Halide Mixing and Phase Segregation in Cs2AgBiX6 (X = Cl, Br, and I) Double Perovskites from Cesium-133 Solid-State NMR and Optical Spectroscopy

Unprecedented Richness of Temperature- and Pressure-Induced Polymorphism in 1D Lead Iodide Perovskite

Inherent features of metal halide perovskites are their softness, complex lattice dynamics, and phase transitions spectacularly tuning their structures and properties. While the structural transformations are well described and classified in 3D perovskites, their 1D analogs are much less understood. Herein, both temperature- and pressure-dependent structural evolutions of a 1D AcaPbI3 perovskitoid incorporating acetamidinium (Aca) cation are examined. The study reveals the existence of nine phases of δ-AcaPbI3, which present the most diverse polymorphic collection among known perovskite materials. Interestingly, temperature- and pressure-triggered phase transitions in the 1D perovskotoid exhibit fundamentally different natures: the thermal transformations are mainly associated with the collective translations of rigid polyanionic units and ordering/disordering dynamics of Aca cations, while the compression primarily affects inorganic polymer chains. Moreover, in the 1-D chains featuring the face-sharing connection mode of the PbI6 octahedra the Pb···Pb distances are significantly shortened compared to the corner-sharing 3D perovskite frameworks, hence operating in the van der Waals territory. Strikingly, a good correlation is found between the Pb···Pb distances and the pressure evolution of the bandgap values in the δ-AcaPbI3, indicating that in 1D perovskitoid structures, the contacts between Pb2+ ions are one of the critical parameters determining their properties.

Breaking the bottleneck of lead-free perovskite solar cells through dimensionality modulation

The emerging perovskite solar cell (PSC) technology has attracted significant attention due to its superior power conversion efficiency (PCE) among the thin-film photovoltaic technologies. However, the toxicity of lead and poor stability of lead halide materials hinder their commercialization. In this case, after a decade of effort, various categories of lead-free perovskites and perovskite-like materials have been developed, including tin halide perovskites, double perovskites, defect-structured perovskites, and rudorffites. However, the performance of the corresponding devices still falls short of expectations, especially their PCE. The limitations mainly originate from either the unstable lattice structure of these materials, which causes the distortion of their octahedra, or their low dimensionality (e.g., structural and electronic dimensionality)-correlated poor carrier transport and self-trapping effect, accelerating nonradiative recombination. Therefore, understanding the relationship between the structures and performance in these emerging candidates and leveraging these insights to design or modify new lead-free perovskites is of great significance. Herein, we review the variety of dimensionalities in different categories of lead-free perovskites and perovskite-like materials and conclude that dimensionality is an important aspect among the crucial indexes that determine the performance of lead-free PSCs. In addition, we summarize the modulation of both structural and electronic dimensionality, and the corresponding enhanced optoelectronic properties in different categories. Finally, perspectives on the future development of lead-free perovskites and perovskite-like materials for photovoltaic applications are provided. We hope that this review will provide researchers with a concise overview of these emerging materials and help them leverage dimensionality to break the bottleneck in photovoltaic applications.

Effect of aliovalent bismuth substitution on structure and optical properties of CsSnBr3

Aliovalent substitution of the B component in ABX₃ metal halides has often been proposed to modify the band gap and thus the photovoltaic properties, but details about the resulting structure have remained largely unknown. Here, we examine these effects in Bi-substituted CsSnBr₃. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and solid-state ¹¹⁹Sn, ¹³³Cs and ²⁰⁹Bi nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy were carried out to infer how Bi substitution changes the structure of these compounds. The cubic perovskite structure is preserved upon Bi-substitution, but with disorder in the B site occurring at the atomic level. Bi atoms are randomly distributed as they substitute for Sn atoms with no evidence of Bi segregation. The absorption edge in the optical spectra shifts from 1.8 to 1.2 eV upon Bi-substitution, maintaining a direct band gap according to electronic structure calculations. It is shown that Bi-substitution improves resistance to degradation by inhibiting the oxidation of Sn.

