Lanthanide-Doped MAPbI3 Single Crystals: Fabrication, Optical and Electrical Properties, and Multi-mode Photodetection

Multi-mode photodetectors made from perovskite single crystals (SCs) are attracting great interest with the ability to extract spectral information from different wavebands. However, it still remains a huge challenge to obtain perovskite SC photodetectors capable of multi-mode response. Here, we present successful doping of various lanthanide ions (Ce3+, Pr3+, Nd3+, Eu3+, Tb3+, Er3+, Yb3+, and Yb3+/Er3+ pairs) into the lattices of organic–inorganic MAPbI3 perovskite SCs through a modified solution crystallization method. In lanthanide-ion-doped MAPbI3 SCs, the dual-mode luminescence (down-shifting and upconversion) spanning from visible to near-infrared (NIR) emissions and significantly improved electrical properties are obtained. Multi-mode photodetectors for the sensitive visible light, NIR light, and X-ray detection are developed based on MAPbI3:Yb3+, Er3+ SCs. In contrast to pristine MAPbI3 SC photodetectors, MAPbI3:Yb3+, Er3+ SC photodetectors exhibit a high detectivity of 3.8 × 1012 Jones for broadband (350–850 nm) and 1.1 × 1011 Jones for two NIR bands (980 nm, 1540 nm) and a sensitivity of 1.16 × 106 μCGyair–1 cm–2 for X-ray detection. Our work inherits the advantages of lanthanide ions and perovskite SCs, offering an attractive option for new optoelectronic applications.