Objective
Green hydrogen is hydrogen produced by water electrolysis using renewable electricity. Its production dramatically reduces CO2 emissions compared to grey H2 derived from fossil fuels without carbon capture. There is potential for green hydrogen to play a significant role in decarbonizing energy systems, particularly in sectors where direct electrification is challenging–such as heavy industries (e.g. steel, cement, glass), ammonia production, transport (e.g. shipping, aviation, heavy-duty vehicles), and long-term energy grid storage.
However, commercial electrolyzers to produce green hydrogen face performance limitations. Gas nanobubbles strongly adsorb on electrodes, hindering mass transfer and increasing the overpotential. This results in low energy conversion efficiency (< 70%) and poor durability (< 2,500 h for stainless steel electrodes). This research programme aims to develop a technological solution to detach nanobubbles from electrodes by introducing surface-active, water-dispersible particles, thereby improving the efficiency of state-of-the-art electrolyzers.
The proposed particles will be based on oleophobic organosilicas/carbons de-signed to adsorb at the gas-liquid interface and generate particle-stabilized liquid foams. Their impact will be tested in alkaline co-axial and microflow electrolyzers using both freshwater and contaminated tap waters containing ions, dissolved pollutants, and suspended nanoplastics. The results will inform an exploitation plan for upscaling and commercializing new particle-electrolyte formulations and new electrolyzer technology.
As expected outcomes, this project will deliver: (i) an electrolyzer (power = 0.5-1.0 kW) with an overall efficiency >70%; and (ii) a reduction by 25% of full manu-facture cost for H2 production (< €3 per kilo H2).
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 electrochemistry electrolysis
- engineering and technology materials engineering amorphous solids
- engineering and technology environmental engineering carbon capture engineering
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels energy conversion
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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.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
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-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants
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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) ERC-2026-POC
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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.
CF10 3AT CARDIFF
United Kingdom
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.