Dr Andrea Folli wins Royal Society of Chemistry Applied Catalysis Award for 2026

We would like to share our warmest congratulations with Dr Andrea Folli, recipient of the 2026 Royal Society of Chemistry Applied Catalysis Award.

The Applied Catalysis Award, comprising a trophy and £1000, is the flagship award of the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Applied Catalysis Interest Group. Individual contributions are honoured where they represent potential or actual commercial application, marking where contributions to catalysis can meaningfully bring impactful change.

Dr Andrea Folli has been selected forhis pioneering work on applied photocatalyst materials, specifically for the application of those materials in European road and disinfection technologies. He was presented with the RSC trophy at the UK Catalysis Summer Conference which took place in June 2026. Dr Folli will also present a keynote lecture at the 2027 UK Catalysis Conference, due to take place in January at the University of Loughborough.

These catalytic technologies modify the surface of construction materials (e.g. concrete) with a semiconductor which acts as a photocatalyst. The photocatalyst harvests sunlight and becomes activated. During this activation, the photocatalyst captures solar energy, and converts it into chemical energy, enabling (i.e., catalysing) reactions involving atmospheric oxygen and water. These reactions result in the degradation of hazardous chemicals or microorganisms that encounter the photocatalyst-containing surface.

Using these technologies, hazardous substances such as nitrous oxides in vehicle emissions, can be transformed into harmless species, helping abate the issue of air pollution; or bacteria coming into contact with surfaces can be inactivated allowing for safer surface disinfection. The only requirements, beside the photocatalyst, are sunlight, air, and moisture. These cleaner technologies would make considerable progress towards more sustainable and less wasteful chemical processes, reducing risk and conserving our planet for future generations.

Dr Folli shared: I am truly honoured and humbled to have been selected for the 2026 RSC Applied Catalysis Award. It means a great deal to receive this recognition, and I am very grateful to the RSC, the RSC Applied Catalysis Interest Group, and the selection committee for this acknowledgement of my work. It reflects the growing importance of photocatalysis and its advances in addressing global challenges, improving quality of life, and contributing to a sustainable future.

Dr Andrea Folli is a lecturer and researcher in Photoelectrocatalysis at the Cardiff Catalysis Institute and a member of the management team of Cardiff University Net Zero Innovation Institute. We are delighted to host innovative and forward-thinking members of staff like Dr Folli here at Cardiff Chemistry.