Hybrid perovskite resulting from the solid-state reaction between the organic cations and perovskite layers of alpha1-(Br-(CH(2))(2)-NH(3))(2)PbI(4)

The alpha1-(Br-(CH(2))(2)-NH(3))(2)PbI(4) hybrid perovskite undergoes a solid-state transformation, that is, the reaction between the organic cations and the perovskite layers to give the new hybrid perovskite (Br-(CH(2))(2)-NH(3))(2-x)(I-(CH(2))(2)-NH(3))(x)PbBr(x)I(4-x), based on mixed halide inorganic layers. This transformation has been followed by a conventional powder X-ray diffraction system equipped with a super speed detector, and both solid-state (13)C NMR and ESI/MS measurements have been adopted in the estimation of the rate of halide substitution. The first reaction step leads to the special composition of x approximately 1 (A phase), while the complete substitution is not achieved even at elevated temperature (x(max) approximately 1.85 (B phase)). This unprecedented solid-state reaction between organic and inorganic components of a hybrid perovskite can be considered as a completely new strategy to achieve interesting hybrid perovskites.     

铋基钙钛矿(CH3NH3)3Bi2I9薄膜的制备及在光伏电池中的应用

铋基钙钛矿由于稳定性强及毒性低,被认为是未来极具发展潜力的环保型钙钛矿材料。(CH₃NH₃)₃Bi₂I₉(MBI)因具有优异的光吸收性能而引起人们的普遍关注。本文介绍了MBI钙钛矿晶体的结构及性能,总结了其薄膜的制备方法,并重点叙述了不同方法制备的MBI钙钛矿薄膜在光伏电池中的应用情况。MBI钙钛矿与铅基钙钛矿的效率相比还有很大差距,如何提高其光电转换效率仍是今后研究的主要方向。     

(C4H3SCH2NH3)2(CH3NH3)Pb2I7: non-centrosymmetrical crystal structure of a bilayer hybrid perovskite

The analysis of the crystal structure of (C4H3SCH2NH3)2(CH3NH3)Pb2I7, displaying a well-ordered acentric inorganic Pb2I7(3-) bilayer, is reported, and compared to the related monolayer hybrid perovskite.     

(CH3)3NCH2CH2NH3]SnI4: a layered perovskite with quaternary/primary ammonium dications and short interlayer iodine-iodine contacts

The organic-inorganic hybrid [(CH(3))(3)NCH(2)CH(2)NH(3)]SnI(4) presents a layered perovskite structure, templated by an organic dication containing both a primary and a quaternary ammonium group. Due to the high charge density and small size of the organic cation, the separation of the perovskite layers is small and short iodine-iodine contacts of 4.19 A are formed between the layers. Optical thin-film measurements on this compound indicate a significant red shift of the exciton peak (630 nm) associated with the band gap, as compared with other SnI(4)(2)(-)-based layered perovskite structures.     

Study of Ba3M(II)M(IV)WO9 (M(II) = Ca, Zn; M(IV) = Ti, Zr) perovskite oxides: competition between 3C and 6H perovskite structures

We describe an investigation of Ba3MIIMIVWO9 oxides for MII = Ca, Zn, and other divalent metals and MIV = Ti, Zr. In general, a 1:2-ordered 6H (hexagonal, P63/mmc) perovskite structure is stabilized at high temperatures (1300 degrees C) for all of the Ba3MIITiWO9 oxides investigated. An intermediate phase possessing a partially ordered 1:1 double perovskite (3C) structure with the cation distribution, Ba2(Zn2/3Ti1/3)(W2/3Ti1/3)O6, is obtained at 1200 degrees C for Ba3ZnTiWO9. Sr substitution for Ba in the latter stabilizes the cubic 3C structure instead of the 6H structure. A metastable Ba3CaZrWO9 that adopts the 3C (cubic, Fmm) structure has also been synthesized by a low-temperature metathesis route. Besides yielding several new perovskite oxides that may be useful as dielectric ceramics, the present investigation provides new insights into the complex interplay of crystal chemistry (tolerance factor) and chemical bonding (anion polarization and d0-induced distortion of metal-oxygen octahedra) in the stabilization of 6H versus 3C perovskite structures for the Ba3MIIMIVWO9 series.     

