Mn-Doped Perovskite Nanocrystals for Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction: Insight into the Role of the Charge Carriers with Prolonged Lifetime

As an emerged photocatalyst, perovskites have attracted enormous interest in photocatalysis due to their excellent photoelectronic properties. However, most of the photoexcited electron-hole pairs recombine together before they reach the surface of perovskite for photocatalysis. The undesired charge recombination would compete with the surface photocatalytic reaction. Hence, the regulation of charge carriers is essential for improving the photocatalytic performance of perovskites. Herein, the charge transfer dynamics by doping Mn2+ in CsPbCI3 perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) is manipulated and the role of the charge carriers with a prolonged lifetime in photocatalysis is investigated. The photogenerated charge carriers with a prolonged lifetime at both Mn2+ dopants and conduction band (CB) endow Mn:CsPbCI3 NCs with an enhanced photocatalytic activity toward CO2 reduction. The doping strategy provides us with a powerful tool to regulate the charge transfer dynamics in perovskite NCs for photocatalysis. It is believed that the long-lived charge carriers in perovskite NCs have great potential in promoting charge separation and suppressing charge recombination in solarto-fuel conversions.

Automated summary

Perovskites have excellent photoelectronic properties and are widely used in photocatalysis, but the recombination of electron-hole pairs affects the photocatalytic reaction. By doping Mn2+ in CsPbCI3 perovskite nanocrystals, the charge transfer dynamics can be controlled, leading to extended lifetime of photogenerated charge carriers and improved photocatalytic performance.