nonperovskite

Nonperovskite is a broad term used to describe materials that do not crystallize in the perovskite crystal structure. In practice, it denotes anything outside the archetypal perovskite family, which is typically described by the ABX3 formula and a network of BX6 octahedra with larger A-site cations.

Perovskites and nonperovskites differ in crystal structure and bonding, and the label nonperovskite encompasses a wide range of structures. This includes metal oxides with diverse frameworks (such as spinels or rutile), sulfides and halides outside the ABX3 perovskite lattice, layered materials related to perovskites, and many organic semiconductors that do not adopt a perovskite architecture.

In the context of photovoltaics and optoelectronics, nonperovskite generally refers to absorber or active materials that are not lead halide perovskites. Examples include silicon, copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS), cadmium telluride (CdTe), organic solar cells, and dye-sensitized solar cells, as well as various inorganic and hybrid semiconductors outside the perovskite family. These materials offer different combinations of stability, toxicity, processing window, and efficiency.

The term is not a formal chemical category but a pragmatic label used to contrast materials by their crystal structure relative to perovskites. Ongoing research covers both perovskite and nonperovskite systems, contributing to advances in energy conversion, catalysis, and optoelectronics. See also perovskite, Ruddlesden–Popper, and double perovskites.