Perovskity

Perovskity, commonly called perovskites in English, refer to a broad family of crystalline materials that adopt the perovskite structure. The prototypical formula is ABX3, where A is a large cation, B is a smaller metal cation, and X is an anion such as oxygen or a halide. Oxide perovskites have the ABO3 formula, while halide and organic–inorganic perovskites have the ABX3 form with X = Cl, Br or I and A as an organic or inorganic cation. The structure can be cubic, tetragonal, or orthorhombic, and the tilt of the BX6 octahedra is described by a tolerance factor that influences stability and properties. The term commemorates the mineral perovskite, CaTiO3, named after the Russian mineralogist Lev Perovski.

Perovskity are notable for their versatile electronic and optical properties. In halide and organic–inorganic variants, the bandgap can be tuned by composition, yielding strong light absorption and long carrier diffusion lengths, which support applications in photovoltaics and light emission. Oxide perovskites are widely used in ferroelectrics, piezoelectrics, and catalysis, and they also host materials for superconductivity and solid oxide devices.

Applications include solar cells, light-emitting diodes, lasers, and photodetectors, as well as ferroelectric and piezoelectric devices. Processing often involves solution-based methods such as spin coating or blade coating for thin films, alongside vapor-deposition techniques for scalable devices. The field has advanced rapidly since the late 2000s, with substantial improvements in efficiency and performance, though stability under moisture, heat, and light remains a major challenge, particularly for lead-containing formulations. Research continues toward lead-free compositions, mixed-cation strategies, and protective encapsulation.

Historically, the mineral perovskite CaTiO3 gave the class its name; modern halide and organic–inorganic perovskities emerged in the late 2000s with rapid progress in optoelectronic applications.