Title:    Rethinking Catalysis: A Personal Journey Toward Truly Sustainable Processes

Time:    2026-01-15 10:00

Lecturer:  Paolo Fornasiero

University of Trieste, Italy

Venue:    Room 202, Lu-Jiaxi Building

Abstract：

Heterogeneous photocatalysis based on readily available, well-defined single-atom or metal-free catalysts is attracting growing interest, driven by the increasing pressure on industry to adopt more sustainable chemical production schemes. In the energy sector, nanostructured materials have demonstrated remarkable potential for the efficient conversion of biomass as well as for the production of hydrogen and liquid hydrogen carriers.

With sustainability now at the core of photocatalyst design, graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN) has emerged as a highly versatile semiconductor nanomaterial, already recognized for a wide range of applications. We have recently highlighted the pivotal role that g-CN can play in photocatalytic organic synthesis. In addition, we contribute to the ongoing debate on the respective roles of single-site catalysts versus clusters and nanoparticle-based systems, with particular emphasis on the identification of cooperative effects.

These emerging catalytic systems are expected to move beyond fundamental research and stimulate industrial interest in the development of green organic synthesis, renewable energy conversion, and pollution prevention and control - key challenges of the 21st century and the central focus of this presentation.

Bio of the Lecturer：

Paolo Fornasiero is Full Professor of Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Trieste. His scientific interests are in the field of inorganic chemistry, with attention to the design and development of multi-functional nano-systems and their advanced applications in energy related processes and environmental heterogeneous catalysis. Paolo Fornasiero has published more than 340 research articles. Since 2022 he is member of the Academia Europaea, from 2021 he is member of the European Academy of Sciences and from 2025 he is member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts. He received various awards including the 2005 Nasini Medal, the 2013 Chiusoli Medal and the 2022 Malatesta award from the Italian Chemical Society, the 2016 Heinz Heinemann Award from the International Association of Catalysis Societies. Since 2015 he serves as Associate Editor of ACS Catalysis and since 2021 as Executive Editor.