Objective In recent years, worldwide efforts to tackle climate change have resulted in immense momentum towards renewable energy research. Despite renewables (i.e. photovoltaic) achieving cost parity vs. fossil fuels (32-44$/MWh vs. 44-152$/MWh), implementation remains limited. One persistent challenge is intermittency (i.e. inconsistent energy supply by seasonal/daily cycles). Amongst promising energy storage methods (i.e. Li-ion batteries, hydrostatic, etc.), electrocatalytically-generated hydrocarbons pose numerous advantages. They are 1) non-polluting, 2) benign aqueous compositions, 3) earth-abundant electrode materials, and 4) carbon-neutrality / carbon-negative via carbon dioxide reduction. However, there is still limited control over the gaseous pathways in gas-involving electrocatalysis. This limitation negatively influences both reactant and product flux, affecting conversion efficiency. From a physical perspective, electrocatalysis is a multi-phase process where (liquid) immersed electrodes (solid) interact with reactants/products (gas). Integration of concepts in wettability is thus beneficial. Surface superaerophilicity refers to its strong affinity (-Super) for air/gases (-Aerophilicity). With superaerophilicity, microscopic gas-layers on surfaces (i.e. plastrons) provide highly efficient reactant/product gas transport pathways. In this project, I will investigate design principles for “Superwettability-enhanced Electrocatalysis (SuperElectro)”. The primary goal is to decouple wettability and electrocatalytic activity. Achievements in electrocatalytic-enhancements (i.e. current density, conversion efficiency, etc.) will thus be universal. The choice of electrode catalyst becomes independent from wettability as plastrons provide alternative product and reactant pathways. Electrocatalysis is vital towards a sustainable adoption of renewable energy technologies. The success of this work impacts the future of our energy industries and green-friendly societies. Fields of science engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsrenewable energynatural scienceschemical sciencescatalysiselectrocatalysisnatural scienceschemical sciencesorganic chemistryhydrocarbonsnatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesatmospheric sciencesclimatologyclimatic changes Programme(s) HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Main Programme Topic(s) HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01-01 - MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2021 Call for proposal HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme HORIZON-AG-UN - HORIZON Unit Grant Coordinator AALTO KORKEAKOULUSAATIO SR Net EU contribution € 199 694,40 Address Otakaari 1 02150 Espoo Finland See on map Region Manner-Suomi Helsinki-Uusimaa Helsinki-Uusimaa Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00