Graded interface engineering of 3D/2D halide perovskite solar cells through ultrathin(PEA)_2PbI_4 nanosheets

2D halide perovskites have emerged as promising materials because of their stability and passivation effect in perovskite solar cells(PSCs).However,the introduction of bulky organic ammonium cations from 2D halide perovskites would decrease the device performance generally compared to the traditional 3D MAPbI_3.Incorporation of ultrathin 2D halide perovskite nanosheets(NSs) with 3D MAPbI_3 could address this issue.Herein,we re port a rationally designed PSCs with dimensional graded 3D/2D MAPbI_3/(PEA)2 PbI_4 heterojunction,in which 2D(PEA)2 PbI_4 NSs were synthesized and incorporated between 3D MAPbI_3 and hole-transporting layer.Besides the significantly improved stability,a notable increasement in power conversion efficiency(PCE) of 20% was obtained for the 3D/2D perovskite solar cells due to the favourable band alignment among(PEA)_2 PbI_4 NSs and the other components.The graded structure of MAPbI_3/(PEA)2 PbI_4 would upshift the energy level continuously,which enhances the hole extraction efficiency thus reduces the interface charge recombination,leading to the increasements of VOC from1.04 V to 1.07 V,Jsc from 21.81 mA/cm~2 to 23.15 mA/cm~2 and the fill factor from 67.89% to 74.78%,and therefore an overall PCE of 18.53%.     

A review on two-dimensional (2D) and 2D-3D multidimensional perovskite solar cells: Perovskites structures,stability, and photovoltaic performances

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) fabricated with two-dimensional (2D) halide and 2D-3D mixed-halide materials are remarkable for their optoelectronic properties. The 2D perovskite structures are extremely stable but show limited charge transport and large bandgap for solar cell applications. To overcome these challenges, multidimensional 2D-3D perovskite materials are used to maintain simultaneously, a long-term stability, and high performance. In this review, we discuss the recent progress and the advantages of 2D and 2D-3D perovskite materials as absorber for solar cell applications. First, we discuss the structure and the unique properties of 2D and multidimensional 2D-3D perovskites materials. Second, the stability of 2D and 2D-3D mixed perovskites and the perspects of PSCs are hashed out.     

Low-temperature magnetic behavior of perovskite compounds PbFe(1/2)Ta(1/2)O3 and PbFe(1/2)Nb(1/2)O3

The isostructural perovskite compounds PbFe(1/2)Ta(1/2)O3 and PbFe(1/2)Nb(1/2)O3 have been known for long time, and they are part of the important class of materials called multiferroic, where ferroelasticity, ferroelectricity, and ferromagnetism coexist. In the literature regarding PbFe(1/2)Ta(1/2)O3 and PbFe(1/2)Nb(1/2)O3, an "anomaly" of their low-temperature magnetic behavior has not always been reported. Moreover, both the origin of this behavior, and the cause for which it was not always observed, were never completely explained. In this paper, the magnetic behavior of the two compounds at low temperature has been extensively studied and explained as the occurring of a spin-glasslike transition.     

New perovskite materials of the La(2-x)Sr(x)CoTiO6 series

Substitution of La(3+) by Sr(2+) in the double perovskite La(2)CoTiO(6) yields materials of the La(2-x)Sr(x)CoTiO(6) series showing a significant amount of trivalent cobalt ions when prepared at ambient atmosphere. The as-prepared compounds can be reduced in severe conditions retaining the perovskite structure while inducing the formation of a large amount of oxygen vacancies. The limit of aliovalent substitution in this series was found to extend up to x = 1. For substitution of La(3+) up to 15% cobalt and titanium are ordered, though the order is progressively lost as x increases; for x≥ 0.30 no ordering is observed as evidenced by magnetic measurements. The ability of these materials to present either cobalt ions in a mixed oxidation state or large amounts of anion vacancies depending on the atmosphere makes them interesting to be further investigated regarding their electrical and electrochemical properties, and hence, their usefulness in some electrochemical devices.     

