Projects
Plasmon-enhanced CO2 electroreduction based on metal oxide inverse opal supports decorated with bimetallic nanoparticles KU Leuven
This project uses an original approach for electrocatalytic CO2 reduction (eCO2RR). The catalysts are made using the physical method of cluster beam deposition onto a metal oxide inverse opal supports. Exploiting the exceptional size and composition control of cluster sources may enable the identification of novel high-performance eCO2RR by means of a combination of structural, spectroscopic, and reactivity experiments. The applicability of ...
Catalytic and solid state NMR spectroscopic study of bimetallic catalysts: synergisms between Lewis acid and transition metal sites in carbonylation and transfer hydrocyanation reactions KU Leuven
Catalytic coupling of two small molecules may proceed much faster if each molecule is activated on a discrete metal centre. Especially combinations of transition metals (TM) and Lewis acids (LA) can generate a special synergy in heterogeneous catalysis. In carbonylation of alcohols (or epoxides), CO and the alcohol (epoxide) are activated resp. by TM and LA sites; in transfer hydrocyanations, the slow steps are accelerated by binding of ...
Insight into the selectivity of electrocatalysts for CO2 reduction via bimetallic copper-based cluster platforms KU Leuven
This PhD project is part of European Training Network-Catchy (https://www.catchy-etn.eu/) and is aimed at the fabrication of cluster electrocatalysts for conversion of carbon dioxide into valuable products and fuels. During my PhD, I will focus under the supervision of Prof. Peter Lievens and Dr. Didier Grandjean on deposition of (bi)metallic clusters using Magnetron Sputtering and Laser Aablation techniques. This activity includes ...
Zirconium(IV)/Cerium(IV) bimetallic metal organic frameworks as novel redox active artificial proteases: a systematic study of molecular interactions and catalytic properties KU Leuven
Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are a fascinating new class of porous material with applications ranging from gas storage for hydrogen power, absorptive materials for kidney dialysis, to novel catalysts for protein cleavage (hydrolysis). They are formed of metaloxygen clusters joined by carbon-based linkers to form highly structured crystals with well-defined pores. By varying the metal and linker species, an infinite range of MOFs can be ...
Lignin valorization into innovative hydroxylated aromatics through a one-pot catalytic process using supported bimetallic nanoparticles boosted by the development of 2D liquid chromatography Ghent University
This project aims to valorise lignin, a renewable biopolymer from woody plants, by producing reactive bio-aromatic monomers and oligomers with a high functionality through a one-pot simultaneous reductive depolymerisation and demethylation using supported bimetallic nanoparticles. Additionally, a novel method for two dimensional liquid chromatography will be developed and the effect of genetic modification of the lignin feed will be ...
Quantitative in-situ structural, morphological and compositional characterization of bimetallic nanoparticles as a route towards innovative electrocatalysts. University of Antwerp
Ordered bimetallic plasmonic nanostructures for photocatalytic soot degradation. University of Antwerp
Tailored design of nanostructured bimetallic Pt-catalysts for (de)hydrogenation reactions Ghent University
Heterogeneous bimetallic Pt-based catalysts offer properties not found in monometallic Pt catalysts.
To develop improved Pt-based catalysts for (de)hydrogenation reactions, a strategy for controlled design of stable bimetallic nanocatalysts is proposed by means of atomic layer deposition (ALD). Optimization will be based on the variation of catalyst phase, shape and promoter element, and on managing deactivation by applying a protective ...