Application of Halide Perovskite Nanocrystals in Solar-Driven Photo(electro)Catalysis

Abstract

Photo(electro)catalysis (PEC) is a promising strategy to conduct attractive solar-driven reactions such as CO2 reduction to form added-value products, H2 production, and organic substrates oxidation, taking advantage of the spatial separation of photocarriers generated in semiconductor-based electrodes. Halide perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) are attracting increasing attention due to their tunable optical features and band structure, which is pivotal to modulate their oxidizing/reducing power and perform chemical reactions efficiently. However, the defective structure and ionic nature of PNCs make them prone to be unstable in polar media, where most of the relevant solar-driven chemical reactions of interest take place. In this review, an overview of recent strategies to stabilize PNCs in polar solvents is presented, some of them with promising application or already introduced in PEC systems. Perovskite encapsulation, including the formation of heterostructures, surface passivation engineering, and the synthesis of PNCs with intrinsic stability in polar media, is focused upon. Furthermore, perspectives for using stable lead-free PNCs in solar-driven PEC reactions are presented, showing the benefits of this future technology for energy production/transformation.