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Advanced Metal Oxide Semiconductors for Photocatalytic and Photoelectrocatalytic Solar Energy...
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Advanced Metal Oxide Semiconductors for Photocatalytic and Photoelectrocatalytic Solar Energy Conversion

A special issue of Catalysts (ISSN 2073-4344). This special issue belongs to the section "Photocatalysis".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2026 | Viewed by 2786

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Yongbo Kuang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China
Interests: photoelectrochemistry; solar water splitting; photoelectrode surface/interface engineering; scaling-up of photoelectrodes preparation; novel design of large-area photoelectrochemical devices
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The urgent need for sustainable energy solutions has positioned solar-driven catalytic processes as a cornerstone of renewable energy research. Among various materials, metal oxide semiconductors stand out due to their favorable optoelectronic properties, tunable band structures, and exceptional chemical stability. However, their widespread application in photocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic systems is often hindered by inherent limitations, including rapid-charge carrier recombination, limited light-absorption spectra, and susceptibility to photo-corrosion. Addressing these challenges requires innovative approaches to materials design and engineering.

This Special Issue aims to capture the latest advancements in the design, synthesis, and modification of these critical materials. We invite original research and review articles focusing on TiO2-based or non-TiO2-based advanced metal oxide semiconductors, such as those that are bismuth-based (e.g., BiVO4) and stannate-based (e.g., SnWO4), with a hierarchical structure or which utilize surface defects, cocatalysts, heterojunctions, LSPR effects,  and other emerging multicomponent systems. Key areas of interest include innovative synthesis methodologies for controlling nanostructure and morphology, advanced surface and interface engineering to enhance charge separation and stability, and fundamental investigations into structure–property relationships through advanced characterization and theoretical modeling. We particularly encourage submissions that demonstrate significant improvements in performance and durability for applications such as photocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic water splitting, CO2 reduction, and organic pollutant degradation.

If you would like to submit papers for publication in this Special Issue or have any questions, please contact the in-house Editor, Mr. Ives Liu (ives.liu@mdpi.com).

Prof. Dr. Yongbo Kuang
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Catalysts is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • metal oxide semiconductors
  • photocatalysis
  • photoelectrocatalysis
  • solar energy
  • water splitting
  • CO2 reduction
  • organic pollutant degradation

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 3465 KB  
Article
Case Studies on System-Level Control in Electrodeposition for Photoelectrodes Synthesis
by Mi Gyoung Lee
Catalysts 2026, 16(3), 241; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal16030241 - 5 Mar 2026
Viewed by 661
Abstract
Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting offers a sustainable route for solar-to-hydrogen conversion, yet its large-scale deployment is often hindered by energy-intensive and costly fabrication processes for semiconductor photoelectrodes. Electrodeposition provides an attractive alternative owing to its solution-based, low-temperature, and scalable nature; however, the relationship [...] Read more.
Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting offers a sustainable route for solar-to-hydrogen conversion, yet its large-scale deployment is often hindered by energy-intensive and costly fabrication processes for semiconductor photoelectrodes. Electrodeposition provides an attractive alternative owing to its solution-based, low-temperature, and scalable nature; however, the relationship between electrochemical deposition parameters and photoelectrode functionality remains insufficiently understood. Herein, we systematically investigate system-level control in electrodeposition for photoelectrode synthesis using BiVO4 photoanodes and CuO/Cu2O photocathodes as model systems. By modulating deposition potential, current density, and electrical control modes, we elucidate how interfacial ion dynamics and growth kinetics govern film morphology, phase evolution, and PEC performance. DC electrodeposition establishes a baseline structure–performance relationship governed by precursor concentration and current density, while pulsed operation enables decoupling of nucleation and growth, leading to refined nanostructures and enhanced photocurrent responses. Further incorporation of reverse-pulsed potentials provides dynamic interfacial reset, enabling precise control over porosity and grain connectivity. The optimized BiVO4 photoanodes fabricated under tailored reverse-pulsed conditions exhibit improved photocurrent density compared to continuously deposited counterparts. The insights presented here provide practical guidelines for rationally engineering high-performance, scalable, and environmentally benign photoelectrodes for PEC water splitting. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Metal Oxide Semiconductors for Photocatalytic and Photoelectrocatalytic Solar Energy Conversion)
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Review

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38 pages, 4591 KB  
Review
Non-Metallic Doping of Multinary Metal Oxide Semiconductors for Energy Applications
by Zhihua Wu, Jing Gao and Yongbo Kuang
Catalysts 2025, 15(11), 1062; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15111062 - 7 Nov 2025
Viewed by 1827
Abstract
Multinary metal oxides are widely applied in energy storage and conversion, heterogeneous catalysis and environmental technologies, but their wide band gaps, low intrinsic electronic conductivity and limited density of active sites severely restrict their practical efficiency. This review examines non-metallic doping via the [...] Read more.
Multinary metal oxides are widely applied in energy storage and conversion, heterogeneous catalysis and environmental technologies, but their wide band gaps, low intrinsic electronic conductivity and limited density of active sites severely restrict their practical efficiency. This review examines non-metallic doping via the substitutional, interstitial or mixed incorporation of light elements such as B, C, N, F, P and S as a versatile strategy to overcome these fundamental limitations. We begin by outlining the primary synthesis methodologies for doped oxides, such as sol–gel, chemical vapor deposition, and hydrothermal routes, followed by a critical discussion of the multi-technique characterization framework required to verify successful dopant incorporation and elucidate its structural and electronic consequences. We focus on the fundamental principles of how doping parameters—such as mode, element type, and concentration—can be tuned to regulate material properties. The key mechanisms for performance enhancement, including synergistic lattice reconstruction, defect engineering, and electronic structure modulation, are emphasized. Significant advancements are highlighted in applications like energy storage, fuel cells, water splitting, and CO2 reduction. Finally, we assess current challenges, such as the precise control of doping sites and long-term stability, and offer perspectives on the rational design of next-generation oxide materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Metal Oxide Semiconductors for Photocatalytic and Photoelectrocatalytic Solar Energy Conversion)
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