Research
Research
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles are convenient to use but contribute to plastic pollution, causing a worldwide environmental problem. The separation of colorants and additives is a major challenge in the PET recycling process. This research will focus on the separation of inorganic colorants, organic colorants and additives from PET, thereby aiming for high efficiency, sustainability and feasibility. Dissolution-precipitation is the most promising method, but requires higher recovery yields, cheaper and more renewable solvents. Thus, a systemic search for more sustainable solvent/anti-solvent combinations will be performed. In addition, the quantity and quality of the recovered colorants and additives will be determined using analytical methods such as Raman spectroscopy and UV-Vis-NIR diffuse reflectance spectroscopy.
CV
CV
2025-present:
PhD candidate at the Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis group, Utrecht University
Project: Towards Circular Use of Pigments in the Recycling of Plastics, supervised by prof. dr. ir. Bert M. Weckhuysen
2023-2025:
Master’s degree in Nanomaterials Science, Utrecht University
Master thesis at the Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis group: ‘Understanding the Fundamentals of the Hydrothermal Conversion of Polyolefins’, supervised by Jochem van de Minkelis, MSc and dr. Ina Vollmer
Master internship at Avantium, Amsterdam: ‘The Synthesis of Propylene Glycol Based Polyesters’, supervised by Marian Blom, MSc
2020-2023:
Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Utrecht University
Bachelor thesis at the Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis group: ‘Operando Regeneration of Methane Dehydroaromatization Catalysts’, supervised by Joyce Kromwijk, MSc and dr. Matteo Monai