Perovskites at the nanoscale: from fundamentals to applications
This themed issue presents a collection of articles on Perovskites at the nanoscale: from fundamentals to applications.
Deciphering the physics and chemistry of perovskites with transmission electron microscopy
The transmission electron microscope provides a versatile tool for examining the physics and chemistry of perovskite oxides at the nanoscale.
Revealing the ultrafast charge carrier dynamics in organo metal halide perovskite solar cell materials using time resolved THz spectroscopy
Time resolved THz spectroscopy on organo-metal halide perovskite material reveals early time processes of the charge carrier dynamics.
Feature Article
Molecular disorder and translation/rotation coupling in the plastic crystal phase of hybrid perovskites
Room temperature properties of hybrid perovskites viewed as a merging of properties of all-inorganic perovskites, conventional semiconductors and plastic crystals.
Nano-structured electron transporting materials for perovskite solar cells
The properties, morphology and preparation methods of nano-structured electron transporting materials for perovskite solar cells are reviewed in this article.
Communication
Polar-solvent-free colloidal synthesis of highly luminescent alkylammonium lead halide perovskite nanocrystals
A novel synthesis of colloidal CH3NH3PbX3, (X = Br or I) nanocrystals that does not involve the use of polar solvents is presented.
Recombination reduction on lead halide perovskite solar cells based on low temperature synthesized hierarchical TiO2 nanorods
Hierarchical TiO2 nanorods produced at low temperature are effective selective contacts for perovskite solar cells due to reduced recombination.
Intercalation crystallization of phase-pure α-HC(NH2)2PbI3 upon microstructurally engineered PbI2 thin films for planar perovskite solar cells
A microstructurally engineered PbI2 thin film with porosity and low crystallinity facilitates the formation of a phase-pure HC(NH2)2PbI3 perovskite thin film.
Wavelength-tunable waveguides based on polycrystalline organic–inorganic perovskite microwires
Polycrystalline hybrid organic–inorganic perovskite microwires have been demonstrated as optical waveguides with small optical loss and broad wavelength tunability.
Self limiting atomic layer deposition of Al2O3 on perovskite surfaces: a reality?
The feasibility of self-saturated atomic layer deposition of Al2O3 on an organolead halide perovskite (MAPbI3−xClx) surface through a well known trimethylaluminium (TMA)–water (H2O) chemistry is studied.
Kinetics of cesium lead halide perovskite nanoparticle growth; focusing and de-focusing of size distribution
This work provides important knowledge on how to achieve a narrow size distribution of cesium lead halide perovskite NPs through the study of the kinetics of their growth.
Vapor and healing treatment for CH3NH3PbI3−xClx films toward large-area perovskite solar cells
Mapping the photovoltaic parameters across the large-area devices shows the great effect of the vapor and healing treatment.
Designing nanobowl arrays of mesoporous TiO2 as an alternative electron transporting layer for carbon cathode-based perovskite solar cells
The TiO2 nanobowl (NB) arrays can serve as a promising perovskite host for enhancing light absorption and charge separation/transport.
14.7% efficient mesoscopic perovskite solar cells using single walled carbon nanotubes/carbon composite counter electrodes
Single-walled carbon nanotubes can help charge extraction in mesoscopic CH3NH3PbI3-based perovskite solar cells using TiO2/Al2O3/carbon as a scaffold.
Quantum confinement and dielectric profiles of colloidal nanoplatelets of halide inorganic and hybrid organic–inorganic perovskites
Quantum 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.
Carbon nanotubes as an efficient hole collector for high voltage methylammonium lead bromide perovskite solar cells
A high open circuit voltage close to 1.4 V is achieved when carbon nanotubes are used as a hole conductor in methyl ammonium lead bromide perovskite solar cells.
The influence of the I/Cl ratio on the performance of CH3NH3PbI3−xClx-based solar cells: why is CH3NH3I : PbCl2 = 3 : 1 the “magic” ratio?
Different PbCl2 : CH3NH3I ratios lead to the change of halide vacancies in CH3NH3PbI3−xClx as evidenced by the X-ray absorption fine structure.
Mesoscopic perovskite solar cells with an admixture of nanocrystalline TiO2 and Al2O3: role of interconnectivity of TiO2 in charge collection
Perovskite solar cells with an admixture of nanocrystalline TiO2 and Al2O3 are prepared to explore the role of the mesoporous TiO2 layer: interconnection of TiO2 particles plays an important role in charge collection.
A dual-functional asymmetric squaraine-based low band gap hole transporting material for efficient perovskite solar cells
Asymmetric squaraine-based low band-gap hole transporting material acting as both light harvesting and hole transporting layers in perovskite solar cells.
Null current hysteresis for acetylacetonate electron extraction layer in perovskite solar cells
Solution processed zirconium acetylacetonate (Zr(acac)) is successfully employed as an electron extraction layer, replacing conventional titanium oxide, in planar CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite solar cells.
Paper
Experimental and theoretical optical properties of methylammonium lead halide perovskites
The optical constants from the ellipsometry of single crystals of CH3NH3PbX3 (X = I, Br, Cl) are interpreted with high level ab initio QSGW calculations.
Fully solution-processed transparent electrodes based on silver nanowire composites for perovskite solar cells
Fully solution-processed silver nanowire (AgNW)-based transparent electrodes for perovskite solar cells are demonstrated. The ZnO/ITO/AgNW/ITO composite effectively blocked the diffusion of halogen ions.
Paper
Effect of relative humidity on crystal growth, device performance and hysteresis in planar heterojunction perovskite solar cells
The effect of relative humidity on the formation of perovskite thin films prepared using the two-step deposition method is reported. Higher relative humidities produce larger, better-connected crystallites, which in turn improves device efficiency and reduces hysteresis.
Ultrathin efficient perovskite solar cells employing a periodic structure of a composite hole conductor for elevated plasmonic light harvesting and hole collection
We report a molecule/polymer composite hole transporting material (HTM) with a periodic microstructure for optical and electronic enhancement for high performance perovskite solar cells.
Discovering lead-free perovskite solar materials with a split-anion approach
A split-anion approach is proposed to develop both organic–inorganic and pure inorganic lead-free perovskite solar-cell materials.
About this collection
This themed issue showcases recent research from all areas of the evolving field of nanoscale perovskites, ranging from fundamental aspects and properties of perovskite materials, developments in hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites, 0D to 2D materials and nanodomains in the bulk ferroelectrics, to their applications in actuators through electronics to energy conversion and beyond.