Advanced perovskite materials for solar fuel generation: Efficiency and performance optimization

• LaMnO₃ perovskites exhibited strong absorption, >29% efficiency and 1.27 eV bandgap • Mo-doped SrFeO₃−δ perovskite improves SOFC cathode redox stability and lowers TEC. • Sr₂FeMoO₆−δ delivers power density 831 mW/cm² at 850°C with high sulfur tolerance. • PrBaMn₂O₅+δ anode delivers peak power of 1.7 W/cm² in direct hydrocarbon SOFCs. Perovskite materials have emerged as critical enablers in sustainable energy systems due to their adjustable bandgaps, rapid charge mobility, and catalytic adaptability. This study discusses their uses in solar fuel generation, including hydrogen synthesis, photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting, and CO₂ reduction. In addition, their remarkable optoelectronic properties have driven significant advancements in light-emitting diodes (LEDs), enabling high-efficiency and stable emission devices. Advances in photovoltaic-electrochemical (PV-EC) systems have produced solar-to-fuel efficiencies reaching 29%, while solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) have power densities exceeding 1.5 W/cm². Furthermore, perovskite electrocatalysts enable efficient biomass valorisation. Lead toxicity, moisture sensitivity, and synthesis scalability are among the issues addressed, as are material advances, architectural refinements, and mechanistic insights. This study discusses potential methods for commercializing perovskite-based energy systems. This review offers a unified framework that positions perovskites as a multifunctional platform for integrated energy systems, bridging the gap between renewable energy conversion, storage, and utilization.