Membrane-assisted Ethylene Synthesis over Nanostructured Tandem Catalysts

Project Information

MemCat

Grant agreement ID: 101130047

DOI

10.3030/101130047

EC signature date 31 October 2023

Start date 1 May 2024

End date 30 April 2028

Funded under

• The European Innovation Council (EIC)

Total cost

€ 3 867 841,25

EU contribution

€ 3 867 840,25

Coordinated by

INTERNATIONAL IBERIAN NANOTECHNOLOGY LABORATORY
Portugal

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - MemCat (Membrane-assisted Ethylene Synthesis over Nanostructured Tandem Catalysts)

Reporting period: 2024-05-01 to 2025-04-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The MemCat project seeks to revolutionize the chemical industry by utilizing carbon dioxide (CO2) as a resource for producing valuable chemicals, particularly ethylene (ET). This ambitious goal is pursued through the development of specialized catalysts and membranes deployed in a unique membrane reactor (MR). Here are the key objectives:
- develop advanced catalysts capable of efficiently converting CO2 into ET with high selectivity. This involves creating nanostructured catalysts that facilitate the necessary chemical reactions;
- gain a deep understanding of the catalytic processes involved, including the identification of key factors influencing conversion and selectivity. This is achieved through a combination of computational modelling and experimental investigations;
- engineer temperature-resistant membranes to enhance ET production, addressing challenges such as gas selectivity and purification;
- construct and demonstrate a prototype MR that integrates the optimized catalysts and membranes for efficient CO2-to-ET conversion;
- maximize the impact of the project by promoting open science practices, protecting intellectual property, and fostering inclusive outreach efforts.
Throughout the project, interdisciplinary collaboration is emphasized to tackle scientific uncertainties effectively. MemCat also aligns with environmental goals, ensures gender neutrality in research, and embraces transparency through open science principles.

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 MemCat project has fully achieved its objectives for the first reporting period (01/05/2024 30/04/2024). The project has delivered exceptional results with significant immediate or potential impact, and all objectives mentioned in the Annex 1 of the Grant Agreement for the 12 months period were achieved.

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)

MemCat aims to revolutionize plastic production by creating carbon-negative plastic precursors from captured CO2 and renewable H2, thus introducing e-Plastic—renewable carbon-negative plastic. Ethylene (ET), a key chemical with extensive industrial use, is targeted for production. Currently, ET is produced unsustainably, resulting in significant CO2 emissions. MemCat proposes using captured CO2 as a feedstock for ET synthesis through a novel CO2 conversion process. The project will develop tandem catalysts and nanocomposite membranes to facilitate high-yield conversion of CO2 to ET with exceptional selectivity. By integrating these advancements into a membrane reactor, MemCat aims to achieve at least 80% CO2 conversion with over 95% selectivity to ET. The project also seeks to develop similar processes for other important monomers, ultimately contributing to the sustainability of the chemical industry and reducing CO2 emissions on a global scale.

MemCat logo was design considering these keywords: ethylene, black Co2 and green H2.