Objective
The exigent challenges posed by climate change and increasing plastic waste pollution necessitates the development of innovative scientific solutions, processes, and technologies. Conventional thermal treatments for plastic waste (e.g. pyrolysis) require high power consumption and cannot meet the requirements for sustainability and net zero. This project aims to promote sustainability and circularity by utilizing plastic waste-derived carbon nanomaterials (CNMs) to prepare carbon-reinforced plastic composites. These CNMs will serve directly as microwave (MW)-active catalysts or be modified using transition metal oxide (TMO)-based catalysts, for converting the plastic composites back into virgin monomers at the end of their lifecycle, hence, to form a net-zero MW-initiated upcycling process. Leveraging the unique features of MW catalysis, this project will explore cost-effective solutions for the entire lifecycle of plastic-based products, from waste to value-added materials.
Key objectives include: (i) producing microwave active CNMs from waste plastic; (ii) designing novel plastic composites incorporating these CNMs; and (iii) developing a sustainable upcycling process for depolymerizing the resulting plastic composite back into its original monomers using plastic-derived CNMs or modifying/ functionalizing CNMs using TMO-based catalysts. To gain a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms of CNMs and TMO catalysts for MW-initiated catalytic reaction, a hypothesis-driven approach will be employed to investigate the interactions between CNMs and TMO catalysts and MW irradiation. This newly acquired knowledge will be crucial for enhancing catalytic performance and expanding the application of MW catalysis.
Addressing the urgent need of utilizing recycled plastic in new products to reduce the demand for virgin plastics, as reported by European Environment Agency (EEA) 2024, this research aligns with the EUs circular economy for plastic waste and UN's SDGs.
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 materials engineering composites
- natural sciences earth and related environmental sciences environmental sciences pollution
- 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-2024-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.
E1 4NS LONDON
United Kingdom
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.