Team members
prof. dr. ir. Bert Weckhuysen
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht University+31 30 253 4328
B.M.Weckhuysen@uu.nl
The central research theme of the Weckhuysen group is the development of structure-activity relationships and expert systems in the field of heterogeneous catalysis and materials science with special emphasis on the development and use of advanced in situ characterization techniques.
Full, associate and assistant professors
dr. Eline Hutter
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityRoom - Vening Meinesz-C
E.M.Hutter@uu.nl
Eline Hutter uses advanced spectroscopic and structural characterization to investigate the relationship between the optoelectronic and structural properties of semiconductor materials (a.o. perovskites) and their activity and selectivity as photocatalysts. >
dr. Florian Meirer
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityRoom - David de Wied 4.86
F.Meirer@uu.nl
My research focuses on developing and applying spectro-microscopic techniques to obtain insights about nanoscale processes, which is critical towards understanding how advanced functional materials operate. Ideally, the analysis is carried >
dr. Freddy Rabouw
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityRoom - Leonard S. Ornstein Laboratorium 0.21
F.T.Rabouw@uu.nl
Freddy Rabouw develops advanced optical microscopy and spectroscopy methods on the single-molecule level to study individual reaction events with high spatial and temporal resolution simultaneously. The current focus is on >
dr. Ward van der Stam
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityRoom - David de Wied 4.88
W.vanderStam@uu.nl
The electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 into hydrocarbon fuels, like methane or ethylene, is regarded as one of the best methods to address one of the main current environmental issues: reducing the CO2 footprint >
prof. dr. Eelco Vogt
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityRoom - David de Wied 2.78
E.T.C.Vogt@uu.nl
I am interested in the fundamental understanding of large refinery processes at molecular level, using spectroscopy, microscopy and theoretical modeling. We will need this fundamental knowledge to develop new and >
Postdoctoral fellows
dr. Hongyu An
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityH.An@uu.nl
During his postdoctoral reserach, Hongyu will focus on enhanced Raman spectroscopy, mainly SERS and SHINERS, for heterogeneous catalysis.
dr. Yadolah Ganjkhanlou
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityY.Ganjkhanlou@uu.nl
Knowledge about the active sites of a heterogeneous catalyst and their accessibility is crucial for understanding the catalytic performance of specific material. In this project, we will try to couple >
dr. Nina Genz
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityN.S.Genz@uu.nl
During her postdoctoral research, Nina will focus on CO2 hydrogenation. Here, she will explore the influence of varying structural properties on the catalytic performance of Ni/SiO2 catalysts. For gaining insight >
dr. Thomas Hartman
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityT.Hartman@uu.nl
In this work, plasmonic nanostructures are implemented to make Raman spectroscopy into a surface-sensitive technique for the study of adsorbates on a catalyst surface. In particular, Au and Ag nanoparticles >
dr. Matteo Monai
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityM.Monai@uu.nl
My research focuses on strategies to tune the properties of nickel, a cost-effective alternative to the generally more active noble metals, to develop more efficient catalysts for hydrogenation and dehydrogenation >
dr. Dmitrii Osadchii
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityD.Osadchii@uu.nl
In my research I am focusing on the development of a photocatalyst for degradation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) under visible light. Metal halide perovskites (MHPs) demonstrate favorable optoelectronic characteristics >
dr. Luke Parker
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityL.A.Parker@uu.nl
My research focusses on the acid-catalysed hydrolysis of fluorescent ester molecules in the complex pore structures of structured catalysts. These structured catalysts consist of micropatterned zeolite films with mesoporous metal >
dr. Katarina Stanciakova
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityK.Stanciakova@uu.nl
My research focuses on computational modelling of porous materials such as zeolites or metal organic frameworks with the aim to contribute to bottom-up development of new functional materials. The first >
dr. Ina Vollmer
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityI.Vollmer@uu.nl
She wants to tackle the problem of plastic waste by developing better spectroscopic and microscopic methods to analyze various plastic samples and by developing chemical recycling pathways. The second part >
dr. Longfei Wu
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityL.Wu@uu.nl
Longfei will work together with dr. Ward van der Stam and prof. dr. ir. Bert Weckhuysen on the application of X-ray based techniques (diffraction, scattering and absorption) for in-situ characterization >
dr. Yaqi Wu
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityY.Wu1@uu.nl
My research focuses on designing and developing materials for gas adsorption and separation based on in situ adsorption study, spectroscopic and microscopic tools. Materials, including metal-organic frameworks and zeolites, are >
PhD candidates
Koen Bossers
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityK.W.bossers@uu.nl
The aim of this research is to use advanced chemical imaging methods such as scanning transmission x-ray microscopy (STXM) and transmission x-ray microscopy (TXM) combined with other advanced microscopy techniques >
Guusje Delen
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityG.Delen@uu.nl
The goal of my research is to obtain new fundamental insights into the formation principles and catalytic functioning of crystalline porous materials, namely metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). To achieve this, we >
Joren Dorresteijn
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityJ.M.Dorresteijn@uu.nl
His project is a collaboration with Total entitled ‘Synthesis, characterization & fragmentation behavior of porous metallocene supports for the production of impact copolymers of polypropylene.’
