Crystal structure, vibrational spectra and non-linear optical properties of diethylenetriammonium hexabromobismuthate: C4H16N3BiBr6

Structural Phase Transition in 0D (3,5-DMP)2Bi1-xSbxCl5 Metal Halides: Expression of the Lone Pair Effect and Polyhedral Distortion

Low-dimensional Bi/Sb-based organic-inorganic metal halides (OIMHs) have attracted immense attention from the research community because of their structural diversity and efficient luminescence properties. Further understanding of the relationship between the structure and luminescence properties of these materials is of utmost importance for tuning the luminescence properties for various practical applications. Herein, we have synthesized two lead-free Bi/Sb-based novel OIMHs, (3,5-DMP)2BiCl5 and (3,5-DMP)2SbCl5 [(3,5-DMP) = 3,5-dimethylpiperidine], with zero-dimensional (0D) structures and crystallizing in triclinic (P1 ¯ space group) and monoclinic (P21/c space group) crystal systems, respectively. Both the compounds behave as typical semiconductors with indirect optical band gaps of 3.34 and 3.36 eV for pristine Bi and Sb compounds. These compounds exhibit higher environmental and thermal stability at ambient conditions. Gradual substitution of Sb at the Bi site in (3,5-DMP)2Bi1-xSbxCl5 resulted in the introduction of structural strain due to the significant expression of the lone pair effect, thus leading to a structural transition from the triclinic to monoclinic phase. The effect of the structural phase transition on the optical properties is also studied in (3,5-DMP)2Bi1-xSbxCl5. This work may offer new direction and guidance for exploring various 0D hybrid metal halides and tuning the structures for improvement in the luminescence properties.

Crystal Structure and Optical Properties Characterization in Quasi-0D Lead-Free Bromide Crystals (C6H14N)3Bi2Br9·H2O and (C6H14N)3Sb3Br12

Low dimensional organic inorganic metal halide materials have shown broadband emission and large Stokes shift, making them widely used in various fields and a promising candidate material. Here, the zero-dimensional lead-free bromide single crystals (C6H14N)3Bi2Br9·H2O (1) and (C6H14N)3Sb3Br12 (2) were synthesized. They crystallized in the monoclinic crystal system with the space group of P21 and P21/n, respectively. Through ultraviolet-visible-near-infrared (UV-vis-NIR) absorption analysis, the band gaps of (C6H14N)3Bi2Br9·H2O and (C6H14N)3Sb3Br12 are found to be 2.75 and 2.83 eV, respectively. Upon photoexcitation, (C6H14N)3Bi2Br9·H2O exhibit broad-band red emission peaking at 640 nm with a large Stokes shift of 180 nm and a lifetime of 2.94 ns, and the emission spectrum of (C6H14N)3Sb3Br12 are similar to those of (C6H14N)3Bi2Br9·H2O. This exclusive red emission is ascribed to the self-trapping exciton transition caused by lattice distortion, which is confirmed through both experiments and first-principles calculations. In addition, due to the polar space group structure and the large spin-orbit coupling (SOC) associated with the heavy elements of Bi and Br of crystal 1, an obvious Rashba effect was observed. The discovery of organic inorganic metal bromide material provides a critical foundation for uncovering the connection between 0D metal halide materials' structures and properties.

Structural Transition in (C2H5NH3)3Bi2-xSbxI9:[(Bi/Sb)2I9]3- Dimers to [(Bi/Sb)3I12]3- Trimers to (∞1)[(Bi/Sb)2I93-] 1D Infinite Chains

Antimony/bismuth-based lead-free hybrid halide defect 2D perovskites have been generating enormous research interest due to their inherent excellent optical properties. Exploration of new phases and understanding of their structural and optoelectronic properties are of paramount importance in the process of developing materials for practical solar cell applications. In this article, we have reported a structural transition from the 0D hexagonal phase containing isolated [M2I9]3- (M = Bi/Sb) units to the 1D orthorhombic phase via a new monoclinic phase with novel isolated trimeric [M3I12]3- units in (C2H5NH3)3Bi2-2xSb2xI9. The hexagonal phase is stable up to 2x = 0.6 in (C2H5NH3)3Bi2-2xSb2xI9. With gradual substitution of Sb, the cation-cation repulsion increases, which destabilizes the [M2I9]3- unit, and hence, the hexagonal phase becomes unstable. At intermediate composition, 2x = 0.8-1.6, a new monoclinic phase (S.G.: C2/m) with the composition (C2H5NH3)2Bi2-2xSb2xI8 is formed, containing isolated [M3I12]3- units. The symmetry reduction resulted in larger distortion, which relaxes the strain and stabilizes the trimeric unit in the intermediate compositions. Finally, at higher Sb compositions (2x = 1.9-2.0), the compounds crystallize in the orthorhombic 1D phase. In all three phases of (C2H5NH3)3Bi2-2xSb2xI9, the cationic ethylammonium units are completely disordered over the whole unit cell. Raman study clearly shows the phase transition in (C2H5NH3)3Bi2-2xSb2xI9 and also the structural distortion in (C2H5NH3)2Bi2-2xSb2xI8. Optical property study shows that all the compounds are of indirect band gap type. Furthermore, PL study shows better emission properties of the 1D orthorhombic Sb compounds as compared to the 0D hexagonal and monoclinic phases.

