Julius Sommer

PhD candidate
Technical University Delft

Department

Catalysis Engineering

Contact information

Room
Building 67

Email address
j.sommer@tudelft.nl

Key expertises

Heterogeneous catalysis, high-pressure experimentation, vibrational spectroscopy, kinetic studies, reaction modeling

About me

I was born and raised in Berlin, Germany, and after high school, I moved back and forth for gap years, internships, and studies. Now, I'm back in Delft for my studies. Outside of the lab, I help my family restore an old farm, spend holidays with both old and new friends in random countries, or just escape into nature. Recently, I've been spending quite a bit of time with physiotherapy after a ski accident, slowly getting back into all those fun, high-intensity sports.

About my research

The project aims to explore the reaction mechanisms and active sites in CO2-to-methanol/oxygenate conversion using both Cu-based and non-Cu-based catalysts. We employ advanced operando methodologies, including transient vibrational spectroscopy (IR and Raman), Concentration Modulation Excitation Spectroscopy (CMES), and Steady-State Isotopic Transient Kinetic Analysis (SSITKA) to study catalysts under high-pressure conditions. The goal is to understand the roles of active species, intermediates, and spectator species, integrating spatiotemporal resolution for precise mechanistic insights. The research will focus on phase behavior, catalyst performance, and interfacial chemistry, with a strong emphasis on kinetic studies and phase dynamics.

Academic career

PhD
2024 - Present: Doctoral researcher in the group of Catalysis Engineering at Delft University of Technology, the Netherlands, under the supervision of Prof. Atsushi Urakawa and Prof. Evgeny Pidko

Internships/Short stays
2024: C1 Green Chemicals AG (Berlin, Germany), kinetics and reactor modelling of homogeneous-catalytic methanol production

2023: DePoly SA (Sion Switzerland), piloting of PET depolymerisation photocatalytic demonstration plant and post-reaction separation development

2021: BASF SE (Ludwigshafen, Germany), construction management, commissioning of a large-capital project

MSc
2021-2023: Master degree in the group of Transport Phenomena -Electrochemical Flow System Lab- at University of Technology Delft, under the supervision of Prof. David Vermaas

BSc
2017-2021: Bachelor degree in the group of Environmental Chemistry at University of Technology Berlin, under the supervision of Prof. Andreas Held

Awards and scientific honors
Graduated masters studies Cum Laude and with an Honours Master's degree.