Author(s) :

Leslie Gao.

Volume/Issue :

Abstract :

Rapid anthropogenic warming has accelerated climate risks beyond historical precedent, underscoring the necessity of replacing fossil fuels, which account for nearly 90% of global CO₂ emissions. This perspective argues that artificial photosynthesis, particularly the Si–perovskite tandem photoelectrochemical (PEC) system, represents the most promising pathway for large-scale energysystem decarbonization. Recent breakthroughs enabling sunlight-driven conversion of CO₂ into multicarbon liquid fuels mark a pivotal advance, offering storable, energy-dense alternatives uniquely suited for hard-to-electrify sectors such as aviation, shipping, and heavy industry. The Si–perovskite tandem PEC overcomes long-standing challenges in photovoltage, light absorption, and material cost, and emerging solutions such as dual-skin ALD/SLIPS coatings show potential to address the critical instability of perovskites. However, translating laboratory success into global adoption requires targeted policy support, including early-stage capital subsidies, stringent recycling regulations for lead-based perovskites, expanded R&D funding, and international frameworks ensuring equitable technology transfer. Efficiency estimates and energy-supply projections suggest that artificial photosynthesis could meaningfully contribute to global fuel demand while reducing lifecycle emissions, though the paper acknowledges uncertainties related to land use, intermittency, and commercial scalability. Alternative decarbonization pathways, such as green hydrogen, offer valuable context but face infrastructure and energy-density limitations. Ultimately, this paper contends that with coordinated technological innovation and policy action, artificial photosynthesis can become a cornerstone of a just, scalable, and carbon-neutral global energy system.