Project description
CO2 conversion with smart catalyst coatings
Converting carbon dioxide into valuable fuels through electrochemical reduction (CO2RR) is one approach to sustainable energy. However, current metal catalysts like gold, copper, silver, and platinum struggle with poor selectivity and energy efficiency. Recent advances have shown that polymer coatings can enhance catalyst performance, but these studies lack a clear understanding of the polymer’s role. Additionally, local pH fluctuations, which can impact catalytic activity, have never been systematically measured. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the PoCalopH project will study how different polymer coatings influence CO2RR efficiency and selectivity on gold and copper catalysts. It will monitor pH changes in-situ. This approach paves the way for the rational design of next-generation polymer-coated CO2RR catalysts.
Objective
The electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) has the unique potential to utilize the vast carbon source CO2 for production of valuable synthetic fuels being a sustainable process, if the electricity is obtained from renewable energy sources. Several metal surfaces are known to catalyze the electrochemical CO2RR. However, they suffer from poor selectivity and energy efficiency. Recently, this limitation has been mitigated by functionalizing metal catalysts with polymer-coatings. However, previous investigations are non-systematic. Several electrocatalysts (Au, Cu, Ag, Pt) of different morphologies (bulk electrodes, nanoparticles, foams) were combined with a variety of different polymers. This renders a general view of the polymer´s role in electrocatalysis impossible. Coordinative stabilization of intermediates is the most frequently proposed origin of the performance increase, however, local effects like pH fluctuations were never detected. This is a severe gap of knowledge considering the high pH sensitivity of electrocatalysts. Within PoCalopH, the researcher will, therefore, systematically investigate the influence of various polymer-coatings on the selectivity and efficiency of gold and copper catalysts and will correlate these effects to local pH changes. This will be realized by equipping the most efficient polymers with fluorescent pH reporters allowing for a spectroscopic pH read out. The results will be systematically compared to those obtained from non-coated electrodes. Therefore, PoCalopH will create a double benefit of polymer-coatings combining performance increase with valuable insights into local pH-effects within the coating. This will precise mechanistic knowledge on the electrochemical CO2RR and may enable the rational design of polymer-coated CO2RR catalysts.
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.
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis electrocatalysis
- natural sciences chemical sciences polymer sciences
- engineering and technology materials engineering coating and films
- engineering and technology nanotechnology nano-materials
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels
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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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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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) HORIZON-MSCA-2022-PF-01
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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.
2311 EZ Leiden
Netherlands
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.