Matteo Monai

Matteo Monai

Assistant professor
Utrecht University

Matteo Monai

Department

Chemistry

Contact information

Room
David de Wiedgebouw – room 4.84

Email address
m.monai@uu.nl

Key expertises

heterogeneous catalysis, spectroscopy, small molecule activation, catalyst preparation, structure-activity relationships

About me

I was born in Cividale del Friuli (Italy) in 1989. I obtained my PhD at the University of Trieste in 2017, under the supervision of Prof. Paolo Fornasiero. During my PhD, I was a visiting student at UPenn (USA), where I focused on advanced catalyst synthesis. I came to the ICC group at Utrecht University as a postdoc in the end of 2017, and started my tenure track in the same group in September 2021. In my free time I enjoy playing bass and guitar.

About my research

In my research, I focus on understanding reaction and (de)activation mechanisms in catalysis, using advanced synthesis methods and operando spectroscopy techniques. My interest lies in the development of better catalysts for waste stream valorization, showing enhanced selectivity and stability against poisoning in hydrogen production, biomass upgrading and small molecule activation reactions, such as methane oxidation, CO2 hydrogenation and steam/dry methane reforming. To push the boundaries imposed by classical scaling and structure-activity relationships, I want to use external stimuli such as stress and light to fine-tune the surface properties and steer catalysis towards desired products.

Academic career

Tenure Track Assistant Professor 2021-present: ARC CBBC TT Assistant Professor in the group of Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis at Utrecht University, the Netherlands. Postdoctoral experience 2017- 2021: Postdoctoral research fellow in the group of Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis at Utrecht University, the Netherlands. Under the supervision of Prof. B.M. Weckhuysen Early Stage Researcher 2015-2016: visiting student at UPenn (Pennsylvania, USA), in the groups of Prof. R.J. Gorte and C.B. Murray. 2014-2017: PhD in Chemistry at the University of Trieste (Italy), under the supervision of Prof. P. Fornasiero. 2011-2013: Master of Science in Chemistry, in the group of Prof. Paolo Fornasiero, University of Trieste (Italy).

Awards and scientific honors

Robert Karl Grasselli Award (2020), presented to Italian researchers under the age of 37 who have made exceptional contribution to gas phase catalysis. Eni Young Researcher of the Year Award (2019), annually awarded to 2 Ph.D. research theses, defended in Italian Universities, addressing the topics of action against pollution and climate warming, rehabilitation and reuse of industrial sites and energy storage, production, and efficiency. Adolfo Parmaliana Award (2017) and Doctoral Thesis Award “EUT Edizioni Università di Trieste” (2017).

Publications

Exploring the 3D printing of molybdenum carbide-based catalysts for the reverse water gas shift reaction: A multi scale study

A. Pajares, J. Andrade-Arvizu, D. Jain, M. Monai, J. Lefevere, P. Ramírez de la Piscina, N. Homs, B. Michielsen

Exploring the 3D printing of molybdenum carbide-based catalysts for the reverse water gas shift reaction: A multi scale study

A. Pajares, J. Andrade-Arvizu, D. Jain, M. Monai, J. Lefevere, P. Ramírez de la Piscina, N. Homs, B. Michielsen

Stabilizing Pd–cerium oxide–aluminum oxide catalysts for methane oxidation by reduction pretreatments

A.C. Banerjee, L. Proaño, A. Alvarez, I. Rogers, J. Park, M. Montgomery, M.Z. Billor, B.M. Weckhuysen, and M. Monai

Elucidating the Structure and Composition of Individual Bimetallic Nanoparticles in Supported Catalysts by Atom Probe Tomography

F. Zand, S.J.T. Hangx, C.J. Spiers, P.J. van den Brink, J. Burns, M.G. Boebinger, J.D. Poplawsky, M. Monai, and B.M. Weckhuysen

Restructuring of titanium oxide overlayers over nickel nanoparticles during catalysis

M. Monai, K. Jenkinson, A.E.M. Melcherts, J.N. Louwen, E.A. Irmak, S. van Aert, T. Altantzis, C. Vogt, W. van der Stam, T. Duchoň, B. Šmíd, E. Groeneveld, P. Berben, S. Bals, and B.M. Weckhuysen

Europium–Magnesium–Aluminum-Based Mixed-Metal Oxides as Highly Active Methane Oxychlorination Catalysts

B. Terlingen, J.W. Bos, M. Ahr, M. Monai, C. van Lare, and B.M. Weckhuysen

Detecting Cage Crossing and Filling Clusters of Magnesium and Carbon Atoms in Zeolite SSZ-13 with Atom Probe Tomography

S. van Vreeswijk, M. Monai, R. Oord, J.E. Schmidt, A.N. Parvulescu, I. Yarulina, L. Karwacki, J.D. Poplawsky, and B.M. Weckhuysen

Nano-scale insights regarding coke formation in zeolite SSZ-13 subject to the methanol-to-hydrocarbons reaction

S. H. van Vreeswijk, M. Monai, R. Oord, J. E. Schmidt, E. T. C. Vogt, J. D. Poplawsky, B. M. Weckhuysen

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