Two-Dimensional Metal Halide Perovskites Created by Binary Conjugated Organic Cations for High-Performance Perovskite Photovoltaics

Studies indicated that two-dimensional (2D) metal halide perovskites (MHPs) embodied with three-dimensional (3D) MHPs were a facile way to realize efficient and stable perovskite solar cells (PSCs) and perovskite photodetectors (PPDs). Here, high-performance PSCs and PPDs, which are based on 2D/3D MHPs bilayer thin films, where the 2D MHPs are created by binary conjugated organic cations, are reported. Systemically studies reveal that the above novel 2D/3D MHPs bilayer thin films possess an enlarged crystal size, balanced charge transport, reduced charge carrier recombination, smaller charge-transfer resistance, and accelerated charge-extraction process compared to the 2D/3D MHPs bilayer thin films, where the 2D MHPs are created by a single conjugated organic cation. As a result, the PSCs based on the above novel 2D/3D MHPs bilayer thin film exhibit a power conversion efficiency of 22.76%. Moreover, unencapsulated PSCs possess dramatically enhanced stability compared with those based on the 2D/3D MHPs bilayer thin films, where the 2D MHPs are created by a single conjugated organic cation. In addition, the PPDs based on the above novel 2D/3D MHPs bilayer thin film exhibit a projected detectivity of 1016 cm Hz1/2/W and a linear dynamic range of 108 dB at room temperature. Our studies indicate that the development of binary conjugated organic cation-based 2D MHPs incorporated with 3D MHPs is a simple method to realize high-performance PSCs and PPDs.

Artificial Visual Synaptic Architecture with High-Linearity Light-Modulated Weight for Optoelectronic Neuromorphic Computing

A brain-like neuromorphic computing system, as compared with traditional Von Neumann architecture, has broad application prospects in the fields of emerging artificial intelligence (AI) due to its high fault tolerance, excellent plasticity, and parallel computing capability. A neuromorphic visuosensory and memory system, an important branch of neuromorphic computing, is the basis for AI to perceive, process, and memorize optical information, now still suffering from nonlinearity of synaptic weight, crosstalk issues, and integration incompatibility, hindering the high-level training and inference accuracy. In this work, we propose a new optoelectronic neuromorphic architecture by integrating an electrochromic device and a perovskite photodetector. Ascribing to the superior memory characteristics of the electrochromic device and sensitive light response of the perovskite photodetector, the neuromorphic device shows typical visual synaptic functionalities such as light triggering, neural facilitation, long-term potentiation, and depression (LTP and LTD). Furthermore, by adjusting the intensity and wavelength of external light signals, the visual synaptic function of the device can be modulated, enabling the device to exhibit high weight linearity in all current output ranges and improve information processing capability and image recognition accuracy. Moreover, both the electrochromic and perovskite layers possess the advantage of large area fabrication and integration, which enables the fabrication of large device arrays with high integration compatibility and scalability. In this study, 10 × 10 device arrays are demonstrated and each device shows uniform light responses, memory behaviors, and synaptic performances. MNIST and CIFAR-10 algorithms are used to simulate the image recognition properties of the synaptic architecture, and the calculated recognition accuracy is 97.94 and 91.04%, respectively, with an error less than 2.5%. The proposed artificial visual neuromorphic architecture will provide a potential device prototype for efficient visual neuromorphic systems.

2D/3D Perovskite Photodetectors with High Response Frequency and Improved Stability Based on Thiophene-2-ethylamine and Dual Additives

Organic-inorganic lead halide perovskite materials have received great attention in recent years. However, the poor stability of these materials severely limits the commercial application of perovskite devices. Here, we used thiophene-2-ethylammonium iodide (TEAI) material as the organic spacer NH₄SCN and NH₄Cl as the dual additives to realize high-stability two-dimensional (2D)/three-dimensional (3D) perovskite thin films for perovskite photodetectors. Then, we investigated different effects of the dual additives on the orientation and crystallinity of the perovskite films. At room temperature, the optimized 2D/3D perovskite photodetectors exhibit good performance with high external quantum efficiency (EQE) (72%), large responsivity (0.36 A/W), high detectivity (2.46 × 10¹² Jones at the bias of 0 V), high response frequency (1.7 MHz), and improved stability (retains 90% photocurrent after 2000 h storage in RT and 10% RH conditions). Based on these devices, a dual-channel optical transport system and a light-intensity adder are achieved. The results of this study indicate that, with a simple process, the TEAI and dual-additives based 2D/3D perovskite photodetectors have promising applications in light-intensity adder and optical communication systems.

