Engineering of Large-Area Photocatalytic and Photoelectrocatalytic Devices: From Materials to "Artificial Leaf" Systems

Dear Colleagues,

The pursuit of artificial photosynthesis represents one of the most compelling endeavors in sustainable energy research. By harnessing sunlight to drive chemical reactions, photocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic systems promise the production of clean fuels and chemicals, offering a pathway to close the carbon cycle. However, the transition from highly optimized, small-area laboratory prototypes to functional, large-scale devices presents a complex set of interdisciplinary challenges that extend far beyond material properties alone.

This Special Issue of Catalysts is dedicated to the engineering science required to overcome the "scale-up" bottleneck. We seek to highlight research that moves beyond fundamental material efficacy to address the practicalities of constructing large-area, robust devices. Key considerations include the development of scalable and automated fabrication techniques to ensure uniformity and reproducibility, the design of novel device architectures for effective mass transport and charge management across wide areas, and engineering solutions for long-term stability against chemical and mechanical degradation. A central theme is the integration of components into wireless, standalone "Artificial Leaf" systems capable of unassisted operation. We welcome contributions that tackle these critical integration challenges, fostering the advancement of photocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic technology from conceptual promise towards practical implementation.

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

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