Efficient Orange Emission in Mn2+-Doped Cs3Cd2Cl7 Perovskites with Excellent Stability

Low-dimensional metal halides are attractive for applications in photodetectors, solid-state lighting, and solar cells, but poor stability is an obstacle that must be overcome in commercial applications. Herein, we successfully synthesized a Ruddlesden-Popper (RP)-phased perovskite Mn²⁺:Cs₃Cd₂Cl₇ with high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) and outstanding thermal and environmental stability by a solvothermal method. The pristine sample Cs₃Cd₂Cl₇ exhibits a weak cyan broad emission centered at 510 nm with a low PLQY of ∼4%. Once Mn²⁺ ions are introduced into the host lattice, a bright orange emission peaking at 580 nm with a high PLQY of ∼74% was achieved, which is attributed to the efficient energy transfer from the host to Mn²⁺ ions and thus results in the ⁴T₁ → ⁶A₁ radiation transition of Mn²⁺ ions. The photoluminescence (PL) intensity and environmental stability of Mn²⁺:Cs₃Cd₂Cl₇ can be further improved through A-site Rb alloying. Finally, an orange LED with outstanding color stability was fabricated on the basis of the Mn²⁺:Cs₃Cd₂Cl₇. Our work successfully elucidates that dopant plays an integral role in tailoring optical properties.

Enhanced Memristive Performance of Double Perovskite Cs2 AgBiBr6-x Clx Devices by Chloride Doping

Mixed halide perovskites are promising memristive materials because of their excellent electronic-ionic properties. In this work, lead-free Cs₂ AgBiBr_6-x Cl_x (x=0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0) double perovskite films were fabricated using a one-step solution spin-coating method in air. Moreover, the ITO/Cs₂ AgBiBr_6-x Cl_x /Al sandwich-like devices are fabricated to investigate the memristive behaviors. The present memristors exhibit nonvolatile and bipolar resistive switching behaviors without electroforming process. Interestingly, as the chloride content increases, the ON/OFF ratio of the device increases from 10³ to 10⁴ , the average SET voltage and the RESET voltage decrease from -0.40 V to -0.21 V and from 1.55 V to 1.34 V, respectively. In addition, resistance states of devices can be maintained after 100 switching cycles and 10⁴  s of reading. This study provides new possibility for the development of low-power and environmentally friendly memristors.

Enhanced visible light absorption in layered Cs3Bi2Br9 through mixed-valence Sn(ii)/Sn(iv) doping

Lead-free halides with perovskite-related structures, such as the vacancy-ordered perovskite Cs₃Bi₂Br₉, are of interest for photovoltaic and optoelectronic applications. We find that addition of SnBr₂ to the solution-phase synthesis of Cs₃Bi₂Br₉ leads to substitution of up to 7% of the Bi(iii) ions by equal quantities of Sn(ii) and Sn(iv). The nature of the substitutional defects was studied by X-ray diffraction, ¹³³Cs and ¹¹⁹Sn solid state NMR, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations. The resulting mixed-valence compounds show intense visible and near infrared absorption due to intervalence charge transfer, as well as electronic transitions to and from localised Sn-based states within the band gap. Sn(ii) and Sn(iv) defects preferentially occupy neighbouring B-cation sites, forming a double-substitution complex. Unusually for a Sn(ii) compound, the material shows minimal changes in optical and structural properties after 12 months storage in air. Our calculations suggest the stabilisation of Sn(ii) within the double substitution complex contributes to this unusual stability. These results expand upon research on inorganic mixed-valent halides to a new, layered structure, and offer insights into the tuning, doping mechanisms, and structure-property relationships of lead-free vacancy-ordered perovskite structures.

Mixed-Halide Double Perovskite Cs2 AgBiX6 (X=Br, I) with Tunable Optical Properties via Anion Exchange

Lead-free double perovskites, A2 M+ M'3+ X6 , are considered as promising alternatives to lead-halide perovskites, in optoelectronics applications. Although iodide (I) and bromide (Br) mixing is a versatile tool for bandgap tuning in lead perovskites, similar mixed I/Br double perovskite films have not been reported in double perovskites, which may be due to the large activation energy for ion migration. In this work, mixed Br/I double perovskites were realized utilizing an anion exchange method starting from Cs2 AgBiBr6 solid thin-films with large grain-size. The optical and structural properties were studied experimentally and theoretically. Importantly, the halide exchange mechanism was investigated. Hydroiodic acid was the key factor to facilitate the halide exchange reaction, through a dissolution-recrystallization process. In addition, the common organic iodide salts could successfully perform halide-exchange while retaining high mixed-halide phase stability and strong light absorption capability.

