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Structure and interstitial iodide migration in hybrid perovskite methylammonium lead iodide

Minns, J. L., Zajdel, P., Chernyshov, D., van Beek, W., Green, M.A. (2017) Structure and interstitial iodide migration in hybrid perovskite methylammonium lead iodide. Nature Communications, 8 . Article Number 15152. ISSN 2041-1723. (doi:10.1038/ncomms15152) (KAR id:61903)

Abstract

Hybrid perovskites form an emerging family of exceptional light harvesting compounds. However, the mechanism underpinning their photovoltaic effect is still far from understood, which is impeded by a lack of clarity on their structures. Here we show that iodide ions in the methylammonium lead iodide migrate via interstitial sites at temperatures above 280?K. This coincides with temperature dependent static distortions resulting in pseudocubic local symmetry. Based on bond distance analysis, the migrating and distorted iodines are at lengths consistent with the formation of I2 molecules, suggesting a 2I??I2+2e? redox couple. The actual formula of this compound is thus (CH3NH3)PbI3?2x(I2)x where x?0.007 at room temperature. A crucial feature of the tetragonal structure is that the methylammonium ions do not sit centrally in the A-site cavity, but disordered around two off-centre orientations that facilitate the interstitial ion migration via a gate opening mechanism.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1038/ncomms15152
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Natural Sciences > Physics and Astronomy
Depositing User: Mark Green
Date Deposited: 31 May 2017 14:22 UTC
Last Modified: 09 Dec 2022 05:26 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/61903 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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