Crystallization Kinetics and Morphology Control of Formamidinium–Cesium Mixed‐Cation Lead Mixed‐Halide Perovskite via Tunability of the Colloidal Precursor Solution

Abstract

The meteoric rise of the field of perovskite solar cells has been fueled by the ease with which a wide range of high‐quality materials can be fabricated via simple solution processing methods. However, to date, little effort has been devoted to understanding the precursor solutions, and the role of additives such as hydrohalic acids upon film crystallization and final optoelectronic quality. Here, a direct link between the colloids concentration present in the [HC(NH2)2]0.83Cs0.17Pb(Br0.2I0.8)3 precursor solution and the nucleation and growth stages of the thin film formation is established. Using dynamic light scattering analysis, the dissolution of colloids over a time span triggered by the addition of hydrohalic acids is monitored. These colloids appear to provide nucleation sites for the perovskite crystallization, which critically impacts morphology, crystal quality, and optoelectronic properties. Via 2D X‐ray diffraction, highly ordered and textured crystals for films prepared from solutions with lower colloidal concentrations are observed. This increase in material quality allows for a reduction in microstrain along with a twofold increase in charge‐carrier mobilities leading to values exceeding 20 cm2 V−1 s−1. Using a solution with an optimized colloidal concentration, devices that reach current–voltage measured power conversion efficiency of 18.8% and stabilized efficiency of 17.9% are fabricated.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
May 31, 2017
Source ID
10.1002/adma.201607039

Entities

People

  • David P. Mcmeekin
  • Federico Pulvirenti
  • Henry Snaith
  • Jay B Patel
  • Laura M. Herz
  • Michael B Johnston
  • Nakita K. Noel
  • Seth Marder
  • Waqaas Rehman
  • Zhiping Wang

Organizations

  • Air Force Office of Scientific Research
  • Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
  • Georgia Tech
  • Office of Naval Research
  • University of Oxford

Tags

Readers

  • Materials Science and Engineering.
  • Powder metallurgy of Titanium alloys.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Microelectronics - Graphene