Quantum confinement and dielectric profiles of colloidal nanoplatelets of halide inorganic and hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites

International audienceQuantum confinement as well as high frequency ε∞ and static εs dielectric profiles are described for nanoplatelets of halide inorganic perovskites CsPbX3 (X = I, Br, Cl) and hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites (HOP) in two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) structures. 3D HOP are currently being sought for their impressive photovoltaic ability. Prior to this sudden popularity, 2D HOP materials were driving intense activity in the field of optoelectronics. Such developments have been enriched by the recent ability to synthesize colloidal nanostructures of controlled size of 2D and 3D HOP. This raises the need to achieve a thorough description of the electronic structure and dielectric properties of these systems. In this work, we go beyond the abrupt dielectric interface model and reach atomic scale description. We examine the influence of the nature of the halogen and of the cation on the band structure and dielectric constants. Similarly, we survey the effect of dimensionality and shape of the perovskite. In agreement with recent experimental results, we show an increase of the band gap and a decrease of ε∞ when the size of a nanoplatelet reduces. By inspecting 2D HOP, we find that it cannot be described as a simple superposition of independent inorganic and organic layers. Finally, the dramatic impact of ionic contributions on the dielectric constant εs is analysed

Rashba and Dresselhaus Effects in Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Perovskites: From Basics to Devices

J.E. and C.K. thank R. Winkler for fruitful discussions. We gratefully acknowledge Prof. R.-G.Xiong for providing Bz2PbCl4 crystallographic data.International audienceWe use symmetry analysis, density functional theory calculations, and k·p modeling to scrutinize Rashba and Dresselhaus effects in hybrid organic-inorganic halide perovskites. These perovskites are at the center of a recent revolution in the field of photovoltaics but have also demonstrated potential for optoelectronic applications such as transistors and light emitters. Due to a large spin-orbit coupling of the most frequently used metals, they are also predicted to offer a promising avenue for spin-based applications. With an in-depth inspection of the electronic structures and bulk lattice symmetries of a variety of systems, we analyze the origin of the spin splitting in two- and three-dimensional hybrid perovskites. It is shown that low-dimensional nanostructures made of CH3NH3PbX3 (X = I, Br) lead to spin splittings that can be controlled by an applied electric field. These findings further open the door for a perovskite-based spintronics

Solid-State Physics Perspective on Hybrid Perovskite Semiconductors

International audienceIn this review we examine recent theoretical investigations on 2D and 3D hybrid perovskites (HOP) that combine classical solid-state physics concepts and density functional theory (DFT) simulations as a tool for studying their optoelectronic properties. Such an approach allows one to define a new class of semiconductors, where the pseudocubic high temperature perovskite structure plays a central role. Bloch states and k.p Hamiltonians yield new insight into the influence of lattice distortions, including loss of inversion symmetry, as well as spin-orbit coupling. Electronic band folding and degeneracy, effective masses and optical absorption are analyzed. Concepts of Bloch and envelope functions, as well as confinement potential are discussed in the context of layered HOP and 3D HOP heterostructures. Screening and dielectric confinements are important for room temperature optical properties of 3D and layered HOP, respectively. Non-radiative Auger effects are analyzed for the first time close to the electronic band gap of 3D hybrid perovskites

