Preserving a robust CsPbI₃ perovskite phase via pressure-directed octahedral tilt

Functional CsPbI₃ perovskite phases are not stable at ambient conditions and spontaneously convert to a non-perovskite δ phase, limiting their applications as solar cell materials. We demonstrate the preservation of a black CsPbI₃ perovskite structure to room temperature by subjecting the δ phase to pressures of 0.1 – 0.6 GPa followed by heating and rapid cooling. Synchrotron X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy indicate that this perovskite phase is consistent with orthorhombic γ-CsPbI₃. Once formed, γ-CsPbI₃ could be then retained after releasing pressure to ambient conditions and shows substantial stability at 35% relative humidity. First-principles density functional theory calculations indicate that compression directs the out-of-phase and in-phase tilt between the [PbI₆]^4- octahedra which in turn tune the energy differences between δ- and γ-CsPbI₃, leading to the preservation of γ-CsPbI₃. Our study presents a new strategy for manipulating the (meta)stability of halide perovskites for the synthesis of desirable phases with enhanced materials functionality.