Water photolysis at 12.3% efficiency via perovskite photovoltaics and Earth-abundant catalysts

The power of a pair of perovskites

In the past several years, perovskite solar cells have emerged as a low-cost experimental alternative to more traditional silicon devices. Luo et al. now show that a pair of perovskite cells connected in series can power the electrochemical breakdown of water into hydrogen and oxygen efficiently (see the Perspective by Hamann). Hydrogen generation from water is being actively studied as a supplement in solar power generation to smooth out the fluctuations due to variations in sunlight.

Science , this issue p. 1593 ; see also p. 1566