Advancing the green transition via novel electrode materials for valorisation processes

Project Description

Hydrogenations are fundamental reactions for the processing of fuels, plastics, food and pharmaceuticals, that are typically run at high temperature using costly materials. Electricity from renewable sources could be used to drive hydrogenations at room temperature and lower materials cost, thus reducing the energy intensity and carbon footprint of these industrial processes. Importantly, electro-hydrogenations could pave the way to new green technologies for upgrading bio-resources to fuels and high-value chemicals. To achieve this aim, new materials that facilitate these reactions must be designed: this project will develop new electrodes based on sustainable earth-abundant and environmentally friendly materials to enable electro-hydrogenations.