Chirality Extends Multiple-Channel Bistable Responses in Hybrid Perovskites

Bistable response in various physical channels has emerged as a key technical concept for signal processing and the encryption of smart devices. Exploration on integrating multiple physical channels synchronously into materials has been long envisioned and pursued, because it can greatly enhance flexibility of information processing and recognition and improve the expansion of the application of materials in different fields. To achieve this end, a demanding set of material requirements must be met and remain a great challenge. Here, we present a pair of halide perovskite chiral enantiomers, (R-3-hydroxypyrrolium)PbBr3 and (S-3-hydroxypyrrolium)PbBr3, by implementing crystallographic engineering and chiral strategies. Compared to their racemic counterpart, besides the significant increase in phase-transition temperature (ΔT = 142 K), introducing homochirality enables bistable characteristics in thermal, dielectric, ferroelasticity, photoluminescence (PL), second harmonic generation (SHG), circular dichroism (CD), conductivity, and photocurrent response. Compared to traditional switchable phase-transition materials, such an unprecedented bistable response in eight channels involving thermal, electric, mechanical, and optical aspects brings more possibilities for sensing, smart switches, and optoelectronic applications. This work provides new insights into constructing bistable response materials and expanding the functional channel versatility.