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 59

Special Issue Editor


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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
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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

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Keywords

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

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

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
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
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