Highly efficient self-trapped exciton luminescence of Sb3+-doped (CH6N3)3BiCl6 for ethanol detection

Abstract

Zero-dimensional (0D) organic–inorganic metal halide hybrids (MHHs) are considered promising luminescent materials due to their unique “host–guest” structure and tunable emission spectrum. Herein, we successfully prepared Sb³⁺-doped 0D (CH₆N₃)₃BiCl₆ single crystals using an evaporation solvent method. The introduction of Sb³⁺ results in a bright orange emission with a center wavelength of 610 nm. On increasing the Sb³⁺ doping level to 20%, the doped sample achieves the highest photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 53%, attributed to the formation of self-trapped excitons (STEs) induced by the strong interaction between electrons and the crystal lattice. Interestingly, Sb³⁺-doped (CH₆N₃)₃BiCl₆ exhibits rapidly reversible ethanol-responsive luminescence transition between orange and yellow emissions. This class of 0D MHHs exhibits high sensitivity and repeatability as a fluorescent probe for ethanol detection, demonstrating significant potential in environmental monitoring and ethanol detection applications.