Recent Advances in Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Generation

Dear Colleagues,

The global transition toward clean and sustainable energy sources has elevated hydrogen to a pivotal role as a versatile and eco-friendly energy carrier. Among various hydrogen production technologies, photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting stands out as a highly promising approach for generating green hydrogen. By harnessing solar energy to directly split water into hydrogen and oxygen, PEC systems offer a sustainable and carbon-neutral pathway, aligning with the urgent need to decarbonize the global energy landscape. Recent advancements in materials science, device design, and system integration have significantly enhanced the performance and efficiency of PEC hydrogen generation, bringing this technology closer to practical implementation. This Special Issue aims to showcase the most recent progress and innovations in the field of PEC hydrogen generation, highlighting breakthroughs in theory, materials, device engineering, and system-level integration. By consolidating the latest research, we seek to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of the art and to identify pathways for future advancements.

Topics of interest for publication include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Photoelectrode materials: Development of high-performance photoanodes and photocathodes, including metal oxides, transition metal chalcogenides, perovskites, and novel two-dimensional materials.
• Catalysts for PEC water splitting: Design and optimization of efficient oxygen evolution and hydrogen evolution catalysts, including earth-abundant and non-precious metal-based systems.
• Interface engineering: Strategies to enhance charge transfer, reduce recombination, and improve stability at the semiconductor/electrolyte interface.
• Device architectures: Innovations in PEC cell designs, tandem devices, and integrated PEC systems to maximize solar-to-hydrogen efficiency.
• Durability and scalability: Research on long-term stability, corrosion resistance, and the scalability of PEC technologies for industrial applications.
• Hybrid systems: Integration of PEC systems with other renewable energy sources or storage technologies, such as photovoltaic–PEC hybrids.
• Advanced characterization techniques: Novel experimental approaches to probe charge carrier dynamics, interfacial processes, and degradation mechanisms in PEC devices.

This Special Issue will provide a platform for researchers to present cutting-edge work that addresses the fundamental challenges and engineering barriers in PEC hydrogen generation.

We encourage contributions that report experimental, theoretical, or computational advances, as well as reviews that critically assess the field's progress and outline future research directions.

Energies, as an open-access journal, is dedicated to promoting the dissemination of high-quality scientific knowledge in energy research. This Special Issue aligns closely with our mission to advance technology development, policy, and management studies in the energy sector. By fostering collaboration among scientists and engineers across disciplines, we aim to accelerate the deployment of innovative solutions for sustainable energy production and use. We invite you to contribute to this Special Issue and to join us in shaping the future of hydrogen energy systems through the development of efficient and sustainable PEC technologies.

Best regards,

Dr. Ottavia Bettucci
Guest Editor

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• photoelectrochemical (PEC) hydrogen generation
• solar-to-hydrogen efficiency
• catalysts for water splitting
• sustainable energy systems
• photoelectrode materials
• interface engineering
• hybrid PEC systems