About this Research Topic
Heterogeneous photocatalysis represents a potential solution to both fuel production and pollution. For example, achieving efficient and cost-effective photocatalytic H2 generation is quintessential to put in motion the hydrogen-driven economy. Analogously, being able to close the gap with nature and photo-degrade pollutants such as CO2 would contribute to reach carbon neutrality, thus contrasting the global warming, by curbing the emission of greenhouse gases. Furthermore, efficient photocatalytic N2 fixation would revolutionize the ammonia industry which is the most energy-intensive production of the planet.
However, two features are currently hindering the development of the field, namely the lack of efficient photocatalysts and an insufficient comprehension of the reaction mechanisms. In fact, in addition to the opto-electronic properties desirable for harvesting solar energy, a candidate photocatalyst should have its energy levels favorably aligned with respect to the potentials of the relevant redox reactions, be stable in the media in which the reactants are dissolved (e.g. liquid water) and possess a satisfactory photocatalytic activity, in order to aid the swift completion of the heterogeneous proton-coupled charge transfer reactions occurring on its surface, whose mechanisms, nevertheless, are not easily identified.
Large efforts have been deployed in the last years to boost the efficiency of photocatalysis and make it a commercially viable technology. In this context, it is timely to address the state-of-the-art of the field and indicate clear goals that need to be achieved.
In this framework, the present Research Topic aims at achieving a deeper comprehension of key reactions which would revolutionize the world, if efficiently performed via heterogeneous photocatalysis. Therefore, we invite the submission of manuscripts providing a substantial advancement in our understanding of the mechanistic aspects of relevant photocatalytic reactions, either via experiment or computational modelling. In this regard, pertinent topics of research include but are not limited to:
(i) Photocatalytic water splitting, considering both the hydrogen evolution reaction (photocatode) and the water oxidation reaction (photoanode).
(ii) Light-induced reduction of greenhouse gases, with particular focus on CO2.
(iii) Green production of ammonia and ammonia-related products via photocatalytic nitrogen fixations.
(iv) Photocatalytic organic chemistry reactions at the solid-liquid interface.
We welcome Original Research, Review, Mini Review and Perspective articles on themes including, but not limited to:
• Novel materials and heterostructures for photocatalysis including (but not limited to) water-splitting, CO2 reduction and N2 fixation, with a clear focus on the comprehension of the key factors influencing the reactivity and the efficiency.
• Computational and theoretical investigations on materials physico-chemical properties (bulk, surface, and interface) in connection with reaction mechanisms at the heterogeneous interface.
However, two features are currently hindering the development of the field, namely the lack of efficient photocatalysts and an insufficient comprehension of the reaction mechanisms. In fact, in addition to the opto-electronic properties desirable for harvesting solar energy, a candidate photocatalyst should have its energy levels favorably aligned with respect to the potentials of the relevant redox reactions, be stable in the media in which the reactants are dissolved (e.g. liquid water) and possess a satisfactory photocatalytic activity, in order to aid the swift completion of the heterogeneous proton-coupled charge transfer reactions occurring on its surface, whose mechanisms, nevertheless, are not easily identified.
Large efforts have been deployed in the last years to boost the efficiency of photocatalysis and make it a commercially viable technology. In this context, it is timely to address the state-of-the-art of the field and indicate clear goals that need to be achieved.
In this framework, the present Research Topic aims at achieving a deeper comprehension of key reactions which would revolutionize the world, if efficiently performed via heterogeneous photocatalysis. Therefore, we invite the submission of manuscripts providing a substantial advancement in our understanding of the mechanistic aspects of relevant photocatalytic reactions, either via experiment or computational modelling. In this regard, pertinent topics of research include but are not limited to:
(i) Photocatalytic water splitting, considering both the hydrogen evolution reaction (photocatode) and the water oxidation reaction (photoanode).
(ii) Light-induced reduction of greenhouse gases, with particular focus on CO2.
(iii) Green production of ammonia and ammonia-related products via photocatalytic nitrogen fixations.
(iv) Photocatalytic organic chemistry reactions at the solid-liquid interface.
We welcome Original Research, Review, Mini Review and Perspective articles on themes including, but not limited to:
• Novel materials and heterostructures for photocatalysis including (but not limited to) water-splitting, CO2 reduction and N2 fixation, with a clear focus on the comprehension of the key factors influencing the reactivity and the efficiency.
• Computational and theoretical investigations on materials physico-chemical properties (bulk, surface, and interface) in connection with reaction mechanisms at the heterogeneous interface.
Keywords: artificial photocatalysis, novel light-harvesting materials, heterogeneous proton-coupled electron transfer, reaction mechanisms
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
