Perovskite-driven artificial photosynthesis: A perspective

Abstract

Recent trends have shown that artificial photosynthesis is moving from proof-of-concept demonstrations to integrated solar-to-chemical systems. This places new demand on photovoltaic absorbers, catalysts, and reactors to operate as coupled energy conversion platforms. Metal halide perovskites play a distinctive role in this transition because of their high efficiency, bandgap tunability, and low-temperature processability, allowing the photovoltaic output to be tailored across single-junction, tandem, and multijunction architectures. This perspective examines recent advances in perovskite photovoltaics through the lens of system-level requirements for solar fuel production. Single-junction modules are considered scalable photovoltaic drivers for modular photovoltaic-electrochemical systems. In contrast, tandem and multijunction devices are discussed as voltage-engineered platforms for water splitting and CO₂ reduction. We further compare representative artificial photosynthesis configurations, highlighting how interfacial stability, current-voltage matching, encapsulation, catalyst selectivity, and reactor design collectively determine solar-to-fuel conversion performance. By examining these advances from a system-level perspective, we aim to identify the key design principles and research priorities needed to translate perovskite photovoltaics into efficient, stable, and scalable solar-to-chemical platforms.