Review of Pyrene- and Perylene-Based Photocatalysts: Synthesis, Development, and Applications

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), particularly pyrene- and perylene-based molecular architectures, have emerged as highly promising photocatalysts, demonstrating exceptional potential in both photocatalytic energy conversion and environmental remediation applications. Over the past few decades, extensive efforts have been devoted to enhancing the photocatalytic performance through diverse synthetic and modification strategies. This review presents recent advancements in pyrene- and perylene-based photocatalysts, emphasizing synthesis, functionalization, and the optimization of photocatalytic performance. Through detailed case studies and performance evaluations, we highlight the distinctive advantages and application potential of pyrene- and perylene-based photocatalytic systems. A comparative analysis highlights the similarities and differences between pyrene- and perylene-based photocatalysts, providing insights into respective efficiencies in photocatalytic reactions. Moreover, key challenges hindering the practical implementation are critically discussed along with prospective strategies to overcome these limitations. We outline future research directions aimed at facilitating the strategic development of next-generation PAH photocatalysts for sustainable energy and environmental applications.