The German Research Foundation (DFG) has approved the Collaborative Research Center/Transregio 234 “CataLight – Light-Driven Molecular Catalysts in Hierarchically Structured Materials” for a third and final funding period. For the first time, the Leibniz Institute of Surface Engineering (IOM) is now officially part of the consortium, which is led by the University of Ulm and Friedrich Schiller University Jena. The IOM strengthens research within the Transregio with its expertise in pulsed radiolysis and spectroscopic-mechanistic analysis.

The SFB/TRR CataLight investigates how sunlight can be efficiently harnessed for chemical reactions - in particular for the sustainable production of solar fuels such as green hydrogen. Inspired by natural photosynthesis, the researchers are developing novel light-driven catalyst systems in which molecular functional units are specifically embedded in structured materials. The goal is to make chemical energy conversion more efficient, stable, and sustainable in the long term.

In the third funding period, which has now been approved, the individual components developed so far are to be linked even more closely to form integrated overall systems. Materials science issues play a central role here - an area in which the IOM will specifically contribute its expertise.

Through its participation in CataLight, the IOM is expanding its activities in the field of sustainable energy and materials research while simultaneously strengthening scientific networking within the Central German research landscape.