Synthesis, structural and optical properties of a novel bilayered organic–inorganic perovskite C5Pb2I5

Single crystals of [C5H11NH3]Pb2I5, abbreviated C5Pb2I5, have been prepared. This compound is a new member of the family of the bilayered organic–inorganic lead–iodide based perovskites. Its crystal structure has been determined by X-ray diffraction. The inorganic sub-lattice consists of periodic bilayers of iodoplumbate octahedra. Each PbI6 octahedra exhibits both edge- and corner-sharing with adjacent octahedra. The vibrational properties of this compound have been studied by Raman scattering spectroscopy. Optical absorption, photoluminescence and diffuse reflectance measurements have been performed. The room-temperature bandgap and free exciton absorption bands are observed at 2.46 and 2.23 eV, respectively. The exciton binding energy is 230 meV which is the largest value ever reported till date for the bilayered PbI based perovskites. Calculations assuming Wannier-type quasi-two-dimensional excitons and taking into account the image potential of the exciton charges showed that nearly 64% of the exciton binding energy is due to the dielectric confinement effect.