Project description
High-efficiency photocathodes to convert CO2 into formate
Photoelectrochemical reduction of CO2 into fuels and chemical building blocks is a critical step to mitigate global warming while turning away from extracting limited fossil fuels. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the PHOTOBIOCATH-CO2 project plans to synthesise novel photocathodes for CO2 reduction to formate. Specifically, it will combine carbon nanotube fibres or reduced graphene oxides and inorganic nanocomposites of p-type semiconductors. A key element of the new hybrid photoelectrodes will be the presence of the formate dehydrogenase enzyme anchored on a highly conductive carbon-based nanomaterial film at the top of the light-absorbing material.
Objective
In this proposal, organic, carbon nanotubes fibres (CNTf) or reduced graphene oxide (RGO),and inorganic, p-type semiconductors or their nanocomposites, nanohybrids are systematically combined in multistep synthetic methods to fabricate novel photocathodes, as well as some counterparts of them (for the purpose of comparison), for studying their efficiency in a photoelectrochemical (PEC) for CO2 reduction to formate. One of the key elements of this hybrid photoelectrode is the presence of the enzyme formate dehydrogenase (FDH) anchored on a highly conductive carbon-based nanomaterial (CNTf or RGO) film at the top of the light absorber that catalyzes the reaction to reduce CO2 to formate. The carbon-based support will provide fast charge transfer from the semiconductor to the biocatalyst, without altering the FDH catalytic center. In other words, for ensuring electron transport between the two key photocathode components), in this project, a carbon nanotube fibre (CNF) or RGO interlayer film will be exploited between the photoactive material and FDH co-catalyst for the first time as a highly conductive platform, which is a prerequisite for technical applications to prevent short-circuiting and leaching of the biocatalyst or mediator species. After evaluation of their PEC activity, the relationship between their structure, synthesis method, and morphology on the one hand and their PEC activity on the another hand will be correlated and discussed. The aim will be selecting the best option as photocathode for designing a photoelectrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (PEC-CO2RR) cell with high efficiency and stability that can alleviate the pollution caused from fossil fuels use. In this way, the design of a photoelectrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (PEC-CO2RR) cell can be accomplished for producing formate, a valuable chemical product due to its wide range of applications.
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 nanotechnology nano-materials two-dimensional nanostructures graphene
- natural sciences physical sciences electromagnetism and electronics semiconductivity
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis biocatalysis
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels
- engineering and technology materials engineering nanocomposites
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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 - 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-2020
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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.
28006 Madrid
Spain
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.