Molecular doping of flexible lead-free perovskite-polymer thick membranes for high-performance X-ray detection

X-ray detectors have broad applications in medicine and industry. Although flexible lead-free perovskite films are competitive because of their lightweight and low toxicity, they are less efficient due to low charge transport. Herein, we report low-toxicity, flexible X-ray detectors based on p-type doped MA${}_3$Bi${}_2$I${}_9$ (MA=methylammonium) perovskite-filled membranes (PFMs). Strong coordination between dopant 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (F4-TCNQ) and MA${}_3$Bi${}_2$I${}_9$ and the establishment of charge-transfer complex (CPX) improved the conductivity by four times. The flexible X-ray detector achieved a high sensitivity of 2065 /mu C Gy${}_{air}$${}^{-1}$ cm${}^{-2}$ and an ultra-low detection limit of 2.71 nGy${}_{air}$ s${}^{-1}$, which is among the highest values in all environmentally friendly flexible X-ray detectors. Importantly, the PFMs retained excellent charge transport under mechanical stress. All of those make flexible MA${}_3$Bi${}_2$I${}_9$ membranes more competitive as next-generation X-ray detection. (© 2022 Wiley‐VCH GmbH)