Photo-induced enhancement of lattice fluctuations in metal-halide perovskites

Anisotropy of Anion Diffusion in All-Inorganic Perovskite Single Crystals

Ion diffusion is a fundamentally important process in understanding and manipulating the optoelectronic properties of semiconductors. Most current studies on ionic diffusion have been focusing on perovskite polycrystalline thin films and nanocrystals. However, the random orientation and grain boundaries can heavily interfere with the kinetics of ion diffusion, where the experimental results only reveal the average ion exchange kinetics and the actual ion diffusion mechanisms perpendicular to the direction of individual crystal facets remain unclear. Here, the anion (Cl, I) diffusion anisotropy on (111) and (100) facets of CsPbBr3 single crystals is demonstrated. The as-grown single crystals with (111) and (100) facets exhibit anisotropic growth with different halide incorporation, which lead to different resulting optoelectronic properties. Combined experimental characterizations and theoretical calculations reveal that the (111) CsPbBr3 shows a faster anion diffusion behavior compared with that of the (100) CsPbBr3, with a lower diffusion energy barrier, a larger built-in electric field, and lower inverse defect formation energy. The work highlights the anion diffusion anisotropic mechanisms perpendicular to the direction of individual crystal facets for optimizing and designing perovskite optoelectronic devices.

Controlling the Orientation-Dependent Second Harmonic Generation in Hybrid Germanium Perovskites

Manipulating the crystal orientation plays a crucial role in the conversion efficiency during second harmonic generation (SHG). Here, we provide a new strategy in controlling the surface-dependent anisotropic SHG with the precise design of (101) and (21 ‾ ${\bar 1}$ 0) MAGeI3 facets. Based on the SHG measurement, the (101) MAGeI3 single crystal exhibits larger SHG (1.3×(21 ‾ ${\bar 1}$ 0) MAGeI3). Kelvin probe force microscopy imaging shows a smaller work function for the (101) MAGeI3 compared with the (21 ‾ ${\bar 1}$ 0), which indirectly demonstrates the stronger intrinsic polarization on the (101) surface. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirms the band bending within the (101) facet. Temperature-dependent steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy show shorter lifetime and wider emission band in the (101) MAGeI3 single crystal, revealing the higher defect states. Additionally, powder X-ray diffraction patterns show the (101) MAGeI3 possesses larger in-plane polar units [GeI3]- density, which could directly enhance the spontaneous polarization in the (101) facet. Density functional theory (DFT) calculation further demonstrates the higher intrinsic polarization in the (101) facet compared with the (21 ‾ ${\bar 1}$ 0) facet, and the larger built-in electric field in the (101) facet facilitates surface vacancy defect accumulation. Our work provides a new angle in tuning and optimizing hybrid perovskite-based nonlinear optical materials.

Unraveling Size-Dependent Ion-Migration for Stable Mixed-Halide Perovskite Light-Emitting Diodes

Mixed-halide perovskites show tunable emission wavelength across the visible-light range, with optimum control of the light color. However, color stability remains limited due to the notorious halide segregation under illumination or an electric field. Here, a versatile path toward high-quality mixed-halide perovskites with high emission properties and resistance to halide segregation is presented. Through systematic in and ex situ characterizations, key features for this advancement are proposed: a slowed and controllable crystallization process can promote achievement of halide homogeneity, which in turn ensures thermodynamic stability; meanwhile, downsizing perovskite nanoparticle to nanometer-scale dimensions can enhance their resistance to external stimuli, strengthening the phase stability. Leveraging this strategy, devices are developed based on CsPbCl1.5 Br1.5 perovskite that achieves a champion external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 9.8% at 464 nm, making it one of the most efficient deep-blue mixed-halide perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) to date. Particularly, the device demonstrates excellent spectral stability, maintaining a constant emission profile and position for over 60 min of continuous operation. The versatility of this approach with CsPbBr1.5 I1.5 PeLEDs is further showcased, achieving an impressive EQE of 12.7% at 576 nm.

Observation of photoinduced polarons in semimetal 1T-TiSe2

In this work, ultrafast carrier dynamics of mechanically exfoliated 1T-TiSe₂flakes from the high-quality single crystals with self-intercalated Ti atoms are investigated by femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. The observed coherent acoustic and optical phonon oscillations after ultrafast photoexcitation reveal the strong electron-phonon coupling in 1T-TiSe₂. The ultrafast carrier dynamics probed in both visible and mid-infrared regions indicate that some photogenerated carriers localize near the intercalated Ti atoms and form small polarons rapidly within several picoseconds after photoexcitation due to the strong and short-range electron-phonon coupling. The formation of polarons leads to a reduction of carrier mobility and a long-time relaxation process of photoexcited carriers for several nanoseconds. The formation and dissociation rates of the photoinduced polarons are dependent on both the pump fluence and the thickness of TiSe₂sample. This work offers new insights into the photogenerated carrier dynamics of 1T-TiSe₂, and emphasizes the effects of intercalated atoms on the electron and lattice dynamics after photoexcitation.

Photoinduced large polaron transport and dynamics in organic-inorganic hybrid lead halide perovskite with terahertz probes

Organic-inorganic hybrid metal halide perovskites (MHPs) have attracted tremendous attention for optoelectronic applications. The long photocarrier lifetime and moderate carrier mobility have been proposed as results of the large polaron formation in MHPs. However, it is challenging to measure the effective mass and carrier scattering parameters of the photogenerated large polarons in the ultrafast carrier recombination dynamics. Here, we show, in a one-step spectroscopic method, that the optical-pump and terahertz-electromagnetic probe (OPTP) technique allows us to access the nature of interplay of photoexcited unbound charge carriers and optical phonons in polycrystalline CH₃NH₃PbI₃ (MAPbI₃) of about 10 μm grain size. Firstly, we demonstrate a direct spectral evidence of the large polarons in polycrystalline MAPbI₃. Using the Drude-Smith-Lorentz model along with the Frӧhlich-type electron-phonon (e-ph) coupling, we determine the effective mass and scattering parameters of photogenerated polaronic carriers. We discover that the resulting moderate polaronic carrier mobility is mainly influenced by the enhanced carrier scattering, rather than the polaron mass enhancement. While, the formation of large polarons in MAPbI₃ polycrystalline grains results in a long charge carrier lifetime at room temperature. Our results provide crucial information about the photo-physics of MAPbI₃ and are indispensable for optoelectronic device development with better performance.