Advances in Photocatalytic and Photoelectrocatalytic Materials: From Mechanisms to Applications

Dear Colleagues,

Photocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis have emerged as promising solar-driven technologies to address pressing challenges in environmental pollution, energy demand, and carbon footprint reduction. Recent advances in materials science have accelerated the design of efficient photo(electro)catalytic systems, overcoming key limitations such as low quantum efficiency and insufficient visible light absorption and bringing these technologies closer to practical application.

This Special Issue highlights recent progress in materials design, interfacial engineering, and mechanistic understanding of photocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic systems for sustainable environmental remediation and solar fuel production. Topics include pollutant removal from water and air, hydrogen generation, and CO₂ conversion into value-added chemicals. Particular emphasis is placed on advanced catalysts, including multinary oxides, chalcogenides, and carbon-based semiconductors, as well as strategies such as co-catalyst integration, plasmonic and graphene modification, defect engineering, homo/heterojunction construction, and structural control (e.g., 2D, porous, and photonic architectures) to enhance light harvesting, charge separation, and mass transport.

This Special Issue aims to bridge fundamental understanding with technological application, fostering interdisciplinary contributions that advance the design of high-performance photo(electro)catalytic systems. Particular attention is given to the interplay between material properties, interfacial phenomena, and reaction pathways that govern efficiency and selectivity. By integrating experimental and theoretical insights, this Special Issue seeks to provide a comprehensive perspective on current challenges and emerging opportunities in solar-driven catalysis.

Key highlights include (i) advanced materials design for enhanced visible-light harvesting and charge separation; (ii) interface and heterojunction engineering for improved catalytic performance; (iii) mechanistic insights into photocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic processes; (iv) applications in environmental remediation and solar fuel production; and (v) sustainable approaches emphasizing stability, scalability, and low-toxicity materials.

We welcome original research and review articles covering synthesis, characterization, interface engineering, defect physics, and theoretical insights. Contributions on integrated systems, AI-assisted materials discovery, and durable, low-toxicity catalysts are especially encouraged.

We look forward to your submissions.

Prof. Dr. Vlassios Likodimos
Dr. Maria Antoniadou
Guest Editors

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