Jeroen Smaak
PhD candidate
Leiden University
Department
Catalysis and Surface Science
Contact information
Room
Gorlaeus laboratorium
Email address
j.p.smaak@lic.leidenuniv.nl
Key expertises
Electrochemistry / Electrocatalysis / Cyclic voltammetry / Aprotic solvents / CO2 reduction
About me
I’ve started my bachelor biobased technology at Avans university of applied sciences in Breda. Here I did two 6-month internships. One on coatings at TNO and I graduated on enzymatic conversion of starch to soluble fibers at ADM. I continued with the master energy and sustainability at Leiden University. During the master, I did 4 months research on single-molecule protein characterisation with solid-state nanopores at Delft University and I studied the temperature effects on CO2 reduction at Leiden for 7 months. Outside the lab, I like to go bouldering, raving, and sailing.
About my research
The research focuses on electrochemical CO2 reduction to oxalate in aprotic solvents using different metals. We try to understand the reaction mechanisms and influential parameters. From literature it is well known that water is detrimental to oxalate synthesis from CO2. Therefore, my research will involve reactions in organic solvents, which is interesting because the majority of electrochemical research is conducted in water. Electrochemistry is a field that interested me during my master's at Leiden. I approach this project with a special interest in electrosynthesis. Ideally, I learn and discover more about the subject during my Ph.D. I anticipate contributing not only to the scientific understanding of electrosynthesis but also addressing industry challenges.
Academic career
Academic career:
2023 – present: PhD candidate in the group catalysis and surface science at Leiden University under the supervision of prof. M.T.M. Koper. I study electrochemical CO2 reduction to oxalate in aprotic solvents using different metals and try to understand more about the mechanisms and influential parameters: Bilateral Project in collaboration with BASF. Title: CO2 electroreduction to formate and oxalate.
Sep 2021 – Aug 2023: Master chemistry and sustainability at Leiden university. Interest in courses related to heterogeneous catalysis, surface science and theoretical chemistry.
Sep 2022 – Mar 2023: Researched the effect of temperature on the CO2 reduction reaction with Cu and CuAg alloys in the group catalysis and surface science under the supervision of prof. dr. M.T.M. Koper.
Apr 2023 – Aug 2023: Single-molecule characterization of protein signals generated with the NEOtrap at the bio nanoscience department under supervision of prof. dr. C. Dekker at Delft University.
Mar 2021 – Aug 2021: Junior researcher at Archer Daniel Midlands. Worked on starch derived product development such as enzymatic cyclodextrin synthesis, paper coatings, hydrolyzed gluten, and biodegradable coatings
2016-2021: Bachelor degree Chemistry, Biobased Technology at Avans University of applied sciences.
Oct 2020 – Mar 2021: Graduation internship on the enzymatic synthesis of prebiotic fibers from starch under supervision of K. Homburg at Archer Daniel Midlands, Amsterdam.
Sep 2018 – Feb 2019: Internship IR-active coating development under supervision of dr. ir. B. Erich at TNO, Eindhoven.
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