Ultra-stable hybrid copper(I) halides with a “molecular armor” of three-dimensional hydrogen bond network for extreme environment applications

Abstract

Developing materials with high optoelectronic performance under extreme conditions, including high temperature, high pressure, and exposure to chemical corrosion, is crucial for applications in harsh environments. In this study, [(C₁₈H₁₅OP)₃·H₃O]₂Cu₅Br₇ (CHCB), a non-toxic hybrid halide scintillator with outstanding stability and performance under challenging conditions, was developed. CHCB achieved high photoluminescence quantum yields of 97.75 % and retained excellent optical properties even after prolonged water immersion, wide pH exposure, and high-pressure treatment, highlighting its potential for underwater imaging and radiation detection. Flexible scintillator films made from CHCB exhibited high-resolution imaging capabilities (9.21 lp·mm⁻¹) and a light yield of 19,088.9  ph·MeV⁻¹, even after prolonged underwater exposure. Additionally, the dynamic information encryption potential of the CHCB crystals, demonstrated through an ultraviolet-triggered binary encoding system, underscored their multifunctionality. These findings position CHCB as a promising candidate for sustainable, high-performance scintillators in extreme environments and advanced optoelectronic applications.