Visiting lecture by Dr. Yong Peng

During his visit to Jena, Dr. Yong Peng's lecture focused on light-driven catalysis for sustainable energy and green chemical synthesis. He discussed photothermal hydrogenation of CO₂ and N₂, highlighting catalyst designs that enhance reaction rates using light-induced thermal effects and hot electrons. The talk also covered pure photocatalytic hydrogen production, utilizing sacrificial donors and water as a proton source to improve efficiency. Dr. Peng showcased a strategy for producing valuable chemicals, such as ethylene glycol, through oxidative homocoupling in hydrogen evolution. His research contributes to reducing reliance on fossil fuels by leveraging solar energy for industrially significant reactions. We greatly appreciate his visit and the engaging scientific discussions.