Project description
Solar-powered solution tackles CO2 emissions, plastic waste
Achieving net-zero or net-negative CO2 emissions is crucial to combating global warming. The EU aims for a 40 % reduction in emissions and a 32 % increase in renewable energy by 2030. Additionally, the massive accumulation of PET plastic waste poses a significant environmental challenge. Innovative recycling solutions are urgently needed to address these issues. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the SolVa project offers a solution by developing a solar-powered system that converts CO2 into fuels while recycling PET waste. Using advanced electrocatalysts, it aims to create an efficient photoelectrochemical CO2 reduction and PET oxidation system. This interdisciplinary approach promises standalone PEC cells for dual CO2 and PET processing.
Objective
To combat global warming, achieving net-zero or net-negative CO2 emissions is imperative. The EU, aligning with the Paris Agreement, aims to reduce emissions by 40% and increase renewables share to 32% by 2030. Another challenge that the globe faces is the massive accumulation of PET plastic waste, prompting the EU to seek innovative recycling solutions. Solar-powered photoelectrochemical systems offer a clean, cost-effective alternative by converting CO2 into fuels while simultaneously recycling PET waste into high-value products. Moreover, by integrating PET oxidation, it aims to overcome the substantial overpotential loss associated with conventional oxygen evolution reactions at photoanode, making the process more efficient. Therefore, Solar-to-Value (SolVa) missions to develop a co-planar photocathode-photoanode architecture based on halide perovskites, creating an interdisciplinary solution for an efficient PEC CO2R-PET oxidation system. To facilitate these processes, advanced and selective electrocatalysts: Fe and Cu single atoms on N-doped carbon catalysts for CO2 reduction and NiFe-based catalysts for PET oxidation, will be integrated into the photocathode and photoanode, respectively. To ensure the stability of the perovskite-based photoelectrodes, protective layers of ITO will be deposited, preventing direct contact of thin-films with the electrolyte. The successful realization of this project holds the promise of developing standalone monolithic PEC cells for CO2R-PET oxidation. This can also extend the anodic recycling process to PV modules/spent Li-ion batteries and integrate it with cathodic CO2R through proper modifications of electrocatalysts and electrolytes. SolVa addresses two pressing global issues in a single innovative system, ultimately promoting a sustainable and circular economy.
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 environmental engineering waste management waste treatment processes recycling
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis electrocatalysis
- natural sciences chemical sciences electrochemistry electrolysis
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels
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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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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-2023-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.
3001 Leuven
Belgium
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.