Recent News
News
Gabriele Centi and Siglinda Perathoner
G. Cent has been awarded the title of Honorary Member of the Chinese Chemical Society (CCS), the world's largest chemical society with over 120,000 members. The title of Honorary Member of the CCS is the highest honor bestowed by the CCS on internationally renowned chemists for their outstanding contributions to chemistry, the advancement of Chinese chemical science, and international exchange. The award was given for Professor Centi's contributions to the development of devices for producing solar-powered fuels and chemicals.
G. Centi has been appointed as Guest honorary professor Lanzhou University, China, during the meeting on the International Symposium on Hydrogen and Carbon Neutrality at Lanzhou University from October 23 to 25, 2025. It followed the invited lecture at the 23rd Conference on International Exchange of Professionals in Shanghai from October 19 to 22, 2025.
G. Centi was appointed in 2025 as a fellow of the Academy of Engineering and Technology (Accademia di Ingegneria e Tecnologia, ITATEC). The Academy's distinctive feature is the presence, alongside members elected by merit, of representatives of industry stakeholders, starting with the major technology industries, who are gathered in the Board of Directors. In addition to its national role, the Academy aims to represent Italian engineering and technology in international forums. Active involvement in the European Council of Applied Sciences, Technologies and Engineering (Euro-CASE) will allow Italy to participate in the European Commission's scientific advisory mechanism fully.
W Zhao, Z Wang, S Perathoner, G Centi, S Meng, S Zhang, Y Ma, H Wei, S Chen,S-vacancy modulated CuS/ZnIn2S4 heterojunction for enhanced photothermal CO2 and water conversion to ethanol,
Chemical Engineering Journal, 2026, 177179,
This work establishes a synergistic interfacial engineering strategy for efficient solar–driven CO2–to–ethanol conversion, offering new insights for designing next–generation photothermal catalysts for carbon utilization.
Hui Kang, Xuxu Zhai, Siglinda Perathoner, Gabriele Centi, Yuefeng Liu,Tailoring the surface properties of catalytic nanomaterials for energy by atmosphere-induced modulation,
J. Energy Chemistry, 2026, in press.
This review presents a holistic approach to understanding and applying atmosphere-induced methods to achieve a tailored design and provides selected examples that substantiate these conclusions and serve as a foundation for future studies.
Part of special issue "Clean energy and catalysis - ICEC2025" edited by S. Perathoner, G. Centi and Y. Liu
F Tavella, M F Torre, F Rabino, B Masciocchi, E Palo, G Iaquaniello, S Perathoner, G Centi, C Ampelli,Electrochemical CO2 reduction at scale: Current status, technological readiness and industrial perspective,
Chem Eng J, 2026, 537, 176357,
Unlike other recent reviews that focus on catalyst development and performance under laboratory-scale conditions, emphasis is placed on technologies that have reached a maturity level compatible with scale-up to industrially relevant conditions, in terms of both electrode dimensions and device architectures.
Reaction-induced modification of Co nanoclusters driven by Co-Mn interfacial sites to control selectivity in CO2 hydrogenationH Kang, R Cao, Y Zhang, X Wang, L Li, W Chu, R Zhang, S Perathoner, G Centi, Y Liu
Nature Comm., 2026, 17, 3604
Carbon-induced surface restructuring occurs on a 2Co/MnOₓ catalyst (cobalt nanoclusters with 2% mass loading on manganese oxide) during thermal CO2 hydrogenation, driven by the formation of bridging Co-C-O-Mn interfacial sites. This leads to a shift in selectivity from methane to CO, with a remarkable enhancement of the CO/CH4 product ratio from 0.89 to 13.4.
A Multifaceted Vision of Challenges and Opportunities in Practical Artificial Photosynthesis DevicesSiglinda Perathoner, Can Li, Jijie Wang, Rengui Li, Wangyin Wang, Gabriele Centi, and Valentino Romano
Artificial Photosynthesis 2026 2 (2), 67-76
The landscape and status of artificial photosynthesis devices for solar fuels are analyzed by critically combining indications from roadmaps and status reports, patent and literature trends, a market perspective analysis, and an examination of selected ongoing projects in the field. This multifaceted approach aims to provide an innovative vision of opportunities and accelerate their implementation.
