Reduced recombination via tunable surface fields in perovskite thin films

deQuilettes, Dane W.; Yoo, Jason J.; Brenes, Roberto; Kosasih, Felix Utama; Laitz, Madeleine; Dou, Benjia Dak; Graham, Daniel J.; Ho, Kevin; Shi, Yangwei; Shin, Seong Sik; Ducati, Caterina; Bawendi, Moungi G.; Bulović, Vladimir

doi:10.1038/s41560-024-01470-5

Reduced recombination via tunable surface fields in perovskite thin films

Journal Article · Tue Feb 27 23:00:00 EST 2024 · Nature Energy

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-024-01470-5· OSTI ID:3001068

^[1]; Yoo, Jason J. ^[2]; ^[1]; ^[3]; Laitz, Madeleine ^[1]; Dou, Benjia Dak ^[1]; ^[4]; Ho, Kevin ^[4]; ^[4]; ^[5]; ^[3]; ^[1]; ^[1]

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA (United States)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA (United States); Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon (Korea, Republic of)
University of Cambridge (United Kingdom)
University of Washington, Seattle, WA (United States)
Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon (Korea, Republic of); Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon (Korea, Republic of)

Here, the ability to reduce energy loss at semiconductor surfaces through passivation or surface field engineering is an essential step in the manufacturing of efficient photovoltaic (PV) and optoelectronic devices. Similarly, surface modification of emerging halide perovskites with quasi-two-dimensional (2D) heterostructures is now ubiquitous to achieve PV power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) >25%, yet a fundamental understanding to how these treatments function is still generally lacking. Here we use a unique combination of depth-sensitive nanoscale characterization techniques to uncover a tunable passivation strategy and mechanism found in perovskite PV devices that were the first to reach the >25% PCE milestone. Namely, treatment with hexylammonium bromide leads to the simultaneous formation of an iodide-rich 2D layer along with a Br halide gradient that extends from defective surfaces and grain boundaries into the bulk three-dimensional (3D) layer. This interface can be optimized to extend the charge carrier lifetime to record values >30 μs and to reduce interfacial recombination velocities to values as low as <7 cm s⁻¹.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: Institute for Soldier Nanotechnology (ISN); USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE); National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship; National Science Foundation (NSF)

Grant/Contract Number:: EE0009512

OSTI ID:: 3001068

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 2578071

Journal Information:: Nature Energy, Journal Name: Nature Energy Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 9; ISSN 2058-7546

Publisher:: Springer Science and Business Media LLCCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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