Investigation of electronic and optical behavior of Ag-based novel double perovskite MA2AgBiCl6 for photovoltaic applications

High-performance semiconductors for optoelectronic device applications based on hybrid perovskites have been extensively investigated by the research community. However, their degradability and toxicity problem is a serious challenge that should be addressed effectively. Nowadays, double perovskites have been introduced as a promising lead-free alternative which is a combination of two single perovskites in which lead is replaced by monovalent and trivalent cation. Herein, we have chemically prepared a promising, stable, and novel organic-inorganic hybrid lead-free methyl ammonium (MA) based double perovskite material MA2AgBiCl6 by one-pot hydrothermal method. Structural characterization using x-ray diffraction (XRD) experiment confirms the formation of the orthorhombic crystalline phase of MA2AgBiCl6. Further, the examination of the Ultra-violet (UV-vis) spectroscopy characterization of MA2AgBiCl6 affirms the excellent absorbance behavior with a direct and indirect bandgap of 3.58 eV and 2.8 eV respectively. To investigate the optical characteristics of MA2AgBiCl6, photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy experiment was performed and it is found that the material is reflecting good photoluminescence nature having a sharp peak at 320 nm which occur due to the band to band transition and carrier recombination of phonons. Furthermore, we performed a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) experiment on synthesized material to see its surface properties and we have observed the uniform nanotubes like fine and dense structure. Also, the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy measurement reflect the transmittance nature of the prepared material. This detailed investigation on novel double perovskite MA2AgBiCl6 opens a new window for the emerging category of halide-based double perovskites for their possible utility in photovoltaics.