Low Temperature Synthesis of Chalcogenide Perovskite Nanoparticles

Chalcogenide Perovskite Nanoparticles for Semiconductor and Photovoltaics Manufacturing

This technique synthesizes chalcogenide perovskite nanoparticles at relatively low temperatures. Chalcogenides are chemical compounds consisting of at least one chemical element from group VI of the periodic table -- such as sulfur, selenium, and tellurium-- as well as an electropositive element. Perovskites are materials with structures like calcium titanium oxide. Together, chalcogenide perovskites are emerging as a new category of abundant and non-toxic materials used for semiconductor and photovoltaics manufacturing. The synthesis of chalcogenide perovskite-based semiconductors typically requires solid reaction syntheses, high temperatures close to 1000°C, and long reaction times ranging from days to weeks. Additionally, most chalcogenide perovskite syntheses also report powders and pellets, hindering further processing of these forms of chalcogenide perovskites to functional applications. Together they present high-temperature requirements, long synthesis times, and a lack of thin-film syntheses, which are significant barriers to research in chalcogenide perovskites.

Researchers at the University of Florida have developed a protocol to successfully synthesize colloidal chalcogenide perovskite (BaZrS3) nanoparticles. These nanoparticles are synthesized in an organic solvent at relatively lower temperatures (100°C - 300°C). These nanoparticles have excellent optoelectronic properties and can be further processed to produce high-performance films and coatings. Synthesizing these nanoparticles involves using improved manufacturing techniques, resulting in overall the creation of improved products.

Application

Low-temperature synthesis of chalcogenide perovskite nanoparticles for semiconductor and photovoltaic manufacturing

Advantages

• Adapts to low reaction temperatures, resulting in small intraparticle domains with unique optoelectronic characteristics
• Stabilizes perovskite phases during production, resulting in a new chalcogenide perovskite synthesis method
• Diversifies manufacturing process, optimizing production of high-performance films and coatings from chalcogenide perovskite nanoparticles

Technology

Chalcogenide perovskites are non-toxic materials comprised of an element in the same group as sulfur and an electropositive element. They are an emerging field in materials used in semiconductor and photovoltaics synthesis. The synthesis of most materials in this family requires temperatures around 1000C and reaction times in the order of days to weeks (generally using solid reaction techniques). Production of chalcogenide perovskites using the current time-consuming solid-state technique limits their use and research.

Researchers at the University of Florida have created a technique to synthesize chalcogenide perovskite nanoparticles. This is the first reported synthesis of low-temperature, solution-based chalcogenide perovskites. It has also been found that the produced chalcogenide perovskites have excellent optoelectronic properties. Furthermore, these researchers have demonstrated the creation of chalcogenide perovskite nanoparticles using barium zirconium sulfide (BaZrS3) specifically.