Research
Research
Breaking Scaling Relationships in Catalysis for Waste Stream Valorization
My research focuses on structure-activity relationships in nanostructured heterogeneous catalysts for small molecules activation (e.g. CO2 hydrogenation, dry methane reforming) and biomass conversion. My aim is to obtain fundamental insights into selective and efficient bond activation (e.g. C-H vs C-O or C-S) by pushing the boundaries of rational catalysts design to break scaling relationships, and by further developing the operando spectroscopy capabilities of the ICC group. I plan to achieve this by three, independent but combinable approaches:
- Engineering of metal-support interfaces by advanced synthesis methods
- Going beyond metal catalysts, by the synthesis of metal nitride and carbide phases
- Employing external stimuli such as stress and light to fine-tune the surface properties and steer catalysis towards desired products.
CO2 hydrogenation and dry methane reforming will be used as proof-of-concept reactions to validate my approaches for waste stream valorization.
C.V.
C.V.
2021-present
ARC-CBBC Tenure Track Assistant Professor in the Inorganic Chemistry & Catalysis Group at Utrecht University, The Netherlands.
2019-2021
Postdoctoral research fellow in the group of Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis at Utrecht University, the Netherlands.
Under the supervision of Prof. B.M. Weckhuysen
2017-2019
ARC-CBBC Postdoctoral research fellow in the group of Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis at Utrecht University, the Netherlands.
Under the supervision of Prof. B.M. Weckhuysen
2015-2016
Visiting student at the University of Pennsylvania, in the groups of Prof. R.J. Gorte and C.B. Murray.
2014-2017
PhD in Chemistry at the University of Trieste,
Under the supervision of Prof. P. Fornasiero. Thesis title: “Nanostructured Materials for Environmental and Energy-related Applications”
2011-2013
Master of Science in Chemistry, University of Trieste.
2008-2011
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, University of Trieste.
1989
Born on the 10th of July in Cividale del Friuli, Italy.
Awards and Scientific Honors
Awards and Scientific Honors
Awards
Robert Karl Grasselli Award (2020), presented to Italian researchers under the age of 37 who have made exceptional contribution to gas phase catalysis.
Eni Young Researcher of the Year Award (2019), annually awarded to 2 Ph.D. research theses, defended in Italian Universities, addressing the topics of action against pollution and climate warming, rehabilitation and reuse of industrial sites and energy storage, production, and efficiency.
Adolfo Parmaliana Award (2017) and Doctoral Thesis Award “EUT Edizioni Università di Trieste” (2017).
Grants and Fellowships
VENI Grant (2020), project title: “Robust nickel catalysts for cleaner hydrogen production”. CERIC Grant, distributed research facility program (2015). INPS PhD Scholarship (2014). CNR Research Grant (2013).
News
ICC runs the singelloop
“Mens sana in corpore sano” – a healthy mind in a healthy body In order to do great research, we also need to look after our (mental) health. Last sunday […]
Read moreNew Joint Research Center UU/ECUST
Utrecht University and East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST, Shanghai, China) have established a Joint Research Center (JRC) for Sustainable and Circular Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. The JRC […]
Read moreAnd then there was light: the sun powers new chemistry
In an article that appeared in de Telegraaf today, ICC researchers Eline Hutter, Matteo Monai, and Bert Weckhuysen are interviewed about the conversion of CO2 to methane using sunlight. Although […]
Read moreMatteo Monai wins the ‘RK Grasselli 2020’ Award
This yearly award (at its first edition) is presented to Italian researchers under the age of 37 who have made exceptional contribution to gas phase catalysis. The award consists of […]
Read moreMatteo Monai wins the Eni Young Researcher of the Year award
The Young Researcher of the Year award is presented every year to two researchers under the age of 30 who have received a research doctorate in an Italian university. It […]
Read morePublications
X-ray standing wave characterization of the strong metal–support interaction in Co/TiOx model catalysts Journal Article
In: Journal of Applied Crystallography, vol. 57, no. Pt 2, pp. 481 – 491, 2024, (Cited by: 0; All Open Access, Hybrid Gold Open Access).
Metal-support interactions in metal oxide-supported atomic, cluster, and nanoparticle catalysis Journal Article
In: Chemical Society Reviews, 2024, (Cited by: 0; All Open Access, Hybrid Gold Open Access).
An Integrated Carbon Dioxide Capture and Methanation Process Journal Article
In: CCS Chemistry, vol. 6, no. 5, pp. 1174 – 1183, 2024, (Cited by: 2).
Anchoring PdOx clusters on defective alumina for improved catalytic methane oxidation Journal Article
In: Nature Communications, vol. 15, no. 1, 2024, (Cited by: 1; All Open Access, Gold Open Access).
Exploring the 3D printing of molybdenum carbide-based catalysts for the reverse water gas shift reaction: A multi scale study Journal Article
In: Chemical Engineering Journal, vol. 482, 2024, (Cited by: 4; All Open Access, Green Open Access).
