2-D perovskite materials found to have unique, conductive edge states

2-D perovskite materials found to have unique, conductive edge states
Topographical view of the surface of the perovskite layer (l) and electrical current image of the same layer showing the conductive edges. Credit: Penn State

A new class of 2-D perovskite materials with edges that are conductive like metals and cores that are insulating was found by researchers who said these unique properties have applications in solar cells and nanoelectronics.

"This observation of the metal-like conductive states at the layer edges of these 2-D materials provides a new way to improve the performance of next-generation optoelectronics and develop innovative nanoelectronics," said Kai Wang, assistant research professor in materials science and engineering at Penn State and lead author on the study.

Wang and a team of Penn State researchers made the discovery while synthesizing lead halide perovskite materials for use in next generation solar cells. Perovskites, materials with a good at absorbing visible light, are an area of focus in developing both rigid and flexible solar cells that can compete commercially with traditional cells made with silicon. These 2-D perovskite materials are cheaper to create than silicon and have the potential to be equally efficient at absorbing sunlight.

The findings, reported in Science Advances, provide new insights into the charge and in perovskite materials, important for the continued advancement of the technology, the scientists said.

"I think the beauty of this work is that we found a material that has completely different properties along the edges compared to the core," said Shashank Priya, professor of and engineering and associate vice president for research at Penn State. "It's very unusual that the current can flow around the edges and not in the center of a material, and this has huge implications for the design of solar cell architectures."

The 2-D perovskite materials consist of thin, alternately stacked organic and inorganic layers. The organic layers protect the inorganic layers of lead halide crystals from moisture that can degrade 3-D versions of the material. This layered structure results in a large variation in conductivity along perpendicular and parallel directions.

Using scanning and mapping techniques, the researchers found that sharp edges of the 2-D single crystals exhibited extraordinarily large free charge carrier density.

"This work reveals the distinct differences in optoelectronic properties between the crystal layer edge and the core region, which can give a hint toward answering other important questions raised in the field of optoelectronics about these 2-D ," Wang said.

Researchers said the findings could boost performance of and LED technology by providing additional charge pathways within the devices. The findings also open the door for the development of innovative one-dimensional electrical conduction in nanoelectronics.

"Across the length of these , you have a junction between metal and semiconductor, and there are a lot of hypothetical devices proposed based on that junction," Priya said.

Because of the found at the edges, 2-D perovskite crystals may also be a good candidate for a triboelectric nanogenerator, the researchers said.

Nanogenerators convert motion into electric power, which could lead to wearable technology that charges phones and other devices using both light and mechanical energy and inputs.

Journal information: Science Advances

Citation: 2-D perovskite materials found to have unique, conductive edge states (2019, July 15) retrieved 29 March 2024 from https://phys.org/news/2019-07-d-perovskite-materials-unique-edge.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

A crystal clear step closer to commerical solar cells

72 shares

Feedback to editors