Start of funding 01.01.2019

Understanding the simultaneous evolution of structure-function properties of hybrid metal halide perovskites toward high performance, stable, and sustainable photovoltaics

Prof. Dr. Peter Müller-Buschbaum
Technische Universität München
Lehrstuhl für Funktionelle Materialien

Dr. Carolin M Sutter-Fella
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Chemical Sciences Division



Hybrid metal halide perovskite semiconductors have gained a lot of research attention due to their outstanding optoelectronic properties and distinct crystalline structure, which make them excellent candidates as building blocks in photovoltaics (single junction and tandem), LEDs, detectors, and lasers. Typically, devices are utilized in the thin film geometry, wherein structure becomes strongly correlated to functionality. Mixed hybrid perovskites act as solid solutions wherein distinct perovskite species crystallize in unique structures and such systems are known to possess many intriguing albeit elusive properties. Perovskite thin films are known to contain local heterogeneities which emerge from the initial, colloidal precursor and are manifested into variations within resultant film morphology which ultimately impact photovoltaic performances. Due to a milieu of chemical species present within the structure, it is difficult to decohere the chemical origins of structural characteristics and heterogeneities in precursors and thin films of perovskite. To this end, a unique, state-of-the-art measurement setup is to be designed by the two teams to realize the sophisticated in-situ measurements for establishing structure-function relationships of the material as it evolves into its’ final state. This would further improve the understanding of tailored semiconductor properties correlated to colloidal precursor chemistry, the evolution of strain, and the chemical origin of structural dynamics while developing an understanding regarding the correlation of the colloidal chemical precursor and the properties of the final metal halide perovskite semiconductor synthesized from various chemical constituents.