Mn2+-Doped CsPbCl3 Nanocrystals for Ammonia Gas Sensing

All inorganic perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) have emerged as versatile materials for gas sensing due to their tunable optical properties and high surface-to-volume ratios. However, CsPbCl3 has limitations when it comes to gas sensing. In this study, we explore the potential of Mn2+-doped CsPbCl3 NCs as a room-temperature sensing platform for ammonia (NH3) gas detection. By incorporating Mn2+ dopants into the CsPbCl3 lattice, we enhance the sensitivity of the NCs to NH3 gas. Additionally, NH3 molecules interact with the NCs, leading to the dynamic passivation of Cl– vacancies. We systematically investigate the sensing performance of Mn:CsPbCl3 NCs by using varying NH3 concentrations, different exposure conditions, and exposure cycles, revealing a reversible and concentration-dependent response. The sensor based on Mn2+-doped CsPbCl3 NCs has good selectivity for NH3 at room temperature, showing a higher sensitivity (2.12 at 100 ppm) than the pure CsPbCl3 NC sensor (1.10 at 100 ppm), and good repeatability. The unique optical properties of Mn:CsPbCl3 NCs, coupled with their responsiveness to NH3, make them promising candidates for developing efficient and cost-effective room-temperature NH3 gas sensors. This work contributes to the advancement of NC-based gas sensing technologies and highlights the potential of Mn-doped CsPbCl3 NCs in environmental monitoring, industrial safety, and other gas sensing applications.