Sensing of explosive vapor by hybrid perovskites: Effect of dimensionality

Abstract

Lead halide perovskites are very promising materials for many optoelectronic devices. They are low cost, photostable, and strongly photoluminescent materials, but so far have been little studied for sensing. In this article, we explore hybrid perovskites as sensors for explosive vapor. We tune the dimensionality of perovskite films in order to modify their exciton binding energy and film morphology and explore the effect on sensing response. We find that tuning from the 3D to the 0D regime increases the PL quenching response of perovskite films to the vapor of dinitrotoluene (DNT)—a molecule commonly found in landmines. We find that films of 0D perovskite nanocrystals work as sensitive and stable sensors, with strong PL responses to DNT molecules at concentrations in the parts per billion range. The PL quenching response can easily be reversed, making the sensors reusable. We compare the response to several explosive vapors and find that the response is strongest for DNT. These results show that hybrid perovskites have great potential for vapor sensing applications.

It is an All‐Rounder! On the Development of Metal Halide Perovskite‐Based Fluorescent Sensors and Radiation Detectors

“…Moreover, the selectivity of CsPbBr 3 QDs to picric acid depends upon the hydroxyl group and nitro group. [60] Harwell et al [61] studied the effect of dimensionality on the fluorescent sensing of dinitrotoluene (DNT). Bulk CsPbBr 3 (3D), layered phenethylammonium based (PEA) 2 Cs 2 Pb 3 Br 10 (2D) and CsPbBr 3 NCs (0D) were used for DNT sensing.…”

“…This enhanced effect is due to the higher vapor pressure of DNT compared to other landmine explosives. [61] Recently, Deng e al. [62] employed the super hydrophobic porous organic polymer framework (SHFW) protected CsPbBr 3 QDs (CsPbBr 3 @SHFW) to detect o-nitrophenol in dichloromethane.…”

Environment-Induced Reversible Modulation of Optical and Electronic Properties of Lead Halide Perovskites and Possible Applications to Sensor Development: A Review

“…The effect of the dimensionality of the sensing material has instead been analyzed by Harwell et al [ 108 ], evidencing how by tuning the perovskite dimensionality from 3D (bulk ) to 2D (layered phenethylammonium ) and finally to 0D ( nanocrystals) structures can dramatically enhance the response of the films to external stimuli. nanocrystals ( Figure 24 c), thanks to their low dimensionality, have a high surface to volume ratio, which makes them efficient for the detection of 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT) vapors through photoluminescence quenching.…”

“…Moreover, the deposition process can change the morphology properties of the resulting film (such as the thickness and the substrate coverage) [ 49 , 66 ] affecting, in turn, the device sensitivity. Additionally, the dimensionality of the perovskite can strongly influence the response of the device and it has been shown that switching from 3D to 0D structures allows one to obtain an higher sensitivity to the external stimuli thanks to the 0D greater surface to volume ratio [ 108 ].…”

“…( d ) Photoluminescence emission as a function of time for a nanocrystal film under repeated cycles of exposure to pure nitrogen (white areas) and DNT vapors in (gray areas). Adapted with permission from [ 108 ] under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license. Copyright © 2020, AIP Publishing.…”