Formation of Hybrid Perovskite Tin Iodide Single Crystals by Top-Seeded Solution Growth

Hybrid perovskites have generated a great deal of interest because of their potential in photovoltaic applications. However, the toxicity of lead means that there is interest in finding a nontoxic substitute. Bulk single crystals of both cubic CH3NH3SnI3 and CH(NH2)(2)SnI3 were obtained by using the top-seeded solution growth method under an ambient atmosphere. Structural refinement, band gap, thermal properties, and XPS measurements of CH3NH3SnI3 and CH(NH2)(2)SnI3 single crystals are also reported in detail. These results should pave the way for further applications of CH3NH3SnI3 and CH(NH2)(2)SnI3.