State-of-the-Art Materials toward Efficient Solar Energy Harvesting

Dear Colleagues,

The energy and environmental crises continue to threaten the future of humanity, as the environmental impact of non-renewable energy sources will certainly affect the sustenance of the earth. Numerous sources of renewable energy have been studied, namely wind, biomass, tidal, and solar. Solar energy applications continue to be studied, particularly as the sun provides one of the most bountiful energy sources via its utilization as sunlight. The abundance of energy in sunlight allows many types of semiconductors to be employed as energy harvesters, spanning a wide range of solar radiation wavelengths to be exploited. Sunlight can be applied in numerous ways, as the cost-free energy source can be utilized by semiconductors to generate electricity in photovoltaic cells, to split water molecules to generate hydrogen and degrade pollutants via photocatalytic reactions. This Special Issue will focus on state-of-the-art materials that generate further variations of materials that may be employed in solar energy applications. Contributions to this Special Issue may attend to topics that include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Semiconductors for solar energy application
• Synthesis
• Nanoparticles
• Nanostructured thin films
• Nanocomposites
• Characterization and applications
• Photovoltaic materials
• Photodegradation
• Hydrogen generation

Dr. Salh Alhammadi
Dr. Amr Hussein Mady Hussein
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• semiconductors for energy applications
• thin film photovoltaic solar cell
• solar energy
• photocatalytic degradation
• photocatalyst and electrocatalyst for hydrogen energy
• nanomaterials/nanocomposite for energy harvesting

Title: Optimizing ZnFe2O4 Thin Films Sputtering Parameters for Highly Efficient Hydrogen Production via Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Process
Authors: Salh Alhammadi
Affiliation: Yeungnam University School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Gyeongbuk, Korea

Title: Brain efficiency: theoretical basis for the efficiency of solar energy generation, conversion and use
Authors: Luis Fernando Cruz Q
Affiliation: Universidad Manuela Beltrán
Abstract: The relationship between the human brain and energy efficiency in the context of solar energy is interesting, relevant, and necessary. Interdisciplinary collaboration between neuroscience and solar energy can lead to unexpected advances and innovative solutions. The human brain is a highly efficient organ in terms of energy consumption, and neuroscience research can inspire approaches to improve the efficiency of solar energy technologies. Although the brain represents only about 2% of the total body weight, it consumes approximately 20% of the body's energy and oxygen. This efficiency is due in part to the optimization of neural networks and the ability to adapt and reorganize efficiently. Optimizing energy efficiency is essential to ensure a more sustainable future and effectively use solar energy as a renewable energy source. Therefore the study of energy efficiency in the brain can provide ideas to improve efficiency in the generation, conversion and use of solar energy. In summary, knowledge about brain energy efficiency can drive research and optimization of: Energy conversion systems. Innovation and creativity in solar technology. Novel approaches in solar energy system design Resolution of problems related to the efficiency and management of solar energy. Efficiency of solar cells and solar energy storage systems. Design and management of solar energy systems. For example, in optimizing energy production and storage according to demand. Conversion of sunlight into usable energy Design of more effective and sustainable storage systems. Reduction of losses in the transmission and distribution of solar energy. Development of more efficient solar technologies.