Project description
Making fuel cheaper with artificial photosynthesis
Using artificial photosynthesis to reduce CO2 is a greener way to produce chemicals and fuels, but current photoelectrochemical systems have a high material cost. The EU-funded CHALCON project will seek to devise a cheaper system, using an efficient integrated system of a photocathode and photoanode for the simultaneous CO2 reduction and oxidation of alcohol or water, respectively. The project proposes a tandem design using a (1.8-2.0 eV) bandgap Cu(In,Ga)S2-based top cell photocathode and silicon (1.1 eV) photoanode as a bottom cell. Coupling reactions should lower the voltage requirement to allow bias-free production of valuable carbon monoxide and formic acid. The project will also test varying applied bias, light intensity, light wavelength and the catalyst coating layer.
Objective
Solar driven photoelectrohemical reduction of CO2 (CO2R) to valuable chemicals and fuels in artificial photosynthesis is of high importance for sustainable future and societal growth. Among current PEC systems, electrolysis from PV cells using III-V semiconductors is promising but high material cost is a major limitation. Integrated PV-PEC systems are desirable; however, they suffer from low performance due to insufficient solar spectrum utilization, carrier generation and transport losses, and poor catalysis. An efficient and low-cost integrated system of a photocathode (PC) and photoanode (PA) is yet to be realized for simultaneous CO2R and oxidation of alcohol or water, respectively. In this project, we propose a tandem architecture, including monolithic and wired connected design, comprising of (1.8 – 2.0 eV) bandgap Cu(In,Ga)S2 based top cell PC and silicon (1.1 eV) PA as bottom cell. The photovoltage of > 1.8 eV is targeted from CIGS-Si tandem system. This will be accomplished by synthesizing high-quality CIGS optimized for interface recombination coupled with nanostructured and dual side doped Si. The key aspect of the project is to couple the CO2R with the glycerol oxidation reaction which lowers the voltage requirement and makes it feasible for bias-free operation of CO2R and glycerol oxidation, thus producing valuable products like CO and formic acid at PC and PA respectively. PC and PA will be individually optimized for high voltage, carrier selectivity, light management, high surface area catalysis and protected surfaces to avoid degradation. The design of the project allows to investigate device with electrical bias, similar to “3-terminal” tandem PV device. Separate PC and PA reaction chamber will make product separation easier with accurate estimation of the fuel production efficiency. Applied bias, light intensity, light wavelength and catalyst coating layer will be varied and its relation to device performance and degradation will be established.
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 electrochemistry electrolysis
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules lipids
- engineering and technology materials engineering coating and films
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels
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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
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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.
3001 Leuven
Belgium
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.