Exploring the Limits of Three-Dimensional Perovskites: The Case of FAPb_1–xSn_xBr₃

Metal halide perovskites based on formamidinium (FA) show interesting properties compared to methylammonium (MA) compounds. The larger molecular size of FA compared to that of MA leads, however, to a structural instability in FAPbI3, placing FA at the border of tolerance factor for three-dimensional (3D) lead iodide perovskites. Because of the huge interest in mixed Sn/Pb perovskites, here we investigate FAPb1–xSnxBr3 perovskites in a full compositional range (0 ≤ x ≤ 1). We find a non-monotonic band gap evolution with increasing Sn content, which, through first-principles computational analyses, we relate to a distorted structure that dynamically averages to a cubic phase, as determined by X-ray diffraction. The large FA cation induces an instantaneous structure made by partly decoupled SnBr3 units, which leads to the observed band gap opening. FASnBr3 thus likely represents a limit compound of 3D perovskites. Intermediate FAPb1–xSnxBr3 compositions maintain a band gap of ∼1.8 eV up to 85% Sn content, making them interesting candidates for applications in tandem devices.