Projects
Ongoing projects:
Towards a targeted optimization of electrocatalysts by combining electrosynthesis with in-situ electron paramagnetic resonance
In recent years, there has been a growing search for clean, environmental friendly methodologies for organic synthesis. Organic electrochemistry offers an interesting alternative to tackle the issues for organic transformations.
Feasibility study towards an industrial CO2 electrolyzer design (STACkED)
The global energy demand continues to increase and poses great challenges regarding CO2 emissions. To this end, a shift to renewable energy sources is in progress.
Electron tomography combined with state-of-the-art electrochemistry to boost electrocatalytic CO2 reduction
In the future, renewables will gain importance. Combining the use of CO2 as a feedstock along with the supply of renewable energy can compensate for fluctuations in energy production, while at the same time reducing CO2 emissions.
CO2PERATE: all renewable CCU based on formic acid integrated in an industrial microgrid
The main objective of the project is the development of technologies for the conversion of CO2 to value-added chemicals using catalysis and renewable energy. To benchmark, compare and develop the various technologies, the formation of formic acid is selected as the initial target.
Integrated CO2 capture and electrochemical conversion: development of an electrocatalytic system
Climate change and global warming has become a growing threat to our world, where the carbon dioxide emisisons are believed to be a major contributor. In order to serve the society and environment, the Sustainable Chemistry department of VITO has been focusing since recent years on CO2 valorization, mainly on the development of conversion technologies.
Infrastructure for imaging nanoscale processes in gas/vapour or liquid environments.
Processes in energy applications and catalysis as well as biological processes become increasingly important as society’s focus shifts to sustainable resources and technology. A thorough understanding of these processes needs their detailed observation at a nano or atomic scale.
Electronics to high value chemical products (E2C)
The overall objective of the project is to stimulate investment in and implementation of Power-to-X technologies by developing innovative direct and indirect conversion processes for the chemical industry towards higher TRL’s, while making use of renewable electricity and lowering the carbon footprint.
Highly visible light responsive black titania for photo-electrochemical applications: the electrosensing of polyphenols in flow mode
Recent advances in extending the light absorption range of titania (TiO2) into the visible region has resulted in a new material, i.e. black TiO2 with a bandgap around 1.5 eV. Black TiO2 is a promising candidate for photo-(electro)catalysis under near infrared light owing to its narrow band gap and its improved electronic conductivity which only limited attention has been paid to it to use as a photoelectrochemical sensor.
New redox mediators and improved electrocatalytic materials for the functionalization of carbon-hydrogen bonds by electrosynthesis
Functionalization of inert carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bonds is an important reaction in the chemical industry. The introduction of functional groups (e.g. oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, … atom) in otherwise inert molecules is necessary to construct more complex molecules for the bulk and fine chemicals industry.
Fundamental insight into the role of the support and electrocatalyst in CO2 electrolyzers: are carbon-based materials the solution or the problem?
Renewable energy sources can offer a solution for excessive emissions of greenhouse gases and to the expected decrease in availability of fossil fuels in the near future. Both problems would find a common solution if we were able to develop energy-efficient processes to convert (low concentrated) CO2 streams into fuels and useful chemical products, ensuring a positive economic
and environmental balance.
Past projects:
Advanced support materials for electrocatalysis
Over the last decade, the use of nanotechnology in electrochemical catalysis has become extreme important. Sole nanoparticles, however, do not yet constitute an electrode. Hence, deposition on a conducting support structure is indispensable
Ordered three dimensional electrodes for electrocatalysis
Over the last decade, the use of nanotechnology in electrochemical catalysis has become extreme popular. Sole nanoparticles, however, do not yet constitute an electrode. Hence, deposition on a conducting support structure is indispensable.
The impact of the electrocatalythic properties of Cu/Ag core-shell nanoparticles for the reduction of co2 in an electrochemical flow microreactor legaten
In the last decades, the amount of CO2 in the earth’s atmosphere has increased enormously. Due to the goals set by Europe, CO2 mitigation is of major importance for industry as well as society.
Waterside: active passive water pollution sampling device
The project aims to develop an active passive water sampler for inorganic and organic pollutants. The apparatus allows the time integrated monitoring of surface waters and waste streams.
Development of an electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy EPR platform for electrocatalysis
The goal of this project is the development of a generic platform for electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR) to unravel the electrocatalytic reaction mechanism.
Influence of the morphology of core-shell nanoparticles on the mechanism of organic halide reduction
In recent years there has been a growing interest in clean and environmentally friendly methodologies in organic synthesis. To tackle these issues, an electrosynthetic methodology can be applied.
Improvement of energy and conversion efficiencies of electrochemical and plasma reactors by miniaturization
The goal of this project is the integration of plasma and electrochemical applications into a generic microreactor setup.
Construction of a prototype electrosynthesis reactor
The production of organic chemicals by means of electrosynthesis can dramatically increase reaction efficiency. The approach of this project is to construct a prototype reactor setup to facilitate the transition from classical chemical towards electrochemical pathways.
Electrochemical impedance measurements in an intelligent database of corrosion
Corrosion is a common phenomenon that causes detrimental economic and social consequences. An obvious way of corrosion protection is to prevent the metal surface from being exposed to a corrosive environment by application of one or several coatings, usually conversion coatings.
Influence of the detection method in impedimetric aptasensors
Impedimetric aptasensors consist out of two key elements: an aptamer as biologic recognition element and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) as detection method.