Materials Chemistry and Catalysis

Developing sorbent materials and robust Cu-based catalysts for sorption-enhanced CO₂ hydrogenation to methanol/DME

Replacing fossil-based feedstocks with renewable alternatives is critical for reducing the global carbon footprint. Capturing and utilizing CO₂ as a carbon source is essential for producing sustainable fuels in a circular economy. Two primary routes for converting captured CO₂ and renewable H₂ are Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and CO₂ hydrogenation to methanol (MeOH) and dimethyl ether (DME), with MeOH/DME serving as feedstocks for the formation of olefins, hydrocarbons, and aromatics.^[1]

However, the CO₂ hydrogenation to methanol process faces two major challenges. First, water forms as a byproduct, accelerating sintering of the standard Cu-based catalysts, leading to faster catalyst deactivation. Second, CO₂’s high thermal stability creates thermodynamic barriers, limiting CO₂ conversion and selectivity towards MeOH/DME.^[2]

This project will focus on active water management by designing and testing novel Cu-based catalysts, with particular emphasis on optimizing the support’s pore architecture and composition (hydrophobicity) to enhance catalytic performance and stability. Additionally, sorbent materials will be developed and tailored to selectively capture water in a combined sorbent-catalyst system. The system’s performance will be tested under both dynamic and static operational conditions for the MeOH/DME synthesis. This involves investigating performance of this system will be evaluated under both dynamic and static operational conditions for MeOH/DME synthesis.^[3] This includes studying the effects of fluctuating the partial pressures of H₂, CO₂ and H₂O on the catalyst’s activity, selectivity, and stability, with the focus on understanding the role of active water management.^[4] The catalytic tests will be complemented by advanced characterization techniques, such as TGA-MS, XRD, EM, and spectroscopy.

This project is part of the HyCarb consortium.

Are you interested in this versatile project, and would you like to do a research project with me? Please contact Peter Ngene or me by email.

Figure 1: Schematic overview of sorption-enhanced CO₂ hydrogenation to MeOH/DME

References

[1]        V. Dieterich, A. Buttler, A. Hanel, H. Spliethoff, S. Fendt, “Power-to-liquid via synthesis of methanol, DME or Fischer-Tropsch-fuels: a review” Energy Environ. Sci 2020, 13, 3207.

[2]        L. Barberis, A. H. Hakimioun, P. N. Plessow, N. L. Visser, J. A. Stewart, B. D. Vandegehuchte, F. Studt, P. E. de Jongh, “Competition between reverse water gas shift reaction and methanol synthesis from CO₂: influence of copper particle size” Nanoscale 2022, 14, 13551–13560.

[3]        J. van Kampen, J. Boon, M. van Sint Annaland, “Steam adsorption on molecular sieve 3A for sorption enhanced reaction processes” Adsorption 2021, 27, 577–589.

[4]        C. Hank, S. Gelpke, A. Schnabl, R. J. White, J. Full, N. Wiebe, T. Smolinka, A. Schaadt, H. M. Henning, C. Hebling, “Economics & carbon dioxide avoidance cost of methanol production based on renewable hydrogen and recycled carbon dioxide-power-to-methanol” Sustain. Energy Fuels 2018, 2, 1244–1261.

C.V.

2026-Present

PhD candidate in the Institute for Sustainable and Circular Chemistry at Utrecht University under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Petra de Jongh.

2023 – 2025

MSc Nanomaterials Science at Utrecht University

2025     Literature study at the Materials Chemistry and Catalysis group, Utrecht University, under the supervision of Christiaan Versteeg, MSc, and Prof. Dr. Petra de Jongh.

Topic: Methanol-to-Aromatic Catalysis through Tailored Zeolite Modifications: Insights into Structure-Performance Relationships

2025     Master Internship: Educational Profile at the Graduate School of Teaching, Utrecht University

2024     Master’s thesis at the Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis group, Utrecht University, under the supervision of Sofie Ferwerda, MSc, Dr. Ward van der Stam, and Dr. Matteo Monai.

Topic: Performance of Ni/MgAl₂O₄ Catalysts for Dry Reforming of Light Alkanes

2019 – 2022

BSc Chemistry at Utrecht University

2022     Bachelor’s thesis at the Materials Chemistry and Catalysis group, Utrecht University, under the supervision of Luc Smulders, MSc, and Prof. Dr. Petra de Jongh.

Topic: NiCu-ƴ-Al₂O₃/H-ZSM-22 as noble metal free bifunctional catalysts for hydroconversion of n-alkanes.

2000

Born in Breda, the Netherlands.

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