Surface Carbon Formation and its Impact on Methane Dry Reforming Kinetics on Rhodium-Based Catalysts by Operando Raman Spectroscopy Journal Article
In: Angewandte Chemie - International Edition, 2024, (Cited by: 2).
Mapping Temperature Heterogeneities during Catalytic CO2 Methanation with Operando Luminescence Thermometry Journal Article
In: ACS Nano, vol. 17, no. 20, pp. 20053 – 20061, 2023, (Cited by: 0; All Open Access, Green Open Access, Hybrid Gold Open Access).
Europium-Magnesium-Aluminum-Based Mixed-Metal Oxides as Highly Active Methane Oxychlorination Catalysts Journal Article
In: ACS Catalysis, vol. 13, no. 8, pp. 5147 – 5158, 2023, (Cited by: 0; All Open Access, Green Open Access, Hybrid Gold Open Access).
The Role of Water in Carbon Dioxide Adsorption in Porphyrinic Metal-Organic Frameworks Journal Article
In: ChemCatChem, vol. 15, no. 19, 2023, (Cited by: 1; All Open Access, Hybrid Gold Open Access).
Enhanced Long-Term Stability of a Photosensitizer with a Hydroxamic Acid Anchor in Dye-Sensitized Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation Journal Article
In: European Journal of Organic Chemistry, vol. 26, no. 45, 2023, (Cited by: 0; All Open Access, Hybrid Gold Open Access).
Elucidating the Structure and Composition of Individual Bimetallic Nanoparticles in Supported Catalysts by Atom Probe Tomography Journal Article
In: Journal of the American Chemical Society, vol. 145, no. 31, pp. 17299 – 17308, 2023, (Cited by: 1; All Open Access, Green Open Access, Hybrid Gold Open Access).
Stabilizing Pd-cerium oxide-aluminum oxide catalysts for methane oxidation by reduction pretreatments Journal Article
In: Catalysis Science and Technology, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 153 – 163, 2023, (Cited by: 0; All Open Access, Hybrid Gold Open Access).
Restructuring of titanium oxide overlayers over nickel nanoparticles during catalysis Journal Article
In: Science, vol. 380, no. 6645, pp. 644 – 651, 2023, (Cited by: 27).
In: Chemical Society Reviews, vol. 52, no. 3, pp. 1155, 2023, (Cited by: 0; All Open Access, Hybrid Gold Open Access).
Structure sensitivity in gas sorption and conversion on metal-organic frameworks Journal Article
In: Nature Communications, vol. 14, no. 1, 2023, (Cited by: 6; All Open Access, Gold Open Access, Green Open Access).
Nano-scale insights regarding coke formation in zeolite SSZ-13 subject to the methanol-to-hydrocarbons reaction Journal Article
In: Catalysis Science and Technology, vol. 12, no. 4, pp. 1220 – 1228, 2022, (Cited by: 10; All Open Access, Green Open Access, Hybrid Gold Open Access).
Uncovering the reaction mechanism behind CoO as active phase for CO2 hydrogenation Journal Article
In: Nature Communications, vol. 13, no. 1, 2022, (Cited by: 60; All Open Access, Gold Open Access, Green Open Access).
Detecting Cage Crossing and Filling Clusters of Magnesium and Carbon Atoms in Zeolite SSZ-13 with Atom Probe Tomography Journal Article
In: JACS Au, vol. 2, no. 11, pp. 2501 – 2513, 2022, (Cited by: 4; All Open Access, Gold Open Access, Green Open Access).
A Study of How LaFeO3and CaTiO3Supports Affect the Oxidation, Hydrogenation, and Methane Steam Reforming Activity of Pt and Ni Catalysts Journal Article
In: Journal of Physical Chemistry C, vol. 126, no. 28, pp. 11619 – 11628, 2022, (Cited by: 7).
Structure Sensitivity of CO2Conversion over Nickel Metal Nanoparticles Explained by Micro-Kinetics Simulations Journal Article
In: JACS Au, vol. 2, no. 12, pp. 2714 – 2730, 2022, (Cited by: 21; All Open Access, Gold Open Access, Green Open Access).
New insights into the NH3-selective catalytic reduction of NO over Cu-ZSM-5 as revealed by operando spectroscopy Journal Article
In: Catalysis Science and Technology, 2022, (Cited by: 9; All Open Access, Green Open Access, Hybrid Gold Open Access).
Catalyst-support interactions in heterogeneous catalysis: From fundamental concepts to applications Journal Article
In: Catalysis Today, 2021, (cited By 0).
Calcination temperature effects on Pd/alumina catalysts: Particle size, surface species and activity in methane combustion Journal Article
In: Catalysis Today, 2021, (cited By 0).
Propane to olefins tandem catalysis: A selective route towards light olefins production Journal Article
In: Chemical Society Reviews, vol. 50, no. 20, pp. 11503 – 11529, 2021, (Cited by: 95; All Open Access, Green Open Access, Hybrid Gold Open Access).