Albaraa Falodah
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityA.S.M.Falodah@uu.nl
Better olefin polymerization catalysts are needed in our quest for polymers with superior properties and better recyclability. Metallocene catalysts hold great promises that are yet to be fulfilled. A major >
Yannick Geertzema
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityY.G.Geertzema@uu.nl
Imines are important precursors for the production of amines, chemical buildings blocks used in plastics, pharmaceuticals and agriculture. Although the hydrogenation reaction from imines to primary amines is straightforward, the >
Mirjam de Graaf
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityM.E.deGraaf1@uu.nl
Mirjam de Graaf is PhD student under the supervision of Prof. Weckhuysen and Dr. Eline Hutter. Her research focuses on developing a coating for the removal of harmful and/or odorous >
Daan Groefsema
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityD.W.Groefsema@uu.nl
The focus of Daan's project is the (further) development of Luminescence Thermometry and shell-isolated nanoparticle enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SHINERS), ultimately leading to a widely applicable analytical toolset for operando spectroscopy >
Sebastian Haben
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityS.Haben@uu.nl
Through the utilization and development of various spectroscopic techniques, I aim to investigate the methane dehydro-aromatization (MDA) reaction using metal-modified zeolites as solid catalysts. This project is part of the ARC >
Iris ten Have
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityI.C.tenHave@uu.nl
Due to depletion of fossil fuel reserves, there is an increasing interest in production technologies that offer an alternative. The synthesis of synthetic fuels from syngas (CO/H2 mixtures), also known >
Stijn Hinterding
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityS.O.M.Hinterding@uu.nl
Heterogeneities in activity among or even within catalytic particles are common but poorly understood. To eliminate variations in activity and thus optimize the catalyst activity, tools are necessary to characterize >
Christia Jabbour
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityC.Jabbour@uu.nl
Her project will be focused on using recently acquired photoinduced force microscopy (PiFM) to chemically image metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). In the first phase, focus will be directed towards the synthesis >
Thimo Jacobs
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityT.S.Jacobs@uu.nl
One of the largest CO2 emitting industries is the metallurgical industry, including steel producers. Tata Steel recently developed a new process, called HIsarna, in which the CO2 emissions are reduced >
Michael Jenks
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityM.J.F.Jenks@uu.nl
My PhD project is going to focus on developing approaches that are able to tackle the challenges plastic waste represents for a circular economy. Since 2014, up to 30 % >
Huygen Jöbsis
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityH.J.Jobsis@uu.nl
Metal halide perovskite (MHP) semiconductors, such as methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3), have recently received tremendous attention in materials science, as these have yielded high efficiency solar cells, X-ray detectors and >
Maarten Jongkind
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityM.K.Jongkind@uu.nl
The Cr/SiO2 Phillips ethylene polymerization catalyst system is responsible for over 40% of all High-Density Polyethylene Production worldwide. Despite this system being used for over 60 years, there still is >
Khaled Khalili
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityK.N.M.Khalili@uu.nl
My project aims to develop and validate an integrated in-situ multi-spectroscopic approach (Raman, ATR-IR, UV-VIS) for characterization of lignin starting samples, monitoring lignin depolymerization and valorization processes at high temperatures >
Joris Koek
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityJ.G.Koek@uu.nl
Raman spectroscopy is a powerful method for solid catalyst characterization under operando conditions. In recent years Shell isolated Raman spectroscopy (SHINERS) has attracted interest as it improves on SERS by >
Jelle Kranenborg
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityJ.Kranenborg@uu.nl
It was recently estimated that about 99% of the plastic in the ocean remains undetected [1]. Much of this missing plastic is hypothesized to be the result of plastic degradation >
Laurens Mandemaker
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityL.D.B.Mandemaker@uu.nl
In this project, we will focus on the physico-chemical processes of crystalline catalytic solids, like Metal-organic Frameworks and zeolites. Using advanced in-situ Scanning Probe Microscopy techniques, like liquid-phase Atomic Force >
Mark Mangnus
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityM.J.J.Mangnus@uu.nl
Most common catalyst particles are host to a complex network of pores and a substantial fraction of their actives sites may be embedded deep within. It is not always straightforward >
Erik Maris
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityJ.J.E.Maris@uu.nl
Rational catalyst design is the holy grail of modern catalysis, which requires a thorough understanding of structure-performance relationships. Micro- and spectroscopy plays a pivotal role in the study of these >
Rafael Mayorga González
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityR.MayorgaGonzalez@uu.nl
