Objective
In 2020, the total global production of ammonia is up to 144 million metric tons via the Haber-Bosch process that is energy-intensive in that it requires a substantial driving force (e.g. 500 oC and 200 atm) to break the highly inert N-N triple bond, which consumes 1-2% of the worlds annual energy output and generates over 1% of global carbon dioxide emissions. The electrochemical nitrogen (N2) reduction reaction (NRR) has attracted much attention to circumvent the carbon-intensive Haber-Bosch process because of the decreasing renewable electricity prices. In contrast to the Haber-Bosch process that produces ammonia in large and centralized factories, the electrocatalytic route can achieve on-site ammonia synthesis in small-scale devices with the expectation to reduce the price of fertilizer and realize a neutral carbon footprint. However, electrochemical ammonia synthesis suffers from extremely low partial current density and Faradaic efficiency towards ammonia in aqueous conditions due to the competition of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). There are two challenges to NRR in aqueous conditions: (1) the HER competitive reaction is much faster than NRR in kinetics and the activation of N2 is therefore difficult, (2) low solubility of N2 in aqueous electrolytes. To overcome the challenges mentioned above, in this project, I aim to combine electrocatalysts design (i.e. suppress the HER and activate N2) and electrochemical reactor engineering (i.e. overcome the mass transport limits of N2) to improve the ammonia yield rates and current efficiency. Theory-guided preparation of singe-atom catalysts and diluted surface alloy will be performed in flow-cell/MEA electrolyzers (i.e. designed three different setups) to obtain a clear structure-activity relationship with the assistance of in-situ spectroscopy and theoretical calculations. The obtained structure-activity relationship could guide the rational development of high-performance catalysts for efficient NRR.
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: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis electrocatalysis
- natural sciences physical sciences optics spectroscopy
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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)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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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) HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
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.
2800 KONGENS LYNGBY
Denmark
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.