OWSP-CO2 · On-water surface photocatalytic CO2 reduction

OWSP-CO2 pioneers an on-water surface photocatalysis (OWSP) paradigm to convert CO2 and H2O to methanol with high activity and selectivity. Conventional bulk gas/liquid systems are limited by poor mass transfer and ill-defined interfaces. We will assemble ultrathin, floatable, hydrophobic 2D conjugated metal–organic frameworks (2D-cMOFs) at the CO2|H2O boundary to create a sub-10-nm reactive interface that enriches both reactants and shortens diffusion paths. The project couples materials synthesis (Cu- and Fe/Co/Zn-cMOFs), on-water interfacial reactor engineering, and multiscale operando diagnostics (SFG, ATR-IR, GIWAXS/XAFS, AC-HRTEM, transient spectroscopy) with DFT-guided kinetics to reveal how interfacial polarity, hydrophobicity, and site electronics govern PCET steps and C–O bond hydrogenation toward CH₃OH. OWSP-CO2 demonstrates STY ≥ 1.0 mmol·g-1·h-1 and ≥85% selectivity by M10; reach ≥1.5 mmol·g-1·h-1 by M18; show 200-h continuous operation with ≥90% recovery after regeneration by M24. Benchmarks will be performed head-to-head against slurry, triphase, and GDE-assisted photoreactors under identical photon flux and CO2 partial pressure. Product attribution uses ¹³CO2 labelling (GC-MS/¹³C-NMR). Hosted at MPI-MP, the fellow receives first-class training-through-research at the Chemistry–Materials–Engineering interface, including a 6–8-week industry secondment (IP landscaping, TRL-in-lab prototype, rapid TEA/LCA). Results will be disseminated under FAIR/Open Science, with patent-first protection where appropriate. By delivering a validated interfacial mechanism and a transferable catalyst/reaction library, OWSP-CO2 advances Europe’s Green Deal and climate-neutral goals while strengthening the fellow’s path to independent research leadership in sustainable photocatalysis.