debye institute - universiteit utrecht · using processes from colloids science. moreover, catalyst...

tw

[Faculty of Science]

INFO GUIDE

[Faculty of Science]

Deb

ye Institu

te for NanoM

aterials Science Info G

uide

Debye Institute for NanoMaterials Science

Departm

ent of Physics & A

stronomy

Departm

ent of Physics & A

stronomy

CONTACTS AND ADDRESSES

Scientific directorProf.Dr. A. van Blaaderen

Phone: +31 30 253 2204

Fax: +31 30 253 2706

e-mail: [email protected]

Managing directorDr. A.V. Petukhov

Phone: +31 30 253 1167

Fax: +31 30 253 3870


SecretaryD.E.A. Pozzi

Phone: +31 30 253 4743

Fax: +31 30 253 2706


Visiting addressDebye Institute for Nanomaterials Science

Ornstein Laboratory

Princetonplein 1

3584 CC Utrecht

The Netherlands

Postal addressDebye Institute for Nanomaterials Science

Ornstein Laboratory

PO Box 80.000

3508 TA Utrecht

World Wide Webhttp://www.debye.uu.nl

External Advisory CommitteeProf.Dr. C.I.M. Beenakker, TU Delft

Prof.Dr. H. Hofstraat, Philips Research

Dr. P. Brandts, DSM

Drs. N.P.J. Kuin, Oce-Nederland BV

Dr. H.P.C.E. Kuipers, Shell Oil Company

Vacancy

Info Guide


Nanophotonics

Prof. Dr. Ruud Schropp, Prof. Dr. Jaap Dijkhuis,

Prof.Dr. Peter van der Straten, Dr. John Vogels,

Dr. Dries van Oosten, Dr. Jatin Rath, Dr. Marcel Di Vece

Nanophotonics




Physical and Colloid Chemistry

Dr. Ben Erné, Prof. Dr. Willem Kegel,

Prof. Dr. Henk Lekkerkerker, Dr. Andrei Petukhov,

Prof. Dr. Albert Philipse, Dr. Gert Jan Vroege





Soft Condensed Matter andBiophysics

Prof.Dr. Alfons van Blaaderen, Prof.Dr. Ir. Marjolein Dijkstra,

Prof.Dr. Hans Gerritsen, Dr. Arnout Imhof, Dr. René van Roij




Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis

Prof.Dr.Ir. Krijn de Jong, Prof.Dr.Ir. Bert Weckhuysen,

Prof.Dr. Frank de Groot, Dr. Andy Beale,

Dr. Pieter Bruijnincx, Dr. Harry Bitter, Dr. Petra de Jongh





Organic Chemistry and CatalysisProf. Dr.Bert Klein Gebbink, Prof. Dr. Leo Jenneskens,

Prof. Dr. Berth-Jan Deelman, Dr. Johann Jastrzebski



Condensed Matter and Interfaces

Prof. Dr. Andries Meijerink, Prof. Dr. Daniel

Vanmaekelbergh,Dr. Celso de Mello Donegá,

Dr. Peter. Liljeroth, Dr. J .H.van Lenthe





External Advisory CommitteeExternal Advisory Committee

Board

Scientific director Prof. Dr Alfons van Blaaderen

Managing director Dr. Andrei Petukhov

Members Prof.Dr.Ir. Bert Weckhuysen

Prof.Dr. Daniël Vanmaekelbergh

Institute secretary Thea Pozzi

Board






mailto:e-mail:%20a.vanblaaderen%40uu.nl%20?subject=

mailto:e-mail:%20a.v.petukhov%40uu.nl%20?subject=

mailto:e-mail:%20science.dins%40uu.nl%20?subject=

mailto:www.debye.uu.nl%20?subject=

Welcome to the Debye Institute for

Nanomaterials Science!

Dear Reader

This guide provides an introduction to the Debye Institute for

Nanomaterials Science for its visitors, for those considering

joining the institute and all interested in its research.

In the first part of this booklet the Institute’s mission and

organization are introduced. Next, the research groups present

their research programmes with descriptions of their present work

and a brief outlook of future research directions.

In subsequent chapters further practical information is given.

We hope you will enjoy reading this booklet and look forward

to seeing you at the Debye institute.

