Br-Induced Suppression of Low-Temperature Phase Transitions in Mixed-Cation Mixed-Halide Perovskites

Abstract

Mixed-cation mixed-halide lead perovskites have been shown to be excellent candidates for solar energy conversion. However, understanding the structural phases of these mixed-ion perovskites across a wide range of operating temperatures, including very low temperatures for space applications, is crucial. In this study, we investigated the structure of formamidinium-based Cs_yFA_1–yPb(Br_xI_1–x)₃ using low-temperature in situ synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction. Our findings revealed that substituting the I anion with Br in mixed-cation (Cs,FA) perovskites suppressed the phase transformation from tetragonal to orthorhombic at low temperatures. The addition of Br also prevented the formation of nonperovskite secondary phases. We gained fundamental insights into the structural behavior of these materials by creating a low-temperature phase diagram for the compositional set of mixed-cation mixed-halides. This understanding of the structural properties lays the groundwork for designing more robust and efficient energy materials capable of functioning under extreme temperature conditions, including space-based solar energy conversion.