The team focuses on the kinetic and dynamic exploration of fast and ultrafast reactions in solution, particularly involving transient radicals. Our primary objective is to unravel the mechanisms behind elementary reactions in solution or at interfaces. To achieve this, we rely heavily on the ELYSE electron accelerator, an indispensable tool for these investigations. In addition to pulsed radiolysis studies, our research is complemented by stationary studies using the panoramic irradiator. Beyond fundamental research such as dosimetry, electron capture in solution, and the radiolysis of aqueous solutions and their simulation, the team places particular emphasis on two key areas: energy and health.

The research activities within the EPEC team focus on the electrochemistry of polyoxometalates (POMs) and nanostructured materials based on POMs, as well as their applications in two key areas: energy and the environment. The team investigates electrochemical and photo-electrochemical processes, from the fundamental aspects of phenomena occurring in solution or at the solid/solution interface, to applications in energy, environmental sustainability, and molecular electronics. Elucidating reaction mechanisms and electrocatalytic processes, particularly proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) phenomena, is a core focus of our work.

The INPACT team develops new, highly efficient and active photo-electrocatalytic materials under visible light irradiation to utilize solar energy more effectively and provide cost-effective solutions to various environmental issues. The team focuses on two key areas: sustainable development and health. Research interests include water purification, hydrogen production and storage, as well as fundamental studies and the development of optical sensors and nanoparticles for nanomedicine (diagnostics, radiosensitization, and antibacterial applications). These objectives are achieved through the design and use of a new class of photo-electrocatalysts made from nanostructured conducting polymers and materials with optimized plasmonic and excitonic properties. The team primarily utilizes stationary radiolysis (the panoramic irradiator) to synthesize these innovative nanostructures, alongside four remarkable technical platforms for their time-resolved and non-time-resolved optical and physicochemical characterization: transient absorption spectroscopy (TAS), time-resolved microwave conductivity (TRMC) for charge carrier dynamics, nonlinear optical spectroscopy via two-color sum-frequency generation (Héméra) for interfaces, and action spectroscopy (ActionSpectra). The latter has been developed to enhance the understanding of reaction mechanisms and processes involved in photocatalysis, aiming to determine quantum yields for light conversion.