Exciton Localization for Highly Luminescent Two-Dimensional Tin-Based Hybrid Perovskites through Tin Vacancy Tuning

Exciton localization is an approach for preparing highly luminescent semiconductors. However, realizing strongly localized excitonic recombination in low-dimensional materials such as two-dimensional (2D) perovskites remains challenging. Herein, we first propose a simple and efficient Sn²⁺ vacancy (V_Sn ) tuning strategy to enhance excitonic localization in 2D (OA)₂ SnI₄ (OA=octylammonium) perovskite nanosheets (PNSs), increasing their photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) to ≈64 %, which is among the highest values reported for tin iodide perovskites. Combining experimental with first-principles calculation results, we confirm that the significantly increased PLQY of (OA)₂ SnI₄ PNSs is primarily due to self-trapped excitons with highly localized energy states induced by V_Sn . Moreover, this universal strategy can be applied for improving other 2D Sn-based perovskites, thereby paving a new way to fabricate diverse 2D lead-free perovskites with desirable PL properties.