Composition Dictates Octahedral Tilt and Photostability in Halide Perovskites

Halide perovskites are excellent candidate materials for use in solar cell, LED, and detector devices, in part because their composition can be tuned to achieve ideal optoelectronic properties. Empirical efficiency optimization has led the field toward compositions rich in FA (formamidinium) on the A-site and I on the X-site, with additional small amounts of MA (methylammonium) or Cs A-site cations and Br X-site anions. However, it is not clear how and why the specific compositions of alloyed, that is, mixed component, halide perovskites relate to photo-stability of the materials. Here, this work combines synchrotron grazing incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering, photoluminescence, high-resolution scanning electron diffraction measurements and theoretical modelling to reveal the links between material structure and photostability. Namely, this work finds that increased octahedral titling leads to improved photo-stability that is correlated with lower densities of performance-harming hexagonal polytype impurities. These results uncover the structural signatures underpinning photo-stability and can therefore be used to make targeted changes to halide perovskites, bettering the commercial prospects of technologies based on these materials.

Synergetic Near- and Far-Field Plasmonic Effects for Optimal All-Perovskite Tandem Solar Cells with Maximized Infrared Absorption

The efficiency and reliability of perovskite solar cells have rapidly increased in conjunction with the proposition of advanced single-junction and multi-junction designs that allow light harvesting to be maximized. However, Sn-based compositions required for optimized all-perovskite tandem devices have reduced absorption coefficients, as opposed to pure Pb perovskites. To overcome this, we investigate near- and far-field plasmonic effects to locally enhance the light absorption of infrared photons. Through optimization of the metal type, particle size, and volume concentration, we maximize effective light harvesting while minimizing parasitic absorption in all-perovskite tandem devices. Interestingly, incorporating 240 nm silver particles into the Pb-Sn perovskite layer with a volume concentration of 3.1% indicates an absolute power conversion efficiency enhancement of 2% in the tandem system. We present a promising avenue for experimentalists to realize ultrathin all-perovskite tandem devices with optimized charge carrier collection, diminishing the weight and the use of Pb.

Surfactant-Dependent Bulk Scale Mechanochemical Synthesis of CsPbBr3 Nanocrystals for Plastic Scintillator-Based X-ray Imaging

We report a facile, solvent-free surfactant-dependent mechanochemical synthesis of highly luminescent CsPbBr3 nanocrystals (NCs) and study their scintillation properties. A small amount of surfactant oleylamine (OAM) plays an important role in the two-step ball milling method to control the size and emission properties of the NCs. The solid-state synthesized perovskite NCs exhibit a high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of up to 88% with excellent stability. CsPbBr3 NCs capped with different amounts of surfactant were dispersed in toluene and mixed with polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) polymer and cast into scintillator discs. With increasing concentration of OAM during synthesis, the PL yield of CsPbBr3/PMMA nanocomposite was increased, which is attributed to reduced NC aggregation and PL quenching. We also varied the perovskite loading concentration in the nanocomposite and studied the resulting emission properties. The most intense PL emission was observed from the 2% perovskite-loaded disc, while the 10% loaded disc exhibited the highest radioluminescence (RL) emission from 50 kV X-rays. The strong RL yield may be attributed to the deep penetration of X-rays into the composite, combined with the large interaction cross-section of the X-rays with the high-Z atoms within the NCs. The nanocomposite disc shows an intense RL emission peak centered at 536 nm and a fast RL decay time of 29.4 ns. Further, we have demonstrated the X-ray imaging performance of a 10% CsPbBr3 NC-loaded nanocomposite disc.

Vacuum-Deposited Wide-Bandgap Perovskite for All-Perovskite Tandem Solar Cells

All-perovskite tandem solar cells beckon as lower cost alternatives to conventional single-junction cells. Solution processing has enabled rapid optimization of perovskite solar technologies, but new deposition routes will enable modularity and scalability, facilitating technology adoption. Here, we utilize 4-source vacuum deposition to deposit FA_0.7Cs_0.3Pb(I_xBr_1-x)₃ perovskite, where the bandgap is changed through fine control over the halide content. We show how using MeO-2PACz as a hole-transporting material and passivating the perovskite with ethylenediammonium diiodide reduces nonradiative losses, resulting in efficiencies of 17.8% in solar cells based on vacuum-deposited perovskites with a bandgap of 1.76 eV. By similarly passivating a narrow-bandgap FA_0.75Cs_0.25Pb_0.5Sn_0.5I₃ perovskite and combining it with a subcell of evaporated FA_0.7Cs_0.3Pb(I_0.64Br_0.36)₃, we report a 2-terminal all-perovskite tandem solar cell with champion open circuit voltage and efficiency of 2.06 V and 24.1%, respectively. This dry deposition method enables high reproducibility, opening avenues for modular, scalable multijunction devices even in complex architectures.

