High Pressure Restrains the Photo-Induced Polyhedra Distortion in 0D Antimony-Based Metal Halide

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Solid State Physics
• Photochemistry

Background:

• Dual emission phenomena in 0D antimony-based metal halides are increasingly observed.
• The origins of these dual emissions are not fully understood and remain debated.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate the structural-optical relationship of tetraethylammonium hexachlorantimonate (TTA)2SbCl5 using high pressure.
• Uncover the mechanisms behind the material's dual emission and excitation-dependent properties.

Main Methods:

• Employing high-pressure techniques to study (TTA)2SbCl5.
• Combining experimental results with density functional theory (DFT) calculations.

Main Results:

• Dual emission under 303 nm excitation transitions to single low energy emission at ≈5.7 GPa.
• Broadband emission under 355 nm excitation maintains a distinct low energy peak, showing excitation-dependent color response.
• Observed phenomena attributed to pressure restraining photo-induced distortion in [SbCl5]2− polyhedra.

Conclusions:

• The study clarifies the relationship between local structure and excitation-dependent emission in (TTA)2SbCl5.
• Findings offer new insights into modulating Sb-based metal halide properties.
• High pressure is demonstrated as a tool to understand and control optoelectronic properties.