LACOR

Light activation of molecular catalysts for carbon dioxide reduction (LACOR)

The project tackles the carbon-neutrality challenge by developing an effective platform to convert atmospheric carbon dioxide to valuable chemical compounds using solar energy. Our approach builds on photocatalysis and requires an efficient light harvester transferring photon energy to a catalyst, which is used to overcome energy barriers associated with CO₂ reduction reactions. The novelty of our approach is to deploy the synergy between efficient solar harvesting by nanoparticles and best-known molecular CO₂ reduction electrocatalysts, which are activated through photoinduced electron transfer from nanoparticles to which they are bound. By combining expertizes in advanced synthesis, laser spectroscopy, materials science and high-level computational chemistry, the project will lead to new levels of photocatalytic efficiency and create the knowledge to advance the field towards the dream target of CO₂ conversion to valuable molecules.

Jane ja Aatos Erkon säätiö (JAES)

Chemistry and Advanced Materials (CAM), Tampere University (TAU)