Halide Remixing under Device Operation Imparts Stability on Mixed-Cation Mixed-Halide Perovskite Solar Cells

Mixed-halide mixed-cation hybrid perovskites are among the most promising perovskite compositions for application in a variety of optoelectronic devices due to their high performance, low cost, and bandgap-tuning capabilities. Instability pathways such as those driven by ionic migration, however, continue to hinder their further progress. Here, an operando variable-pitch synchrotron grazing-incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering technique is used to track the surface and bulk structural changes in mixed-halide mixed-cation perovskite solar cells under continuous load and illumination. By monitoring the evolution of the material structure, it is demonstrated that halide remixing along the electric field and illumination direction during operation hinders phase segregation and limits device instability. Correlating the evolution with directionality- and depth-dependent analyses, it is proposed that this halide remixing is induced by an electrostrictive effect acting along the substrate out-of-plane direction. However, this stabilizing effect is overwhelmed by competing halide demixing processes in devices exposed to humid air or with poorer starting performance. The findings shed new light on understanding halide de- and re-mixing competitions and their impact on device longevity. These operando techniques allow real-time tracking of the structural evolution in full optoelectronic devices and unveil otherwise inaccessible insights into rapid structural evolution under external stress conditions.

Local Nanoscale Phase Impurities are Degradation Sites in Halide Perovskites

Understanding the nanoscopic chemical and structural changes that drive instabilities in emerging energy materials is essential for mitigating device degradation. The power conversion efficiency of halide perovskite photovoltaic devices has reached 25.7% in single junction and 29.8% in tandem perovskite/silicon cells^1,2, yet retaining such performance under continuous operation has remained elusive³. Here, we develop a multimodal microscopy toolkit to reveal that in leading formamidinium-rich perovskite absorbers, nanoscale phase impurities including hexagonal polytype and lead iodide inclusions are not only traps for photo-excited carriers which themselves reduce performance^4,5, but via the same trapping process are sites at which photochemical degradation of the absorber layer is seeded. We visualise illumination-induced structural changes at phase impurities associated with trap clusters, revealing that even trace amounts of these phases, otherwise undetected with bulk measurements, compromise device longevity. The type and distribution of these unwanted phase inclusions depends on film composition and processing, with the presence of polytypes being most detrimental for film photo-stability. Importantly, we reveal that performance losses and intrinsic degradation processes can both be mitigated by modulating these defective phase impurities, and demonstrate that this requires careful tuning of local structural and chemical properties. This multimodal workflow to correlate the nanoscopic landscape of beam sensitive energy materials will be applicable to a wide range of semiconductors for which a local picture of performance and operational stability has yet to be established.

Nanoscale chemical heterogeneity dominates the optoelectronic response of alloyed perovskite solar cells

Halide perovskites perform remarkably in optoelectronic devices. However, this exceptional performance is striking given that perovskites exhibit deep charge-carrier traps and spatial compositional and structural heterogeneity, all of which should be detrimental to performance. Here, we resolve this long-standing paradox by providing a global visualization of the nanoscale chemical, structural and optoelectronic landscape in halide perovskite devices, made possible through the development of a new suite of correlative, multimodal microscopy measurements combining quantitative optical spectroscopic techniques and synchrotron nanoprobe measurements. We show that compositional disorder dominates the optoelectronic response over a weaker influence of nanoscale strain variations even of large magnitude. Nanoscale compositional gradients drive carrier funnelling onto local regions associated with low electronic disorder, drawing carrier recombination away from trap clusters associated with electronic disorder and leading to high local photoluminescence quantum efficiency. These measurements reveal a global picture of the competitive nanoscale landscape, which endows enhanced defect tolerance in devices through spatial chemical disorder that outcompetes both electronic and structural disorder.

Stabilized tilted-octahedra halide perovskites inhibit local formation of performance-limiting phases

[Figure: see text].

