Promotor: J.W.M. Frenken Co-Promotor: R. Felici

Promotor: J.W.M. Frenken Co-Promotores: I.M.N. Groot; L.B.F. Juurlink

In the search for sustainable energy solutions, the idea of artificial photosynthesis has been proposed as an approach with which to use water and sunlight to produce hydrogen.

Promotor: Prof.dr. M.T.M. Koper, Co-Promotor: F. Calle-Vallejo

The focus throughout this thesis will be on gathering fundamental studies of the detailed structure and composition of the electrode/electrolyte interface effect on the rate and mechanism of key electrocatalytic reactions.

Marc Koper heeft de Netherlands Catalysis and Chemistry Award ontvangen tijdens de 20e bijeenkomst van de Netherlands' Catalysis and Chemistry Conference. ‘De ultieme kandidaat voor deze prijs’, zo valt te lezen in een van de aanbevelingsbrieven.

The dissertation describes TEM experiments on heterogeneous catalysts.

In most applications, electrocatalysts exhibit a large surface area to volume ratio, for example using nanoparticles.

Hydrocarbonylation of alkenes with carboxylic acids in synthesis of carboxylic acid anhydrides is relatively less explored. We herein present a study and optimization of a palladium-catalyzed hydrocarbonylation reaction of alkenes using carboxylic acids as the nucleophile, by which acid anhydrides can…

Promotor: M.T.M. Koper, Co-Promotor: L.B.F. Juurlink

This thesis focuses on the synthesis, characterization and performance towards CO2 electroreduction of mono and bi-metallic particles based on p-block metals

In this dissertation iron-based homogeneous catalysts were synthesized, characterized and investigated for water oxidation activity.

Organic molecules in interstellar space are important as they influence the structure of galaxies and star formations. Studying catalytic processes in space allows us to understand how molecular species are formed and chemically evolved in the interstellar medium and solar system objects.

Promotor: M.T.M. Koper, Co-promotor: J.B.F. Juurlink

Promotors: Prof.dr. E. Bouwman, Prof.dr. E. Drent

Promotor: Huub J.M. de Groot, Co-promotor: Francesco Buda

Before the large scale use of renewable energy sources can be implemented in our society, the storage of electrical energy needs to be tackled. Storage the energy as hydrogen via the reduction of protons is a good option.

Heterogeneous catalysis is essential to many industrial applications. These catalysts are often comprised of supported nanoparticles, which contain various different surface sites.

Despite the history of studies on methanol formation from CO2, the dominant elementary reaction steps that constitute the chemical mechanism for this catalyzed process are not determined.

Molecular complexes can be used as electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction, water oxidation, and/or hydrogen peroxide production.

The work in this thesis demonstrates how to obtain an atomic-scale picture of a diverse set of complex surface structures observed using STM, under disparate conditions.

Fundamental understanding of molecular reactions on metal surfaces is important for improving heterogeneous catalysis.

In surface science there is great effort to move from studying simple, flat model surfaces in vacuum to investigating more complex model catalysts in gas environments (in situ). This thesis gives three examples of such studies using microscopy and spectroscopy.

To design the ideal water oxidation catalyst, understanding of the catalytic mechanism and decomposition pathways is essential.

Bicarbonate buffer is largely found in nature due to its ability to regulate pH variations around neutral values. As the pH changes, so does the speciation of the buffer.

In this dissertation, the synthesis and characterization of a series of iron complexes based on different ligand platforms are described.

This thesis investigates catalytic reactions at the atomic scale using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), with a focus on Fischer–Tropsch synthesis, a key industrial process that converts hydrogen and carbon monoxide into liquid fuels.

From surface science towards industrial practice using high-pressure scanning tunneling microscopy.

This thesis advance our understanding and the application of molecular catalysts relevant to the reduction of oxygen as well as reduction of nitrite.

This thesis investigates reactive interfaces in surface science across three domains: heterogeneous catalysis, environmental nanoplastics, and two-dimensional materials.

Promotor: Prof.dr. J.W.M. Frenken

Meer informatie is beschikbaar op de Engelse profielpagina.

In eight chapters, the thesis of Rafaël Vos covers the effect of temperature and pressure on the electrochemical CO2 reduction.

Heterogeneous catalyzed processes are highly significant to the chemical industry. Dissociative chemisorption (DC) of molecules on surfaces is always considered as a step with a high degree of rate control for heterogeneous catalysis.

Cathodic corrosion is a relatively unknown phenomenon that can severely etch metallic electrodes at cathodic (negative) potentials.

The role of the interfacial environment during electrochemical reactions has been increasingly valued, especially for those reactions involving protons or hydroxyl ions.

Climate change is one of the largest challenges faced by humanity. To combat this research into alternatives to fossil fuels is ongoing. Dihydrogen is considered a good alternative fuel, since its burning only forms water.

With the energy transition toward a renewable energy supply and a CO2-neutral economy, electrification of the energy system is rising in importance, which leads to the challenge of long-term storage of renewable electricity.

The research presented in this thesis makes use of small molecules (as H2 , D2 and O2 ) on well-defined single crystal surfaces (flat Pt(111), flat Cu(211) and curved Pt(111)) to elucidate the role of surface structure and degrees of freedom in the reactant in specific surface reactions.

Hydrodesulfurization (HDS) is an ubiquitous part of oil refining that ensures that fuels are cleaned of impurities and environment release of pollutants such as SOx and NOx gasses are minimized.

Chemicus Irene Groot krijgt een TA-subsidie toegekend. Groot gaat samenwerken met Shell, Leiden Probe Microscopy, DSM Resolve en Universiteit Utrecht en onderzoek doen naar katalysatoren voor de productie van grondstoffen en brandstoffen.

This thesis has shed light on some of the ways in which the local electrolyte composition can differ from the bulk and how these changes in the local reaction environment can determine the activity and/or selectivity of two important electrocatalytic reactions, namely, electrochemical CO2 reduction…

Promotor: Prof.dr. E. Bouwman

The adsorption of D2 and CO2 on catalyst surfaces is studied using a molecular beam in ultra-high vacuum.

Met de NMR faciliteit doen we onderzoek naar de synthese van paramagnetische moleculen om kennis te vergaren over de structuur en dynamiek van eiwitten. Deze kennis kan dienen als basis voor een medicijn dat zich hecht aan een eiwit of voor de ontwikkeling van vaccins. Medicijnontwikkeling is één van…

M.T.M. Koper, Co-promotor: D.G.H. Hetterscheid

Promotor: M.T.M. Koper, Co-Promotor: L.B.F. Juurlink

In this thesis, the researcher developed a nanosystem based on the metallophilic Interaction between cyclometalated complexes.