I attended the RSC Photophysics and Photochemistry Group (PPG) Early Career Meeting 2024 at the University of Sheffield in the UK. At the conference, I had the opportunity to present some of my PhD research in the field of artificial photosynthesis utilising a collaboration between our research group at the University of Strathclyde (led by Dr Sebastian Sprick) and at the Tokyo institute of Technology and Hiroshima University (led by Prof. Osamu Ishitani). This work involved the use of hybrid photocatalyst materials based on conjugated polymers as organic semiconductors and binuclear metal complexes as molecular catalysts for highly efficient visible-light-driven CO2 reduction to formate. It was a brilliant opportunity for me to communicate photocatalysis research to the PPG community, in which the fundamental principles of the high catalytic activity are underpinned by favourable intrinsic photochemical processes.
It was excellent to hear about the breadth of research undertaken in the photochemistry/photophysics community. Amongst many fantastic talks, some of the highlights included talks on 2D-IR spectroscopy, Terahertz spectroscopy, energy storage materials, photoelectrochemical water splitting, thermally activated delayed fluorescence in OLED applications and finally upconversion mechanisms in solar cell devices. Hence, it was nice to represent artificial photosynthesis in amongst these other very interesting research areas.
It was also very useful to hear the invited speakers discussing career paths to the community in an open panel discussion, whilst networking with other ECRs in the photo(electro)catalysis field stirred up great ideas for future project plans. On reflection, the conference was a very enjoyable and rewarding experience.