Highly Sensitive Tin-Lead Perovskite Photodetectors with Over 450 Days Stability Enabled by Synergistic Engineering for Pulse Oximetry System

Low-bandgap tin (Sn)-lead (Pb) halide perovskites can achieve near-infrared response for photodetectors. However, the Sn-based devices suffer from notorious instability and high defect densities due to the oxidation propensity of Sn²⁺ . Herein, a multifunctional additive 4-amino-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzoic acid (ATFBA) is presented, which can passivate surface defects and inhibit the oxidation of Sn²⁺ through hydrogen bonds and chelation coordination from the terminal amino and carboxyl groups. The perfluorinated benzene ring structure of ATFBA affords the passivator assembled at the grain boundaries to enhance the water resistance. With the synergistical passivation of these functional groups, the Sn-Pb perovskite photodetector exhibits a remarkable responsivity of 0.52 A W^-1 and an excellent specific detectivity of 5.34 × 10¹² Jones at 850 nm, along with remaining 97% of its initial responsivity over 450 days. Benefitting from high sensitivity, the photodetector is integrated into a pulse oximetry sensor visualization system, yielding accurate blood oxygen saturation and heart rate with less than 2% error. This work paves the avenue toward constructing high-performance and stable Sn-Pb perovskite photodetectors for practical applications.

Engineered Surface Halide Defects by Two-Dimensional Perovskite Passivation for Deformable Intelligent Photodetectors

As attractive photoactive materials, metal halide perovskites demonstrate outstanding performance in a wide range of optoelectronic applications. Among the various compositions studied, mixed-halide perovskites have a finely tunable band gap that renders them desirable for targeted applications. Despite their advantages, photoinduced halide segregation often deters the photoelectric stability of the materials. Herein, we adopt a strategy of post-treating the perovskite surface with an organic spacer to generate a two-dimensional (2D) perovskite passivating layer. Trap-assisted recombination pathways can be selectively modulated by passivating the surface halide defects that cause photoinduced halide segregation. Fluorescence lifetime imaging of flat and bent surfaces of perovskites reveals that the perovskite lattice tolerates mechanical strain via the neutralizing passivation of ionic halide defects. Upon bending, the photocurrent response of the flexible photodetector is maintained over 83% for 2D passivated perovskite and drops to 23% for pristine perovskite. A flexible photodetector array built with 2D passivated perovskite, in combination with a deep learning algorithm, demonstrates excellent accuracy in determining letters of the alphabet for both flat (>96%) and bent (>93%) states. The connection of chemically modified charge carrier dynamics and mechanical properties revealed in this study offers valuable guidance for developing next-generation optoelectronic applications.

Chiral Hybrid Perovskite Single-Crystal Nanowire Arrays for High-Performance Circularly Polarized Light Detection

Circularly polarized light (CPL) detection has emerged as a key technology for various optoelectronics. Chiral hybrid perovskites (CHPs) that combine CPL-sensitive absorption induced by chiral organic ligands and superior photoelectric properties of perovskites are promising candidates for direct CPL detection. To date, most of the CHP detectors are made up of polycrystalline thin-film, which results in a rather limited discrimination of CPL due to the existence of redundant impurities and intrinsic defect states originating from rapid crystallization process. Here, it is developed a direct CPL detector with high photocurrent and polarization selectivity based on low-defect CHP single-crystal nanowire arrays. Large-scale CHP nanowires are obtained through a micropillar template-assisted capillary-bridge rise approach. Thanks to the high crystallinity and ordered crystallographic alignment of these arrays, a CPL photodetector with high light on/off ratio of 1.8 × 104 , excellent responsivity of 1.4 A W-1 , and an outstanding anisotropy factor of 0.24 for photocurrent has been achieved. These results would provide useful enlightenment for direct CPL detection in high-performance chiral optoelectronics.

