Progress and Perspectives of Nanomaterials in Photocatalysis
A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy and Catalysis".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2026 | Viewed by 60
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
In the global pursuit of solutions to the energy crisis and environmental pollution, photocatalysis is considered the most ideal approach for achieving green chemistry due to its ability to directly harness solar energy for chemical transformation. While significant progress has been made over recent decades, the efficiency of photocatalysis remains limited by bottlenecks such as narrow light absorption ranges, rapid charge carrier recombination, and sluggish surface reaction kinetics.
The emergence of nanomaterials provides unprecedented opportunities to overcome these limitations. Through precision engineering at the nanoscale, we can exploit quantum confinement effects, high specific surface areas, and unique surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effects. From classic TiO2 nanostructures to emerging 2D MXenes, covalent organic frameworks (COFs), and single-atom catalysts, nanotechnology is reshaping the landscape of photocatalysis.
This Special Issue aims to gather the latest breakthrough research and comprehensive reviews on the application of nanomaterials in photocatalysis. Our focus is not only on the synthesis of new materials but also on optimizing charge separation efficiency, extending spectral response, and unveiling microscopic reaction mechanisms through nano-engineering.
We invite authors to contribute original research articles and review papers. Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Novel semiconductor nanostructures: Controlled synthesis of g-C3N4, metal oxides, and chalcogenides.
- 2D materials and heterojunctions: Van der Waals heterojunctions and S-scheme/Z-scheme systems based on graphene, MXenes, and TMDs.
- Single-atom and cluster catalysts: Atomic-scale dispersion on nano-supports to enhance catalytic activity.
- Plasmonic-enhanced photocatalysis: Utilizing metal nanoparticles for improved visible light harvesting and hot-electron transfer.
- Advanced characterization and mechanistic studies: The application of in situ techniques in observing nanoscale photocatalytic reactions.
- Solar-to-fuel conversion: Photocatalytic water splitting for H2 production, CO2 reduction, and nitrogen fixation.
- Environmental remediation: The photocatalytic degradation of VOCs, antibiotics, and industrial dyes.
- Photoelectrochemical (PEC) cells: The construction and application of high-efficiency nanostructured photoanodes/cathodes.
Dr. Taiyu Jin
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- semiconductor
- photocatalysis
- heterojunction
- solar energy
- pollutant degradation
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