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Stimuli-responsive Photoluminescent Copper(I) Halides for Scintillation, Anticounterfeiting and LED Applications
  • +6
  • Bayram Saparov,
  • Dilruba A. Popy,
  • Yashpal Singh,
  • Yauhen Tratsiak,
  • Abby M. Cardoza,
  • John M. Lane,
  • Luis Stand,
  • Mariya Zhuravleva,
  • Neeraj Rai
Bayram Saparov
The University of Oklahoma Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Dilruba A. Popy
The University of Oklahoma Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
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Yashpal Singh
Mississippi State University Dave C Swalm School of Chemical Engineering
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Yauhen Tratsiak
The University of Tennessee Knoxville
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Abby M. Cardoza
The University of Oklahoma Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
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John M. Lane
Mississippi State University Dave C Swalm School of Chemical Engineering
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Luis Stand
The University of Tennessee Knoxville
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Mariya Zhuravleva
The University of Tennessee Knoxville
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Neeraj Rai
Mississippi State University Dave C Swalm School of Chemical Engineering
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Abstract

Highly sensitive stimuli-responsive multifunctional luminescent materials are crucial for applications in optical sensing, high-level security, and anticounterfeiting. Here, we report two zero-dimensional (0D) hybrid copper(I) halides, (TEP) 2Cu 2Br 4 and (TEP) 2Cu 4Br 6, which are comprised of isolated [Cu 2Br 4] 2- and [Cu 4Br 6] 2- inorganic cluster units, respectively, separated by TEP + (TEP = tetraethylphosphonium) cations. (TEP) 2Cu 2Br 4 and (TEP) 2Cu 4Br 6 demonstrate ultrabright greenish-white and orange-red emissions, respectively, with near unity photoluminescence quantum yields. Optical spectroscopy measurements and density-functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that photoemissions of these compounds originate from the formation of self-trapped excitons (STEs) due to the excited-state distortions in the copper(I) halide units. Single crystals of both compounds are radioluminescence (RL) active at room temperature under both X- and γ-rays exposure. The excellent energy resolution values and light yields up to 15,800 ph/MeV under 662 keV γ-rays of 137Cs suggest their potential for scintillation applications. Remarkably, (TEP) 2Cu 2Br 4 and (TEP) 2Cu 4Br 6 are interconvertible through external chemical stimuli or reverse crystallization. In addition, both compounds demonstrate luminescence on-off switching upon thermal stimuli. The sensitivity of (TEP) 2Cu 2Br 4 and (TEP) 2Cu 4Br 6 to the chemical and thermal stimuli coupled with their ultrabright emission allows their consideration for practical applications such as solid-state lighting, sensing, information storage, and anticounterfeiting.