Highly Deformable High-Performance Paper-Based Perovskite Photodetector with Improved Stability

Paper-based photodetectors have attracted extensive research interest owing to their environmentally friendly and highly deformable properties. Although perovskite crystals with outstanding optoelectronic properties have proved to be one of the most promising candidates for photodetectors, the development of paper-based photodetectors is hindered by the moisture absorptivity of paper and the instability of perovskite crystals in a humid atmosphere. In this study, we demonstrate a highly deformable and high-performance paper-based perovskite photodetector. The photodetector maintains its excellent performance even after exposure to a relative humidity of 60% for 120 h.

Recent Progress on Electrical and Optical Manipulations of Perovskite Photodetectors

Photodetectors built from conventional bulk materials such as silicon, III-V or II-VI compound semiconductors are one of the most ubiquitous types of technology in use today. The past decade has witnessed a dramatic increase in interest in emerging photodetectors based on perovskite materials driven by the growing demands for uncooled, low-cost, lightweight, and even flexible photodetection technology. Though perovskite has good electrical and optical properties, perovskite-based photodetectors always suffer from nonideal quantum efficiency and high-power consumption. Joint manipulation of electrons and photons in perovskite photodetectors is a promising strategy to improve detection efficiency. In this review, electrical and optical characteristics of typical types of perovskite photodetectors are first summarized. Electrical manipulations of electrons in perovskite photodetectors are discussed. Then, artificial photonic nanostructures for photon manipulations are detailed to improve light absorption efficiency. By reviewing the manipulation of electrons and photons in perovskite photodetectors, this review aims to provide strategies to achieve high-performance photodetectors.

Multifunctional Self-Combustion Additives Strategy to Fabricate Highly Responsive Hybrid Perovskite Photodetectors

To resolve the inherent trade-off issue between responsivity and detectivity in FA_0.9Cs_0.1PbI₃ perovskite photodetectors, this paper proposes a novel strategy using multifunctional self-combustion additives (urea and ammonium nitrate). During the early stages of crystallization, urea allows for the formation of a strong Lewis complex-derived low-dimensional intermediate phase; this suppresses the formation of perovskite nuclei, while ammonium ions assist the preferred grain growth along the [110] direction. During the high-temperature annealing steps, a self-combusting exothermic reaction occurs between urea as a fuel and NH₄NO₃ as an oxidizer, through which a locally supplied heat facilitates the removal of residual urea and byproducts. These multifunctional roles of self-combustible additives facilitate the production of high-quality, enlarged grain-structured perovskite films with improved optoelectronic properties, as confirmed by various analyses, including impedance spectroscopy and intensity-modulated photocurrent spectroscopy. The resulting FA_0.9Cs_0.1PbI₃-based photodiode-type photodetectors exhibit outstanding performance, such as a high responsivity (0.762 A W^-1) and specific detectivity (over 5.08 × 10¹³ Jones) at a very low external reverse bias (-0.5 V). Our findings clearly suggest that the multifunctional self-combustion additives strategy could help realize the full potential of FA_1-xCs_xPbI₃ as a photodiode-type photodetector.

Sensitive and Stable Tin-Lead Hybrid Perovskite Photodetectors Enabled by Double-Sided Surface Passivation for Infrared Upconversion Detection

