perovskitas

Perovskites are a broad class of crystalline materials that share a characteristic ABX3 crystal structure, named after the mineral perovskite CaTiO3. In the ideal form, B cations sit at the centers of corner‑sharing BO6 octahedra, while larger A cations occupy spaces between them, with X anions completing the lattice. X is commonly oxygen in inorganic oxide perovskites or a halide (I, Br, Cl) in organometal halide perovskites, giving rise to oxide and halide subfamilies.

Oxide perovskites such as SrTiO3 and BaTiO3 display high dielectric constants and, in some cases, ferroelectric behavior, while halide perovskites like MAPbI3 and FAPbI3 exhibit strong light absorption and tunable band gaps. The compositional flexibility of perovskites allows a wide range of properties, making them suitable for various applications.

Synthesis methods include solid‑state reactions and solution processing, with thin films commonly deposited by spin coating, slot‑die coating, or vapor deposition. This versatility supports rapid integration into optoelectronic devices.

Applications span solar cells, light‑emitting diodes, lasers, and photodetectors. In photovoltaics, halide perovskites have achieved notable efficiency gains and remain a focal point of research for next‑generation solar cells. Challenges include stability under moisture and heat, and concerns about lead toxicity in many high‑performing compositions. Efforts address these issues through lead‑free alternatives and stability engineering.

The concept derives from the perovskite mineral and has evolved into a major area of materials science, with ongoing work to expand performance, durability, and safety across applications.