Atomic-scale microstructure of metalhalide perovskite

Journal article

Hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites are exciting materials for solar-energy applications whose microscopic properties are still not well understood. Atomic-resolution (scanning) transmission electron microscopy, (S)TEM, has provided invaluable insights for many crystalline solar-cell materials, and is used here to successfully image CH(NH2)2PbI3 thin films with low electron-radiation dose. Such images reveal a highly ordered atomic arrangement of sharp grain boundaries and coherent perovskite/PbI2 interfaces, with a striking absence of long-range disorder in the crystal. We demonstrate that beaminduced degradation of the perovskite leads to an initial loss of CH(NH2)2 + ions, leaving behind a partially unoccupied perovskite lattice, which explains the unusual regenerative properties of these materials. We further observe aligned point defects and climbdissociated dislocations. Our findings thus provide an atomic-level understanding of technologically important lead-halide perovskites.

Authors: Rothmann, MU; Kim, J; Borchert, A; Snaith, H; Johnston, M

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: American Association for the Advancement of Science
• Journal: Science
• Volume: 370
• Issue: 6516
• Article number: eabb5940
• Publication date: 2020-10-30
• Acceptance date: 2020-09-03
• DOI: 10.1126/science.abb5940
• EISSN: 1095-9203
• ISSN: 0036-8075
• Language: English
• Keywords: FFR