Climate change remains one of the most pressing global challenges, driven largely by the continued increase of greenhouse gas emissions. Among these, carbon dioxide (CO2) is a major contributor to global warming. Reaching climate neutrality by 2050, as targeted by the European Green Deal, requires not only reducing emissions, but also developing technologies that can actively capture and convert CO2 into valuable products. This approach is central to the concept of a circular carbon economy, in which waste carbon is transformed into useful chemical feedstocks and fuels, reducing our dependence on fossil resources.
The ENLIVEN project addresses this challenge by developing innovative electrocatalysts for CO2 reduction. Electrocatalysis is a promising route for converting CO2 into carbon-based fuels and chemicals using renewable electricity. However, current catalysts often face significant limitations, such as poor stability, low selectivity for multi-carbon (C2+) products, and high energy inputs. Overcoming these obstacles is essential to make CO2 electroreduction a viable industrial technology that can contribute meaningfully to Europe’s decarbonisation goals.
ENLIVEN’s strategy brings together three complementary material families to create a new class of hybrid catalysts. Copper-based metal–organic frameworks (Cu-MOFs) offer high activity and molecular tunability, making them excellent platforms for steering CO2 conversion pathways. Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are used as protective and conductive shells that stabilise the MOFs during electrochemical operation and improve charge transport. Electrospun carbon nanofibres (CNFs) provide robust, conductive supports that ensure good electron transfer and mechanical integrity. By combining these components into hierarchical MOF@COF–CNF architectures, ENLIVEN aims to achieve catalysts that are both durable and highly selective towards C2+ products such as acetate.
The project’s specific scientific objectives are:
(1) To fabricate uniform, conductive carbon nanofibres (CNFs) as supports for electrocatalyst development;
(2) To synthesise and optimise copper-based metal–organic frameworks (Cu-MOFs) with tunable coordination environments for efficient CO2 electroreduction;
(3) To integrate covalent organic frameworks (COFs) onto MOF@CNF composites, creating stable hybrid catalysts; and
(4) To evaluate and improve their electrochemical activity, selectivity, and durability for CO2 conversion to multi-carbon (C2⁺) products. Through this work, ENLIVEN contributes to advancing key technologies for CO2 utilisation, supporting Europe’s transition towards a climate-neutral, circular economy.
Beyond scientific and technological advances, the project has strong dissemination and societal engagement components. Results are being shared through scientific conferences, peer-reviewed publications, and public outreach activities aimed at increasing awareness of sustainable CO2 conversion technologies. By connecting frontier materials research with broader environmental and policy goals, ENLIVEN supports the European Union’s strategy to mitigate climate change, foster innovation, and strengthen the continent’s leadership in green technologies.
