Programma: PRIN
Responsabile scientifico per il dipartimento: Raffaello Mazzaro
Struttura principale: DIFA
Data inizio e data fine: dal 28/09/2023 al 28/09/2025
EPiCX: energia solare per la conversione della CO₂
Il progetto EPiCX sviluppa celle fotoelettrochimiche per convertire CO₂ in composti utili, anche in condizioni estreme, contribuendo alla decarbonizzazione e alla sostenibilità energetica globale.
EPiCX: Solar Energy for CO₂ Conversion
EPiCX develops photoelectrochemical cells to convert CO₂ into valuable compounds, even under extreme conditions, contributing to global decarbonization and energy sustainability.
Abstract
Over 80% of the world’s primary energy supply is currently provided by fossil fuels. This implies the release of about 34 Gt/y of CO2into the atmosphere, which is the primary cause of global warming. Climate stability is a key prerequisite for the existence ofmodern civilization, therefore the decarbonization of the global economy is a pressing need in the interest of present and futuregenerations. This dire need is exacerbated in extreme environments, where the delicate environmental equilibrium is easilyshifted and where some cutting-edge research facilities are located (e.g. Concordia Station, Antartica). This calls for an enhancedeffort for research and development in this area, where the EPiCX proposal is positioned. Specifically, EPiCX targets a solar energyconversion device for the capture and conversion of carbon dioxide to valuable chemicals, both in conventional and extremeconditions, such as temperatures as low as -50°C.EPiCX aims to produce an optimized, fully operational photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell for the CO reduction reaction 2(CO RR), either employing a single photoanode coupled to an electrocathode, or a combination of photoanode and 2photocathode in a tandem PEC configuration. Particular focus will be placed on maximizing the selectivity towards productswith significant added value at both the cathode and the anode by optimizing both composition and nanostructure of the materials.At the cathode, valuable hydrocarbons will be targeted using copper-based electrocatalysts with tailored surface structure such asnanocubes or colloidal nanoparticles, and through combination with inorganic co-catalysts. A fully photoelectrocatalytic approach willbe explored by coupling the Cu nanostructures with Cu O photocathodes. At the photoanode, the advantageous properties of 2D 2material heterostructures and earth-abundant thin films will be exploited to go beyond the oxygen evolution reaction to moreindustrially relevant oxidation reactions such as imine synthesis and biomass valorization. A full suite of state-of-the-art operandocharacterization techniques, including electrochemical AFM, synchrotron XAS, and in-situ TEM, will be used to probe thefundamental and functional properties of the materials in real-time, providing invaluable feedback for their design and development.In an unprecedented step, the cell will be tested under extreme operating conditions mimicking those of polar and sub-polarregions, making use of the low temperatures to impart high reactant concentration by using liquid CO mixtures with organic 2solvents.The project is divided into four scientific work packages for: design of CO RR photoelectro- and electro-catalysts, optimization of the 2anodic compartment, structural and functional analysis, and development of a cryogenic high-pressure PEC cell. A fifth work packagewill be devoted to management and dissemination of the project.