Pb alloying enables efficient broadband emission of two dimensional [NH3(CH2)4NH3]CdBr4

Exploring the potential applications of lead-free organic-inorganic perovskite type [NH3(CH2)nNH3]MCl4 (n = 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6; M = Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, and Cd) crystals

The organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite compounds have been extensively studied since the dawn of a new era in the field of photovoltaic applications. Up to now, perovskites have proven to be the most promising in terms of power conversion efficiency; however, their main disadvantages for use in solar cells are toxicity and chemical instability. Therefore, it is essential to develop a hybrid perovskite that can be replaced with lead-free materials. This review focuses on the possibility of applying lead-free organic-inorganic perovskite types [NH3(CH2)nNH3]MCl4 (n = 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6; M = Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, and Cd) crystals. We are seeking organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite materials with very high temperature stability or without phase transition temperature, and thermal stability. Thus, by considering the characteristics according to the methylene lengths and the various transition metals, we aim to identify improved materials meeting the criteria mentioned above. Consequently, the physicochemical properties of organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite [NH3(CH2)nNH3]MCl4 regarding the effects of various transition metal ions of the anion and the methylene lengths of the cation are expected to promote the development and application of lead-free hybrid perovskite solar cells.

Solvent-Free Grinding Synthesis of Hybrid Copper Halides for White Light Emission

Lead-free metal halides (LMHs) have recently attracted numerous attention in solid-state lighting due to their unique structures and outstanding optoelectronic properties. However, conventional preparation processes with the utilization of toxic organic solvents and high temperatures seem to impede commercial applications of LMHs. In this work, we successfully synthesize Cu⁺-based metal halides (TMA)₃Cu₂Br_5-xCl_x (TMA: tetramethylammonium) with high photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQYs) via a solvent-free mechanical grinding method. By changing the ratio of halide ions (Cl^- and Br^-) in precursors, the emission wavelength of the prepared (TMA)₃Cu₂Br_5-xCl_x can be tuned from 535 to 587 nm, which are employed as emitters in the fabrication of white-light-emitting diodes (WLEDs). The achieved WLEDs exhibit a high color rendering index value of 84 and standard Commission Internationale de l'Éclairage (CIE) coordinates of (0.324, 0.333). This feasible and solvent-free preparation strategy not only promotes the mass production of LMHs but also highlights the promising potential for efficient solid-state illumination.

Competing Energy Transfer in Two-Dimensional Mn2+-Doped BDACdBr4 Hybrid Layered Perovskites with Near-Unity Photoluminescence Quantum Yield

Two-dimensional (2D) hybrid layered perovskites (HLPs) have attracted extensive attention due to their excellent optoelectronic properties. Herein, we successfully prepared high-quality Mn-doped BDACdBr₄ (BDA = NH₂(CH₂)₄NH₂, butylene diammonium) HLP single crystals (SCs). The incorporation of Mn²⁺ ions modulates the electronic band structure of BDACdBr₄ perovskites and tailors the energy transfer process of excited states. A near-unity photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield of 96% from the Mn²⁺ emission at 608 nm is achieved. Excitation wavelength-dependent spectroscopic characterizations help to clarify the energy transfer mechanism of Mn-doped BDACdBr₄, in which competing PL from the ³E_g → ¹A_1g transition of Cd²⁺ and the ⁴T₁(G) → ⁶A₁(S) transition of Mn²⁺ dopants is observed. Temperature-dependent PL spectroscopic characterizations indicate that the efficient energy transfer from BDACdBr₄ perovskite host to Mn²⁺ dopants requires thermal activation to overcome a potential barrier. This work provides new insight into the photophysics and optical properties of 2D HLPs, especially the influence of Mn²⁺ doping on competing energy transfer in hybrid luminescent materials.

Characterization on Lead-Free Hybrid Perovskite [NH3(CH2)5NH3]CuCl4: Thermodynamic Properties and Molecular Dynamics

It is essential to develop novel zero- and two-dimensional hybrid perovskites to facilitate the development of eco-friendly solar cells. In this study, we investigated the structure and dynamics of [NH₃(CH₂)₅NH₃]CuCl₄ via various characterization techniques. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) results indicated that the crystallographic environments of ¹H in NH₃ and ¹³C on C3, located close to NH₃ at both ends of the cation, were changed, indicating a large structural change of CuCl₆ connected to N–H···Cl. The thermal properties and structural dynamics of the [NH₃(CH₂)_nNH₃] cation in [NH₃(CH₂)_nNH₃]CuCl₄ (n = 2, 3, 4, and 5) crystals were compared using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and NMR results for the methylene chain. The ¹H and ¹³C spin-lattice relaxation times (T_1ρ) exhibited similar trends upon the variation of the methylene chain length, with n = 2 exhibiting shorter T_1ρ values than n = 3, 4, and 5. The difference in T_1ρ values was related to the length of the cation, and the shorter chain length (n = 2) exhibited a shorter T_1ρ owing to the one closest to the paramagnetic Cu²⁺ ions.

