Delayed Dual Emission of Two-Dimensional Copper Nanocluster Assembly

We report the formation of two-dimensional single crystalline nanosheets of Cu nanoclusters by complexation with Zn metal ion. The so-formed crystals, with augmented prompt photoluminescence and lifetime, exhibited delayed photoluminescence at room temperature with a quantum yield of 83.6 +/- 1.3% and a lifetime of 26.4 +/- 0.7 mu s. The delayed photoluminescence lifetime was further increased to 145.0 +/- 7.7 mu s by surface functionalization of the nanosheets with 8-hydroxyquinoline. The surface complexation led to the generation of a new emitting channel in the crystal, which thus formed a single nanocomponent with dual channel emitting prompt and delayed near-white light.

Automated summary

We report the formation of two-dimensional single crystalline nanosheets of Cu nanoclusters by complexation with Zn metal ion. The so-formed crystals exhibit enhanced prompt photoluminescence and lifetime, as well as delayed photoluminescence with a quantum yield of 83.6 +/- 1.3% and a lifetime of 26.4 +/- 0.7 mu s at room temperature. Surface functionalization of the nanosheets with 8-hydroxyquinoline further increases the delayed photoluminescence lifetime to 145.0 +/- 7.7 mu s. The surface complexation creates a new emitting channel in the crystal, resulting in a single nanocomponent that emits prompt and delayed near-white light.