Zero-Dimensional Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Lead Halides and Their Post-Synthesis Reversible Transformation into Three-Dimensional Perovskites

Zero-dimensional (0D) mixed-halide hybrid organic-inorganic MA(4)PbX(6)center dot 2H(2)O (MA = CH3NH3+; X = Br-1 (-) I-x(x) with 0 < x < 1) has been synthesized by a solvent-free mechanochemical approach. It has been shown that this 0D phase with sharp absorption features in the near-UV is a hydrated structure, which can be reversibly transformed into the three-dimensional perovskite phase MAPbX(3) by simple thermal annealing (dehydration) in air. This work reveals a new approach to hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites and related 0D structures, which have so far only been thoroughly studied for the inorganic Cs4PbX6 compounds.

Automated summary

A zero-dimensional (0D) mixed-halide hybrid organic-inorganic structure has been successfully synthesized through a solvent-free mechanochemical approach, showing sharp absorption features in the near-UV. It has been demonstrated that this 0D structure can be reversibly transformed into a three-dimensional perovskite phase by simple thermal annealing in air. This work presents a new approach to studying hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites and related 0D structures.