Nanomaterials for Electrocatalytic and Photoelectrocatalytic Water Splitting
A special issue of Catalysts (ISSN 2073-4344). This special issue belongs to the section "Photocatalysis".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 6
Special Issue Editors
Interests: synthesis, crystal facet engineering, assembly, and characterization of semiconductor nanomaterials for energy harvesting and storage applications; synthesis of the nanostructured metal electrodes by an electrochemical method and studying new applications; electrochemical; photochemical; photoelectrochemical water splitting; CO2 reduction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: design and preparation of nanostructured materials for photoelectrochemical applications, for example, water splitting and anti-corrosion
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
With the rapid development of the global economy and society, the intertwined challenges of energy shortage and environmental crisis have reached a critical juncture. The pressing need to shift towards sustainable energy sources and mitigate environmental degradation has propelled the exploration of green and renewable technologies to the forefront of scientific research. Among these, water splitting via electrocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic processes stands as a promising solution for hydrogen production, offering a clean and renewable energy carrier to address the world’s growing energy demands. Nanostructured materials have emerged as key players in this field, revolutionizing the efficiency and performance of water splitting reactions. The unique electronic configurations, surface atomic structures, and enhanced surface-to-volume ratios of nanomaterials endow them with superior catalytic activities. By precisely tailoring their nanostructural features, such as crystal facet engineering, heterostructure design, band gap tuning, morphology tailoring, plasmonic coupling, and co-catalyst loading, researchers can optimize the catalytic performance of these materials for various applications.
This Special Issue, titled “Nanomaterials for Electrocatalytic and Photoelectrocatalytic Water Splitting”, aims at showcasing the latest breakthroughs and advancements in the synthesis, characterization, and application of nanostructured catalysts for water splitting. We invite contributions that cover a wide range of topics, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Advanced synthetic methodologies for fabricating nanostructured catalysts with tailored properties, such as novel synthesis routes, template-free methods, and scalable production techniques.
- Fundamental understanding of the catalytic mechanisms underlying electrocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic water splitting, including the role of surface chemistry, electronic structure, and defect engineering.
- Strategies for performance optimization, such as the design of heterostructures, the incorporation of co-catalysts, and the modification of surface properties to enhance charge carrier separation and utilization.
- Novel applications of nanostructured catalysts in water splitting, including the integration with other energy conversion and storage technologies, and the development of multifunctional devices.
- Comprehensive reviews that provide critical insights into the current state of the art, emerging trends, and future directions in the field of nanomaterials for water splitting.
Both original research articles and comprehensive review papers are welcome. We encourage authors to present their most innovative and impactful findings, which may inspire new perspectives and foster interdisciplinary collaboration in this rapidly evolving research area. By bringing together the latest research from around the world, this Special Issue aims at contributing to the advancement of nanomaterial-based water splitting technologies and facilitate the transition towards a sustainable energy future.
Dr. Jin You Zheng
Guest Editor
Dr. Xiaomei Yu
Guest Editor Assistant
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- nanostructured catalysts
- crystal facet engineering
- surface modification
- heterostructure
- band gap engineering
- electrocatalytic water splitting
- photoelectrochemical water splitting
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