Sensing Mechanism of H₂O, NH₃, and O₂ on the Stability-Improved Cs₂Pb(SCN)₂Br₂ Surface: A Quantum Dynamics Investigation

Abstract

Although the perovskite sensing materials have shown high sensitivity and ideal selectivity toward neutral, oxidative, or reductive gases, their structural instability hampers the practical application. To exploit perovskite-based gas-sensing materials with improved stability and decent sensitivity, three adsorption complexes of H2O, NH3, and O2 on the Cs2Pb­(SCN)2Br2 surface are built by doping Br– and Cs+ in the parent (CH3NH3)2Pb­(SCN)2I2 structure and submitted to quantum dynamics simulations. Changes in the semiconductor material geometric structures during these dynamic processes are analyzed and adsorption ability and charge transfer between Cs2Pb­(SCN)2Br2 and the gas molecules are explored so as to further establish a correlation between the geometrical structure variations and the charge transfer. By comparing with the previous CH3NH3PbI3 and (CH3NH3)2Pb­(SCN)2I2 adsorption systems, we propose the key factors that enhance the stability of perovskite structures in different atmospheres. The current work is expected to provide clues for developing innovative perovskite sensing materials or for constructing reasonable sensing mechanisms.