Enhanced air-stability of Sn-based hybrid perovskites induced by dimethylammonium (DMA): synthesis, characterization, aging and hydrogen photogeneration of the MA1−xDMAxSnBr3 system

Abstract

Polycrystalline powder samples of the novel MA_1−xDMA_xSnBr₃ system have been synthesized and characterized concerning their structural and optical properties. The progressive alloying on the A-site occurs up to x = 0.60 and results in a linear blue-shift of the absorption edge with the DMA content. Mixed phase samples maintain the cubic crystal structure of parent MASnBr₃ with a quasi-linear expansion of the cell volume as the DMA content increases. Aging test coupled with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicates that DMASnBr₃ is highly tolerant against air-exposure in terms of both crystal structure and optical properties thus representing a first example of highly-stable Sn(II)-containing hybrid perovskite. In addition, thanks to such stability, proof-of-concept and demonstration of hydrogen photogeneration by DMASnBr₃ is reported. Evidence of air-stabile Sn(II)-containing perovskites represent a significant further step in the development of tin-containing photovoltaic devices.