CATCHY — Design, implementation and production upscaling of novel, high-performance, cluster-based catalysts for CO2 hydrogenation

Results in brief

Design, implementation and production upscaling of novel, high-performance, cluster-based catalysts for CO2 hydrogenation

The conversion of CO2 into methanol and C2 products (ethanol, ethylene...) by thermochemical hydrogenation and electrochemical reactions offers a tremendous opportunity to secure our future. Due the high stability of the CO2 molecule, more performant catalysts are required to make this process viable. CATCHY was a multidisciplinary ETN funded by the European Commission's H2020 program with as goals designing novel high performance CO2 conversion thermo- and electro-catalysts based on gas-phase metal clusters and training interdisciplinary young researchers in nanotechnology. The Beneficiaries 1. KU LEUVEN, Belgium (Ewald Janssens, Didier Grandjean, Peter Lievens) 2. BUDAPEST UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOLOGT AND ECONOMICS, Hungary (László Nyulászi) 3. TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF DENMARK, Denmark (Christian D. Damsgaard, Jakob Kibsgaard) 4. TEER COATINGS LTD, United Kingdom (Jinlong Yin, Hailin Sun) 5. PAUL SCHERRER INSTITUTE, Switzerland (Olga Safonova, Juan Herranz Salaner, Maarten Nachtegaal) 6. ULM UNIVERSITY, Germany (Sandra Lang) 7. FURUKAWA ELECTRIC INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, Hungary (Tibor Höltzl) 8. UNIVERSITY OF ANTWERP, Belgium (Sara Bals, Thomas Altantzis) 9. RADBOUD UNIVERSITY, The Netherlands (Joost Bakker) 10. VITO, Belgium (Deepak Pant, Jan Vaes) Partners: HERAEUS GMBH & CO. KG, Germany (Christian Gebauer), ETH ZÜRICH, Switzerland (Christophe Copéret) The research fellows: 14 Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) (504 months) of 12 different nationalities with backgrounds in Physics, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Nanotechnology with a gender balance of 36% Female, 64% Male. The main training objective of Catsense was to delivered nanotechnology experts with multi-level interdisciplinary and intersectorial skills. The main scientific objective of CATCHY was to design novel high performance catalysts by a new interactive approach combining: • Production of mono- and bi-metallic gas-phase clusters, nanoparticles and thin films of controlled homogeneity, • Extensive ex and in situ, operando characterization of their morphology, structure and electronic properties, • Theoretical modelling of free and deposited cluster structure and reactivity paths, • Use free-cluster approaches to study elementary reaction processes on model systems, • Thermo- and Electro-catalytic laboratory tests. • Prototyping of the most promising electrocatalyst in realistic operative conditions.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

The European Training Network CATCHY provides a concerted effort to design novel high-performance thermo- and electrocatalysts for the conversion of CO2 into added-value synthetic fuels, while delivering a unique range of training opportunities providing young researchers with the expertise and skills required by employers in nanotechnology.Catalysis research is dedicated to the understanding and optimization of existing catalysts and the tailor-made design of new materials with a focus on high-activity, high-selectivity, and economic feasibility. CATCHY will tailor new high performance CO2 conversion catalysts by a new multidisciplinary catalysis-by-design approach combining: i. production of bimetallic gas phase clusters of controlled homogeneity mixing transition, noble, and post-transition metals and deposition on various supports; ii. extensive characterization of their morphology (ex situ and in situ) ; iii. fundamental experimental and theoretical reactivity studies; and iv. (electro)catalytic laboratory tests. A prototype of the most promising electrocatalyst will be tested under realistic operative conditions.CATCHY offers an interactive training approach combining new capabilities for the fabrication and characterization of cluster-based nanostructured surfaces to produce innovative applications. A complementary academic and industrial environment ensures an intersectorial training programme. Industry oriented training will be provided by focusing on selected catalysis applications directly related to energy and climate change issues of paramount importance to the EU and the world. The balanced program combines local expert training by academia and industrial partners, a network-wide secondment scheme, and network-wide training. The societal and environmental urgency to mitigate adverse climate change effects in the coming decades, and the particular advanced catalyst design approach, will guarantee the employability of CATCHY’s young researchers.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVEN · LeuvenCoordinatorBelgium
BUDAPESTI MUSZAKI ES GAZDASAGTUDOMANYI EGYETEM · BudapestHungary
DANMARKS TEKNISKE UNIVERSITET · Kongens LyngbyDenmark
FURUKAWA ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGIAI INTEZET KORLATOLT FELELOSSEGU TARSASAG · BudapestHungary
PAUL SCHERRER INSTITUT · VILLIGEN PSISwitzerland
STICHTING RADBOUD UNIVERSITEIT · NijmegenNetherlands
TEER COATINGS LIMITED · DROITWICHUnited Kingdom
UNIVERSITAET ULM · UlmGermany
UNIVERSITEIT ANTWERPEN · AntwerpenBelgium
VLAAMSE INSTELLING VOOR TECHNOLOGISCH ONDERZOEK N.V. · MolBelgium

CATCHY · Design, implementation and production upscaling of novel, high-performance, cluster-based catalysts for CO2 hydrogenation

Results in brief

Design, implementation and production upscaling of novel, high-performance, cluster-based catalysts for CO2 hydrogenation

Project objective

Participants

Links