Reaction robot with intimate photocatalytic and separation functions in a 3-D network driven by artificial intelligence

Project Information

CATART

Grant agreement ID: 101046836

DOI

10.3030/101046836

EC signature date 2 March 2022

Start date 1 September 2022

End date 31 August 2026

Funded under

• The European Innovation Council (EIC)

Total cost

€ 2 871 775,00

EU contribution

€ 2 871 775,00

Coordinated by

UNIVERSIDAD DEL PAIS VASCO/ EUSKAL HERRIKO UNIBERTSITATEA
Spain

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - CATART (Reaction robot with intimate photocatalytic and separation functions in a 3-D network driven by artificial intelligence)

Reporting period: 2023-09-01 to 2025-02-28

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Mimicking the chemical production of nature is a well pursued dream in the scientific community. Scientific progress is limited by the lack of efficient synergies among complex functions and by a much smaller research library than nature. CATART will explore new synergies in reaction robots that mimic nature in a much faster way. This will be achieved using H2O and CO2 as model substrates. We propose systems containing 3-D quantum dot networks with the ability to simultaneously harvest sun-light by luminescence, photocatalyze substrates and separate products. These phenomena will be managed by artificial intelligence, leading to reaction robots that autonomously learn and instantly maximize productivity.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The project has progressed positively in both the individual and merged components that compose the final design of the reaction robot. On the individual part, three main aspects of the design of the reaction robot have been developed: the design of the light-harvesting system, the design of the materials for the photocatalytic/separation functions and the development of models to optimize the productivity via machine learning.

In the light harvesting part through the Luminescent Solar Concentrators, a novel reactor design to harvest and down-convert photons within the solar spectrum has been developed. This system consists of a silicon-based photoreactor immersed in high-refractive-index silicon oil, which can be doped with a suitable chromophore. The reactor´s efficiency has been validated through a benchmark reaction, showing stable operation up to 250 °C and 5 bar. The modular design enables a seamless, non-invasive switch between reactor types, allowing for greater flexibility in experimental conditions.

In terms of material design, a temperature-dependent strategy for 3D (sub)nanostructured carbon nitrides (CN) has been developed. By systematically tuning the synthesis temperature we have achieved a precise control over the structural evolution, morphology, and electronic properties of carbon nitride photocatalysts, especially for water-splitting reactions into H2. Beyond such photocatalytic functions, the application of Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) enabled the formation of uniform, well-adherent carbon nitride nanostructures on flat C-membranes, while preserving their intrinsic permeability. The intimate functions governing the reactivity of CN materials have been deeply studied through a diversified synthesis approach, either by studying carbon-nitride alone, functionalized with proper metal-based co-catalysts (e.g. cobaloxime), or in combination with different materials, including graphene and metal-organic frameworks. Their active role has been corroborated under flow-conditions in photocatalysis, as well as advanced spectroscopic and modelling methods.

Concerning the introduction of product separation functions via membranes, a new polymeric precursor capable of increasing H2 permeance one order of magnitude was successfully experimented. In order to improve the affinity of the membranes towards H2, Pd was added in the carbon matrix. Results about the specific performance of Pd-containing membranes will be collected right after the completion of the aging process of the membranes. This has allowed a transition from tubular to flat supported carbon membranes (CM) and polystyrene pre-treatment to optimize the CVD step: an optimized method to produce flat supported CM via ultrasonic-spray-coating has been developed. Additionally, a layer of polystyrene on the opposite side of the supported flat CM was applied in order to better localize the effects of the chemical vapor deposition treatment.

Concerning the automatization of the reaction robot, progress has been made to introduce the machine learning models into a photocatalytic systems. The knowledge generated in the individual components of the reaction robot has been implemented in the design of the hardware for the reaction robot and currently the models are being implemented to start the optimization of the reaction performance. In addition, the experimental data will be validated and compared to a techno-economic assessment that compares the developed technology with those reported for similar purposes.

Regarding the dissemination, exploitation and management of results, the CATART consortium has attended a significant number of congresses to disseminate the main breakthroughs. In addition, actions have been taken to patent the design of photocatalysts. The participation of CATART project in the organization of a Solar-to-X conference in Belgium, in synergy with different EU projects, as well as in venture programs allowed reformulating the exploitation plan thanks to the feedback received from experts and stakeholders. Finally, 13 deliverables have been submitted during the RP2.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

In CATART a new type of LSC photo microreactor is developed, using silicon oil as matrix. The luminescent oil can withstand temperatures up to 250°C and the luminophore is shown to be stable at these temperatures. Automation is used to ease the operation of the photochemical system and reduce the degree of human interactions. This innovation includes the development of control systems for the light intensity and pressure. For the latter a variable back pressure regulator could be controlled via a stepper motor. Photocatalyst powder can be mixed with glass beads of various sizes to obtain a uniform coating of the catalyst on the glass beads. These beads can then be evenly distributed over the reactor to get a high irradiated surface area and a reproducible catalyst loading protocol. The method was found to be effective for different type of heterogeneous catalyst. Beads can be loaded in the reactor using compressed air and removed using liquid.

Also, we developed a method to coat cylindrical membranes of several cm height for selective small molecules separation, such as H2 and CO2, with a semiconductor active material, namely carbon nitride, for the selective conversion of these molecules upon illumination with visible light. In these regards, the as prepared composite membranes have been tested preliminarily in a home-made reactor to test the selective photocatalytic activity. Through the manipulation of the synthesis procedure, our objective is to obtain carbon nitrides semiconductors with a precisely controlled crystalline size using a straightforward synthesis methodology. This ability to fine-tune the synthesis process enables us to tailor the crystalline size of the desired materials to our exact specifications.
Based on the inputs on C3N4 synthesis, the recipe has been reproduced under lab conditions in an automated synthesis robot allowing the control of all synthesis parameters. The key photo-features of such carbon nitrides are in-situ characterized and such steps are converted into a chemical language that allows continuous improvement through computing and machine learning. A reaction cell with a double window has been designed, containing a reaction cell that allows the operation under two main modes: i) Photocatalyst testing using a two-sided beam and a flow-through reactor; ii) Photocatalytic membrane testing allowing the feeding of reactants and permeants. It has been tested for carbon-nitride photocatalytic performance using CO2 and/or H2O as reactant.