From Quantum Dots to Micro Crystals : Organolead Triiodide Perovskite Crystal Growth from Isopropanol Solution

Abstract

The growth mechanism and dependence on precursor conditions are vital for creation of high quality crystalline materials in many fields. Here the growth from nano sized quantum dots to micro crystalline methyl ammonium lead tri-iodide (MAPbI3) perovskites prepared from isopropanol solution are reported. Isopropanol is more environmental friendly compared to the commonly used solvents DMF or DMSO, both with relatively high toxicity and the proposed method can be a useful new route to prepare hybrid perovskites. Three different molar ratios of MAPbI3 perovskite solution (MAI:PbI2 of 1:1, 2:1 and 0.5:1) were applied to give insights in the crystal formation mechanism also under non-stoichiometric conditions. Perovskite crystal growth is followed by TEM. From XRD powder diffraction the lattice constants have been determined and compared with results from electron diffraction (ED). Interestingly, there seems to be an occurrence of the cubic phase besides the common tetragonal phase at room temperature.