Perovskites are emerging as a game-changer in the transition to renewable energy. These advanced materials have the potential to significantly enhance the efficiency of photovoltaic systems while reducing the environmental impact of solar cell production. A pioneering research effort led by Tobias A. F. König at the Leibniz Institute for Polymer Research (IPF) Dresden is advancing a novel polymer-based approach to integrate perovskite nanotechnology into large-scale applications. This report is based on the IPF’s Annual Report 2023.
The IPF research team has developed an innovative printing technique to create soft polymeric nanostructures, forming large-scale optical metasurfaces with nanocubes. This cost-effective and scalable method allows for precisely engineered photonic properties while using just ten percent of the material typically required in conventional approaches, achieving significantly higher photoluminescence quantum yields.
Inspired by Medieval Glass Art
The fundamental principles of this nanostructuring technique echo the centuries-old methods used in medieval stained glass windows. In historical craftsmanship, microscopic gold and silver particles dictated the color and light effects. Today, Dr. König and his team apply modern nanotechnology to control these optical properties with unprecedented precision, enabling directional light emission and enhanced energy efficiency.
From Research to Application: Towards a Sustainable Future
The research involves a multi-step fabrication process, reminiscent of semiconductor production techniques. First, the team uses laser interference lithography to pattern a light-sensitive polymer template on a glass or silicon substrate. These soft polymer templates guide the self-assembly of perovskite nanocubes in solution, forming highly ordered nanostructured surfaces. Once solidified, the metasurfaces amplify and control perovskite luminescence, paving the way for next-generation solar cells, nanolasers, and optical diodes.
Collaborations with the Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (IFW Dresden) focus on integrating these nanostructured perovskites into experimental solar cells. Future applications extend beyond photovoltaics, with potential uses in quantum computing and signal processing, supported by the Volkswagen Foundation’s Freigeist Fellowship awarded to Tobias A. F. König.
Challenges and Future Directions
Despite these promising advancements, critical challenges remain before industrial implementation. Key questions include:
- Optimization for large-scale manufacturing – How can the printing process be refined for mass production?
- Longevity of perovskite-based devices – Can transparent polymer coatings enhance durability and stability in real-world conditions?
A Multidisciplinary and Global Team
Dr. Tobias A. F. König, a physicist by training, earned his doctorate in Freiburg in 2011 and completed his habilitation in Physical Chemistry at TU Dresden in 2020. Since 2021, he has been a private lecturer at TU Dresden and leads the Plasmonic Functional Surfaces group at IPF Dresden. His team includes Dr. Swagato Sarkar, Dr. Olha Aftenieva, Sezer Seçkin, and Lavanya Beri, all contributing to cutting-edge advancements in plasmonic nanomaterials and energy-efficient optical systems.
„Nanoparticles are like LEGO bricks to us,“ says Dr. König. „We can assemble them into new materials with astonishing properties.„
