Regulating phase transitions and formation energetics in metal halide perovskite-based optoelectronics

Project level: PhD

Solution-processed all-inorganic CsPbI3 perovskite semiconductors are increasingly being considered for applications well beyond photovoltaics, for example, as the active regions within thin film photonic devices like cameras and LEDs. The optoelectronic perovskite phase is, however, unstable at room temperature, with a relatively large research community (spanning several sub-disciples) looking for new and effective ways to engineer a stable CsPbI3 perovskite structure. Changing the phase energetics ultimately means moving away from an normal equilibrium crystal, whereby disorder in its different forms, i.e., strain, (stereo)chemical, defects and interfaces, etc., can be used to regulate phase formation energies and prototype functional photonic devices. This project aims to develop deep structure-property relationships and materials engineering protocols to generate stable forms of the emerging inorganic halide perovskite semiconductors. The project expects to arrive at working light emitter and detector prototypes via a three-dimensional, multi-length scale strain engineering approach that utilises materials processing techniques already used in the semiconductor industry. The expected outcomes include the development of new stabilisation methods which will directly impact the success of future perovskite optoelectronic devices and technologies. All aspects of the work plan (materials synthesis and characterization, as well as device fabrication and testing) will be completed in a supportive environment designed to help the applicant learn and grow their research skills in a multidisciplinary environment.

This project is particularly suitable for students interested in the challenges at the interface of physics, chemistry and engineering.