Anomalously large interface charge in polarity-switchable photovoltaic devices indicates the large amount of mobile ions in organic–inorganic halide perovskites.

The accumulation of mobile ions causes space charge at interfaces in perovskite solar cells. There is a slow dynamic process of ion redistribution when the bias is changed. The interface charge affects band bending and thus the photocurrent of the solar cells. Consequently the dynamic process of the interface charge governs the current-voltage hysteresis. Very low interface charge density leads to hysteresis-free devices.

While perovskite light-emitting diodes typically made with high work function anodes and low work function cathodes have recently gained intense interests. Perovskite light-emitting devices with two high work function electrodes with interesting features are demonstrated here. Firstly, electroluminescence can be easily obtained from both forward and reverse biases. Secondly, the results of impedance spectroscopy indicate that the ionic conductivity in the iodide perovskite (CH3 NH3PbI3) is large with a value of approximate to 10(-8) S cm(-1). Thirdly, the shift of the emission spectrum in the mixed halide perovskite (CH3NH3PbI3-Br-x(x)) light-emitting devices indicates that I(-)ions are mobile in the perovskites. Fourthly, this work shows that the accumulated ions at the interfaces result in a large capacitance (approximate to 100 mu F cm(-2)). The above results conclusively prove that the organic-inorganic halide perovskites are solid electrolytes with mixed ionic and electronic conductivity and the light-emitting device is a light-emitting electrochemical cell. The work also suggests that the organic-inorganic halide perovskites are potential energy-storage materials, which may be applicable in the field of solid-state supercapacitors and batteries

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