Introducing ytterbium acetate to luminescent CsPbCl3 nanocrystals for enhanced sensitivity of Cu2+ detection

In this study, we employed a luminescenct agent CsPbCl3 perovskite nanocrystal for Cu2+ detection, and achieved a prominent enhancement in sensitivity by the introduction of ytterbium acetate (Yb(OAc)(3)). The introduced Yb(OAc)(3) is capable of causing a morphology transformation of CsPbCl3 nanocrystals from initial nanocubes into one-dimensional (1D) nanowires (NWs). The formed 1D CsPbCl3 NWs paved a direct charge transport path and exhibited low defect density as well as superior conductivity, which were beneficial to accelerating the rapid electron transport from the luminescent agent to Cu2+, and to give rise to an efficient inhibition of undesired charge trap, respectively. Besides, AcO- rendered a reduced steric hindrance during the formation of a copper-based counter-ion pair, thus improving the adsorption capacity of Cu2+ on the surface of the luminescent agent, CsPbCl3 nanocrystals. As results, the 1D Yb(OAc)(3) passivated CsPbCl3 NWs exhibited efficient luminescence quenching for enhanced detection sensitivity. This Yb(OAc)(3)-involved system exhibited a detection limit as low as 0.06 nM in the Cu2+ detection window range from 0 to 1000 nM, and such value is optimal in the documented works for Cu2+ detection based on luminescent perovskite materials.

Automated summary

By introducing ytterbium acetate (Yb(OAc)3), this study achieved a significant enhancement in sensitivity for Cu2+ detection using CsPbCl3 perovskite nanocrystals. The formed 1D CsPbCl3 NWs facilitated rapid electron transport and reduced defect density, leading to efficient inhibition of undesired charge traps. The Yb(OAc)3 passivated CsPbCl3 NWs exhibited efficient luminescence quenching and achieved a low detection limit of 0.06 nM in the Cu2+ detection window.