Probing the visible- light-driven photocatalytic mechanism to improve the photocatalytic performance of carbon nanodots (CNDs)

Project Information

PRISM

Grant agreement ID: 101111176

DOI

10.3030/101111176

Project closed

EC signature date 6 July 2023

Start date 1 January 2024

End date 31 December 2025

Funded under

• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)

Total cost

No data

EU contribution

€ 181 152,96

Coordinated by

ASOCIACION CENTRO DE INVESTIGACION COOPERATIVA EN BIOMATERIALES- CIC biomaGUNE
Spain

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - PRISM (Probing the visible- light-driven photocatalytic mechanism to improve the photocatalytic performance of carbon nanodots (CNDs))

Reporting period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-12-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The PRISM project vision encompasses the Global warming and energy crisis from fossil fuels demand sustainable solar-to-fuel conversion via photocatalysis for H2 production and CO2 reduction. PRISM addresses limitations of conventional UV-absorbing carbon nanodots (CNDs) by developing visible-light-active, low-cost, metal-free photocatalysts through molecular doping.
The objectives of e- PRISM are:
(1) Synthesize structurally-defined CNDs with extended visible absorption and photostability via doping strategies;
(2) Quantify HER/CO2RR performance and elucidate proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) mechanisms using advanced spectroscopy/electrochemistry.
Pathway to impact: Rational design principles for selective solar fuel catalysts, advancing EU Green Deal clean energy goals.
Scale: Enables efficient water splitting/CO2-to-methane, replacing expensive metals for scalable green fuels.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The main results from the work performed during the reporting period along the different WPs is:
(WP1): Microwave-synthesized molecular-doped CNDs (DAP-CNDs, PFV-CNDs, DAPh-CNDs) from L-Arg/EDA/aromatic amines. Purified via dialysis (500Da). Characterized: 1H NMR (aromatic 7-9ppm), XPS (enhanced sp2 C/graphitic N), FT-IR (C=O/C=C), UV-Vis/PL (visible bands >400nm matching molecules), TEM/AFM. WP1A partly (doping), WP1C largely (molecules-CNDs), WP1B not (couplings).
(WP2) HER: DAP-CNDs 0.8 mmol H2/1h (pH8, AM1.5 Xe). CO2RR: PFV-CNDs 0.08 µmol CH4 (pH8). MV2+ reduction visible-active. Stability superior to free molecules. TAS/EC datasets (secondment), Pourbaix/CV started, Global analysis ongoing. Structure-selectivity: phenazine HER, acridine CO2RR.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

PRISM advances solar fuel technology by engineering programmable carbon nanodots that efficiently use visible sunlight to convert water into hydrogen and CO2 into methane, addressing two major climate challenges at once: clean energy production and carbon recycling. Unlike conventional photocatalysts that rely mainly on UV light and degrade quickly, PRISM embeds specific organic molecules inside protective carbon nanodots, enabling stable light absorption beyond 400 nm and sustained catalytic activity. Crucially, it demonstrates for the first time a molecular “switch” effect: phenazine-functionalized nanodots selectively produce hydrogen from water, while acridine-functionalized nanodots drive CO2 reduction to methane, allowing rational design of catalysts tailored to desired fuels. With laboratory performance reaching 0.8 mmol h⁻¹ hydrogen evolution and 0.08 µmol methane production under simulated sunlight (TRL 3 proof-of-concept), PRISM establishes clear design rules for low-cost, stable, visible-light-driven photocatalysts and lays the groundwork for scale-up, patenting, and industrial translation toward practical solar fuel generation.