In this episode of Papers Illuminated – Člankarnica we are joined by researchers Petar Djinović and Miha Okorn from the Laboratory for Catalysis at the National Institute of Chemistry. Together they explore an intriguing question: can visible light help convert carbon dioxide into something useful?Their recent research shows how light can accelerate the catalytic conversion of CO₂ into carbon monoxide (CO), an important building block used in the chemical industry to produce fuels and chemicals. By combining heat and visible light in a process called photothermal catalysis, the team discovered that reactions can run faster and potentially more efficiently.But the story is not as simple as shining a light on a catalyst. Sometimes light helps and sometimes it actually makes the reaction worse. In this conversation, Petar and Miha explain how unexpected experimental results led them to rethink their assumptions, redesign their catalysts, and uncover the mechanisms behind light-assisted chemistry.The episode also dives into the experimental side of research: special light sources, sunglasses in the lab, catalytic materials and advanced techniques that allow scientists to observe catalytic reactions while they are happening.What you’ll learn in this episode:Why converting CO₂ into CO matters for industry and the carbon cycleHow visible light can accelerate catalytic reactionsWhy experiments sometimes produce the opposite of what scientists expectWhat it takes to study chemical reactions in real timeHow new catalysts can make reactions more energy-efficientIf you’re curious about how catalysis, energy, and light intersect and how fundamental research can open new technological possibilities this episode is for you.🔬 Read the papers:https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1385894725125291?via=ihubhttps://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cey2.70102__________ In the Papers Illuminated - Člankarnica podcast, together with researchers from the National Institute of Chemistry, we present interesting and accessible explanations of their latest discoveries, published in prestigious scientific journals. We invite you to follow us on social media and send us your questions, comments, and suggestions.https://www.ki.si/o-institutu/podkast/clankarnica/