Synthesis and Structural Analysis of Pyridinium Metal Halides

Science Center, Bent Corridor

Perovskite solar cells convert light energy into electricity by harnessing the properties of perovskite-structured hybrid inorganicorganic materials, generally involving an organic cation incorporated into an inorganic framework comprising metal cations and halide anions. In recent years, these devices have demonstrated promising growth in efficiency, thereby sparking interest in the exploration of hybrid metal halides. Our focus lies in the aromatic organic cation, pyridinium, and we work towards understanding the role that the pyridinium ion plays in the overall crystal structure, and ultimately the properties, of pyridinium metal halides. We have synthesized pyridinium lead bromide in solution and determined its crystal structure using single crystal X-ray diffraction. We have also synthesized pyridinium tin iodide using solution and solid state methods, and we are determining its crystal structure using its powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) pattern. Preliminary work suggests that it is isostructural to pyridinium tin bromide.