Structure and properties of (1−x)(0.6Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.4Pb (Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3)-xPbTiO3 thin films with perovskite phase promoted by polyethylene glycol

The preferential formation of a pyrochlore structure is a knotty problem in the preparation of Pb(Zn_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃ (PZN)-based thin film materials and its presence is significantly detrimental to the dielectric and piezoelectric properties. In this study, 40 mol% of PZN was replaced with Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃ (PMN) for obtaining a perovskite composition around a morphotropic phase boundary (MPB), (1−x)(0.6PZN-0.4PMN)-xPT ((1−x)PZMN-xPT, PT: PbTiO₃) where x = 0.23. The thin films with this composition were prepared with a polyethylene glycol (PEG) modi-fied sol-gel method on LaAlO₃ substrates. The microstructural evolution of the films on heat treatment was examined with X-ray diffraction. With the aid of PEG, the formation of the pyrochlore phase was suppressed and the perovskite phase formed directly from the amorphous gel film. The multilayer films with a thickness around 0.25 μm showed a single perovskite phase without any detectable pyrochlore structure. Microscopic images showed uniform grain size of a few tens of nanometers. The role of the polymer dramatically promoting the perovskite phase was investigated with the aid of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and thermal analysis. The dielectric constant of the obtained film was 4160 at 1 kHz. The film demonstrated typical ferroelectric hysteresis loops and exhibited excellent piezoelectric performance.     

Promoting Li(2)O(2) oxidation by an La(1.7)Ca(0.3)Ni(0.75)Cu(0.25)O(4) layered perovskite in lithium-oxygen batteries

We demonstrate for the first time that La(1.7)Ca(0.3)Ni(0.75)Cu(0.25)O(4) with a layered perovskite structure promotes electrochemical oxidation of Li(2)O(2) in lithium-oxygen batteries with a non-aqueous aprotic electrolyte.     

Quadruple-layered perovskite (CuCl)Ca2NaNb4O13

We will present the synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of a new quadruple-layered perovskite (CuCl)Ca₂NaNb₄O₁₃. Through a topotactic ion-exchange reaction with CuCl₂, the precursor RbCa₂NaNb₄O₁₃ presumably having an incoherent octahederal tliting changes into (CuCl)Ca₂NaNb₄O₁₃ with a 2a_p×2a_p×2c_p superstructure (tetragonal; a=7.73232(5) Å, c=39.2156(4) Å). The well-defined superstructure for the ion-exchanged product should be stabilized by the inserted CuCl₄O₂ octahedral layers that firmly connect with neighboring perovskite layers. Magnetic studies show the absence of long-range magnetic ordering down to 2 K despite strong in-plane interactions. Aleksandrov′s group theory and Rietveld refinement of synchrotron X-ray diffraction data suggest the structure to be of I4/mmm space group with in-phase tilting along the a and b axes, a two-tilt system (++0).     

Enhanced active site extraction from perovskite LaCoO_3 using encapsulated PdO for efficient CO_2 methanation

The extraction of metallic nanoparticles from perovskite-type oxides(ABO₃) under mild reducing conditions is a novel way to prepare well-dispersed supported catalysts(B/AOd). Herein, we found that the encapsulated PdO in perovskite LaCoO_3(PdO@LaCoO_3) could facilitate the phase transformation of the perovskite structure at a low temperature owing to both strong H2 spillover of Pd and intimate interaction between the encapsulated PdO and LaCoO₃. The pure LaCoO₃ without PdO was relatively inert to CO₂ hydrogenation(CO₂ conversion <4%). In contrast, PdO@LaCoO₃ exhibited excellent CO₂ methanation performance with 62.3% CO₂ conversion and >99% CH4 selectivity. The characterization results demonstrated that the catalytically active Co2 C was in-situ formed by carburization of the extracted Co0 during CO₂ methanation for the PdO@LaCoO₃ sample. Whereas, the LaCoO₃ with surface supported PdO(PdO/LaCoO₃) showed a weak interaction and remained a perovskite structure with few Co₂C active centers after the catalytic reaction, which was similar to the parent LaCoO₃. Accordingly, the PdO/LaCoO₃ showed an inferior catalytic performance with 31.8% CO₂ conversion and 87.4% CH₄ selectivity. Therefore, the designed encapsulation structure of PdO within perovskite is critical to extract metallic NPs from perovskite-type oxides, which has the potential to prepare other integrated nanocatalysts based on perovskite-type oxides.     