Tin(Sn)-based perovskite is currently considered one of the most promising materials due to extending the absorption spectrum and reducing the use of lead (Pb). However, Sn²⁺ is easily oxidized to Sn⁴⁺ in atmosphere, causing more defects and degradation of perovskite materials. Herein, double-sided interface engineering is proposed, that is, Sn-Pb perovskite films are sandwiched between the phenethylammonium iodide (PEAI) in both the bottom and top sides. The larger organic cations of PEA+ are arranged into a perovskite surface lattice to form a 2D capping layer, which can effectively prevent the water and oxygen to destroy bulk perovskite. Meanwhile, the PEA+ can also passivate defects of iodide anions at the bottom of perovskite films, which is always present but rarely considered previously. Compared to one sided passivation, Sn-Pb hybrid perovskite photodetectors contribute a significant enhancement of performance and stability, yielding a broadband response of 300-1050 nm, a low dark current density of 1.25 × 10^-3 mA cm^-2 at -0.1 V, fast response speed of 35 ns, and stability beyond 240 h. Furthermore, the Sn-Pb broadband photodetectors are integrated in an infrared up-conversion system, converting near-infrared light into visible light. It is believed that a double-sided passivation method can provide new strategies to achieving high-performance perovskite photodetectors.

Boosting Perovskite Photodetector Performance in NIR Using Plasmonic Bowtie Nanoantenna Arrays

Triple-cation mixed metal halide perovskites are important optoelectronic materials due to their high photon to electron conversion efficiency, low exciton binding energy, and good thermal stability. However, the perovskites have low photon to electron conversion efficiency in near-infrared (NIR) due to their weak intrinsic absorption at longer wavelength, especially near the band edge and over the bandgap wavelength. A plasmonic functionalized perovskite photodetector (PD) is designed and fabricated in this study, in which the perovskite ((Cs_0.06 FA_0.79 MA_0.15 )Pb(I_0.85 Br_0.15 )₃ ) active materials are spin-coated on the surface of Au bowtie nanoantenna (BNA) arrays substrate. Under 785 nm laser illumination, near the bandedge of perovskite, the fabricated BNA-based plasmonic PD exhibits ≈2962% enhancement in the photoresponse over the Si/SiO₂ -based normal PD. Moreover, the detectivity of the plasmonic PD has a value of 1.5 × 10¹² with external quantum efficiency as high as 188.8%, more than 30 times over the normal PD. The strong boosting in the plasmonic PD performance is attributed to the enhanced electric field around BNA arrays through the coupling of localized surface plasmon resonance. The demonstrated BNA-perovskite design can also be used to enhance performance of other optoelectronic devices, and the concept can be extended to other spectral regions with different active materials.

Highly Sensitive, Fast Response Perovskite Photodetectors Demonstrated in Weak Light Detection Circuit and Visible Light Communication System

Organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite (OIHP) photodetectors have presented unprecedented device performance mainly owing to outstanding material properties. However, the solution-processed OIHP polycrystalline thin films with defective surface and grain boundaries always impair the key parameter of photodetectors. Herein, a nonfullerene passivation layer exhibits more efficient passivation for OIHP materials to dramatically reduce the trap density of state, yielding a dark current as low as 2.6 × 10^-8 A cm^-2 under -0.1 V. In addition, the strong absorption in near-infrared (NIR) region of nonfullerene/C₆₀ heterojunction broadens the detectable range to over 900 nm by effective charge transport, ultimately leading to a specific detectivity of 1.45 × 10¹² and 7.37 × 10¹¹ cm Hz^1/2 W^-1 at 650 and 820 nm, respectively. Encouragingly, the response speed of 27 ns is obtained at 0.6 mm² of device area by removing constrain from the resistance-capacitance constant. Moreover, the prominent practical application of the photodetector is demonstrated in a weak light detection circuit and a visible light communication system. It is believed that the OIHP photodetectors with high sensitivity, NIR photoresponse, and ultrafast speed would pave the way to commercial applications.

A Self-Powered, Sub-nanosecond-Response Solution-Processed Hybrid Perovskite Photodetector for Time-Resolved Photoluminescence-Lifetime Detection

A self-powered,solution-processed perovskite photodetector with sub-nanosecond response time is presented. Eliminating charge trapping and removing the constraints from the resistance-capacitance constant increases the response speed, which enables them to be applied in a homemade, time-resolved photoluminescence system that successfully resolves the decay process of typical fluorescence and phosphorescent materials with a recombination lifetime from several nanoseconds to microseconds.