Prof. Dr. Alfons van Blaaderen

Scientific Director

Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science

Ornstein Laboratory

P.O. Box 80.000

3508 TA Utrecht

The Netherlands

Phone: +31 30 253 4743

Fax: + 31 253 2706

E-mail: [email protected]

www.debye.uu.nl

2 3


I N o r G a N I c c h e m I S t r y & c a t a ly S I S1

Info Guide

D e a r r e a D e r

D e a r r e a D e r

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.debye.uu.nl

Contents

Page

Dear Reader 3

1 Introduction 7

Research Groups

2 Condensed Matter and Interfaces 17

3 Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis 23

4 Nanophotonics 29

5 Organic Chemistry and Catalysis 35

6 Soft Condensed Matter and Biophysics 41

7 Physical and Colloid Chemistry 49

Miscellaneous Information

8 Debye Activities 57

9 Why opt for the Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science? 63

10 What students think of our programme 69

11 How to get to the Debye Institute 75

4 5



Info Guide

c o N t e N t S

c o n t e n t s

Introduction

6 7



Info Guide

1I N t r o D u c t I o N

Mission

To facilitate and promote Physical Chemistry and Chemical Physics research at the highest

international level in the Nanomaterials Science areas: Colloids, Catalysis and Nanophotonics. Apply

this fundamental knowledge to achieve a Sustainable Society with a focus on Solar Energy.

To provide both Master (Master Chemistry and Physics of Nanomaterials) and PhD students a high-level

education, integrating experiments, theory and computer simulations in a multidisciplinary approach.

Introduction

This info guide is intended to give background information of what the Debye Institute for

Nanomaterials Science (DINS) is about and who are part of it. It is intended for our visitors, guests

and new employees as well as everyone interested in our Institute. After this introduction all groups

within DINS give an overview of their current research and future plans and who they collaborate

with. More detailed information, like links to scientific work can be found at the websites of

either the groups themselves or that of the institute: http://www.debye.uu.nl. Next to a scientific

director (Alfons van Blaaderen) and managing director (Andrei Petukhov) the Institute has a board

representing the different scientific directions (Bert Weckhuysen and Daniël Vanmaekelbergh) and a

managerial secretary (Thea Pozzi). The Institute receives independent input from an Advisory Board.

Background. In October 2009 the Debye Institute celebrated its 20th anniversary with festivities at a

local restaurant as illustrated here with some photos. Twenty years ago a close collaboration between

groups from Chemistry and Physics working in the field of Condensed Matter became the nucleus

for the Debye Institute. This interdisciplinary character of the Institute at the interface between

1

http://www.debye.uu.nl

1

8 9

Debye Institute for NanoMaterials Science Info Guide

1I N t r o D u c t I o N I N t r o D u c t I o N

Chemistry and Physics combined with a focus on Materials Science remain to this day. Moreover,

the widely recognized expertise of the Debye Institute in research on nanomaterials was recognized

in January 2008 by extending its name to: the Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science (DINS).

What also has stayed remarkable constant over the years is the number of people working in

the institute and which is around 200 employees including 20 full professors and around 100

PhD students. Also, the contributions from both disciplines Chemistry and Physics to the total

manpower has remained close to 50%. Presently, there are four groups in the Institute from the

Chemistry Department: Physical and Colloid Chemistry (PCC), Condensed Matter & Interfaces (CMI),

Organic Chemistry & Catalysis (OCC) and Inorganic Chemistry & Catalysis (ICC); and two from the

Department of Physics and Astronomy: NanoPhotonics (NP) and Soft Condensed Matter & Molecular

Biophysics (SCMB).

All groups are housed within walking distance of each other, this is important because closeness

certainly furthers collaborations. In the coming time the groups will stay spread out over four

buildings. Ornstein Laboratory, one of the first labs, which was built some 40 years ago in the

‘Uithof ’ campus outside the eastern part of the city of Utrecht, houses SCMB, CMI and a part

of the NP group. The other buildings are the Van de Graaff (NP), Kruyt (PCC, OCC) and Went

building (ICC). In the near future the catalysis groups (ICC, OCC) will move to a new building

which has not yet been named.

