{"links":{"self":"http://dataportal.arc.gov.au/NCGP/API/grants/DE260101540"},"data":{"type":"grant-details","id":"DE260101540","attributes":{"code":"DE260101540","administering-organisation":"The University of Sydney","announcement-administering-organisation":"The University of Sydney","scheme-name":"Discovery Early Career Researcher Award","grant-status":"Active","funding-commencement-year":2026,"years-funded":3,"project-start-date":"2026-06-18","anticipated-end-date":"2029-06-17","grant-summary":"Low-cost and Durable Anodes for Proton Exchange Membrane-CO2 Electrolysers. This project aims to advance proton exchange membrane CO2 electrolysis for sustainable production of carbon-based fuels and chemicals using renewable electricity and captured CO2. The key is a stable anode catalyst. It seeks to generate new knowledge in understanding and mitigating the interference of CO2 reduction products on anode catalyst performance through advanced characterisations, in situ/operando studies, electrochemical analysis, and computational modelling. Expected outcomes include innovative catalyst designs, mechanistic insights, and breakthroughs in energy efficiency and selectivity. This will enable carbon-neutral fuel synthesis, supporting Australia’s net zero targets, sustainable manufacturing, and clean energy exports. ","funding-current":517323.00,"funding-at-announcement":513478,"investigators-current":[{"title":"Dr","firstName":"Manjunath","familyName":"Chatti","roleName":"Discovery Early Career Researcher Award","roleCode":"DECRA","isFellowship":true,"orcidIdentifier":"0000-0001-5046-2316 "}],"investigators-at-announcement":[{"title":"Dr","firstName":"Manjunath","familyName":"Chatti","roleName":"Discovery Early Career Researcher Award","roleCode":"DECRA","isFellowship":true,"orcidIdentifier":"0000-0001-5046-2316 "}],"organisations-current":[{"organisationName":"The University of Sydney","roleName":"Administering Organisation","state":"NSW"}],"organisations-at-announcement":[{"organisationName":"The University of Sydney","roleName":"Administering Organisation","state":"NSW"}],"field-of-research":[{"isPrimary":false,"code":"340604","name":"Electrochemistry","type":"FOR20"},{"isPrimary":true,"code":"4004","name":"Chemical Engineering","type":"FOR20"},{"isPrimary":false,"code":"400404","name":"Electrochemical Energy Storage and Conversion","type":"FOR20"},{"isPrimary":false,"code":"401605","name":"Functional Materials","type":"FOR20"}],"socio-economic-objective":[{"code":"170302","name":"Carbon Capture and Storage","type":"SEO20"},{"code":"170409","name":"Transformation of Gas Into Fuels","type":"SEO20"},{"code":"280105","name":"Expanding Knowledge In the Chemical Sciences","type":"SEO20"}],"international-collaboration":["England","Germany","Italy"],"lief-register":[],"achievement-summary":null,"national-interest-test-statement":"Carbon-based fuels and chemicals are essential for modern industries, but their conventional production is unsustainable, contributing significantly to carbon emissions. Proton exchange membrane (PEM)-CO2 electrolysis offers a promising, renewable-powered pathway to convert captured CO2 into valuable products, yet the degradation of anode catalysts and performance losses hinders its commercial viability. This project promises substantial contributions by advancing our understanding of anode catalyst development in PEM-CO2 electrolysis—an underexplored area critical for enhancing PEM system stability and efficiency. The insights gained will have broader implications across various electrochemical processes, including water electrolysis and nitrogen reduction for ammonia synthesis. In the near term, the project will nurture Australia’s next generation of researchers by training Higher Degree Research and undergraduate students in catalyst design and CO2 electrolysis. It will also leverage Australia’s abundant transition metal resources, fostering growth in the manufacturing and chemical sectors. Within 5-10 years, the development of cost-effective, high-performance anode catalysts is expected to create employment opportunities and drive advancements in CO2 conversion technologies, potentially supporting a market projected to exceed $300 billion. This project will contribute to Australia’s ambition to be a global leader in carbon-neutral technologies and net-zero initiatives."}}}