Relating the dynamics of photo de-mixing in mixed bromide-iodide perovskites to ionic and electronic transport

TL;DR

This study investigates the mechanisms behind reversible photo-induced de-mixing in mixed bromide-iodide perovskites, linking ionic/electronic transport with optical and morphological changes to inform future material design.

Contribution

It combines in-situ measurements, microscopy, spectroscopy, and density functional theory to elucidate the stages and mechanisms of photo de-mixing and re-mixing in perovskites.

Findings

Identified stages of spinodal decomposition and nucleation during de-mixing.

Revealed the influence of surface and encapsulation on de-mixing dynamics.

Linked ionic/electronic transport to optical and morphological evolution.

Abstract

The observation of reversible de-mixing phenomena in mixed-halide perovskites under illumination is one of the most challenging as well as intriguing aspects of this class of materials. On the one hand, it poses critical constraints to the compositional space that allows reliable design of absorbers for perovskite photovoltaics. On the other hand, it holds potential for the development of novel optoionic devices where an ionic response is triggered via optical stimuli. Funda-mental questions about the origin of such photo de-mixing process remain unanswered, both in terms of its mechanism as well as thermodynamic description. Here, we relate in-situ measurements of ionic and electronic transport of mixed bromide-iodide perovskite thin films performed during photo de-mixing with the evolution of their optical and morpho-logical properties. The results point to the definition of different stages of the de-mixing process which, based on micros-copy and spectroscopic measurements, we assign to regimes of spinodal decomposition and nucleation of quasi-equilibrium iodide- and bromide-rich phases. Combined with density functional theory calculations, we explore the role of dimensionality in the mechanism and reversibility of photo de-mixing and dark re-mixing processes, referring to elec-tronic and ionic contributions to the de-mixing driving force. Additionally, our data emphasizes the role of the surface, as significantly different de-mixing dynamics, in terms of extent and reversibility, are observed for films with or without encapsulation. Our comprehensive analysis of transport, phase and optical properties of mixed-halide perovskites pro-vides guidelines for future materials design as well as for the more general fundamental understanding of light-induced ionic phenomena.