News & Events
Four new DESIRED-related publications out now!
We are excited to share that members of our consortium have published four new contributions aligned with the objectives of the DESIRED Project. These works advance our collective effort toward sustainable CO₂-utilisation, renewable energy systems and a circular carbon economy:
- Alternative sources of carbon for moving towards a sustainable carbon cycle
Michele Aresta – IC2R
This perspective paper discusses biomass, waste-plastics and CO₂ as alternative carbon sources for the chemical and transport industries. It emphasises the potential of solar-, photo- and electrochemical routes for converting CO₂ and water into energy and materials.
https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2025/im/d5im00061k
- Where We Are, Where We Go: Uncertainties on the Future of the Impact of Energy Systems on Climate
Michele Aresta, Angela Dibenedetto – IC2R, CIRCC
This study underscores the rising climatic relevance of atmospheric water vapor, which is increasing faster and acting as a stronger greenhouse gas than CO₂. The authors call for integrated models that couple CO₂ and water-vapor dynamics—especially as hydrogen energy systems may elevate water-vapor emissions—to ensure accurate climate assessments and informed policy decisions.
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.energyfuels.5c03937
- Life cycle assessment of diatom frustule production: a multitask bio-material
Alessandra Petrucciani, Alessia Amato, Alessandra Norici, Angela Dibenedetto, Michele Aresta – CIRCC, IC2R
Diatom frustules offer a sustainable mesoporous silica platform but require non-destructive organic removal. This study demonstrates that KMnO₄–acid treatment is substantially more sustainable than H₂O₂ oxidation, with markedly lower CO₂ emissions per gram of frustules. While current lab-scale production remains impact-intensive, upscaled cultivation and biorefinery integration could significantly reduce overall environmental burdens.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211926425004643?via%3Dihub
- Enhancing photoelectrochemical CO2 reduction: The impact of polyelectrolytes modification on copper oxide catalysts
Nabila Nawaz, Krzysztof Bienkowski, Karthick Ramalingam, Aleksandra Parzuch, Piotr Wróbel, Marcin Strawski, Renata Solarska – UW
This study shows that PEI-based coatings—especially PEI/ALG—greatly improve the stability and performance of 3D Cu₂O photocathodes for CO₂ conversion. The modified electrodes operate steadily for 20 hours and produce methanol, ethanol, and formate, indicating that PEI can both protect Cu₂O and enhance CO₂ capture and reduction.