Additive Engineering for Ambient Blade-Coated CsPbBr₃ Films Enabling High-Performance Self-Powered X-Ray Detection

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Condensed Matter Physics
• Detector Physics

Background:

• Hybrid perovskite materials offer superior charge carrier mobility and low trap-state density for radiation detection.
• Self-powered perovskite X-ray detectors are in demand for their efficiency, low power consumption, and portability, contrasting with bias-dependent devices.
• Current high-performance self-powered detectors often require complex secondary crystal growth post-deposition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a facile, single-step fabrication method for high-performance self-powered perovskite X-ray detectors.
• To improve the stability and performance of cesium lead bromide (CsPbBr3) films through additive engineering.
• To enhance the sensitivity and reduce the dark current of perovskite X-ray detectors for practical applications.

Main Methods:

• Employed 4-trifluoromethyphenylammonium iodide (CF3PhAI) as an additive to control perovskite crystallization.
• Fabricated single-step microcrystalline CsPbBr3 films with large grain sizes (up to 38.6 µm).
• Utilized a low-work-function aluminum (Al) top electrode to enhance the built-in electric field.

Main Results:

• Achieved single-step fabrication of CsPbBr3 films with grain sizes up to 38.6 µm.
• Reduced dark current drift by nearly two orders of magnitude (from 4.135 × 10⁻¹² to 4.167 × 10⁻¹⁴ A s⁻¹).
• Obtained a remarkable zero-bias sensitivity of 1.3 × 10³ µC Gyair⁻¹ cm⁻² with the Al top electrode.

Conclusions:

• Additive engineering with CF3PhAI enables efficient, single-step fabrication of high-quality CsPbBr3 films for X-ray detection.
• The developed self-powered perovskite X-ray detectors demonstrate significantly improved stability and high sensitivity.
• This advancement paves the way for practical applications of high-performance, energy-saving perovskite X-ray detectors.