Projects
Ongoing projects:
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Past projects:
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.
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.
Quantitative in-situ structural, morphological and compositional characterization of bimetallic nanoparticles as a route towards innovative electrocatalysts
The goal of this project is to perform an in-situ structural, morphological and compositional characterization of bimetallic electrocatalytic nanoparticles (NPs) both at the nanometer and the atomic scale. We will synthesize bimetallic NPs electrochemically and/or through colloidal chemistry, by tuning the ratio of different elements including Pt, Ni, Ag, Cu and Sn. The coexistence of different materials on the same nano-object increases its functionalities because the individual properties of each component can be present on a single NP, and even more interestingly, opens the way to the discovery of new…
Electrosynthesis for the sustainable production of ethylene oxide
In the first phase, the activity, selectivity, and stability of the catalyst will be screened. Both commercially available and newly (self)-synthesized catalysts will be used for this purpose (Noblyst, Evonik; IrOx, Sigma Aldrich; Elyst Ir75 0480, Umicore). The most active, selective, and stable materials (Pt and IrOx) will then serve as a basis to synthesize catalytic (bimetallic) particles on flat supports, thus increasing activity, selectivity, and stability. An activity of 50 mA cm-2 and a current efficiency of 60% over a period of 9 months are set as the minimum…
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. Electrochemical synthesis mostly needs fewer steps and produces less waste with the electron as a cheap, clean and energetically efficient reagent. However, the applicability of electrosynthesis depends on the selection of the electrocatalyst as a way to decrease the energy demand of the reactions. In the current state of the art, these catalysts are still subject to further improvements. In…
Innovative three-dimensional electron microscopy to boost the catalytic activity of core-shell nanostructures
Electron tomography has evolved into a state-of-the-art technique to investigate the 3 dimensional structure of nanomaterials, also at the atomic scale. However, new developments in the field of nanotechnology drive the need for even more advanced quantitative characterization techniques in 3 dimensions that can be applied to complex (hetero-)nanostructures.