Large Exciton Polaron Formation in 2D Hybrid Perovskites via Time-Resolved Photoluminescence

We find evidence for the formation and relaxation of large exciton polarons in 2D organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites. Using ps-scale time-resolved photoluminescence within the phenethylammonium lead iodide family of compounds, we identify a red shifting of emission that we associate with exciton polaron formation time scales of 3–10 ps. Atomic substitutions of the phenethylammonium cation allow local control over the structure of the inorganic lattice, and we show that the structural differences among materials strongly influence the exciton polaron relaxation process, revealing a polaron binding energy that grows larger (up to 15 meV) in more strongly distorted compounds.