Photocatalytic materials are becoming a key element for the future of society. Sustainable energy supply and environmental concerns are emerging among the humanity top issues and challenges where innovative materials are essential enablers. Photocatalysts are widely utilized to clean and remediate our environment, with their use in advanced devices to convert sunlight and produce solar fuels in an exponential growth of interest. Semiconducting photocatalytic materials possess multi-functional properties which allow their use in various areas from photocatalytic environmental remediation, water splitting for hydrogen fuel, CO2 reduction, self-cleaning coatings, electrochromic devices and sensors, and low cost solar cells. The nano-architecture design of these materials is of critical relevance to achieve these different functional characteristics and realize an efficient energy conversion. There is the need to gather together multiple competences to accelerate the development of these nanomaterials for solar energy and environmental applications.
This Symposium aims to provide a multi-disciplinary forum for scientists, engineers and industry experts to break new ground in the discussion, and realize a cross fertilization and progress in the understanding of the design criteria for their use. Among the recent developments that will be highlighted in the symposium are advances in synthesis of novel materials with tailored nano-architecture; the preparation of thin films and nanostructures; the advanced characterization by experimental and theoretical methods of these materials and of their structure-performance relationships; processing techniques, device fabrication and stability; advances in environmental applications and in air quality improvement; novel concepts, technologies and materials for photocatalysis.

Contributions may be proposed in the following indicative sessions:

FE-1 Tailored synthesis of nanostructured materials for photofunctional properties

FE-2 Advances in fundamental mechanism understanding

FE-3 Design approaches for advanced applications

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