Project description
Solar-powered ammonia production for a sustainable future
Ammonia (NH3) production, vital for fertilisers and chemicals, is currently dominated by the energy-intensive and fossil-fuel-driven Haber-Bosch process. This method accounts for significant global energy consumption and carbon emissions. As sustainable alternatives are explored, challenges such as sluggish reactions, unstable catalysts, and high energy demands persist. A viable solution remains elusive, hindering progress toward a greener industry. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the PECSolFuel aims to revolutionise NH3 production by developing a bias-free, environmentally benign photoelectrochemical device. It tackles these challenges by integrating innovative catalysts and perovskite-based photocathodes, enabling energy-efficient NH3 synthesis without external energy input. The project promises novel catalysts, high-performance photoelectrodes, and a groundbreaking two-compartment device achieving 20 % solar-to-NH3 conversion efficiency.
Objective
PECSolFuel aims to develop an environmentally benign bias-free photoelectrochemical device for energy-efficient NH3 production to replace the energy-intensive and fossil-fuel-driven Haber-Bosch process. To achieve this, PECSolFuel has been tailored to overcome the current limitations of the solar-driven NH3 production alternative schemes involving: 1) the lack of selective and stable catalyst for efficient N2 reduction; 2) the dependence of sluggish and energy demanding reactions; 3) the requirement of a high photovoltage and 4) the catalyst degradation during long-term operation. By choosing appropriate redox reactions (such as glycerol oxidation coupled with nitrate reduction) and the rational catalysts design (involving the stabilization of small metal nanoparticles on the step-edges of photocatalytic inorganic supports), as well as the efficient integration of photoelectrodes using perovskite-based photocathodes, the photoelectrochemical device produced in PECSolFuel will not require external energy input. The synthesis of value-added products via glycerol oxidation reaction coupled with nitrate reduction reaction will be studied for the first time within this project. PECSolFuel will deliver: i) New catalysts that are not only highly-selective and active, but also highly-durable for both the nitrate reduction and the electrocatalytic oxidation of glycerol; ii) High-performance integrated perovskite photocathodes; iii) A two compartments photoelectrochemical device enabling a 20 % of solar-to-NH3 conversion efficiency by in situ valorisation of glycerol. Joining Dr. Gimenez group will allow me to establish myself as independent researcher and leading expert in solar fuel production in a group with key expertise, resources and links with academia and industry for the success of this action. PECSolFuel will provide me with hands-on experience and training in scientific competences and strengthen my transferable skills, while expanding my professional network.
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.
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels renewable energy solar energy
- natural sciences chemical sciences electrochemistry electrolysis
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules lipids
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis
- engineering and technology nanotechnology nano-materials
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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-2022-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.
15782 SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Spain
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.