The efficiencies of heterogeneous catalysts could be dramatically improved by rational design. One of the prerequisites for this is a better understanding of the diffusion processes in hierarchical porous structures. >
Angela Melcherts
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityA.E.M.Melcherts@uu.nl
Angela will focus on understanding the thermocatalytic conversion of CO2 into valuable base chemicals. She will investigate the structure-performance relationships of various supported metal catalysts as well as the influence >
Nikolaos Nikolopoulos
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityN.Nikolopoulos@uu.nl
SOCRATES EU MSCA-ETN develops game-changing technology combinations: 1) to extract metals from distinct industrial-process residues, 2) to recover the metals from the extraction process, 3) to valorise the residual matrix >
Ilse van Ravenhorst
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityI.K.vanRavenhorst@uu.nl
Study Co-based Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis (FTS) catalysts by synchrotron-based microscopy and spectroscopy techniques to unravel the activation and deactivation mechanisms. In situ/operando Scanning Transmission X-ray Microscopy (STXM) is used for the >
Romy Riemersma
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityR.L.Riemersma@uu.nl
In this project the genesis of nanobubbles at the surface of thin-film zeolites and MOFs will be studied. This will be done using scanning probe microscopy techniques, such as liquid-phase >
Jim de Ruiter
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityJ.deRuiter@uu.nl
Carbon dioxide (CO2) could be a promising carbon source for the production of chemical building blocks. As big chemical processes release significant amounts of CO2 in the atmosphere, it would >
Kordula Schnabl
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityK.B.Schnabl@uu.nl
Kordula will work on the controlled catalytic breakdown of humin and chitin to waterborne building blocks for coatings, including spatially-resolved spectroscopy of film formation and drying processes.
Joëlle Siewe
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityJ.Siewe@uu.nl
The shift away from combustion-only car engines to hybrid cars results in much lower temperatures of the exhaust gasses, for which existing Platinum Group Metal (PGM) exhaust catalysts, such as >
Stanislav Simko
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityS.Simko@uu.nl
In our work, we develop adaptive QM/MM techniques that allow diffusion of molecules between the QM and MM region. This computational method will be especially useful for studying processes with >
Ellen Sterk
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityE.B.Sterk@uu.nl
During my research I will focus on support, alloying and promoter effects and active sites in CO2 hydrogenation in order to spatially resolve the activity of CO2 hydrogenation over supported >
Bas Terlingen
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityB.J.P.Terlingen@uu.nl
For AkzoNobel, the project concerns the re-use of the by-product hydrochloric acid to generate valuable compounds, thereby aiming to close the raw material loop, to reduce the carbon footprint and >
Roozbeh Valadian
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityR.Valadian@uu.nl
Main task of the project will be the application of non-destructive X-ray based high-resolution spectro-microscopic imaging methods and development of related data processing tools, with the aim to establish simple diffusion >
Caroline Versluis
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityW.C.Versluis@uu.nl
The overall aim of this research project is the development of a powerful camera to determine the complex pore space of single FCC catalyst particles. By making molecular movies of >
Sophie van Vreeswijk
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityS.H.vanVreeswijk@uu.nl
In this research project, several non-commodity zeolite framework structures are investigated as examples of small molecule activation processes. To gather detailed physicochemical insights of these materials, a wide variety of >
Maximilian Werny
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityM.J.Werny@uu.nl
In this research project, silica-supported Ziegler-Natta and metallocene-based polymerization catalysts are studied in the early stages of active sites genesis and polymer formation. In order to do so, a multi-scale >
Shuang Yang
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityS.Yang1@uu.nl
My research is focusing on waste-derived nanomaterials for electrocatalytic CO2 reduction. Electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 (ERCO2), powered by renewable electricity, is a promising strategy to convert CO2 emission to fuels >
Xinwei Ye
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityX.Ye1@uu.nl
Copper exchanged zeolites are efficient catalysts for catalytic reaction like SCR (selective catalytic reaction) and selective oxidation of methanol. Different copper exchanged zeolites are synthesized and the structure-reactivity relationship is >
Xiang Yu
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityX.Yu@uu.nl
The goals of my research are to establish high performing single-atom catalyst systems for the selective conversion of methane, and to obtain the fundamental insights into the catalytic mechanism and >
Florian Zand
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityF.Zand@uu.nl
In his project, Florian will focus on the characterization of bimetallic catalysts, including their size, structure and composition during synthesis and CO2 hydrogenation.
