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Green fabrication of Engineered MOF-based Single-cluster catalysts for sorption-enhanced CO2 hydrogenation to methanol

Objective

Carbon dioxide (CO2), a major greenhouse gas and pollutant, is a primary driver of global climate change. The efficient conversion of CO2 into value-added chemicals, such as methanol, is essential for carbon recycling and Europe’s transition to a low-carbon economy. This project establishes a green, sustainable approach to synthesize single-cluster catalysts (SCCs) on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) by using transition metal-doped polyol-based deep eutectic solvents (DESs) for enhanced CO2 hydrogenation to methanol. The research will potentially address the valorization of CO2 derived from anaerobic digestion (AD) facilities (640 sites in the UK), in conjunction with hydrogen (H2) sourced from surplus energy generated by curtailed wind farms (270 sites in the UK), to produce methanol in a fully renewable and circular approach. This green methanol has the potential to add over £2 million to the UK economy through the production of non-petroleum-based fuel. The key questions need to be addressed include: (1) utilizing transition metal (Fe, Ni, Cu, Pt, Pd, Ru)-doped DESs as structure-directing agents (SDAs) during MOF synthesis to adjust hydrophilicity and incorporate additional hydrophilic linkers and metal clusters; (2) fine tuning and optimization of the catalyst to overcome deactivation caused by water adsorption, and metal leaching by DFT (density functional theory) approach; (3) enhancing methanol production by engineering a hydrophilic environment that promotes targeted water adsorption, shifting water-gas shift (WGS) reaction equilibrium toward higher local concentrations of CO2 and H2; (4) assessing economic feasibility, sustainability, and social impact of the CO2 hydrogenation-to-methanol process. The successful execution of this project will significantly enhance scientific knowledge and drive technological innovation in CO2 utilization, thereby reinforcing Europe’s objectives for achieving net-zero carbon emissions and strengthening energy security.

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-2025-PF

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Coordinator

THE UNIVERSITY COURT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN
Net EU contribution
€ 260 347,92
Address
KING'S COLLEGE REGENT WALK
AB24 3FX Aberdeen
United Kingdom
Region
Scotland North Eastern Scotland Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
No data

Partners (1)