Innovations in Photocatalytic Materials and Advanced Crystal Engineering
A special issue of Crystals (ISSN 2073-4352). This special issue belongs to the section "Crystal Engineering".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 March 2026 | Viewed by 7
Special Issue Editors
Interests: metal catalytic materials; covalent organic framework; photocatalysis; heavy metals; wastewate
Interests: the design of heterogeneous catalysts for efficient hydrogen production; storage and high-value utilization of hydrogen; high-value conversion of carbon-based energy small molecules (CO, CO2, CH4, CH3OH and CH3CH2OH, etc.) and exploration of new cascade catalytic reaction processes; biomass catalysis, including thermal catalysis, photo/photothermal catalysis and electrocatalytic biomass conversion to produce hydrogen and high-value-added chemicals
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Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Innovations in photocatalytic materials and advanced crystal engineering represent a dynamic intersection of materials science, chemistry, and physics, with profound implications for addressing global challenges in energy and the environment. This interdisciplinary field focuses on unraveling the intricate relationship between the crystalline structure of materials—including phase composition, defect distribution, surface morphology, and heterostructure design—and their photocatalytic performance, such as light absorption efficiency, charge carrier separation, and reaction selectivity.
This Special Issue aims to showcase cutting-edge research that pushes the boundaries of photocatalytic material development through advanced crystal engineering strategies. We welcome contributions that explore novel synthesis methods for tailoring crystal structures, from atomic-level defect engineering to the construction of advanced crystal (e.g., COFs, MOFs, core-shell, 2D/3D hybrids). Practical applications across key domains will be highlighted, including solar-driven water splitting, CO₂ reduction, pollutant degradation, and sustainable organic synthesis, demonstrating how engineered crystal structures enhance real-world functionality.
Additionally, the issue will feature progress in characterization techniques—such as in situ X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and operando spectroscopy—that enable direct observation of crystal dynamics under photocatalytic conditions. We also encourage submissions on computational modeling and machine learning approaches that accelerate the design of high-performance photocatalysts by predicting structure-activity relationships.
By bringing together original research articles, comprehensive reviews, and short communications, this Special Issue seeks to provide a holistic view of current advancements, identify emerging trends, and inspire collaborative innovation. It will serve as a valuable resource for researchers and engineers seeking to deepen their understanding of crystal engineering principles and their application in photocatalysis, while fostering a platform for knowledge exchange to drive the field forward.
Dr. Zhi Gao
Prof. Dr. Ming Xu
Guest Editors
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
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. Crystals 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 2100 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
- photocatalytic materials
- advanced crystal engineering
- crystal structure design
- photocatalytic performance
- sustainable technology innovation
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