Temperature-Dependent Reversible Optical Properties of Mn-Based Organic-Inorganic Hybrid (C8H20N)(2)MnCl4 Metal Halides

Organic-inorganic metal halides (OIMHs) have abundant optical properties and potential applications, such as light-emitting diodes, displays, solar cells, and photodetectors. Herein, we report zero-dimensional Mn-based OIMH (C8H20N)(2)MnCl4 single crystals synthesized by a simple slow evaporation method, which exhibit intense green emission at 520 nm originating from T-4(1)-(6)A(1) transition of Mn2+ ions. Large organic cations in the crystal structure result in the isolated [MnCl4](2-)tetrahedrons, and the closest Mn-Mn distance reaches 9.07 angstrom, which effectively inhibits the migration of excitation energy between adjacent Mn2+ emission centers, thus achieving a high quantum yield (similar to 87%) and a long photoluminescence (PL) lifetime (3.42 ms). The different optical and structural properties at low and high temperatures are revealed by temperature-dependent PL and X-ray diffraction spectra. The PL spectra and lifetimes under the heating and cooling processes indicate that the optical property transitions are reversible at 220/240 K. Our work provides a promising strategy for building multifunctional optoelectronic materials and insights into the understanding convertible photophysical properties from isomers of metal halides.

Automated summary

In this study, zero-dimensional Mn-based organic-inorganic metal halides (OIMHs) were synthesized and found to exhibit intense green emission at 520 nm. The large organic cations in the crystal structure result in isolated [MnCl4]2- tetrahedrons, effectively inhibiting the migration of excitation energy between adjacent Mn2+ emission centers.