Large negative thermo-optic coefficients of a lead halide perovskite

Lead halide perovskites are promising semiconductors for high-performance photonic devices. Because the refractive index determines the optimal design and performance limit of the semiconductor devices, the refractive index and its change upon external modulations are the most critical properties for advanced photonic applications. Here, we report that the refractive index of halide perovskite CH₃NH₃PbCl₃ shows a distinct decrease with increasing temperature, i.e., a large negative thermo-optic coefficient, which is opposite to those of conventional inorganic semiconductors. By using this negative coefficient, we demonstrate the compensation of thermally induced optical phase shifts occurring in conventional semiconductors. Furthermore, we observe a large and slow refractive index change in CH₃NH₃PbCl₃ during photoirradiation and clarify its origin to be a very low thermal conductivity supported by theoretical analysis. The giant thermo-optic response of CH₃NH₃PbCl₃ facilitates efficient phase modulation of visible light.

Longitudinal Optical Phonons Modified by Organic Molecular Cation Motions in Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Perovskites

We performed terahertz time-domain spectroscopy for methylammonium (MA) lead halide perovskite single crystals and characterized the longitudinal optical (LO) phonons directly. We found that the effective LO phonon wave number does not change in the wide temperature range between 10 and 300 K. However, the coupling between MA cation modes and the LO phonon mode derived from lead halide cages induces a mode splitting at low temperatures and a damping of the LO phonon mode at high temperatures. These results influence the interpretation of electron-LO phonon interactions in perovskite semiconductors, as well as the interpretations of mobility, carrier diffusion, and polaron formation.

Near-Band-Edge Optical Responses of CH_{3}NH_{3}PbCl_{3} Single Crystals: Photon Recycling of Excitonic Luminescence

The determination of the band gap and exciton energies of lead halide perovskites is very important from the viewpoint of fundamental physics and photonic device applications. By using photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectra, we reveal the optical properties of CH_{3}NH_{3}PbCl_{3} single crystals in the near-band-edge energy regime. The one-photon PLE spectrum exhibits the 1s exciton peak at 3.11 eV. On the contrary, the two-photon PLE spectrum exhibits no peak structure. This indicates photon recycling of excitonic luminescence. By analyzing the spatial distribution of the excitons and photon recycling, we obtain 3.15 eV for the band gap energy and 41 meV for the exciton binding energy.

From Tetrahedral to Octahedral Iron Coordination: Layer Compression in Topochemically Prepared FeLa2Ti3O10

Synthesis, characterization, and thermal modification of the new layered perovskite FeLa₂Ti₃O₁₀ have been studied. FeLa₂Ti₃O₁₀ was prepared by ion exchange of the triple-layered Ruddlesden-Popper phase Li₂La₂Ti₃O₁₀ with FeCl₂ at 350 °C under static vacuum. Rietveld refinement on synchrotron X-ray diffraction data indicates that the new phase is isostructural with CoLa₂Ti₃O₁₀, where Fe^II cations occupy slightly compressed/flattened interlayer tetrahedral sites. Magnetic measurements on FeLa₂Ti₃O₁₀ display Curie-Weiss behavior at high temperatures and a spin-glass transition at lower temperatures (<30 K). Thermal treatment in oxygen shows that FeLa₂Ti₃O₁₀ undergoes a significant cell contraction (Δc ≈ -2.7 Å) with a change in the oxidation state of iron (Fe²⁺ to Fe³⁺); structural analysis and Mössbauer studies indicate that upon oxidation the local iron environment goes from tetrahedral to octahedral coordination with some deintercalation of iron as Fe₂O₃ to produce Fe_0.67La₂Ti₃O₁₀.

Optical characterization of voltage-accelerated degradation in CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite solar cells

We investigate the performance degradation mechanism of CH₃NH₃PbI₃ perovskite solar cells under bias voltage in air and nitrogen atmospheres using photoluminescence and electroluminescence techniques. When applying forward bias, the power conversion efficiency of the solar cells decreased significantly in air, but showed no degradation in nitrogen atmosphere. Time-resolved photoluminescence measurements on these devices revealed that the application of forward bias in air accelerates the generation of non-radiative recombination centers in the perovskite layer buried in the device. We found a negative correlation between the electroluminescence intensity and the injected current intensity in air. The irreversible change of the perovskite grain surface in air initiates the degradation of the perovskite solar cells.

