Â鶹ÒùÔº

Atomic-scale mechanism of water-induced perovskite degradation revealed

A research team has successfully observed and identified the water-induced degradation mechanism of perovskite, which is a next-generation optoelectronic material, in real time at the atomic scale. in Matter, this study presents key strategies for enhancing the stability of perovskite materials and is expected to accelerate their commercialization. The team was led by Professor Jiwoong Yang of the Department of Energy Science & Engineering at DGIST.

Perovskite is gaining attention as a next-generation light-emitting material for various optoelectronic devices such as LEDs, solar cells, photodetectors, and quantum devices. Its excellent luminous efficiency and color reproduction makes it highly attractive for future display and energy applications. However, its inherent vulnerability to moisture has been a significant obstacle to commercialization.

The research team employed an in-situ liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy (TEM) technique to observe the structural changes of perovskite when exposed to water at the atomic level. They discovered that reaction rates differ depending on the crystal facet, and that specific surfaces selectively dissolve, leading to a gradual transformation from a cubic to a spherical structure. This degradation process was successfully visualized in real time.

Furthermore, the team proposed strategies to suppress the surface degradation of perovskite materials. They found that coating nanocrystal surfaces with ligands or hydrophobic polymers that form strong bonds with perovskite effectively prevents structural transformation and significantly slows the overall degradation rate.

Professor Yang stated, "This is the first study to visualize the water-induced degradation of perovskite in real time at the atomic level, providing critical insights into the fundamental stability issues of the material. Based on our findings, we anticipate significant improvements in perovskite stability, which will help accelerate its path to commercialization."

The study was jointly conducted by DGIST, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and the Pohang Accelerator Laboratory.