High-quality bulk hybrid perovskite single crystals within minutes by inverse temperature crystallization

Abstract

Single crystals of methylammonium lead trihalide perovskites (MAPbX 3; MA=CH 3 NH 3 +, X=Br - or I -) have shown remarkably low trap density and charge transport properties; however, growth of such high-quality semiconductors is a time-consuming process. Here we present a rapid crystal growth process to obtain MAPbX 3 single crystals, an order of magnitude faster than previous reports. The process is based on our observation of the substantial decrease of MAPbX 3 solubility, in certain solvents, at elevated temperatures. The crystals can be both size-and shape-controlled by manipulating the different crystallization parameters. Despite the rapidity of the method, the grown crystals exhibit transport properties and trap densities comparable to the highest quality MAPbX 3 reported to date. The phenomenon of inverse or retrograde solubility and its correlated inverse temperature crystallization strategy present a major step forward for advancing the field on perovskite crystallization.