Jelle Kranenborg

Research

CO₂ hydrogenation on copper: structure sensitivity and support effects

Catalytic CO₂ hydrogenation to methanol is one of the most promising routes for CO₂ utilization [1]. This reaction is known to be structure sensitive. That is, for this reaction not all surface atoms of a catalytically active metal nanoparticle have the same activity [2]. However, the active phase of the reaction is still highly debated. In this project, we aim to get a deeper understanding about the workhorses behind this reaction: copper catalysts that facilitate the activation of CO₂ and H₂ and convert it into CH₃OH and H₂O.

By tuning electronic and geometric properties, we will be able to study structure sensitivity and support effects. This will be studied using operando techniques such as infrared spectroscopy. Part of this research will be done in the group of Dr. Maarten Nachtegaal, at the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland.

[1]       Vogt et al., Nat. Catal. 2019, 2, 188-197.
[2]       Van Santen, Acc. Chem. Res. 2009, 42, 57-66.

C.V.

2020 – present
PhD candidate in the group of prof. dr. ir. Bert Weckhuysen, Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis, Utrecht University.

2018 – 2020
Master Science and Business Management at Utrecht University.

Master thesis: “Structure sensitivity in steam and dry methane reforming over supported nickel catalysts”, supervised by dr. Charlotte Vogt, prof. dr. ir. Bert Weckhuysen and dr. Florian Meirer.

Business internship at Total Research & Technology Feluy, Belgium. Topic: Energy storage systems.

2014 – 2018
Bachelor Chemistry at Utrecht University.

1994
Born in Zwolle, the Netherlands.