Objective
Hydrogen is a highly versatile fuel that is believed to become one of the key pillars to support our future energy infrastructure. A clean and renewable method to produce hydrogen is to use sunlight to convert water into hydrogen in a photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell. The exact mechanism of this photocatalytic water splitting remains a largely unexplored area. In this project, I will provide insight into the more challenging oxidative half-reaction occurring at metal-oxide surfaces.
To gain insight into the oxidative half-reaction, surface groups residing at the solid/liquid interface will be measured by infrared spectroscopy during actual device operation. Hereto, a PEC cell will be constructed with a multiple internal reflection element as key component; it will ensure a high sensitivity while simultanously act as substrate for the working electrode. The novel approach to apply a bias voltage allows for photoelectrochemical analysis, but also allows ‘freezing’ of the surface species thereby relaxing the constraints of a fast measurement speed.
From in operando measurements the density and nature of surface groups present at a well-defined metal-oxide surface will be obtained as a function of electrolyte pH. With this knowledge conclusions can be drawn on which surface sites initiate the oxidation reaction, which groups present sites where (intermediate) reactions with high activation energies take place, and where undesired hole-trapping and electron-hole recombination are most likely to occur. Thereby providing fundamental insight into the water oxidation mechanism, which is required to engineer a photoelectrode material with high photocurrents and low onset potentials. Additionally, the quantified information on surface species densities is much-needed input in models and simulations. Furthermore, a tool will be delivered with which the critical steps in the oxidation reaction can be disclosed as a function of pH.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
- natural sciences chemical sciences electrochemistry electrolysis
- engineering and technology materials engineering coating and films
- natural sciences physical sciences optics spectroscopy absorption spectroscopy
- engineering and technology nanotechnology nano-materials
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2015
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
3526 KV UTRECHT
Netherlands
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.