Environment & Energy

PERSPECTIVE Volume 1, Issue 4 P659-664 December 20, 2017 Open Archive
Perovskite Solar Cells Go Lead Free

Context & Scale
The solution for global sustainability may come from one of the most abundant and cheap materials on Earth: the perovskites. These materials can convert sunlight directly into electricity with the highest efficiency. After only a few years of research, it is clear that perovskites will play a major role in the future energy scenario. The last step is the removal of lead from the perovskite composition to meet the worldwide-adopted restriction of the use of hazardous substances. Here, we provide a critical overview of the current research and an outlook of the paths toward lead-free perovskite for solar energy.

Summary
Halide perovskites are one of the most promising materials for delivery of the next generation of solar cells. Perovskite solar cells have enabled power conversion efficiency comparable with established technologies, such as silicon and cadmium telluride. Their stability is constantly improving and it is not difficult to believe that stability will soon reach the market requirements. There remains a main concern about the toxicity of lead, a constituent of all the better performing perovskite solar cells so far demonstrated. Here, we discuss the environmental and toxicological implications of lead, paying particular attention to the existing regulations. Both regulation and common sense suggest that perovskite solar cells have to become lead free to deliver a sustainable technology. Thus, we provide a critical overview of the current research and an outlook of the paths toward lead-free perovskite solar cells.

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