Long-range magnetic order in the 5d(2) double perovskite Ba2CaOsO6: comparison with spin-disordered Ba2YReO6

The B-site ordered double perovskite Ba2CaOsO6 was studied by dc magnetic susceptibility, powder neutron diffraction and muon spin relaxation methods. The lattice parameter is a = 8.3619(6) Å at 280 K and cubic symmetry [Formula: see text] is retained to 3.5 K with a = 8.3462(7) Å. Curie-Weiss susceptibility behaviour is observed for T > 100 K and the derived constants are C = 0.3361(3) emu K mol(-1) and ΘCW = -156.2(3) K, in excellent agreement with literature values. This Curie constant is much smaller than the spin-only value of 1.00 emu K mol(-1) for a 5d(2) Os(6+) configuration, indicating a major influence of spin-orbit coupling. Previous studies had detected both susceptibility and heat capacity anomalies near 50 K but no definitive conclusion was drawn concerning the nature of the ground state. While no ordered Os moment could be detected by powder neutron diffraction, muon spin relaxation (µSR) data show clear long-lived oscillations indicative of a continuous transition to long-range magnetic order below TC = 50 K. An estimate of the ordered moment on Os(6+) is ∼ 0.2 μB, based upon a comparison with µSR data for Ba2YRuO6 with a known ordered moment of 2.2 μB. These results are compared with those for isostructural Ba2YReO6 which contains Re(5+), also 5d(2), and has a nearly identical unit cell constant, a = 8.36278(2) Å-a structural doppelgänger. In contrast, Ba2YReO6 shows ΘCW = - 616 K, and a complex spin-disordered and, ultimately, spin-frozen ground state below 50 K, indicating a much higher level of geometric frustration than in Ba2CaOsO6. The results on these 5d(2) systems are compared to recent theory, which predicts a variety of ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic ground states. In the case of Ba2CaOsO6, our data indicate that a complex four-sublattice magnetic structure is likely. This is in contrast to the spin-disordered ground state in Ba2YReO6, despite a lack of evidence for structural disorder, for which theory currently provides no clear explanation.

Novel Co-based metal-organic frameworks and their magnetic properties using asymmetrically binding 4-(4'-carboxyphenyl)-1,2,4-triazole

Two novel Co-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) were synthesised and characterised using an asymmetrically binding ligand, 4-(4'-carboxyphenyl)-1,2,4 triazole (Hcpt). The isolated [Co3(II)(μ3-O)(OH)(cpt)3(H2O)2]n·xH2O·yDMF, Co-MOF1, exhibits a rhombohedral crystal structure (space group, P63/mc), with a trinuclear cobalt core that resembles the MIL88 series. This MOF shows paramagnetic behaviour down to 2 K with no saturation of magnetisation up to 7 T. This is presumably due to a geometrically frustrated triangular arrangement of Co spins. The two-dimensional complex, [Co(II)(cpt)(N3)]n, Co-MOF2, crystallises in a monoclinic crystal system (space group, C2/m). The magnetic measurements reveal metamagnetic behaviour for this complex with a critical field in the range of 700-1000 Oe.

High-temperature spin crossover behavior in a nitrogen-rich Fe(III)-based system

A nitrogen-rich ligand bis(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)amine (H(3)bta) was employed to isolate a new Fe(III) complex, Na(2)NH(4)[Fe(III)(Hbta)(3)]·3DMF·2H(2)O (1). Single crystal X-ray diffraction revealed that complex 1 consists of Fe(III) ions in an octahedral environment where each metal ion is coordinated by three Hbta(2-) ligands forming the [Fe(III)(Hbta)(3)](3-) core. Each unit is linked to two one-dimensional (1-D) Na(+)/solvent chains creating a two-dimensional (2-D) network. In addition, the presence of multiple hydrogen bonds in all directions between ammonium cation and ligands of different [Fe(III)(Hbta)(3)](3-) units generates a three-dimensional (3-D) network. Magnetic measurements confirmed that the Fe(III) center undergoes a Spin Crossover (SCO) at high temperature (T(1/2) = 460(10) K).

Paramagnetic Nanocrystals: Remarkable Lanthanide-Doped Nanoparticles with Varied Shape, Size, and Composition

Magnetic nanoparticles have been developed in recent years with applications in unique and crucial areas such as biomedicine, data storage, environmental remediation, catalysis, and so forth. NaYF4 nanoparticles were synthesized and isolated with lanthanide dopant percentages, confirmed by ICP-OES measurements, of Er, Yb, Tb, Gd, and Dy that were in agreement with the targeted ratios. SEM images showed a distinct variation in particle size and shape with dopant type and percentage. HRTEM and XRD studies confirmed the particles to be crystalline, possessing both α and β phases. Magnetic measurements determined that all of the nanoparticles were paramagnetic and did not exhibit a blocking temperature from 2 to 300 K. The multifunctional properties of these nanoparticles make them suitable for many applications, such as multimodal imaging probes, up-conversion fluorescent markers, as well as MRI contrast agents.