Electron-Beam-Related Studies of Halide Perovskites: Challenges and Opportunities

Junhui Ran, Ondrej Dyck, Xiaozheng Wang, Bin Yang, David B. Geohegan, Kai Xiao

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

62 Scopus citations

Abstract

Electron beam microscopy and related characterization techniques play an important role in revealing the microstructural, morphological, physical, and chemical information of halide perovskites and their impact on associated optoelectronic devices. However, electron beam irradiation usually causes damage to these beam-sensitive materials, negatively impacting their device performance, and complicating this interpretation. In this article, the electron microscopy and spectroscopy techniques are reviewed that are crucial for the understanding of the crystallization and microstructure of halide perovskites. In addition, special attention is paid to assessing and mitigating the electron beam-induced damage caused by these techniques. Since the halide perovskites are fragile, a protocol involving delicate control of both electron beam dose and dose rate, coupled with careful data analysis, is key to enable the acquisition of reliable structural and compositional information such as atomic-resolution images, chemical elemental mapping and electron diffraction patterns. Limiting the electron beam dose is critical parameter enabling the characterization of various halide perovskites. Novel methods to unveil the mechanisms of device operation, including charge carrier generation, diffusion, and extraction are presented in scanning electron microscopy studies combined with electron-beam-induced current and cathodoluminescence mapping. Future opportunities for electron-beam-related characterizations of halide perovskites are also discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Article number1903191
JournalAdvanced Energy Materials
Volume10
Issue number26
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1 2020

Funding

This work was supported by the Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, which is a DOE Office of Science User Facility. B.Y. acknowledges the financial support from Fundamental Research Funds for Central Universities.

Keywords

  • electron microscopy and spectroscopy
  • electron-beam-sensitive materials
  • halide perovskites
  • perovskite solar cells

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