Tom Welling

Postdoctoral researcher
Utrecht University

Department

Materials Chemistry & Catalysis

Contact information

Room
David de Wied-building - 4.62

Email address
t.a.j.welling@uu.nl

Key expertises

Gas phase electron microscopy, liquid phase electron microscopy, colloidal science, finite-element calculations

About me

I received my BSc in Physics & Astronomy and my MSc in Nanomaterials Science at Utrecht University. I did my PhD research under dr. Joost de Graaf, dr. Marijn van Huis, and prof. Alfons van Blaaderen in the Soft Condensed Matter group at Utrecht University doing electron microscopy studies on the interactions and electrokinetics of rattle-type particles for use in switchable colloidal crystals. As I want to contribute to the much-needed energy transition I joined the MCC group in mid-2021.

About my research

We study the decomposition of methane into hydrogen while growing carbon materials using Ni-based catalysts. In particular, my research focuses on imaging the growth of carbon nanofibers in real time using an electron microscope. This yields information on the nucleation of fibers and the deactivation of the catalyst on a single-particle level. In combination with statistical methods we aim to improve catalyst design for the thermocatalytic decomposition of methane.

Academic career

Postdoctoral experience 2021-present: Postdoctoral research fellow in the group of Materials Chemistry and Catalysis at Utrecht University, the Netherlands. Under the supervision of Prof. Petra de Jongh. PhD candidate 2017-2021: PhD candidate in the group of Soft Condensed Matter at Utrecht University, under the supervision of dr. Joost de Graaf, dr. Marijn van Huis, and Prof. Alfons van Blaaderen. Master student 2015-2017: Master project in the group of Soft Condensed Matter at Utrecht University, under the supervision of dr. Wiebke Albrecht and Prof. Alfons van Blaaderen. Bachelor student 2011-2014: Bachelor project in the group of Soft Condensed Matter at Utrecht University, under the supervision of dr. Patrick Baesjou and Prof. Alfons van Blaaderen.

ARC CBBC publications

Carbon Nanofiber Growth Rates on NiCu Catalysts: Quantitative Coupling of Macroscopic and Nanoscale In Situ Studies

T.A.J. Welling, S.E. Schoemaker, K.P. de Jong, and P.E. de Jongh

Carbon nanofiber growth from methane over carbon-supported NiCu catalysts: Two temperature regimes

S.E. Schoemaker, T.A.J. Welling, D.F.L. Wezendonk, B.H. Reesink. A.P. van Bavel, and P.E. de Jongh