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A membraneless electrolyzer for electrochemical hydrogenation of nitrobenzene to aniline with water as the proton source

Objective

The ongoing green transition requires the replacement of carbon-intensive chemical processes with green alternatives. One such important process is hydrogenation, which is involved in more than 70% of fine chemical production processes. Hydrogenation is the addition of hydrogen to unsaturated organic compounds, a process that has been traditionally carbon-intensive due to the use of fossil-fuel-derived hydrogen. As a green alternative, renewable-powered electrochemical hydrogenation or electrohydrogenation, where hydrogen is sourced directly from water as protons, offers a solution that not only eliminates the CO2 emissions, but also comes with economic and logistical advantages. The MemFreeElectro project addresses these opportunities by proposing a novel membraneless electrochemical cell or electrolyzer for electrohydrogenation of nitrobenzene to aniline as the present case study. The proposed electrolyzer design is based on a membraneless design concept that solves the problem of membrane-reaction system incompatibility, in electrohydrogenation with common membrane/separator-based designs. Additionally, the membraneless design also has lower capital and operational expenditures. In this project, a novel membraneless electrohydrogenation electrolyzer design will be established, from the proof-of-concept to a 50 cm² lab-scale prototype, followed by a technoeconomic assessment. This interdisciplinary project combines electro-organic synthesis, reactor design, and process engineering to establish a scalable and green electrohydrogenation process technology, that can be adapted to other important electrochemical processes. Thus, the MemFreeElectro project falls in line with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13 i.e. Climate Action, also contributing to EU’s scientific excellence. The project will also have a significant impact on my career, enabling me to develop highly important technical as well as management, leadership, and valorization related skills.

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Keywords

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Programme(s)

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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.

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.

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.

(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF

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Coordinator

RUHR-UNIVERSITAET BOCHUM
Net EU contribution

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.

€ 272 456,40
Address
UNIVERSITAETSSTRASSE 150
44801 Bochum
Germany

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Region
Nordrhein-Westfalen Arnsberg Bochum, Kreisfreie Stadt
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

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.

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Partners (3)

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