Lead-Free Perovskite Materials for Solar Cells

• Published in: Nano-micro letters 2021-01, Vol.13 (1), p.62-62, Article 62
• Main Authors: Wang, Minghao, Wang, Wei, Ma, Ben, Shen, Wei, Liu, Lihui, Cao, Kun, Chen, Shufen, Huang, Wei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Commercialization; Crystal structure; Electrical properties; Energy gap; Engineering; First principles; First-principles calculation; Lead compounds; Lead free; Metal halides; Nanoscale Science and Technology; Nanotechnology; Nanotechnology and Microengineering; Optical properties; Optoelectronic devices; Perovskite; Perovskite Solar Cells; Perovskites; Photovoltaic; Photovoltaic cells; Review; Solar cells; Toxicity
• ISSN: 2311-6706; 2150-5551
• DOI: 10.1007/s40820-020-00578-z

Highlights The toxicity issue of lead-based halide perovskites hinders theirs large-scale commercial applications in solar cells. A variety of non- or low-toxic perovskite materials have been used for development of environmentally friendly lead-free perovskite solar cells, some of which show excellent optoelectronic properties and device performances. At present, more new lead-free perovskite materials with tunable optical and electrical properties are urgently required to design highly efficient and stable lead-free perovskite solar cells. The toxicity issue of lead hinders large-scale commercial production and photovoltaic field application of lead halide perovskites. Some novel non- or low-toxic perovskite materials have been explored for development of environmentally friendly lead-free perovskite solar cells (PSCs). This review studies the substitution of equivalent/heterovalent metals for Pb based on first-principles calculation, summarizes the theoretical basis of lead-free perovskites, and screens out some promising lead-free candidates with suitable bandgap, optical, and electrical properties. Then, it reports notable achievements for the experimental studies of lead-free perovskites to date, including the crystal structure and material bandgap for all of lead-free materials and photovoltaic performance and stability for corresponding devices. The review finally discusses challenges facing the successful development and commercialization of lead-free PSCs and predicts the prospect of lead-free PSCs in the future.