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Shaping Catalytic Reactions with Spin-Polarized Electrons

Obiettivo

SPOTLIGHT proposes a paradigm shift in catalysis by exploiting spin-polarized electrons generated through chirality-induced spin selectivity (CISS) in chiral metal halide semiconductors. The project will create the first generation of photoelectrochemical devices where spin polarization is actively induced, preserved, and exploited to control chemical reactivity. At its core, SPOTLIGHT will develop multilayer chiral metal halide devices capable of inducing, preserving, and controlling electron spin polarization across interfaces — a feature that has remained out of reach in current photocatalytic systems. The project’s conceptual leap is to exploit the chirality-induced spin selectivity (CISS) effect in solid-state architectures designed for light-driven chemical synthesis. By encoding chirality directly into the photoactive material, SPOTLIGHT can generate spin-polarized charge carriers without magnetic fields, and—crucially—preserve this spin polarization during charge transfer to the catalytic site thanks to an unprecedented device architecture made of tunnelling and chiral coherent conducting layers and by rigorous interface engineering. By devising spin-selective pathways, SPOTLIGHT aims to unlock new mechanisms for N2 activation, enhancing selectivity and efficiency while suppressing competitive reactions. This will be achieved through four integrated objectives: (1) synthesizing novel chiral metal halides with robust spin-polarizing capabilities; (2) building spin-enabled photoelectrochemical devices with layered, spin-conserving architecture; (3) demonstrating spin-mediated catalytic enhancement in nitrogen reduction; and (4) establishing the mechanistic basis of CISS-driven catalysis through combined operando spectroscopy and modeling. SPOTLIGHT will open a new frontier in catalysis—where the spin state of charge carriers becomes a functional variable—paving the way for disruptive technologies in sustainable chemical manufacturing.

Campo scientifico (EuroSciVoc)

Programma(i)

Argomento(i)

Meccanismo di finanziamento

HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants

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(si apre in una nuova finestra) ERC-2025-ADG

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Istituzione ospitante

UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI PAVIA
Contributo netto dell'UE
€ 2 238 750,00
Indirizzo
STRADA NUOVA 65
27100 Pavia
Italia
Regione
Nord-Ovest Lombardia Pavia
Tipo di attività
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Collegamenti
Costo totale
Nessun dato

Beneficiari (2)