Lead-Free Europium Halide Perovskite Nanoplatelets

TL;DR

This paper reports the synthesis and characterization of lead-free europium halide perovskite nanoplatelets that emit deep blue, violet, and near-ultraviolet light, offering a safer alternative for optoelectronic applications.

Contribution

The study introduces a new method to synthesize europium halide perovskite nanoplatelets with controlled optical properties, replacing toxic lead in perovskites.

Findings

Successfully synthesized europium halide perovskite nanoplatelets.

Demonstrated deep blue, violet, and near-ultraviolet emission.

Confirmed structure and composition via XRD, AFM, and XPS.

Abstract

Metal halide perovskites possess desirable optical, material, and electrical properties which have had substantial impact on next-generation optoelectronics. However, given the toxicity of lead, alternative lead-free perovskite semiconductors are needed. By fully replacing lead with rare-earth elements, one can simultaneously address toxicity concerns and achieve comparable optoelectronic performance. Here, we demonstrate the synthesis of two-dimensional europium halide perovskite nanoplatelets governed by the formula $\mathrm{L_{2}EuX_{4}}$ where L is an organic ligand and X is a halide anion. The structure, morphology, and composition of the nanoplatelets are confirmed by XRD, AFM, and XPS. Deep blue-emitting $\mathrm{PEA_{2}EuBr_{4}}$ perovskite nanoplatelets are synthesized in both the solution- and solid-states with photoluminescence emission centered at 446 nm and CIE color coordinates of (0.1515, 0.0327) and (0.1515, 0.0342), respectively. Additionally, near-ultraviolet $\mathrm{PEA_{2}EuCl_{4}}$ perovskite nanoplatelets are synthesized in both the solution- and solid-states with photoluminescence emission centered at 400 nm and 401 nm, respectively. Overall, europium halide perovskite nanoplatelets offer a lead-free alternative for deep blue, violet, and near-ultraviolet light emission $\unicode{x2013}$ charting new pathways for optoelectronics in this energy regime.