BEES-4-CO2RR

Project description

Electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction (CO₂RR) is considered one of the most promising approaches for utilizing CO₂ as a valuable raw material in the energy transition. In combination with renewable energies, it enables the conversion of captured CO₂ into climate-friendly energy carriers and basic chemicals. The BEES-4-CO₂RR project – Bioinspired Electrodes for Efficient and Scalable Electrocatalytic CO₂ Reduction to High Added-Value Products – is developing highly efficient, sustainable, and industrially scalable catalyst electrodes for this purpose. These are integrated into a scalable flow reactor to efficiently convert CO₂ into methane (CH₄) and other hydrocarbons.

At the heart of the project is a nature-inspired electrode concept on gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs) that combines porous, sputtered Cu and Cu-Zn catalysts with bioinspired, polyionic liquid structures. These are precisely applied and structured using Nanoimprint Lithography (NIL). The resulting CO₂ electrodes combine key functions such as optimal wetting, improved catalysis, prevention of electrode flooding, and high conductivity. BEES-4-CO₂RR thus addresses key challenges in CO₂RR and bridges the gap between fundamental research and application-oriented, scalable technology for the energy and chemical industries.

Project objectives and technical innovation

The goal of BEES-4-CO₂RR is to develop bio-inspired, multifunctional electrodes for the electrocatalytic reduction of CO₂ to CH₄ and other hydrocarbons with high efficiency, stability, and scalability. In the final system, a Faradaic efficiency of up to 85% for CO₂-to-CH₄ conversion, a stability of more than 100 hours, and a current density of >100 mA/cm² are to be achieved.

The technically innovative aspect lies in the combination of sputtered Cu and Cu-Zn alloy catalysts with specially designed polyionic liquid layers structured using NIL. The bio-inspired micro- and nanostructuring creates (super)hydrophilic and (super)aerophobic surfaces for ideal wetting and rapid gas removal. Selective Cu-Zn catalysts and imidazolium-functionalized polymers activate dissolved CO₂ at the three-phase boundary, thereby increasing CO₂ utilization. Hydrophobic, non-fluorinated polymer films prevent electrode flooding, while embedded copper species and copper islands within the polymer enhance electrical conductivity and selectivity. All process steps – sputtering, NIL, and flow reactor design – are specifically designed for industrial upscalability.

Efficient CO₂ utilization: benefits for the energy transition, industry, and research

• For the energy transition: The electrochemical conversion of CO₂ into methane and other hydrocarbons creates a sustainable power-to-gas and power-to-X solution and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
• For the energy and chemical industries: Scalable, long-lasting CO₂RR electrodes lower process costs, enable decentralized production of energy carriers and high-value chemicals, and reduce dependence on fossil resources.
• For research and technology development: The project sets new standards in the design of bio-inspired gas diffusion electrodes, the use of non-critical raw materials, and NIL-based microstructuring.
• For the region: With AIT, Luxinergy, and PROFACTOR, BEES-4-CO₂RR strengthens Austrian and European innovation in the field of CO₂ utilization and green medical technology – thereby creating export and cooperation opportunities in a dynamically growing market.