Superior photo-carrier diffusion dynamics in organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites revealed by spatiotemporal conductivity imaging

Aerosol-Assisted Crystallization Lowers Intrinsic Quantum Confinement and Improves Optoelectronic Performance in FAPbI3 Films

FAPbI3 has emerged as a promising semiconductor for photovoltaic applications offering a suitable bandgap for single-junction cells and high chemical stability. However, device efficiency is negatively affected by intrinsic quantum confinement (QC) effects that manifest as additional peaks in the absorption spectra. Here, we show that aerosol-assisted crystallization is an effective method to improve crystallinity and suppresses regions exhibiting QC in FAPbI3. We demonstrate that films with minimized QC effects exhibit markedly enhanced optoelectronic properties, such as higher charge-carrier mobilities and recombination lifetimes. Films crystallized under an aerosol solvent flow of either a mixture of N,N-dimethylformamide and dimethyl sulfoxide or methylammonium thiocyanate vapor displayed reduced charge-carrier recombination losses and improved diffusion lengths compared to those of thermally annealed control films. Our study indicates clear correlations between suppression of QC features in absorption spectra with optimization of crystallinity and mitigation of internal strain, highlighting pathways toward high-performance solar cells.

Enhancing Optoelectronic Performance of All-Inorganic Double Perovskites via Halogen Doping: Synergistic Screening Strategies and Multiscale Simulations

Designing all-inorganic double perovskites through element mixing is a promising strategy to enhance their optoelectronic performance and structural stability. The complex interplay between multilevel structures and optoelectronic properties in element-mixed double perovskites necessitates further in-depth theoretical exploration. In this study, we employ screening strategies and multiscale simulations combining first-principles methods and device-scale continuum models to identify two novel element-mixed compounds, Rb2AgInCl3I3 and Cs2AgInCl3I3, as promising candidates for photovoltaic applications. These compounds exhibit favorable structural factors and suitable direct band gaps. Theoretical investigations using first-principles methods with the HSE06 functional reveal direct band gaps of 0.98 and 1.26 eV for Rb2AgInCl3I3 and Cs2AgInCl3I3, respectively, with corresponding optical absorption coefficients exceeding 105 cm-1 in the visible light range. Cs2AgInCl3I3 features high charge mobilities of approximately 20 cm2·V-1·s-1 and a notable single-junction spectroscopic limited maximum efficiency (SLME) of 25.54%. Further analysis using the device-scale continuum model simulated the nonradiative recombination effects on power conversion efficiency, integrating quantum-mechanically calculated optoelectronic properties. These theoretical investigations, which bridge composition engineering with multiscale simulations, provide valuable insights into screening novel, lead-free, halogen-mixed double metal perovskite optoelectronic devices, highlighting their potential for high-performance solar energy applications.

Hole Localization in Bulk and 2D Lead-Halide Perovskites Studied by Time-Resolved Infrared Spectroscopy

Scattering and localization dynamics of charge carriers in the soft lattice of lead-halide perovskites impact polaron formation and recombination, which are key mechanisms of material function in optoelectronic devices. In this study, we probe the photoinduced lattice and carrier dynamics in perovskite thin films (CsFAPbX3, X = I, Br) using time-resolved infrared spectroscopy. We examine the CN stretching mode of formamidinium (FA) cations located within the lead-halide octahedra of the perovskite structure. Our investigation reveals the formation of an infrared mode due to spatial symmetry breaking within a hundred picoseconds in 3D perovskites. Experiments at cryogenic temperatures show much-reduced carrier localization, in agreement with a localization mechanism that is driven by the dynamic disorder. We extend our analysis to 2D perovskites, where the precise nature of charge carriers is uncertain. Remarkably, the signatures of charge localization we found in bulk perovskites are not observed for 2D Ruddlesden-Popper perovskites ((HexA)2FAPb2I7). This observation implies that the previously reported stabilization of free charge carriers in these materials follows different mechanisms than polaron formation in bulk perovskites. Through the exploration of heterostructures with electron/hole excess, we provide evidence that holes drive the formation of the emerging infrared mode.

Versatile optical manipulation of trions, dark excitons and biexcitons through contrasting exciton-photon coupling

Various exciton species in transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), such as neutral excitons, trions (charged excitons), dark excitons, and biexcitons, have been individually discovered with distinct light-matter interactions. In terms of valley-spin locked band structures and electron-hole configurations, these exciton species demonstrate flexible control of emission light with degrees of freedom (DOFs) such as intensity, polarization, frequency, and dynamics. However, it remains elusive to fully manipulate different exciton species on demand for practical photonic applications. Here, we investigate the contrasting light-matter interactions to control multiple DOFs of emission light in a hybrid monolayer WSe2-Ag nanowire (NW) structure by taking advantage of various exciton species. These excitons, including trions, dark excitons, and biexcitons, are found to couple independently with propagating surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) of Ag NW in quite different ways, thanks to the orientations of transition dipoles. Consistent with the simulations, the dark excitons and dark trions show extremely high coupling efficiency with SPPs, while the trions demonstrate directional chiral-coupling features. This study presents a crucial step towards the ultimate goal of exploiting the comprehensive spectrum of TMD excitons for optical information processing and quantum optics.

