Marie Brands

PhD candidate
University of Amsterdam

Department

Homogeneous, Supramolecular & Bio-inspired Catalysis (van ‘t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences)

Contact information

Room
Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam – room E1.36

Email address
m.b.brands@uva.nl

Key expertises

Artificial photosynthesis, dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical cells, molecular catalysis, proton/CO2 reduction, (photo)electrochemistry, synthesis

About me

Growing up on the countryside, I have always been surrounded by nature and appreciated its beauty, which laid the foundation for my passion for sustainable chemistry. I received my BSc and MSc degree in Chemistry at the University of Amsterdam. In September 2018, I started my PhD in the Homogeneous, Supramolecular and Bio-Inspired Catalysis (HomKat) group under the supervision of prof. Joost Reek, where I am working on artificial photosynthesis.

About my research

Artificial photosynthesis mainly aims to convert abundant feedstocks (i.e. water, carbon dioxide) into fuels, such as hydrogen or hydrocarbons, using light as energy source. To achieve this goal, a light-harvesting component should be combined with a proton/CO2 reduction catalyst and an electron supply (such as an electrode). Our approach is to use molecular components, since the activity, stability and selectivity of these are highly tunable. We synthesize, characterize and implement these components in devices (dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical cells), after which we study their efficiency in solar fuel production. We are interested in collaborations on (in-situ) characterization of molecules on surfaces.

Academic career

Master thesis 2017: In the Chris Slootweg Group (UvA) – “Comparing Ruthernium Metal-Ligand Cooperativity Systems to Frustrated Lewis Pairs” Extracurricular Internship in Celia Fonseca Guerra Group 2016: Theoretical Study on “Relevance of Orbital Interactions and Pauli Repulsion in the Metal-Metal Bond of Coinage Metals” Extracurricular Internship at Avantium 2018: Under the supervision of dr. Bart van den Bosch (Volta Team), working on: “Electrochemical production of Formate” Bachelor thesis 2015: In the group of Bas de Bruin: “Kinetic studies of the CoMeTAA-Catalyzed Cyclopropanation of Ethyldiazoacetate and Methyl Acrylate”.

ARC CBBC publications

Iron oxide-promoted photochemical oxygen reduction to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)

T. Freese, J.T. Meijer, M.B. Brands, G. Alachouzos, M.C.A. Stuart, R. Tarozo, D. Gerlach, J. Smits, P. Rudolf, J.N.H. Reek, and B.L. Feringa