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Nanocarbon-Ionic Liquid-Interfaces for Catalytic Activation of Nitrogen

Objective

Ammonia is one of the most important chemicals in the world. Electrocatalytic reduction of nitrogen (NRR) at ambient conditions is a sustainable alternative for its production to the established energy consuming Haber-Bosch process, relying on hydrogen from fossil sources. The triple bond in dinitrogen is one of the most stable covalent chemical bonds. Conversely, the dissociation of dinitrogen and its chemical conversion is highly demanding. NRR is a carbon-neutral and decentral process that can be carried out wherever renewable electricity, water, and air are available. However, current research on NRR and other electrocatalytic reactions has reached an impasse as improvements based on catalyst design are getting more and more incremental. At this tipping point, CILCat tackles a foreseeable stagnation by constituting a disruptive principle that holds holistic perspectives for the activation of small molecules. The novel concept will go beyond established principles of isolated catalytically active sites. By confining ionic liquid (IL) electrolytes into charged porous carbon materials, an interface will be created, that as a whole serves as catalytic surface. CILCat will contribute to a fundamental understanding of the physicochemical principles of sorption into ILs upon confinement in pores. Targeted catalyst development will follow and the possibility of using the principle for catalytic activation of nitrogen and other molecules will be explored. This innovative approach will then be combined with advanced electrode design. CILCat aims for more than a step towards a future carbon-free nitrogen economy. It is a pioneering attempt to heterogenize homogenous catalysts by rather converting the energy principles of small molecule activation than chemical structures from solution to surfaces. The methodology is transferable to other obstacles in the field of catalysis and the project will lead to a more objective general understanding of reactivity in confined spaces.

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Keywords

Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)

Programme(s)

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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.

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.

HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) ERC-2021-STG

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Host institution

FRIEDRICH-SCHILLER-UNIVERSITÄT JENA
Net EU contribution

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.

€ 1 498 590,00
Address
FÜRSTENGRABEN 1
07743 JENA
Germany

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Region
Thüringen Thüringen Jena, Kreisfreie Stadt
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost

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.

€ 1 498 590,00

Beneficiaries (1)

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