Solvent-mediated crystallization of (TMS)2BiBr5·DMSO: a new 0D hybrid halide perovskite

Lead-free hybrid halide perovskites have recently gained enormous research attention because of their excellent optical properties. Herein, we report a novel zero-dimensional (0D) hybrid halide perovskite, (TMS)₂BiBr₅·DMSO, stabilized by the dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solvent. The structure contains isolated [BiBr₅OS(CH₃)₂]^2- anionic polyhedra and the cations [(CH₃)₃S]⁺ (trimethyl sulfonium ion, TMS) balance the charge, making it a 0D halide perovskite. Non-interaction of the trans Br atoms (with respect to the Bi-DMSO bond) with the cationic TMS resulted in shorter trans Bi-Br bonds as compared to other Bi-Br bonds in the isolated BiBr₅·DMSO polyhedra. The optical properties study reveals that the compound is an indirect band gap type with a band gap of 2.79 eV. From the PL study it is observed that the compound shows emission in the blue region.

Crystal structure, spectroscopic measurement, optical properties, thermal studies and biological activities of a new hybrid material containing iodide anions of bismuth(iii)

As part of our interest in halogenobismuthate(iii) organic-inorganic hybrid materials, a novel compound named bis(4,4'-diammoniumdiphenylsulfone) hexadecaiodotetrabismuthate(III) tetrahydrate with the chemical formula (C12H14N2O2S)2[Bi4I16]·4H2O, abbreviated as (H2DDS)[Bi4I16], has been prepared by a slow evaporation method at room temperature. This compound was characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD), spectroscopic measurements, thermal study and antimicrobial activity. The examination of the molecular arrangement shows that the crystal packing can be described as made of layers of organic [C12H14N2O2S]2+ entities and H2O molecules, between which tetranuclear [Bi4I16]4- units, isolated from each other, are inserted. The cohesion among the different molecules is assured by N-H⋯I, N-H⋯O and O-H⋯I hydrogen bonding interactions, forming a three-dimensional network. Room temperature IR, Raman spectroscopy of the title compound were recorded and analyzed. The optical properties were also investigated by both UV-vis and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Moreover, the synthesized compound was also screened for in vitro antimicrobial (Gram-positive and Gram-negative) and antioxidant activities (scavenging effect on DPPH free radicals, reducing power and total antioxidant capacity).

Synthesis of a New Chloro Antimony Complex with Pyridinium Derivative: Crystal Structure, Hirshfeld Surface Analysis, Vibrational, and Optical Properties

The new organic–inorganic hybrid material (C6H7N2S)2[SbCl4]Cl was synthesized by slow evaporation method and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, infrared absorption, Hirshfeld surface analysis, optical absorption and photoluminescence measurements. The Centro symmetric compound crystallizes in the triclinic system of space group $${\text{P}}\bar{1}$$P1¯ with two formula units cell (Z = 2).The crystal structure is composed of a discrete [SbCl4]− anion and two isolated chloride Cl− anions which carried the same negative charge to balance the total charge of this compound surrounded by the 4 pyridiniumethioamide cations. Organic and inorganic parts which are linked by means of hydrogen bonding contacts N–H···Cl with N···Cl length are varied in the range of 3.221–3.456 Å to form a Zero-dimensional network. The infrared study performed at room temperature charge in the 4000–400 cm−1 frequency regions confirms the existence of the organic cation [C6H7N2S]+ and that of the [SbCl4]− anion. The Photoluminescence spectrum exhibits a broad and strong band of luminescence located at 1.95 eV (635 nm), which can be even observed with the naked eye at room temperature and is due to exaction emission. The various intermolecular interactions of the two independent cations and six chloride atoms were examined via Hirshfeld surface analysis.