Advances and promises of layered halide hybrid perovskite semiconductors

Layered halide hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites (HOP) have been the subject of intense investigation before the rise of three-dimensional (3D) HOP and their impressive performance in solar cells. Recently, layered HOP have also been proposed as attractive alternatives for photostable solar cells and revisited for light-emitting devices. In this review, we combine classical solid-state physics concepts with simulation tools based on density functional theory to overview the main features of the optoelectronic properties of layered HOP. A detailed comparison between layered and 3D HOP is performed to highlight differences and similarities. In the same way as the cubic phase was established for 3D HOP, here we introduce the tetragonal phase with D symmetry as the reference phase for 2D monolayered HOP. It allows for detailed analysis of the spin-orbit coupling effects and structural transitions with corresponding electronic band folding. We further investigate the effects of octahedral tilting on the band gap, loss of inversion symmetry and possible Rashba effect, quantum confinement, and dielectric confinement related to the organic barrier, up to excitonic properties. Altogether, this paper aims to provide an interpretive and predictive framework for 3D and 2D layered HOP optoelectronic properties.The work at FOTON is supported by Agence Nationale pour la Recherche (SNAP and SuperSansPlomb projects) and was performed using HPC resources from GENCI-CINES/IDRIS Grant 2016-c2012096724. The work at ISCR is supported by Agence Nationale pour la Recherche (TRANSHYPERO project). J.E.’s work is supported by the Fondation d’entreprises banque Populaire de l’Ouest under Grant PEROPHOT 2015. The work at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) was supported by LANL LDRD program and was partially performed at the Center for Nonlinear Studies and at the Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies, a U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science user facility. The Groningen team would like to acknowledge funding from European Research Council (ERC Starting Grant “Hy-SPOD” No. 306983) and by the Foundation for Fundamental Research on Matter (FOM), which is part of The Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO), under the framework of the FOM Focus Group “Next Generation Organic Photovoltaics”. ICN2 acknowledges support from the Severo Ochoa Program (MINECO, Grant SEV-2013-0295). This project received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the grant agreement no. 687008.Peer Reviewe

Pérovskites hybrides : propriétés fondamentales et technologie des cellules solaires en couches minces

In the future, the world has to face up to major challenges: increasing the energy production, reducing the environmental impact, moving towards sustainability in energy, etc. Renewable energies such as photovoltaics can meet these challenges. This thesis concerns hybrid halide perovskite materials and their use in solar cells. These materials have recently attracted a lot of attention owing to their direct bandgaps, strong light absorption, large carrier diffusion lengths, tunable optoelectronic properties, and their facile and low-cost fabrication In few years, their energy conversion efficiency has rapidly increased from 3.8 % in 2009 to 22.7 % in 2017, hence approaching efficiencies of crystalline silicon based-devices which represent 90% of commercial photovoltaic cells. In the design of perovskite cells, the perovskite photoabsorber is generally sandwiched by two interfacial layers that yield selective charge collections: the hole and electron transport layers (HTM and ETM). Good quality and adapted interfacial layers are required to obtained high efficiency cells. In this thesis, both the perovskite material and the interfacial layers are investigated.Dès à présent, le monde est face à des enjeux majeurs : augmentation de la production d'énergie, réduction des impacts de la production et de la consommation d'énergie sur l'environnement. La transition vers des énergies durables a déjà commencé. Le photovoltaïque a sa place parmi les énergies renouvelables qui permettront de relever ce défi. Ce travail de thèse porte sur les pérovskites hybrides halogénées et plus particulièrement leur utilisation dans des cellules solaires. En effet très récemment, ces matériaux ont attiré l'attention de la communauté scientifique en raison de leurs propriétés optoélectroniques remarquables : bande interdite directe, forte absorption de la lumière, longueurs importantes de diffusion des porteurs, propriétés optoélectroniques accordables mais aussi une fabrication aisée et à bas coût. En quelques années, le rendement a connu une augmentation spectaculaire de 3,8 % en 2009 à 22,7 % en 2017. Ainsi, ces derniers résultats placent les cellules pérovskites comme des concurrents potentiels face aux cellules solaires à base de silicium cristallin qui représentent aujourd'hui 90 % des cellules en service. Dans la conception des cellules solaires à base de pérovskite, la couche de pérovskite est généralement intercalée entre deux couches de transporteurs de charges : les couches de transporteurs d'électron et de trou (ETM et HTM, respectivement). La qualité de ces couches est essentielle pour obtenir de hauts rendements. Dans ce travail, les propriétés optoélectroniques des pérovskites halogénées sont étudiées ainsi que plusieurs couches de transport de charge

Pérovskites hybrides : propriétés fondamentales et technologie des cellules solaires en couches minces

