Single-Crystal Hybrid Lead Halide Perovskites: Growth, Properties, and Device Integration for Solar Cell Application

Abstract

A new platform for research and development of inexpensive and efficient solar cells has evolved based on hybrid perovskite absorber material. The power conversion efficiency of polycrystalline perovskite solar cells shot from 3.8% in 2009 to 25.7% in 2022. Even though perovskite solar cells are close to commercialization, their poor operational stability in real time is a matter of concern. The major roadblock is moisture-induced material degradation at polycrystalline absorber material grain boundaries. Single crystalline perovskite materials are explored to overcome this problem. The superior stability of single-crystalline perovskite over polycrystalline counterpart is the significantly reduced grain boundary regions. Other advantages, including high absorption coefficient, low trap densities, long diffusion lengths, large carrier lifetimes, and increased mobility, have made these single-crystalline perovskites more relevant for solar cell application. This review emphasizes the importance of single-crystalline perovskite over polycrystalline perovskite. Further, it provides a comprehensive account of various methods for the growth of single-crystalline perovskite material, their structural, optical, and electrical properties, emphasizing device applications. The methods employed for developing single crystals by different routes have been elaborately discussed. The challenges encountered in integrating the single-crystal monoliths for device applications, the methods evolved to develop single-crystalline films, performance and stability of single-crystalline devices are presented. The future scope of research including uniform thickness controllable films with proper interface engineering, inorganic perovskites for solar cell applications, and potential optoelectronic applications of single-crystal perovskites are discussed.

Large Phase-Transition Temperature Enhancement Achieved in a Layered Lead Iodide Hybrid Crystal by H/F Substitution

“…As shown in Figure 1a, (TMBA) 4 Pb 3 I 10 exhibits a pair of anomaly peaks at 207 K/ 215 K in a cooling and heating run, which reveals the occurrence of reversible phase transition at a low T tr of 215 K. Interestingly, two prominent thermal peaks at 363 K/355 K upon heating and cooling are observed in (4-FTMBA) 4 Pb 3 I 10 , indicating that a high-T tr phase transition appears at 363 K. Both the DSC curves of (4-FTMBA) 4 Pb 3 I 10 and (TMBA) 4 Pb 3 I 10 show spiked peak anomalies around the T tr , with thermal hysteresis of 8 K referring to the order−disorder structural phase transition. 45 According to the formula ΔS = ΔH/T, the enthalpy changes (ΔH) of (TMBA) 4 S1). The crystal stacking of (4-FTMBA) 4 Pb 3 I 10 consists of both face-sharing and corner-sharing PbI 6 octahedra, forming a layered organic− inorganic hybrid structure in which the structural stability primitive of 4-FTMBA cations embedded in the inorganic S1).…”

“…Organic–inorganic hybrid metal halides showing the impressive nature of solution processability and chemical modifications have attracted great attention and have been widely investigated to construct polyfunctional materials for potential applications in different scenarios. − Simultaneously, such cooperative hybrid systems with the integration of diversified organic motifs and inorganic frameworks also appear to be prime terraces for designing solid–solid phase-transition materials, which could undergo thermally triggered motions of the components to induce significant changes in physical performances, such as ferroelectricity and piezoelectricity. ,− The trend of high integration and miniaturization in smart devices often results in higher ambient temperatures; therefore, high phase-transition temperature ( T tr ) is essentially important for practical applications. , Despite the progress of phase-transition materials, those possessing high T tr remain few. The burning question still points to the most basic structure–property relationship to program desired functions.…”

Enhanced Circular Dichroism and Polarized Emission in an Achiral, Low Band Gap Bismuth Iodide Perovskite Derivative

“…Overall, this suggests that more compounds may be suitable for CPL and subsequent spintronics applications than previously anticipated. , However, the analysis of chiroptical properties necessitates the use of single crystals or single-crystalline films as opposed to randomly oriented polycrystalline films or powders. Fortunately, protocols for growing high-quality single crystals are available, , and devices based on perovskite single crystals have already been explored . We demonstrate that, by utilizing such single crystals, it is possible to uncover anisotropy factors and degrees of circularly polarized photoluminescence comparable to perovskite materials containing chiral cations, thus holding significant promise for future spintronics applications.…”

Progress and Perspectives of Solar Cells: A Critical Review

“…Table summarizes the cell performance of SCSSCs in this subsection. Currently, laboratory-level SCSSCs have achieved a PCE exceeding 26%, and the efficiency of commercial products is continuously improving. However, the cost has always been a crucial factor limiting its widespread adoption.…”