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
And 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
Structure Sensitivity in Steam and Dry Methane Reforming over Nickel: Activity and Carbon Formation Journal Article
In: ACS Catalysis, 10 (2), pp. 1428-1438, 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, 21 (7), pp. 625-632, 2020, (cited By 1).
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 CH4 from CO2 and Renewably Produced H2 over Supported Ni Catalysts Journal Article
In: ChemCatChem, 12 (10), pp. 2792-2800, 2020, (cited By 7).
In Situ Shell-Isolated Nanoparticle-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy of Nickel-Catalyzed Hydrogenation Reactions Journal Article
In: ChemPhysChem, 21 (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, 10 (2), pp. 1428-1438, 2020, (cited By 15).
Understanding carbon dioxide activation and carbon–carbon coupling over nickel Journal Article
In: Nature Communications, 10 (1), 2019, (cited By 0).
Understanding carbon dioxide activation and carbon–carbon coupling over nickel Journal Article
In: Nature Communications, 10 (1), 2019, (cited By 0).
The renaissance of the Sabatier reaction and its applications on Earth and in space Journal Article
In: Nature Catalysis, 2 (3), pp. 188-197, 2019, (cited By 12).
Understanding carbon dioxide activation and carbon–carbon coupling over nickel Journal Article
In: Nature Communications, 10 (1), 2019, (cited By 20).
The renaissance of the Sabatier reaction and its applications on Earth and in space Journal Article
In: Nature Catalysis, 2 (3), pp. 188-197, 2019, (cited By 82).