Light-Induced Anion Phase Segregation in Mixed Halide Perovskites

Hybrid lead halide perovskites such as MAPbI(3) (MA = CH3NH3+) and their mixed halide analogues represent an emerging class of materials for solar energy conversion. Intriguing aspects include sizable carrier diffusion lengths, large optical absorption coefficients, and certified power conversion efficiencies that now exceed 22%. Halide-composition-tunable band gaps also make MAPb(I1-x,Br-x)(3) systems ideal candidates for tandem solar cells. Unfortunately, preventing the effective integration of MAPb(I1-xBrx)(3) into working devices are intrinsic instabilities due to light-induced halide phase segregation. Namely, under illumination, mixed halide perovskites reversibly segregate into low-band-gap I-rich and high-band-gap Br-rich domains. Under electrical bias, halide migration has also been proposed as the source of undesirable charge injection barriers that degrade photovoltaic performance. In this Perspective, we review the origin of light-induced halide phase segregation, its effects on photovoltaic response, and ongoing research to suppress its influence on the optical and electronic response of mixed halide perovskites.