Chemistry Foundations

Prof. Nick Serpone is a distinguished physical inorganic chemist and internationally recognized pioneer in photocatalysis, photochemistry, and environmental remediation, with a career spanning more than five decades. He earned his Ph.D. from Cornell University in 1968 and has since held major academic positions, including years as Professor (1968-1998), University Research Professor (1998-2004), and Professor Emeritus (since 2000) at Concordia University, Professore a contratto at the University of Pavia in the program “Rientro dei Cervelli” (2002-2005), Visiting Professor at several leading institutions worldwide, and Program Director at the U.S. National Science Foundation (1998–2001). Elected a Fellow of the European Academy of Sciences (2010) and Head of its Materials Science Division (2014-2020), he has co-authored over 525 scientific papers and co-authored/co edited numerous books (18). His research has significantly advanced the understanding of Heterogeneous Photocatalysis, semiconductor photophysics, photochemistry of transition metal complexes and sunscreen products, and in the last 2 decades microwave assisted chemical processes. He has collaborated extensively with international research groups, served on high level national and international scientific committees and panels, contributed to IUPAC terminology, and co holds patents related to photocatalyst sensitization, establishing him as a central figure in modern photochemical sciences.

 

Prof. Leonardo Palmisano is a distinguished chemist known internationally for his contributions to photocatalysis, catalysis, and inorganic chemistry. After earning a Chemistry degree with highest honours from the University of Palermo in 1973, he advanced through research roles before becoming a Full Professor of Chemistry at the same university in 2000. His career includes extensive international collaborations, visiting professorships in the UK, Germany, and Japan, and leadership of numerous national and international research projects, including European Union–funded work at the Plataforma Solar de Almería. A fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and member of the Italian and American Chemical Societies, he has published over 400 scientific papers, contributed to textbooks such as Fondamenti di Chimica, edited a book on wastewater treatment, and holds five patents. His most cited works focus on titanium dioxide photocatalysts, photocatalytic materials for environmental remediation, and the role of photocatalysis in organic chemistry, establishing him as a leading figure in heterogeneous photocatalysis and related areas.