"Investigating the Effect of Dimensionality in Perovskite Properties" 

Rushik Desai, MSE PhD Candidate 

Advisors: Prof. Alejandro Strachan and Prof. Arun Mannodi Kanakkithodi

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ABSTRACT

The canonical ABX3 perovskites, ranging from oxides to halides to chalcogenides, have been extensively studied due to their attractive properties for applications such as photovoltaics, photocatalysts, and light emission. The unique arrangement of the (BX6)n- octahedra in a 3D matrix flanked by large A-site cations has been attributed to their stability and electronic properties. Perovskites are generally composed of earth-abundant materials and possess remarkable tunability of properties via composition engineering. These factors have fueled a vast thrust in the photovoltaics community to use halide perovskites as an alternative to silicon. Even after decades of research into these materials, perovskites have shortcomings, mainly in terms of low charge carrier lifetimes and a lack of environmental stability. Over the last decade or so, there has been an increased focus on engineering the dimensionality of these materials to obtain a better balance between stability, optoelectronic properties, and defect behavior, among other characteristics. In my prelim, I will dive deep into how dimensionality influences the properties of perovskites from a molecular standpoint and how the lessons learned can be used for future materials design.