Mirjam de Graaf

PhD candidate
Utrecht University

Department

Chemistry

Contact information

Room
Vening Meineszgebouw C, room 2.08

Email address
M.E.deGraaf1@uu.nl

Key expertises

Photochemistry, photocatalysis, functional coatings, spectroscopy

About me

I received my BSc and MSc degree in Chemical Engineering at Delft University of Technology. Towards the end of 2020, I started my PhD as an ARC CBBC member at the hub in Utrecht University. Even though I now work in Utrecht, I still live in picturesque Delft and love to walk across the historical centre there or take a trip to Scheveningen beach. In my free time I like to dance (Zumba), sing, sew, or play a board/video game with my friends.

About my research

During this project, we will develop photocatalytically active materials that can remove various harmful and/or odorous indoor air pollutants under the influence of visible (solar or indoor) light. These are mainly volatile organic compounds, which may be present in building walls and furniture for example. I am focusing on metal-oxide functionalized supports, such as zeolites, titania, or alumina, as photocatalysts. The most promising catalyst materials will be incorporated in paint/coating systems, creating a functionalized paint/coating which will be tested for its air purification activity. This project is under supervision of Dr. E.M. Hutter (UU), Prof. B.M. Weckhuysen (UU) and Dr. J. Flapper (AkzoNobel), and in collaboration with Prof. G. Mul and N. Tavares Costa (UTwente).

Academic career

PhD candidate 2020 – present: PhD candidate in the group of Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis at Utrecht University (NL). Under the supervision of Dr. E.M. Hutter and Prof. Dr. ir. B.M. Weckhuysen. MSc degree 2018 – 2020: MSc Chemical Engineering at Delft University of Technology (NL). Including: - Master thesis (2020): “Wiggle Wiggle: Coupling between optically excited charge carriers and phonons in CdSe quantum dots”. Under the supervision of Prof. Dr. A.J. Houtepen. - Industrial internship (2019): research intern at Clariant Produkte (Deutschland) GmbH, Frankfurt am Main (DE). Project title: “Structural colors based on melanin, silica and polystyrene nanoparticles”. Under the supervision of Dr. U. Sohling (Clariant) and Prof. Dr. A.J. Houtepen (Delft University of Technology). - Chemical Design Project (2019): Collaborative project between Delft University of Technology and Polymer Science Park (NL). Project title: “Recycled Polypropylene Packaging Buckets for Food Applications”. Under supervision of Dr. Priscilla Lips (Polymer Science Park) and Dr. Wolter Jager (Delft University of Technology).