Optical Properties of Cs2TiBr6, a New Solar Energy Material

Jaeger, Caroline; Allen, Maranda

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Optical Properties of Cs2TiBr6, a New Solar Energy Material

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The goal of this project was to use time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy to investigate optical emission and carrier lifetime in single crystal and thin film cesium titanium (IV) bromide Cs2TiBr6. Cs2TiBr6 is an all-inorganic lead-free halide perovskite-like material that shows promise for photovoltaic (PV) applications. This research is necessary to find non-toxic, inexpensive alternatives to current PV materials. We find that its optical properties demonstrate high stability in N2 atmosphere, with photoexcited radiative lifetimes on the order of 0.5 ns, sufficient for photovoltaic consideration. We investigated the origins of several prominent emission features and their dependence on sample morphology and environmental conditions. We find that single crystal samples exhibit less homogeneity in emission and decay characteristics than their thin film counterparts. We also researched the sustainability of the material’s extraction and usage, indicating the need for future acknowledgment of sourcing and safety concerns.

This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

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