Auger-Assisted Electron Transfer between Adjacent Quantum Wells in Two-Dimensional Layered Perovskites

Two-dimensional (2D) layered perovskites are naturally formed multiple quantum-well (QW) materials, holding great promise for applications in many optoelectronic devices. However, the further use of 2D layered perovskites in some devices is limited by the lack of QW-to-QW carrier transport/transfer due to the energy barrier formed by the insulating ligands between QWs. Herein, we report an Auger-assisted electron transfer between adjacent QWs in (CmH2m+1NH3)(2)PbI4 2D perovskites particularly with m = 12 and 18, where the electron energy barrier (E-b) is similar to the QW band gap energy (E-g). This Auger-assisted QW-to-QW electron transfer mechanism is established by the observation of a long-lived and derivative-like transient absorption feature, which is a signature of the quantum confined Stark effect induced by the electron-hole separation (thus an internal electric field) between different QW layers. Our finding provides a new guideline to design 2D perovskites with an optically tunable QW-to-QW charge transport property, advancing their applications in optoelectronics and optical modulations.

Automated summary

Two-dimensional layered perovskites hold great promise for optoelectronic applications, but are limited in some devices by the lack of carrier transport between quantum wells. This study reports an Auger-assisted electron transfer mechanism between adjacent quantum wells in 2D perovskites, providing a new guideline for designing perovskites with optically tunable charge transport properties.