Double-Shell Encapsulation of Lead-Free Tin Halide Perovskite for Self-Powered Smart Windows

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Renewable Energy

Background:

• Luminescent solar concentrators (LSC) show promise for building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV).
• 0D tin-based perovskites offer excellent photoluminescence but suffer from instability and poor crystal control.
• Existing limitations hinder their practical application in device fabrication.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop stable, lead-free perovskite phosphors for LSC applications.
• To overcome the instability and crystal growth issues of tin-based perovskites.
• To create self-powered smart windows for BIPV.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing a double-shell encapsulation strategy with hypophosphorous acid and hollow mesoporous silica.
• Suppressing Sn²⁺ oxidation and restricting crystal growth within a nano-matrix.
• Embedding the stabilized phosphor into LSC for solar energy harvesting.

Main Results:

• The developed double-shell encapsulated perovskites exhibit enhanced stability.
• The stable phosphors were successfully integrated into LSC devices.
• The fabricated LSC devices efficiently powered electrochromic glass and demonstrated self-adaptive light regulation.

Conclusions:

• The encapsulation method effectively addresses the instability of tin-based perovskites for LSC.
• This approach enables the use of lead-free perovskite nanomaterials in self-powered smart windows for BIPV.
• The developed technology opens new possibilities for advanced BIPV applications.