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Exploring CO2 activation in heterogeneous catalytic CO2 hydrogenation

Project description

Enhancing our understanding of CO2 hydrogenation catalysis

CO2 conversion technologies offer a promising route to mitigate emissions, reduce fossil fuel dependence, and combat climate change. However, practical, cost-effective solutions remain limited due to kinetic and thermodynamic barriers in conversion reactions. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the HetCat4CO2activation project will develop innovative approaches to activate and convert CO2 using unconventional catalytic strategies. By advancing our understanding of CO2 hydrogenation catalysis, the project aims to overcome current limitations and provide a framework for strengthening industrial CO2 value chains. These efforts will pave the way for more efficient, sustainable CO2 utilisation technologies, contributing to long-term climate goals and cleaner industrial processes.

Objective

"Carbon dioxide (CO2) released into the atmosphere because of burning fossil fuels and industrial production processes has increased in concentration and enhanced the ""greenhouse effect"", causing “climate change” and extreme weather. Converting CO2 into energy-rich fuels is one of the sustainable solutions to mitigate carbon emission challenges, while also remedying the over-reliance on fossil fuels as well as contributing to achieving the “European Green Deal”. A reliable and affordable CO2 conversion process remains a grand challenge because thermodynamic and kinetic constraints limit the CO2 conversion reactions; hence, novel approaches are needed to increase the reaction rate by altering the kinetics to reduce the activation energy. This project will focus on CO2 activation and its hydrogenation to valuable products. It proposes to develop and explore unconventional approaches to activate and convert CO2 molecules; including designing catalysts with energetic surface/interface sites and employing novel plasma or electromagnetic activation with light or microwaves that can act as semiconductors in a similar way to photocatalysis but also provide “hot spots” at low temperature to activate CO2. Supported metal catalysts with rich oxygen vacancy surface and interface sites will be designed and studied for efficient and highly selective CO2 hydrogenation in combination with energetic radiations. This project will deepen understanding of CO2 transformation (hydrogenation) catalysis and contribute to an efficient, innovative CO2-to-chemical/fuel processes under relatively mild conditions, as well as integrated CO2 emission and valorisation technology in Europe. Additionally, it will provide a practical framework for improving the CO2 industrial value chain and help push progress toward achieving the ambitious goal recommended by the EC in February 2024 to reduce CO2 emissions by 90% by 2040 and achieve “climate neutrality” by 2050."

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01

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Coordinator

CARDIFF UNIVERSITY
Net EU contribution
€ 276 187,92
Address
RESEARCH SERVICES C/O MAIN BUILDING
CF10 3AT CARDIFF
United Kingdom
Region
Wales East Wales Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
No data