Halide perovskite photocatalysis: progress and perspectives

Organic-inorganic metal halide perovskites (HPs) have emerged as new frontier materials for optoelectronic and energy applications. In addition to various well-known applications, such as solar cells, light-emitting diodes, photodetectors, and resistive switching memories, HPs can be utilized as efficient photocatalysts for numerous electrochemical reactions, including carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction reactions, hydrogen evolution reaction, photosynthesis, and wastewater treatment. However, the use of HPs toward photo-driven catalysis remains a tremendous challenge owing to their poor stability in polar solvents. Nevertheless, huge progress has been made to counter this critical issue for improving the performance of HPs as efficient photocatalysts in a wide range of applications. In this review, we first introduce the structures and properties of HPs. Next, we highlight the recent approaches on the fabrication of HPs, including thin films and nanostructures. Strategies for implementing HPs in catalysis systems and their working mechanisms are thoroughly summarized and discussed. Lastly, the current challenges and prospects of the application of HPs toward photocatalytic reactions are fully addressed. (c) 2020 Society of Chemical Industry