Intense white-light emission of amorphous lead chloride trimers at high pressure

Opt Lett. 2024 Nov 1;49(21):6317-6320. doi: 10.1364/OL.542325.

Abstract

Developing efficient, single-phase white-light phosphors remains a formidable challenge in optoelectronics. Herein, high pressure initially induces trimeric contraction and distortion in (C9NH20)9(ZnCl4)2[Pb3Cl11], regulating the transition equilibrium of self-trapped excitons (STEs) with varied emission colors. Then, considerable structural distortion and destruction lead to intense white-light emission of an amorphous phase. A narrowed bandgap with promoted excitation efficiency, as well as strengthened electron-phonon coupling effect with increased binding energy of STEs, together result in the significant emission enhancement. This work provides valuable insights into white-light luminescent materials and offers new strategies for designing white-light-emitting devices.