In a groundbreaking advancement, PolyU researchers have developed an ultra-stable perovskite material system that greatly enhances the performance and longevity of perovskites light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs). This innovation promises to revolutionise various fields, including solar cells, lighting, and catalysis, by leveraging the unique properties of perovskites.

A novel perovskite material system

Perovskite materials are significant for their exceptional characteristics, making them ideal for a wide range of applications. The research team, led by Professor Li Gang, Sir Sze-yuen Chung Endowed Professor in Renewable Energy and Chair Professor of Energy Conversion Technology in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, has developed a 3DFAPbI3 perovskite material system that boasts high brightness, efficiency, and an extended device lifetime without compromising stability.

The innovation not only sets a new benchmark for brightness and stability in PeLEDs but also paves the way for their widespread commercial adoption, marking a significant step forward in the field of LED technology.

The key to this breakthrough lies in the team’s innovative use of an alkyl-chain-length-dependent ammonium salt molecule modulation strategy. By elucidating the roles of alkylammonium salts in managing crystal orientation, controlling grain size, and suppressing non-radiative recombination, the researchers have unlocked new levels of device performance.

Commercial potential and future applications

Professor Li Gang highlighted the commercial potential of this innovation, stating, “This strategy suggests that PeLEDs are not only high-efficiency devices in the laboratory but also promising candidates for commercial high-brightness lighting and display applications, competing with commercially available quantum-dot-based and organic LEDs.”

This breakthrough has significant implications for the future of LED technology. PeLEDs offer several advantages over traditional LEDs, including pure color, a wider display color gamut range, cost-effectiveness, and greater production flexibility.

The research team, including Dr Li Zhiqi, Postdoctoral Fellow, and Dr Ren Zhiwei, Research Assistant Professor, has published their findings in the prestigious energy journal Joule. Their paper, titled “Grain orientation management and recombination suppression for ultra-stable PeLEDs with record brightness” highlights the significant contribution of their discovery to the advancement of PeLEDs and their technological impact.