Project description DEENESFRITPL Hydrogen, a sustainable alternative for chemical energy conversion and storage Hydrogen is key in the sector of innovation as regards chemical energy conversion and storage since it can be used as a sustainable alternative. The electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) can be used to produce hydrogen. However, new sustainable materials need to be developed to substitute Pt-based HER catalysts. Pinpointing the electrochemical activity of individual surface characteristics to identify catalytic hotspots remains a major challenge. Also, the selective creation of catalytic hotspots up to the construction of highly efficient nanocomposite structures represents another issue. The EU-funded LoCatSpot project aims to apply localised electrochemistry to provide clear solutions for both challenges and to pave the way for new advanced 2D materials for further energy related innovations. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective Throughout the European Union, questions about the sustainability of our lifestyles have become a strong motivation for innovations in chemical energy conversion and storage. Hydrogen is expected to play the key role in future developments. The electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is an important and future-oriented way of producing hydrogen. Tremendous efforts have been made to develop new materials as substitutes for Pt-based HER catalysts. Two dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) are promising replacements due to their admirable catalytic activity and low cost. However, the expectations in TMDs as alternative HER catalysts have not yet been fulfilled. It is well known that local variations in the chemical composition and morphological characteristics (planes, edges) influence catalytic effects and thus change electrochemical activity. The development of advanced nanocomposites of two or more TMDs is therefore a fascinating and targeted approach which faces several challenges. One major challenge, especially for complex materials where modifications can cause multiple changes, is pinpointing the electrochemical activity to individual surface characteristics to identify catalytic hotspots. Another big challenge is the selective creation of catalytic hotspots up to the construction of well divined and highly efficient nanocomposite structures. The scanning electrochemical microscope enables the correlation of electrochemical activity to surface characteristics as well as the template-free chemical structuring of surfaces. In particular, the direct read out after induced modifications will deliver unprecedently detailed information about catalytic hotspots. This project aims to apply localized electrochemistry to provide clear solutions for both challenges and to finally path the way to new advanced 2D materials for further energy related innovations. Fields of science natural scienceschemical scienceselectrochemistryengineering and technologynanotechnologynano-materialstwo-dimensional nanostructuresnatural scienceschemical sciencescatalysisengineering and technologymaterials engineeringnanocompositesengineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsenergy conversion 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-2019 - Individual Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2019 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF) Coordinator VYSOKE UCENI TECHNICKE V BRNE Net EU contribution € 144 980,64 Address ANTONINSKA 548/1 601 90 Brno Stred Czechia See on map Region Česko Jihovýchod Jihomoravský kraj 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 € 144 980,64
