摘要：SummaryHighly efficient solar cells containing lead halide perovskites are expected to revolutionize sustainable energy production in the coming years. Perovskites are generally assumed to be toxic because of the lead (Pb), but experimental evidence to support this prediction is scarce. We tested the toxicity of the perovskite MAPbI3(MA = CH3NH3) and several precursors inArabidopsis thalianaplants. Both MAPbI3and the precursor MAI hamper plant growth at concentrations above 5 μM. Lead-based precursors without iodide are only toxic above 500 μM. Iodine accumulation inArabidopsiscorrelates with growth inhibition at much lower concentrations than lead. This reveals that perovskite toxicity at low concentrations is caused by iodide ions specifically, instead of lead. We calculate that toxicity thresholds for iodide, but not lead, are likely to be reached in soils upon perovskite leakage. This work stresses the importance to further understand and predict harmful effects of iodide-containing perovskites in the environment.Graphical abstractDisplay OmittedHighlights•Using CH3NH3PbI3for highly efficient solar cells raises concerns about lead toxicity•Iodide ions are more toxic to Arabidopsis thaliana plants than lead ions•Similar toxicity effects are not observed for bromide ionsInorganic materials; Environmental science; Environmental chemistry; Plant biology; Plants
