Solar driven CO2 reduction and alcohol oxidation without sacrificial reagent.

Project Information

SOLAR-CAT

Grant agreement ID: 101064765

DOI

10.3030/101064765

Project closed

EC signature date 22 July 2022

Start date 1 October 2022

End date 30 September 2024

Funded under

• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)

Total cost

No data

EU contribution

€ 211 754,88

Coordinated by

CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS
France

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SOLAR-CAT (Solar driven CO2 reduction and alcohol oxidation without sacrificial reagent.)

Reporting period: 2022-10-01 to 2024-09-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

This MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship, SOLAR-CAT ID:101064765, aimed to develop nanoparticles for CO2 (or H+) reduction coupled with alcohol oxidation using sunlight as the primary energy source. The project sought to develop efficient, noble-metal-free dye-sensitized photocatalysts (DSPs) that can drive sustainable chemical transformations, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and contributing to carbon neutrality. The urgency of the global transition to renewable energy sources, combined with the need for low-cost, scalable, and efficient photocatalysts, served as the driving context behind SOLAR-CAT. The project aimed to enhance the sustainability of industrial processes by providing a viable solution for producing green fuels and valuable chemicals directly from sunlight. SOLAR-CAT contributes to the broader EU goals of decarbonization, climate change mitigation, and energy independence, supporting the European Green Deal and the Horizon Europe agenda. The pathway to impact includes developing systems that could be adapted for large-scale deployment in the energy, chemical, and environmental sectors. By focusing on DSPs, the project aligns with EU efforts to reduce dependency on critical raw materials such as platinum and palladium, promoting materials security. The results are expected to impact energy production and environmental sustainability on a global scale.

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

Over the project’s duration, significant progress was made in the synthesis, characterization, and optimization of novel noble-metal-free DSPs for photocatalytic CO2-to-CO conversion, H2 production, and alcohol oxidation. These systems demonstrated high efficiency under solar light, achieving competitive performance compared to state-of-the-art systems that rely on expensive metals.
Key achievements include:
• Development of a series of DSPs capable of simultaneous hydrogen evolution and alcohol oxidation, offering dual-functionality that increases overall reaction efficiency.
• Identification of catalytic systems with high selectivity for CO2-to-CO conversion, pushing the boundaries of green chemistry applications.
• Publications of several high-impact journals, including those in Angewandte Chemie, which showcased the project's innovative contributions to the field.
• Achieving the Young Talent Label award for an oral presentation at the 18th International Congress of Catalysis, further validating the scientific importance of the project.

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)

SOLAR-CAT has delivered innovative photocatalytic systems that go beyond the state of the art by eliminating the need for noble metals while maintaining high efficiency and working without sacrificial electron donor for hydrogen production, while producing added value chemical for both oxidation and reduction reactions. The developed DSPs not only offer a more sustainable approach but also lower the cost and environmental footprint of photocatalytic systems. Further research and development are necessary to scale these systems for industrial applications. Potential impacts include their integration into commercial-scale hydrogen production facilities and CO2 reduction processes. Key steps for future uptake include the development of demonstration projects, partnerships with industry, and access to financing for commercialization. Moreover, the project has laid the groundwork for the adoption of these systems in real-world applications, potentially influencing future regulations on clean energy technologies and driving further innovation in renewable energy markets.