Dinner party of the Debye Institute at its 20th anniversary, October 2009

Research. Nanomaterials. Science is certainly what characterizes almost all research taking place within

DINS. However, the field of Nanomaterials Science is extensive. Within DINS the fundamental focus

is on the subfields of Colloids, Catalysis and Nanophotonics. These three fields are certainly

not independent and contain actively pursued overlap. For instance, many heterogeneous catalysts

make use of inorganic materials that are structured on colloidal length scales and are prepared

using processes from colloids science. Moreover, catalyst particles in the (nano-)colloidal size scale

are often used as well. Also, the groups working with colloids, especially the SCMB group, make

photonic crystals using the self assembly of particles with a size close to the wavelength of visible

light. Additionally, the CMI group investigates many optical properties of single nanoparticles

that are also called quantum dots and solids of such particles again obtained by self assembly. Both

these research directions also fall under the heading Nanophotonics, a field where light-matter

interactions are studied on nano-structured materials. Similarly, the catalysis groups perform a

lot of characterization of their catalysts by performing both time and spatially resolved forms

of spectroscopy such as Raman, UV-VIS and IR spectroscopy that also can be characterized as

Nanophotonics. Other research themes that fall under the heading of Nanophotonics are the study

of Bose-Einstein condensates; a new form of matter at ultra cold temperatures that is realized

and studied using light matter interactions in many new ways, and studying ultra fast dynamics

using pump probe spectroscopy. An example of the latter is the ultrafast switching of the photonic

properties of a photonic crystal with a femtosecond light pulse. Improving solar cells in which

the light energy from the sun is directly transferred into electrical power is also an example where

photons and matter are manipulated using structures in the nano-domain.

Catalysts are accelerators of chemical reactions that are not used up in the process. In our Institute

both so-called homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis are studied. In the homogeneous catalysis

the catalyst is in a dissolved state and harder to retrieve. In heterogeneous catalysis the catalyst

is, as the term suggests, in a different phase. A better fundamental understanding of the working

and design of catalysts on the molecular level will without doubt contribute to cleaner chemical

processes that may be performed with higher yield and/or under milder conditions. As such Catalysis

research is important to arrive at a society in which processes are more sustainable. The focus on

Sustainability in materials and processes is the more applied direction of the three fundamental

focus areas. An even further focus on Solar Energy is emerging within this applied research theme

that is mostly driven by important questions that our society has to solve.

Colloid Science is a field of research that is already for more than 100 years associated with Utrecht

University and it is together with the field of Catalysis internationally recognized as a field in

which the Debye Institute is world leading. Presently, colloids from the interesting quantum dots

to particles all the way up to granular matter are studied both experimentally, theoretically and

with computer simulations. Experimentally there is a focus on real space analysis using a variety of

microscopy methods and the use of external fields to manipulate the self assembly.

Quality. The Science Faculty recently (first half of 2010) evaluated the scientific impact of all

permanent staff through an commercial citation analysis. This analysis covered a period of 10 years.

Debye institute: 20th anniversary, October 2009

The performance of Arjen Vredenberg (l) and Gert-Jan Vroege (r)

1

10 11



With respect to the so-called ‘crown-factor’ which measures the average impact of research with

respect to the world average (crown factor = 1), but with a correction for the way different fields

cite each others work, DINS had an average score of 2.1. To put this number in perspective: values

around 1.5 put the fields of Chemistry and Physics world-wide in the top three!

Education. Responsibilities of the Institute are not only at the level of its research, but also extend

to the education of Master’s and PhD students. The Debye Master Chemistry and Physics of

Nanomaterials the last few years drew more than 40 Master students yearly again roughly equally

divided over the two disciplines. The students do not only follow many courses given by researchers

from the Institute, but also actively participate in research projects. This is one of only a few successful

interdisciplinary Master programs between Chemistry and Physics in the Netherlands. Jaap Dijkhuis

and Willem Kegel are the coordinators of this Master program and report to the DINS board.

We hope to increase the number of foreign students and to this end DINS participates at the end of

each summer in what has become Europe’s largest Summer School program at Utrecht University.

The PhD students not only follow courses to further their own research, but also participate in

teaching at both the Bachelor and Master level.

