In situ studies of model catalysts for heterogeneous catalysis

Title : In situ studies of model catalysts for heterogeneous catalysis

Abstract:

Catalysis research is complex and multidisciplinary in its nature. The performance of an industrially used catalyst is determined by a multitude of factors, from material composition to oxidation state, support porosity, reactant and product distribution in the reactor as well as temperature gradients and local hot spots. Therefore, under “real” conditions, it is nearly impossible to learn which are the most important properties of a catalyst. By preparing simplified model systems, it is possible to eliminate some of the variables during catalyst testing and learn about the materials fundamental properties. We prepare flat model catalysts, consisting of merely a few µg of catalytically active material and test them in a custom made micro reactor with in-situ mass spectrometry and UV-vis spectroscopy. The flat model catalysts have the advantage that there are no hot spots or diffusion limitations in the gas phase that can obscure the findings and that all catalyst material is accessible to in-situ characterization. A few examples will be presented, where we the importance of the oxidation state of the active material and the interaction between catalyst, support and promoter is elucidated. 

Biography:

Hans Fredriksson obtained his MSc degree in Physics at Gothenburg University in Sweden. In 2009, he completed a PhD in material science at the department of applied physics at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg in the field of nanofabrication. In particular, he worked on model systems for catalysis and nano-optics research. In 2010, Hans joined Prof. Hans Niemantsverdriet’s group at Eindhoven University of Technology to further pursue his interest in combining nanofabrication and catalysis research. His research topics ranged from the properties of catalysts for purification of the products of biomass gasification, and for methanol production from syngas to various micro reactor concepts and the work included daily supervision of PhD students. In January 2016, Hans joined Syngaschem BV. His focus is on investigating fundamental properties of catalysts and correlating these with activity and deactivation using model catalysts, micro reactors and a broad range of characterization techniques. He has (co-)authored around 20 research papers on various topics.