Publications by authors named "Mikael Kepenekian"

The interface robustness and spatial arrangement of functional molecules on metallic nanomaterials play a key part in the potential applications of functional nano-objects. The design of mechanically stable and electronically coupled attachments with the underlying metal is essential to bring specific desirable properties to the resulting hybrid materials. In this context, rigid multipodal platforms constitute a unique opportunity for the controllable grafting of functionality.

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One of the primary methods for band gap tuning in metal halide perovskites has been halide (I/Br) mixing. Despite widespread usage of this type of chemical substitution in perovskite photovoltaics, there is still little understanding of the structural impacts of halide alloying, with the assumption being the formation of ideal solid solutions. The FASnIBr ( = 0-3) family of compounds provides the first example where the assumption breaks down, as the composition space is broken into two unique regimes ( = 0-2.

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Hybrid perovskite semiconductor materials are predicted to lock chirality into place and encode asymmetry into their electronic states, while softness of their crystal lattice accommodates lattice strain to maintain high crystal quality with low defect densities, necessary for high luminescence yields. We report photoluminescence quantum efficiencies as high as 39% and degrees of circularly polarized photoluminescence of up to 52%, at room temperature, in the chiral layered hybrid lead-halide perovskites (R/S/Rac)-3BrMBAPbI [3BrMBA = 1-(3-bromphenyl)-ethylamine]. Using transient chiroptical spectroscopy, we explain the excellent photoluminescence yields from suppression of nonradiative loss channels and high rates of radiative recombination.

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Article Synopsis
  • Chiral metal-halide semiconductors are being explored for their unique spintronic properties and potential to enhance the understanding of chirality-induced spin selectivity (CISS) in various materials.
  • The study focuses on synthesizing two-dimensional chiral halide perovskites using new organic cations, leading to antiferroelectricity and unique spin textures in their band structure.
  • Experimental results indicate the presence of a CISS effect with significant spin polarization, allowing for the creation of efficient chiro-spintronic devices with impressive magnetoresistance performance.
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The alloyed lead/tin (Pb/Sn) halide perovskites have gained significant attention in the development of tandem solar cells and other optoelectronic devices due to their widely tunable absorption edge. To gain a better understanding of the intriguing properties of Pb/Sn perovskites, such as their anomalous bandgap's dependence on stoichiometry, it is important to deepen the understanding of their chemical behavior and local structure. Herein, we investigate a series of two-dimensional Ruddlesden-Popper (RP) and Dion-Jacobson (DJ) phase alloyed Pb/Sn bromide perovskites using butylammonium (BA) and 3-(aminomethyl)pyridinium (3AMPY) as the spacer cations: (BA)(MA)PbSnBr ( = 1-3) and (3AMPY)(MA)PbSnBr ( = 1-3) through a solution-based approach.

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The nature of the organic cation in two-dimensional (2D) hybrid lead iodide perovskites tailors the structural and technological features of the resultant material. Herein, we present three new homologous series of (100) lead iodide perovskites with the organic cations allylammonium (AA) containing an unsaturated C═C group and iodopropylammonium (IdPA) containing iodine on the organic chain: (AA)MAPbI ( = 3-4), [(AA)(IdPA)]MAPbI ( = 1-4), and (IdPA)MAPbI ( = 1-4), as well as their perovskite-related substructures. We report the in situ transformation of AA organic layers into IdPA and the incorporation of these cations simultaneously into the 2D perovskite structure.

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Article Synopsis
  • 3D halide perovskites have a limited choice of cations due to the Goldschmidt tolerance factor, but researchers are exploring new low-dimensional structures to accommodate larger cations while maintaining 3D connectivity.
  • The study introduces four new 3D bromide perovskitoids with linear organic diammonium cations and proposes a guiding rule for expanding these compounds, similar to the tolerance factor used for conventional perovskites.
  • These new structures show promise as direct bandgap semiconductors with unique electronic properties and potential for various optoelectronic applications, particularly influenced by their specific structural arrangements.
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The association of the electron acceptor 4,4'-amino-bipyridinium (AmV) dication and BiI in an acidic solution affords three organic-inorganic hybrid materials, (AmV)(BiI) (), (AmV)(BiI) (), and (AmV)BiI (), whose structures are based on isolated BiI and BiI anion clusters in and , respectively, and on a one-dimensional (1D) chain of -connected corner-sharing octahedra in . In contrast with known methylviologen-based hybrids, these compounds are more soluble in polar solvents, allowing thin film formation by spin-coating. (AmV)BiI exhibits a broad absorption band in the visible region leading to an optical bandgap of 1.

