Optimal Bandgap in a 2D Ruddlesden–Popper Perovskite Chalcogenide for Single-Junction Solar Cells

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemmater.8b01707
• Publication Date: 2018-07-17T14:40:47Z
• Authors: Shanyuan Niu; Debarghya Sarkar; Kristopher Williams; Yucheng Zhou; Yuwei Li; Elisabeth Bianco; Huaixun Huyan; Stephen B. Cronin; Michael E. McConney; Ralf Haiges; R. Jaramillo; David J. Singh; William A. Tisdale; Rehan Kapadia; Jayakanth Ravicha...
• Keywords: Condensed Matter - Materials Science; Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci); FOS: Physical sciences; 02 engineering and technology; 0210 nano-technology; 01 natural sciences; 7. Clean energy; 0104 chemical sciences

Transition metal perovskite chalcogenides (TMPCs) are explored as stable, environmentally friendly semiconductors for solar energy conversion. They can be viewed the inorganic alternatives to hybrid halide perovskites, and chalcogenide counterparts of oxides with desirable optoelectronic properties in visible infrared part electromagnetic spectrum. Past theoretical studies have predicted large absorption coefficient, defect characteristics, bulk photovoltaic effect TMPCs. Despite recent progresses polycrystalline synthesis measurements their optical properties, it is necessary grow these materials high crystalline quality develop a fundamental understanding evaluate suitability application. Here, we report growth single crystals two-dimensional (2D) chalcogenide, Ba3Zr2S7, natural superlattice-like structure alternating double-layer blocks single-layer rock salt structure. The material demonstrated bright photoluminescence peak at 1.28 eV external luminescence efficiency up 0.15%. We performed time-resolved spectroscopy on obtained an effective recombination time ~65 ns. These results clearly show that 2D Ruddlesden-Popper phases promising achieve single-junction cells.