Project description
Gaining insight into carbon-neutral hydrogen production
Hydrogen gas (H2) is considered a promising energy carrier. However, industrially consumed H2 is generally associated with significant CO2 emissions. Since high-efficiency H2 catalysts are based on rare elements and aren’t affordable on a larger scale, catalysts composed of earth-abundant elements are needed. The enzyme [FeFe]-hydrogenase catalyses H2 production with high rates, in aqueous solutions and at low overpotentials, but synthetic catalysts inspired by it aren’t as efficient. Basic research is therefore needed to understand hydrogenase catalysis. The EU-funded Nat-HEC project aims to explore the fundamental hydride chemistry of [FeFe]-hydrogenases under turnover conditions. Catalysis will be initiated using a laser pulse and monitored by transient absorption spectroscopy. This work will pave the way for the design of synthetic catalysts based on earth-abundant elements.
Objective
The European Union targets a climate-neutral economy by 2050. In the context of this initiative, hydrogen gas (H2) is regarded as a promising energy carrier; however, about 95% of the H2 industrially consumed originates from steam reformation of fossil resources and is associated with significant CO2 release. High-efficiency H2 catalysts based on rare elements like platinum are not affordable on a larger scale. To address the global need for green energy, catalysts composed of earth abundant elements are desirable.
Natures’ Hydrogen Evolution Catalyst is the enzyme [FeFe]-hydrogenase. It catalyses H2 production with high rates (10 kHz), in aqueous solution (pH 7), and at low over potentials (-420 mV vs. SHE). [FeFe]-hydrogenase inspired the design of numerous synthetic catalysts, none of which could rival the efficiency of the native system. Basic research is necessary to understand hydrogenase catalysis, in particular regarding the metal hydride chemistry prior H2 release.
The objective of this action is to investigate the fundamental hydride chemistry of [FeFe]-hydrogenases under turnover conditions. Catalysis will be initiated via a laser pulse and monitored by transient absorption spectroscopy. Such pump/probe experiments allow following reaction intermediates with sub-turnover time resolution.
The results of this action will inspire a targeted design of synthetic catalyst based on earth abundant elements. Moreover, the developed methodology will facilitate a detailed investigation of related enzymes, catalysing global key processes in nature like N2 or CO2 fixation.
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 transition metals
- natural sciences physical sciences optics spectroscopy absorption spectroscopy
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins enzymes
- natural sciences physical sciences optics laser physics
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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-EF-ST - Standard EF
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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-2019
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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.
751 05 Uppsala
Sweden
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.