Fabrication and Characterization of Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Electron Extraction Layers for Polymer Solar Cells toward Improved Processing Robustness and Air Stability

Organic-inorganic hybrid materials composed of bismuth and diaminopyridine are studied as novel materials for electron extraction layers in polymer solar cells using regular device structures. The hybrid materials are solution processed on top of two different low band gap polymers (PTB7 or PTB7-Th) as donor materials mixed with fullerene PC₇₀BM as the acceptor. The intercalation of the hybrid layer between the photoactive layer and the aluminum cathode leads to solar cells with a power conversion efficiency of 7.8% because of significant improvements in all photovoltaic parameters, that is, short-circuit current density, fill factor, and open-circuit voltage, similar to the reference devices using ZnO as the interfacial layer. However when using thick layers of such hybrid materials for electron extraction, only small losses in photocurrent density are observed in contrast to the reference material ZnO of pronounced losses because of optical spacer effects. Importantly, these hybrid electron extraction layers also strongly improve the device stability in air compared with solar cells processed with ZnO interlayers. Both results underline the high potential of this new class of hybrid materials as electron extraction materials toward robust processing of air stable organic solar cells.

DFT computations on: Crystal structure, vibrational studies and optical investigations of a luminescent self-assembled material

The current work undertakes the growth and the physicochemical properties of a novel green-yellow luminescence semi-organic material, the 3-picolylammonium bromide abbreviated (Pico-Br). In this paper, we report the X-ray diffraction measurements which show that the crystal lattice consists of distinct 3-picolylammonium cations and free bromide anions connected via NH⋯Br and NH⋯N hydrogen bonds leading to form a two dimensional frameworks. Molecular geometry compared with its optimized counterpart shows that the quantum chemical calculations carried out with density functional method (DFT) well produce the perceived structure by X-ray resolution of the studied material. To provide further insight into the spectroscopic properties, additional characterization of this material have been performed with Raman and infrared studies at room temperature. Theoretical computations have been computed using the (DFT) method at B3LYP/LanL2DZ level of theory implemented within Gaussian 03 program to study the vibrational spectra of the investigated molecule in the ground state. Optical absorption spectrum inspected by UV-visible absorption reveals the appearance of sharp optical gap of 280nm (4.42eV) as well as a strong green photoluminescence emission at 550nm (2.25eV) is detected on the photoluminescence (PL) spectrum at room temperature. Using the TD/DFT method, HOMO-LUMO energy gap and the Mulliken atomic charges were calculated in order to get an insight into the material. Good agreement between the theoretical results and the experimental ones was predicted.

Synthesis, crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of a polymeric bismuthate(III) halide complex, (C6H6N3)2[BiCl5]·2H2O

The structure of this new halide-bridged polymer comprises polyanionic zigzag chains of formula [(BiCl₅)²⁻]_n running along the c-axis direction. The 1,2,3-benzotriazolium cations are linked between these polymer chains, via the water mol­ecules, giving rise to left- and right-handed helical chains.

The synthesis and the crystal structure of a new halide-bridged polymer, namely catena-poly[bis­(1,2,3-benzotriazolium) [[tetra­chlorido­bis­muth(III)]-μ-chlorido] dihydrate], {(C₆H₆N₃)₂[BiCl₅]·2H₂O}_n are reported. The structure comprises polyanionic zigzag chains of formula [(BiCl₅)²⁻]_n running along the c-axis direction. The 1,2,3-benzotriazolium cations are linked between these polymer chains, via the water mol­ecules, giving rise to left- and right-handed helical chains. Hirshfeld surface analysis and fingerprint plots were used to decode the inter­molecular inter­actions in the crystal network and determine the contribution of the component units for the construction of the three-dimensional architecture.

Crystal structure, vibrational spectra, optical and DFT studies of bis (3-azaniumylpropyl) azanium pentachloroantimonate (III) chloride monohydrate (C6H20N3)SbCl5·Cl·H2O

The crystal structure of (C₆H₂₀N₃)SbCl₅·Cl·H₂O is built up of [NH₃(CH₂)₃NH₂(CH₂)₃NH₃]³⁺ cations, [SbCl₅]^2- anions, free Cl^- anions and neutral water molecules connected together by NH⋯Cl, NH⋯O and OH⋯Cl hydrogen bonds. The optical band gap determined by diffuse reflection spectroscopy (DRS) is 3.78eV for a direct allowed transition. Optimized molecular geometry, atomic Mulliken charges, harmonic vibrational frequencies, HOMO-LUMO and related molecular properties of the (C₆H₂₀N₃)SbCl₅·Cl·H₂O compound were calculated by Density functional theory (DFT) using B3LYP method with GenECP sets. The calculated structural parameters (bond lengths and angles) are in good agreement with the experimental XRD data. The vibrational unscaled wavenumbers were calculated and scaled by a proper scaling factor of 0.984. Acceptable consistency was observed between calculated and experimental results. The assignments of wavenumbers were made on the basis of potential energy distribution (PED) using Vibrational Energy Distribution Analysis (VEDA) software. The HOMO-LUMO study was extended to calculate various molecular parameters like ionization potential, electron affinity, global hardness, electro-chemical potential, electronegativity and global electrophilicity of the given molecule.