Project description
Designing sustainable electroplating through molecular simulation
As industries seek cleaner alternatives to hazardous chemicals, developing sustainable electroplating technologies is important. It can reduce environmental impacts while maintaining high-performance metal coatings. With this in mind, the EU-funded EcoChromium project aims to enable safer and more sustainable chrome electroplating by replacing carcinogenic Cr(VI) with environmentally friendly Cr(III)-based processes. Using advanced molecular dynamics simulations, the project explores how dense ionic solvents influence chromium ion transport at electrode interfaces. This is a key factor in achieving efficient electrodeposition. To reduce reliance on trial-and-error approaches, the project will develop accurate computational models for predicting and validating results experimentally. Ultimately, it is designed to deliver the tools and insights needed to pave the way for Europe’s Zero-Pollution Action Plan.
Objective
Enabling Eco-friendly innovation in Chromium electroplating with molecular dynamics simulations (EcoChromium) addresses the need for an alternative to cancerogenic Cr(VI) in chrome electroplating. The project investigates the behavior of Cr(III) in dense ionic solvents (DIS) using computer simulations. The scientific aim is to understand how the layering of DIS at the electrode interface influences the permeability to Cr(III) ions – a hypothetically major factor for achieving successful electrodeposition. This work establishes a computational workflow to predict this permeability, reducing the need for extensive experimental screening.
The planned work involves creating and validating accurate force fields for chromium-containing systems. Subsequently, the potential-dependent layering of DIS at electrode interfaces will be simulated. The potential of mean force (PMF) for Cr(III) ions will be computed to quantify interface permeability, thus, enabling the identification of optimal DIS compositions. This computational work will be followed by experimental validation to verify the core hypothesis.
The expected outputs include a benchmark dataset for chromium and DIS, an open-source MD simulation toolkit for modeling interfacial electrochemistry, and a mechanistic understanding of the electroplating process. These outputs will accelerate the development of eco-friendly electroplating methods for a wide range of metals, supporting the European Union's Zero-Pollution Action Plan.
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
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry transition metals
- natural sciences mathematics applied mathematics mathematical model
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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.4.1 - Widening participation and spreading excellence
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-WIDERA-2025-TALENTS-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.
1586 RIGA
Latvia
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.