Resumen
The exploitation of fossil fuels brought our ecosystem on the edge of catastrophic changes.
Mankind's current challenge is to reverse the increase of greenhouse gases emissions to mitigate
the serious consequences on the global climate. In this scenario, the transition of modern
society to a more sustainable and circular economy must be accelerated. 0ne of the
key pillars of this transition is the implementation of a sustainable C02 cycle, based on
net-zero emissions Carbon Capture and Utilization processes. Membrane-based technologies could play
a pivotal role to bring this vision closer to reality. Indeed, thanks to their high efficiency,
scalability, easy operability, they are candidates for the efficient capture and use of C02. The
goal of DAM4C02 is to develop a novel membrane technology for the simultaneous C02 separation and
its photocatalytic conversion to C4+ molecules, as renewable fuels. DAM4C02 will overcome the
conventional membrane technologies by developing double active membranes (DAMs) with a durable and
highly selective gas separation layer and a photocatalytic layer able to simultaneously combine in
one pot reverse water gas shift (RWGS) and Fisher-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) to obtain C4+ molecules.
The project will deliver a prototype, designed using the design-build-test- learn approach, for a
proof-of-concept validation in lab-conditions. Close attention will be paid to the use of
non-critical raw materials at every stage of the process, and the carbon-neutrality of the entire
process will be certified by a full life cycle analysis. DAM4C02 brings together the complementary
expertise of our team in the areas of organic, inorganic and physical chemistry, materials science,
and chemical engineering for the development, synthesis, and characterization of the starting
materials, and for the design, construction, and application of membrane modules. DAM4C02 will
implement a sustainable, cost and energy effective net zero carbon C02 cycle.
