Influence of Temperature, Pressure and Humidity on the Stabilities and Transitions Kinetics of the Various Polymorphs of FAPbI$_3$

TL;DR

This study investigates how temperature, pressure, and humidity influence the stability and transition kinetics of different polymorphs of FAPbI$_3$, revealing effects of water and pressure on phase transformations relevant to photovoltaic performance.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the effects of external conditions on FAPbI$_3$ polymorph stability and transition kinetics, highlighting the role of water and pressure in phase transformations.

Findings

Small pressure induces phase change from yellow to orange polymorphs.

Intercalated water accelerates phase transition kinetics.

Controlled water addition may improve photovoltaic material synthesis.

Abstract

The phase transitions between the various polymorphs of FAPbI$_{3}$ (FAPI, FA = formamidinium CH(NH$_{2}$)$_{2}^+$) are studied by anelastic, dielectric and X--ray diffraction measurements on samples pressed from $\delta -$FAPI (2H phase) yellow powder. The samples become orange after application of as little as 0.2~GPa, which has been explained in terms of partial transformations to the other hexagonal polymorphs 4H and 6H. The phenomenon is discussed in the light of what is known about the stability of the various polymorphs of hybrid and inorganic perovskites ABX$_{3}$ with large A cations and hence large tolerance factor $t$. Remarkably, FAPI at room and higher temperature behaves like a perovskite with large $t$, while just below room temperature it behaves like a perovskite with small $t$. The kinetics of the transformations between the polymorphs is enhanced by small amounts of intercalated water. It seems therefore worthy to try improving the atomic diffusion and crystallization during synthesis, and hence the final photovoltaic performance, through controlled small amounts of water that should be thoroughly removed after a sufficiently homogeneous and smooth microstructure is achieved.