Metal oxide nanostructures represent a vibrant research field within optoelectronics, offering novel properties that address challenges in device performance and stability. In recent years, researchers have focused on exploiting the unique characteristics of these materials, such as their tunable electronic bandgaps, high surface-to-volume ratios, and inherent chemical and thermal robustness. Despite remarkable advancements, critical questions remain about how the manipulation of composition, morphology, and defect landscapes can deliver transformative improvements in light harvesting, emission, and electronic transport. Pioneering studies have demonstrated that engineered nanostructures enable new frontiers for photodetectors, solar cells, light-emitting devices, sensors, and sustainable energy solutions, though the translation of these fundamental breakthroughs into practical, scalable optoelectronic systems is not yet fully realized.
This Research Topic aims to elucidate how metal oxide nanostructures can drive innovation in the design and implementation of high-performance optoelectronic devices. We seek to gather insights on structure-property relationships, defect engineering, heterostructure design, and their cumulative impacts on device efficiency and functionality. Central questions include the mechanisms underlying improved optoelectronic behavior, the best strategies for integrating nanostructures into complex architectures, and prospects for overcoming current barriers to commercialization and mass adoption.
The scope of this Research Topic covers advances in the synthesis, characterization, and application of metal oxide nanostructures for optoelectronic purposes, but excludes topics strictly limited to non-oxide or bulk materials. Contributions may address systems ranging from fundamental physical principles to applied device engineering. We welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Advanced synthesis and fabrication methods for metal oxide nanostructures
- Defect engineering and interface modulation in optoelectronic applications
- Metal oxide heterostructures and hybrid systems for device performance enhancement
- Integration of nanostructures in photodetectors, solar cells, LEDs, and sensor platforms
- Scalability and stability challenges in translating laboratory results to practical devices
- Theoretical and computational approaches to understanding material properties and devices
- Environmental and sustainable aspects of metal oxide-based optoelectronics
Article types and fees
This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:
- Brief Research Report
- Data Report
- Editorial
- FAIR² Data
- General Commentary
- Mini Review
- Original Research
- Perspective
- Review
Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.
Keywords: metal oxide nanostructures, optoelectronics, bandgap engineering, photodetectors, light-emitting diodes, sensors, energy harvesting, defect engineering, heterostructures, device integration
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.
