Solar Photocatalysis

Rapid growth in economy and society currently relies on fossil fuels heavily, leading to serious concern energy sustainability environmental pollution. This has aroused increasing interest solar energy, which is the most abundant green source. However, it remains a significant challenge storing harnessing due its diurnal seasonal fluctuation along with uneven distribution. Moreover, density relatively low; supply from traditional cells time-varying. Consequently, difficult synchronize generation usage of electricity cells. In contrast, photocatalytic water splitting can convert chemical be stored form hydrogen, an ideal carrier that characteristic cleanness operational convenience. Also, CO2 reduction transform greenhouse gas valuable fuels. Furthermore, degradation organic pollutants decontaminate air, water, soil. Additionally, disinfection sterilization reduce human exposure pathogens toxins. Therefore, photocatalysis received extensive attention globally, becoming hotspot frontier across several fields, including chemistry, materials science, environment engineering. this special issue (Part 1), 2 progress reports, 12 review articles 15 research have been published. Classified based applications, 8 papers hydrogen evolution, 7 involve reduction, deal pollutant decomposition, 11 are related nitrate nitrogen fixation, synthesis, syngas NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) regeneration so on. From perspective, discuss C3N4, 4 CdS, 3 paper conjugated polymers, other cover TiO2, CdSe, CoMn alloy, PbI2/CuI, silicon, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), perovskite oxides, Bi2MoO6 Photocatalytic H2 production great both theoretical practical viewpoints because potential application converting into storable energy. Herein, Zhen Xue (solr.202000440) reviewed surface functionalization polymeric carbon nitride at atomic molecular levels for applications. Then, Yu et al. (solr.202000372) reported enhanced activity g-C3N4, prepared by one-step crystallization cyano-group modification. Yang co-workers (solr.202000414) presented fabrication 2D/2D CdS/MXene Schottky heterojunctions electrostatic self-assembly solvothermal method their high-efficiency production. Tang colleagues (solr.202000281) cobalt catalysts grafted microporous polymer Zhao (solr.202000415) CdS/MoS2 nanooctahedron heterostructure tight interface evolution biomass upgrading. Wu's group (solr.202000474) per-6-thiol-cyclodextrin engineered [FeFe]-H2ase mimic/CdSe quantum dot assembly effective evolution. Xu (solr.202000486) synthesized lignin-modified g-C3N4 nanoarchitecture ultrathin layered topography efficient Finally, Kwon (solr.202000411) between CdS dots RuO2/reduced graphene oxide nanosheets, showing activity. Nowadays, there solutions level atmosphere. appealing strategy simultaneously overcome problems crisis. issue, Wang's (solr.202000443) firstly discussed active sites activation conversion. Liang (solr.202000478) summarized recent composite photocatalysts reduction. Huang's (solr.202000430) junction engineering photoelectrocatalytic Zhang (solr.202000387) demonstrated all-earth-abundant photothermal silicon platform catalysis nearly 100% sunlight absorption ability. Jia's (solr.202000313) anchoring single-atom Ru capture charge accumulation highly selective photothermocatalytic Xiang (solr.202000351) S-scheme heterojunction few-layer monolayer Ti3C2Tx MXene Zhang's (solr.202000326) ultraviolet-visible-near-infrared responsive Cu2-xS/g-C3N4 photocatalyst performance. It worth noting efforts made prepare high-performance remediation air purification, hazardous waste removal, etc. Herein (solr.202000416) fabricated g-C3N4/NH2-UIO-66 removal efficiency hexavalent chromium. Zhu's (solr.202000453) phenol presence g-C3N4/PDI (perylenetetracarboxylic diimide). Janáky (solr.202000418) preparation PbI2/CuI nanocomposite electrode photoelectroreduction ions. Peng's (solr.202000487) updated progresses nitrogen-fixation reaction over semiconductors. Su (solr.202000444) surveyed advance rational photoexcited hole-electron pairs semiconductor photocatalysts, oxidative reductive synthetic transformations pharmaceutical Ouyang's (solr.202000488) alloy using metal-segregation conversion light olefins. Qian (solr.202000489) commented polymers visible promoted such as splitting, photoredox reactions, Chen colleague (solr.202000442) current status Bi2MoO6-based surface/interface modification strategies Dong (solr.202000419) synthesis strategy, interfacial effect nanocrystals-based photocatalysts. Hao Li (solr.202000454) visible-light initiated synergistic/cascade reactions frameworks. Ma's (solr.202000397) highlighted Z-Scheme application. Wang (solr.202000392) two-dimensional (2D Si) Liu's (solr.202000339) key developments systems regeneration. As guest editors, we thank all authors prompt response call contribution issue. All manuscripts were refereed through rigorous peer-review processes. We greatly appreciate timely conscientious evaluation reviewers. Last but not least, grateful Dr. Lulu Ma, Editor Solar RRL, her tremendous support dedication. Jiaguo his B.S. M.S. chemistry Central China Normal University Xi'an Jiaotong University, respectively; Ph.D. Materials Science Wuhan Technology (WUT). 2000, he became Professor WUT. His interests include photocatalysis, adsorption, supercapacitor, electrocatalysis, formaldehyde He Foreign Member Academia Europaea (The Academy Europe) (2020), Fellow European Sciences (2020) Royal Society Chemistry (2015). Tierui Technical Institute Physics Chemistry, Chinese Sciences. obtained degree Jilin 2003. worked postdoctoral fellow labs Prof. Markus Antonietti, Charl F.J. Faul, Hicham Fenniri, Z. RyanTian, Yadong Yin, Yushan Yan. scientific focus catalyst nanomaterials Nianqiang Wu Armstrong-Siadat Endowed Massachusetts Amherst, USA. Engineering Zhejiang China. Electrochemical (FECS) (FRSC). lies in: 1) photoelectrochemical cells, 2) electrochemical storage, 3) biosensing, microfluidics photodynamic therapy.