Preface: The 13th International Conference on Environmental Catalysis (ICEC2025), Isola delle Femmine, Sicily, Italy during 2-5 June, 2025H.i Yamashita, G. Centi
Appl. Catal. B: Env. and Energy, 2026, 126490
This Special Issue of Applied Catalysis B: Environment and Energy presents a collection of approximately thirty contributions selected from the 13th International Conference on Environmental Catalysis (ICEC2025), held in Isola delle Femmine, Sicily, Italy, from June 2 to 5, 2025 (https://www. icec2025. com/).
Centi, G., Perathoner, S. Addressing the Complexity of Bridging Thermal and Reactive Catalysis. The Role of Strong Localised Electrical Fields.
Top Catal 68, 1892–1909 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11244-025-02062-7
The examples discussed provide evidence that explains why new concepts and models are required for reactive catalysis. The discussion spotlights the difference with respect to thermal catalysis and aims to stimulate researchers to view reactive catalysis from a novel research perspective.
G. Centi is the first recipient of the 2025 APACS & EFCATS Michel Che Award! The new Michel Che Award recognizes and encourages outstanding scientists for their fundamental contributions in the fields of catalyst design and characterization. He was awarded for his groundbreaking work in CO₂ conversion, electrocatalysis, and solar fuels, including the development of advanced catalytic systems and artificial-leaf technologies. He will give a lecture at Europacat 2025 in Trondheim (Norwey).
Does the presence of only specific active sites control the switch of selectivity from C1 to C2+ products in CO2RR?
AM Ronsisvalle, D Giusi, M Samperi, C Genovese, S Perathoner, G Centi, C Ampelli
Journal of CO2 Utilization 2025,100, 103188
Our findings demonstrate that the C2+ vs. C1 product pathway in CO2RR is not an intrinsic property of the electrocatalyst but is governed by the availability of surface protons, which is a function of the operating conditions and electrode/electrocatalyst characteristics that regulate proton access to the catalyst surface.
Mitigation of C-deposits in plasma-assisted non-oxidative methane coupling using a water-cooled double dielectric barrier discharge reactor
V Longo, S Perathoner, G Centi, C Genovese
Chem Eng J2025, 517, 164334
The results reveal radically different plasma chemistry when reducing the discharge gap to the micrometric scale (0.5 mm), resulting in a plasma confinement near the surface of the electrode, enhancing the selective activation of the C-H bond. The proposed system exhibits outstanding stability over 50 h of continuous testing, achieving a carbon balance of almost 100 % with the micrometric gap and mitigating the formation of undesired coke byproducts.
G. Centi visit the Liquid Sunshine visionary industrial project at Lanzhou (China) on Oct. 2025. It is a successful demonstration of large scale methanol production through photovoltaic-water electrolyzer-carbon dioxide hydrogenation technology, the first project of the “Liquid Sunshine” program in China.
Lorenzo Isidoro, Giuseppe Santoriello, Giulia Tuci, Andrea Rossin, Benny Danilo Belviso, Rocco Caliandro, Giuliano Giambastiani, Ida Ritacco, Matteo Farnesi Camellone, Lucia Caporaso, Claudio Ampelli, Daniele Giusi, Gabriele Centi, Siglinda Perathoner,Decoding CO2RR selectivity and activity features on a series of well-defined iron single-atom catalysts,
J. Energy Chemistry, 2026, 117, 915-926,
By studying precisely synthesizing FeN4-like SACs modified via exohedral coordination with electron-withdrawing or electron-donating ligands, this paper offer new mechanistic insights into the CO2 reduction reaction, pointing to a more nuanced interpretation than current approaches can provide and explaining the full set of observations coherently.
Engineering Plasma–Liquid Microdischarge Systems for Direct N2-to-NH3 Conversion at Ambient ConditionsM F Torre, L Veerapuram, F Tavella, C Genovese, S Perathoner, F Torrigino, P Biasi, G Centi, and C Ampelli
ACS Sustainable Chem & Eng 2026 14 (12), 6062-6074
The effects of the plasma–liquid gap, gas feed flow rate, discharge current, and cathode inner diameter on NH3 yield are systematically investigated. Optimizing these factors enables Faradaic efficiency exceeding 70% and significantly enhances the instantaneous N2-to-NH3 yield.