Unraveling the varied nature and roles of defects in hybrid halide perovskites with time-resolved photoemission electron microscopy

With rapidly growing photoconversion efficiencies, hybrid perovskite solar cells have emerged as promising contenders for next generation, low-cost photovoltaic technologies. Yet, the presence of nanoscale defect clusters, that form during the fabrication process, remains critical to overall device operation, including efficiency and long-term stability. To successfully deploy hybrid perovskites, we must understand the nature of the different types of defects, assess their potentially varied roles in device performance, and understand how they respond to passivation strategies. Here, by correlating photoemission and synchrotron-based scanning probe X-ray microscopies, we unveil three different types of defect clusters in state-of-the-art triple cation mixed halide perovskite thin films. Incorporating ultrafast time-resolution into our photoemission measurements, we show that defect clusters originating at grain boundaries are the most detrimental for photocarrier trapping, while lead iodide defect clusters are relatively benign. Hexagonal polytype defect clusters are only mildly detrimental individually, but can have a significant impact overall if abundant in occurrence. We also show that passivating defects with oxygen in the presence of light, a previously used approach to improve efficiency, has a varied impact on the different types of defects. Even with just mild oxygen treatment, the grain boundary defects are completely healed, while the lead iodide defects begin to show signs of chemical alteration. Our findings highlight the need for multi-pronged strategies tailored to selectively address the detrimental impact of the different defect types in hybrid perovskite solar cells.

Efficient and Spectrally Stable Blue Perovskite Light-Emitting Diodes Employing a Cationic π-Conjugated Polymer

Metal halide perovskite semiconductors have demonstrated remarkable potentials in solution-processed blue light-emitting diodes (LEDs). However, the unsatisfied efficiency and spectral stability responsible for trap-mediated non-radiative losses and halide phase segregation remain the primary unsolved challenges for blue perovskite LEDs. In this study, it is reported that a fluorene-based π-conjugated cationic polymer can be blended with the perovskite semiconductor to control film formation and optoelectronic properties. As a result, sky-blue and true-blue perovskite LEDs with Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage coordinates of (0.08, 0.22) and (0.12, 0.13) at the record external quantum efficiencies of 11.2% and 8.0% were achieved. In addition, the mixed halide perovskites with the conjugated cationic polymer exhibit excellent spectral stability under external bias. This result illustrates that π-conjugated cationic polymers have a great potential to realize efficient blue mixed-halide perovskite LEDs with stable electroluminescence.

Halide perovskites scintillators: unique promise and current limitations

The widespread use of X- and gamma-rays in a range of sectors including healthcare, security and industrial screening is underpinned by the efficient detection of the ionising radiation. Such detector applications are dominated by indirect detectors in which a scintillating material is combined with a photodetector. Halide perovskites have recently emerged as an interesting class of semiconductors, showing enormous promise in optoelectronic applications including solar cells, light-emitting diodes and photodetectors. Here, we discuss how the same superior semiconducting properties that have catalysed their rapid development in these optoelectronic devices, including high photon attenuation and fast and efficient emission properties, also make them promising scintillator materials. By outlining the key mechanisms of their operation as scintillators, we show why reports of remarkable performance have already emerged, and describe how further learning from other optoelectronic devices will propel forward their applications as scintillators. Finally, we outline where these materials can make the greatest impact in detector applications by maximally exploiting their unique properties, leading to dramatic improvements in existing detection systems or introducing entirely new functionality.

Relaxed Current Matching Requirements in Highly Luminescent Perovskite Tandem Solar Cells and Their Fundamental Efficiency Limits

Perovskite-based tandem solar cells are of increasing interest as they approach commercialization. Here we use experimental parameters from optical spectroscopy measurements to calculate the limiting efficiency of perovskite-silicon and all-perovskite two-terminal tandems, employing currently available bandgap materials, as 42.0% and 40.8%, respectively. We show luminescence coupling between subcells (the optical transfer of photons from the high-bandgap to low-bandgap subcell) relaxes current matching when the high-bandgap subcell is a luminescent perovskite. We calculate that luminescence coupling becomes important at charge trapping rates (≤10⁶ s^-1) already being achieved in relevant halide perovskites. Luminescence coupling increases flexibility in subcell thicknesses and tolerance to different spectral conditions. For maximal benefit, the high-bandgap subcell should have the higher short-circuit current under average spectral conditions. This can be achieved by reducing the bandgap of the high-bandgap subcell, allowing wider, unstable bandgap compositions to be avoided. Lastly, we visualize luminescence coupling in an all-perovskite tandem through cross-section luminescence imaging.

