My research group Applied Electrochemistry & Catalysis (ELCAT) belongs to the Faculty of Applied Engineering and mainly focuses on electrochemistry. The core research activities within ELCAT are related to the development of state-of-the art electrochemical reactors and catalysts, with a view towards large-scale industrial development in the field of industrial electrification, in a green and sustainable way to ultimately replace the traditional chemical processes. The scope there is to improve controllability, flexibility and energy efficiency of the reactions through electrocatalyst and reactor design. This research can thus be subdivided in three main topics, which are interrelated: (i) electrocatalysis, (ii) electrosynthesis and (iii) electrochemical reactor engineering. From those research topics, two major aspects of the identity as a group clearly come to the surface: (1) industrial application and (2) green chemistry.

In this respect, ELCAT is already actively developing other novel and innovative catalysts for multiple national and European projects looking into the electrochemical CO2 conversion, albeit targeting different end products (e.g. formic acid, CO, methanol). Utilizing renewable energy, this could potentially result in decreased CO2 emissions to the atmosphere, further highlighting the green chemistry aspect of the research at ELCAT.

Therefore, I am convinced that I can contribute on the topic of direct electrochemical reduction of CO2 to chemicals, i.e. the power-to-X approach.