Photocatalytic Materials: Design, Mechanisms and Environmental Applications

Dear Colleagues,

Photocatalytic materials for environmental applications have attracted significant attention due to their ability to utilize light energy for the sustainable and environmentally friendly degradation and removal of pollutants. These materials, mainly semiconductor-based photocatalysts such as TiO₂, ZnO, SnO₂, and g-C₃N₄, play an important role in addressing environmental challenges, including water contamination, air pollution, and hazardous waste treatment. Under light irradiation, they generate electron–hole pairs that initiate oxidation and reduction reactions, leading to the decomposition of organic pollutants, dyes, antibiotics, and toxic chemicals into less harmful substances. In addition, photocatalytic materials have been widely investigated for heavy metal reduction, bacterial disinfection, and CO₂ conversion. Their high efficiency, relatively low cost, and potential for solar-driven applications make them promising candidates for advancing environmental remediation and supporting sustainable development.

This Special Issue focuses on the development and fundamental understanding of advanced photocatalytic materials for sustainable environmental and energy applications. Its main aim is to explore the design and engineering of semiconductor-based materials with enhanced light absorption, efficient charge separation, and improved photocatalytic activity. The scope includes investigations into the fundamental mechanisms of photocatalytic reactions, such as electron–hole generation, charge transfer, and reactive species formation, with the aim of optimizing photocatalytic performance. It also covers the synthesis, characterization, and modification of photocatalysts, including metal oxides, nanocomposites, and heterostructures. Particular emphasis is placed on environmental applications such as wastewater treatment, organic pollutant degradation, air purification, and antimicrobial activity, as well as energy-related applications such as hydrogen production and CO₂ reduction. Overall, this Special Issue aims to bridge innovations in photocatalytic materials with practical technologies for environmental remediation and renewable energy.

Dr. Mohamed Mehdi Kaci
Prof. Dr. Jingdong Zhang
Guest Editors

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