Buried Interfaces in Halide Perovskite Photovoltaics

Understanding the fundamental properties of buried interfaces in perovskite photovoltaics is of paramount importance to the enhancement of device efficiency and stability. Nevertheless, accessing buried interfaces poses a sizeable challenge because of their non-exposed feature. Herein, the mystery of the buried interface in full device stacks is deciphered by combining advanced in situ spectroscopy techniques with a facile lift-off strategy. By establishing the microstructure-property relations, the basic losses at the contact interfaces are systematically presented, and it is found that the buried interface losses induced by both the sub-microscale extended imperfections and lead-halide inhomogeneities are major roadblocks toward improvement of device performance. The losses can be considerably mitigated by the use of a passivation-molecule-assisted microstructural reconstruction, which unlocks the full potential for improving device performance. The findings open a new avenue to understanding performance losses and thus the design of new passivation strategies to remove imperfections at the top surfaces and buried interfaces of perovskite photovoltaics, resulting in substantial enhancement in device performance.

Multisource Vacuum Deposition of Methylammonium-Free Perovskite Solar Cells

Halide perovskites of the form ABX3 have shown outstanding properties for solar cells. The highest reported compositions consist of mixtures of A-site cations methylammonium (MA), formamidinium (FA) and cesium, and X-site iodide and bromide ions, and are produced by solution processing. However, it is unclear whether solution processing will yield sufficient spatial performance uniformity for large-scale photovoltaic modules or compatibility with deposition of multilayered tandem solar cell stacks. In addition, the volatile MA cation presents long-term stability issues. Here, we report the multisource vacuum deposition of FA0.7Cs0.3Pb(I0.9Br0.1)3 perovskite thin films with high-quality morphological, structural, and optoelectronic properties. We find that the controlled addition of excess PbI2 during the deposition is critical for achieving high performance and stability of the absorber material, and we fabricate p-i-n solar cells with stabilized power output of 18.2%. We also reveal the sensitivity of the deposition process to a range of parameters, including substrate, annealing temperature, evaporation rates, and source purity, providing a guide for further evaporation efforts. Our results demonstrate the enormous promise for MA-free perovskite solar cells employing industry-scalable multisource evaporation processes.

Quantifying Photon Recycling in Solar Cells and Light-Emitting Diodes: Absorption and Emission Are Always Key

Photon recycling has received increased attention in recent years following its observation in halide perovskites. It has been shown to lower the effective bimolecular recombination rate and thus increase excitation densities within a material. Here we introduce a general framework to quantify photon recycling which can be applied to any material. We apply our model to idealized solar cells and light-emitting diodes based on halide perovskites. By varying controllable parameters which affect photon recycling, namely, thickness, charge trapping rate, nonideal transmission at interfaces, and absorptance, we quantify the effect of each on photon recycling. In both device types, we demonstrate that maximizing absorption and emission processes remains paramount for optimizing devices, even if this is at the expense of photon recycling. Our results provide new insight into quantifying photon recycling in optoelectronic devices and demonstrate that photon recycling cannot always be seen as a beneficial process.

Stable Hexylphosphonate-Capped Blue-Emitting Quantum-Confined CsPbBr3 Nanoplatelets

Quantum-confined CsPbBr₃ nanoplatelets (NPLs) are extremely promising for use in low-cost blue light-emitting diodes, but their tendency to coalesce in both solution and film form, particularly under operating device conditions with injected charge-carriers, is hindering their adoption. We show that employing a short hexyl-phosphonate ligand (C₆H₁₅O₃P) in a heat-up colloidal approach for pure, blue-emitting quantum-confined CsPbBr₃ NPLs significantly suppresses these coalescence phenomena compared to particles capped with the typical oleyammonium ligands. The phosphonate-passivated NPL thin films exhibit photoluminescence quantum yields of ∼40% at 450 nm with exceptional ambient and thermal stability. The color purity is preserved even under continuous photoexcitation of carriers equivalent to LED current densities of ∼3.5 A/cm². ¹³C, ¹³³Cs, and ³¹P solid-state MAS NMR reveal the presence of phosphonate on the surface. Density functional theory calculations suggest that the enhanced stability is due to the stronger binding affinity of the phosphonate ligand compared to the ammonium ligand.

