Cyan Emission in Two-Dimensional Colloidal Cs2CdCl4:Sb3+ Ruddlesden-Popper Phase Nanoplatelets

Metal halide perovskites are one of the most investigated materials in optoelectronics, with their lead-based counterparts being renowned for their enhanced optoelectronic performance. The 3D CsPbX3 structure has set the standard with many studies currently attempting to substitute lead with other metals while retaining the properties of this material. This effort has led to the fabrication of metal halides with lower dimensionality, wherein particular 2D layered perovskite structures have captured attention as inspiration for the next generation of colloidal semiconductors. Here we report the synthesis of the Ruddlesden-Popper Cs2CdCl4:Sb3+ phase as colloidal nanoplatelets (NPs) using a facile hot injection approach under atmospheric conditions. Through strict adjustment of the synthesis parameters with emphasis on the ligand ratio, we obtained NPs with a relatively uniform size and good morphological control. The particles were characterized through transmission electron microscopy, synchrotron X-ray diffraction, and pair distribution function analysis. The spectroscopic characterization revealed most strikingly an intense cyan emission under UV excitation with a measured PLQY of similar to 20%. The emission was attributed to the Sb3+-doping within the structure.

Automated summary

Metal halide perovskites, particularly the CsPbX3 structure, are extensively studied in optoelectronics, with efforts to substitute lead with other metals while maintaining the material properties. The synthesis of Cs2CdCl4:Sb3+ colloidal nanoplatelets with strict control of synthesis parameters resulted in uniform particles with intense cyan emission attributed to Sb3+ doping.