A novel 0D germanium-based organic–inorganic hybrid material (C12H28N)GeCl3 showing reversible phase transition, dielectric anomaly and SHG response

Abstract

A novel zero-dimensional (0D) germanium-based organic–inorganic hybrid material, (C₁₂H₂₈N)GeCl₃, was synthesized via a simple solution method. In the low-temperature phase, this compound crystallizes in the noncentrosymmetric space group (P6₃). The material undergoes a first-order reversible phase transition at 357 K/321 K and exhibits thermally induced reversible “on–off” SHG switching characteristics along with switchable dielectric behavior, as well as a direct band gap of 2.76 eV. This provides a new approach for the development of nonlinear optical switches, dielectric switching devices, and ultraviolet photodetectors.