The Future of Material Engineering: Engineering Layered Hybrid Perovskites Down to the Atomic Level
Imagine a world where materials are engineered down to the atomic level, dictating precisely how they convert electrical charge into light. Thanks to a breakthrough technique developed by researchers, this vision is now a reality for a class of materials called layered hybrid perovskites (LHPs).
LHPs are made up of incredibly thin sheets of perovskite semiconductor material separated by organic “spacer” layers. These materials have the ability to efficiently convert electrical charge into light, making them highly desirable for next-generation printed LEDs, lasers, and photonic integrated circuits.
For years, researchers have been intrigued by LHPs but struggled to understand how to engineer these materials to control their performance characteristics. The key to unlocking this mystery lies in nanoplatelets – individual sheets of perovskite material that act as templates for the layered structures that form beneath them.
Through a series of experiments, researchers discovered that nanoplatelets dictate the size and distribution of quantum wells within LHPs. By controlling the growth of nanoplatelets, scientists can tune the size and arrangement of quantum wells, leading to highly efficient materials for laser and LED applications.
What’s even more exciting is that this discovery has implications beyond LHPs. Nanoplatelets can also be used to engineer the structure and properties of other perovskite materials, such as those used in solar cells and photovoltaic technologies, enhancing their performance and stability.
This groundbreaking research, supported by the National Science Foundation and the Office of Naval Research, opens up new possibilities for material engineering and brings us one step closer to a future where customized materials drive technological innovation.