Copper(I)-Arsine Clusters with a Near-Unity Phosphorescence Quantum Yield for X-Ray Scintillation and LED Applications

Rare-earth element-free materials that exhibit strong room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) and X-ray scintillation properties are gaining global interest incessantly in the recent years. This work reports a series of easily synthesizable cubane Cu4I4-triarsenic clusters [Cu4I4(R3As)3L] (L = none or nitrile), that exhibit a strong yellow-green RTP with quantum efficiencies up to 100% and short decay times (4.4-4.9 mu s). The title cluster complexes display X-ray scintillation properties with a record ultralow detection limit (18.1 nGy s-1) and a perfectly linear dose rate response within a remarkably wide dose rate window (0-640 mu Gyair s-1). The cluster [Cu4I4(Ph3As)3] is highlighted as an efficient phosphor for UV-pumped white and yellow LED devices, demonstrating an excellent white spectrum with a CIE index of (0.32,0.33) and bright yellow emission, respectively. These results may stimulate the future efforts in designing highly efficient arsenic-based RTP materials and enriching the Cu4I4 cluster family. Herein an unprecedented triarsenic clusters [Cu4I4(R3As)3L] (L = none or nitrile) are reported to exhibit a yellow-green phosphorescence with the quantum efficiency of up to 100% as well as remarkable X-ray scintillation properties with a low-record limit of low detection just 18.1 nGyair s-1. Cluster [Cu4I4(Ph3As)3] is also demonstrated as an efficient phosphor for LED devices, which exhibit an excellent bright white and yellow emission. image