Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• • Room-temperature grinding synthesis achieves structural evolution from KCl:Sb3+ to 0D K3SbCl6, yielding near-unity PLQY (approaching 100%), enabling high-efficiency solid-state lighting without high-temperature processing. • • Ultrafast single-crystal growth via solid-liquid interface diffusion completes in 20 seconds, drastically reducing production time compared to conventional slow evaporation or Bridgman methods, facilitating rapid manufacturing. • • Temperature sensing in 50–310 K range achieves maximum relative sensitivity of 9.99%/K, outperforming many existing optical thermometers, enabling precise cryogenic thermometry. • • Demonstrated multifunctionality in information encryption, flexible films, and white LEDs, with stable luminescence, indicating commercial viability for anti-counterfeiting and display technologies.
Abstract
Alkali metal halides such as KCl are typical insulators with broad bandgaps, exhibiting poor luminescence. Ion doping can enhance their luminescence, but the mechanism of ultrafast diffusion and structural evolution remains unclear. Here, Sb3+ was doped into a KCl matrix via a room-temperature grinding route. Varying Sb3+ concentration induces a structural evolution from KCl:Sb3+ to 0D inorganic metal halides (IMHs) K3SbCl6. The resulting K3SbCl6 exhibits broad-spectrum yellow emission with near-unity photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY). The luminescence mechanism is attributed to the 3P1→1S0 transition of Sb3+ ions. Furthermore, a room-temperature solid-liquid interface diffusion method enables ultrafast single-crystal growth of K3SbCl6 in only 20 seconds, with stable luminescence. The material demonstrates excellent temperature sensing performance in the 50–310 K range, achieving a maximum relative sensitivity of 9.99%/K. Additionally, K3SbCl6 shows application potential in information encryption, flexible composite fluorescent films, and white light-emitting diodes. This study provides new insights into ultrafast synthesis of high-performance luminescent materials.
1. Introduction
Conventional alkali metal halides like KCl are wide-bandgap insulators lacking intrinsic luminescence, limiting their optoelectronic applications. Doping with rare-earth or main-group ions has been explored, but challenges persist: unclear structural evolution at high doping concentrations and kinetically limited diffusion, especially at low temperatures. These bottlenecks hinder the development of efficient, stable luminescent materials.
This study addresses these issues by demonstrating a room-temperature grinding route that induces a structural transformation from KCl:Sb3+ to 0D K3SbCl6, achieving near-unity PLQY. Additionally, a solid-liquid interface diffusion method enables ultrafast single-crystal growth in 20 seconds, overcoming kinetic barriers. This dual-pathway approach not only clarifies the doping mechanism but also offers a rapid, scalable synthesis for high-performance luminescent materials, with demonstrated applications in sensing and lighting.
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YANG Maohao, GE Wanyin, ZHANG Qian, GUO Yao (2026). Ultrafast dual-pathway room-temperature synthesis of 0D inorganic metal halides K3SbCl6 with near-unity photoluminescence quantum yield. SCIENCE CHINA Materials. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40843-025-4084-1
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum relative sensitivity of K3SbCl6 for temperature sensing and in what temperature range?
The maximum relative sensitivity is 9.99%/K, achieved in the 50–310 K range.
How does the room-temperature grinding route achieve structural evolution from KCl:Sb3+ to K3SbCl6, and what is the role of Sb3+ concentration?
By varying Sb3+ concentration, the material transitions from a doped solid solution to a distinct 0D phase, K3SbCl6. This structural reconstruction is confirmed by XRD and PL, with the luminescence attributed to the 3P1→1S0 transition of Sb3+.
What is the photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of K3SbCl6 and how does it compare to other lead-free halides?
K3SbCl6 exhibits near-unity PLQY (approaching 100%), which is comparable to the best lead-free halides and significantly higher than many doped alkali halides, making it suitable for high-efficiency lighting.
What is the ultrafast single-crystal growth method and what is its growth time?
The method is a room-temperature solid-liquid interface diffusion technique, which grows K3SbCl6 single crystals in only 20 seconds, enabling rapid production.
What are the demonstrated applications of K3SbCl6?
The material shows potential in information encryption, flexible composite fluorescent films, and white light-emitting diodes, with stable luminescence.
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