Preparation and characterization of low-dimensional MAPbI3 perovskite nanowires with enhanced photoluminescence and photoresponsive properties by incorporating PEAI

Low-dimensional organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites possess unique microstructural, optical, and electrical properties and offer great application prospects in other fields in addition to optoelectronics. In this study, one-dimensional methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) nanowires (NWs) were fabricated using an antisolvent-assisted solution method with the addition of phenethylammonium iodide (PEAI). The effects of PEAI on the crystal growth, morphology and microstructure, photoluminescence (PL), and photoresponse performance of the NWs were investigated. The results showed that the addition of the appropriate amount of PEAI transformed the morphology of MAPbI3 from micron-scale wires to elongated NWs with a high-aspect ratio. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, scanning Kelvin probe microscopy, PL, and time-resolved PL spectroscopic characterizations were conducted, and the results confirmed that PEAI improved the microstructural properties of the as-prepared NWs and manifested surface passivation. The PEAI-treated MAPbI3 NWs devices also exhibited a superior photoresponsivity as photodetectors compared with the untreated MAPbI3 microwires devices. This study proposed a simple and effective method that can improve the microstructural and photoelectrical properties of low-dimensional MAPbI3 crystals, which have a broad application potential for next-generation optoelectronic devices or detectors. •Nanowire-shaped MAPbI3 with superior microstructural features were fabricated.•A novel approach of adding PEAI was presented to improve MAPbI3 crystal properties.•PEAI-modified nanowires with larger crystallite size and smaller microstrain were obtained.•Emission and photoresponse properties were improved after PEAI treatment.•PEAI has a remarkable effect on the growth of low-dimensional MAPbI3 crystals.