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The optical and light emission properties of tin and lead halide perovskites are remarkable because of the robust room-temperature (RT) performance, broad wavelength tunability, high efficiency, and good quenching resistance to defects. These highly desirable attributes promise to transform current light-emitting devices, phosphors, and lasers. One disadvantage in most of these materials is the sensitivity to moisture.

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Hybrid layered halide perovskites have achieved impressive performance in optoelectronics. New structural types in the two-dimensional (2D) halide system such as the Dion-Jacobson phases have attracted wide research attention due to the short interlayer distance and unique layer orientation that facilitate better charge-transport and higher stability in optoelectronic devices. Here, we report the first solid solution series incorporating both A and A' cations in the 2D Dion-Jacobson family, with the general formula (A')(A)PbBr ((A' = 3-(aminomethyl)piperidinium (3AMP) and 4-(aminomethyl)piperidinium) (4AMP); A = methylammonium (MA) and formamidinium (FA)).

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Article Synopsis
  • Large organic cations, like aminomethylpyridinium (AMPY), struggle to form traditional 3D perovskite structures due to size constraints, but they can create novel 3D structures resembling perovskites through unique bonding patterns.
  • The new compounds with the formula (AMPY)MI exhibit indirect band gaps of about 1.7 eV for Sn and 2.0 eV for Pb, which indicates different electronic properties compared to standard perovskites.
  • Devices made from (3AMPY)PbI show significant photoresponse and high carrier mobility, suggesting strong performance under various light conditions, along with notable sensitivity to X-rays.
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Nickel oxide (NiO) is a commonly used contact material for a variety of thin-film optoelectronic technologies based on organic or hybrid materials. In such setups, interfaces play a crucial role as they can reduce, if not kill, the device performances by bringing additional traps or energy barriers, hindering the extraction of charge carriers from the active layer. Here, we computationally examine a prototype halide perovskite architecture, NiO/MAPbI (MA = CHNH), that has shown excellent photovoltaic performance and, in particular, a large open-circuit voltage.

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The electronic structure evolution of deficient halide perovskites with a general formula (A,A')MX was investigated using the density functional theory. The focus is placed on characterization of changes in the bandgap, band alignment, effective mass, and optical properties of deficient perovskites at various concentrations of defects. We uncover unusual electronic properties of the defect corresponding to a M-X vacancy filled with an A' cation.

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Two-dimensional (2D) halide perovskites have extraordinary optoelectronic properties and structural tunability. Among them, the Dion-Jacobson phases with the inorganic layers stacking exactly on top of each other are less explored. Herein, we present the new series of 2D Dion-Jacobson halide perovskites, which adopt the general formula of A'APbI (A' = 4-(aminomethyl)pyridinium (4AMPY), A = methylammonium (MA), = 1-4).

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Two-dimensional (2D) hybrid halide perovskites are promising in optoelectronic applications, particularly solar cells and light-emitting devices (LEDs), and for their increased stability as compared to 3D perovskites. Here, we report a new series of structures using propylammonium (PA), which results in a series of Ruddlesden-Popper (RP) structures with the formula (PA)(MA)PbI ( = 3, 4) and a new homologous series of "step-like" (SL) structures where the PbI octahedra connect in a corner- and face-sharing motif with the general formula (PA)(MA)PbI ( = 2, 3, 4). The RP structures show a blue-shift in bandgap for decreasing (1.

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We report room-temperature synthesis of lead- and iodide-deficient α-[HC(NH)]PbI perovskites (abbreviated d-α-FAPI, FA = formamidinium), with the general formula (A',FA)[PbI] (with A' = hydroxyethylammonium (HEA) or thioethylammonium (TEA) cations, 0.04 ≤ x ≤ 0.15).

