Diimidazolium Halobismuthates [Dim]2[Bi2X10] (X = Cl-, Br-, or I-): A New Class of Thermochromic and Photoluminescent Materials

We present a novel family of polyhalide salts of Bi(III) with the general formula [Dim]₂[Bi₂X₁₀], where Dim²⁺ is the diimidazolium cation (C₉H₁₄N₄)²⁺ and X is Cl^-, Br^-, or I^-. Single-phase materials are easily obtained by means of a mild solution chemistry method performed at room temperature. This [Dim]₂[Bi₂X₁₀] family exhibits a crystal structure based on halobismuthate [Bi₂X₁₀]^4- dimers, built by distorted {BiX₆} octahedra interconnected by edge sharing, and sandwiched between two diimidazolium cations. The optical band gaps displayed by these materials (1.9-3.2 eV) allow their classification as semiconductors. Additionally, the three halides display photoluminescence with emission in the visible range. The behavior of [Dim]₂[Bi₂I₁₀] is particularly interesting, as it shows an optical band gap of 1.9 eV, a broad band photoluminescence emission, and a relatively long emission lifetime of 190 ns. Moreover, the iodide and bromide compounds also exhibit a reversible solid state thermochromism, being the first example of a bromobismuthate with this property. The diimidazolium cations play an important structural role by stabilizing the crystal structure and balancing the charges of the [Bi₂X₁₀]^4- dimers. Furthermore, density functional theory calculations suggest that they play a key role in the thermochromic behavior. Therefore, compounds [Dim]₂[Bi₂X₁₀] (X = Cl^-, Br^-, or I^-) represent a very versatile family in which the optical band gap can be tuned by changing the halide or temperature. This makes them promising new materials for different optoelectronic applications, in particular for obtaining new solar absorbers.