Introduction to Perovskites: A Historical Perspective

The chapter focuses on how the name perovskite evolved from being used for a particular, and geologically not very relevant, mineral discovered in the eighteen century to symbolize a vast number of essential materials in our society that are also intensively investigated nowadays due to their promising applications. The transition took decades to occur and involved several scientists from different but related disciplines such as geology, mineralogy, chemistry, and physics. Here, a short and condensed account of the history of research on perovskites since the discovery of the mineral is given. The account would include how and when the perovskite family grew and incorporated related structures such as the hexagonal perovskites, double (or elpasolite) perovskites, Aurivillius and Ruddlesden-Popper layered phases, and oxygen-deficient compounds, among others. Special attention is given to the relevant scientists that inspired hundreds of others.