CIF (Crystallographic Information Framework) file is the digital DNA of one of the most exciting materials in modern science: Formamidinium Lead Iodide
To stabilize the cubic α-phase at room temperature, researchers often mix cations (e.g., ). By modifying the base FAPbI3 CIF file (substituting a fraction of the FA sites with Cs atoms), DFT calculations can predict how the lattice contracts and how the electronic structure evolves due to the alloying, guiding experimental synthesis.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of what the FAPbI₃ CIF file contains, where to find it, how to validate it, and how to use it in common software like VESTA, Quantum ESPRESSO, and VASP.
) is one of the most promising materials for next-generation, high-efficiency perovskite solar cells (PSCs). fapbi3 cif file
cations. When downloading a FAPbI3 CIF file, researchers must carefully select the correct structural phase.
When opened in visualization software like or Mercury , the coordinates in a CIF file generate an accurate 3D model of the atomic structure. The Two Critical Phases of FAPbI
structure is the most critical for high-efficiency solar applications. 1. Key Structural Parameters ( ) is one of the most promising materials
A Crystallographic Information File (CIF) is a standard text file format used to store crystallographic data. Maintained by the International Union of Crystallography (IUCr), it contains a crystal’s internal geometry, including: (lengths and angles Space group symmetry (e.g., cubic, tetragonal). Atomic coordinates ( fractional positions). Chemical occupancy and thermal displacement parameters. Why the FAPbI3 CIF File Matters FAPbI3FAPbI sub 3
A non-perovskite structure with a wide bandgap.
data_FAPbI3_alpha _symmetry_space_group_name_H-M 'P m -3 m' _cell_length_a 6.362 _cell_length_b 6.362 _cell_length_c 6.362 _cell_angle_alpha 90 _cell_angle_beta 90 _cell_angle_gamma 90 loop_ _atom_site_label _atom_site_type_symbol _atom_site_fract_x _atom_site_fract_y _atom_site_fract_z Pb Pb 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 I I 0.00000 0.50000 0.50000 C C 0.50000 0.50000 0.50000 N N 0.34200 0.50000 0.50000 N N 0.65800 0.50000 0.50000 H H 0.44000 0.50000 0.50000 ... (remaining hydrogen atoms) When opened in visualization software like or Mercury
: Contains experimental CIFs derived from published X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies.
A CIF is a standardized, text-based file format used to store crystallographic information. It contains all the geometric and physical parameters needed to describe a crystal lattice, including: Crystal system (e.g., Cubic, Trigonal, Hexagonal) Space group and symmetry operations Lattice parameters ( Fractional coordinates of every atom in the unit cell ( Atomic occupancies and thermal displacement parameters
The primary public repositories for crystallographic data are the operated by the Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre ( CCDC ) and the Crystallography Open Database (COD) . While the CSD is comprehensive, access requires a license, which many universities and institutions provide to their researchers. The COD is a freely accessible alternative, though it may have fewer entries.
is notoriously polymorphic, transitioning between several states based on temperature and environment: Common Name Crystal System Space Group Significance -phase Black phase
Researchers use computational tools to simulate what the XRD pattern of FAPbI