Prof Michael Johnston

Abstract:

Metal halide perovskites have proven to be excellent light-harvesting materials in photovoltaic devices whose efficiencies are rapidly improving. Here, we examine the temperature-dependent photon absorption, exciton binding energy, and band gap of FAPbI3 (thin film) and find remarkably different behavior across the β–γ phase transition compared with MAPbI3. While MAPbI3 has shown abrupt changes in the band gap and exciton binding energy, values for FAPbI3 vary smoothly over a range of 100–160 K in accordance with a more gradual transition. In addition, we find that the charge-carrier mobility in FAPbI3 exhibits a clear T–0.5 trend with temperature, in excellent agreement with theoretical predictions that assume electron–phonon interactions to be governed by the Fröhlich mechanism but in contrast to the T–1.5 dependence previously observed for MAPbI3. Finally, we directly observe intraexcitonic transitions in FAPbI3 at low temperature, from which we determine a low exciton binding energy of only 5.3 meV at 10 K.

Abstract:

Mixed lead-tin triiodide perovskites are promising absorber materials for low band-gap bottom cells in all-perovskite tandem photovoltaic devices. Key structural and electronic properties of the FAPb1-xSnxI3 perovskite are presented here as a function of lead:tin content across the alloy series. Temperature-dependent photoluminescence and optical absorption measurements are used to identify changes in the band-gap and phase transition temperature. The large band-gap bowing parameter, a crucial element for the attainment of low band-gaps in this system, is shown to depend on the structural phase, reaching a value of 0.84 eV in the low-temperature phase and 0.73 eV at room temperature. The parabolic nature of the bowing at all temperatures is compatible with a mechanism arising from bond bending to accommodate the random placement of unevenly sized lead and tin ions. Charge-carrier recombination dynamics are shown to fall into two regimes. Tin-rich compositions exhibit fast, mono-exponential recombination that is almost temperature independent, in accordance with high levels of electrical doping. Lead-rich compositions show slower, stretched-exponential charge-carrier recombination that is strongly temperature-dependent, in accordance with a multi-phonon assisted process. These results highlight the importance of structure and composition for control of band-gap bowing and charge-carrier recombination mechanisms in low band-gap absorbers for all-perovskite tandem solar cells.

Abstract:

Terahertz (THz) photonic devices are now exploiting emerging materials systems, while novel device designs utilise plasmonic effects, nanophotinics, and metamaterials. The scope of this special topic highlights and reviews the recent cutting-edge THz photonic devices which have been revolutionised from the advances in the above research areas.