Structure and surface properties of size-tuneable CsPbBr3 nanocrystals

This investigation has characterised the structure and surface chemistry of CsPbBr₃ nanocrystals with controlled diameters between 6.4 to 12.8 nm. The nanocrystals were investigated via a thorough ¹³³Cs solid state NMR and nuclear relaxation study, identifying and mapping radially-increasing nanoscale disorder. This work has formalised ¹³³Cs NMR as a highly sensitive probe of nanocrystal size, which can conveniently analyse nanocrystals in solid forms, as they would be utilised in optoelectronic devices. A combined multinuclear solid state NMR and XPS approach, including ¹³³Cs-¹H heteronuclear correlation 2D (HETCOR) NMR, was utilised to study the nanocrystal surface and ligands, demonstrating that the surface is Cs-Br rich with vacancies passivated by didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB) ligands. Furthermore, it is shown that a negligible amount of phosphonate ligands remain on the powder nanocrystal surface, despite the key role of octylphosphonic acid (OPA) in controlling the colloidal nanocrystal growth. The CsPbBr₃ NCs were shown to be structurally stable under ambient conditions for up to 6 months, albeit with some particle agglomeration.

NMR spectroscopy probes microstructure, dynamics and doping of metal halide perovskites

Solid-state magic-angle spinning NMR spectroscopy is a powerful technique to probe atomic-level microstructure and structural dynamics in metal halide perovskites. It can be used to measure dopant incorporation, phase segregation, halide mixing, decomposition pathways, passivation mechanisms, short-range and long-range dynamics, and other local properties. This Review describes practical aspects of recording solid-state NMR data on halide perovskites and how these afford unique insights into new compositions, dopants and passivation agents. We discuss the applicability, feasibility and limitations of ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁵N, ¹⁴N, ¹³³Cs, ⁸⁷Rb, ³⁹K, ²⁰⁷Pb, ¹¹⁹Sn, ¹¹³Cd, ²⁰⁹Bi, ¹¹⁵In, ¹⁹F and ²H NMR in typical experimental scenarios. We highlight the pivotal complementary role of solid-state mechanosynthesis, which enables highly sensitive NMR studies by providing large quantities of high-purity materials of arbitrary complexity and of chemical shifts calculated using density functional theory. We examine the broader impact of solid-state NMR on materials research and how its evolution over seven decades has benefitted structural studies of contemporary materials such as halide perovskites. Finally, we summarize some of the open questions in perovskite optoelectronics that could be addressed using solid-state NMR. We, thereby, hope to stimulate wider use of this technique in materials and optoelectronics research.

Formation and Near-Infrared Emission of CsPbI3 Nanoparticles Embedded in Cs4PbI6 Crystals

Cs₄PbI₆, as a rarely investigated member of the Cs₄PbX₆ (X is a halogen element) family, has been successfully synthesized at low temperatures, and the synthetic conditions have been optimized. Metal iodides such as LiI, KI, NiI₂, CoI₂, and ZnI₂, as additives, play an important role in enhancing the formation of the Cs₄PbI₆ microcrystals. ZnI₂ with the lowest dissociation energy is the most efficient additive to supply iodide ions, and its amount of addition has also been optimized. Strong red to near-infrared (NIR) emission properties have been detected, and its optical emission centers have been identified to be numerous embedded perovskite-type α-CsPbI₃ nanocrystallites (∼5 nm in diameter) based on investigations of temperature- and pressure-dependent photoluminescent properties. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy was used to detect these hidden nanoparticles, although the material was highly beam-sensitive and confirmed a "raisin bread"-like structure of the Cs₄PbI₆ crystals. A NIR mini-LED for the biological application has been successfully fabricated using as-synthesized Cs₄PbI₆ crystals. This work provides information for the future development of infrared fluorescent nanoscale perovskite materials.

