Quantum-Cutting Ytterbium Ion (Yb3+)-Doped Perovskite Nanocrystals: Synthesis and Novel Applications in Multi-Energy X-Ray Imaging

doi:10.16553/j.cnki.issn1000-985x.2025.0051

Abstract

Abstract: In recent years， rare earth ion-doped perovskite materials have garnered significant attention from researchers in the field of optoelectronic functional materials due to their excellent optoelectronic properties， tunable bandgaps， and unique quantum-cutting effects. Among them， ytterbium ion （Yb³⁺）-doped perovskite nanomaterials， with their remarkable optical characteristics such as exceptionally large Stokes shifts， photoluminescence quantum yields exceeding 100%， and efficient near-infrared luminescence， have demonstrated immense application potential in X-ray imaging， multi-energy X-ray imaging， luminescent solar concentrators， solar cells， and near-infrared electroluminescent devices. This review focuses on the quantum-cutting properties of Yb³⁺-doped perovskite nanocrystals， systematically discussing the topic in two parts： comprehensively outlines the synthesis strategies， quantum-cutting luminescence mechanisms， and optoelectronic applications of Yb³⁺-doped CsPbCl₃ nanocrystals； delves into the advancements of quantum-cutting perovskite scintillators and their latest breakthroughs in X-ray imaging， and multi-energy X-ray imaging. By analyzing the current scientific challenges and technical bottlenecks， this review also prospects future research directions and development trends， providing valuable insights for the further study and application of quantum-cutting materials.

Key words: quantum-cutting; doping; rare earth ion; perovskite scintillator; multi-energy X-ray imaging

CLC Number:

HUI Juan, YANG Yang. Quantum-Cutting Ytterbium Ion (Yb³⁺)-Doped Perovskite Nanocrystals: Synthesis and Novel Applications in Multi-Energy X-Ray Imaging[J]. Journal of Synthetic Crystals, 2025, 54(7): 1121-1131.

Figures/Tables 6

Fig.1 Schematic diagram of perovskite nanocrystals synthesized by high-temperature hot-injection method［3］

Fig.2 Quantum-cutting luminescence mechanism of Yb3+-doped CsPbCl3 NCs. （a） Two-step energy transfer mechanism［7］；（b） one-step energy transfer mechanism， doping with Yb3+ ions introduces shallow defect level， forming charge-neutral Yb3+-VPb-Yb3+ defect complex［5］；（c） one-step energy transfer mechanism， charge-neutral Yb3+-VPb-Yb3+ defect complex exhibiting “right-angle” configuration［15］；（d） atomic-resolution high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy （HAADF-STEM） and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy （EDS） mapping of Yb3+-doped CsPbCl3 NCs［18］

Fig.3 Applications of quantum-cutting Yb3+-doped CsPbCl3 NCs in optoelectronic devices. （a） Integrated application on the surface of a silicon solar cell［4］；（b） quantum-cutting luminescent solar concentrator device［10］；（c） electroluminescence spectrum of Yb3+-doped CsPbCl3 NCs［9］；（d） phosphor-converted near-infrared light-emitting diode （pc-NIR-LED） device［11］；（e） practical application of the pc-NIR-LED device in night vision illumination［11］

Fig.4 Performance characterization of quantum-cutting Yb3+-doped CsPbCl3 scintillators and their applications in X-ray imaging. （a） Absorption and emission spectra［29］；（b） radioluminescence （RL） spectrum and light yield of Yb3+-doped CsPbCl3 powder scintillator［29］；（c） imaging demonstration［29］；（d） light yield comparison between Yb3+-doped CsPbCl3 single crystal scintillator and other common scintillators［30］；（e） schematic of single-pixel imaging setup and corresponding imaging results versus original object for Yb3+-doped CsPbCl3 single crystal scintillator［30］；（f） RL of Yb3+-doped CsPbCl3 nanocrystal scintillator［31］；（g） spatial resolution test［31］；（h） imaging results based on Yb3+-doped CsPbCl3 nanocrystal scintillator film［31］

Fig.5 Schematic of energy-integrated and multi-energy X-ray imaging system. （a） A traditional energy-integrated X-ray imaging system［36］；（b） schematic of a large-area multi-energy flat-panel X-ray imaging system based on stacked multilayer scintillators［36］；（c） structure drawing of a bone-muscle test model （left）， size： 30 mm×30 mm×3 mm， and dual-energy X-ray imaging （right）［36］；（d） dual-energy X-ray images of a moth， a beetle， and a leaf based on the sandwich structure scintillator：（i） Bright-field image，（ii） stacked image，（iii）~（iv） decomposed the low- and high-energy image，（v） color reconstructed image［44］

Fig.6 Multi-energy X-ray imaging based on quantum-cutting stacked scintillator［31］. Schematic of a traditional stacked scintillator （a） and quantum-cutting stacked scintillator （b） X-ray imaging systems；（c） RL and PLE spectra of three scintillators （CsPbCl3∶Yb3+， CsAgCl2， and Cs3Cu2I5）；（d） relationship between thickness and absorption efficiency of the three-layer stacked scintillators at different X-ray energies；（e） RL intensity of the three-layer stacked scintillator under different X-ray tube voltages；（f） schematic diagram of a concept demonstration experiment for material discrimination；（g） materials-energy dependent calibration curves for iron （Fe）， aluminum （Al）， and polymethyl methacrylate （PMMA）；（h） demonstration of material identification utilizing quantum-cutting stacked scintillator

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Quantum-Cutting Ytterbium Ion (Yb³⁺)-Doped Perovskite Nanocrystals: Synthesis and Novel Applications in Multi-Energy X-Ray Imaging

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