A team of researchers has developed a novel, lead-free, and eco-friendly photodetector with self-powered operation that offers strong and stable performance. The device has
potential applications in consumer electronics, industrial monitoring, security systems, and biomedical imaging.
Photodetectors, which convert light into electrical signals, are critical components in modern cameras, environmental sensors, and smart wearables. However, many high-performance photodetectors currently use lead-based perovskites, which pose toxicity risks and are prone to degradation under real-world conditions.
To address these challenges, researchers at the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), Hyderabad, in collaboration with IIT Hyderabad, developed a lead-free photodetector based on double perovskite Cs₂AgBiBr₆. The device delivers robust and stable performance while being environmentally friendly.
Unlike conventional designs that require costly metal contacts and additional hole-transport layers, often fabricated in gloveboxes or vacuum tools, this photodetector is Hole Transport Material (HTM)-free, uses low-cost carbon electrodes, and is fabricated entirely at room temperature using a simple one-step coating method. Its design supports efficient charge separation, enabling self-powered operation without any external voltage.
The Cs₂AgBiBr₆ photodetector shows a strong response to visible light and maintains excellent reliability under practical conditions. Tests demonstrated consistent ON/OFF switching and retention of over 90% of its performance even after 60 days of storage at room temperature (25–35 °C) and moderate humidity (35–50%). These results confirm its long-term environmental stability.
The combination of lead-free materials, simple ambient fabrication, low-cost components, and operational stability makes this photodetector highly suitable for modern electronics. It also aligns with India’s goals of sustainable materials, green manufacturing, and self-reliance in next-generation electronics.
This research, supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, has been published in Solar Energy (Elsevier) under the title: “Ambient-processed lead-free Cs₂AgBiBr₆ photodetector with long-term environmental stability and self-powered operation.”
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
