Understanding the mechanism of ionic transport in organic–inorganic halide perovskites is crucial for the design of future solar cells. Here, Eames et al. undertake a combined experimental and computational study to elucidate the ion conducting species and help rationalize the unusual behaviour observed in these perovskite-based devices.

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Ionic transport in hybrid lead iodide perovskite solar cells

Solution-processed hybrid organic–inorganic perovskites (HOIPs) exhibit long electronic carrier diffusion lengths, high optical absorption coefficients and impressive photovoltaic device performance. Recent results allow us to compare and contrast HOIP charge-transport characteristics to those of III–V semiconductors — benchmarks of photovoltaic (and light-emitting and laser diode) performance. In this Review, we summarize what is known and unknown about charge transport in HOIPs, with particular emphasis on their advantages as photovoltaic materials. Experimental and theoretical findings are integrated into one narrative, in which we highlight the fundamental questions that need to be addressed regarding the charge-transport properties of these materials and suggest future research directions. The charge transport properties of hybrid organic—inorganic perovskites, which can explain their excellent photovoltaic performance, are reviewed through an integrated summary of experimental and theoretical findings. The potential origins of these properties are discussed and future research directions are indicated.

Hybrid organic—inorganic perovskites: low-cost semiconductors with intriguing charge-transport properties

A new chapter in the long and distinguished history of perovskites is being written with the breakthrough success of metal halide perovskites (MHPs) as solution-processed photovoltaic (PV) absorbers. The current surge in MHP research has largely arisen out of their rapid progress in PV devices; however, these materials are potentially suitable for a diverse array of optoelectronic applications. Like oxide perovskites, MHPs have ABX3 stoichiometry, where A and B are cations and X is a halide anion. Here, the underlying physical and photophysical properties of inorganic (A = inorganic) and hybrid organic–inorganic (A = organic) MHPs are reviewed with an eye toward their potential application in emerging optoelectronic technologies. Significant attention is given to the prototypical compound methylammonium lead iodide (CH3NH3PbI3) due to the preponderance of experimental and theoretical studies surrounding this material. We also discuss other salient MHP systems, including 2-dimensional compounds, where rele...

Intriguing Optoelectronic Properties of Metal Halide Perovskites

An insight into the analogies, state-of-the-art technologies, concepts, and prospects under the umbrella of perovskite materials (both inorganic-organic hybrid halide perovskites and ferroelectric perovskites) for future multifunctional energy conversion and storage devices is provided. Often, these are considered entirely different branches of research; however, considering them simultaneously and holistically can provide several new opportunities. Recent advancements have highlighted the potential of hybrid perovskites for high-efficiency solar cells. The intrinsic polar properties of these materials, including the potential for ferroelectricity, provide additional possibilities for simultaneously exploiting several energy conversion mechanisms such as the piezoelectric, pyroelectric, and thermoelectric effect and electrical energy storage. The presence of these phenomena can support the performance of perovskite solar cells. The energy conversion using these effects (piezo-, pyro-, and thermoelectric effect) can also be enhanced by a change in the light intensity. Thus, there lies a range of possibilities for tuning the structural, electronic, optical, and magnetic properties of perovskites to simultaneously harvest energy using more than one mechanism to realize an improved efficiency. This requires a basic understanding of concepts, mechanisms, corresponding material properties, and the underlying physics involved with these effects.

Mutual Insight on Ferroelectrics and Hybrid Halide Perovskites: A Platform for Future Multifunctional Energy Conversion.

Solar cells based on perovskite-halide light absorbers have a unique set of characteristics that could help alleviate the global dependence on fossil fuels for energy generation They efficiently convert sunlight into electricity using Earth-abundant raw materials processed from solution at low temperature Thus, they offer potential for cost reductions compared with or in combination with other photovoltaic technologies Nevertheless, to fully exploit the potential of perovskite-halides, several important challenges must be overcome Given the nature of the materials — relatively soft ionic solids — one of these challenges is the understanding and control of their defect structures Currently, such understanding is limited, restricting the power conversion efficiencies of these solar cells from reaching their thermodynamic limit This Review describes the state of the art in the understanding of the origin and nature of defects in perovskite-halides and their impact on carrier recombination, charge-transport, band alignment, and electrical instability, and provides a perspective on how to make further progress Understanding of defect physics in perovskite-halide semiconductors is essential to control the effects of structural and chemical defects on the performance of perovskite solar cells Petrozza and Ball review the current knowledge of defects in these materials

Defects in perovskite-halides and their effects in solar cells

https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2015/cc/c4cc09944c

Antonietta M. Di Pumpo

Papers

Complete structure and cation orientation in the perovskite photovoltaic methylammonium lead iodide between 100 and 352 K