Bram Kappé
Bram’s project is part of ARC CBBC, and in collaboration with BASF Bram will investigate structure sensitivity in nickel catalyzed (de)hydrogenation reactions, such as CO2 methanation. To study structure sensitivity, Bram will synthesize nickel nanoparticles of several sizes and shapes to selectively expose different surfaces. Additionally, Bram will study the effect of addition of promoters to fine-tune the electronic properties of the nanoparticles. The synthesized nanoparticles will then be supported on high surface area supports and the catalysts will be tested in, for example, CO2 hydrogenation, as a model structure sensitive reaction. The effect of nanoparticle shape and promoters will be studied by operando techniques such as infrared and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. This study is expected to give new fundamental insights in structure sensitivity which will guide rational design to improve catalysts for(de)hydrogenation reactions.