Sacrificial Agent Gone Rogue: Electron-Acceptor-Induced Degradation of CsPbBr3 Photocathodes

Lead halide perovskites (LHPs) have emerged as perspective materials for light harvesting, due to their tunable band gap and optoelectronic properties. Photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical (PEC) studies, employing LHP/liquid junctions, are evolving, where sacrificial reagents are often used. In this study, we found that a frequently applied electron scavenger (TCNQ) has dual roles: while it leads to rapid electron transfer from the electrode to TCNQ, enhancing the PEC performance, it also accelerates the decomposition of the CsPbBr3 photoelectrode. The instability of the films is caused by the TCNQ-mediated halide exchange between the dichloromethane solvent and the LHP film, during PEC operation. Charge transfer and halide exchange pathways were proposed on the basis of in situ spectroelectrochemical and ex situ surface characterization methods, also providing guidance on planning PEC experiments with such systems.

Automated summary

Lead halide perovskites have emerged as promising materials for light harvesting due to their tunable band gap and optoelectronic properties. A frequently used electron scavenger TCNQ was found to have dual roles in enhancing the PEC performance while also accelerating the decomposition of the CsPbBr3 photoelectrode. The instability of the films during PEC operation was attributed to TCNQ-mediated halide exchange between the dichloromethane solvent and the LHP film.