Project description DEENESFRITPL Recyclable metal-free catalysts on the horizon The increasing demand for energy necessitates the use of eco-friendly technologies for energy production. A promising solution for solar energy conversion and green fuel production is synthetic photocatalysis, a process that involves accelerating a chemical reaction using light. Unfortunately, this process requires expensive and toxic metals. The EU-funded PHOTOCATALYSIS project aims to develop stable, recyclable and metal-free photocatalysts for a chemical reaction known as Diels-Alder. The spotlight is on highly porous organic polymers with their high thermal and chemical stability. Success in this venture would enable the large-scale production of environmentally friendly catalysts in the renewable energy field. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective The discovery of smart and highly efficient catalysts for solar energy conversion and green fuel production is a global scientific challenge due to increasing energy demand and related environmental consequences. Synthetic photocatalysis is highly promising, but employs to date expensive and/or toxic metals, such as Pt, Au, Ru, Cd, Ag, and Ir. This hampers the development of large-scale and introduces environmental issues. The aim of this proposal is to develop stable, recyclable and metal-free heterogeneous photocatalysts for the Diels-Alder (D–A) reaction. D–A reactions are one of the most powerful synthetic protocols for the synthesis of unsaturated six-membered rings, yet to be well established for the industry. Herein, we selected porous organic polymers, namely Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs) and Covalent Triazine Frameworks (CTFs), because they allow synergistic utilization of their skeleton and pores. Due to their high porosity and uniform pores, they allow for confined space synergies and easy mass transport. The pi-species in these catalysts are highly photo-catalytically active. These metal-free insoluble-polymer-catalysts are expected to show high thermal and chemical stability. Therefore, these catalysts can be easily separated out from the reaction mixture and re-activated for cycle use. Furthermore, we will use these catalysts in a continuous-flow reactor, which could open up a new avenue for catalyst industry. Fields of science engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsrenewable energysolar energynatural scienceschemical sciencescatalysisphotocatalysisnatural scienceschemical sciencespolymer sciencesengineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsenergy conversion Keywords Metal-free catalyst Heterogeneous Recyclable Photocatalysis Diels-Alder reactions Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2018 - Individual Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2018 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF) Coordinator UNIVERSITEIT GENT Net EU contribution € 178 320,00 Address SINT PIETERSNIEUWSTRAAT 25 9000 Gent Belgium See on map Region Vlaams Gewest Prov. Oost-Vlaanderen Arr. Gent Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 178 320,00
