Optical Switching of Hole Transfer in Double-Perovskite/Graphene Heterostructure

Synergically combining their respective ultrahigh charge mobility and strong light absorption, graphene (Gr)/semiconductor heterostructures are promising building blocks for efficient optoelectronics, particularly photodetectors. Charge transfer (CT) across the heterostructure interface crucially determines device efficiency and functionality. Here, it is reported that hole-transfer processes dominate the ultrafast CT across strongly coupled double-perovskite Cs2AgBiBr6/graphene (DP/Gr) heterostructures following optical excitation. While holes are the primary charges flowing across interfaces, their transfer direction, as well as efficiency, show a remarkable dependence on the excitation wavelength. For excitation with photon energies below the bandgap of DPs, the photoexcited hot holes in Gr can compete with the thermalization process and inject into in-gap defect states in DPs. In contrast, above-bandgap excitation of DP reverses the hole-transfer direction, leading to hole transfer from the valence band of DPs to Gr. Experimental evidence that increasing the excitation photon energy enhances CT efficiency for both below- and above-bandgap photoexcitation regimes is further provided, unveiling the positive role of excess energy in enhancing interfacial CT. The possibility of switching the hole-transfer direction and thus the interfacial photogating field by tuning the excitation wavelength, provides a novel way to control the interfacial charge flow across a DP/Gr heterojunction.

Automated summary

It is reported that hole-transfer processes dominate the ultrafast charge transfer across strongly coupled double-perovskite Cs2AgBiBr6/graphene (DP/Gr) heterostructures following optical excitation. The transfer direction and efficiency of the holes depend on the excitation wavelength. Low-energy excitation allows photoexcited hot holes in Gr to inject into in-gap defect states in DPs, while above-bandgap excitation reverses the hole-transfer direction, leading to hole transfer from the valence band of DPs to Gr. Increasing the excitation photon energy enhances the charge transfer efficiency, revealing the positive role of excess energy in interfacial charge transfer.