Crystal-Field Tuning of Photoluminescence in Two-Dimensional Materials with Embedded Lanthanide Ions

Lanthanide (Ln) group elements have been attracting considerable attention owing to the distinct optical properties. The crystal-field surroundings of Ln ions in the host materials can determine their energy level splitting, which is of vital importance to tailor their optical properties. 2D MoS₂ single crystals were utilized as the host material to embed Eu³⁺ and energy-level splitting was achieved for tuning its photoluminescence (PL). The high anisotropy of the 2D host materials makes them distort the degenerate orbitals of the Ln ions more efficiently than the symmetrical bulk host materials. A significant red-shift of the PL peak for Eu³⁺ was observed. The strategy for tailoring the energy level splitting of Ln ions by the highly designable 2D material crystal field provides a new method to extend their optical properties.