Interfacial Engineering of Hybrid Heterojunctions for Next-Generation Photoelectrocatalytic Systems: From Band Alignment to Environmental Application

Photoelectrocatalysis (PEC) is emerging as a promising platform for coupling solar-driven chemical conversion with environmental remediation. However, a persistent gap remains between advances demonstrated at the material level and the performance, durability, and scalability required for practical PEC devices. The rational engineering of interfaces—particularly band alignment, interfacial charge transfer, carrier separation, and heterostructure stability—is central to addressing this challenge. Recent studies on 2D nanomaterials, Z-scheme and p–n junction architectures, and hybrid photoelectrodes have demonstrated improved light harvesting, charge separation, pollutant degradation, water splitting, and CO₂ conversion. Nevertheless, the field continues to face challenges related to reproducible interface fabrication, mechanistic understanding under operando conditions, photocorrosion, mass transport, competing reactions, and performance validation in realistic environments. Further investigation is therefore needed to connect atomic- and nanoscale interface design with reactor-level integration and long-term PEC operation.This Research Topic aims to advance the understanding and development of hybrid heterojunctions for next-generation photoelectrocatalytic systems. It will examine how interfacial engineering can control charge-carrier dynamics and improve the efficiency, selectivity, stability, and scalability of PEC technologies. Particular emphasis will be placed on the relationship between band structure, interfacial charge-transfer pathways, material architecture, and system performance. The Research Topic will also explore whether integrated PEC platforms can enable simultaneous environmental remediation and carbon-neutral processes, including CO₂ reduction and valorisation. By bringing together materials scientists, chemists, environmental engineers, electrochemists, and nanotechnology researchers, this Research Topic seeks to identify transferable design principles and accelerate the development of practical PEC systems.To gather further insights into hybrid heterojunction design and its integration into environmental and carbon-conversion technologies, we welcome contributions addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:• Band alignment engineering and interfacial charge-transfer optimization in 2D/3D hybrid heterojunctionsZ-scheme, S-scheme, p–n junction, and other advanced heterostructure architectures• Integration of MXenes, transition-metal dichalcogenides, graphene, and related 2D nanomaterials into PEC systems• Dual-function PEC platforms for simultaneous pollutant oxidation and CO₂ reduction or valorization• Photoelectrode fabrication, interface modification, and performance optimization• Operando and in situ characterization of heterojunction interfaces and charge-carrier dynamics• Photocorrosion resistance, photoelectrode stability, and durability under realistic operating conditions• Reactor design, mass transport, and system-level engineering for environmental PEC applications• Mechanistic studies of pollutant degradation, selective oxidation, and carbon-conversion pathways• Scale-up, techno-economic assessment, life-cycle considerations, and deployment of PEC technologiesWe welcome original research articles and review articles that provide significant advances in the design, characterization, modelling, or application of hybrid heterojunction-based photoelectrocatalytic systems. Topic editors: Surjeet Chahal, PRASHANT KUMAR Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/83957/interfacial-engineering-of-hybrid-heterojunctions-for-next-generation-photoelectrocatalytic-systems-from-band-alignment-to-environmental-application