Shape-Shifting Perovskite Materials: A Breakthrough for Solar Cell Technology

Shape-Shifting Hybrid Materials Offer Bright Future for Solar Innovations
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Wafer-thin perovskites exhibit optical properties that change with temperature fluctuations, presenting opportunities to enhance energy technologies.

Published: June 12, 2025 | Original story from The University of Utah
Credit: Markus Spiske / Unsplash

In today’s energy-intensive landscape, the development of efficient and renewable energy sources is a primary focus of scientific research. A particularly promising avenue involves the use of Ruddlesden-Popper perovskites, which are layered materials composed of alternating sheets of inorganic and organic components. These materials hold significant potential for various applications, including light-emitting diodes (LEDs), thermal energy storage, and solar panel technology.

Recent studies conducted by Perry Martin, a graduate student at the University of Utah’s Bischak Lab in the Department of Chemistry, utilized temperature-dependent absorption and emission spectroscopy alongside X-ray diffraction to investigate the phase transition behaviors of perovskites. A phase transition refers to a distinct change from one state of matter to another, such as the transformation of ice to liquid water. Some materials, including water and perovskites, can exist in multiple solid states, each with different properties.

The Bischak Lab established a correlation between phase transitions and the emissive properties of the material, introducing a dynamic control, or tunability, that could benefit various technological applications. Specifically, the organic layers within the perovskites undergo phase transitions that impact the structure of the inorganic layers. This interaction significantly alters the material’s properties.

Assistant Professor Connor Bischak, the senior author of the study, explained, “There are these almost greasy chains that kind of crystallize together. When you hit a certain temperature, those will essentially melt and become more disordered. The melting process influences the structure of the inorganic component, which controls how much light is emitted from the material and its wavelength.”

Through their research, the Bischak Lab observed variations in distortion within the inorganic component, leading to adjustable changes in the light’s wavelength, a critical factor in the design of tunable LEDs and other electronic devices. Bischak noted, “Perovskites can be manipulated easily at the molecular level. The emission wavelength can be tuned from ultraviolet up to near-infrared.”

This tunability represents a significant advantage for energy storage technologies. Particularly in thermal energy storage, perovskites can be tailored to exhibit specific properties by varying their temperature. Furthermore, these materials can endure repeated thermal cycling with minimal degradation, ensuring greater efficiency and longevity compared to conventional materials.

Perovskites also present compelling advantages for next-generation solar cell technology. While silicon has been the traditional material for solar cells, it is limited by its energy-intensive manufacturing process and supply chain challenges. In contrast, perovskites can be processed from solution. “What that means is you basically dissolve all these precursor chemicals in a solvent, and then you can make your solar cell almost like printing with ink,” Bischak explained. “It produces an efficient solar cell material that’s better than silicon.”

Additionally, existing silicon solar cell technology can be retrofitted with perovskites to significantly enhance efficiency. As the demand for cleaner and more adaptable energy solutions grows, perovskite materials provide a promising pathway forward. Their unique tunability, ease of processing, and compatibility with current technologies make them strong contenders for innovation in energy solutions.

Reference: Martin PW, Kingsford RL, Jackson SR, et al. Coupled optical and structural properties of two-dimensional metal-halide perovskites across phase transitions. Matter. 2025:102146. doi: 10.1016/j.matt.2025.102146