Crystal-Liquid-Glass Transition and Near-Unity Photoluminescence Quantum Yield in Low Melting Point Hybrid Metal Halides
Yu Zhang, Yuegang Zhang, Yuyan Zhao, Hao Jia, Zhengwei Yang, Baipeng Yin, Yuchen Wu, Yuanping Yi, Chuang Zhang, Jiannian Yao
Abstract
Hybrid metal halides (HMHs) are a class of materials that combine extraordinary photophysical properties and excellent processability. Their chemical variability allows for the solid–liquid transition toward melt-processable HMHs. Herein, we report the design and synthesis of zero-dimensional HMHs [M(DMSO) 6 ][SbCl 6 ], where the isolated octahedra of [M(DMSO) 6 ] 3+ and [SbCl 6 ] 3– are alternatively aligned in the crystal structure. The luminescent center of [SbCl 6 ] 3– enables the photogeneration of self-trapped excitons, resulting in broadband photoluminescence with a large Stokes shift and a nearly 100% quantum yield. Meanwhile, the release of DMSO ligands from [M(DMSO) 6 ] 3+ is controlled by the M-O coordination and thus a low melting point of ∼90 °C is achieved for HMHs. Interestingly, the glass phase is obtained by melt quenching, with a sharp change in photoluminescence colors compared to the crystal phase of melt-processable HMHs. The robust crystal-liquid-glass transition opens a new avenue to tailoring structural disorder and optoelectronic performance in organic–inorganic materials.