The Weckhuysen group has been active for many years in the design, synthesis, characterization and application of catalytic solids for the conversion of fossil (crude oil & natural gas) and renewable (biomass and municipal waste) feedstock into transportation fuels, chemicals and materials. More recently, research is devoted to the catalytic activation of CO2 via thermal and electrocatalytic pathways and the photocatalytic and electrocatalytic splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen, as well as the chemical recycling of plastics.
The group is internationally known for the development of in-situ and operando spectroscopy and microscopy for studying catalytic solids under realistic conditions. This approach has provided unique insights in the working and deactivation mechanisms of catalytic processes, as well as in the internal architecture of solid catalysts. The goal is to shed detailed new insight in the working principles of catalytic solids while they work (i.e., at high temperatures and pressures, and under real-life conditions). To achieve this goal the group strives to build a “powerful camera” to chemically image heterogeneous catalysts from the level of the reactor down to the level of single atoms and molecules, thereby linking the different length scales of importance in catalysis.
More specifically, the following topics are researched in the Weckhuysen group:
· Development and use of advanced spectroscopic methods applied on heterogeneous catalysts during preparation and real operation in order to develop structure-activity relationships for catalytic processes. Systems of interest are supported metal and metal oxide catalysts, zeolites as well as metal organic frameworks (MOFs) and zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs). The main emphasis is on space- and time-resolved UV-Vis, Raman, IR, and fluorescence spectroscopy as well as X-ray spectroscopy, diffraction and scattering methods, often in a combined or even integrated fashion. Catalytic reactions under study are methane and light alkanes activation, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, Sabatier reaction, fluid catalytic cracking, methanol-to-olefins, automotive catalysis as well as selective oxidation, biomass-derived oxygenates hydrogenation/hydrodeoxygenation and olefin polymerization reactions.
· Catalytic conversion of biomass and municipal waste, such as plastics, to transportation fuels and bulk chemicals, more specifically the valorization of polyols, e.g. glycerol and sugars, via telomerization, hydrogenolysis and etherification, valorization of lignin, chitin and humins and related model compounds and the conversion of C5- and C6-sugars, including the selective hydrogenation of sugar-derived compounds, such as levulinic acid. This also includes the use of spectroscopy for monitoring biomass and waste conversion processes in the liquid phase (i.e., water at relatively high temperatures and pressures), including issues as catalyst stability.
· Synthesis and characterization of ordered porous materials with catalytic potential. The focus is on the fundamental understanding of assembly processes of porous oxides, the development of spectroscopic tools to evaluate the synthesis parameters and the structural aspects of porous materials, including intergrowth structures, spatiotemporal zoning of elements, such as aluminum, and the processes of dealumination and desilication. The materials focus is on molecular sieves, including zeolites and metal organic frameworks. More recently, this topic has been extended to the detailed investigations of thin-films making use of atomic force microscopy in combination with vibrational and electronic spectroscopy, such as infrared, Raman and fluorescence microscopy.
· Molecular design of transition metal ion complexes in inorganic hosts for catalysis and adsorption. Enzymes, the most effective catalysts in nature, are the inspiration source for this research. Catalytic reactions of interest are NO decomposition, methane activation and selective oxidation reactions. More recently this also involves photo-catalytic and (photo-) electrocatalytic applications, including solar fuels generation, including the construction of thin-films, which could separate and adsorb light molecules, such as CO2, and activate them with light or renewable electricity, harvested from wind or solar panels.
Since his start as a professor at Utrecht University, the following persons, 93 in total, have obtained their PhD degree under the supervision of Weckhuysen. Their current job assignments have also been included in the list.
93: Shuang Yang, Research scientist at MAGNETO special anodes B.V.
