Project PHOENIX

To combat global warming, achieving net-zero or net-negative CO₂ emissions is imperative. The EU, aligning with the Paris Agreement, aims to reduce emissions by 40% and increase renewables share to 32% by 2030. Another challenge that the globe faces is the massive accumulation of PET plastic waste, prompting the EU to seek innovative recycling solutions. Solar-powered systems offer a clean, cost-effective alternative by converting CO₂ into fuels while simultaneously recycling PET waste into high-value products. Moreover, integrating PET oxidation in electrolysis also aims to overcome the substantial overpotential loss associated with conventional catalytic reactions, making the process more efficient.

The project PHOENIX seeks to facilitate the step-wise conversion of CO₂ (initially from CO₂ to CO, followed by converting CO into propanol) and simultaneously transforms PET plastic waste into glycolic acid through an innovative strategy. The proposed concept stems from designing a multi-reactor CO₂ reduction pathway that smoothly integrates photovoltaic-electrolyzer (PV-EC) and photoelectrochemical (PEC) technologies. To facilitate these processes, PHOENIX will develop and integrate an advanced tandem photovoltaic system that generates > 2V, novel electrocatalysts that convert CO to propanol and PET to glycolic acid as well as efficient photoelectrodes. Finally, the PHOENIX concept will also be validated to TRL 3-4 through a lab-scale demonstration, identifying and tackling the environmental impact through Life Cycle Assessment and evaluating the materials' recyclability. PHOENIX addresses two pressing global issues in a high-risk/high-return kind of approach, ultimately promoting a breakthrough in the renewable energy sector.