Tomáš Pokorný
Postdoctoral researcher
Utrecht University
About me
I earned my PhD in Materials Chemistry from Masaryk University in Brno. During my research, I worked on developing catalysts for the dehydrogenation of ethanol to acetaldehyde. As part of additional research projects, worked on the development of nanofibers for hydrogenolysis applications in collaboration with Unipetrol and contributed to nanofiber-based catalysts for olefin metathesis in collaboration with MIT.
In my free time, I enjoy music, playing the bass guitar, and sports.
About my research
This research addresses the stability of Cu-based catalysts for high-pressure CO₂ hydrogenation to methanol. As water formation accelerates catalyst deactivation, detailed insight into the underlying deactivation mechanisms is essential for developing stable and efficient catalysts. This project builds on my experience in materials chemistry and heterogeneous catalysis, gained through doctoral and research projects on metal nanoparticles and supported catalysts. The research approach combines preparation of catalysts with advanced characterization by in situ electron microscopy and surface modification strategies such as atomic layer deposition. A key motivation is to bridge fundamental understanding of catalyst deactivation with practical strategies for improving catalyst lifetime.
Academic career
Postdoctoral experience
2025 – present: Postdoctoral fellow in the Materials Chemistry and Catalysis group, Utrecht University, the Netherlands, under supervision of Prof. dr. Petra de Jongh.
Project: Stability of copper supported catalysts for high pressure CO2 hydrogenation.
Early Stage Researcher
2021 – 2025: Doctoral degree in Material chemistry at Masaryk University in Czech Republic under supervision of Dr. Ales Styskalik.
Doctoral thesis: Preparation and characterization of nanoparticles of metals and their alloys, deposition of nanoparticles on porous materials and their catalytic activity
2023 – 2025: Research position funded by The INTER-EXCELLENCE II program in collaboration with Prof. Yuriy Román (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) under supervision of Dr. David Škoda (Centrum polymernich systemu, Univerzita Tomase Bati).
Topic: Synthesis of new highly active metallosilicate catalysts for olefin metathesis
2024 – 2025: Research position funded by TAČR project in collaboration with ORLEN UniCRE a.s. and CLASSIC Oil s.r.o. under supervision of Dr. Ales Styskalik (Masaryk University).
Topic: Production of anti-freeze components for coolants by hydrogenolysis of natural polyols using Cu supported catalysts
2021 – 2023: Research position funded by TAČR project on Masaryk University under supervision of Dr. Ales Styskalik.
Topic: New Catalysts for Ethanol to 1,3-Butadiene Conversion
Education
2019 – 2021: Master’s degree in Material chemistry at Masaryk University in Czech Republic under supervision of Dr. Vit Vykoukal.
Master’s thesis: Study of morphology effect to thermal properties of AgCuNi nanoparticle alloy
2016 – 2019:Bachelor’s degree in Material chemistry at Masaryk University in Czech Republic under supervision of Dr. Vit Vykoukal and Dr. Frantisek Zelenka.
Bachelor’s thesis: Synthesis of AgCu nanoparticles and investigation of catalytic (Knudsen effusion mass spectrometry) and thermal properties (differential scanning calorimetry)
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