Photo taken during the Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis Spring Event 2024 in the old botanical gardens of Utrecht University
Research
As part of the Institute for Sustainable and Circular Chemistry (ISCC), our group focuses on characterization, performance, and synthesis of inorganic functional materials with special emphasis on well-defined heterogeneous catalysts for energy storage and sustainable physicochemical conversion processes in the fields of thermal catalysis, photocatalysis and electrocatalysis. We specialize in the development of operando and in situ (time-resolved) spectroscopy and microscopy techniques to develop structure-performance relationships and understand, for example, the function and deactivation of solid catalysts. Further focal areas include plastic recycling, industrial catalysis, environmental analysis, plasmonic sensing, and data mining.
Strongholds
Advanced spectro(micro)scopy for the study of hierarchically complex functional materials under real working conditions, especially heterogeneous catalytic solids and processes for present and future hydrocarbon conversion processes, catalyst synthesis, and data mining.
Fundamental challenge
To establish the relationship between structure, composition, and function of functional materials at different length scales, that is, ranging from the single atomic and molecule level over the micro-, meso- and macroscopic scale up to the level of, for example, small reactor set-ups. This is especially important for catalyst materials used in the production of present and future fuels and chemicals because fundamental problems in catalysis and sustainability require a multi-scale science approach.