Visualizing Buried Local Carrier Diffusion in Halide Perovskite Crystals via Two-Photon Microscopy

Halide perovskites have shown great potential for light emission and photovoltaic applications due to their remarkable electronic properties. Although the device performances are promising, they are still limited by microscale heterogeneities in their photophysical properties. Here, we study the impact of these heterogeneities on the diffusion of charge carriers, which are processes crucial for efficient collection of charges in light-harvesting devices. A photoluminescence tomography technique is developed in a confocal microscope using one- and two-photon excitation to distinguish between local surface and bulk diffusion of charge carriers in methylammonium lead bromide single crystals. We observe a large dispersion of local diffusion coefficients with values between 0.3 and 2 cm²·s^-1 depending on the trap density and the morphological environment-a distribution that would be missed from analogous macroscopic or surface measurements. This work reveals a new framework to understand diffusion pathways, which are extremely sensitive to local properties and buried defects.

Controlling the Growth Kinetics and Optoelectronic Properties of 2D/3D Lead-Tin Perovskite Heterojunctions

Halide perovskites are emerging as valid alternatives to conventional photovoltaic active materials owing to their low cost and high device performances. This material family also shows exceptional tunability of properties by varying chemical components, crystal structure, and dimensionality, providing a unique set of building blocks for new structures. Here, highly stable self-assembled lead-tin perovskite heterostructures formed between low-bandgap 3D and higher-bandgap 2D components are demonstrated. A combination of surface-sensitive X-ray diffraction, spatially resolved photoluminescence, and electron microscopy measurements is used to reveal that microstructural heterojunctions form between high-bandgap 2D surface crystallites and lower-bandgap 3D domains. Furthermore, in situ X-ray diffraction measurements are used during film formation to show that an ammonium thiocyanate additive delays formation of the 3D component and thus provides a tunable lever to substantially increase the fraction of 2D surface crystallites. These novel heterostructures will find use in bottom cells for stable tandem photovoltaics with a surface 2D layer passivating the 3D material, or in energy-transfer devices requiring controlled energy flow from localized surface crystallites to the bulk.

A Highly Emissive Surface Layer in Mixed-Halide Multication Perovskites

Mixed-halide lead perovskites have attracted significant attention in the field of photovoltaics and other optoelectronic applications due to their promising bandgap tunability and device performance. Here, the changes in photoluminescence and photoconductance of solution-processed triple-cation mixed-halide (Cs_0.06 MA_0.15 FA_0.79 )Pb(Br_0.4 I_0.6 )₃ perovskite films (MA: methylammonium, FA: formamidinium) are studied under solar-equivalent illumination. It is found that the illumination leads to localized surface sites of iodide-rich perovskite intermixed with passivating PbI₂ material. Time- and spectrally resolved photoluminescence measurements reveal that photoexcited charges efficiently transfer to the passivated iodide-rich perovskite surface layer, leading to high local carrier densities on these sites. The carriers on this surface layer therefore recombine with a high radiative efficiency, with the photoluminescence quantum efficiency of the film under solar excitation densities increasing from 3% to over 45%. At higher excitation densities, nonradiative Auger recombination starts to dominate due to the extremely high concentration of charges on the surface layer. This work reveals new insight into phase segregation of mixed-halide mixed-cation perovskites, as well as routes to highly luminescent films by controlling charge density and transfer in novel device structures.

Identifying and Reducing Interfacial Losses to Enhance Color-Pure Electroluminescence in Blue-Emitting Perovskite Nanoplatelet Light-Emitting Diodes

Perovskite nanoplatelets (NPls) hold promise for light-emitting applications, having achieved photoluminescence quantum efficiencies approaching unity in the blue wavelength range, where other metal-halide perovskites have typically been ineffective. However, the external quantum efficiencies (EQEs) of blue-emitting NPl light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have reached only 0.12%. In this work, we show that NPl LEDs are primarily limited by a poor electronic interface between the emitter and hole injector. We show that the NPls have remarkably deep ionization potentials (≥6.5 eV), leading to large barriers for hole injection, as well as substantial nonradiative decay at the NPl/hole-injector interface. We find that an effective way to reduce these nonradiative losses is by using poly(triarylamine) interlayers, which lead to an increase in the  EQE of the blue (464 nm emission wavelength) and sky-blue (489 nm emission wavelength) LEDs to 0.3% and 0.55%, respectively. Our work also identifies the key challenges for further efficiency increases.