92: Iris ten Have: Head of Science at Extantia
91: Luca Carnevale: Postdoctoral Researcher at Twente University
90: Ahmed Ismail: Senior Scientist at TechnipFMC
89. Max Werny: : Venture Associate at Zero Carbon Capitald
88. Silvia Zanoni: Research Chemist at Ioniqa Technologies
87. Erik Maris: Postdoctoral Fellow at ETH Zurich
86. Sophie van Vreeswijk: Project Leader at Avantium
85. Bas Terlingen: Technical Consultant Energy at Mott McDonald
84. Roozbeh Valadian: Sales Manager at Granutools
83. Thomas van Swieten: Quantitative Risk Analyst at ABN AMRO Bank
82. Nikos Nikolopoulos: Project Leader at Shell
81. Koen Bossers: Scientist Polyolefins Catalysis at Sabic
80. Maarten Jongkind: Software Engineer at Triodos Bank
79. Xinwei Ye: Postdoctoral Fellow at Utrecht University
78. Stijn Hinterding: Researcher at ASML
77. Guusje Delen: R&D Team Lead Capture Materials at Skytree
76. Laurens Mandemaker: Postdoctoral Fellow at Utrecht University
75. Suzanne Verkleij: Researcher Environmental Safety at Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu (RIVM)
74. Pasi Paalanen: Computational and Statistical Data Analyst
73. Katarina Stanciakova: Application Scientist at OpenEye
72. Anne-Eva Nieuwelink: Program Manager at Utrecht University
71. Beatriz Luna Murillo: Project Leader at Shell
70. Miguel Rivera Torrente: Project Leader at Shell
69. Charlotte Vogt: Assistant Professor at Technion
68. Jochem Wijten: Onderzoeker Omgevingsveiligheid at Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu (RIVM)
67. Donglong Fu: Associate Professor at Tianjin University
66. Jeroen van Vollenbroek: Postdoctoral Fellow at University Medical Center Utrecht
65. Katinka Wondergem: Assistant Professor at Nagoya University
64. Egor Fuvachev: Research Chemist at Ioniqa Technologies
63. Jose Moya Cancino: Lecturer at Universidad Finis Terrae
62. Ivan Garcia Torregrossa: Green Hydrogen Research Specialist at Sungrow Europe
61. Hai Le The: Surface Science Specialist at ASML
60. Marjolein Velthoen: Corporate Patent Councel at Avantium
59. Miguel Solsona: Postdoctoral Fellow at EPFL
58. Thomas Hartman: Research and Education Designer at Utrecht University & Scientific Illustrator at This
57. Robin Geitenbeek: Lecturer and Scientist Forensic Science at Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
56. Ana Hernandez: Thermochemical Processes Scientist at Centro Nacional de Energías Renovables
55. Fang Liu: Research Engineer at TotalEnergies
54. Ozgun Attila: IT Operations Lead at Shell
53. Naresh Kumar: Senior Scientist and Lecturer at ETH Zurich
52. Joris Goetze: Patent Attorney at V.O. Patents & Trademarks
51. Zafer Ozturk: Research Data Steward at Twente University
50. Ramon Oord: Research Technician at Utrecht University
49. Frank Hendriks: Machine Learning Engineer at Eneco
48. William van der Graaff: Application Scientist at Corbion
47. Sam Kalirai: Engineering Manager at Mitra Chem
46. Zoran Ristanovic: Analytical Chemistry Expert at TMC Science & Technology
45. Robin Jastrebski: Process Engineer at Avantium
44. Korneel Cats: Research Scientist at Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu (RIVM)
43. Mustafa al Samarai: Senior Scientist at University of Tokyo
42. Dimitrije Cicmil: Global Lead for Process Review Teams at Grundfos
41. Joseph Stewart: Incubation Projects Manager at TotalEnergies
40. Matthijs de Winter: Teamleader at inHolland University of Applied Sciences
39. Carlo Angelici: Senior Scientist at Avantium
38. Sophie Wiedemann: Analytical Specialist at Cargill
37. Ilona van Zandvoort: Research Scientist at Avantium
36. Wenhao Luo: Full Professor at Inner Mongolia University
35. Evelien van Schrojenstein Lantman: Chief Operating Officer at Triply
34. Hendrik van der Bij: Global Business Manager at Ketjen Corporation
33. Jesper Sattler: R&D Project Manager at Eurotrol
32. Qingyun Qian: Research Scientist at ExxonMobil
31. Peter Spannring: Development Chemist at Indorama Ventures Europe
30. Dilek Boga: Business Development Executive at High Performance Compounds Kaucuk
29. Clare Harvey: Team Leader and Project Manager Circular Plastics at TNO
28. Annelie Jongerius: Technology Manager at Avantium
27. Upakul Deka: Scientific and Management Expert in Chemicals, Catalysis, Circular Economy & Sustainability at Shell
26. Peter Hausoul: Group Leader at RWTH Aachen University
25. Luis Aramburo Corrales: Chemical Engineer at BeePlanet Factory
24. Inge Buurmans: Research Scientist at Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu (RIVM)
23. Davide Mores: Business Developer Chemistry & Explosion Safety at TNO
22. Bart Hereijgers: Business Manager Custom Catalysts at Euro Support
21. Lukasz Karwacki: New Business Development and Sustainability Manager at BASF
20. Nadya Beznis: Logistics Support Desk Supervisor at Nouryon
19. Emiel de Smit: Staff Scientist at ExxonMobil
18. Peter de Peinder: Founder and Scientist at VibSpec
17. Marianne Kox: New Fuels Projects Team Leader at Shell
16. Leticia Espinosa Alonso: Head of Consumer Biosolutions Digital at Novozymes
15. Muriel Lepage: Program Manager at Toyota
14. Elena Parvulescu: Global Innovation Manager Monomers Division at BASF
13. Ingmar Swart: Associate Professor at Utrecht University
12. Alwies van der Heijden: Founder and Consultant at Techem Consultancy
11. Daniel Radu: Planning Engineer at TotalEnergies
10. Jaap Bergwerff: Research Director at Ketjen
9. Pieter Bruijnincx: Full Professor at Utrecht University
8. Joost van Lingen: Senior Program Manager & Product Team Leader at TNO
7. Cristina Nenu: CO2 Capture & Utilization Portfolio Manager at Shell
6. Daphne Keller: Chemistry & Physics Teacher at Korenaer
5. Stan Tinnemans: QA Head Benelux at GSK
4. Fernando Morales: R&D Manager at Haldor Topsoe
3. Gerbrand Mesu: Senior Scientist at Phillips 66
2. Willem Heijboer: Senior Scientist at Tata Steel
1. Pieter van der Avert: General Manager at Scaldis SMC