Phonon-Limited Mobility and Electron-Phonon Coupling in Lead-Free Halide Double Perovskites

Lead-free halide double perovskites have attracted considerable attention as complements to lead-based halide perovskites in a range of optoelectronic applications. Experiments on Cs₂AgBiBr₆ indicate carrier mobilities in the range of 0.3-11 cm²/(V s) at room temperature, considerably lower than in lead-based perovskites. The origin of low mobilities is currently unclear, calling for an atomic-scale investigation. We report state-of-the-art ab initio calculations of the phonon-limited mobility of charge carriers in lead-free halide double perovskites Cs₂AgBiX₆ (X = Br, Cl). For Cs₂AgBiBr₆, we obtain room-temperature electron and hole mobilities of 17 and 14 cm²/(V s), respectively, in line with experiments. We demonstrate that the cause for the lower mobility of this compound, compared to CH₃NH₃PbI₃, resides in the heavier carrier effective masses. A mode-resolved analysis of scattering rates reveals the predominance of Fröhlich electron-phonon scattering, similar to lead-based perovskites. Our results indicate that, to increase the mobility of lead-free perovskites, it is necessary to reduce the effective masses, for example by cation engineering.

Influence of hidden halogen mobility on local structure of CsSn(Cl1-x Br x )3 mixed-halide perovskites by solid-state NMR

Tin halide perovskites are promising candidates for lead-free photovoltaic and optoelectronic materials, but not all of them have been well characterized. It is essential to determine how the bulk photophysical properties are correlated with their structures at both short and long ranges. Although CsSnCl₃ is normally stable in the cubic perovskite structure only above 379 K, it was prepared as a metastable phase at room temperature. The transition from the cubic to the monoclinic phase, which is the stable form at room temperature, was tracked by solid-state ¹³³Cs NMR spectroscopy and shown to take place through a first-order kinetics process. The complete solid solution CsSn(Cl_1−xBr_x)₃ (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) was successfully prepared, exhibiting cubic perovskite structures extending between the metastable CsSnCl₃ and stable CsSnBr₃ end-members. The NMR spectra of CsSnBr₃ samples obtained by three routes (high-temperature, mechanochemical, and solvent-assisted reactions) show distinct chemical shift ranges, spin-lattice relaxation parameters and peak widths, indicative of differences in local structure, defects and degree of crystallinity within these samples. Variable-temperature ¹¹⁹Sn spin-lattice relaxation measurements reveal spontaneous mobility of Br atoms in CsSnBr₃. The degradation of CsSnBr₃, exposed to an ambient atmosphere for nearly a year, was monitored by NMR spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction, as well as by optical absorption spectroscopy.

Unravelling the atomic-level chemical structure, slow phase conversion or degradation pathways and rapid halogen hopping of cesium tin(ii) halide perovskites using solid-state ¹¹⁹Sn and ¹³³Cs NMR spectroscopy.

How the Structures and Properties of Pristine and Anion Vacancy Defective Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Double Perovskites MA2AgIn(BrxI1-x)6 Vary with Br Content x

This work is dedicated to theoretically investigating the mixed-halide direct band gap organic-inorganic hybrid double perovskites (OIHdPs), MA₂AgIn(Br_xI_1-x)₆, with and without anion vacancy point (AVP) defects. We calculate their structural and optoelectronic properties with different halide compositions and find that the effect of halide composition on the properties of MA₂AgIn(Br_xI_1-x)₆ is quite different from that on lead-bearing perovskites. All the vacancy-free I-bearing systems (x ≠ 1) have nearly the same direct band gap width and carrier activity with MAPbI₃. The Br-rich systems (x > 0.50) are relatively thermodynamical stable and not prone to spontaneous anion segregation and show a strong "self-tolerance" feature toward the inherit defects as well. With these distinguished properties, we are able to conclude that MA₂AgIn(Br_xI_1-x)₆ with 0.50 < x < 1 are promising candidates for Pb-free photovoltaic materials. This Letter provides a detailed microscopic understanding of the vacancy-induced band distortion in lead-free heterovalent substitution OIHdPs and has some guiding significance for molecular design of nontoxic photovoltaic materials.