A significant concern of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) technology is accidental Pb leaching from damaged devices, due to the well-documented Pb toxicity. We have examined the penetration profile of Pb from aqueous solutions of dissolved perovskite into the soil as a function of perovskite composition, as halide perovskites typically contain organic cations, which may affect the adsorption of Pb cations to soil particles by competition. The penetration profiles showed shallow immobilization of the Pb cations in all soils studied, with negligible odds of reaching and contaminating ground water. The adsorption mechanism was also determined. This suggests that Pb in PSCs and its effect on the environment are not as concerning, as they seem to be.
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