The main research theme in the group of Dennis Hetterscheid is to understand and mimic bioinorganic multi-electron processes that are relevant to our future energy infrastructure. Reduction of protons generates hydrogen that can be used as a chemical fuel. Alternatively to gaseous hydrogen, the reduction…

Artificial photosynthesis aims to produce fuels from solar energy using chemical processes. In semi-artificial photosynthesis, a hybrid approach is taken using both chemical and biotechnology approaches. We aim to develop hybrid systems between light-harvesting nanoparticles and redox-enzymes (oxidoreductases)…

In the last decade, the redox interconversion between metal thiolate and disulfide compounds has been extensively investigated for copper, but not for other transition metal ions.

Promotor: Prof.dr. E. Bouwman

The redox-conversion reaction of metal-disulfide and metal-thiolate complexes are important, as they may shed light on electron-transfer reactions that often occur in Nature.

To achieve a more sustainable society, it is important to move away from cradle-to-grave applications, and to develop a more circular economy, wherein reusability and recycling are part of the development of any new product. In that context, the currently undergoing change of chemical feedstocks from…

Promotores: G.W. Canters, T.J. Aartsma

In the Catalysis and Surface Chemistry group, we investigate how catalysis works on the molecular level. The group is divided in six subgroups, focusing on different aspects of heterogeneous catalysis, homogeneous catalysis and electrocatalysis.

Promotor: J.W.M. Frenken, Co-Promotor: R. Felici

Coordination chemistry is the chemistry of metal atoms

Promotor: E. Bouwman, Co-promotor: S. Bonnet

Central in coordination and organometallic chemistry is the synthesis of new chelating ligands, the synthesis and characterization of metal complexes with these ligands, and the study of their properties. An important goal in my research is to create understanding of the relation between the structures…

Promotor: J.W.M. Frenken Co-Promotores: I.M.N. Groot; L.B.F. Juurlink

The nanoscale structure of a catalyst under reaction conditions determines its activity, selectivity, and stability. For the production of sustainable energy and materials, new catalysts are needed. By understanding the structure-activity relationships of catalysts under reaction conditions, insight…

In the search for sustainable energy solutions, the idea of artificial photosynthesis has been proposed as an approach with which to use water and sunlight to produce hydrogen.

The research described in this thesis focused on the preparation of S/N functionalized carbene ligands and their transition metal complexes, and the exploration of their application as electrocatalysts for proton reduction.

Promotor: M.T.M. Koper, Co-Promotor: F. Calle-Vallejo

Research at the Catalysis and Surface Chemistry group is comprised of the following research themes:

Science, Leiden Institute of Chemistry (LIC)

Science, Leiden Institute of Chemistry (LIC)

Science, Leiden Institute of Chemistry (LIC)

Macromolecular Biochemistry is a section of the Leiden Institute of Chemistry at Leiden University, comprising the PIs Marcellus Ubbink, Remus Dame, Aimee Boyle, Lars Jeuken and Anne Wentink.

Bicarbonate buffer is largely found in nature due to its ability to regulate pH variations around neutral values. As the pH changes, so does the speciation of the buffer.

Can we tailor catalysts at the atomic scale by means of high-school chemistry and geometry rules?

Research at the MCBIM group is comprised of the following research themes:

The focus throughout this thesis will be on gathering fundamental studies of the detailed structure and composition of the electrode/electrolyte interface effect on the rate and mechanism of key electrocatalytic reactions.

The dissertation describes TEM experiments on heterogeneous catalysts.

During the 20th anniversary meeting of the Netherlands' Catalysis and Chemistry Conference, Marc Koper received the Netherlands Catalysis and Chemistry Award. ‘The ultimate candidate for the prize’, it says in one of the recommendation letters.

Twenty years from now, the world population is estimated to be around 8.7 billion people, compared to the current 7.3 billion. In combination with the improvements in living standards and the corresponding growth in consumption, this will result in an enormous increase in the demand for food, consumables,…

In most applications, electrocatalysts exhibit a large surface area to volume ratio, for example using nanoparticles.

Koper

Promotor: M.T.M. Koper, Co-Promotor: L.B.F. Juurlink

Individual molecules are extremely hard to see through feeble fluorescence. Tiny gold nanorods serve as new antennas to intensify their signal 500 times. Publication on 24 February in Angewandte Chemie.

A full overview of MCBIM PhD theses.

Surface Reaction Barriometry: Methane Dissociation on Flat and Stepped Transition-Metal Surfaces.

Promotor: Huub J.M. de Groot, Co-promotor: Francesco Buda

In this dissertation iron-based homogeneous catalysts were synthesized, characterized and investigated for water oxidation activity.

This thesis focuses on the synthesis, characterization and performance towards CO2 electroreduction of mono and bi-metallic particles based on p-block metals

Research at the Macromolecular Biochemistry group is comprised of the following research themes:

Promotor: M.T.M. Koper, Co-promotor: J.B.F. Juurlink

To design the ideal water oxidation catalyst, understanding of the catalytic mechanism and decomposition pathways is essential.

Heterogeneous catalysis is essential to many industrial applications. These catalysts are often comprised of supported nanoparticles, which contain various different surface sites.

Before the large scale use of renewable energy sources can be implemented in our society, the storage of electrical energy needs to be tackled. Storage the energy as hydrogen via the reduction of protons is a good option.

Fundamental understanding of molecular reactions on metal surfaces is important for improving heterogeneous catalysis.

Organic molecules in interstellar space are important as they influence the structure of galaxies and star formations. Studying catalytic processes in space allows us to understand how molecular species are formed and chemically evolved in the interstellar medium and solar system objects.

Using N2 dissociation on Ru(0001) as a representative showcase (for catalysts employed in the Haber-Bosch process), we have shown for the first time that non-adiabatic effects can substantially reduce a molecule’s dissociation probability on a metal surface. These effects are currently completely unaccounted…

Promotors: Prof.dr. E. Bouwman, Prof.dr. E. Drent

In this dissertation, the synthesis and characterization of a series of iron complexes based on different ligand platforms are described.

From surface science towards industrial practice using high-pressure scanning tunneling microscopy.

Catalysts are indispensable in everyday life. We know what they do and more or less how they do it, but we still lack a fundamental understanding about their functioning at an atomic scale. Therefore, Irene Groot from the Leiden Institute of Chemistry develops new measuring techniques to unravel the…