Project description
Atomic-scale catalysts for clean hydrogen
Producing clean hydrogen efficiently remains a major challenge for sustainable energy systems, largely because the atomic-level mechanisms are still not fully understood. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the OPHERAN project will develop a new generation of ultra-thin tungsten-based transition metal nitride catalysts for clean hydrogen production. Using an innovative synthesis approach, researchers will create atomically thin TMN monolayers with precisely controlled compositions and defects, then observe hydrogen evolution reactions in real time at the atomic scale. The overall goal is for the project to provide the fundamental knowledge needed to design more efficient, durable and sustainable electrocatalysts for future clean energy technologies.
Objective
Two-dimensional (2D) materials are transforming the field of electrocatalysis by offering tunable physicochemical properties and favorable reaction kinetics. Within this rapidly expanding family, transition metal nitrides (TMNs) have recently emerged as an up-and-coming class of electrocatalysts due to their unique combination of metallic conductivity, thermochemical robustness, and rich d-electron chemistry, enabling efficient operation under both acidic and alkaline conditions. However, the atomic-level understanding of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) kinetics on 2D TMNs remains largely unexplored due to a lack of reliable synthetic strategies capable of producing monolayers with well-defined crystallographic orientation, composition, and controlled defectiveness. This project aims to overcome this challenge by combining a bottom-up precision synthesis with operando atomistic characterization to establish fundamental insights into HER on 2D TMN monolayers. A confined vapor–liquid–solid (cVLS) approach will be employed to synthesize W-based 2D TMNs (WN, W2N₃, W₅N₆) with controlled stoichiometries and engineered defects. The HER kinetics will be directly probed under operando conditions using electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy (EC-STM), allowing real-time visualization of hydrogen adsorption, defect-mediated activity, surface reconstructions, and dynamic processes such as hydrogen spillover and bubble formation at the sub-nanometer scale. By establishing a synthesis–structure–reactivity correlation, this project will decisively advance beyond the current state of the art, providing the atomic-level foundation to design non-van der Waals 2D electrocatalysts for high-performance energy conversion applications.
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.
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis electrocatalysis
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy scanning tunneling microscopy
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels energy conversion
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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.
35122 Padova
Italy
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.