Synergistic Rh/La Codoping Enables Trap-Mediated Charge Separation in Layered Perovskite Photocatalysts
Journal of the American Chemical Society American Chemical Society 147:42 (2025) 38599-38608
Abstract:
Two-dimensional layered perovskite oxides have emerged as promising photocatalysts for solar-driven hydrogen evolution. Although doping has been widely employed to enhance photocatalytic performance, its role in modulating the electronic structure and the local chemical environment of these materials remains poorly understood. Here in this study, we investigate the codoping of Rh and La into exfoliated nanosheets of the DionâJacobson perovskite KCa2Nb3O10 to enhance photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity. A substantial increase in H2 evolution rate, from 12.3 to 69.0 ÎŒmol hâ1, was achieved at an optimal doping level of 0.2 wt % Rh and 1.3 wt % La. Comprehensive structural and spectroscopic analyses, including synchrotron techniques and high-resolution microscopy, revealed that Rh3+ substitutes Nb5+ to introduce shallow 4d acceptor states that mediate charge separation, while La3+ substitutes Ca2+, compensates for aliovalent charge imbalance, and modulates local lattice distortions and oxygen vacancy formation. This codoping strategy enhances charge carrier lifetime and separation efficiency through a trap-mediated mechanism. The observed volcano-shaped activity trend highlights a narrow compositional window, where electronic and structural factors are optimally balanced. These findings establish a mechanistic foundation for defect engineering in layered perovskites and offer a pathway for the rational design of photocatalysts.RoomâTemperature Collective Quantum Emission Mediated by WannierâMott Excitons in CsPbBr 3 Nanowires
Small Science Wiley (2025) e202500400
Abstract:
Roomâtemperature collective quantum emission (RTâCQE), enabled by manyâbody interactions and phaseâsynchronized dipole oscillations, offers a promising path for scalable quantum photonics. Here, superfluorescence (SF) is demonstrated in CsPbBr3 perovskite nanowires (NWs), facilitated by WannierâMott excitons with spatially delocalized wavefunctions and strong dipoleâdipole interactions. The intrinsic quasiâ1D geometry and occasional bundling promote preferential dipole alignment along the NW axis, enabling longârange phase coherence. Key experimental signatures, photon bunching with g2(0) â2, femtosecondâscale coherence time (â88 fs), and ultralow excitation threshold (â210 nJâ1 cm2), confirm the onset of SF at ambient conditions. Ultrafast spectroscopy reveals bandgap renormalization, state filling, and excitonâphonon coupling, consistent with collective excitonic behavior mediated by delocalized states. Unlike other RTâSF mechanisms based on polarons or electronâhole liquids, the system exploits directional dipole alignment and exciton delocalization in quasiâ1D NWs, allowing coherent emission without the need for high excitation densities or complex structural ordering. These findings demonstrate that CsPbBr3 NWs can sustain RTâSF driven by exciton delocalization and directional dipole coupling, providing a new physical platform for coherent light generation under ambient conditions.Simultaneous bright singlet and triplet emissions in CsPbBr3 nanocrystals for next-generation light sources
Materials Today Physics Elsevier 57 (2025) 101839
Abstract:
Lead halide perovskite nanocrystals exhibit excellent optoelectronic properties, yet simultaneous observation of bright singlet and triplet exciton emissions under identical conditions has remained elusive. This limitation hinders optimization of quantum efficiency in light-emitting devices. Here, we provide the direct spectroscopic evidence for coexisting bright singlet and triplet excitons in CsPbBr3 nanocrystals, overcoming the conventional 25Â % spin-statistical efficiency ceiling. Using polarization-resolved, spatially resolved, and time-resolved micro-photoluminescence at 7Â K, we resolve three sharp triplet fine-structure components (T1, T2, T3) with energy separations of 1â3Â meV and linear polarization >85Â %, coexisting with broad singlet emission. The triplet emissions display distinct polarization axes, nonlinear intensity scaling, and nanosecond lifetimes, confirming their assignment as Rashba-split bright triplet states. Spatial mapping reveals that these emissions arise from structurally pristine domains with exciton diffusion lengths exceeding 9Â ÎŒm. Time-resolved measurements show concurrent fast and slow decay components, consistent with singlet-to-triplet intersystem crossing followed by radiative triplet recombination. Our findings establish a comprehensive picture of exciton spin dynamics in perovskite nanocrystals and open new avenues for spin-engineered photonic devices. This work lays the foundation for next-generation LEDs, lasers, and quantum light sources that leverage both singlet and triplet radiative channels to exceed traditional efficiency limits. While these findings are demonstrated at cryogenic temperatures, they highlight essential spin-related mechanisms that could be harnessed for room-temperature operation through enhanced Rashba coupling, dielectric engineering, or compositional tuning.HydrazineâMediated Thermally Assisted Photocatalytic Ammonia Decomposition Over Layered Protonated Perovskites
Advanced Science Wiley (2025) e11212
Abstract:
Photocatalytic ammonia decomposition offers a sustainable route for hydrogen production, but its development is limited by low catalytic efficiency and poorly understood mechanisms. Here, a protonated layered perovskite, HPrNb2O7 (HPNO), is reported as an efficient catalyst for ammonia decomposition under mild photoâthermal conditions. Upon exposure to NH3 at elevated temperatures, HPNO promotes the in situ formation and intercalation of hydrazine intermediates within its interlayer galleries, enabled by thermally generated oxygen vacancies and hydrogen bonding. Advanced characterization techniques have been applied to confirm the formation and stabilization of hydrazine. It is also shown that thermal energy prolongs charge carrier lifetimes and enhances oxygen vacancy formation, contributing to a strong photoâthermal synergy. The stabilization of hydrazine intermediate promotes the associative mechanism, lowering the activation barrier, thus leading to an enhanced hydrogen evolution rate of 1311.2 ”mol·gâ1·hâ1 at 200 °C under simulated solar irradiation without any noble metal coâcatalyst. This work reveals a distinct, hydrazineâmediated reaction pathway and positions layered protonated perovskites as promising materials for efficient, solarâdriven ammonia decomposition and sustainable hydrogen generation.Ultrastable Perovskite Encased in a Helical Cage for Tunable FullâColor MirrorâImage Circularly Polarized Luminescence
Advanced Functional Materials Wiley (2025) e14790