Perovskite optoelectronics: From Nucleation to Application

On our path towards a more sustainable future, developing new technologies with a low environmental footprint is critical to phase out existing unsustainable practices. Metal halide perovskites have proven to be a viable alternative to many existing materials in this regard, as they combine cheap, facile, and low-energy production techniques with excellent material properties. Their high versatility has enabled them to be incorporated into a vast array of different applications, ranging from light-emitting diodes and sensors to highly efficient solar cells. However, their material
characteristics are strongly governed by the chemistry and physical conditions present during the crystal growth stage. Despite rapidly advancing research, a comprehensive understanding of their nucleation and crystallization dynamics is still lacking. This work elucidates how the perovskite’s growth can be guided by commonly used chemical additives like Chlorides, as well as UV light.

The findings are then used to develop flexible and lightweight perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with a record power-per-weight ratio, enabling the autonomous operation of small drones. Finally, the viability of PSCs in non-terrestrial environments is tested by studying their degradation behavior in low-Earth orbit. Combined, this work provides both a fundamental understanding of the nucleation dynamics facilitating high-performance materials, and demonstrates their viability for sustainable power generation on and beyond Earth.