Activities. DINS organizes monthly lunch talks of (mostly) young researchers from one of the groups

featuring a recently published high impact paper. An internationally renowned professor is invited

to stay as Debye Professor for 3 months within one of the groups and gives a lecture series on one

of the topics from the focus areas. There is a yearly Debye Lecture with speakers that include Nobel

Prize winners. Every other year staff from the Institute organize a Spring School on one of the

topics from the focus areas. DINS also has a Debye PhD students advisory committee that amongst

others organizes a yearly Debye Sportsday, an annual info booklet with one-page description of

every PhD project. Moreover, every other year the Debye Meeting Days is organized, during which

all groups present their research to each other.

Finally, I wish you a pleasant and productive stay at our Institute! If you feel information is missing

and/or this guide could be improved in any other way, your comments are more than welcome

([email protected]).

Prof. Dr. Alfons van Blaaderenº

Scientific Director

mailto:[email protected]

2 Condensed Matter and Interfaces

The focus is on the synthesis of colloidal nanocrystalline quantum dots,

quantum-dot solids and lanthanide-doped solids, and the study of the

opto-electronic properties of these systems.

3 Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis

The focus is on the synthesis, characterization and assembly of solid

catalysts to control the composition, the structure and the location of

the active phase in three dimensions in a catalyst particle.

4 Nanophotonics

The research encompasses the scope from applied studies on the

utilization of nanomaterials in photovoltaic devices to fundamental

aspects of femtosecond dynamics in quantum wires.

5 Organic Chemistry and Catalysis

The research activities span the wide area of organic chemistry,

organometallic chemistry, coordination chemistry, and homogeneous

catalysis.

6 Soft Condensed Matter and Biophysics

The research theme is on the quantitative 3D real-space analysis and

manipulation of colloidal structures and processes. The Biophysics

group focuses on development and exploitation of fluorescence

spectroscopy-based techniques in microscopy to study biological materials

characterization and development of luminescent labels.

7 Physical and Colloid Chemistry

The main research theme is the fundamental study of the statistics and

the dynamics of concentrated colloidal dispersions.

1

12 13



15

Info Guide

I N o r G a N I c c h e m I S t r y & c a t a ly S I S 1

C O N d e N S e d M A T T e r A N d I N T e r fA C e S

Scientific staff Prof. dr. Andries Meijerink, Prof. dr. daniël A.M. Vanmaekelbergh , dr. Celso de

Mello donegá, dr. Peter Liljeroth (tenure track) , dr. Joop H. van Lenthe

Adjunct staff Prof. dr. John J. Kelly (emeritus), Prof. dr. Cees r. ronda, dr. Onno L. J. Gijzeman

and emeriti (retired)

Technical support J.G.M. (Hans) Ligthart, Ing. Stephan Zevenhuizen and Jessica d. Woudstra-

Heilbrunn

PhD students/Postdocs 17

research Mission:

The research is focussed on the synthesis of nanostructured opto-electronic materials and characterizing and

understanding their structural, optical and electrical properties. There is a strong link with applications of these

materials in photovoltaics, lighting and medical imaging. We aim to relate the local microscopic structure and

properties measured on the nanoscale with the overall opto-electronic properties of the material thus providing

a deeper fundamental understanding.

We also focus on electronic structure calculations in a variety of systems. Methods are developed to compute

large molecules or molecules containing heavy metals (relativity – spin-orbit coupling) to further this objective.

The interpretation of models in chemistry is a mainstay of our research. A long-standing effort is therefore

invested in our Ab Initio Valence Bond code “TURTLE”, which is used in exploring models in chemistry

(resonance, hyperconjugation, bonding).

16 17



Info Guide

2c o N D e N S e D m a t t e r a N D I N t e r f a c e S

2

research Highlights and Outlook

Intro. The second half of the 20th century can be considered as the era of solid state chemistry

and physics. Our modern society depends strongly on electronic devices based on semiconductor

components with dimensions in the 100 nm range. There is, however, a strong need to reduce

the scale of these semiconductors even more. This brings new challenges to technology. From

a scientific viewpoint, the scaling of semiconductors below 10 nm raises a new class of exciting

physical phenomena that all can be related to the confinement of wave-functions and charges

in extremely small structures. Semiconductor quantum systems form therefore one of the major

themes in current nanoscience.

