Energy Materials, Technologies and Sustainable Recycling Strategies

Energy Materials, Technologies & Sustainable Recycling Strategies

Joint Workshop 4TU.Energy & 4TU.High-Tech Materials - 13 May 2025

This joint workshop with 4TU.Energy is targeted to early stage researchers to meet and find their common ground on energy materials and sustainable recycling strategies; it is an opportunity to get together to share knowledge and explore collaborations.

If it is successful in content and in organization, follow-up workshops on other topics or joint efforts on funding proposals can be expected.

Key topics

Materials for Electrochemical Applications & Electrochemistry,
Materials for Fuel Cells,
Materials for Electrolysers,
Materials for CO₂ Capture & Conversion

Information - Confirmed plenary speakers

Marta Costa Figueiredo (TU/e)

Dr. Marta Costa Figueiredo is an assistant professor at the Chemical Engineering and Chemistry Department at Eindhoven University of Technology

Title: Material challenges in electrocatalysis – unravelling active sites

Abstract
Determination of active sites in electrocatalysis is a crucial aspect of understanding and enhancing the performance of electrocatalysts [1][2]. Active sites are the specific locations on the catalyst's surface where electrochemical reactions occur, playing a key role in determining the catalyst's efficiency and selectivity. Identifying these sites typically requires a combination of experimental techniques. Common methods include spectroscopic techniques such as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and infrared spectroscopy (IR), which provide information on the chemical environment and electronic states of the surface atoms. Additionally, advanced microscopy techniques like scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) can visualize the surface structure at the atomic level. Understanding the nature and behavior of active sites enables the rational design and optimization of electrocatalysts, leading to improved performance in various applications.

In this talk, I show some examples of our research on the challenges to understand and identify the nature of the catalytic site for several reactions of interest: CO₂electroreduction, Nitrate reduction and oxygen evolution reaction (OER).

References
[1] Bandarenka, A. S.; Koper, M. T. M. Structural and Electronic Effects in Heterogeneous Electrocatalysis: Toward a Rational Design of Electrocatalysts. J Catal 2013, 308, 11–24.
[2] Koper, M. T. M. Structure Sensitivity and Nanoscale Effects in Electrocatalysis. Nanoscale 2011, 3, 2054

Short bio
Marta Costa Figueiredo has been an assistant professor at the Chemical Engineering and Chemistry Department at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) since April 2019. Her research focuses on electrochemical interface engineering and electro(catalytic) synthesis for sustainable processes and the production of high-value chemicals, including fuels and organic molecules, from waste substrates such as carbon dioxide and biomass. She has a PhD in Electrochemical Science and Technology from the University of Alicante, Spain. After completing her PhD in 2012, Marta was a postdoctoral researcher at various universities in Europe, including Aalto University (Finland), Leiden University (Netherlands), and University of Copenhagen (Denmark). From 2017 to 2019, prior joining TU/e, she was a Scientist at Avantium (Netherlands), working on the development and scale-up of CO₂ electrochemical conversion technologies.

Harry Bitter (WUR)

Prof. dr. Harry Bitter is full professor Bioobased Chemistry and Technology at Wageningen University and Research

Title: Supported potassium carbonate and dual functional materials for direct air capture and conversion*

Abstract
Direct air capture (DAC) of CO₂ is one of the ways to lower the CO₂ levels in the atmosphere. Here I will show how the performance of K₂CO₃ supported on carbon nanofibers (CNF) is influenced by the particle size of K₂CO₃ and the polarity of the carbon support. It will be shown that smaller K₂CO₃ particles enhance CO₂ adsorption efficiency. In addition a too high surface polarity—induced by oxygen-containing functional groups—has a negative impact on performance due to increased water adsorption. Lastly, the introduction of Ru into the K₂CO₃/CNF system creates active sites that temporarily retain CO₂ during CO₂ desoprtion in H₂ (as CO) on Ru sites (the CO₂ desorbed to the gasphase in N₂), allowing its subsequent hydrogenation to methane.

