This week, a groundbreaking discovery in the field of materials science has been made by a research team from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). The team, led by Prof. Loh Kian Ping and his colleagues, has successfully synthesized all-organic two-dimensional perovskites, marking a significant advancement in the realm of 2D materials.

Perovskites, named after their structural resemblance to the mineral calcium titanate perovskite, have long been a focus of research due to their unique properties applicable in various fields such as solar cells, lighting, and catalysis. With a chemical formula of ABX3, perovskites can be finely tuned by adjusting the A and B cations as well as the X anion, leading to the development of high-performance materials.

While perovskites were initially discovered as inorganic compounds, Prof. Loh’s team has shifted their focus to all-organic perovskites. In this new class, the A, B, and X constituents are organic molecules, offering advantages over traditional inorganic perovskites. These all-organic perovskites are solution-processible and flexible, allowing for cost-effective fabrication.

The recent research, titled ‘Molecularly thin, two-dimensional all-organic perovskites,’ was published in the prestigious journal Science. The breakthrough achieved by the PolyU team opens up a new avenue for 2D all-organic perovskites, promising advancements in both fundamental science and practical applications.

This development signifies a significant step forward in the field of materials science and paves the way for further exploration and innovation in the realm of 2D materials. The successful synthesis of all-organic perovskites demonstrates the potential for future advancements in the field, with implications for a wide range of industries and technologies.