Environment versus sustainable energy: The case of lead halide perovskite-based solar cells
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Review Environment versus sustainable energy: The case of lead halide perovskite-based solar cells
Aslihan Babayigit, Hans-Gerd Boyen and Bert Conings, Institute for Materials Research, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek 3590, Belgium Address all correspondence to Aslihan Babayigit at aslihan.babayigit@ uhasselt.be (Received 17 August 2017; accepted 21 November 2017)
ABSTRACT Analyzing the repetitive pattern of historical lead poisoning that to present-day has shaped our legislatorial systems regarding lead consumption, this work focuses on creating awareness and caution toward lead halide perovskite commercialization while concurrently pointing out considerations and ambiguity in policies and regulations. Lead halide perovskites have caused a paradigm shift in state-of-the-art photovoltaic technology half a decade ago and have gained tremendous momentum ever since. Given their seemingly imminent commercialization, rigorous scrutiny regarding their potential environmental impact is becoming increasingly relevant. In light of the current need for sustainable energy resources, several start-up and spin-off companies have been established, initially promising modules on the market by the end of 2017. On the downside, lead representing approximately one third by weight of the absorber layer in such photovoltaic devices is enough reason to become wary about the potential environmental impact of their large-scale implementation. Whilst many have wondered where the acceptable boundaries lie regarding lead consumption, it remains a focal point in many discussions, as it seems almost unattainable to ban lead usage from our society. Currently listed as one of the ten chemicals of major health concern by the World Health Organization, the magnitude of misgivings expands even more as recent studies also demonstrate promising applications of lead halide perovskites in light emitting diodes, lasers, batteries, and photodetectors. Hence, there is no doubt that a discussion should be commenced on how to assess and handle the impact of lead in a new technology of such high potential. By reflecting on the historical experience gained from anthropogenic lead poisoning that is still shaping our legislatorial systems at present-day, this work investigates and carefully scrutinizes current legislation that governs the exploitation of lead halide perovskites in optoelectronic applications. Analyzing the repetitive pattern of historical lead consumption, focus is extended on creating awareness and caution toward lead halide perovskite commercialization while concurrently pointing out considerations and ambiguity in policies and regulations. Ultimately, this work aims to initialize a discussion on “if” and “how” this burgeoning class of materials can enter the consumer market. Keywords: lead; lead halide perovskite; optoelectronic applications; commercial exploitation; environment; health; regulations; policies; RoHS
DISCUSSION POINT • T his work aims to initialize a discussion on “if” and “how” the recent and unprecedented lead halide pe
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