Objective
The urgent need for clean and sustainable energy solutions has placed hydrogen (H2) at the center of global decarbonisation strategies. While water electrolysis is a mature method for hydrogen production, its commercial deployment remains limited by the sluggish oxygen evolution reaction (OER) at the anode, which not only consumes significant energy but also produces oxygen, a low-value by-product. To address this limitation, the BioHydroCat project proposes a hybrid electrolyser that integrates hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) at the cathode with the selective oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), a high-value monomer for bio-based plastics, at the anode. Compared to conventional thermal catalysis, electrochemical oxidation proceeds under milder conditions and with a lower onset potential (0.3 V vs. RHE), but existing approaches are hindered by costly and unstable catalysts, low biomass utilisation (5–10 mM HMF), low current density (~10 mA cm⁻²), and high post-processing costs associated with acid-based recovery of FDCA from concentrated alkaline electrolytes.
BioHydroCat will address these challenges by developing gadolinia-doped ceria (GDC) supported catalysts, combined with mechanistic insights derived from density functional theory (DFT) and operando techniques. Furthermore, a pulse-assisted membraneless electrolyser will be designed to minimise membrane degradation, enhance energy efficiency, and reduce overall system costs. By bridging materials engineering, electrochemical process engineering, and computational modelling, this project will enable sustainable co-production of FDCA and hydrogen in dilute alkaline media (0.3 M) with concentrated HMF feedstocks, thereby reducing the need for costly acid-based recovery. The proposed work is fully aligned with the EU Green Deal, circular economy, and sustainable development goals, while reinforcing Europe’s scientific excellence in advanced electrochemical technologies
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 ecosystem-based management climatic change mitigation
- natural sciences chemical sciences electrochemistry electrolysis
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis
- social sciences economics and business economics sustainable economy
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels renewable energy hydrogen energy
You need to log in or register to use this function
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.
-
HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
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
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
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
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
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.
GU2 7XH Guildford
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.