Conduction band tuning by controlled alloying of Fe into Cs2AgBiBr6 double perovskite powders

Halide double perovskite semiconductors such as Cs2AgBiBr6 are widely investigated as a more stable, less toxic alternative to lead-halide perovskites in light conversion applications including photovoltaics and photoredox catalysis. However, the relatively large and indirect bandgap of Cs2AgBiBr6 l...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:arXiv.org 2023-07
Main Authors: Jobsis, Huygen J, Fykouras, Kostas, Reinders, Joost W C, Jacco van Katwijk, Dorresteijn, Joren M, Arens, Tjom, Vollmer, Ina, Muscarella, Loreta A, Leppert, Linn, Hutter, Eline M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Absorption
Conduction bands
Density functional theory
Energy gap
First principles
Lead compounds
Mathematical analysis
Metal halides
Perovskites
Photoredox catalysis
Photovoltaic cells
Semiconductors
Sunlight
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Summary:Halide double perovskite semiconductors such as Cs2AgBiBr6 are widely investigated as a more stable, less toxic alternative to lead-halide perovskites in light conversion applications including photovoltaics and photoredox catalysis. However, the relatively large and indirect bandgap of Cs2AgBiBr6 limits efficient sunlight absorption. Here, we show that controlled replacement of Bi3+ with Fe3+ via mechanochemical synthesis results in a remarkable tunable absorption onset between 2.1 and ~1 eV. Our first-principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest that this bandgap reduction originates primarily from a lowering of the conduction band upon introduction of Fe3+. Furthermore, we find that the tunability of the conduction band energy is reflected in the photoredox activity of these semiconductors. Finally, our DFT calculations predict a direct bandgap when >50% of Bi3+ is replaced with Fe3+. Our findings open new avenues for enhancing the sunlight absorption of double perovskite semiconductors and for harnessing their full potential in sustainable energy applications.
ISSN:2331-8422