Iwan Verduijn

PhD cadidate
Utrecht University

Department

Inorganic Chemistry & Catalysis

Contact information

Room
Vening Meinesz C Building 2.10

Email address
i.verduijn@uu.nl

Key expertises

Heterogeneous catalysis, operando spectroscopy, catalyst preparation

About me

I was born in the city of Gouda and did the Chemistry bachelor at the university of Utrecht. After finish the bachelor I performed the Nanomaterials Science master at Utrecht University, performing my master thesis on CO₂ electroreduction. After completing an internship at the University of Antwerp on the development of plasmon-hybrid photocatalysts, I started a PhD position in the Inorganic Chemistry & Catalysis group in Utrecht. In my free time I enjoy going for walks and watching movies.

About my research

In my project, I will be developing Lab-based operando X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption setups along with Raman spectroscopy for measuring the deactivation of CO₂ hydrogenation catalysts at high pressure (50-100 bar) and long time scales (> 1 month). This project will bridge the gap between state of the art operando analysis and industrially relevant reaction conditions. This project will build upon my previous experience with in-situ analysis and catalyst characterization. I am excited to work on these state of the art techniques, the prospect of collaborating with other researchers and playing my part in bringing us closer to a fully circular carbon economy.

Academic career

PHD Candidate:
2024-Current: PhD candidate at the Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis group, supervised by:
prof. dr. ir. B.M. Weckhuysen and dr. M. Monai.

Research Internship:
2024: Student researcher at the University of Antwerp: “Development of a Plasmon-Hybrid Heterojunction Photocatalyst for Hydrogen Evolution and CO₂ Reduction.” Performed at the A-PECS group, supervised by: dr. R. Ninakanti, dr. S. Verbruggen; dr. M. Monai

MSc:
2022-2024: MSc Nanomaterials Science at Utrecht University MSc Thesis: “The Role of Halogen Doping in Copper-Catalyzed CO₂ Electroreduction.” Performed at the Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis group, supervised by: J. de Ruiter, MSc; dr. W. van der Stam; dr. M. Monai.

BSc:
2019-2022: BSc Chemistry at Utrecht University
BSc Thesis: “Development of a bifunctional catalyst for the production of isostearic acid.” Performed at the Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis group, supervised by:
J. Bos, MSc.; prof. dr. E.T.C. Vogt; dr. M. Monai.