Dès à présent, le monde est face à des enjeux majeurs : augmentation de la production d'énergie, réduction des impacts de la production et de la consommation d'énergie sur l'environnement. La transition vers des énergies durables a déjà commencé. Le photovoltaïque a sa place parmi les énergies renouvelables qui permettront de relever ce défi. Ce travail de thèse porte sur les pérovskites hybrides halogénées et plus particulièrement leur utilisation dans des cellules solaires. En effet très récemment, ces matériaux ont attiré l'attention de la communauté scientifique en raison de leurs propriétés optoélectroniques remarquables : bande interdite directe, forte absorption de la lumière, longueurs importantes de diffusion des porteurs, propriétés optoélectroniques accordables mais aussi une fabrication aisée et à bas coût. En quelques années, le rendement a connu une augmentation spectaculaire de 3,8 % en 2009 à 22,7 % en 2017. Ainsi, ces derniers résultats placent les cellules pérovskites comme des concurrents potentiels face aux cellules solaires à base de silicium cristallin qui représentent aujourd'hui 90 % des cellules en service. Dans la conception des cellules solaires à base de pérovskite, la couche de pérovskite est généralement intercalée entre deux couches de transporteurs de charges : les couches de transporteurs d'électron et de trou (ETM et HTM, respectivement). La qualité de ces couches est essentielle pour obtenir de hauts rendements. Dans ce travail, les propriétés optoélectroniques des pérovskites halogénées sont étudiées ainsi que plusieurs couches de transport de charge.In the future, the world has to face up to major challenges: increasing the energy production, reducing the environmental impact, moving towards sustainability in energy, etc. Renewable energies such as photovoltaics can meet these challenges. This thesis concerns hybrid halide perovskite materials and their use in solar cells. These materials have recently attracted a lot of attention owing to their direct bandgaps, strong light absorption, large carrier diffusion lengths, tunable optoelectronic properties, and their facile and low-cost fabrication In few years, their energy conversion efficiency has rapidly increased from 3.8 % in 2009 to 22.7 % in 2017, hence approaching efficiencies of crystalline silicon based-devices which represent 90% of commercial photovoltaic cells. In the design of perovskite cells, the perovskite photoabsorber is generally sandwiched by two interfacial layers that yield selective charge collections: the hole and electron transport layers (HTM and ETM). Good quality and adapted interfacial layers are required to obtained high efficiency cells. In this thesis, both the perovskite material and the interfacial layers are investigated

Theoretical insights into multibandgap hybrid perovskites for photovoltaic applications

International audienceThis paper reviews some of the recent theoretical investigations on the Rashba Dresselhaus spin effects and dielectric properties of CH3NH3PbI3 hybrid perovskites and CsPbI3 all-inorganic perovskites using Density functional theory. The spin vectors rotate in the non-centrosymmetric P4mm tetragonal phase, respectively clockwise and counterclockwise, in a manner that is characteristic of a pure Rashba effect. The high frequency dielectric constants ε∞ of MAPbI3 and CsPbI3 are similar as anticipated, since large differences are only expected at very low frequency where additional contributions from molecular reorientations show off for the hybrid compounds. A first simulation of a perovskite on silicon tandem cell, including a tunnel junction, is also investigated. Effect of halogen substitution (I/Br) is inspected, revealing limitations for short-circuit current and open-circuit voltage electrical characteristics

2D and 3D Hybrid perovskites from a solid state physics perspective

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Chapter 7: Electronic Properties of Metal Halide Perovskites

International audienceThis chapter summarizes our current understanding of the electronic properties and related excitations of metal-halide perovskites with particular reference to concept and tools already well deployed in the field of conventional semiconductors and optoelectronics, including the intensive use of group theory. This helps to bring out the most distinctive features that make hybrid, and to a less extend all-inorganic metal-halide perovskites, a new and distinct class of semiconductors. The pseudocubic phase serves as a reference structure and many effects, such as strain, phase transitions, relativistic effects, local distortions due to the organic cations, loss of inversion symmetry, etc., can be considered as perturbations to this reference. Brillouin zone folding is shown to afford a simple yet effective tool to unravel the apparent complexity of electronic properties. The importance of spin–orbit coupling is particularly emphasized as it has a dramatic influence not only through its strength but also by alteration of the symmetry selection rules. Issues related to the nature of electronic excitation and charge carriers, as well as their possible coupling to atomic collective (phonons) or localized (polaron) modes are discussed, as well as non-radiative Auger effects

Hybrid Perovskites: A New Class Of Unconventional Semiconductors For Photovoltaics

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