Quantum dots of two-dimensional Ruddlesden–Popper organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite with high optical limiting properties

Hybrid perovskites have been investigated for various potential applications because of their tunable optical properties. In this paper, we report the synthesis of quantum dots (QDs) of two-dimensional (2D) Ruddlesden–Popper (RP) hybrid perovskite using a top-down approach. The QDs of the developed 2D RP perovskite exhibit high and sharp photoluminescence in the ultraviolet region. The sharp peak in the absorption spectrum and the intense photoluminescence in the ultraviolet region indicate strong quantum confinement in these particles, which is further confirmed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. These QDs show superior nonlinear optical scattering and absorption properties with the optical z-scan technique and strong nonlinear absorption property with the photoacoustic z-scan technique. Evaluating the nonlinear optical properties using two complementary techniques provides a deeper understanding of the nonlinear mechanism involved in the optical limiting process. The two-photon absorption coefficient obtained by optical z-scan is 7.2 × 102 cm/GW, which is larger than that of most perovskite nanocrystals and nanosheets. Our studies, therefore, reveal a new class of material, 2D RP perovskite QDs, which show important nonlinear properties that are important for optical limiting applications.