Halogen Redox Shuttle Explains Voltage-Induced Halide Redistribution in Mixed-Halide Perovskite Devices

Abstract

Voltage-induced halide segregation greatly limits the optoelectronic applications of mixed-halide perovskite devices, but a mechanistic explanation behind this phenomenon remains unclear. In this work, we use electron microscopy and elemental mapping to directly measure the halide redistribution in mixed-halide perovskite solar cells with quasi-ion-impermeable contact layers under different bias polarities to find iodide and bromide accumulation at the cathode and anode, respectively. This is consistent with a mechanism based on preferential iodide oxidation at the anode, leading to unbalanced Ii+, IX−, and BrX− fluxes. Importantly, switching the anode from “inert” Au to “active” Ag prevents segregation because Ag oxidation precludes the oxidation of lattice iodide, which suggests employing redox-active additives as a general strategy to suppress halide segregation. Overall, these results show that halide perovskite devices operate as solid-state electrochemical cells when threshold voltages are exceeded, providing fresh insight to understand the impacts of voltage bias on halide perovskite devices.