Real-Time Visualization of Photobrightening in Lead Halide Perovskites Using Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy

Light induced changes in the optoelectronic properties affect the performance and the stability of halide perovskites. In this work, we report the real-time visualization of the photobrightening (PLB) effect using confocal laser scanning microscopy wherein the photon induced enhancement in photoluminescence is observed and their role in conductivity and photovoltaic properties are studied. The methodology is inspired from the Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching (FRAP) technique that is traditionally used to study biological cells. The role of composition, and surface/grain boundaries of perovskites, wavelengths, and intensity of illuminating photons, and time of illumination on the photobrightening or photobleaching is thoroughly investigated. The CH3NH3PbI3 exhibits a dominant photobrightening effect, with green photons showing more PLB than blue or red photons. The study of PLB between films and single crystals clearly shows the effect is a surface phenomenon. The presence of mixed iodide/bromide or pure bromide in the halide site and formamidinium or cesium in the A site suppressed the PLB. The strain relaxation in the organic site is found to be responsible for the PLB effect, and it enhanced the overall conductivity in material leading to better photovoltaic performance.