Project description
Feeling the pulse of sustainable urea synthesis
Traditional urea production is energy-intensive and emits large amounts of CO2, exacerbating global warming. Current electrochemical methods also struggle with low efficiency and poor durability. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the PulseUS project aims to produce sustainable urea from CO2 and nitrate wastewater using dual-atom catalysts designed to facilitate precise chemical coupling alongside a novel asymmetric pulsed electrolysis technique. This specific electrical approach aims to optimise the reaction environment, thereby increasing the speed and stability of urea synthesis. Through advanced spectroscopic analysis and computer modelling, the project seeks to refine these mechanisms within an integrated laboratory setting. PulseUS’s goal is to promote green technology through both scientific innovation and broad educational outreach.
Objective
Sustainable solutions for global warming and groundwater pollution depend on reducing fossil fuel use and controlling wastewater discharges. Electrochemical urea production from CO2 and NO3- offers a promising approach to closing carbon and nitrogen cycles. However, traditional methods are energy-intensive and produce significant CO2 emissions, while current electrochemical processes face issues with selectivity, rate, and durability. Symmetrical pulsed potential electrolysis addresses key issues of continuous potential application, but optimal performance remains elusive due to the lack of effective strategies for controlling the evolving electrode microenvironment, which governs reaction kinetics and product distribution. This approach further reduces effective reduction time by half, limiting urea yield. I hereby propose developing dual-atom catalysts (DACs) by integrating CO2- (e.g. Cu) and NO3-- (e.g. Mo) selective sites on a suitable support, alongside a novel electrolysis method called Asymmetric Low-Frequency Pulsed Potential Electrolysis (ALFPE). These DACs will enable efficient C-N coupling, while ALFPE will precisely control the catalyst’s microenvironment to enhance activity, selectivity, and stability for urea production. The underlying mechanisms will be studied using in situ spectroscopy (FTIR, Raman) and DFT simulations, examining the effects of ALFPE parameters, electrolyte composition, and reactor design. Supported by LTU’s advanced research ecosystem, the project will foster interdisciplinary collaboration and utilize the Experimental Physics lab. I commit to the broad dissemination/communication of PulseUS outcomes, engaging audiences from secondary school students to researchers.
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 water treatment processes wastewater treatment processes
- natural sciences chemical sciences electrochemistry electrolysis
- natural sciences earth and related environmental sciences environmental sciences pollution
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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-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.
971 87 LULEA
Sweden
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.