Project description
Automating synthesis of metal-nitrogen-carbon catalysts for CO2 reduction
Metal-nitrogen-carbon (M-N-C) materials are promising catalysts for CO2 reduction, making it possible to convert CO2 into useful, cost-effective products. However, their practical application is hindered by synthesis difficulties, poor understanding of the reduction mechanism and long-term degradation. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the SMART-CO project will address these challenges to develop an automated approach for M-N-C synthesis. To do so, it will determine the metal cation solvation and its impact on CO2 reduction as well as analyse the active site density. Based on the rate of active site loss, the project will calculate catalyst lifetimes and identify properties limiting stability. Finally, it will design a stress test for M-N-Cs in CO2 electrolysers for faster screening and performance assessment.
Objective
Achieving net zero CO2 emissions requires replacing fossil fuel-derived precursors in the chemical industry, driving the rise of the Power-to-X electrochemical sector. CO2 can be electrochemically reduced into valuable products at cost-competitive prices. Earth abundant single metal atoms coordinated to N-doped C (M-N-C, M = Fe, Ni) can selectively reduce CO2 to CO (an important precursor to Fischer-Tropsch and fermentation), with the same activity and efficiency as current commercially used thick Ag and Au electrode. M-N-C therefore present a cheaper, accessible, and sustainable alternative. However, their practical implementation is restricted by their synthesis bottlenecks, poorly understood CO2 reduction mechanism and long term (≥100 h) degradation at practical current densities (≥200 mA cm-2). To solve these problems, I will introduce automated M-N-C synthesis innovatively adapted from the food industry. State-of-the-art operando NMR will uniquely resolve the metal cation solvation and impact on CO2 reduction, while emerging electrochemical techniques and in-situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy will probe the active site density. I will calculate catalyst lifetimes for the first time, based on the rate of active site loss, and establish catalyst properties limiting stability. I will use these insights to develop an accelerated stress test for M-N-Cs in CO2 electrolysers, facilitating faster screening and establishing a benchmarking tool for academia and industry. Thus, the proposed project will solve the three major challenges of catalyst scalability, selectivity, and stability and would equip me with scientific, technical and managerial skills to become a leading independent researcher in electrochemical technologies. The world-leading M-N-C synthesis, reaction mechanism expertise and state-of-the-art equipment available with Dr. Fellinger (host); and the wide scientific community at BAM, provide a synergistic environment to successfully host my project.
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.
- natural sciences physical sciences optics spectroscopy absorption spectroscopy
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis
- engineering and technology industrial biotechnology bioprocessing technologies fermentation
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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)
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Topic(s)
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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
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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
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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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12205 Berlin
Germany
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