Formation of a passivating CH3NH3PbI3/PbI2 interface during moderate heating of CH3NH3PbI3 layers

Layers of CH3NH3PbI3 are investigated by modulated surface photovoltage spectroscopy (SPV) during heating in vacuum. As prepared CH3NH3PbI3 layers behave as a p-type doped semiconductor in depletion with a band gap of 1.5 eV. After heating to 140 degrees C the sign of the SPV signals of CH3NH3PbI3 changed concomitant with the appearance of a second band gap at 2.36 eV ascribed to PbI2, and SPV signals related to charge separation from defect states were reduced after moderate heating. (c) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.