Advances in physicochemical characterization of lead-free hybrid perovskite [NH3(CH2)3NH3]CuBr4 crystals

To support the development of eco-friendly hybrid perovskite solar cells, structural, thermal, and physical properties of the lead-free hybrid perovskite [NH3(CH2)3NH3]CuBr4 were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The crystal structure confirmed by XRD was monoclinic, and thermodynamic stability was observed at approximately 500 K without any phase transition. The large changes in the 1H chemical shifts of NH3 and those in C2 close to N are affected by N-H∙∙∙Br hydrogen bonds because the structural geometry of CuBr4 changed significantly. The 1H and 13C spin-lattice relaxation times (T1ρ) showed very similar molecular motions according to the Bloembergen-Purcell-Pound theory at low temperatures; however, the 1H T1ρ values representing energy transfer were about 10 times lesser than those of 13C T1ρ. Finally, the 1H and 13C T1ρ values of [NH3(CH2)3NH3]MeBr4 (Me = Cu, Zn, and Cd) were compared with those reported previously. 1H T1ρ was affected by the paramagnetic ion of the anion, while 13C T1ρ was affected by the MeBr4 structure of the anion; 13C T1ρ values in Me = Cu and Cd with the octahedral MeBr6 structure had longer values than those in Me = Zn with the tetrahedral MeBr4 structure. We believe that these detailed insights on the physical properties will play a crucial role in the development of eco-friendly hybrid perovskite solar cells.

Corrugated 1D Hybrid Metal Halide [C6H7ClN]CdCl3 Exhibiting Broadband White-Light Emission

Organic-inorganic hybrid metal halides (OIMHs) exhibiting white-light emission are a splendid class of emitters and are regarded as desired phosphors for solid-state lighting applications. Here we report a single-component white-light-emitting hybrid metal halide, namely, [C₆H₇ClN]CdCl₃ (C₆H₇ClN = 4-(chloromethyl)pyridinium), which features a corrugated 1D anionic double chain composed of edge-shared CdCl₆ octahedrons and exhibits broadband white-light emission with a photoluminescence quantum yield of 12.3% under 365 nm UV light irradiation. Density functional theory calculations and temperature-dependent emission spectral analysis unveil that the broadband emission of [C₆H₇ClN]CdCl₃ is ascribed to self-trapped excitons. Moreover, a single-component white-light-emitting diode device with a correlated color temperature of 5214 K and color rendering index of 83.7 can be fabricated via coating [C₆H₇ClN]CdCl₃ on a 365 nm UV light-emitting diode chip. Such a promising luminescent material provides guidance for the design and synthesis of OIMHs with unique structures and desired properties.

Ultrafast Study of Exciton Transfer in Sb(III)-Doped Two-Dimensional [NH3(CH2)4NH3]CdBr4 Perovskite

Antimony-based metal halide hybrids have attracted enormous attention due to the stereoactive 5s² electron pair that drives intense triplet broadband emission. However, energy/charge transfer has been rarely achieved for Sb³⁺-doped materials. Herein, Sb³⁺ ions are homogeneously doped into 2D [NH₃(CH₂)₄NH₃]CdBr₄ perovskite (Cd-PVK) using a wet-chemical method. Compared to the weak singlet exciton emission of Cd-PVK at 380 nm, 0.01% Sb³⁺-doped Cd-PVK exhibits intense triplet emission located at 640 nm with a near-unity quantum yield. Further increasing the doping concentration of Sb³⁺ completely quenches singlet exciton emission of Cd-PVK, concurrently with enhanced Sb³⁺ triplet emission. Delayed luminescence and femtosecond-transient absorption studies suggest that Sb³⁺ emission originates from exciton transfer (ET) from Cd-PVK host to Sb³⁺ dopant, while such ET cannot occur with Pb²⁺-doped Cd-PVK because of the mismatch of energy levels. In addition, density function theory calculations indicate that the introduced Sb³⁺ likely replace the Cd²⁺ ions along with the deprotonation of butanediammonium for charge balance, instead of generating Cd²⁺ vacancies. This work provides a deeper understanding of the ET of Sb³⁺-doped Cd-PVK and suggests an effective strategy to achieve efficient triplet Sb³⁺ emission beyond 0D Cl-based hybrids.