Objective Energy and sustainability are among the biggest challenges humanity faces this century. Catalysis is an indispensable component for many potential solutions, and fundamental research in catalysis is as urgent as ever. Here, we propose to build up an interdisciplinary research program in molecular catalysis to address the challenges of energy and sustainability. There are two specific aims: (I) bio-inspired sulfur-rich metal complexes as efficient and practical electrocatalysts for hydrogen production and CO2 reduction; (II) well-defined Fe complexes of chelating pincer ligands for chemo- and stereoselective organic synthesis. An important feature of the proposed catalysts is that they are made of earth-abundant and readily available elements such as Fe, Co, Ni, S, N, etc.Design and synthesis of catalysts are the starting point and a key aspect of this project. A major inspiration comes from nature, where metallo-enzymes use readily available metals for fuel production and challenging reactions. Our accumulated knowledge and experience in spectroscopy, electrochemistry, reaction chemistry, mechanism, and catalysis will enable us to thoroughly study the synthetic catalysts and their applications towards the research targets. Furthermore, we will explore research territories such as electrode modification and fabrication, catalyst immobilization and attachment, and asymmetric catalysis.The proposed research should not only result in new insights and knowledge in catalysis that are relevant to energy and sustainability, but also produce functional, scalable, and economically feasible catalysts for fuel production and organic synthesis. The program can contribute to excellence in European research. Fields of science natural scienceschemical scienceselectrochemistrynatural scienceschemical sciencescatalysiselectrocatalysisengineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsrenewable energyhydrogen energynatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsspectroscopy Programme(s) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) ERC-SG-PE5 - ERC Starting Grant - Materials and Synthesis Call for proposal ERC-2010-StG_20091028 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-SG - ERC Starting Grant Host institution ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE EU contribution € 1 475 712,00 Address BATIMENT CE 3316 STATION 1 1015 Lausanne Switzerland See on map Region Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Région lémanique Vaud Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Principal investigator Xile Hu (Prof.) Administrative Contact Caroline Vandevyver (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE Switzerland EU contribution € 1 475 712,00 Address BATIMENT CE 3316 STATION 1 1015 Lausanne See on map Region Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Région lémanique Vaud Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Principal investigator Xile Hu (Prof.) Administrative Contact Caroline Vandevyver (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data
