Project description
Investigating photocatalytic reactions at the nanoscale level
Reducing CO2 into valuable chemicals and fuels using solar-powered devices is a sustainable strategy for achieving climate neutrality by 2050. This process, called photocatalytic CO2 reduction is important for climate change but currently poorly understood, especially at the nanoscale level where the reactions happen. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the ISaaC project plans to develop advanced tools to study special nanocatalysts used in this process. By means of a unique nanoprobe with photonic and electrochemical functionalities, researchers will perform in situ photochemical analysis and nanoscale mapping of photocatalysts with unprecedented precision. Combining this with Raman spectroscopy, ISaaC should help uncover how these materials work, enabling the design of more efficient photocatalysts for sustainable CO2 conversion in the future.
Objective
The conversion of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2) into high-value chemicals and fuels by using solar-powered devices represents a promising and sustainable strategy to achieve the target of climate neutrality by 2050. The development of an efficient technology for photocatalytic CO2 reduction (CO2RR) requires an in-depth knowledge of the reaction mechanism, which is, to date, still elusive. In particular, photocatalysts often consist of nanomaterials which are difficult to study at the single-entity level. In this context, ISaaC represents an effective solution to unlock the working principles of photocatalytic devices for CO2RR. To guide the design of future advanced photocatalysts with improved performances, this project proposes an in situ photochemical nanoscopy of CO2RR over low-dimensional semiconductors and plasmonic metal-semiconductor heterojunctions judiciously designed through top-down nanofabrication. Based on a unique nanoprobe, combining at-source photonic and electrochemical functionalities, ISaaC aims at realizing via light-assisted scanning electrochemical microscopy (Photo-SECM) in situ photochemical analysis of individual nanocatalyst entities, as well as mapping with unprecedented local illumination conditions (sub-100 nm). The collected nanoscale information will be correlated with data provided by operando Raman spectroscopy to confirm the role of the device towards CO2RR. ISaaC identifies three objectives to enable mechanistic insights into individual nanoscale photocatalysts for CO2RR: 1) development of a Photo-SECM plasmonic probe as an individual photocatalyst. Investigation of its plasmon-assisted photochemical response; 2) development of optimized Photo-SECM nanotip with nanoscale light irradiation. Demonstration of improved spatial mapping of nanostructured semiconductor photocatalysts; 3) investigation of CO2RR over nanoengineered photocatalysts via combined in situ Photo-SECM and operando Raman spectroscopy.
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 chemical sciences catalysis photocatalysis
- natural sciences physical sciences electromagnetism and electronics semiconductivity
- engineering and technology nanotechnology nano-materials
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels
- natural sciences physical sciences optics spectroscopy
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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-GF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global 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.
16126 GENOVA
Italy
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.