Charge transport in a two-dimensional hybrid metal halide thiocyanate compound

Abstract

Solution-processable organic metal halide compounds, such as methylammonium lead iodide (CH₃NH₃PbI₃), possess unique optical and electronic properties such as long carrier lifetimes and high charge carrier mobility. Here we study a layered, 2-dimensional hybrid halide compound: methylammonium lead thiocyanate iodide ((CH₃NH₃)₂Pb(SCN)₂I₂). Films deposited from solution are observed to grow with strong preferential alignment of 2-dimensional layers parallel to the substrate. The charge-transport properties of carriers in the 2-dimensional planes of (CH₃NH₃)₂Pb(SCN)₂I₂ were measured using the contactless electronic characterization technique time-resolved microwave conductivity (TRMC). TRMC measurements show that the sum of the electron and hole charge carrier mobilities in (CH₃NH₃)₂Pb(SCN)₂I₂ is above 1 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹ and that the carrier lifetime is relatively long.