Highly Efficient and Environmentally Stable Flexible Color Converters Based on Confined CH3NH3PbBr3 Nanocrystals

In this work, we demonstrate a synthetic route to attain methylammonium lead bromide (CH₃NH₃PbBr₃) perovskite nanocrystals (nc-MAPbBr₃, 1.5 nm < size < 3 nm) and provide them with functionality as highly efficient flexible, transparent, environmentally stable, and adaptable color-converting films. We use nanoparticle metal oxide (MOx) thin films as porous scaffolds of controlled nanopores size distribution to synthesize nc-MAPbBr₃ through the infiltration of perovskite liquid precursors. We find that the control over the reaction volume imposed by the nanoporous scaffold gives rise to a strict control of the nanocrystal size, which allows us to observe well-defined quantum confinement effects on the photo-emission, being the luminescence maximum tunable with precision between λ = 530 nm (green) and λ = 490 nm (blue). This hybrid nc-MAPbBr₃/MOx structure presents high mechanical stability and permits subsequent infiltration with an elastomer to achieve a self-standing flexible film, which not only maintains the photo-emission efficiency of the nc-MAPbBr₃ unaltered but also prevents their environmental degradation. Applications as adaptable color-converting layers for light-emitting devices are envisaged and demonstrated.

Origin of Light-Induced Photophysical Effects in Organic Metal Halide Perovskites in the Presence of Oxygen

Herein we present a combined study of the evolution of both the photoluminescence (PL) and the surface chemical structure of organic metal halide perovskites as the environmental oxygen pressure rises from ultrahigh vacuum up to a few thousandths of an atmosphere. Analyzing the changes occurring at the semiconductor surface upon photoexcitation under a controlled oxygen atmosphere in an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) chamber, we can rationalize the rich variety of photophysical phenomena observed and provide a plausible explanation for light-induced ion migration, one of the most conspicuous and debated concomitant effects detected during photoexcitation. We find direct evidence of the formation of a superficial layer of negatively charged oxygen species capable of repelling the halide anions away from the surface and toward the bulk. The reported PL transient dynamics, the partial recovery of the initial state when photoexcitation stops, and the eventual degradation after intense exposure times can thus be rationalized.

Electron injection and scaffold effects in perovskite solar cells

In spite of the impressive efficiencies reported for perovskite solar cells (PSCs), key aspects of their working principles, such as electron injection at the contacts or the suitability of the utilization of a specific scaffold layer, are not yet fully understood. Increasingly complex scaffolds attained by the sequential deposition of TiO₂ and SiO₂ mesoporous layers onto transparent conducting substrates are used to perform a systematic characterization of both the injection process at the electron selective contact and the scaffold effect in PSCs. By forcing multiple electron injection processes at a controlled sequence of perovskite-TiO₂ interfaces before extraction, interfacial injection effects are magnified and hence characterized in detail. An anomalous injection behavior is observed, the fingerprint of which is the presence of significant inductive loops in the impedance spectra with a magnitude that correlates with the number of interfaces in the scaffold. Analysis of the resistive and capacitive behavior of the impedance spectra indicates that the scaffolds could hinder ion migration, with positive consequences such as lowering the recombination rate and implications for the current-potential curve hysteresis. Our results suggest that an appropriate balance between these advantageous effects and the unavoidable charge transport resistive losses introduced by the scaffolds will help in the optimization of PSC performance.

Optical analysis of CH3NH3Sn x Pb1-x I3 absorbers: a roadmap for perovskite-on-perovskite tandem solar cells

Organic-inorganic perovskite structures in which lead is substituted by tin are exceptional candidates for broadband light absorption. Herein we present a thorough analysis of the optical properties of CH3NH3Sn x Pb1-x I3 films, providing the field with definitive insights about the possibilities of these materials for perovskite solar cells of superior efficiency. We report a user's guide based on the first set of optical constants obtained for a series of tin/lead perovskite films, which was only possible to measure due to the preparation of optical quality thin layers. According to the Shockley-Queisser theory, CH3NH3Sn x Pb1-x I3 compounds promise a substantial enhancement of both short circuit photocurrent and power conversion efficiency in single junction solar cells. Moreover, we propose a novel tandem architecture design in which both top and bottom cells are made of perovskite absorbers. Our calculations indicate that such perovskite-on-perovskite tandem devices could reach efficiencies over 35%. Our analysis serves to establish the first roadmap for this type of cells based on actual optical characterization data. We foresee that this study will encourage the research on novel near-infrared perovskite materials for photovoltaic applications, which may have implications in the rapidly emerging field of tandem devices.

