Descrizione del progetto
Nuovi catalizzatori aiutano a trasformare la CO2 in carburante e sostanze chimiche
I catalizzatori sono componenti essenziali delle reazioni chimiche, sia quelle che si verificano in natura sia quelle ingegnerizzate per le applicazioni. Senza di essi, molte reazioni non procederebbero o lo farebbero a ritmi così lenti da essere rese inutili. La conversione elettrocatalitica della CO2 in altre sostanze chimiche è una di queste reazioni. Essa rappresenta un modo importante per ridurre la quantità di emissioni di CO2 nell’atmosfera e promuovere un’economia circolare, ma gli attuali catalizzatori sono estremamente inefficienti. Il progetto STRATCAT-CO2, finanziato dall’UE, svilupperà tecniche per migliorare la conversione catalitica della CO2 in etanolo ed etilene, rispettivamente un combustibile chiave e un elemento costitutivo chimico.
Obiettivo
By enabling the use of CO2 as a medium for energy storage and as a feedstock for chemical production, the electrochemical reduction of CO2 (eCO2RR) is a potentially transformative technology for the European chemical and energy sectors in view of the European Union’s climate action roadmap. Ethanol and ethylene are high-value eCO2RR products with key roles as a fuel and as a chemical building block, respectively. However, current electrocatalysts are very inefficient in producing these multi-carbon compounds. This action proposes the investigation of an exciting and highly innovative strategy in eCO2RR catalysis—based on functionalizing the catalyst surface with tailored thiol ligands—with a clear potential to overcome the mechanistic hurdles toward C2 product formation. To this end, STRATCAT-CO2 will adopt an interdisciplinary approach combining model catalysts, state-of-the-art characterization, and a close synergy between experimental and theoretical research to gain a mechanistic understanding of surface functionalization that can guide catalyst development. In addition, this action will build bridges between fundamental efforts and electrode and device engineering to achieve breakthrough performance under conditions relevant for practical implementation. STRATCAT-CO2 will provide fresh perspectives in catalyst design for the eCO2RR and, by reaching the foreseen performance targets, set the basis for the development of new electrochemical processes for ethanol and ethylene production. Furthermore, this action will establish an intra-European interdisciplinary network between emerging researchers at DTU and TU Delft. STRATCAT-CO2 will allow the Experienced Researcher to consolidate a diverse set of technical competences uniquely suited for cutting-edge catalysis research, gain skills and credentials in teaching and supervision, and expand his collaboration network, thereby strengthening his career prospects toward achieving research independence.
Campo scientifico
- natural scienceschemical scienceselectrochemistry
- natural scienceschemical sciencescatalysiselectrocatalysis
- natural scienceschemical sciencesorganic chemistryalcohols
- natural scienceschemical sciencesorganic chemistryaliphatic compounds
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuels
Programma(i)
Argomento(i)
Meccanismo di finanziamento
MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EFCoordinatore
2800 Kongens Lyngby
Danimarca