Chiral three-dimensional organic–inorganic lead iodide hybrid semiconductors

Chiral hybrid metal halides (CHMHs) have received a considerable amount of attention in chiroptoelectronics, spintronics, and ferroelectrics due to their superior optoelectrical properties and structural flexibility. Owing to limitations in synthesis, the theoretical prediction of room-temperature stable chiral three-dimensional (3D) CHFClNH3PbI3 has not been successfully prepared, and the optoelectronic properties of such structures cannot be studied. Herein, we have successfully constructed two pairs of chiral 3D lead iodide hybrids (R/S/Rac-3AEP)Pb2I6 (3R/S/Rac, 3AEP = 3-(1-aminoethyl)pyridin-1-ium) and (R/S/Rac-2AEP)Pb2I6 (2R/S/Rac, 2AEP = 2-(1-aminoethyl)pyridin-1-ium) through chiral introduction and ortho substitution strategies, and obtained bulk single crystals of 3R/S/Rac. The 3R/S exhibits optical activity and bulk photovoltaic effect induced by chirality. The 3R crystal device exhibits stable circularly polarized light performance at 565 nm with a maximum anisotropy factor of 0.07, responsivity of 0.25 A W-1, and detectivity of 3.4 × 1012 jones. This study provides new insights into the synthesis of chiral 3D lead halide hybrids and the development of chiral electronic devices.