Unbroken Perovskite: Interplay of Morphology, Electro-optical Properties, and Ionic Movement

Hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite materials have risen up as leading components for light-harvesting applications. However, to date many questions are still open concerning the operation of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). A systematic analysis of the interplay among structural features, optoelectronic performance, and ionic movement behavior for FA0.83 MA0.17 Pb(I0.83 Br0.17 )3 PSCs is presented, which yield high power conversion efficiencies up to 20.8%.

Impact of damming on the Chironomidae of the upper zone of a tropical run-of-the-river reservoir

We examined the effects of the Mogi-Guaçu river damming (São Paulo State, Brazil) on the Chironomidae fauna. Pre, during, and post-filling sampling was carried out in the main channel and margins of one site in the upper zone of the reservoir, using a modified Petersen grab (325 cm2). We evaluated the total, subfamily, and tribe densities and also their relative abundance. Analysis of genera included densities, relative abundance, richness, and dominance. The Rosso's ecological value index (EVI) determined the ecological importance of each genus. There was a tendency of decrease of the total Chironomidae density, increase in the percentage of Chironomini, and decrease in densities and percentages of Orthocladiinae and Tanytarsini. These changes in percentage were respectively related to Polypedilum, Lopescladius, and Rheotanytarsus, the genera with the highest EVI values. After-filling richness was lower in the margins and dominance of genera did not change significantly. Chironomidae in the margins was more sensitive to damming than in the main channel. This difference in sensibility sustains the use of Chironomidae as bioindicators. Damming impact was indicated by the reduction of both genera richness in the margins and relative abundance of groups typical of faster waters. The results have highlighted the need for multi-habitat analysis combined with a before-after sampling approach in the environmental impact studies concerning the damming impact on the benthic fauna.

Photophysical Analysis of the Formation of Organic-Inorganic Trihalide Perovskite Films: Identification and Characterization of Crystal Nucleation and Growth

In this work we demonstrate that the different processes occurring during hybrid organic-inorganic lead iodide perovskite film formation can be identified and analyzed by a combined in situ analysis of their photophysical and structural properties. Our observations indicate that this approach permits unambiguously identifying the crystal nucleation and growth regimes that lead to the final material having a cubic crystallographic phase, which stabilizes to the well-known tetragonal phase upon cooling to room temperature. Strong correlation between the dynamic and static photoemission results and the temperature-dependent X-ray diffraction data allows us to provide a description and to establish an approximate time scale for each one of the stages and their evolution. The combined characterization approach herein explored yields key information about the kinetics of the process, such as the link between the evolution of the defect density during film formation, revealed by a fluctuating photoluminescence quantum yield, and the gradual changes observed in the PbI₂-related precursor structure.

Environmental Effects on the Photophysics of Organic-Inorganic Halide Perovskites

The photophysical properties of films of organic-inorganic lead halide perovskites under different ambient conditions are herein reported. We demonstrate that their luminescent properties are determined by the interplay between photoinduced activation and darkening processes, which strongly depend on the atmosphere surrounding the samples. We have isolated oxygen and moisture as the key elements in each process, activation and darkening, both of which involve the interaction with photogenerated carriers. These findings show that environmental factors play a key role in the performance of lead halide perovskites as efficient luminescent materials.

Highly efficient perovskite solar cells with tunable structural color

The performance of perovskite solar cells has been progressing over the past few years and efficiency is likely to continue to increase. However, a negative aspect for the integration of perovskite solar cells in the built environment is that the color gamut available in these materials is very limited and does not cover the green-to-blue region of the visible spectrum, which has been a big selling point for organic photovoltaics. Here, we integrate a porous photonic crystal (PC) scaffold within the photoactive layer of an opaque perovskite solar cell following a bottom-up approach employing inexpensive and scalable liquid processing techniques. The photovoltaic devices presented herein show high efficiency with tunable color across the visible spectrum. This now imbues the perovskite solar cells with highly desirable properties for cladding in the built environment and encourages design of sustainable colorful buildings and iridescent electric vehicles as future power generation sources.

