Project description
Efficient CO2 reduction for a circular economy
Converting captured carbon dioxide into valuable chemicals and fuels offers a promising pathway to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It is also a step on the path towards a more sustainable circular carbon economy. With this in mind, the EU-funded CuCATCO2 project will develop advanced self-standing electrodes that combine halogen-coordinated copper single-atom catalysts with conductive carbon nanotube scaffolds to improve the electrochemical conversion of CO2 into valuable multi-carbon products. The overall goal is to overcome key limitations of conventional copper-based systems and demonstrate scalable, high-performance CO2 reduction under industrially relevant operating conditions.
Objective
Electrochemical CO2 reduction (CO2RR) utilizing self-standing electrodes with copper single-atom catalysts (Cu–N₄) axially coordinated with halogens (Cl/F) integrated into carbon nanotube (CNT) scaffolds exemplifies a cutting-edge method for scalable CO2 valorization. Axial halogen ligation alters the d-band configuration of the copper center, stabilizing *COOH/*CO intermediates and reducing the C–C coupling barrier, thus improving selectivity for C2⁺ products. The CNT backbone provides a binder-free, porous, and conductive structure that facilitates swift electron transfer, effective CO2 diffusion, and mechanical stability during high-current operation. This approach addresses the significant limitations of traditional Cu catalysts, specifically inadequate durability, nanoparticle agglomeration, and restricted multi-carbon selectivity, while facilitating flow-cell testing under conditions relevant to industrial applications. The integrated electrode achieves current densities exceeding 200 mA cm⁻², with Faradaic efficiencies surpassing 70% for C2⁺ species (ethylene, ethanol, acetate). It demonstrates stability for over 50 hours of continuous operation, parameters that exceed the majority of documented Cu-N₄ benchmarks. This performance showcases both the structural integrity of halogen-coordinated Cu single atoms under cathodic polarization and their capacity to bridge fundamental catalysis with practical applications in sustainable CO2 utilization.
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 inorganic chemistry halogens
- natural sciences chemical sciences organic chemistry alcohols
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis
- engineering and technology nanotechnology nano-materials
- natural sciences chemical sciences organic chemistry aliphatic compounds
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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.
166 28 PRAHA
Czechia
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.