Infrared spectral fingerprints of the toxicity effects of CH3NH3PbI3 and CH3NH3SnI3 photovoltaic perovskites

Abstract

We use Fourier-Transform infrared spectromicroscopy to study at the molecular level the effect of exposure of human A549 and SH-SY5Y cell lines to the perovskites CH3NH3PbI3 (MAPbI3) and CH3NH3SnI3 (MASnI3). By monitoring the infrared absorption of amide bands over a few days following exposure to the metals, we observe the appearance of a strong band at 1628 cm -1 . This band is tentatively assigned to the extensive formation of intermolecular β-sheet structures. A similar response is observed after exposure of the cells to CuSO4, suggesting that the mechanism underlying the observed spectroscopic changes is not specific for Pb 2+ and Sn 2+ , and it may be associated to a generic cellular response to stressful environmental conditions.

Fighting Health Hazards in Lead Halide Perovskite Optoelectronic Devices with Transparent Phosphate Salts

“…Similarly, replacing lead ions with tin, germanium, bismuth, antimony, , or other metals in the perovskite structure usually leads to a major decline in the PCE . The chemical stability of these fully or partially lead-substituted compounds is typically weak, and some of the proposed candidates (e.g., Sn) might be as poisonous as lead …”