The CMI-group operates at the interface of solid state chemistry and physics. Advanced techniques

are applied to synthesize new nanostructured materials including nanocrystal superlattices, study

their atomic and electronic structure, measure their opto-electrical properties, and provide new

insights through modeling of the results. By controlling the synthesis of materials, information is

obtained by relating variations in the composition, size or structure to the measured properties.

The group has a strong background in optical (luminescence) spectroscopy and scanning tunneling

spectroscopy on (1) colloidal metal and semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) (quantum dots (QDs)) ,

(2) lanthanide ions and (3) semiconductor nanowires. This expertise is the basis to address relevant

scientific questions and to contribute to new applications. Over time the scientific background

evolves and the applications to which the knowledge is applied varies based on societal needs,

availability of funding and opportunities to contribute to a specific problem based on our expertise.

Opto-electrical properties of ZnO. ZnO is an intriguing material that still raises scientific questions

after over a century of research. We have synthesized high-quality ZnO nanocrystal quantum dots

by wet chemistry and ZnO nanowires (1-D) by chemical vapor deposition. These systems show a

strong exciton luminescence in the UV, and a defect luminescence in the green. By use of quantum

confinement, we could resolve the origin of the green defect luminescence, and attribute it to an

oxygen vacancy. ZnO nanowires are the smallest lasers ever made. Furthermore, we developed a

method to control the number CB electrons in the ZnO quantum dots, and we studied electron

transport.

Controlling of spontaneous emission. Control of spontaneously emitted light lies at the heart of

quantum optics. It is essential for diverse applications ranging from miniature lasers and light-

emitting diodes, to single- photon sources for quantum information, and to solar energy harvesting.

We have studied spontaneous emission from semiconductor quantum dots embedded in inverse

opal photonic crystals. We show that the spectral distribution and time-dependent decay of light

emitted from excitons confined in the quantum dots are controlled by the host photonic crystal.

Scanning-probe spectroscopy of the energy levels and atomic structure of single quantum dots and

organic molecules. We have developed shell-tunneling and shell-filling spectroscopy using an UHV

cryogenic scanning tunnelling microscope with the goal to measure the bare energy levels, and

the electron-electron interactions and electron-phonon coupling in quantum dots. Furthermore,

the energy and spatial extension of the frontier orbitals in phtalocyanines and phorphyrines have

been measured in collaboration with IBM-Zurich. The atomic backbone of organic molecules,

and the charge of individual atoms could be measured with advanced small-amplitude non-contact

chemical force spectroscopy. With the expertise that we gained in this collaboration with IBM, a new

challenging research line will be initiated to measure the atomic structure and orbitals of a single

organic molecule during the different steps of a catalysed reaction. This research will be developed

in cooperation with the organic chemistry and catalysis group. Single-molecule spectroscopy of a

molecule in transformation will provide a deep quantum-mechanical understanding of catalytic

processes.

Figure. 1. Schematic picture of STS tip above coupled Qds (left) and STS (scanning tunneling spectroscopy) spectra (middle) for different

positions in a Qd-solid (indicated in the picture on the right) probing spectra for single Qds and Qd-molecules consisting of 2 or 3 Qds.

Synthesis of high-quality colloidal quantum dots and nanocrystals. To realize the full potential of

colloidal QDs and NCs their size, shape and surface must be strictly controlled. Our group has

successfully developed new preparation methods, boosting photoluminescence quantum yields,

narrowing size distributions, improving stability, and developing new compositions. The availability

of such high-quality QDs has in turn allowed us to unravel new physical phenomena and to

give important contributions towards a better understanding as well as opening up application

possibilities (e.g., biomedical imaging and solar luminescent concentrators). New synthesis strategies

are developed to dope luminescent ions in quantum dots. Scientific challenges include e.g. studies on

trapping times of charges carriers by impurities in confined structures, coupling between localized

and delocalized states and single ion luminescence. Within this research project, a ps-streak camera

system will be built to study fast trapping processes and will extend the time-resolved luminescence

capabilities in the CMI-group to the ps-range.