*with Freek Karaçoban, Torin de Groot, Tomas van Haasterecht

Short bio
Harry Bitter is full professor at Wageningen University and Research. He is holding the chair Biobased Chemistry and Technology. Within the chair he focuses on sustainable catalytic conversions and (extraction) processes on multiple length scales using a multidisciplinary approach. In his group he combines chemical (laboratory) approaches with computational approaches (from DFT to conceptual process design). Harry published about 220 papers, is involved in 5 patent applications, and teaches courses in (in)organic chemistry, catalysis, and biobased economy. In addition Harry is among others board member of the Royal Dutch Chemical Society (KNCV), chairman elect of the Dutch Research School on Catalysis (NIOK).

He studied chemistry in Nijmegen in the Netherlands with a major in organic chemistry and a minor in organometallic chemistry. Subsequently, he performed his PhD research at the University of Twente where he worked on Pt/ZrO₂ based catalyst for the dry-reforming of CH₄ with CO₂ to syngas. After his PhD Harry joined the Utrecht University as junior staff member where he continued working in the field of heterogeneous catalysis focusing on the use of X-Ray spectroscopy in catalysis. From 1999-2013 he was a scientific staff member at Utrecht University in the group of Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis. His research focused on the use of carbon-based catalysts both in fossil feedstock conversion and (later) in biomass-based conversions.

Shoshan Abrahami (TUD)

Dr. Shoshan Abrahami is an assistant professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at Delft University of Technology

Preliminary title: Recycling Strategies for Energy Materials

Abstract
High-tech applications are vital to the energy transition, yet many of the critical materials they depend on—such as those found in lithium-ion batteries, rare-earth magnets, and printed circuit boards—are scarcely recycled. The diversity of materials and the complexity of these components pose significant technical and economic challenges for their recovery. To reduce reliance on primary raw materials and close the materials loop, efficient and targeted recycling processes are urgently needed. In this talk, I will adders several strategies for value-added recycling, focusing on sustainable extraction and recovery methods. Drawing on recent research from our group, I will present case studies that demonstrate both the challenges and opportunities of advanced recycling.

Short bio
Shoshan Abrahami is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at TU Delft, where she has been based since 2020. Her research is driven by the goal of enhancing materials circularity, with a focus on sustainable extraction and recycling using hydrometallurgical and electrochemical methods. Her group develops innovative recycling processes for critical materials central to the energy transition, including those found in lithium-ion batteries, rare-earth magnets, and electronic waste. Bridging fundamental and applied science, her work aims to close the materials loop through value-added recycling strategies.

She holds a PhD from TU Delft, where she studied alternatives to hexavalent chromium in surface pre-treatments for aerospace metals. She subsequently continued her research at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), receiving an FWO postdoctoral fellowship in 2017 to investigate hybrid metal(oxide)/polymer interfaces, including a year as a guest researcher at Chimie ParisTech.

Ian Gibson (UT)

Prof. dr. Ian Gibson is full professor in Design Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering Technology and chair of Advanced Manufacturing, Sustainable products & Energy systems (AMSPES) in the Department of Design, Production, and Management (DPM) at the University of Twente

Title: Remanufacturing: a new challenge for AM

Additive Manufacturing represents a group of technologies that can make parts in very different ways to conventional methods. Many different application domains have been considered over the 30+ years that this technology has been available. One of these is the ability to repurpose products so that they may have extended and enhanced life. Although this concept is not new, with only a limited number of successes to date, perhaps as the technology has evolved it now has the potential for increased use. This presentation will discuss new research initiatives that may enable more remanufacturing using AM.

Khatereh Roohi

Khatereh Roohi is a PhD student in the Corrosion Technology and Electrochemistry group of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, at Delft University of Technology

Title: Planar [Cu-S]-Organic Framework for Selective and Low-Overpotential CO2 to Formate Reduction

