The increasing demand for clean energy has focused substantial interest on next-generation materials. Two-dimensional (2D) materials have emerged as promising platforms due to their high surface-to-volume ratios, tunable electronic properties, abundant active sites, and unique optical, catalytic, and electrochemical characteristics. These properties make them attractive for electrocatalytic and photocatalytic water splitting, hydrogen evolution, oxygen evolution, and CO2 reduction to solar fuels. Moreover, the properties of 2D materials can be tailored through defect engineering, surface functionalization, strain modulation, heterostructure formation, and interface engineering. Despite substantial progress, challenges related to material stability, synthesis scalability, reproducibility, cost, and the rational correlation between structure and performance continue to limit practical implementation. Therefore, continued research into emerging 2D materials and new strategies for controlling their properties is essential for advancing sustainable energy technologies.
This Research Topic aims to address these challenges by bringing together recent advances in emerging 2D materials and their application in clean energy conversion. Particular emphasis will be placed on material design, defect and interface engineering, heterostructure construction, strain modulation, and surface functionalization to optimize the electronic, optical, catalytic, and electrochemical properties of 2D materials. The integration of theoretical modelling, advanced experimental approaches, and cost-effective synthesis methods will be essential for developing high-performance, durable, and cost-effective materials for next-generation sustainable conversion technologies.
We welcome contributions exploring the design, synthesis, characterization, modelling, and application of emerging 2D materials for sustainable energy conversion. Specific themes include 2D materials for electrocatalytic and photocatalytic water splitting, hydrogen evolution reaction, oxygen evolution reaction, and CO2 reduction to fuels. Contributions addressing defect engineering, strain engineering, surface functionalization, heterostructures, and interface engineering are particularly encouraged. We also welcome studies integrating computational modelling, machine learning, advanced characterization, and experimental synthesis, with emphasis on cost-effective and sustainable material development. We welcome Original Research, Review, Mini Review, Perspective, and Brief Research Report articles that provide insights into the development of next-generation materials.
Article types and fees
This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:
Brief Research Report
Editorial
FAIR² Data
General Commentary
Mini Review
Opinion
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.
Article types
This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:
Brief Research Report
Editorial
FAIR² Data
General Commentary
Mini Review
Opinion
Original Research
Perspective
Review
Technology and Code
Keywords: 2D materials, Electrocatalysis, Photocatalysis, Water splitting, Energy storage, Defect and interface engineering, Computational modelling
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.