Silvia Zanoni
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityS.Zanoni@uu.nl
This project aims to a thorough investigation of the support role in the polymerization reaction catalyzed by metallocenes, in order to understand the mechanism behind the significant boost in activity >
Visiting scholars
Gianluca Moroni
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityG.Moroni@uu.nl
Gianluca Moroni is a visiting PhD from the Laboratory of Catalysis and Catalytic Processes (LCCP) of Politecnico di Milano. The aim of his thesis is the systematic investigation of the >
Xian Wu
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityX.Wu3@uu.nl
The research project of Xian focuses on detailed spectroscopic investigations into the working principles of nano-iron-based Fischer-Tropsch catalysts while they work (i.e. reaction mechanism and carbon deposition process) using in-situ >
Technical Staff
Joris Janssens
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityJ.C.L.Janssens@uu.nl
Joris Janssens works as the electrocatalysis technician in the Weckhuysen group, assisting in the electrocatalytic conversion of CO2. He will (help to) design and construct electrochemical cells that can be >
Jules van Leusden
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityJ.F.vanLeusden@uu.nl
dr. Jochem Wijten
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityJ.H.J.Wijten@uu.nl
Support Staff
Daan van Arcken
Netherlands Center for Multiscale Catalytic Energy ConversionD.R.vanArcken@uu.nl
Daan van Arcken works as Communications Assistant at the Netherlands Research Center for Multiscale Catalytic Energy Conversion (MCEC).
Hannie van Berlo-van den Broek
Advanced Research Center-Chemical Building Blocks ConsortiumJ.M.vanBerlo-vandenBroek@uu.nl
Hannie van Berlo-van den Broek is research technician at the Advanced Research Center Chemical Building Blocks Consortium.
Tess van Eeden
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht UniversityT.C.vanEeden@uu.nl
Tess van Eeden works as a research and education assistant in the Weckhuysen group. She supports various educational tasks, e.g. editing a study book written by Bert Weckhuysen which will >
Sabine Frediani
Netherlands Center for Multiscale Catalytic Energy ConversionS.P.R.Frediani@uu.nl
Sabine Frediani works as a Team Assistant at the Netherlands Research Center for Multiscale Catalytic Energy Conversion (MCEC).
Anne-Lot de Heus
Advanced Research Center-Chemical Building Blocks ConsortiumA.R.deHeus@arc-cbbc.nl
Anne-Lot de Heus works as a communications officer at ARC CBBC.
dr. Maurice Mourad
Advanced Research Center-Chemical Building Blocks ConsortiumM.C.D.Mourad@uu.nl
Maurice Mourad is program coordinator and business developer for ARC CBBC.
dr. Anne-Eva Nieuwelink
Netherlands Center for Multiscale Catalytic Energy ConversionA.Nieuwelink@uu.nl
Anne-Eva Nieuwelink is the coordinator of the Netherlands Center for Multiscale Catalytic Energy Conversion (MCEC) program. Additionally, she works on single catalyst particle diagnostics, using microfluidics: due to the inter-particle >
dr. Martina Rádli
Research Support Office - Utrecht University+31 30 253 8044
M.Radli@uu.nl
As Research Support Officer, I assist the members of the Weckhuysen group in identifying potential funding for their research, provide advice on national and international grant opportunities and support researchers in writing grant applications. I also help >
dr. Ramon Oord
Advanced Research Center-Chemical Building Blocks Consortium+31 6 39 015 426
R.Oord@uu.nl
Ramon Oord works as Research and Education Assistant at ARC CBBC.
Dymph Serrée
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht University+31 30 253 7400
D.J.M.Serree@uu.nl
Dymph Serrée is secretary of the Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis group, including the group of Prof. Bert Weckhuysen.
Brenda Wijnen
Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis - Utrecht University+31 (0)30 253 7343
PA.Prof.Weckhuysen@uu.nl
Brenda Wijnen is Personal Assistant to Prof. Bert Weckhuysen.