A study led by Bharat Ratna Professor C N R Rao and his team has delved into the precise atomic rearrangements that occur during phase transitions of lead iodide perovskites under altered temperature and pressure conditions. The findings hold promise for advancing renewable energy generation technologies.
Lead iodide perovskites have garnered significant attention in recent years due to their exceptional optoelectrical properties, making them highly desirable materials for solar cells. Despite their impressive energy conversion efficiency, these materials are inherently unstable and prone to structural changes, especially under varying temperature and pressure conditions. Such alterations in their crystalline structure can significantly impact their physical properties and ultimately affect their performance as solar cell materials.
To address the current limitations and potential solutions, Professor Pratap Vishnoi and Professor C. N. R. Rao from Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) in Bengaluru conducted a comprehensive review of existing literature on hybrid lead iodide perovskites. Published in the Journal of Materials Chemistry A, the study was supported by a Ramanujan Fellowship from the Science & Engineering Research Board (SERB) of the Government of India.
The researchers meticulously analyzed over a hundred publications to understand the reported phase transitions and crystal structures of lead iodide perovskites. They evaluated the experimental methodologies employed in these studies, shedding light on the strengths and limitations of commonly used techniques such as X-ray and neutron diffraction. Additionally, the study examined the chemical instability of lead iodide perovskites, particularly their decomposition when exposed to humid air.
The study underscores the immense potential of hybrid perovskites for commercial applications, driven by their diverse crystalline structures. By unraveling the precise atomic rearrangements during phase transitions, researchers aim to address stability issues in solar cells and other practical applications of these materials.
Moreover, understanding the nature and mechanisms of phase transitions induced by temperature and pressure variations could pave the way for more efficient renewable energy generation. Lead iodide perovskites hold promise for applications beyond solar cells, including color LEDs, X-ray shielding, and thermal energy storage systems.
Excited about the prospects in this field, Professor Vishnoi emphasizes, “Our perspective is expected to raise the current level of understanding of structures at the atomic level and provide some new strategies to further design and synthesize stable iodide perovskites.” This research signals a significant step forward in the quest for sustainable energy solutions.
