Variations in the Composition of the Phases Lead to the Differences in the Optoelectronic Properties of MAPbBr3 Thin Films and Crystals

Abstract

Photoluminescence (PL) spectra from thin films (TFs) and bulk crystals (BCs) of hybrid organo-halide perovskites are significantly different, the origin of which and their impact on the efficiency of the perovskite-based photoactive devices have been debated. We have used two-photon PL to study the temperature-dependent changes in the spectra of the TFs and the BCs of methylammonium lead bromide (MAPbBr3) perovskites in order to clarify the origin of the differences. Our results show that the differences in the spectra are due to the variation in the phase composition. At room temperature, the tetragonal (TE) phase is dominant in the BCs, while the orthorhombic (OR) phase is dominant in the TFs. The PL spectra of the TFs also show discernible contributions from the TE and the cubic phases. At lower temperatures, the increase in excitonic recombination causes a red shift of the PL spectra from the TFs, while a phase transition from the TE to the OR phase results in a blue shift of the PL from the BCs. The temperature-dependent narrowing of the PL linewidths shows a stronger coupling between the longitudinal optical phonons and the free carriers in the OR phase as compared to the TE phase, implying a reduced carrier mobility. However, as the OR phase is metastable at the room temperature, the slow phase transition to the TE phase should improve the photocurrent yield in the TFs, provided that the sample is shielded from other types of degradation.