Fast-growing procedure for perovskite films in planar heterojunction perovskite solar cells

A fast-growing procedure (FGP) to fabricate perovskite films with large grain sizes is described in this article. In the FGP method, the perovskite precursor solution is coated onto the substrates at a temperature of ~240 ℃. The solvent in the precursor solution evaporates quickly in about 2 s, resulting in the rapid formation of a perovskite film without further annealing process. Millimeter-scale perovskite grain clusters are obtained in the film. Based on such perovskite films, fabricated planar heterojunction perovskite solar cells give a power conversion efficiency (PCE) above 8%.     

Synthesis of double perovskite and quadruple perovskite nanocrystals through post-synthetic transformation reactions

Lead-free halide perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) represent a group of emerging materials which hold promise for various optical and optoelectronic applications. Exploring facile synthetic methods for such materials has been of great interest to not only fundamental research but also technological implementations. Herein, we report a fundamentally new method to access lead-free Bi-based double perovskite (DP) and quadruple perovskite (or layered double perovskite, LDP) NCs based on a post-synthetic transformation reaction of Cs₃BiX₆ (X = Cl, Br) zero-dimensional (0D) perovskite NCs under mild conditions. The produced NCs show good particle uniformity, high crystallinity, and comparable optical properties to the directly synthesized NCs. The relatively slow kinetics and stop-on-demand feature of the transformation reaction allow real-time composition–structure–property investigations of the reaction, thus elucidating a cation-alloyed intermediate-assisted transformation mechanism. Our study presented here demonstrates for the first time that post-synthetic transformation of 0D perovskite NCs can serve as a new route towards the synthesis of high-quality lead-free perovskite NCs, and provides valuable insights into the crystal structures, excitonic properties and their relationships of perovskite NCs.

Lead-free perovskite nanocrystals are synthesized by post-synthetic transformation reactions. The post-synthetic transformations show the structural flexibility of zero-dimensional perovskite nanocrystal materials.     

New barium cobaltite series Ba(n+1)Co(n)O(3n+3)(Co8O8): intergrowth structure containing perovskite and CdI2-type layers

Single crystals of two new cobaltites, Ba2Co9O14 and Ba3Co10O17, were obtained from the flux of K2CO3 in the temperature range 800-890 degrees C. They crystallize in an intergrowth structure containing perovskite block and CdI2-type layers and can be attributed to the n = 1 and 2 members in a new intergrowth series of cobaltites, Ba(n+1)Co(n)O(3n+3)(Co8O8). Both Ba2Co9O14 and Ba3Co10O17 are metastable and transform into the known 2H-perovskite-related oxides at high temperature.     

NMR study of Li+ ion dynamics in the perovskite Li(3x)La(1/3-x)NbO3

(7)Li and (6)Li nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments are carried out on the perovskite Li(3x)La(1/3-x)NbO(3). The results are compared to those obtained on the titanate Li(3x)La(2/3-x)TiO3 (LLTO) in order to investigate the effect, on the lithium ion dynamics, of the total substitution of Nb(5+) for Ti(4+) in the B-site of the ABO(3) perovskites. The XRD patterns analysis reveals that this substitution leads to a change in the distribution of the La(3+) ions in the structure. La(3+) ions distribution is very important, in regard to ionic conductivity, because these immobile ions can be considered as obstacles for the long-range Li+ motion. If compared to the titanates, the compounds of the niobate solid solution have a bigger unit cell volume, a smaller number of La(3+) ions, and a higher number of vacancies. These should favor the motion of the mobile ions into the structure. This is not experimentally observed. Therefore, the interactions between the mobile species and their environment greatly influence their mobility. (7)Li and (6)Li NMR relaxation time experiments reveal that the Li relaxation mechanism is not dominated by quadrupolar interaction. (7)Li NMR spectra reveal the presence of different Li+ ion sites. Some Li+ ions reside in an isotropic environment with no distortion, some others reside in weakly distorted environments. T(1), T(1)(rho), and T(2) experiments allow us to evidence two motions of Li+. As in LLTO, T(1) probes a fast motion of the Li+ ions inside the A-cage of the perovskite structure and T(1)(rho) a slow motion of these ions from A-cage to A-cage. At variance with what has been observed in LLTO, these different Li+ ions can be differentiated through the spin-lattice relaxation times, T(1) and T(1)(rho), as well as through the transverse relaxation time, T(2).     

