From optoelectronics to scintillation applications: The versatility of lead-free halide double perovskites

Abstract

The increasing demand for sustainable, lead-free materials has driven significant interest in halide double perovskites, an emerging class of compounds with remarkable structural flexibility, tunable bandgaps, and enhanced stability. Unlike traditional lead-based perovskites, these materials mitigate toxicity concerns by incorporating environmentally benign elements such as bismuth, antimony, and tin, unlocking unique optoelectronic and chemical properties. This review explores recent advancements in the synthesis, characterization, and application of lead-free halide double perovskites, emphasizing their potential in optoelectronics, scintillation, and photocatalysis. Their excellent light-harvesting capabilities, defect tolerance, and compositional tunability make them promising candidates for high-performance solar cells, photodetectors, and light-emitting devices. In scintillation applications, their high X-ray absorption efficiency and radioluminescence properties offer advantages for medical imaging, radiation detection, and high-energy physics. Additionally, their catalytic activity in photocatalysis enables effective solar-driven water splitting and pollutant degradation. Despite their promise, challenges remain in enhancing environmental stability, optimizing charge transport, and scaling synthesis for practical applications. This review provides a critical assessment of the current state of lead-free halide double perovskites and outlines future directions for their integration into next-generation technologies.