EPJ Photovoltaics 17, 26 (2026)
https://doi.org/10.1051/epjpv/2026019

Original Article

Environmental aging of CaZrO_3-xS_x oxychalcogenide perovskite thin films

¹ ICube Laboratory, CNRS and Université de Strasbourg, 23 rue du Loess, 67037 Strasbourg, France
² Physics Department, College of Science, Umm Al-Qura University, P.O. Box 715, 24382 Makkah, Saudi Arabia
³ Institut de Physique et Chimie des Matériaux de Strasbourg (IPCMS), UMR 7504 CNRS and Université de Strasbourg, 23 rue du Loess, BP 43, F-67034 Strasbourg Cedex 2, France

^* e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
^** e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Received: 20 February 2026
Accepted: 8 June 2026
Published online: 3 July 2026

Abstract

Organic–inorganic halide perovskites are naturally unstable when exposed to various environmental conditions, and the presence of lead raises significant ecological concerns. Herein, calcium zirconium oxysulfide, CaZrO_3-xS_x, a lead-free oxychalcogenide perovskite, is investigated as a potential alternative for optoelectronic and photovoltaic applications. The environmental aging of CaZrO_3-xS_x thin films was systematically investigated under various external stress conditions, including humidity, temperature, and illumination. Structural and optical investigations indicate that the film retains its crystallinity and remains optically responsive up to 350 °C, without detectable degradation or phase transformation. Under high (80%) humidity conditions, the film remains stable for a few days before gradually converting into the oxide phase. The demonstrated environmental and thermal stability of CaZrO_3-xS_x highlights its potential as a promising, intrinsically stable, and lead-free material for durable photovoltaic and optoelectronic applications.