Stable and Highly Efficient Photocatalysis with Two-Dimensional Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Perovskites

Two-dimensional organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites (OIHPs) have excellent photoelectric properties, such as high charge mobility and a high optical absorption coefficient, which have attracted enormous attention in the field of optoelectronic devices and photochemistry. However, the stability of 2D OIHPs in solution is deficient. In particular, the lack of stability in polar solutions hinders their application in photochemistry. In this work, (iso-BA)₂PbI₄ was used as a model to explore the three possibilities of the stable existence of a 2D perovskite in aqueous solution. And two of these systems that stabilize the presence of (iso-BA)₂PbI₄ were further investigated through electrochemical testing. Moreover, (iso-BA)₂PbI₄ 2D hybrid perovskites exhibited an outstanding degradation rate. The chiral perovskite (R/S-MBA)₂PbI₄ is able to degrade a 30 mg/L methyl orange solution completely within 5 min, making it one of the fastest catalysts for this particular organic reaction. Further, based on the electron spin resonance test, a degradation mechanism by the halide perovskite was proposed. Based on the great catalytic performance as well as good reusability and stability, (R/S-MBA)₂PbI₄ perovskites are expected to be a new generation of catalysts, making a great impact on the application of asymmetrically catalyzed photoreactions.