Improving perovskite single crystals as radiation detectors using sonocrystallisation

Radiation detection underpins critical applications in personalised diagnostics, medical imaging, space exploration, defence, environmental monitoring and nuclear safety. Lead halide perovskites (LHPs), widely studied for solar cell applications, exhibit optoelectronic properties well suited for radiation detection. Single crystals of LHPs outperform polycrystalline versions due to fewer grain boundaries and point defects, offering improved stability and performance. 

This PhD studentship will explore how sonocrystallization leverages ultrasound to control nucleation and crystal growth during lead halide perovskite synthesis to give more tailored particle sizes, enhanced crystal properties with less strain and fewer defects and improved reproducibility. The crystals obtained will be characterised in terms of their optoelectronic properties and response to x-ray radiation.

The main objectives of the research will be to:

• Optimise sonocrystallisation to yield high quality perovskite single crystals
• Study their crystalline quality using Surrey’s new single crystal X-ray diffractometer, study optical performance, including their photoluminescence spectroscopy and decay times, and study their radiation response X-rays and gamma rays using radioisotopes and X-ray generators.

All students funded through the RAPTOR DFA network will be required to undertake 60 credits of training modules as part of the PhD, which will be carried out during the first 3 months of the PhD. Upon completion of the training modules you will receive a Postgraduate Certificate in Nuclear Skills awarded by the University of Liverpool, in addition to your PhD. During the period October – December 2026 you will be required to spend 1 week at each of our partner DFA Universities at Liverpool, Manchester and Suffolk to attend some of these training lectures. All costs for these visits will be covered by the DFA, and more information about this training will be provided when you apply for the PhD. 

Open to candidates who pay UK/home rate fees. See UKCISA for further information.

You will need to meet the minimum entry requirements for our PhD programme.