Pressure-induced distinct excitonic properties of 2D perovskites with isomeric organic molecules for spacer cations

Spacer organic cations in two-dimensional (2D) perovskites play vital roles in inducing structural distortion of the inorganic components and dominating unique excitonic properties. However, there is still little understanding of spacer organic cations with identical chemical formulas, and different configurations have an impact on the excitonic dynamics. Herein, we investigate and compare the evolution of the structural and photoluminescence (PL) properties of [CH3(CH2)(4)NH3](2)PbI4 ((PA)(2)PbI4) and [(CH3)(2)CH(CH2)(2)NH3](2)PbI4 ((PNA)(2)PbI4) with isomeric organic molecules for spacer cations by combining steady-state absorption, PL, Raman and time-resolved PL spectra under high pressures. Intriguingly, the band gap is continuously tuned under pressure and decreased to 1.6 eV at 12.5 GPa for (PA)(2)PbI4 2D perovskites. Simultaneously, multiple phase transitions occur and the carrier lifetimes are prolonged. In contrast, the PL intensity of (PNA)(2)PbI4 2D perovskites exhibits an almost 15-fold enhancement at 1.3 GPa and an ultrabroad spectral range of up to 300 nm in the visible region at 7.48 GPa. These results indicate that the isomeric organic cations (PA(+) and PNA(+)) with different configurations significantly mediate distinct excitonic behaviors due to different resilience to high pressures and reveal a novel interaction mechanism between organic spacer cations and inorganic layers under compression. Our findings not only shed light on the vital roles of isomeric organic molecules as organic spacer cations in 2D perovskites under pressure, but also open a route to rationally design highly efficient 2D perovskites incorporating such spacer organic molecules in optoelectronic devices.

Automated summary

This study investigates the differences in structural and photoluminescence (PL) properties of two-dimensional perovskite materials with isomeric organic cations under high pressures. The results reveal the interaction mechanism between organic cations and inorganic layers under compression and provide insights for the rational design of optoelectronic devices incorporating organic spacer cations.