Research interests involve synthesis and assembly of catalysts and functional materials with particular interest in zeolites, mesoporous materials, carbon nanofibers, supported metals and metal oxides, and solid base materials such as hydrotalcites. The work on zeolites comprises generation of mesopores, characterization using electron tomography (3D-TEM) and catalysis. Carbon nanofibers and are investigated for their potential as catalysts support materials. Mesoporous materials (e.g. MCM-41, SBA-15) are used as support materials for fundamental studies on catalyst preparation. Structural investigations on hydrotalcites have enabled us to produce solid base catalysts highly active at ambient conditions in liquid-phase.

The approach in our research is to combine the outcome of several techniques into a unifying picture of the complex nanomaterials that are synthesized. The in-house techniques are a.o. XPS, in situ XRD, IR, physisorption, TPR-TPD-TPO, TGA, SEM and TEM. Special competences involve Electron Tomography (3D-TEM) and in situ TEM for studies on catalyst synthesis and performance.

Catalytic studies involve (hydro-)isomerisation of hydrocarbons, selective hydrogenations, aldol-condensation, synthesis gas conversion (paraffins, olefins and alcohols) and biomass conversions. Nanostructured materials are also studied for hydrogen storage and CO2 capture.

More information about research projects can be found at the personal page of Krijn de Jong.