Project description
Step change in our understanding of electrode and catalyst interfaces
The development of new sustainable technologies is key to tackling climate and environmental challenges. The EU-funded EXISTAR project will uncover the nature of the active sites in catalysts used for chemical synthesis from carbon dioxide, shedding light on how combining these catalysts with oxide influences their activity and selectivity. It will also reveal the reactions occurring on the surface of alkali-ion battery electrodes, that ultimately determine long-term performance. Relationships will be established between the interfacial structure and function of these materials in terms of their electrochemical cycling performance and catalytic activity/selectivity. The findings of this project will enhance our understanding of electrode and catalyst interfaces through pioneering operando measurements able to reveal the chemistry and structure of functional interfaces under working conditions in liquid and gas environments at atmospheric pressures and above.
Objective
This project aims to deliver a step change in our understanding of electrode and catalyst interfaces, by pioneering operando measurement capabilities that can reveal the chemistry and structure of functional interfaces under working conditions in liquid and gas environments at atmospheric-pressures and above. We will exploit enclosed reaction cells sealed with X-ray, electron and neutron transparent windows, extending their operation to conditions of temperature and pressure where industrial catalytic reactions occur, as well as the liquid environments of electrochemical energy storage. These cells will be portable across complementary characterisation tools to reveal the chemical and structural evolution of material interfaces during operation. Solid-liquid studies will focus on electrode materials for Li-ion batteries, that are critical to energy storage for a low carbon economy. This will reveal the degradation mechanisms that lead to capacity fade across varying conditions of stress (T, voltage, rate) during electrochemical cycling. Solid-gas studies will focus on heterogeneous catalysts for sustainable production of useful chemical feedstocks from environmentally harmful waste streams. We aim to reveal the nature of the active sites in catalysts used for chemical synthesis from carbon dioxide, and understand how combining these catalysts with oxide supports influences their activity and selectivity. Relationships will be established between the interfacial structure and function of these materials in terms of their electrochemical cycling performance and catalytic activity/selectivity. This will ultimately inform the design of new functional materials for use in technologies that are critical to a sustainable economy. The scope for research problems that can benefit from this atmospheric pressure operando approach is vast, providing many future research opportunities.
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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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
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.
ERC-STG - Starting Grant
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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) ERC-2020-STG
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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.
OX1 2JD Oxford
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.