Zero-dimensional indium hybrids and modulated photoluminescence by Sb doping

Abstract

Zero-dimensional (0D) indium hybrids have been recently explored as promising platforms for use in solid-state lighting owing to their environmental friendliness and stability. Herein, we first designed a novel 0D indium hybrid (TEA)₂InCl₅ (tetraethylammonium⁺, C₈NH₂₀⁺), where the organic cation (TEA)⁺ cocrystallizes with five-coordinated [InCl₅]²⁻ square pyramids. Experimental data and first-principles calculations reveal that the blue emissions are attributed to the organic cations (TEA)⁺ and self-trapped excitons (STEs) in the inorganic [InCl₅]²⁻ square pyramids. Remarkably, when incorporating Sb³⁺ ions, the value of photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) is greatly enhanced to 78.85%, and the emission color could be tuned from blue to warm white and finally to orange-red. This success of (TEA)₂InCl₅ : Sb³⁺ not only enriches the structure and optical properties of 0D indium hybrids, but also provides a new direction towards modulating the optical performance through a doping strategy.