Photo-induced charge transfer in composition-tuned halide perovskite nanocrystals with quinone and its impact on conduction current

Abstract

A facile interfacial charge transfer (CT) with a reduced inter-layer energy band regulates the charge transport mechanism in any optoelectronic device. The enhancement in semiconductor-based device performance often demands improved CT dynamics and collection of free carriers with reduced charge recombination. In this work, we present a detailed inspection of the photo-induced CT between inorganic lead halide perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) with varied compositions and their consequence on the charge transport process. The superior CT rate in mixed halide CsPbBr2Cl PNCs with naphthoquinone (NPQ) is revealed when compared with the parent CsPbBr3 PNCs and its anion-exchanged counterpart CsPbCl3. The glimpses of hole transfer contribution along with electron transfer are detected for CsPbBr2Cl with superior CT efficiency. The enhanced conduction current after the insertion of NPQ into the PNCs with a reduced hysteresis suggests an improved charge transport in the fabricated device compared to the pristine PNCs. These findings can contribute to a better understanding of multiple ways of engineering optoelectronic devices to boost performance and efficiencies and the concurrent role of the CT process in the conduction mechanism.