Project description
On-water photocatalysis for CO2 conversion
Reducing carbon dioxide emissions while producing sustainable fuels and chemicals is a major challenge in the transition towards climate neutrality. Current CO2 conversion technologies face efficiency limitations. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the OWSP-CO2 project will develop a new on-water surface photocatalysis approach to convert CO2 and water into methanol using advanced two-dimensional metal–organic framework materials. By engineering an ultrathin reactive interface and combining innovative catalyst design with advanced monitoring techniques and computational modelling, the project aims to improve conversion efficiency. The research aims to provide new insights into interfacial photocatalytic mechanisms and deliver scalable solutions for sustainable carbon utilisation, contributing to Europe’s green transition and climate neutrality goals.
Objective
OWSP-CO2 pioneers an on-water surface photocatalysis (OWSP) paradigm to convert CO2 and H2O to methanol with high activity and selectivity. Conventional bulk gas/liquid systems are limited by poor mass transfer and ill-defined interfaces. We will assemble ultrathin, floatable, hydrophobic 2D conjugated metal–organic frameworks (2D-cMOFs) at the CO2|H2O boundary to create a sub-10-nm reactive interface that enriches both reactants and shortens diffusion paths. The project couples materials synthesis (Cu- and Fe/Co/Zn-cMOFs), on-water interfacial reactor engineering, and multiscale operando diagnostics (SFG, ATR-IR, GIWAXS/XAFS, AC-HRTEM, transient spectroscopy) with DFT-guided kinetics to reveal how interfacial polarity, hydrophobicity, and site electronics govern PCET steps and C–O bond hydrogenation toward CH₃OH.
OWSP-CO2 demonstrates STY ≥ 1.0 mmol·g-1·h-1 and ≥85% selectivity by M10; reach ≥1.5 mmol·g-1·h-1 by M18; show 200-h continuous operation with ≥90% recovery after regeneration by M24. Benchmarks will be performed head-to-head against slurry, triphase, and GDE-assisted photoreactors under identical photon flux and CO2 partial pressure. Product attribution uses ¹³CO2 labelling (GC-MS/¹³C-NMR).
Hosted at MPI-MP, the fellow receives first-class training-through-research at the Chemistry–Materials–Engineering interface, including a 6–8-week industry secondment (IP landscaping, TRL-in-lab prototype, rapid TEA/LCA). Results will be disseminated under FAIR/Open Science, with patent-first protection where appropriate. By delivering a validated interfacial mechanism and a transferable catalyst/reaction library, OWSP-CO2 advances Europe’s Green Deal and climate-neutral goals while strengthening the fellow’s path to independent research leadership in sustainable photocatalysis.
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 theoretical physics particle physics photons
- 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)
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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
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-2025-PF
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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.
80539 MUNCHEN
Germany
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.