This symposium will focus on recent advancements in photo-assisted chemical reactions, emphasizing novel catalytic materials and their applications in photocatalysis, photoelectrocatalysis, and photothermal catalysis. Discussions will cover the design and development of cuttingedge catalysts tailored for light-driven processes, particularly those used in water splitting, CO reduction, ammonia synthesis, biomass conversion and organic transformation. Special attention will be given to catalytic strategies for environmental remediation, highlighting the role of these materials in breaking down pollutants and addressing pressing environmental challenges.
Additionally, the symposium will explore advanced characterization techniques, such as in situ and in operando methods, which provide real-time insights into catalytic behavior and reaction mechanisms. These studies are crucial for understanding the complex interactions within catalytic systems and for improving the efficiency and selectivity of photo-assisted transformations. Mechanistic studies of catalytic processes will further shed light on the underlying principles guiding the reactions, paving the way for future innovations in sustainable energy and chemical production.
- Catalytic materials in photocatalysis, photoelectrocatalysis, and photothermal catalysis.
- Advanced (in situ/in operando) characterization
- Advancements in water splitting, CO2 reduction, ammonia synthesis, biomass conversion, and organic transformation reactions
- Catalysis-based strategies for environmental remediation
- Study of catalytic mechanisms.
- Study of catalytic mechanisms.
Carolina Gimbert Suriñach obtained her PhD from the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) under the supervision of Prof. A. Vallribera, working on the development of organocatalytic processes. After one year as assistant professor at the same university, she moved to the University of New South Wales (UNSW) to undertake postdoctoral research in the field of bioinorganic chemistry with Prof. S. B. Colbran. Afterwards, she started a second postdoctoral position at the Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ) in Prof. A. Llobet group. During this time, she developed hydrogen evolution and water oxidation (photo)catalytic systems. Three years later she was promoted to scientific group coordinator in the same group and her research focused on implementing molecular catalysis into water splitting devices. After a short stay at the University of Barcelona (UB) as Serra Húnter professor, she moved back to the Chemistry Department of UAB as Ramón y Cajal fellow and CatSyNanoMat Group co-leader, where she recently promoted to Associate Professor. Her scientific interests are in the field of photocatalysis as well as organic and hybrid materials with application to artificial photosynthesis.
Valérie KELLEREugenia Martinez-FerreroOleksandr Savateev was born and raised in Kyiv, Ukraine. He received his BSc and MSc degrees in chemistry from the National Technical University of Ukraine “Kyiv Polytechnic Institute” and the PhD degree in organic chemistry from the Institute of Organic Chemistry of the National Academy of Science of Ukraine. In 2015, he joined the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces in Potsdam, Germany, where he worked as a postdoctoral researcher. In 2017, at the same institute, he started his group “Innovative Heterogeneous Photocatalysis”. During this period of his carrier, he received several national German and European grants. In 2023, he took the position of the Vice-Chancellor Associate Professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He is a member of consortia of researchers that work on solving applied and fundamental problems by means of solar light and photocatalysis. His current research interests include organic synthesis mediated by heterogeneous photocatalysts, application of photocharged semiconductors in organic synthesis and data-driven research. He is an editor and author of several books, including “Carbon nitrides. Structure, properties and applications in science and technology”, and author of more than 100 research articles. In 2024, he completed his Habilitation in Organic Chemistry at the University of Potsdam, Germany. As an educator, he is interested in gamification of teaching and studying. He is a creator of ChemChallenge – the first video game for teaching and studying physical chemistry.