Photoluminescence of perovskite nanosheets prepared by exfoliation of layered oxides, K2Ln2Ti3O10, KLnNb2O7, and RbLnTa2O7 (Ln: lanthanide ion)

Luminescent perovskite nanosheets were prepared by exfoliation of single- or double-layered perovskite oxides, K2Ln2Ti3O10, KLnNb2O7, and RbLnTa2O7 (Ln: lanthanide ion). The thickness of the individual nanosheets corresponded to those of the perovskite block in the parent layered compounds. Intense red and green emissions were observed in aqueous solutions with Gd1.4Eu0.6Ti3O10- and La0.7Tb0.3Ta2O7-nanosheets, respectively, under UV illumination with energies greater than the corresponding host oxide band gap. The coincidence of the excitation spectrum and the band gap absorbance indicates that the visible emission results from energy transfer within the nanosheet. The red emission intensity of the Gd1.4Eu0.6Ti3O10-nanosheets was much stronger than that of the La0.90Eu0.05Nb2O7-nanosheets reported previously. The strong emission intensity is a result of a two-step energy transfer cascade within the nanosheet from the Ti-O network to Gd(3+) and then to Eu(3+). The emission intensities of the Gd1.4Eu0.6Ti3O10- and La0.7Tb0.3Ta2O7-nanosheets can be modulated by applying a magnetic field (1.3-1.4 T), which brings about a change in orientation of the nanosheets in solution. The emission intensities increased when the excitation light and the magnetic field directions were perpendicular to each other, and they decreased when the excitation and magnetic field were collinear and mutually perpendicular to the direction of detection of the emitted light.     

Direct oxidative C(sp3)─H/C(sp2)─H coupling reaction using recyclable Sr-doped LaCoO3 perovskite catalyst

A strontium-doped lanthanum cobaltite perovskite, La_0.6Sr_0.4CoO₃, was prepared and utilized as a recyclable heterogeneous catalyst for the direct oxidative C(sp³)─H/C(sp²)─H coupling reaction between cyclic ethers and alkenes or coumarins to achieve corresponding α-functionalized ethers. The α-functionalization of cyclic thioethers or amides with alkenes or coumarins was also achieved via this protocol. The La_0.6Sr_0.4CoO₃ catalyst exhibited better performance than a variety of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts. Utilizing a recyclable catalyst would offer a greener option for the direct oxidative C(sp³)─H/C(sp²)─H coupling reaction. To our best knowledge, the C(sp³)─H/C(sp²)─H coupling between olefins and ethers to generate α-functionalized ethers using a heterogeneous catalyst has not been previously reported, and the α-functionalization of cyclic thioethers or amides with alkenes or coumarins is new.     

GdAlO3 perovskite

Flux‐grown gadolinium aluminate perovskite, GdAlO₃, was examined using single‐crystal 0.7 Å‐wavelength synchrotron X‐ray diffraction. In the context of other well categorized rare earth aluminate (RAlO₃) perovskite phases, the orthorhombic Pnma symmetry determined for the current compound is unsurprising. Corner‐linked AlO₆ octahedra form the structural backbone of RAlO₃ perovskites and distort to accommodate the various rare earth ions in the structural voids. For GdAlO₃, the octahedral distortion, characterized by tilting of the octahedra about the shortest R—Al—R vectors, and octahedral deformation, characterized by strain of the octahedra along those axes, are in accordance with trends in the RAlO₃ series.