Rapid determination of all element in MAPbI3 thin films using laser induced breakdown spectroscopy

The photoelectric efficiency and degradation mechanism of methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) thin film based device is highly determined by elemental composition and localized distribution. However, the total element analysis of perovskite films is still a huge challenge with current analytical techniques. The quantitative analysis of all elements are tried based on Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) for the first time. The distribution of stoichiometric ratios of plumbum to carbon ([Pb]/[C]) on the films is determined by calibration-free LIBS, which illustrates locally elemental inhomogeneity and stoichiometric ratio deviation. Furthermore, low Limits of Detection (LoD) are obtained based on calibration procedure with a high determination coefficient R2 = 0.99, especially a relatively low LoD of 1.76 ppm and 39.54 ppm for nitrogen and hydrogen are respectively realized, which are lower than that of ever reported results. Interestingly, after laser ablation, a fluorescence decay phenomenon in and around the laser-ablated crater is observed. Our results provide a feasibility qualitative analytical methods based on LIBS to realize reliable determination of all elements in the MAPbI3 thin film with high accuracy and fast speed. [Display omitted] •LIBS is carried on MAPbI3 thin films for the first time.•LoD of N and H are lower than ever reported by optimized experimental conditions.•Locally elemental stoichiometric ratio of the MAPbI3 films is analyzed.