Detlef Bahnemann and Antonio Otavio Patrocinio on the Springer Handbook of Inorganic Photochemistry
Able to develop artificial systems to solve a myriad of issues in modern society
The application of photochemical compounds and concepts has great potential for numerous applications ranging from sustainable clean energy over novel medicine to catalysis for industrial processes and many more. Read the interview with the Editors-in-Chief of the recently published “Springer Handbook of Inorganic Photochemistry”, Detlef W. Bahnemann and Antonio Otavio Patrocinio.
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What is the biggest impact of photochemistry in our daily life?
Antonio Otavio Patrocinio (AOP): As a photochemist, investigating the interaction between light and matter, I see different photochemical processes everywhere. Light is intrinsically related to the existence of life. When we understand this and other natural photochemical phenomena, we are able to develop artificial systems to solve a myriad of issues in modern society, such as renewable energy, new photoactive drugs and diagnostic tools and greener industrial processes.
Detlef Bahnemann (DB): I fully agree, we have to face the fact that sunlight is (besides nuclear fission and fusion) our only energy source on which we are relying today and will have to also rely in the future.
What, in your opinion, has been the most significant advancement of recent years in this field and why?
AOP: It is difficult to point out a single significant advancement in the field. I could cite, for example, the development of ultrafast spectroscopic techniques (most of them explored in the second part of this handbook), which had a great contribution in the understanding of the dynamics of light-initiated processes.
DB: I am always intrigued by new materials that are constantly being developed to be used for light harvesting, conversion to electrical energy and the catalysis of the underlying charge transfer processes.
What are the biggest challenges for the field still ahead?
AOP: The biggest challenges in the field are associated with controlling electronic and structural properties at molecular/nanometric level as well as interfaces between different materials, so a desired property can be triggered while side reactions or undesired properties can be suppressed.
DB: On the material’s side, the biggest challenge is replacing (as quickly as possible) as many rare and/or toxic elements and compounds by abundant and hopefully “healthy” chemicals.
What future trend or application of photochemistry are you looking forward to most optimistically?
DB: Sometimes it is hard to be optimistic. If we are lucky, we might during our and our children’s lifetime see a change towards an environment that combines both, a sustainable energy scenario and a stabilization of our climate.
What is the most exciting part of your current research and role?
AOP: My research field is focused on the photochemistry and photophysics of coordination compounds and their association with metal oxide nanoparticles, which are applied for solar to fuels conversion. It is motivating to work on a topic related to renewable energy, given the importance of this matter for the society.
DB: As we work in the same field, I couldn't agree more. Moreover, finding new composite materials, exhibiting unexpected properties, is certainly always really exciting.
How would you describe the experience of editing the book?
AOP: Challenging, but every chapter brought a new personal experience, new interactions, more knowledge. In the end, I can say that it was worth taking part in such a great project.
DB: And, it was a great experience that we were able to interest so many top experts in their fields for our handbook project and that even the “big knobs” did not turn us down.
For whom is this book a “must-read”?
AOP: The book is intended for all researchers interested in the photochemical and photophysical properties of inorganic species, experts and beginners in the field alike. I would especially recommend the book for graduate students since it covers from the fundamentals to different applications.
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