cations, the 3-hydroxypyridinium compound is characterized by double inorganic chains. According to DFT the valence and conduction bands of the piperidinium lead trihalides are composed of occupied p-orbitals of the halogen anions and unoccupied p-orbitals of the Pb2+ cations. In contrast, the pyridinium species feature low-lying cationic energy levels formed from the cation's π*-orbitals. Thus, electronic transitions between the cationic energy levels and valence bands require less energy than valence to conduction band transitions in the case of piperidinium lead trihalides. The presence of an OH group in the pyridinium ring leads to a bathochromic shift of the cationic energy levels resulting in a decreased energy of transitions from the cationic energy levels to the valence band. Electronic transitions predicted by DFT are observable in experimental optical absorption and luminescence spectra. This study paves the way for creation of 1D perovskite-like structures with desired optoelectronic properties.

Broadband white light emission from one-dimensional zigzag edge-sharing perovskite

We reported 1D (AMP)PbBr₄ and (AMP)PbCl₄ perovskites, which consisted of the 1D zigzag edge-sharing [PbBr₄²⁻ (or PbCl₄²⁻)]_∞ infinite inorganic chains with AMP²⁺ cations, for the white-light emission.

One-dimensional organic lead halide perovskites with efficient bluish white-light emission

Organic-inorganic hybrid metal halide perovskites, an emerging class of solution processable photoactive materials, welcome a new member with a one-dimensional structure. Herein we report the synthesis, crystal structure and photophysical properties of one-dimensional organic lead bromide perovskites, C₄N₂H₁₄PbBr₄, in which the edge sharing octahedral lead bromide chains [PbBr₄ ^2-]_∞ are surrounded by the organic cations C₄N₂H₁₄ ²⁺ to form the bulk assembly of core-shell quantum wires. This unique one-dimensional structure enables strong quantum confinement with the formation of self-trapped excited states that give efficient bluish white-light emissions with photoluminescence quantum efficiencies of approximately 20% for the bulk single crystals and 12% for the microscale crystals. This work verifies once again that one-dimensional systems are favourable for exciton self-trapping to produce highly efficient below-gap broadband luminescence, and opens up a new route towards superior light emitters based on bulk quantum materials.

A chemodosimetric approach for the selective detection of Pb2+ions using a cesium based perovskite

We have synthesized a lead free inorganic perovskite as a fluorescence turn-on chemodosimeter for selective sensing of Pb²⁺ions.

Charge carrier dynamics of methylammonium lead iodide: from PbI2-rich to low-dimensional broadly emitting perovskites

Broadband transient absorption spectroscopy reveals an increased carrier recombination rate constant of low-dimensional perovskites.