Synthesis and structural characterization of organic-inorganic halide perovskites

• Grant number: 24/18833-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 01, 2024
• End date: October 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Condensed Matter Physics
• Principal Investigator: Fabio Furlan Ferreira
• Grantee: Pedro Luiz Forcellini
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas (CCNH). Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC). Ministério da Educação (Brasil). Santo André , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 23/09820-2 - Materials by design: from quantum materials to energy applications, AP.TEM

Abstract

Materials science plays a pivotal role in the development of energy applications. One of the most promising materials in this field is organic-inorganic halide perovskites. Organic-inorganic halide perovskites have been extensively studied due to their unique properties, making them ideal candidates for various applications such as solar cells, optoelectronic devices, among others. However, there are still gaps in comprehending these materials. Thus, coupling computationally designed perovskites and synthesizing them in the lab might help broaden the spectrum of applications to target niche technological areas. In this project, we aim to fill these gaps by synthesizing and characterizing perovskites using powder X-ray diffraction to infer the crystal structure and pair distribution function analysis to gain insight into the local atomic structure of the materials. The perovskites will be synthesized using methods based on literature, with modifications as necessary. This project aims to synthesize and characterize these perovskites, focusing on X-ray powder diffraction and pair distribution function analysis. Besides introducing the fundamental aspects of crystallography and powder X-ray diffraction and pair distribution function, this project will allow the selected undergraduate student in the field of physicochemistry to focus on the synthesis and characterization of organic-inorganic halide perovskites, thus advancing our understanding of the obtained compounds.