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Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SELECTRON (Selective production of valuable chemicals by electro-nano-catalysts)

Teaser

Summary

The challenge addressed is the preparation of performant electrocatalysts for more sustainable societies.
The goal is to move away from fossil-fuel based societies.
This can be achieved by developing \'greener\' synthesis of the electrocatalysts, but also by achieving catalysts with higher catalytic activity.
Finally the research performed should be relevant to potentially be implemented at larger scale in industrial contexts to truly impact societies: enable the large scale yet eco-friendly production of more performant catalysts.

Work performed

This report covers the all part of the project ( from 04/2017 to 04/2019).

The project focused on developing electrocatalysts for new methods of production of valuable chemicals.
However, from the original submission and the beginning of the project, a period of 1 year elapsed.
In this time frame, experimental work showed that the background theoretical hypothesis driving the project was not valid.
In that respect the \'model reaction\' used as case study for the project had to be changed.
The project re-focused on the energy conversion rather than electrochemical production of valuable chemicals.
This also mean that the secondment did not happen has planned (as agreed in written with the contact point at the secondment) to favor further academic research.
However alternative industrial partners were successfully identified as detailed below.

The training expected and the various scientific and transferable skills to be developed where successfully achieved as planned.
E.g. SAXS training, use of head-space chromatography, teaching, writing publications, attendance of conferences, contribute the supervising, contribute to science dissemination,etc.

The idea of developing new synthesis method of electrocatalysts turned out to be extremely rewarding.
I developed a new method to produce precious metal nano-particles that bears economic and ecological benefits over state of the art.
Comparison of catalysts produced by this new method vs benchmark and even industrial catalysts for applications in both energy conversion and simple chemical production were successfully demonstrated and the results published in a high impact factor journals.
Several partnerships with industry and research groups are being developed and the work performed is a strong base to develop further funding and possibly secure and academic career.

Several manuscripts focusing on the controlled synthesis (e.g. effect of experimental parameters, size control, even more sustainable synthesis approach) and further detailing the multiple benefits of the synthesis are being issued.
Advanced characterization techniques have also been investigated to control the synthesis of the catalysts and the related data analysis is undergoing.

7 publications related to the work have been issued.
Another 3-4 are expected.

Final results

Experimental results show that the synthesis method I developed bears economic and ecological benefits over state of the art.
This means that catalysts can be produced more efficiently, at lower cost, more safely, producing less waste, yet leading to catalysts with enhanced properties and with promising scalability.
This means that the synthesis method develop could ultimately lead to more affordable and more sustainable energy-related devices such as more efficient and cheaper fuel-cells vehicles and electrolyzers, key devices for the future or clean energy.