Selective Growth of MAPbBr3 Rounded Microcrystals on Micro-Patterned Single-Layer Graphene Oxide/Graphene Platforms with Enhanced Photo-Stability

The synergistic combination of hybrid perovskites with graphene-related materials is leading to optoelectronic devices with enhanced performance and stability. Still, taking advantage of the solution processing of perovskite onto graphene is especially challenging. Here, MAPbBr3 perovskite is grown on single-layer graphene/graphene oxide (Gr/GO) patterns with 120 µm periodicity using a solution-processed method. MAPbBr3 rounded crystals are formed with sizes ranging from nanometers to microns, either forming continuous films or dispersed particles. A detailed morphological and structural study reveals a fully oriented perovskite and very different growth habits on the Gr/GO micro-patterns, which we relate to the substrate characteristics and the nucleation rate. A simple method for controlling the nucleation rate is proposed based on the concentration of the precursor solution and the number of deposited perovskite layers. The photoluminescence is analyzed in terms of the crystal size, strain, and structural changes observed. Notably, the growth on top of Gr/GO leads to a huge photostability of the MAPbBr3 compared with that on glass. Especially outstanding is that of the microcrystals, which endure light densities as high as 130 kW/cm2. These results allow for anticipating the design of integrated nanostructures and nanoengineered devices by growing high-stability perovskite directly on Gr/GO substrates.