Small. 18, 2204271 (2022)
Surface Characterization of the Solution-Processed Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Perovskite Thin Films
Han Zhao1, Kang Ma2, Jianmin Li1, Yikai Fu3, Ying Qin4, Dongbing Zhao4, Haitao Dai3, Zhixin Hu1,*, Zhixiang Sun1,* and Hong-Ying Gao1,*
1 Department of Physics & Center for Joint Quantum Studies, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China.
2 School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China.
3 Department of Physics, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China.
4 State Key Laboratory and Institute of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071 China.
* zhixin.hu@dgquanwei.com, zsun@dgquanwei.com, gaohongying@dgquanwei.com
Abstract
The surface properties of organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites can strongly affect the efficiency and stability of corresponding devices. Even though different surface passivation methods are developed, the microscopic structures of solution-processed perovskite film surfaces are not systematically studied. This study uses low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy to study the organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite thin films, MA0.4FA0.6PbI3 and MAPbI3, synthesized by the spin-coating method. Flat surface structures, atomic steps, and crystal grain boundaries are resolved at an atomic resolution. The surface imperfections are also characterized, as well as the dominant defects. Simulations on different types of iodine vacancy configurations are performed by density functional theory calculations. In addition, it is observed that the surface iodine lattice structure is unstable during scanning. Tip scanning can also cause the vertical migration of surface iodine ions. The measurements provide the direct visualizations of the surface imperfections of the solution-processed perovskite films. They are essential for understanding the surface-related optoelectronic effects and rationally designing more efficient surface passivation methods.
