Prof Henry Snaith FRS

Abstract:

During the past year, halide double perovskites attracted attention as potential lead-free alternatives to Pb-based halide perovskites. However, none of the compounds discovered so far can match the optoelectronic properties of MAPbI3 (MA = CH3NH3). Here we argue that, from the electronic structure viewpoint, the only option to make Pb-free double perovskites retaining the remarkable properties of MAPbI3 is to combine In and Bi as B(+) and B(3+) cations, respectively. While inorganic double perovskites such as Cs2InBiX6 were found to be unstable due to In(+) oxidizing into In(3+), we show that the +1 oxidation state of In becomes progressively more stable as the A-site cation changes from K to Cs. Hence, we propose the use of MA and FA [FA = CH(NH2)2] to stabilize A2InBiBr6 double perovskites. We show that the optoelectronic properties of A2InBiBr6 are remarkably similar to those of MAPbI3, and explore the mixed-cation (Cs/MA/FA)2InBiBr6 halide double perovskites.

Abstract:

Organic-inorganic halide perovskites are attracting extraordinary attention in the field of energy materials. The reaction of hybrid lead halide perovskites with Li metal has been recently proposed for a number of potential applications. However, the mechanisms for Li uptake in such materials, such as intercalation and conversion, are still unknown. Using a combination of density functional theory, electrochemical and diffraction techniques, we consider Li intercalation and conversion reactions in CH3NH3PbI3, CH3NH3PbBr3 and CH3NH3PbCl3. Our simulations suggest that conversion reactions with Li are far more energetically preferable in these materials than Li intercalation. Calculations confirm the formation of Pb metal as a result of Li conversion in all three materials, and this is supported by an X-ray diffraction analysis of CH3NH3PbBr3. The results of this study provide fresh insights into lithium and halide perovskite reactions that will hopefully drive further exploration of these materials for a wider variety of energy applications.

Abstract:

Perovskite solar cells with record power conversion efficiency are fabricated by alloying both hybrid and fully inorganic compounds. While the basic electronic properties of the hybrid perovskites are now well understood, key electronic parameters for solar cell performance, such as the exciton binding energy of fully inorganic perovskites, are still unknown. By performing magneto-transmission measurements, we determine with high accuracy the exciton binding energy and reduced mass of fully inorganic CsPbX3 perovskites (X = I, Br, and an alloy of these). The well-behaved (continuous) evolution of the band gap with temperature in the range of 4–270 K suggests that fully inorganic perovskites do not undergo structural phase transitions like their hybrid counterparts. The experimentally determined dielectric constants indicate that at low temperature, when the motion of the organic cation is frozen, the dielectric screening mechanism is essentially the same for both hybrid and inorganic perovskites and is dominated by the relative motion of atoms within the lead halide cage.