A Hybrid Reactor for Solar CO2 and N2 Conversion Coupled to WasteWater Treatment

The proposal focuses on the successful development of a new concept of low-cost flow photo-reactor prototype for the reduction of CO2 and N2 to produce fuels and chemicals (CH4, C2H4, C3H6 and NH3) coupled to the oxidation of microplastics and organic pollutants from wastewater treatment plants. To achieve this ground-breaking goal, an interdisciplinary consortium has been gathered that tackles the multiple involved challenges in a holistic manner: (i) Design and synthesis of highly efficient and stable photocathodes for CO2 and N2 reduction (ii) Development of low-cost and long-duration anodes for the electro-oxidation of microplastics and other organic pollutants in wastewater (iii) Design and fabrication of cost-effective, selective and photo-stable ion-exchange membranes (iv) Advanced characterisation of materials at different levels with state-of-the-art spectroscopic techniques (v) Integration of developed CO2/N2 reduction photocathodes, waste/microplastic oxidation anodes and ion-exchange membranes in a solar-powered flow reactor for simultaneous water detoxification and CO2/N2 valorisation (vi) Validation of the prototype in a wastewater treatment plant and (vii) study of the developed materials and devices from an environmental, economic and social point of view. In this ambitious work plan, the fundamentals of photocathodes, anodes and membranes will be revisited with a totally new insight based on the previous experience of the partners in other disciplines such as catalysis, materials science, batteries and water treatment. The likelihood for success of this high risk / high gain approach is supported by the strength of the consortium, with first-row researchers in the different joined disciplines with high complementarities and synergies. The presence of 3 SMEs with experience in managing and exploiting R&D results ensures the full exploitation of the potentially market-transferable results of the project.