Manganese doping in zinc based hybrid metal halides to realize highly stable efficient green emission and flexible radiation detection

Abstract

Extensive studies have been conducted on hybrid metal halides due to their application in radiation detection, solid-state lighting, and solar cells. Here, we present an environmentally friendly zero-dimensional halide, (C₉H₁₅N₃)ZnBr₄, which crystallizes in the P2₁/c space group. This compound is highly thermally stable, and doping Mn²⁺ results in a bright green light emission, with an impressive internal quantum efficiency of 52.9 % and an external quantum efficiency of 45.9 % for (C₉H₁₅N₃)Mn_0.3Zn_0.7Br₄. Combining spectroscopic analysis with first-principles density functional theory (DFT), it is concluded that the high external quantum efficiency arises from efficient energy transfer from the organic component to the [MnBr₄]^2-. Notably, the (C₉H₁₅N₃)Mn_0.3Zn_0.7Br₄ luminescence intensity maintains 50 % of its room temperature level even at 400 K. Moreover, these doped powders display exceptional scintillation performance, higher than Bi₄Ge₃O₁₂. Finally, the radioluminescence intensity of (C₉H₁₅N₃)Mn_0.3Zn_0.7Br₄@polydimethylsiloxane flexible films is about three times that of Bi₄Ge₃O₁₂. These features position Mn:(C₉H₁₅N₃)ZnBr₄ as an ideal material for X-ray detection and an efficient green photoluminescent material.