Accelerating optimization of halide perovskites: two blueprints for automation

Abstract

The fine-tuning of halide perovskite materials for both performance and stability calls for innovative tools that streamline high-throughput experimentation. Here, we present two complementary systems designed to accelerate the development of solution-processed thin-film semiconductors. HITSTA (High-Throughput Stability Testing Apparatus) is a robust, cost-effective platform for optical characterization and accelerated aging, built around a repurposed 3D printer. It accommodates up to 49 thin-film samples, subjecting them to temperatures up to 110 °C and light intensities of 2.2 suns while continuously monitoring their absorptance and photoluminescence. ROSIE (Robotic Operating System for Ink Engineering) is a liquid-handling robot constructed from a hobbyist robotic arm and a syringe pump, enabling precise and automated ink formulation. We detail the design and operation of both systems, providing guidelines for their replication. To demonstrate their capabilities, we present a case study in which ROSIE and HITSTA are used to investigate the aging of mixed-cation, mixed-halide inorganic perovskites. Together, these systems form a powerful toolkit for accelerating the optimization of solution-processable thin-films via high-throughput experimentation.