Johan Bootsma

PhD candidate
University of Amsterdam

Department

Van ‘t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences

Contact information

Room
E1.29

Email address
j.bootsma@uva.nl

Key expertises

Organometallic synthesis, homogeneous catalysis, spectroscopy, kinetics, crosslinking of coatings

About me

During my Bachelor and Master Chemistry I developed an interest in the study (and synthesis) of compounds which are not stable towards air. Ironically, now during my PhD I make and study compounds which go into a paint can, to accelerate the paint’s curing process which requires oxygen from the air - a completely different way of thinking.

About my research

["To cure alkyd paints typically two ingredients are added: (1) an accelerator or drier, and (2) an inhibitor","the second makes sure the paint does not already cure during storage. Although in general effective, for iron-based driers this approach does not work well. In this project, we explore light-activation as a means to combine both goals in one component","in this way the iron-based accelerator remains dormant in the closed can (where it is dark). After light-activity as well as kinetic studies, we collaborated with Prof. W.R. Browne (University of Groningen) to use Raman spectroscopy for a depth-analysis of the curing process. Currently we are collaborating with Prof. M. Neidig (University of Rochester) to use M\u00f6ssbauer spectroscopy to investigate the fate of the new iron-based drier."]

Academic career

PhD Candidate 2018-2022: PhD candidate in the group of Homogeneous Catalysis at the University of Amsterdam, under the supervision of Prof. B. de Bruin Master Student 2017: Research internship in the Organometallic Chemistry Laboratory at the RIKEN Institute, Wako, Japan, under the supervision of Prof. Z. Hou 2015-2017: Master degree in the group of Molecular Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Groningen, under the supervision of Prof. E. Otten Bachelor Student 2011-2015: Bachelor degree in the group of Molecular Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Groningen, under the supervision of Prof. E. Otten

ARC CBBC publications

Photoactive Fe Catalyst for Light-Triggered Alkyd Paint Curing

J. Bootsma, W.R. Browne, J. Flapper, and B. de Bruin