research
research
Multi-scale investigation of silica-supported ethylene polymerization catalysts during the early stages of the reaction
Promotor: Prof. Dr. ir. B. M. Weckhuysen, Co-Promotor: Dr. F. Meirer
Sponsor: Dutch Polymer Institute (DPI)
The goal of the project is to study Ziegler-Natta and metallocene-based polymerization catalysts in the early stages of the genesis of active sites and polymer formation. For this purpose, we make use of a multi-scale characterization approach under reaction conditions, which involves a range of spectroscopies and microscopies, employing light in a very large spectral range from hard X-rays to microwaves. By doing so we can obtain the properties of the catalyst material both at the atomic scale (molecular structure, composition and distribution of the active sites) and at the scale of the single polymerizing particle. The ultimate aim is to establish correlations between the macroscopic physical (e.g. mechanical strength, temperature gradients), macroscopic chemical (e.g. polymer composition, type, density) and nanoscopic chemical properties (e.g. oxidation state, coordination environment, ligand interaction) for the catalyst systems of interest. Within this research project, we also work together with the group of Professor Elena Groppo of the University of Torino (Italy).
C.V.
C.V.
Education
Since 2018
PhD, Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis group, Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science, Utrecht University, Netherlands
Project title: “Multi-scale investigation of silica-supported ethylene polymerization catalysts during the early stages of the reaction”
Supervisor(s): Prof. Dr. Bert M. Weckhuysen, Dr. Florian Meirer
Sponsor: Dutch Polymer Institute
2017 – 2018
Master thesis, Reactivity group, Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Fritz-Haber-Institute of the Max-Planck-Society, Berlin, Germany
Thesis title: “The relevance of phase transitions in terms of the catalytic properties of oxidation catalysts” (multi-method characterization of the Mn-Na2WO4/SiO2 system in the oxidative coupling of methane)
Supervisor(s): Dr. Annette Trunschke, Prof. Dr. Robert Schlögl
2017
National University of Singapore, Singapore (semester abroad)
2015 – 2018
M.Sc. Chemistry, Technische Universität München, Germany (major: inorganic chemistry, minor: catalysis)
2012 – 2015
B.Sc. Chemistry, Technische Universität München, Germany
Thesis title: “Rare Earth Metal-mediated Group Transfer Polymerization of Novel Diaminovinylphosphonates”, WACKER-Chair of Macromolecular Chemistry
Supervisor(s): Dr. Johannes Kainz, Prof. Dr. Bernhard Rieger
2012
Abitur, Tassilo-Gymnasium, Simbach am Inn, Germany
1994
Born on the 2nd of August in Hilden, Germany
Professional Experience
2016
Intern, BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany (synthesis laboratory – oxidation catalysts)
2016
Working student, Alantum Chemical Process Technologies, München, Germany (market/process research, business operations)
2014
Intern, BASF Construction Solutions GmbH, Trostberg, Germany (analytical laboratory)
2013
Working student, Vinnolit GmbH & Co. KG, Burgkirchen, Germany (operations/process control PVC laboratory)
2012
Working student, Wacker Chemie AG, Burghausen, Germany (production facilities – silicone rubber)