Incorporation of V2O5 nanorods into perovskite photodetectors as an alternative approach to enhance device performance: a step towards stability against ambient water species

Abstract

Numerous reports have been made in the literature on the usability of a halide perovskite, namely methyl ammonium lead iodide (CH₃NH₃PbI₃), as a light harvesting material. Suitable optimization in material composition and synthesis has led to an improvement in device performance. However, the susceptibility of CH₃NH₃PbI₃ towards atmospheric water is an alarming issue which hinders its long-term application in day-to-day life. Herein, low temperature synthesized V₂O₅ nanorods are incorporated into the CH₃NH₃PbI₃ matrix to facilitate carrier dynamics by interface engineering. The optimized hybrid sample exhibits a much improved and stable photo-response behaviour than the pristine building blocks. Additionally, the modified perovskite shows improved hydrophobicity in the form of small-scale surface undulations due to the incorporation of V₂O₅ nanorods into it. This way, we have solved two problems with one single action, firstly by improving the device performance and secondly by stabilizing the sample against ambient water species.