Synthesis, Structure, and Tunability of Zero-Dimensional Organic-Inorganic Metal Halides Utilizing the m-Xylylenediammonium Cation: MXD2PbI6, MXDBiI5, and MXD3Bi2Br12·2H2O

A Halobismuthate Hybrid Characteristic of a T-Shaped Cation: Structure, Band Gap, Photocurrent Response, and Theoretical Study

Seeking new types of halobismuthate hybrids and exploring their physicochemical applications remain very attractive, yet full of challenges. Herein, we successfully fabricate and structurally characterize a novel halobismuthate with abundant weak interactions, namely, [MCP]3Cs2Bi2I6Cl2 (1, HMCP+ = 1-methyl-4-(carboxyl)pyridinium), which features the discrete [BiI5.45Cl0.55]3- anions that are charge-balanced by Cs+ ions and T-shaped [Bi(MCP)3I0.55Cl1.45]+ cations. UV-vis diffuse reflection studies show that compound 1 possesses the semiconducting property, with an optical band gap of 2.35 eV. More prominently, it exhibits the excellent photoelectric switching ability, whose photocurrent density (2.64 μA·cm-2) greatly outperforms or compares well with those of many high-performance metal halide analogues. In addition, compound 1 also displays wavelength-dependent photocurrent response behavior. Further theoretical analyses reveal that its valence band maximum and conduction band minimum are largely from the organic moiety and halogen, which may offer new guidance for the design and synthesis of newer halobismuthates with unique structures and desirable properties.

Pyro-phototronic Effect Enhanced Self-Powered Photoresponse in Lead-Free Hybrid Perovskite

Pyro-phototronic effect (PPE) can significantly boost the performance of hybrid perovskite (HPs) photodetectors due to the effective modulation of photogenerated charge carrier separations, transportation, and extraction. However, there are few reports on the application of PPE in lead-free HPs. Herein, a polar lead-free HP (1,3-BMACH)BiBr5 [1,3-BMACH = 1,3-bis(aminomethyl)cyclohexane] is synthesized and realized broadband self-powered photoresponse from X-rays to near-infrared (NIR) through the PPE. Particularly, this light-induced PPE in lead-free HPs breaks the limitation of the optical band gap, making them suitable for broadband self-powered photodetection. Under 405 nm illumination, compared with a purely photovoltaic system, Iphoto+pyro is boosted by 3100%, and R and D* are both enhanced by 260% after coupled PPE. It is particularly interesting that an obvious X-ray-induced PPE phenomenon is also observed, which endows (1,3-BMACH)BiBr5 with a high sensitivity of 154 μC Gy-1 cm-2 and a low detection limit of 307 nGy s-1 under the self-powered mode. The implementation of light-induced PPE from X-rays to NIR in lead-free HPs provides a new approach for constructing environmentally friendly, broadband, and self-powered optoelectronic devices in the future.

Lead-Free Bismuth-Based Perovskite X-ray Detector with High Sensitivity and Low Detection Limit

Bismuth-based halide perovskites have shown great potential for direct X-ray detection, attributable to their nontoxicity and advantages in detection sensitivity and spatial resolution. However, the practical application of such materials still faces the critical challenge of combining both high sensitivity and low detection limits. Here, we report a new type of zero-dimensional (0D) perovskite (HIS)BiI5 (1, where HIS2+ = histamine) with high sensitivity and a low detection limit. Structurally, the strong N-H···I hydrogen bonds between HIS2+ cations and inorganic frameworks enhance the rigidity of the structure and diminish the intermolecular distance between adjacent inorganic [Bi2I10]4- dimers. By virtue of such structural merits, single crystal 1 exhibits excellent physical properties perpendicular to both the (001) and (010) faces. Perpendicular to the (010) face, 1 exhibited a high electrical resistivity (2.31 × 1011 Ω cm) and a large carrier mobility-lifetime product (μτ) (2.81 × 10-4 cm2 V-1) under X-ray illumination. Benefiting from these superior physical properties, it demonstrates an excellent X-ray detection capability with a sensitivity of approximately 103 μC Gyair-1 cm-2 and a detection limit of 36 nGyair s-1 in both directions perpendicular to the (001) and (010) crystal faces. These results provide a promising candidate material for the development of new, lead-free, high-performance X-ray detectors.