Objective
The last two decades have seen an explosion of scientific interest in hydrophobic solvation due to its stunning importance for biology, catalysis and environmental science. However, it is only recently that we realized how important hydrophobicity is for electrochemical interfaces. There, hydrophobic molecules are involved in key electrochemical reactions, such as water splitting and CO2 reduction for renewable energy technologies. Identifying and predicting hydrophobic solvation contributions to thermodynamics is expected to advance our comprehension of these processes, unlocking new ways to improve their efficiency. This can only be achieved through a substantial advance in theoretical understanding. The Lum-Chandler-Weeks theory that revolutionized our comprehension of hydrophobic solvation does not hold true at electrochemical interfaces. A change of paradigms is needed: first, the present theory is based on density fluctuations in the liquid bulk, but these are modulated by surface and applied potential at the interface; second, it is not only the solute size, but a combination of size/shape/position that matters at the interface. Developing a theoretical model from these new paradigms is the challenge tackled by ELECTROPHOBIC. The breakthrough will be to predict hydrophobic contributions to many electrochemical processes with my model. To start, I will focus on how hydrophobic solvation contributes to two problems that currently plague water splitting and CO2 reduction at metal-aqueous interfaces: the undesired aggregation of H2 molecules into interfacial bubbles and the selectivity toward multi-carbon products, respectively. Tremendous advances in the theoretical understanding of these reaction mechanisms and on the role of the electrode catalyst have been made by density functional theory calculations. I will couple these calculations with my model in a hybrid scheme such that surface and solvation contributions are simultaneously but separately evaluated.
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.
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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.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
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-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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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) ERC-2022-STG
See all projects funded under this callHost institution
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.
75794 PARIS
France
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.