AE-FUN · Innovative alkaline earth systems for the activation and functionalization of dinitrogen and other challenging substrates
Horizon Europe — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2023-06-01 → 2025-05-31
- EU contribution
- €172,019
- Participants
- 2
- Scheme
- HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-GF
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Innovative alkaline earth systems for the activation and functionalization of dinitrogen and other challenging substrates
Catalysis has been recognized as a critical tool of contemporary society. However, there are still many limitations of current catalytic methods. For example, ammonia production relies upon the highly energy-intensive Haber-Bosch process, which consumes up to 3% of the global energy produced annually. For this reason, developing new catalytic systems that achieve this transformation in milder conditions are highly desirable. This EU-funded AE-FUN project aims to develop novel systems based on earth-abundant alkaline earth metals for the challenging conversion of dinitrogen into ammonia and other nitrogen-containing valuable chemicals. We seek to establish the grounds for a promising approach to sustainable catalysis by exploring for the partnership between abundant alkaline earth (Ae) metals in low oxidation states and transition metals (TM). We envisioned that by harnessing the unexplored modes of cooperativity between TM and low-valent Ae metals, new synergies will arise and facilitate the activation of challenging substrates and their functionalization.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
Catalysis is a powerful tool to address profound challenges in Europe’s energy transition. However, many current catalytic systems face important limitations in relation to activity, selectivity, or cost efficiency. Particularly, the production of ammonia relies upon the century-old energy-intensive Haber-Bosch process, which is estimated that consumes up to 3% of the global energy produced every year. This EU-funded AE-FUN project will develop innovative systems based on earth-abundant, readily available alkaline earth metals for the challenging conversion of dinitrogen into ammonia and other nitrogen-containing valuable chemicals. This will be achieved by harnessing the unexplored modes of cooperativity between transition metals and low-valent alkaline earth elements. We envision that unusual participation of d the orbitals from the Ae element and the redox activity of transition metals will give place to unseen synergies that will facilitate the activation of highly challenging substrates (N2, CO2, CO, H2) and their functionalization.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS · MadridCoordinatorSpain
- MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY · CambridgeUnited States
Links
- View on CORDIS
- DOI: 10.3030/101108798
- https://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/documents/downloadPublic?documentIds=080166e50dc04c8f&appId=PPGMS
- https://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/documents/downloadPublic?documentIds=080166e51dcae9f9&appId=PPGMS
Data: CORDIS, © European Union