Seoul National University professor Tae-Woo Lee’s team announced technical advancements in the prominent scientific journal Nature, focusing on the next-generation material known as perovskite. Perovskite, renowned for its ability to convert light into colors and electricity, is anticipated to be a game-changer in both solar cells and display technology. Countries are striving to develop technologies for mass production of this material. The research team has tackled the challenge of reduced lifespan, increasing productivity by a factor of six, and secured nine fundamental material patents. They are currently in discussions with major electronics manufacturers for commercialization, presenting a prime opportunity for South Korea to seize leadership in the material industry.
Perovskite’s name originates from a mineral discovered in the Ural region of Russia in 1839, named after a Russian noble, Lev Perovski, a notable mineral sponsor. Today, the term encompasses the crystal structure of this mineral, which is revered for its high light absorption rate compared to existing photoelectric materials. Its significant advantage lies in the ease and affordability of acquiring its chemical reagents from any location. However, the crucial question remains whether it can be manufactured with high efficiency, long lifespan, and in quality suitable for mass production.
Perovskite garners attention for being a vital component in the display industry, potentially replacing OLED (organic light-emitting diode) technology and also because it serves as a “game-changer” in the solar power sector. Additionally, perovskite production technology is deemed essential for space data centers using solar energy, a concept by Elon Musk’s SpaceX. As a result, countries worldwide are dedicated to developing technology for mass production. Chinese state-owned oil and gas company CNPC, for instance, announced plans to establish a 100MW pilot line, focusing on collecting comprehensive operational data. However, no nation has yet surpassed the barrier to mass production.
Until now, the primary method for artificially creating perovskite crystal structures has been the “hot injection” synthesis method, which involves injecting materials into a solution heated to at least 150 degrees Celsius. This method’s requirement for equipment to prevent fire hazards and ensure separation from oxygen and moisture has raised process costs significantly. To address this, the Seoul National University research team developed a “low-temperature injection” synthesis method, which maintains quality and productivity by inducing emulsified states and precisely controlling synthesis speed near 0 degrees Celsius. Professor Lee stated that productivity increased sixfold compared to traditional methods.
The South Korean government has taken an interest in Seoul National University’s announcement, as it represents the country’s first opportunity to lead in the material industry. In the OLED field alone, companies like Samsung Display and LG Display reportedly pay over 100 billion won annually in royalties to U.S. patent company UDC. Professor Lee indicated that while South Korea excels in processing and manufacturing, the country has previously paid royalties in the materials sector. By securing fundamental materials and mass production technology, South Korea could take the industry lead, prompting global companies to pay technology usage fees to Korea. The research team holds nine key material patents critical to dominating the perovskite display market.
The technology could reinforce South Korea’s superiority in the display market, where China’s rapid progress poses a challenge. According to the Korea Display Industry Association, South Korea accounted for 67% of the global OLED market share last year, with China at 33%, a stark change from a decade ago when China’s share was virtually nonexistent.
In a recent briefing co-hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT, Professor Lee noted that perovskite films could replace the quantum dot films used in Samsung’s QLED TVs, potentially making commercialization feasible within a year. He mentioned ongoing collaboration discussions with global tech giants over the past three years and current negotiations for commercialization with domestic electronic giants, with sample exchanges underway.