Optical Description of Mesostructured Organic-Inorganic Halide Perovskite Solar Cells

Herein we describe both theoretically and experimentally the optical response of solution-processed organic-inorganic halide perovskite solar cells based on mesostructured scaffolds. We develop a rigorous theoretical model using a method based on the propagation of waves in layered media, which allows visualizing the way in which light is spatially distributed across the device and serves to quantify the fraction of light absorbed by each medium comprising the cell. The discrimination between productive and parasitic absorption yields an accurate determination of the internal quantum efficiency. State-of-the-art devices integrating mesoporous scaffolds infiltrated with perovskite are manufactured and characterized to support the calculations. This combined experimental and theoretical analysis provides a rational understanding of the optical behavior of perovskite cells and can be beneficial for the judicious design of devices with improved performance. Notably, our model justifies the presence of a solid perovskite capping layer in all of the highest efficiency perovskite solar cells based on thinner mesoporous scaffolds.

Properties of amphiphilic oligonucleotide films at the air/water interface and after film transfer

The self-assembly of amphiphilic hybrid materials containing an oligonucleotide sequence at the air/water interface was investigated by means of pressure-molecular area (Π-A) isotherms. In addition, films were transferred onto solid substrates and imaged using scanning force microscopy. We used oligonucleotide molecules with lipid tails, which consisted of a single stranded oligonucleotide 11 mer containing two hydrophobically modified 5-(dodec-1-ynyl)uracil nucleobases (dU11) at the 5'-end of the oligonucleotide sequence. The air/water interface was used as confinement for the self-assembling process of dU11. Scanning force microscopy of films transferred via Langmuir-Blodgett technique revealed mono-, bi- (Π ≥ 2 mN/m) and multilayer formation (Π ≥ 30 mN/m). The first layer was 1.6 ± 0.1 nm thick. It was oriented with the hydrophilic oligonucleotide moiety facing the hydrophilic substrate while the hydrophobic alkyl chains faced air. In the second layer the oligonucleotide moiety was found to face the air. The second layer was found to cover up to 95% of the sample area. Our measurements indicated that the rearrangement of the molecules into bi- and multiple bilayers happened already at the air/water interface. Similar results were obtained with a second type of oligonucleotide amphiphile, an oligonucleotide block copolymer, which was composed of an oligonucleotide 11 mer covalently attached at the terminus to polypropyleneoxide (PPO).

Resonant photocurrent generation in dye-sensitized periodically nanostructured photoconductors by optical field confinement effects

Herein we show experimental evidence of resonant photocurrent generation in dye-sensitized periodically nanostructured photoconductors, which is achieved by spectral matching of the sensitizer absorption band to different types of localized photon modes present in either periodic or broken symmetry structures. Results are explained in terms of the calculated spatial distribution of the electric field intensity within the configurations under analysis.

Linkage disequilibrium of HLA-A11 and A1 with one of the polymorphisms of the gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor type B

The gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor type B 1 (GABA(B) R1) is located approximately at 200 kb telomeric to HLA-A on chromosome 6. It has 11 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). We studied the most common of its SNPs (T1974C) in a panel of 118 normal Caucasians from New England and 161 epileptic patients of Caucasian ancestry residing in USA. The frequency of the polymorphism did not differ between patients and controls. Here, we report that the allele C of this SNP in the GABA(B) R1 gene is in linkage disequilibrium with HLA-A11 (P<0.00001) and to a lesser extent with HLA-A1 (P<0.01).

Sympathetic mediation of salivation induced by intracerebroventricular pilocarpine in rats

Central cholinergic activation by pilocarpine induces salivation dependent on the integrity of forebrain areas. The present work investigates the autonomic mediation of this salivation. Pilocarpine (500 nmol/rat) was injected into the lateral ventricle (LV) of tribromoethanol-anesthetized adult male rats. Preweighed cotton balls were inserted into the oral cavity and weighed again 7 min later. Alpha-adrenoceptor antagonists (3-50 micromol/kg) prazosin (alpha1), yohimbine (alpha2) or propranolol (beta) injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) produced, 80%, 20% and 0% inhibition respectively of the LV pilocarpine-induced salivation. Intracerebroventricular injections (160 nmol) of the antagonists did not alter the effects of pilocarpine injected into the LV. Bilateral section of chorda tympani nerve or bilateral sympathetic cervical ganglionectomy produced 0% and 40% inhibition of pilocarpine-induced salivation, respectively. Ganglionectomy did not alter salivation induced by i.p. injection of pilocarpine (4 micromol/kg). The results indicate that there is a large sympathetic contribution to the salivation induced by central cholinergic activation.