Semiconductor nanomaterials hold the keys for efficient solar energy harvesting and conversion processes like photocatalysis and photoelectrochemical reactions. In this talk, we will give a brief overview on our recent progress in designing semiconductor nanomaterials for photoelectrochemical energy conversion including solar hydrogen generation and low-cost solar cells. In more details, we have been focusing on a few aspects; 1) artificial photosynthesis reaction mechanism, light harvesting, charge transfer and surface reaction engineering of low-cost semiconductors for solar driven hydrogen and valuable chemical production; 2) the working mechanism and stability improvement of perovskite quantum dots and lead-free tin-based perovskite solar cells; 3). The design of ultra-stable perovskite-MOF composites with improved light emitting performance and photocatalysis. The resultant material systems exhibited efficient photocatalytic performance for value-added chemical production and improved power conversion efficiency in solar cells, which underpin sustainable development of solar energy conversion technologies towards carbon neuralization.

王连洲教授现任香港理工大学化学系能源材料讲座教授、香港全球杰出创科学人、赛马会可再生能源材料STEM实验室研究主任、大亚湾技术创新研究院院长。先后入选澳大利亚科学院院士（FAA）、澳大利亚技术科学与工程科学院院士（FTSE）、欧洲人文与自然科学院院士（MAE）等。曾任澳大利亚昆士兰大学教授、纳米材料中心主任、澳大利亚桂冠学者，主要从事半导体纳米材料合成及其在清洁能源转化与存储领域（光电催化制氢、新型太阳能电池、储能电池等）的应用研究。已发表论文700余篇，申请专利20余项，被引75,000余次，H因子144。获澳大利亚基金委女王伊丽莎白学者、未来学者、桂冠学者、工业合作桂冠学者称号，以及昆士兰大学研究优秀奖、优秀研究生导师奖、澳大利亚寻找未来之星奖、IChemE研究优秀奖，连续多年入选科睿唯安全球高被引作者。