Final report from the NEXTCCUS project

The NEXTCCUS project has developed a sustainable electrochemical system that converts captured CO₂ directly into methanol at standard ambient conditions. The project achieved major breakthroughs and raised the technology’s maturity.

A high‑performance 3D CuNiFe‑LDH anode was created, showing low overpotential and over 500 hours of stability, further improved by a piezoelectric MXene layer.

Novel 1D‑0D heterostructure cathode catalysts achieved over 90% direct CO₂ reduction efficiency and 45% Faradaic efficiency to methanol.

Low‑cost Ti₃C₂Tₓ MXene ion‑exchange membranes were produced via atmospheric printing as an alternative to expensive commercial membranes.

Scalable manufacturing routes were established for large‑area anodes (up to 400 cm²) and cathodes (150 cm²).

Life Cycle Assessment showed more than 60% reduction in global warming potential, exceeding 90% when combined with direct air capture.

A Safe‑by‑Design framework was implemented to identify and mitigate operational risks.
All scaled‑up components have been installed in a semi‑industrial reactor line for prototype integration toward TRL 7–9.

You can download the final report from the project to read more about interesting findings.