Thermally Evaporated Metal Halide Perovskites for Optoelectronics

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have demonstrated remarkable power conversion efficiencies (PCEs), highlighting their potential for next-generation photovoltaics. Among the various deposition techniques, vacuum-based methods have garnered significant interest due to their scalability, material purity, and compatibility with industry-standard fabrication. In this spotlight article, we focus on thermal evaporation (TE) as a promising approach for depositing high-quality perovskite films. Our research explores a one-step coevaporation process for MAPbI₃, ensuring precise control over stoichiometry, improved film uniformity, and enhancing both device stability and scalability for large-area applications. Beyond photovoltaics, TE-based perovskite films have also been explored for diverse applications, including light-emitting devices and photodetectors. We demonstrate a novel multiquantum well (MQW) structure using evaporated MAPbI₃, enabling enhanced luminescence and tunable bandgaps. Additionally, we address the limitations of TE, including deposition time and precursor control, proposing strategies such as accelerated evaporation techniques to enhance industrial viability. Our findings highlight the advantages of vacuum-based methods in achieving remarkable film stability and eliminating toxic solvents. This work underscores TE as a commercially viable pathway for perovskite technology, bridging the gap between lab-scale research and industrial implementation. We discuss possible future directions of vacuum-based perovskite deposition techniques beyond thermal evaporation, aiming to enhance commercial viability and unlock new applications for next-generation devices.