Project R-16863

SUNPACT: Solar-Powered Advanced Conversion Technology for CO2 and plastic (Research)

The accumulation of CO2 and plastic waste, particularly PET, poses a critical global challenge demanding urgent, innovative solutions. Current technologies address these issues separately, with PEC systems excelling in water splitting but rarely integrating plastic valorization with CO2 reduction and often relying on toxic or rare materials that limit scalability, and efficiency. SUNPACT proposes, for the first time, a low-cost, bias-free tandem PEC device combining a wide-bandgap perovskite top cell with a narrow-bandgap kesterite bottom cell, connected via a WO3/rGO interlayer. This integrated system maximizes solar spectrum utilization and photovoltage while enabling simultaneous CO2 reduction at the photocathode and single-step PET depolymerization and oxidation at the photoanode. With abundant semiconductors and a multi-zone catalyst design, SUNPACT achieves efficient charge management, high catalytic activity, and scalability in a single platform. By addressing interfacial recombination, current mismatch, and inefficient multi-step PET conversion, it aims to reach practical solar-to-chemical efficiency, creating PEC device that convert pollutants into valuable chemicals and fuels. This innovation advances sustainable solar fuels, supports Europe's climate and circular economy goals, and, due to its low-cost and scalable design, enables adoption in developing countries, transforming environmental liabilities into significant economic and societal value globally.

01 November 2026 - 31 October 2029