NASYCANE · NAnocasting SYnthesis of metal CArbide and Nitride Electrocatalysts
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2021-08-18 → 2023-08-17
- EU contribution
- €212,934
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
NAnocasting SYnthesis of metal CArbide and Nitride Electrocatalysts
The primary objective of NASYCANE is to design and synthesize nanomaterials of transition metal carbides and nitrides using readily available starting materials and straightforward synthesis methods, aiming to achieve efficient electrochemical reduction of CO2. Addressing industrial CO2 emissions through recycling holds the potential to mitigate climate change. The pivotal focus of the project is to develop electrocatalysts utilizing abundant materials for CO2 reduction. To this end, we have explored the 'nanocasting' method to generate nanostructured materials based on transition metal (TM) carbides and nitrides. In particular, we've delved into the 'nanocasting' approach for synthesizing molybdenum carbide using the sol-gel method. Successfully demonstrating the tuning of nanoparticle size by varying the amount of nanocasting, Mo2C nanoparticles exhibited noteworthy electrocatalytic activity for CO2 reduction at room temperature. Furthermore, we've investigated the synthesis of tungsten carbide (WC) in both cubic and hexagonal phases, elucidating how the desired phase can be attained by manipulating the carbon precursor. Additionally, the synthesis of metal nitrides using the 'nanocasting' approach has been demonstrated. These findings collectively contribute to the advancement of 'nanocasting' synthesis of metal carbides and nitrides, marking significant progress in the NASYCANE project.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
The reduction of atmospheric CO2 is one of the most pressing challenges of our generation. Electrochemical reduction of industrial CO2 emissions is one critical goal as it would enable the direct production of readily-stored chemical fuels. Furthermore, the simple technology (mild temperature and aqueous electrolyte) would facilitate the coupling of electrochemical CO2 reduction with intermittent, renewable electricity sources. However, while there have been considerable advances in catalysts for the CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR), particularly with oxide-derived metals, existing materials are limited by high overpotentials and/or lack of selectivity. There is still a pressing need for catalysts that are highly-active, selective (particularly to C2 products), durable and economically-viable. Theoretical and experimental studies have identified transition metal (TM) carbides and nitrides as promising electrocatalysts for the CO2RR. However, the development of these materials has been limited by the lack of control over size and morphology in existing synthetic methods. This project will use a simple and scalable new 'nanocasting' method to produce TM carbide and nitride electrocatalysts with high activity and durability in the CO2RR.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM · BirminghamCoordinatorUnited Kingdom
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union