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Teaching design for a comprehensive chemistry experiment on inorganic perovskite photovoltaics

Minghua Li1, Yunlang Chen1, Xin Yang1, Jiawei Tong1, Jinsong Hu2   

  1. 1 State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, College of Chemical Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China;
    2 Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
  • Received:2026-06-29 Accepted:2026-08-05
  • Contact: Minghua Li, Jinsong Hu E-mail:limh2022@buct.edu.cn;hujs@iccas.ac.cn

Abstract: Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have emerged as a promising next-generation photovoltaic technology owing to their high efficiency, low cost, and solution processability. However, conventional organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites are prone to degradation under illumination and humid thermal conditions, which limits their practical applicability. The incorporation of inorganic ions to construct all-inorganic perovskite materials has been shown to significantly enhance their photothermal stability. In this study, we design and implement a comprehensive chemistry laboratory teaching module for undergraduates, centered on the fabrication of all-inorganic perovskite solar cells via solution-based spin-coating. The experiment focuses on the preparation of all-inorganic perovskite thin films and device assembly, and employs characterization tools such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy to systematically examine the microstructural and photophysical properties of the films. Device performance is also evaluated, enabling students to establish clear structure-property relationships. This experimental framework is comprehensive, highly operable, and reproducible, effectively enhancing students’ understanding of material formation mechanisms and photovoltaic device operating principles. It also strengthens hands-on experimental skills and scientific reasoning, while bridging fundamental chemistry knowledge with cutting-edge materials research. This module offers a demonstrative teaching model for programs in renewable energy and materials chemistry.

Key words: Undergraduate chemistry experiment, Solar cells, Inorganic perovskite, Renewable energy materials, Structure-property relationship