Objective
The objective of the C3PO project is to design, build and validate the first high-throughput plasma-catalytic reactor for the selective hydrogenation of carbon dioxide (CO2) into methanol (CH3OH). CH3OH is a versatile fuel and chemical feedstock, yet conventional thermocatalytic production from CO2 requires high temperatures/pressures, making the process energy-intensive. Plasma catalysis offers a disruptive alternative at near-ambient conditions, but current dielectric barrier discharge reactors face limitations in selectivity, scalability and reliable product quantification. C3PO addresses these limitations by integrating 3D porous monolith catalysts (honeycomb/foam structures) that ensure microscale plasma-catalyst proximity, enabling true plasma-catalyst synergy. This architecture permits precise tuning of the reduced electric field (E/N) to favour vibrational activation of CO2 and enhances CH3OH selectivity. The approach also enables larger plasma volumes and higher throughput without pressure build-up, providing a pathway towards industrial relevance. The project is structured into four interconnected work packages: (i) reactor design/construction to sustain stable plasma in 3D catalysts (ii) computational fluid dynamics and plasma modelling to identify optimum void size and E/N, (iii) synthesis/characterisation of robust 3D catalysts with uniform coatings, and (iv) experimental validation with accurate online product analysis, culminating in a proof-of-concept demonstration of scalability. Relevance to the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship work programme lies in C3PO’s advancement of frontier research in sustainable and electrified chemical processes, its multidisciplinary integration of plasma physics/catalysis/materials engineering, and its alignment with EU climate and energy objectives. By addressing key scientific and technological bottlenecks in CO2 utilisation, the project contributes to Europe’s transition towards a climate-neutral and circular economy.
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 coating and films
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis
- natural sciences physical sciences classical mechanics fluid mechanics fluid dynamics computational fluid dynamics
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels
- social sciences economics and business economics sustainable economy
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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-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.
2000 Antwerpen
Belgium
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.