Methylammonium Lead Trihalide Perovskite Solar Cell Semiconductors Are Not Organometallic

TL;DR

This paper critically examines whether methylammonium lead trihalide perovskite solar cell semiconductors should be classified as organometallic, addressing a widespread misconception in scientific literature.

Contribution

It clarifies the chemical nature of these perovskites, arguing they are not organometallic compounds, which challenges common classification in current research.

Findings

These materials are not organometallic compounds.

Widespread misclassification in scientific literature.

Clarification impacts future research and classification.

Abstract

Methylammonium lead trihalide perovskite solar cells (CH3NH3PbY3, where Y = I(3-x)Brx=1-3, I(3-x)Clx=1-3, Br(3-x)Cl x=1-3, and IBrCl) are photonic semiconductors. Researches on various fundamental and technological aspects of these materials are extensively on-going to make them stable environmentally and for commercialization. Research studies addressing these materials as organometallic are massively and repeatedly appearing in very reputable, highly cited and high impact peer-reviewed research publications, including, for example, Energy and Environmental Science, Nature Chemistry, Nature Communication, Advanced Materials, Science, ACS Nano, and many other chemistry and materials based journals of the Wiley, Elsevier, Springer and Macmillan Publishers, and the Royal and American Society Sciences. Herein, we candidly addresses the question: whether should scientists in the perovskite and nanomaterials science communities refer CH3NH3PbY3 and their mixed halogen derivatives as organometallic?