Heterogeneous Single-Atom Catalysts for Carbon Dioxide Reduction to Chemicals

Descripción del proyecto

Un método rentable para convertir el CO2 en alcoholes superiores

La conversión eficiente del CO2 en productos químicos y combustibles útiles es un paso importante para reducir las emisiones nocivas de carbono a la atmósfera. Sin embargo, los catalizadores de alto rendimiento aún están en ciernes. El proyecto SACforCO2, financiado por las Acciones Marie Skłodowska-Curie, tiene por objeto diseñar una nueva clase de catalizadores monoatómicos para convertir el CO2 en alcoholes. El proyecto reúne un enfoque interdisciplinario que se centra en la síntesis y la caracterización de nuevos ligandos para inmovilizar los átomos individuales. Además, al integrar los catalizadores en membranas impresas en tres dimensiones, el proyecto también preparará la tecnología para una aplicación industrial ampliable y rentable.

Objetivo

The increase in global energy consumption has been relentless as a consequence of population growth, higher living standards, and industrial expansion. This has caused, in turn, acute problems with the release of vast amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the environment, which is linked to ocean acidification, global warming and extreme weather conditions. Finding new routes to strategically capture, mitigate, and utilize CO2 is thus a priority.

The catalytic conversion of CO2 to chemicals is a promising pathway for transforming this “waste” into a precious platform molecule, but the approach is still in its infancy. The SACforCO2 project will decisively contribute towards this effort by designing a novel class of single-atom catalysts (SACs) for a new purpose: the conversion of CO2 to make higher alcohols. To this end, SACforCO2 will adopt an interdisciplinary approach which combines organoligand-based synthesis, advanced characterization, and a close synergy between experimental and theoretical research to gain a deep understanding of the N-based surface functionalization that guides single atom anchoring. By integrating SACs into 3D printed membranes, the project will also set up the technology for a cost-effective conversion of CO2 to chemicals. This will provide fresh perspectives in catalyst design and build bridges between fundamental efforts on materials and device engineering, achieving breakthrough performance under realistic conditions.

Furthermore, this action will establish an intra-European interdisciplinary network between emerging researchers in academia and industry, at POLIMI (Italy) and VITO (Belgium), and will allow an Experienced Researcher to consolidate a diverse set of scientific and soft skills, gaining cutting-edge research competences, new credentials in teaching and supervision, and the possibility for collaborations with a broad EU network. This will ultimately strengthen career prospects toward a scientific independence.