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Hybrid organic-inorganic main-group metal halide compounds are the subject of intense research owing to their unique optoelectronic characteristics. In this work, we report the synthesis, structure, and electronic and optical properties of a family of hybrid tin (II) bromide compounds comprising guanidinium [G, C(NH) ] and mixed cesium-guanidinium cations: GSnBr, CsGSnBr, and CsGSnBr. GSnBr has a one-dimensional structure that consists of chains of corner-sharing [SnBr] square pyramids and G cations situated in between the chains.

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In the fast-evolving field of halide perovskite semiconductors, the 2D perovskites (A')(A) M X [where A = Cs, CHNH, HC(NH); A' = ammonium cation acting as spacer; M = Ge, Sn, Pb; and X = Cl, Br, I] have recently made a critical entry. The value defines the thickness of the 2D layers, which controls the optical and electronic properties. The 2D perovskites have demonstrated preliminary optoelectronic device lifetime superior to their 3D counterparts.

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Hybrid organic-inorganic halide perovskites are under intense investigations because of their astounding physical properties and promises for optoelectronics. Lead bromide and chloride perovskites exhibit intrinsic white-light emission believed to arise from self-trapped excitons (STEs). Here, we report a series of new structurally diverse hybrid lead bromide perovskites that have broad-band emission at room temperature.

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Low-dimensional halide perovskites have recently attracted intense interest as alternatives to the three-dimensional (3D) perovskites because of their greater tunability and higher environmental stability. Herein, we present the new homologous 2D series (NHC HNH)(CHNH) Pb I ( m = 4-9; n = 1-4), where m represents the carbon-chain number and n equals layer-thickness number. Multilayer ( n > 1) 2D perovskites incorporating diammonium cations were successfully synthesized by the solid-state grinding method for m = 4 and 6 and by the solution method for m = 7-9.

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Surface states are ubiquitous to semiconductors and significantly impact the physical properties and, consequently, the performance of optoelectronic devices. Moreover, surface effects are strongly amplified in lower dimensional systems such as quantum wells and nanostructures. Layered halide perovskites (LHPs) are two-dimensional solution-processed natural quantum wells where optoelectronic properties can be tuned by varying the perovskite layer thickness n, i.

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As a result of early theoretical predictions, evidence for the Rashba or Dresselhaus effect in hybrid perovskites has recently attracted several experimental investigations, motivated by possible applications in spin-orbitronics. For instance, a large Rashba splitting has recently been reported for the (001) surface of CH3NH3PbBr3. This effect is forbidden in the bulk material since both low-temperature and room-temperature crystal structures present inversion symmetry.

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Layered hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites (HOPs) have re-emerged as potential technological solutions for next-generation photovoltaic and optoelectronic applications. Their two-dimensional (2D) nature confers them a significant flexibility and results in the appearance of quantum and dielectric confinements. Such confinements are at the origin of their fascinating properties, and understanding them from a fundamental level is of paramount importance for optimization.

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Hybrid perovskites are on a trajectory toward realizing the most efficient single-junction, solution-processed photovoltaic devices. However, a critical issue is the limited understanding of the correlation between the degree of crystallinity and the emergent perovskite/hole (or electron) transport layer on device performance and photostability. Here, the controlled growth of hybrid perovskites on nickel oxide (NiO) is shown, resulting in the formation of thin films with enhanced crystallinity with characteristic peak width and splitting reminiscent of the tetragonal phase in single crystals.

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We present the new homologous series (C(NH))(CHNH)PbI (n = 1, 2, 3) of layered 2D perovskites. Structural characterization by single-crystal X-ray diffraction reveals that these compounds adopt an unprecedented structure type, which is stabilized by the alternating ordering of the guanidinium and methylammonium cations in the interlayer space (ACI). Compared to the more common Ruddlesden-Popper (RP) 2D perovskites, the ACI perovskites have a different stacking motif and adopt a higher crystal symmetry.

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