Flooding-tolerant C2-selective CO2 reduction electrode based on hydrophobic Cu-W tandem electrocatalyst

Información del proyecto

FOTOCER

Identificador del acuerdo de subvención: 101106114

DOI

10.3030/101106114

Proyecto cerrado

Fecha de la firma de la CE 21 Abril 2023

Fecha de inicio 15 Noviembre 2023

Fecha de finalización 14 Noviembre 2025

Financiado con arreglo a

• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)

Coste total

Sin datos

Aportación de la UE

€ 172 750,08

Coordinado por

UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI GENOVA
Italy

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - FOTOCER (Flooding-tolerant C2-selective CO2 reduction electrode based on hydrophobic Cu-W tandem electrocatalyst)

Período documentado: 2023-11-15 hasta 2025-11-14

Resumen del contexto y de los objetivos generales del proyecto

FOTOCER addressed three interconnected research questions aimed at advancing cost-effective electrocatalytic CO2 conversion: (1) investigating tungsten-based materials (W2C/W) as earth-abundant alternatives to noble metal co-catalysts for enhanced CO2 activation, (2) developing hierarchical Cu@W nanocone structures to achieve tandem catalytic effects through optimized CO* spillover and C-C coupling, and (3) engineering hydrophobic nanocone morphologies for flooding-tolerant gas diffusion electrodes enabling stable long-term operation. The project addressed critical challenges including the limited selectivity of copper catalysts, the high cost of noble metals, and electrode degradation through electrolyte flooding, with the hierarchical nanocone design simultaneously enhancing catalytic activity through increased surface area and improving hydrophobicity for stable device-level performance in CO2 reduction application.

Trabajo realizado desde el comienzo del proyecto hasta el final del período abarcado por el informe y los principales resultados hasta la fecha

FOTOCER successfully developed hierarchical Cu-W nanocone electrocatalysts through pulse electrodeposition on metallic foam substrates for sustainable energy conversion applications. The research strategically focused on hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in anion exchange membrane water electrolyzers while maintaining parallel CO2 reduction studies. Key achievements include: (1) exceptional HER performance competitive with platinum-based catalysts using only earth-abundant materials, (2) validation of flooding-tolerant gas diffusion electrode design through hydrophobic nanocone morphology enabling stable long-term operation (>100 hours), (3) comprehensive materials characterization establishing structure-property-performance relationships via XRD, XPS, SEM, TEM, and Raman spectroscopy, (4) complete AEM water electrolyzer device fabrication and testing under industrially relevant conditions, and (5) development of autonomous proficiency in advanced characterization techniques (GC, HPLC, Raman, XRD). Two high-impact manuscripts documenting these outcomes are in preparation for submission in 2026.

Avances que van más allá del estado de la técnica e impacto potencial esperado (incluida la repercusión socioeconómica y las implicaciones sociales más amplias del proyecto hasta la fecha)

FOTOCER delivered hierarchical Cu-W nanocone electrocatalysts demonstrating exceptional hydrogen evolution performance competitive with platinum-based catalysts (>100-hour stability, industrially relevant current densities) and validated flooding-tolerant gas diffusion electrode design, with potential impacts including significant cost reduction in water electrolyzer manufacturing (contributing to the $12-17 billion green hydrogen market by 2030)