Zero-Dimensional Antimony Oxychloride Scintillators with High Photoluminescent Efficiency

Zero-dimensional (0D) organic-inorganic antimony hybrids are attractive because of their structural flexibility and environmental safety. In this work, we synthesized a new 0D (AEPPz)Sb₂Cl₇O (AEPPz = N-aminoethylpiperazine) based on isolated [Sb₂Cl₇O]^3- octahedra through an optimized saturated crystallization method. This compound exhibits broad yellow photoluminescence (PL) with a high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 80.26%. Benefiting from its high optical transparency and outstanding luminescent characteristics, (AEPPz)Sb₂Cl₇O delivers excellent radioluminescence (RL) performance, achieving a high light yield of 27,500 ph MeV^-1. In addition, it exhibits a linear response to the X-ray dose rate with a low detection threshold of 41 nGy s^-1, forming clear X-ray images. This work not only presents a new organic-inorganic hybrid antimony oxychloride with high PL performance but also provides an effective strategy for the development of the new oxyhalide scintillators.