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HEDoctoral network2023–2027

ECOMATES · Electrochemical conversion of CO2 into added value products via highly selective bimetallic MATerials and innovative process dESign

Horizon Europe — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2023-02-01 → 2027-01-31
EU contribution
€2,684,830
Participants
14
Scheme
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-DN

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Results in brief

Electrochemical conversion of CO2 into added value products via highly selective bimetallic MATerials and innovative process dESign

ECOMATES (https://www.msca-dn-ecomates.eu) is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network tackling the urgent challenge of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and accelerating the transition to climate-neutral energy systems. The project develops innovative electrochemical technologies to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) — a major driver of climate change — into valuable fuels and chemicals. At its core, ECOMATES focuses on bimetallic copper-based catalysts, specifically designed for electrocatalytic CO2 conversion into compounds such as carbon monoxide, formic acid, and ethylene. These catalysts enable efficient and selective reactions under applied voltage, turning waste CO2 into useful building blocks for industry. In parallel, the project advances the development of scalable electrodes, membranes and electrolyzers to ensure the resulting systems are not only scientifically effective but also viable for real-world deployment. This integrated approach — from fundamental research to functional device engineering — is key to creating impactful CO2 utilization solutions. Training is central to ECOMATES. Ten doctoral researchers are working across disciplines — including chemistry, physics, materials science, and engineering — gaining hands-on expertise in CO2 electroreduction, electrocatalysis, and electrochemical system integration. These skills are critical for driving innovation in carbon conversion and clean energy technologies. By advancing CO2 electroreduction, ECOMATES directly supports the European Green Deal and the EU’s vision for carbon neutrality by 2050, promoting sustainable energy conversion, resource efficiency, and circular economy pathways toward a greener, more resilient future.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

The main aim of this Marie-Curie ETN is to instruct a new generation of scientists who will bring innovation in the field of electrocatalysis with particular emphasis on the design of new nanomaterials and processes based on Cu/M bimetallic compounds with improved selectivity and efficiency towards CO2 reduction to value-added products (CO, HCOOH and C2H4). The ECOMATES network gathers large European universities, international research laboratories (VITO, and IIT in the area of sustainable development), the ESRF (an international European facility), and two SMEs (ADVENT, for innovation in MEA preparation, and APRIA, for the design of testing of a CO2 electrolyzer). The diverse know-how of the involved teams guarantees that the ten involved DCs will be trained in an interdisciplinary, intersectoral and international environment. The training program consists of cutting-edge research projects executed by the DCs across the network institutions: three 3 DCs will be mainly focusing on the synthesis and characterization of innovative bimetallic Cu/M catalysts for CO2RR, four DCs on the understanding (through simulations and experiments) of the reaction mechanism occurring at Cu/M surfaces with the aim of devising more efficient catalysts, and three DCs will work on the realization of electrodes , MEA functional testing and CO2RR processes design. The DCs will be intensively interacting with all the participating organizations during secondments, regular work package meeting and discussions, and network workshops. Moreover, network-wide innovative courses have been scheduled following the path that leads from catalysts discovery to industrial process design and have been organized with well-defined and clear objectives to ensure effective knowledge uptake. Such a unique research and educational environment will allow the DCs to develop scientific and technological knowledge that we believe will be fundamental to increase their employability outside academia.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • POLITECNICO DI TORINO · TorinoCoordinatorItaly
  • ADVANCED ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES AE EREUNAS & ANAPTYXIS YLIKON & PROIONTONANANEOSIMON PIGON ENERGEIAS & SYNAFON SYMVOULEFTIKON Y PIRESION · AthinaGreece
  • APRIA SYSTEMS SL · ASTILLERO (EL)Spain
  • CENTRO DE INVESTIGACION COOPERATIVA DE ENERGIAS ALTERNATIVAS FUNDACION, CIC ENERGIGUNE FUNDAZIOA · MINANO ALAVASpain
  • EUROPEAN SYNCHROTRON RADIATION FACILITY · GrenobleFrance
  • FONDAZIONE ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIA · GenovaItaly
  • HASKOLI ISLANDS · ReykjavikIceland
  • PARCO SCIENTIFICO TECNOLOGICO PER LAMBIENTE ENVIRONMENT PARK TORINO SPA · TorinoItaly
  • THE PROVOST, FELLOWS, FOUNDATION SCHOLARS & THE OTHER MEMBERS OF BOARD, OF THE COLLEGE OF THE HOLY & UNDIVIDED TRINITY OF QUEEN ELIZABETH NEAR DUBLIN · DublinIreland
  • TOYOTA MOTOR EUROPE NV · Bruxelles / BrusselBelgium
  • UNIVERSIDAD DE CANTABRIA · SANTANDERSpain
  • UNIVERSITE DE MONTPELLIER · MontpellierFrance
  • UNIVERSITE GRENOBLE ALPES · GrenobleFrance
  • VLAAMSE INSTELLING VOOR TECHNOLOGISCH ONDERZOEK N.V. · MolBelgium

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union