Surface and interface atomic engineering of ultrathin 2D inorganic materials for small molecule photocatalysis

characterization methods that establish structure-activity correlations under working conditions. Looking forward, we outline transformative prospects in the field, including big-data-assisted design of surface/interface architectures, next-generation multiscale simulation frameworks, and scalable flow-reactor technologies. These pathways aim not only to deepen the fundamental understanding of photocatalytic mechanisms, but also to accelerate the transition of ultrathin 2D photocatalysts from laboratory innovation toward real-world solar-fuel and chemical production.