Enhanced air-stability of Sn-based hybrid perovskites induced by dimethylammonium (DMA): synthesis, characterization, aging and hydrogen photogeneration of the MA1-xDMAxSnBr3 system

Polycrystalline powder samples of the novel MA(1-x)DMA(x)SnBr(3) system have been synthesized and characterized concerning their structural and optical properties. The progressive alloying on the A-site occurs up to x = 0.60 and results in a linear blue-shift of the absorption edge with the DMA content. Mixed phase samples maintain the cubic crystal structure of parent MASnBr(3) with a quasi-linear expansion of the cell volume as the DMA content increases. Aging test coupled with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicates that DMASnBr(3) is highly tolerant against air-exposure in terms of both crystal structure and optical properties thus representing a first example of highly-stable Sn(ii)-containing hybrid perovskite. In addition, thanks to such stability, proof-of-concept and demonstration of hydrogen photogeneration by DMASnBr(3) is reported. Evidence of air-stabile Sn(ii)-containing perovskites represent a significant further step in the development of tin-containing photovoltaic devices.