Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• • Mo4+-doped Cs2(Na0.4Ag0.6)InCl6 achieves near-unity photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) under blue-light excitation, enabling efficient NIR emission for high-brightness light sources and imaging applications. • • The material retains 84% of its initial emission intensity at 420 K compared to 300 K, demonstrating robust thermal stability critical for operation in high-temperature environments without significant performance degradation. • • Under X-ray irradiation, the material exhibits a high light yield of 39,400 ± 1100 photons/MeV, positioning it as a competitive scintillator for X-ray imaging with sensitivity comparable to commercial options. • • The flexible PDMS composite film enables pixel-level fusion of NIR and X-ray images without spatial mismatch, eliminating the need for complex computational algorithms and reducing processing load in multispectral imaging systems.
Abstract
Lead-free double perovskites are promising for optoelectronic applications due to their tunable optical properties, stability, and non-toxicity. However, achieving efficient ultrabroadband near-infrared (NIR) emission and X-ray radioluminescence (RL) simultaneously remains challenging. Here, we report a Mo4+-doped Cs2(Na0.4Ag0.6)InCl6 double perovskite that exhibits efficient blue-light-excitable NIR emission with a near-unity photoluminescence quantum yield. The emitter demonstrates robust thermal stability, retaining 84% of its initial emission intensity at 420 K relative to 300 K. Under X-ray irradiation, the material shows bright NIR RL with a high light yield of 39,400 ± 1100 photons/MeV. A flexible film of Mo4+-doped Cs2(Na0.4Ag0.6)InCl6/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) was fabricated and applied as an NIR light source and X-ray scintillator. A dual-functional platform for cooperative NIR and X-ray imaging was established using a bullfrog palm as the target, achieving pixel-level fusion of NIR and X-ray images without spatial mismatch or complex image processing. The fused image simultaneously visualizes blood vessels and skeleton textures under the skin tissue. This work provides a viable strategy for lead-free double perovskites in advanced optoelectronic devices, particularly for multispectral imaging.
1. Introduction
Multispectral image fusion integrates information from different wavelength sources to create a unified image with enhanced data integrity, improving model prediction accuracy and reliability. Conventional fusion techniques rely on computational algorithms such as multiscale transformations and deep learning, which suffer from resolution mismatch and heavy computational load. Pixel-level fusion using a single luminescent material offers a simpler and more efficient alternative, particularly for medical diagnosis where X-ray images reveal inorganic skeleton textures and NIR images highlight organic tissue structures. However, existing approaches require separate materials for X-ray and NIR imaging, leading to pixel position and resolution discrepancies that necessitate complex visual algorithms and extensive calculations.
Lead-free double perovskites have emerged as promising candidates for optoelectronic applications due to their tunable optical properties, stability, and non-toxicity. Yet, achieving efficient ultrabroadband NIR emission and X-ray radioluminescence simultaneously in a single material has been a significant challenge. This work addresses this bottleneck by synthesizing Mo4+-doped Cs2(Na0.4Ag0.6)InCl6, which exhibits both near-unity NIR photoluminescence quantum yield and high X-ray scintillation light yield. The material's robust thermal stability and flexible film form enable pixel-level X-ray to NIR image fusion without spatial mismatch, offering a viable strategy for advanced optoelectronic devices and medical imaging applications.
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Wenjie Huang, Hui Peng, Fei Wang, Wei Tian, Shengji Yuan, Xiaokang Li, Zhentao Du, Wenchao Yang, Bingsuo Zou (2026). Efficient blue-light-excitable broadband NIR emission in Mo4+-doped double perovskite with robust thermal stability and efficient X-ray scintillation for pixel-level X-ray to NIR image fusion. SCIENCE CHINA Materials. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40843-025-3863-x
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of the Mo4+-doped Cs2(Na0.4Ag0.6)InCl6 under blue-light excitation, and how does it compare to other NIR-emitting materials?
The PLQY is near-unity (approaching 100%), which is exceptionally high for NIR-emitting materials. This near-unity efficiency is critical for applications requiring high-brightness NIR sources, such as imaging and sensing, where energy efficiency directly impacts device performance and battery life.
How does the thermal stability of the NIR emission at 420 K (84% retention) translate to practical device operation, and what are the underlying mechanisms?
The 84% retention at 420 K indicates that the material can operate at elevated temperatures with minimal performance loss, which is essential for high-power devices or environments with poor heat dissipation. The robust thermal stability is attributed to the rigid crystal structure that suppresses non-radiative recombination pathways, as evidenced by the high activation energy for thermal quenching.
What is the light yield under X-ray irradiation, and how does it compare to commercial scintillators like CsI:Tl or BGO?
The light yield is 39,400 ± 1100 photons/MeV, which is competitive with commercial scintillators such as CsI:Tl (~54,000 photons/MeV) and BGO (~8,000 photons/MeV). This high light yield ensures sensitive X-ray detection, enabling lower radiation doses in medical imaging and improved image quality.
How is the pixel-level image fusion achieved without spatial mismatch, and what are the advantages over conventional computational fusion methods?
The fusion is achieved by using a single flexible film that responds to both NIR and X-ray excitation, capturing both images on the same pixel grid. This eliminates the need for image registration algorithms, reducing computational load and avoiding resolution mismatches. The result is a fused image that simultaneously shows blood vessels and skeleton textures with high spatial accuracy.
What are the scalability and cost implications of synthesizing Mo4+-doped Cs2(Na0.4Ag0.6)InCl6 and fabricating the PDMS composite film for industrial adoption?
The synthesis uses solution-based methods that are scalable and cost-effective, with raw materials (CsCl, NaCl, AgCl, InCl3, MoCl5) being relatively inexpensive. The PDMS film fabrication is compatible with roll-to-roll processing, enabling large-area production. These factors suggest that the material could be produced at a cost competitive with existing scintillators, facilitating commercial adoption in medical and security imaging.
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