Optimizing Band Gap of Inorganic Halide Perovskites by Donor-Acceptor Pair Codoping

A Hybrid Functional Study on Perovskite-Based Compounds CsPb1-αZnαI3-βXβ (X = Cl or Br)

Inorganic perovskites have attracted a great deal of attention because of their stability. Unfortunately, a weak optical response and the toxicity of lead are hampering their development. Motivated by these facts, we focus herein on the perovskite-based doped series CsPb_1-αZn_αI_3-βX_β (X = Cl or Br). The geometric structures and the electronic and optical properties of CsPb_1-αZn_αI_3-βX_β (X = Cl or Br) are investigated systematically by hybrid functional theory. Analysis of the electronic properties indicates that Zn/Cl/Br mono-doping and co-doping efficiently tune bandgaps. Moreover, we find that the ability to obtain electrons for CsPb_0.625Zn_0.375I₂Cl is superior to the abilities of the others, which implies a stronger electron transition. In addition, CsPb_0.625Zn_0.375I₂Cl and CsPb_0.625Zn_0.375I₂Br show stronger visible-light responses in the range of 467-780 nm. Both CsPb_0.625Zn_0.375I₂Cl and CsPb_0.625Zn_0.375I₂Br are hence good choices for photovoltaic applications. Furthermore, the physically accessible region is also explored herein. These findings shed new light on the design of highly efficient and low-lead perovskite-based optoelectronic materials.

Improving UV stability of perovskite solar cells without sacrificing efficiency through light trapping regulated spectral modification

The stability of perovskite solar cells is an important issue to be addressed for future applications. Perovskite solar cells are vulnerable to exposure to UV light due to promoted chemical reactions. However, preventing UV light from entering solar cells lowers the power conversion efficiency by reducing the photocurrent. The challenge is to improve UV stability without sacrificing efficiency. Here, we demonstrate the reduction of UV light-related negative effects from the perspective of spectral modification. By simultaneously introducing UV-visible downshifting and light trapping, perovskite solar cells can achieve a comparable efficiency of over 21% to that of an unmodified device. The optimized device obtains increased UV stability due to UV-visible downshifting. Different from other strategies, spectral modification externally alters the composition of incident light and improves UV stability without changing the internal device architecture, which is broadly applicable to perovskite solar cells with different structures. The present work may also find applications in other types of solar cells to boost the stability of devices exposed to UV light.

Emerging perovskite monolayers

The library of two-dimensional (2D) materials has been enriched over recent years with novel crystal architectures endowed with diverse exciting functionalities. Bulk perovskites, including metal-halide and oxide systems, provide access to a myriad of properties through molecular engineering. Their tunable electronic structure offers remarkable features from long carrier-diffusion lengths and high absorption coefficients in metal-halide perovskites to high-temperature superconductivity, magnetoresistance and ferroelectricity in oxide perovskites. Emboldened by the 2D materials research, perovskites down to the monolayer limit have recently emerged. Like other 2D species, perovskites with reduced dimensionality are expected to exhibit new physics and to herald next-generation multifunctional devices. In this Review, we critically assess the preliminary studies on the synthetic routes and inherent properties of monolayer perovskite materials. We also discuss how to exploit them for widespread applications and provide an outlook on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for this enticing class of 2D materials.