The aim of this project is to expand upon research showing that a huge library of glassy compounds can be formed from Hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite (HOIP) materials. These are 3D frameworks, of ABX3 formula, where A is a monovalent cation, B is a divalent octahedral cation and X is a halide or organic bidentate linker. They have been proposed, and used in ionic transport, barocalorics, and particularly, in photovoltaics. The market for perovskite solar cells in 2023 was ca. 2.5 billion USD. Lighting accounts for approximately ¼ of the global annual electricity consumption. Any efficiencies made within this realm would therefore help to offset carbon emissions associated with electricity production.
Traditionally, HOIPs are highly ordered, crystalline materials. However, we have recently shown, alongside the group of Mitzi et al, that they can melt, and be quenched to form frozen liquids, or glasses. These glasses are a 4th type of glass chemistry, exterior to inorganic, organic and metallic types known. We refer to them as hybrid glasses.
The formation of a library of glasses by melting HOIPs would allow the field to: (i) remove the efficiency losses associated with grain boundary defects in optoelectronic materials, (ii) facilitate easier production of photovoltaic devices due to the ease of processing liquid/glassy materials, and (iii) investigate reversible switching between crystal and glass states for use in memory devices. However, a major limitation to the current-state-of-the-art is the extremely low number of structures which are able to form stable glasses from the liquid state without crystallising from the stable liquid state (<5 thus far) or decomposing upon heating to prohibit glass formation.
This research project will look at synthesizing existing, and new types of framework material, before thermal analysis to look at their ability to form glasses after melting. Advanced characterisation methods (pair distribution function analysis and extended absorption fine structure analysis) will be used to characterise the structure, before the mechanical, optical and photophysical properties of the glasses are probed.
The student will acquire a range of transferrable expertise in the relatively novel area of hybrid glasses, including in synthesis, characterisation and properties measurement. The student will also have the opportunity to travel to network and to conferences, and have the support of a 3 year post-doctoral researcher working in an allied area.
Supervisors
Primary Supervisor: Prof. Thomas D. Bennett
Other Supervisors: Prof. Paul Kruger
Key qualifications and skills
2.1 in Chemistry, Materials or Physics Undergraduate Degree
Does the project come with funding
Yes: Full scholarship and stipend
Final date for receiving applications
Ongoing - Position will be filled as soon as a suitable candidate is found. Start date: Between October 2025 and March 2026
How to apply
Please send a CV and cover letter to thomas.bennett@canterbury.ac.nz
Keywords
glass, MOF, perovskite, HOIP