The Mn-Doped CsPbCl₃ Perovskite Nanocrystals as a Photoluminescent Probe for Copper Ions Detection

Abstract

Trace detection of toxic heavy metal ions is a hot topic in the sensing research area, especially in the organic phase using inorganic fluorescent colloidal nanocrystals. We report Mn-doped CsPbCl3 perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs), which were synthesized via the hot-injection method, as a fluorescent probe for the detection of copper ions in hexane. The introduction of Mn altered the emission peak, and lower the toxicity of the probe material. The photoluminescence (PL) intensity of Mn-doped CsPbCl3 PNCs is significantly quenched after contact with the Cu[Formula: see text] solution. The mechanism of Cu quenching is electron transfer, which is experimentally proved by analyzing the PL spectrum, absorption spectrum and PL decay lifetime. The sensor in solution shape and solid shape is both prepared and their detection range from 10[Formula: see text]nM to 500[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]M. The limit of detection in a low concentration area reaches 10[Formula: see text]nM, showing great potential in sensing applications. This work expands the wavelength area of the Cu[Formula: see text] detection probe by perovskite nanocrystals, and also improves the properties of probe material in optical performance, low toxicity, and stability.