Light: a Tool and a Reagent in Catalysis and New Materials Research
Dr. Tito Scaiano is interested in the mechanisms and kinetics of chemical reactions. He recognized, more than 25 years ago, the way in which lasers could be utilized to study organic reactions, developing techniques to make these studies possible. The impact of his work extends far beyond the confines of pure research to areas such as the pulp and paper industry, microelectronics and the health sciences. Dr. Scaiano's current research interests include organic photochemistry, reaction mechanisms in heterogeneous systems, laser induced photochemistry, antioxidants and supramolecular systems. Dr. Scaiano's desire to understand the mechanisms and kinetics of organic reactions drives his research. The knowledge of excited states and reaction intermediates is being used by Dr.Saciano's research group to probe other systems, including polymers, zeolites and biomolecules. As the Canada Research Chair in Applied Photochemistry, Dr. Scaiano is making use of his experience in free radicals, zeolites, and their spectroscopy to focus on the application of tools of photochemistry to understand catalysts and to develop new materials, particularly magnetic materials.