Designing more efficient and cheaper processes for chemicals and fuels production is a grand challenge. Since catalysts are crucial for these processes, understanding their structure and behavior at the nanometer scale is of great importance to both science and industry. Recently Prof. K.P. de Jong has received an ERC Advanced Grant for fundamental research on the synthesis of supported catalysts using advanced electron microscopy tools.
The focus of this project will be on zeolite and zeolite-alumina supported Pt catalysts which are relevant bifunctional catalysts for e.g. diesel production. Their synthesis will be studied both ex-situ and in-situ using newly developed liquid-phase Transmission Electron Microscopy. Nanoscale properties, such as size and location of Pt particles and chemical composition of the support, will be assessed using advanced electron microscopy techniques. Methods to control these nanoscale properties will be studied, and their impact on catalyst performance will be tested.
Profile
We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated and skilled student holding an MSc in a relevant area of Chemistry, Materials Science or Chemical Engineering. The candidate preferably has some experience with catalysis, catalyst synthesis and/or electron microscopy.
Contact:
Dr. Jovana Zečević
Email: j.zecevic@uu.nl
Prof. Dr. Krijn de Jong
Email: k.p.dejong@uu.nl
Comments