EPJ Plus Highlight - Morphology shapes the performance of perovskite X-ray detectors

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Published on 08 May 2026

Researchers have identified a key trade-off between the thickness and the quality of the film of hybrid perovskite devices and their performance in flexible X-ray detectors

Thin films of hybrid perovskites have emerged as promising candidates for optoelectronic devices, including radiation detectors, but much remains to be learned about how their performance is linked to their morphology.

Through new analysis published in EPJ Plus, Sara Cepić and colleagues at the University of Bologna, Italy, have gained detailed insights into the link between film morphology and the performance of a perovskite-based X-ray detector. Their results could help researchers in future studies to optimise the performance of radiation detectors.

Lead halide perovskites are an emerging class of materials. Over the past decade, they have been widely investigated for their outstanding properties, which make them highly suitable for a wide range of applications. They are especially well known for their advanced optoelectronic properties and their strong absorption of ionizing radiation due to the heavy elements present in the molecules.

In their study, Cepić's team investigated the performance of a flexible X-ray detector based on 2D films of lead halide perovskite, which are now extensively studied for their advanced optoelectronic properties offered by the layered structure. In particular, they aimed to establish a link between performance, morphology and quality of the film, as defined by the film's thickness, roughness, and grain size. Each of these properties could be fine-tuned during fabrication by adjusting both the spin-coating speed and the concentration of the precursor solution used to deposit the film.

Through their experiments, the researchers showed that thicker films improve X-ray absorption and sensitivity, since a greater proportion of incoming X-ray photons are absorbed. However, thicker films also suffer from increased roughness and reduced charge transport efficiency, limiting their overall performance. Conversely, thinner films displayed better charge collection and uniformity, despite intrinsically absorbing less radiation. As a result, Cepić's team identified a trade-off between film compactness and detection performance, offering important guidance for future efforts to optimise perovskite-based X-ray detectors.