Advances in perovskite nanomaterials: Synthesis and catalytic applications in energy and environmental remediation

Perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) have emerged as a versatile class of materials with significant potential for diverse applications. Their unique properties, including exceptional optoelectronic properties, superior charge carrier mobility, tunable bandgap, strong light absorption, and facile synthesis methods, have garnered widespread attention within the research community. The continuous advancements in tailoring the properties of PNCs for catalysis have spurred intense exploration of their applications in environmental remediation and energy production. Here, we comprehensively reviewed the literature on various synthesis strategies for PNCs, such as solvothermal methods, microwave-assisted, hot injection techniques, vapor deposition, etc., and an in-depth analysis of their resulting structural and optical properties. The challenges associated with their stability, sensitivity to moisture, and potential toxicity are also critically examined. The recent advances for applications of PNCs in photodevices and catalysis are extensively reviewed, including their roles in small organic molecule transformations, hydrogen production, carbon dioxide (CO₂) reduction, pollutant degradation (both organic and inorganic), nitrogen fixation, and other catalytic processes. These efforts are primarily directed toward producing value-added products and reducing greenhouse gas emissions to address the increasing global energy demands. The review highlights the prospects and challenges of developing PNCs as efficient materials for environmental sustainability, clean energy generation, solar cells, and light-emitting applications. It offers key recommendations for future research to overcome existing limitations and enhance their performance. Overall, this article provides a valuable resource for researchers to grasp a quick summary of the most recent process for PNCs’ applications in organic synthesis, optoelectronic devices, and pollutant degradation to guide future directions in these rapidly evolving fields.