Project description
A cost-effective approach to converting CO2 to higher alcohols
Efficient conversion of CO2 to useful chemicals and fuels is an important step towards reducing harmful carbon emissions in the atmosphere. However, high-performance catalysts are still in their infancy. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the SACforCO2 project plans to design a novel class of single-atom catalysts for converting CO2 to alcohols. The project brings together an interdisciplinary approach that focuses on the synthesis and characterisation of new ligands to immobilise the single atoms. Furthermore, by integrating the catalysts into 3D printed membranes, the project will also set up the technology for a scalable and cost-effective industrial implementation.
Objective
The increase in global energy consumption has been relentless as a consequence of population growth, higher living standards, and industrial expansion. This has caused, in turn, acute problems with the release of vast amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the environment, which is linked to ocean acidification, global warming and extreme weather conditions. Finding new routes to strategically capture, mitigate, and utilize CO2 is thus a priority.
The catalytic conversion of CO2 to chemicals is a promising pathway for transforming this “waste” into a precious platform molecule, but the approach is still in its infancy. The SACforCO2 project will decisively contribute towards this effort by designing a novel class of single-atom catalysts (SACs) for a new purpose: the conversion of CO2 to make higher alcohols. To this end, SACforCO2 will adopt an interdisciplinary approach which combines organoligand-based synthesis, advanced characterization, and a close synergy between experimental and theoretical research to gain a deep understanding of the N-based surface functionalization that guides single atom anchoring. By integrating SACs into 3D printed membranes, the project will also set up the technology for a cost-effective conversion of CO2 to chemicals. This will provide fresh perspectives in catalyst design and build bridges between fundamental efforts on materials and device engineering, achieving breakthrough performance under realistic conditions.
Furthermore, this action will establish an intra-European interdisciplinary network between emerging researchers in academia and industry, at POLIMI (Italy) and VITO (Belgium), and will allow an Experienced Researcher to consolidate a diverse set of scientific and soft skills, gaining cutting-edge research competences, new credentials in teaching and supervision, and the possibility for collaborations with a broad EU network. This will ultimately strengthen career prospects toward a scientific independence.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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.
-
HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
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) HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
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.
20133 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.