In situ Nanoscale Infrared Spectroscopy of Water Adsorption on Nanoislands of Surface-Anchored Metal-Organic Frameworks Journal Article
In: Angewandte Chemie - International Edition, vol. 60, no. 3, pp. 1620 – 1624, 2021, (Cited by: 22; All Open Access, Green Open Access).
In Situ X-ray Raman Scattering Spectroscopy of the Formation of Cobalt Carbides in a Co/TiO2 Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis Catalyst Journal Article
In: ACS Catalysis, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 809 – 819, 2021, (Cited by: 22; All Open Access, Green Open Access).
Catalyst-support interactions in heterogeneous catalysis: From fundamental concepts to applications Journal Article
In: Catalysis Today, vol. 382, pp. 1 – 2, 2021, (Cited by: 3).
Dynamic restructuring of supported metal nanoparticles and its implications for structure insensitive catalysis Journal Article
In: Nature Communications, vol. 12, no. 1, 2021, (Cited by: 32; All Open Access, Gold Open Access, Green Open Access).
Calcination temperature effects on Pd/alumina catalysts: Particle size, surface species and activity in methane combustion Journal Article
In: Catalysis Today, vol. 382, pp. 120 – 129, 2021, (Cited by: 18; All Open Access, Green Open Access, Hybrid Gold Open Access).
Alkali Promotion in the Formation of CH<inf>4</inf> from CO<inf>2</inf> and Renewably Produced H<inf>2</inf> over Supported Ni Catalysts Journal Article
In: ChemCatChem, 2020, (cited By 0).
Alkali Promotion in the Formation of CH<inf>4</inf> from CO<inf>2</inf> and Renewably Produced H<inf>2</inf> over Supported Ni Catalysts Journal Article
In: ChemCatChem, 2020, (cited By 0).
In Situ Shell-Isolated Nanoparticle-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy of Nickel-Catalyzed Hydrogenation Reactions Journal Article
In: ChemPhysChem, vol. 21, no. 7, pp. 625-632, 2020, (cited By 4).
Structure Sensitivity in Steam and Dry Methane Reforming over Nickel: Activity and Carbon Formation Journal Article
In: ACS Catalysis, vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 1428-1438, 2020, (cited By 15).
Structure Sensitivity in Steam and Dry Methane Reforming over Nickel: Activity and Carbon Formation Journal Article
In: ACS Catalysis, vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 1428 – 1438, 2020, (Cited by: 103; All Open Access, Green Open Access, Hybrid Gold Open Access).
Alkali Promotion in the Formation of CH4 from CO2 and Renewably Produced H2 over Supported Ni Catalysts Journal Article
In: ChemCatChem, vol. 12, no. 10, pp. 2792 – 2800, 2020, (Cited by: 18; All Open Access, Green Open Access, Hybrid Gold Open Access).
In Situ Shell-Isolated Nanoparticle-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy of Nickel-Catalyzed Hydrogenation Reactions Journal Article
In: ChemPhysChem, vol. 21, no. 7, pp. 625 – 632, 2020, (Cited by: 17; All Open Access, Green Open Access, Hybrid Gold Open Access).
Understanding carbon dioxide activation and carbon–carbon coupling over nickel Journal Article
In: Nature Communications, vol. 10, no. 1, 2019, (cited By 0).
Understanding carbon dioxide activation and carbon–carbon coupling over nickel Journal Article
In: Nature Communications, vol. 10, no. 1, 2019, (cited By 0).
Understanding carbon dioxide activation and carbon–carbon coupling over nickel Journal Article
In: Nature Communications, vol. 10, no. 1, 2019, (cited By 20).
The renaissance of the Sabatier reaction and its applications on Earth and in space Journal Article
In: Nature Catalysis, vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 188-197, 2019, (cited By 82).
Understanding carbon dioxide activation and carbon–carbon coupling over nickel Journal Article
In: Nature Communications, vol. 10, no. 1, 2019, (Cited by: 111; All Open Access, Gold Open Access, Green Open Access).
Cerium oxide nanoparticles absorption through intact and damaged human skin Journal Article
In: Molecules, vol. 24, no. 20, 2019, (Cited by: 26; All Open Access, Gold Open Access, Green Open Access).
The renaissance of the Sabatier reaction and its applications on Earth and in space Journal Article
In: Nature Catalysis, vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 188 – 197, 2019, (Cited by: 342).
From metal to metal-free catalysts: Routes to sustainable chemistry Journal Article
In: Advances in Catalysis, vol. 63, pp. 1 – 73, 2018, (Cited by: 43).
Supported Mn3O4 Nanosystems for Hydrogen Production through Ethanol Photoreforming Journal Article
In: Langmuir, vol. 34, no. 15, pp. 4568 – 4574, 2018, (Cited by: 11; All Open Access, Green Open Access).
Catalytic Oxidation of Methane: Pd and Beyond Journal Article
In: European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, vol. 2018, no. 25, pp. 2884 – 2893, 2018, (Cited by: 100).