Layered hybrid perovskites have emerged as a promising alternative to stabilizing hybrid organic–inorganic perovskite materials, which are predominantly based on Ruddlesden-Popper structures. Formamidinium (FA)-based Dion-Jacobson perovskite analogs are developed that feature bifunctional organic spacers separating the hybrid perovskite slabs by introducing 1,4-phenylenedimethanammonium (PDMA) organic moieties. While these materials demonstrate competitive performances as compared to other FA-based low-dimensional perovskite solar cells, the underlying mechanisms for this behavior remain elusive. Here, the structural complexity and optoelectronic properties of materials featuring (PDMA)FAn–1PbnI3n+1 (n = 1–3) formulations are unraveled using a combination of techniques, including X-ray scattering measurements in conjunction with molecular dynamics simulations and density functional theory calculations. While theoretical calculations suggest that layered Dion-Jacobson perovskite structures are more prominent with the increasing number of inorganic layers (n), this is accompanied with an increase in formation energies that render n > 2 compositions difficult to obtain, in accordance with the experimental evidence. Moreover, the underlying intermolecular interactions and their templating effects on the Dion-Jacobson structure are elucidated, defining the optoelectronic properties. Consequently, despite the challenge to obtain phase-pure n > 1 compositions, time-resolved microwave conductivity measurements reveal high photoconductivities and long charge carrier lifetimes. This comprehensive analysis thereby reveals critical features for advancing layered hybrid perovskite optoelectronics.@en

Layered hybrid perovskites comprising adamantyl spacer (A) cations based on the A₂FA_n−1Pb_nI_3n+1(n= 1-3, FA = formamidinium) compositions have recently been shown to act as promising materials for photovoltaic applications. While the corresponding perovskite solar cells show performances and stabilities that are superior in comparison to other layered two-dimensional formamidinium-based perovskite solar cells, the underlying reasons for their behaviour are not well understood. We provide a comprehensive investigation of the structural and photophysical properties of this unique class of materials, which is complemented by theoretical analysisviamolecular dynamics simulations and density functional theory calculations. We demonstrate the formation of well-defined structures of lower compositional representatives based onn= 1-2 formulations with (1-adamantyl)methanammonium spacer moieties, whereas higher compositional representatives (n> 2) are shown to consist of mixtures of low-dimensional phases evidenced by grazing incidence X-ray scattering. Furthermore, we reveal high photoconductivities of the corresponding hybrid perovskite materials, which is accompanied by long charge carrier lifetimes. This study thereby unravels features that are relevant for the performance of FA-based low-dimensional hybrid perovskites.

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