Giovanni Palma, Umberto Pasqual Laverdura, Nicola Lisi, Fausto Gallucci, Gabriele Centi,A predictive steady-state plasma–reactor model for CO₂ splitting: Connecting kinetic, thermal, and electrical transport in dielectric barrier discharges,
Chemical Engineering Journal, 2026, 532, 174470,
Dielectric barrier discharges (DBDs) are widely investigated for plasma-assisted CO₂ conversion, but predictive models remain either overly complex or poorly validated. Here, we propose a one-dimensional steady-state plug-flow model that couples thermochemical balances with an electrical description of the plasma, linking the fundamental principles to parameters derived from dedicated experimentation.
CO2 Electroreduction to Ethylene: The Determining Role of the Cell and Electrode DesignP Squillaci, G Papanikolaou, S Perathoner, G Centi, M Melloni, A Ferrando, P Lanzafame
Energy & Fuels 2025 39 (37), 17899-17912
The discussion highlights how the surface reactivity and conversion pathways critically depend on surface accessibility and the population of CO2 and protons, which in turn depend on both surface characteristics beyond the presence of specific active sites. It is a more critical factor in determining selectivity than the mere type of active sites.
17-21 Feb. 2025, GCS4CE, Padova, Italy
G. Centi give a plenary lecture at the scientific symposium presenting the role of catalysis to enable a distributed, resilient, circular model of production which reduces (eliminates) the dependence on fossil fuels, externalities, transport of chemicals, impact on the resources, etc. The scientific symposium followed the Winter School organized by Univ. Padova on green chemical synthesis for circular economy.
Boosting the activity in the liquid-phase hydrogenation of S-containing nitroarenes by dual-site Pt/CeO2 catalysts design
X Ren, J Huang, J Ma, Y Zhang, W Chu, S Perathoner, G Centi, Y Liu
Nature Comm 2025, 16 (1), 4851
A new strategy for converting S-containing nitroarenes by developing a dual-sites Pt/CeO2 catalyst consisting of highly defective CeO2 with abundant active oxygen vacancy and Pt sub-nano clusters. This study provides valuable insights into the rational design and precise development of catalysts for the hydrogenation of liquid-phase chemicals containing S-groups.
Perspectives and emerging trends in plasma catalysis: facing the challenge of chemical production electrification
A Bogaerts, G Centi, V Hessel, E Rebrov
ChemCatChem 2025, 17 (7), e202401938
Electrification of chemical production requires the development of innovative solutions, with plasma catalysis being among them. This perspective summarizes many years of studies and discussions made in the frame of the ERC Synergy project SCOPE dedicated to the above aspects. The perspective aims to offer a vision of the future for plasma catalysis and its role in facing societal challenges.
Electrocatalysis: Prospects and Role to Enable an E‐Chemistry FutureG Centi, S Perathoner
The Chemical Record 2025, 25(6(), e202400259
We provide case examples and discuss emerging possibilities that have still not been investigated enough but are necessary to exploit this potential and enable future e-chemistry. Aspects discussed regard i) passing from electro to photoelectrocatalytic approaches, ii) the possibilities of making chemicals from the air, iii) the exploitation of both anodic and cathodic reactions, as well as tandem/paired electrocatalytic reactions, and iv) emerging possibilities for anodic selective oxidation and mediated synthesis.
Introduction to understanding and new approaches to create synergy between catalysis and plasma themed collectionA Bogaerts, G Centi, JC Hicks
EES Catalysis 2025, 3, 592-594
An introduction to a themed collection aiming to advance our understanding of the underlying mechanisms in plasma catalysis, by modelling and experiments. It illustrates the advanced status of plasma catalysis for VOC removal (showing e.g., nearly 100% selective conversion of toluene into CO2), but also discusses the challenges in sustainable chemistry applications, where plasma–catalyst synergy is often limited.
organized by
European Research Institute of Catalysis (ERIC aisbl)
A virtual Institute (link) to promote research activities in catalysis and green energy/chemistry.
13th International Conference on Environmental Catalysis
Chairs
Prof. Gabriele Centi, ERIC aisbl
Prof. Enrico Tronconi, Politecnico Milano
Prof.sa Siglinda Perathoner, Univ. Messina
Isola Delle Femmine (PA, Sicily, Italy): 2-5 June 2025
More than 400 participants from 40 countries, nearly 300 contributions, and very active participation throughout the conference. Many young researchers.