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HEIndividual fellowship2023–2025

MESTUM · Machine learning-based prediction and evaluation of supercapacitor performance of transition metal carbide developed by using waste surgical masks during COVID-19

Horizon Europe — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2023-08-01 → 2025-08-31
EU contribution
€166,279
Participants
3
Scheme
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Results in brief

Machine learning-based prediction and evaluation of supercapacitor performance of transition metal carbide developed by using waste surgical masks during COVID-19

The MESTUM project under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) aims to advance the development of sustainable, fossil-free energy storage technologies through the next generation of supercapacitors (SCs). The project proposes to overcome the intrinsic performance limitations of SCs by synthesizing transition metal carbides (TMCs) using spent surgical masks as a novel carbon precursor addressing both the environmental challenge of pandemic-related waste and the global demand for efficient energy storage materials. Transition metal carbides are recognized for their excellent electrical conductivity, thermal stability, chemical robustness, and compatibility with aqueous and organic electrolytes, making them ideal candidates for high-performance electrodes. Among them, manganese-based carbides stand out due to the abundance and cost-effectiveness of manganese and its multiple stable oxidation states (+2, +3, +4, +5, +6, +7, etc.), which facilitate multi-electron transfer reactions and deliver exceptional pseudocapacitance and long-term cycling stability. This project connects with the social sciences and humanities through its emphasis on sustainability, environmental ethics, and societal impact. By converting discarded face masks into valuable energy materials, it addresses global waste management and public health challenges. The work promotes responsible innovation and circular economy principles, aligning with social responsibility and policy discussions. It also reflects human-centred approaches to science, linking technological advancement with community welfare. Ultimately, it demonstrates how scientific progress can support social equity and environmental stewardship.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

Fossil-free and renewable energy sources are a must for a sustainable society. Pushing the limitation of supercapacitors (SC) beyond their limits by producing metal carbides using as carbon source spent surgical masks, an immense side-product burden of COVID-19 pandemic, MESTUM project aims to tackle the worldwide increasing energy demand with highly efficient, stable, environmentally friendly and low-cost electrode materials (EM). The development of EM by transition metal carbides has attracted significant research attention thanks to its high-temperature stability, conductivity, easy operation in aqueous/organic electrolytes and insignificant electrolyte leaching. Easily accessible and abundant, manganese metal carbides, with multiple electron transfer ability, represent an excellent source possessing the key performance markers for SC: Ground-breaking pseudocapacitance and cyclic stability. By exploring the challenge of also generating a porous structure, MESTUM aims to expand an electrochemically active specific surface area and porosity of transition metal carbide and thus deliver a significant growth of specific capacity performance. During synthesis, the ground-breaking approach of turning the porous carbon from the surgical mask into the transition metal structure will orchestrate a brilliant coupling of increasing the surface area and reducing surgical mask waste. For machine learning prediction of specific capacity and cyclic stability, the two most critical performance-related features of SC, the materials properties (morphology, composition, surface area, etc.) and operational conditions (electrolytes, current density, potential window, etc.), are crucial. To tackle this issue, the project will set the optimized parameters to easily evaluate the prospects of developed materials in SC application. By a pioneering effort toward the significant advancement of SC technologies, the MESTUM project will address a fundamental need for clean energy sources.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • UNIVERZITA PALACKEHO V OLOMOUCI · OlomoucCoordinatorCzechia
  • BUNDESANSTALT FUER MATERIALFORSCHUNG UND -PRUEFUNG · BerlinGermany
  • RIJKSUNIVERSITEIT GRONINGEN · GroningenNetherlands

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union