Electrocatalysis for the synthesis of renewable fuels and chemicals

The project aims at discovering cheap and efficient functional electrode materials, i.e., electrocatalysts, capable to accelerate the conversion of bio-derived compounds and CO2 to valuable chemicals. Planar and nanostructured materials as well as immobilized molecular catalysts will be investigated as electrodes for the oxidation and reduction of model organic compounds (e.g., furfural-based, dicarboxylic acids) derived from biomass. The project will effectively couple advanced materials synthesis procedures with physico-chemical, analytical and electrochemical characterizations. The overall goal is to maximize the yield of the desired products and to elucidate the descriptors that govern the reactions.