Operando dynamics of trapped carriers in perovskite solar cells observed via infrared optical activation spectroscopy

Conventional spectroscopies are not sufficiently selective to comprehensively understand the behaviour of trapped carriers in perovskite solar cells, particularly under their working conditions. Here we use infrared optical activation spectroscopy (i.e., pump-push-photocurrent), to observe the properties and real-time dynamics of trapped carriers within operando perovskite solar cells. We compare behaviour differences of trapped holes in pristine and surface-passivated FA0.99Cs0.01PbI3 devices using a combination of quasi-steady-state and nanosecond time-resolved pump-push-photocurrent, as well as kinetic and drift-diffusion models. We find a two-step trap-filling process: the rapid filling (~10 ns) of low-density traps in the bulk of perovskite, followed by the slower filling (~100 ns) of high-density traps at the perovskite/hole transport material interface. Surface passivation by n-octylammonium iodide dramatically reduces the number of trap states (~50 times), improving the device performance substantially. Moreover, the activation energy (~280 meV) of the dominant hole traps remains similar with and without surface passivation.

Effect of Cs+ Doping on the Carrier Dynamics of MAPbI3 Perovskite

Organic inorganic perovskite materials have received increasing attention in the optoelectronic field because of their unique properties. The ultrafast dynamics of photogenerated carriers determine photoelectric conversion efficiency, thus, it is feasible to influence the dynamics behavior of photogenerated carriers by regulating A-site cations. This paper mainly used transient absorption spectra (TAS) technology to study the photogenerated carriers relaxation processes of organic-inorganic perovskite CsxMA1-xPbI3 materials at different x values. Three sets of time constants were obtained by global fitting at different values of x. The experimental results showed that the crystal structure of perovskite could be affected by adjusting the Cs+ doping amount, thereby regulating the carrier dynamics. The appropriate amount of A-cation doping not only maintained the organic-inorganic perovskite crystal phase, but also prolonged the photogenerated carrier's lifetime. The 10% Cs+ doping CsxMA1-xPbI3 perovskite has potential for solar cell applications. We hope that our research can provide dynamics support for the development of organic-inorganic perovskite in solar cells.

Direct observation of photoinduced carrier blocking in mixed-dimensional 2D/3D perovskites and the origin

Mixed-dimensional 2D/3D halide perovskite solar cells promise high stability but practically deliver poor power conversion efficiency, and the 2D HP component has been held as the culprit because its intrinsic downsides (ill charge conductivity, wider bandgap, and strong exciton binding) were intuitively deemed to hinder carrier transport. Herein, we show that the 2D HP fragments, in fact, allow free migration of carriers in darkness but only block the carrier transport under illumination. While surely limiting the photovoltaic performance, such photoinduced carrier blocking effect is unexplainable by the traditional understanding above but is found to stem from the trap-filling-enhanced built-in potential of the 2D/3D HP interface. By parsing the depth-profile nanoscopic phase arrangement of the mixed-dimensional 2D/3D HP film for solar cells and revealing a photoinduced potential barrier up to several hundred meV, we further elucidate how the photoinduced carrier blocking mechanism jeopardizes the short-circuit current and fill factor.

Mixed dimensional 2D/3D halide perovskite solar cells practically deliver poorer efficiency, and the 2D fragments have been considered responsible. Here, the authors unveil a photoinduced carrier blocking effect at the 2D/3D perovskite interface that could truly jeopardize device parameters.

Nanoscale Photoexcited Carrier Dynamics in Perovskites

The optoelectronic properties of lead halide perovskite thin films can be tuned through compositional variations and strain, but the associated nanocrystalline structure makes it difficult to untangle the link between composition, processing conditions, and ultimately material properties and degradation. Here, we study the effect of processing conditions and degradation on the local photoconductivity dynamics in [(CsPbI₃)_0.05(FAPbI₃)_0.85(MAPbBr₃)_0.15] and (FA_0.7Cs_0.3PbI₃) perovskite thin films using temporally and spectrally resolved microwave near-field microscopy with a temporal resolution as high as 5 ns and a spatial resolution better than 50 nm. For the latter FACs formulation, we find a clear effect of the process annealing temperature on film morphology, stability, and spatial photoconductivity distribution. After exposure of samples to ambient conditions and illumination, we find spectral evidence of halide segregation-induced degradation below the instrument resolution limit for the mixed halide formulation, while we find a clear spatially inhomogeneous increase in the carrier lifetime for the FACs formulation annealed at 180 °C.