Project description
New study investigates the mechanisms of CO2 reduction reaction
The electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) into fuels and valuable organic feedstocks has attracted interest for its potential to achieve a sustainable, carbon-neutral energy cycle using renewable energy. The reduction reaction reverses CO2 combustion and efficiently forms added-value hydrocarbons and oxygenates with high energy storage potential. Despite progress in catalyst design, the complex mechanism leading to the formation of a mixture of 16 different products on various catalyst surfaces remains poorly understood. The EU-funded ESRS-EMS for CO2RR project will use new operando spectroscopic techniques to study the reaction mechanisms by tracing the intermediate species. The project's findings could guide the rational design of new catalysts with improved activity and selectivity for the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide.
Objective
Wide-spread application of fossil fuels by humankind during a few past decades has resulted in increased concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in atmosphere from approximately 270 to more than 400 ppm during the past 200 years. The increased CO2 level in atmosphere causes unprecedented raise of the earth’s temperature and acidification of the oceans. Therefore, there is an urge to reduce the devastating consequences of global warming, as highlighted in the global summit on climate change (Paris Agreement) as well as the European Commission. Replacing the conventional fossil fuels with renewable sources of energy has been recognized as one of the crucial actions in this regard. Accordingly, conversion of CO2 into other carbonaceous fuels may decrease the CO2 concentration in atmosphere, while producing a renewable source of energy. Electrochemical reduction of CO2 provides high environmental compatibility and adaptability with renewable forms of energies like wind and solar. Electrochemical reduction of CO2 to fuels reverses the combustion, facilitating the storage of electricity by CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) to form valued hydrocarbons and oxygenates. Despite the recent progresses in catalysts design, the complex mechanism leading to formation of a mixture of 16 different products on various surfaces is not thoroughly understood. New operando spectroscopic techniques are required to illustrate the underneath reaction mechanism through tracing the intermediates species. Accordingly, the objective of this project is to develop an operando technique by coupling surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (ESRS) with electrochemical mass spectrometry (EMS) for CO2RR mechanistic studies. The obtained insights from this study will determine the mechanism of catalytic activity in CO2RR, leading toward the rational design of new catalysts with improved activity and selectivity toward formation of C2+ products which can be directly used as fuel.
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 catalysis
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels
- natural sciences earth and related environmental sciences atmospheric sciences climatology climatic changes
- natural sciences chemical sciences analytical chemistry mass spectrometry
- natural sciences physical sciences optics spectroscopy
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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-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.
SW7 2AZ London
United Kingdom
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.