Project description
High-efficiency photoanodes for solar water splitting
Hydrogen is a clean-burning fuel that only produces water when it is burned. One of the biggest hurdles holding back solar water splitting for hydrogen production is finding an efficient semiconductor material for use in the photoanode, and this is exctly what the QuantumSolarFuels project is investigating. The project team is synthesising colloidal quantum dots from solution. Integrating cadmium-based quantum dots into photoanodes is particularly attractive for producing stable photoelectrodes because of their low manufacturing costs and their tuneable band gap. If successful, the project will greatly encourage widespread industry adoption of solar water splitting technologies.
Objective
The efficient use of solar energy is vital for the future of our Planet and to ensure to the next generations our and even
superior welfare standards. Photoelectrochemical water splitting is a promising way to convert solar light into storable fuels,
such as H2. However, an ideal photoanodic material for the oxygen evolution half-reaction has not been identified yet.
Technologies based on solution-processed colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) are promising for producing effective
photoanodes because of their low manufacturing costs and the possibility of controlling the band gap of the material through
the quantum size effect.
The main scientific aim of the QuantumSolarFuels project is the preparation of photoanodes for water splitting based on
CdSe, CdTe and CdSeTe CQDs and their protection against photocorrosion. The CQDs will be assembled in flat electrodes
effectively protected against photocorrosion and activated toward water oxidation through: a) the deposition of amorphous
TiO2 and subsequent coating with metal based oxygen evolution catalysts or b) by direct coating them with the oxygen
evolution catalysts.
Further objectives are: 1) the identification of the optimal CdSeTe composition and CQDs size for the preparation of efficient
photoanodes; 2) the use of Cd-chalcogenide CQDs in solar cells and photo- and electro-catalysis for renewable fuels
production.
Thanks to this action the researcher will become a World expert in these areas, in particular in the innovative use of CQDs
for photoelectrochemical water splitting applications.
Taking full advantage of the complementary competences of the two involved research groups, the one at the beneficiary
institution expert in the fundamental chemical aspects of photocatalysis and the partner group more focused on the
engineering and industrial exploitation of CQD science, the QuantumSolarFuels project will provide crucial achievements for
the future preparation of industrially compelling photoelectrochemical devices.
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.
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels renewable energy solar energy
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis photocatalysis
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis electrocatalysis
- natural sciences physical sciences astronomy planetary sciences planets
- engineering and technology materials engineering coating and films
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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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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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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.
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
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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) H2020-MSCA-IF-2018
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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.
20122 Milano
Italy
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.