Arial Brookhart
- WELLESLEY COLLEGE
Project Summary:
Arial will be using a new PL-setup in UHV to look at organic and perovskite stability (under optical excitation) when exposed to different gases.
Wellesley College Supervisor: Rebecca Belisle
IRES Supervisor: Norbert Koch
Biography:
Arial Brookhart is an undergraduate student at Wellesley College pursuing a double major in Chemistry and Mathematics. As a visiting researcher in the group of Prof. Norbert Koch at the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, she is investigating the intrinsic optoelectronic properties of metal halide perovskites, with a focus on FAPbI₃ thin films. Her research explores how environmental exposure, specifically oxygen-induced p-type doping, alters the photophysical behavior of these materials.
To isolate and learn about the intrinsic properties of the material, photoluminescence spectra of FAPbI₃ samples collected in ultra-high vacuum. Additionally, surface passivation strategies are implemented to stabilize the perovskite interface and inhibit degradation. These include spin-coating polystyrene layers and applying tetracene tetracarboxylic dianhydride through thermal evaporation to prevent ion migration and oxidative surface damage. Analytical techniques including photoluminescence spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and UV-Vis spectroscopy are employed to assess thin-film quality, morphology, and optoelectronic response. This work aims to show and interpret the effects of oxygen doping from the perovskite material’s intrinsic characteristics, in order to better understand stability and performance under operational conditions.
Arial is especially interested in the intersection of materials chemistry and renewable energy technologies. Her findings aim to support the development of more stable and efficient perovskite-based technologies for solar energy applications.