Project description
Catalysis for sustainable biomass conversion
The chemical industry’s reliance on fossil fuels and energy-intensive processes makes it difficult to reach net-zero emissions. A key challenge is turning complex, oxygen-rich biomass molecules into useful chemicals in an efficient and sustainable way. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the Sol-Face project will advance understanding of liquid-phase heterogeneous catalysis to support the chemical industry’s transition toward net-zero emissions by enabling more efficient conversion of biomass-derived molecules. It will use layered double hydroxide catalysts with tuneable surface properties to systematically study how solvent-surface interactions, adsorption and reaction conditions influence hydrogenation and hydrodeoxygenation of lignin-derived compounds. The findings will guide the rational design of improved catalysts for sustainable biomass upgrading.
Objective
The chemical industry faces a critical challenge in the transition to net-zero emissions, owing to its reliance on fossil-derived feedstocks and energy-intensive processes. Biomass-derived molecules offer a promising alternative, yet their complex, oxygen-rich structures necessitate selective upgrading reactions—typically in the liquid phase. Sol-Face addresses the urgent need for mechanistic understanding of liquid-phase heterogeneous catalysis, where solution–surface interactions and competitive adsorption significantly influence reactivity.
The project will employ layered double hydroxide (LDH) materials as a tuneable catalyst platform, enabling systematic variation of surface polarity, hydrophilicity, and acid–base properties. Through kinetic studies of adsorption and catalysis, isotope effects, and advanced NMR techniques, the Fellow will elucidate how these factors govern adsorption–activity relationships in the hydrogenation and hydrodeoxygenation of lignin-derived phenolics. Particular emphasis will be placed on discriminating between key contributing factors—such as solvent structure, substrate polarity, and surface modification—to determine their relative impact under different reaction conditions. This knowledge will underpin the rational design of improved catalysts for biomass upgrading.
The interdisciplinary methodology integrates materials chemistry, physical chemistry, and chemical engineering, with industrial relevance enhanced via exploring technoeconomics and obtaining feedback from industrial collaborators. Training will be tailored to the Fellow’s needs and career goals, with a personalised career development plan reviewed regularly to ensure continuous progression towards independent research leadership. Sol-Face contributes to EU goals in sustainable chemistry, offering scientific insights and practical tools to accelerate the defossilization of chemical manufacturing.
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.
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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-2025-PF
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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.
DH1 3LE DURHAM
United Kingdom
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.