High-resolution transmission electron microscopy of beam-sensitive halide perovskites

The past decade has witnessed the prosperity and development of halide perovskites from inorganic to organic-inorganic hybrid components. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) characterizations of their microstructures are not keeping pace as a result of their fragile characteristics under electron-beam irradiation, hindering the in-depth excavation of the structure-property relationship. This perspective provides an overview of the effect of beam damage and the present status of low-dose imaging, as well as discusses the pitfalls in image interpretation. It then proposes a better methodology that combines dose fractionation and phase retrieval to produce interpretable images that can elucidate the intrinsic structure. The progress in halide perovskite imaging might further facilitate atomic-resolution imaging of other beamsensitive materials.