Abstract
Recent developments in electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction (CO2RR) technologies open up new possibilities for utilizing CO₂ as a carbon feedstock for the production of fuels and commodity chemicals ^[1]. A wide range of electrocatalysts have been investigated for aqueous ECR, including metals, alloys, metal oxides/phosphides, doped carbon materials, and polymers. Among these, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted considerable research attention due to their metal-centered active sites, large surface area resulting from high porosity, and highly tunable chemical and morphological properties ^[2]. Herein, we present the synthesis of an innovative copper–sulfur planar structure, Cu–S–BDC, within a MOF catalyst, which exhibits 100% selectivity toward formate as the sole carbon product. Structural analysis and surface characterization reveal that Cu–S–BDC features quasi-two-dimensional inorganic building units, where copper is coordinated to two S–CH₃ groups and one BDC linker, with carboxylate groups adopting a bridging coordination mode. This unique configuration achieves a Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 92% for formate at an overpotential as low as –0.4 V vs. the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) in 1 M KOH aqueous electrolyte, and a current density of –25.8 mA/cm² at –0.9 V vs. RHE, averaged over 24 hours of electrolysis. This study offers a new perspective in the field of MOF electrocatalysts by demonstrating that engineering the metal coordination environment can significantly enhance the electronic properties - and consequently, the electrocatalytic performance - of these materials.

Vassilis Kyriakou

Vassilis Kyriakou is an assistant professor in Energy Conversion and Processes at the Engineering and Technology Institute Groningen (ENTEG) of the University of Groningen

Title: Rationally Designed Electrocatalytic Materials for Ionic Ceramic Membrane Reactors towards Highly Efficient Power2X Transformations

Abstract
In chemical energy storage schemes, electrical power is converted into chemical energy carriers and vice versa, allowing grid flexibility by backing up intermittent electricity of renewable energy sources. Once the excess renewable energy is stored into chemical bonds, several pathways are opened for both re-electrification and mobility. For such storage, the electrosynthesis of chemicals or fuels from sustainable molecules of water, carbon dioxide, nitrogen and biomass might be promising for a carbon-neutral energy future. In this talk, I will present how tailored mixed ionic electronic electrocatalysts can perform such transformations in oxide ion- and proton- conducting ceramic cell reactors, operating at temperatures closer to industrial relevance. Focus will be given on nanoengineered perovskite oxides prepared by redox exsolution that allow promising performance and stability in harsh environments. The proposed approaches aim to bridge electrochemistry and heterogeneous catalysis, while exemplifying a route for enabling electrosynthesis by possibly exploiting waste industrial heat at high temperatures.

References

[1] D. Neagu et al., In Situ Observation of Nanoparticle Exsolution from Perovskite Oxides: From Atomic Scale Mechanistic Insight to Nanostructure Tailoring. ACS Nano 2019, 13, 11, 12996–13005

[2] V. Kyriakou et al., Symmetrical Exsolution of Rh Nanoparticles in Solid Oxide Cells for Efficient Syngas Production from Greenhouse Gases. ACS Catal. 2020, 10, 2, 1278–1288

[3] Nannan Li et al., Opportunities and challenges for direct electrification of chemical processes with protonic ceramic membrane reactors. Prog. Energy 2024 6 043007

Short bio
Vassilis Kyriakou holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering, from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and he has been a postdoctoral researcher in Yildiz Lab at MIT, the Dutch Institute for Fundamental Energy Research (DIFFER), and CERTH. Vassilis’ research focuses on electrochemical reaction engineering, catalysis and materials for solid oxide, protonic ceramic and AEM cells towards the production of chemicals, fuels and/or power from sustainable feedstocks. He is currently involved in several important projects on high temperature electrolysers and fuel cells in the Netherlands and EU.

Aayan Banerjee

Aayan Banerjee is an assistant professor Catalytic Processes and Materials in the Department of Chemical Engineering of the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the University of Twente

Title: Decoding high temperature ceramic fuel cells and electrolysers

Abstract
High temperature ceramic membrane-based fuel cells and electrolysers have a lot going for them: they have the high energy efficiencies of all electrochemical devices and their operating temperature range of 400-900 ˚C facilitates thermal integration with a range of key industrial processes. These advantages make them increasingly attractive for powering the low-carbon energy and feedstock transition. However, their market adoption is still minimal due to high costs and low lifetimes. To improve these metrics, my group looks to better understand the entire technology development chain from materials to systems. In this talk, I will discuss the integrated multiscale multiphysics modelling framework we have developed to do so and dive deeper into the material and cell design of proton conducting ceramic fuel cells and the techno-enviro-economic impact of upscaling various oxide-ion conducting ceramic electrolysis cell architectures.

Reference
A. Banerjee, Integrated Multiscale Modeling of Solid Oxide Electrodes, Cells, Stacks, and Systems, Chem. Ing. Tech., 94(5), 2022, pp 766-773