arXiv subjects

Young-Kwang Jung

Publications and source records attributed to Young-Kwang Jung.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2023

Metal halide thermoelectrics: prediction of high-performance CsCu2I3

Thermoelectric devices can directly convert waste heat into electricity, which makes them an important clean energy technology. The underlying materials performance can be evaluated by the dimensionless figure of merit ZT. Metal halides are attractive candidates due to their chemical flexibility and ease of processing; however, the maximum ZT realized (ZT = 0.15) falls far below the level needed for commercialization (ZT > 1). Using a first-principles procedure we assess the thermoelectric potential of copper halide CsCu2I3, which features 1D Cu-I connectivity. The n-type crystal is predicted to exhibit a maximum ZT of 2.2 at 600 K along the b-axis. The strong phonon anharmonicity of this system is shown by locally stable non-centrosymmetric Amm2 structures that are averaged to form the observed centrosymmetric Cmcm space group. Our work provides insights into the structure-property relations in metal halide thermoelectrics and suggests a path forward to engineer higher-performance heat-to-electricity conversion.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2022

Inhomogeneous Defect Distribution in Mixed-Polytype Metal Halide Perovskites

The competition between corner, edge and face-sharing octahedral networks is a cause of phase inhomogeneity in metal halide perovskite thin-films. Here we probe the charged iodine vacancy distribution and transport at the junction between cubic and hexagonal polytypes of CsPbI$_3$ from first-principles materials modelling. We predict a lower defect formation energy in the face-sharing regions, which correlates with a longer Pb$-$I bond length and causes a million-fold increase in local defect concentration. These defects are predicted to be more mobile in the face-sharing regions with a reduced activation energy for vacancy-mediated diffusion. We conclude that hexagonal phase inclusions or interfaces will act as defect sinks that could trap charges and enhance current-voltage hysteresis in perovskite-based solar cells and electrical devices.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2021

Bismuth-doping Alters Structural Phase Transitions in Methylammonium Lead Tribromide Single Crystals

We study the effects of bismuth doping on the crystal structure and phase transitions in single crystals of the perovskite semiconductor methylammonium lead tribromide, MAPbBr3. By measuring temperature-dependent specific heat capacity (Cp) we find that, as Bi doping increases, the phase transition assigned to the cubic to tetragonal phase boundary decreases in temperature. Furthermore, after doping we observe one phase transition between 135 and 155 K, in contrast to two transitions observed in the undoped single crystal. These results appear strikingly similar to previously reported effects of mechanical pressure on perovskite crystal structure. Using X-ray diffraction, we show that the lattice constant decreases as Bi is incorporated into the crystal, as predicted by density functional theory (DFT). We propose that bismuth substitutional doping on the lead site is dominant, resulting in BiPb+ centers which induce compressive chemical strain that alters the crystalline phase transitions.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2020

Lattice compression increases the activation barrier for phase segregation in mixed-halide perovskites

The bandgap tunability of mixed-halide perovskites makes them promising candidates for light emitting diodes and tandem solar cells. However, illuminating mixed-halide perovskites results in the formation of segregated phases enriched in a single-halide. This segregation occurs through ion migration, which is also observed in single-halide compositions, and whose control is thus essential to enhance the lifetime and stability. Using pressure-dependent transient absorption spectroscopy, we find that the formation rates of both iodide- and bromide-rich phases in MAPb(BrxI1-x)3 reduce by two orders of magnitude on increasing the pressure to 0.3 GPa. We explain this reduction from a compression-induced increase of the activation energy for halide migration, which is supported by first-principle calculations. A similar mechanism occurs when the unit cell volume is reduced by incorporating a smaller cation. These findings reveal that stability with respect to halide segregation can be achieved either physically through compressive stress or chemically through compositional engineering.

physics.app-ph↗

arXiv2020

Thermodynamic stabilization of mixed-halide perovskites against phase segregation

Mixing iodide and bromide in halide perovskite semiconductors is an effective strategy to tune their bandgap, therefore mixed-halide perovskites hold great promise for color-tunable LEDs and tandem solar cells. However, the bandgap of mixed-halide perovskites is unstable under (sun-)light, since the halides segregate into domains of different bandgaps. Using pressure-dependent ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy, we show that high external pressure increases the range of thermodynamically stable halide mixing ratios. Chemical pressure, by inserting a smaller cation, has the same effect, which means that any iodide-to-bromide ratio can be thermodynamically stabilized by tuning the crystal volume and compressibility. We interpret this stabilization by an alteration of the Helmholtz free energy via the largely overlooked PdeltaV term.

physics.chem-ph↗

arXiv2018

Quick-start guide for first-principles modelling of semiconductor interfaces

Interfaces between dissimilar materials control the transport of energy in a range of technologies including solar cells (electron transport), batteries (ion transport), and thermoelectrics (heat transport). Advances in computer power and algorithms means that first-principles models of interfacial processes in realistic systems are now possible using accurate approaches such as density functional theory. In this `quick-start guide', we discuss the best practice in how to construct atomic models between two materials and analysis techniques appropriate to probe changes in local bonding and electronic band offsets. A number of examples are given related to perovskite solar cells.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2018

Local Strain Heterogeneity Influences the Optoelectronic Properties of Halide Perovskites

Halide perovskites are promising semiconductors for inexpensive, high-performance optoelectronics. Despite a remarkable defect tolerance compared to conventional semiconductors, perovskite thin films still show substantial microscale heterogeneity in key properties such as luminescence efficiency and device performance. This behavior has been attributed to spatial fluctuations in the population of sub-bandgap electronic states that act as trap-mediated non-radiative recombination sites. However, the origin of the variations, trap states and extent of the defect tolerance remains a topic of debate, and a precise understanding is critical to the rational design of defect management strategies. By combining scanning X-ray diffraction beamlines at two different synchrotrons with high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, we reveal levels of heterogeneity on the ten-micrometer scale (super-grains) and even ten-nanometer scale (sub-grain domains). We find that local strain is associated with enhanced defect concentrations, and correlations between the local structure and time-resolved photoluminescence reveal that these strain-related defects are the cause of non-radiative recombination. We reveal a direct connection between defect concentrations and non-radiative losses, as well as complex heterogeneity across multiple length scales, shedding new light on the presence and influence of structural defects in halide perovskites.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2017

Perspective: Theory and simulation of hybrid halide perovskites

Organic-inorganic halide perovskites present a number of challenges for first-principles atomistic materials modelling. These `plastic crystals' feature dynamic processes across multiple length-scales and time-scales, which include: (i) transport of slow ions and fast electrons; (ii) highly anharmonic lattice dynamics with short phonon lifetimes; (iii) local symmetry breaking of the average crystallographic space group; (iv) strong relativistic (spin-orbit coupling) effects on the electronic band structure; (v) thermodynamic metastability and rapid chemical breakdown. These issues, which affect the operation of solar cells, are outlined in this perspective. We also discuss general guidelines for performing quantitative and predictive simulations of these materials, which are relevant to metal-organic frameworks and other hybrid semiconducting, dielectric and ferroelectric compounds.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