Advances in Photocatalytic Technology and Materials

A special issue of Crystals (ISSN 2073-4352). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials for Energy Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 September 2026 | Viewed by 1203

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
School of Creative Science and Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Tokyo 169-8050, Japan
Interests: environmental materials; environmental chemistry; inorganic chemistry; surface chemistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor Assistant
College of Materials, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
Interests: nanoparticle synthesis; materials characterization; photocatalysis; environmental remediation; hydrogen generation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor Assistant
Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology (Public Organization), Nakhon Nayok 26120, Thailand
Interests: material modification; photocatalysis; materials characterization; renewable energy; waste utilization

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Guest Editor Assistant
School of Creative Science and Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Tokyo 169-8050, Japan
Interests: photocatalyst; organic semiconductor; inorganic semiconductor; clay; hydrogen peroxide; hydrogen

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Photocatalytic technology has emerged as a powerful tool for addressing global energy and environmental challenges by harnessing solar energy to drive chemical reactions. 

This Special Issue focuses on the synthesis, characterization, and application of photocatalytic materials, also including the latest developments in research methods involved in these studies, including scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, electrochemical characterization, etc. Key topics include the development of high-efficiency semiconductors, plasmonic catalysts, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), and emerging 2D nanomaterials, as well as strategies to enhance light absorption, charge carrier separation, and surface reaction kinetics. Mechanistic insights into photocatalytic pathways, gained through advanced characterization and computational modeling, are also explored in order to guide rational material design.

By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, this Special Issue aims to accelerate the development of next-generation photocatalysts that can contribute to a sustainable, carbon-neutral future.

Prof. Dr. Keiko Sasaki
Guest Editor

Dr. Sulakshana Shenoy
Dr. Jirawat Trakulmututa
Dr. Wenan Cai
Guest Editor Assistants

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • photocatalytic materials
  • nanostructured photocatalysts
  • scalable solar fuel production
  • hydrogen generation
  • photoelectrochemical
  • charge transfer separation
  • CO2 valorization
  • semiconductor interfaces
  • photocatalytic structural modification
  • photocatalytic reforming

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

33 pages, 3782 KB  
Review
Photocatalytic Reduction of CO2 by Bi-Based Semiconductor: A Review on Recent Progress
by Yuming Lu, Jingkai Yan, Wei He, He Guo, Feng Liu, Zhenghua Yang and Wenxin Hu
Crystals 2026, 16(2), 128; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst16020128 - 9 Feb 2026
Viewed by 837
Abstract
Photocatalytic reduction of CO2 into valuable solar fuels represents a promising strategy to address both energy crises and carbon emissions. Bismuth-based semiconductors have emerged as attractive visible-light-driven photocatalysts due to their suitable band structures, layered architectures, and tunable morphologies. This review systematically [...] Read more.
Photocatalytic reduction of CO2 into valuable solar fuels represents a promising strategy to address both energy crises and carbon emissions. Bismuth-based semiconductors have emerged as attractive visible-light-driven photocatalysts due to their suitable band structures, layered architectures, and tunable morphologies. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in Bi-based photocatalysts for CO2 photoreduction. First, the fundamental principles and key challenges of CO2 photoreduction are outlined. Subsequently, the structural and electronic characteristics of typical Bi-based materials, including Bi2O3, Bi2S3, Bi2MO6 (M = W; Mo), BiVO4, and BiOX (X = Cl; Br; I), are discussed. Emphasis is placed on design strategies to enhance photocatalytic performance, such as vacancy engineering, microstructure control, crystal facet engineering, heterojunction construction, cocatalyst loading, and their combinations. A comprehensive comparison of catalytic activities under various conditions is also provided. Finally, current limitations and future perspectives are highlighted, aiming to guide the rational design of efficient and stable Bi-based photocatalysts for CO2 conversion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Photocatalytic Technology and Materials)
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