Arvid Beeuwkes
PhD candidate
Utrecht University
Department
Materials Chemistry and Catalysis
Contact information
Room
David de Wied Building 4th floor open office
Email address
a.j.beeuwkes@uu.nl
Key expertises
Heterogeneous catalysis, (in-situ) Transmission Electron Microscopy, catalyst preparation
About me
Since I was little, I was interested in finding out how things work. In 2017 I moved to Utrecht to study chemistry, where I discovered my enthusiasm for catalysis and about how small (nanoscale) changes can have huge impacts on industry and our society. Ever since, my focus has been on contributing to a cleaner chemical industry for a better future, and telling people about it. Outside of work, I like to play music (drums, guitar, saxophone) or gather with people for boardgames.
About my research
My CBBC project is on the degradation of supported copper catalysts in the hydrogenation of pure CO2 to methanol. Methanol production from pure CO2 feed creates more water in the reaction mixture compared to the traditional syngas feed. Water is known to be detrimental for the catalyst’s lifespan. By utilizing in-situ Transmission Electron Microscopy and developing thermodynamic degradation models, combined with careful design of model catalysts, we aim to map the factors that contribute to catalyst deactivation. Finally, we hope to implement mitigation strategies to increase the stability of these materials.
Academic career
PhD Candidate
2024 – present: PhD candidate on stability of CO2 hydrogenation catalysts in the Materials Chemistry and Catalysis group, Utrecht University, the Netherlands, under supervision of prof. dr. Petra de Jongh.
Research internship
2024: Research internship at SINTEF Industry, Norway, under supervision of Dr. Kenneth Schneider and Dr. Maurice Dörr.
MSc
2021 – 2024: Master’s degree in Nanomaterials Science, Utrecht University
Master thesis in the Materials Chemistry and Catalysis group, under supervision of Dr. Luc Smulders and prof. dr. Petra de Jongh, on bifunctional hydroconversion catalysts for the conversion of n-alkanes.
BSc
2017 – 2021: Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Utrecht University
Bachelor thesis in the Materials Chemistry and Catalysis group, under supervision of Dr. Giorgio Totarella and prof. dr. Petra de Jongh, on selective hydrogenation catalysts for the conversion of butadiene.
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