Preparation of nanocrystal superlattices as a basis for novel (meta)materials. Colloidal nanocrystals

have the propensity to form nanocrystal superlattices by colloidal crystallization. In fact, nanocrystal

self-organization is the only known way to prepare materials in which different nanocrystals

(semiconductors, magnets, metals) are in close contact in a well-ordered 3-D geometry. Such

superlattices hold promise for new classes of nanostructured (meta)materials with applications in

2

18 19


c o N D e N S e D m a t t e r a N D I N t e r f a c e S c o N D e N S e D m a t t e r a N D I N t e r f a c e S 2

opto-electronics, photovoltaics and thermo-electrics. We have studied the thermodynamic and

kinetic aspects of self-organisation of colloidal nanocrystals into single-component, binary and

ternary superlattices. The 3-D structure of these systems has been studied by electron tomography.

The coming years, the relation between the local electronic structure and the collective opto-

electronic properties will be studied by a combination of different types of spectroscopy.

Figure 2: Suspensions of colloidal CdSe NCs of different sizes (1.7 to 4.5 nm diameter, from left to right) under UV excitation. This

image of colloidal nanoscience provides a beautiful demonstration of quantum confinement (size dependent luminescence colours).

research Highlights and Outlook Theoretical Chemistry

Massively Parallel Computing. Computer Aided Drug Design. For the HF/DFT parallel code in

GAMESS-UK a shared memory model is developed, allowing the program to store the orbitals and

density and Fock matrices in the amalgamated memory of a node (possibly 100 Gbyte). This makes

calculations with up to 60000 orbitals possible, without excessive communication. Wave functions

can be calculated and densities and molecular potentials on a grid, which can immediately be used

in docking studies in Computer Aided Drug Design. This approach is used in studies on Isocitrate

Lyase, a key enzyme for persistent Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, and Neuraminidase, a key enzyme

for Avian Influenza, a molecule with 7066 atoms and up to 45000 orbitals. Comparison with

point-charge derived interactions shows the Ab Initio results to be superior. Massively parallel high

throughput docking studies demonstrate, that this Ab Initio approach is very effective.

Valence Bond assisted interpretation of the bonding in Cp..XHn (X=Al,Si). Ab Initio Valence Bond

theory is used to obtain a deeper understanding of the chemical bonding of medium sized molecules.

In calculations on Cyclopentadienyl-Main-

Group-Metal complexes, we separated the orbital

space of metal and cyclopentadienyl moiety and

defined different structures for covalent “sigma”,

covalent “pi” and ionic bonding. By variationally

combining these structures, a weight can be

assigned to different bonding types. The orbitals

in the structures were allowed to be different

for each structure and are optimised in the total

wave function. The VB calculations indicate that,

although π-bonding is important in unsaturated

species such as CpAlH 2 and CpSiH, it is not the

main factor in determining the geometry. Rather,

the s bond and ionic contributions appear to be

responsible. The shapes of the orbitals are vital

for the interpretation of the structures.

Collaborations within the Institute:

The CMI/TC group collaborates with the Colloidal Science groups (Van Blaaderen, Philipse, Erne),

Organic Chemistry and Catalysis (Klein-Gebbink), Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis (Weckhuysen,

De Groot), Nanophotonics (Schropp, Van Sark) and Biophysics (Gerritsen).

Other Colla orations:

Kuipers, Bonn, Polman (AMOLF), Bakkers, Kouwenhoven, Siebbeles (Delft), Speller, Maan

(Nijmegen), Schmidt (Leiden), Nicolay (Eindhoven), Dorenbos (Delft), Hintzen (Eindhoven),

Mulder, Fayad (New York), Reid, Reeves (Canterbury), Bettinelli (Verona), Baranov (Moscow),

Bayer (Dortmund), Zych (Wroclaw), Juestel (Munster), Banin (Jerusalem), Gudel and Kramer

( Bern), Gamelin (Seattle), Allan, Delerue (Lille), M.F. Guest (Cardiff), H.J.J. van Dam (Richland),

A.J. Meijer (Sheffield).

Networks:

CMI participates in several EU-funded networks (STRING, NANOSPEC) and coordinates the

ITN network HERODOT.

Funding:

Grants include, NWO-CW (TOP and ECHO), NWO-FOM (FOM-Program, JSP), NWO-VIDI,

NCF, EU- FP7. Industrial bilateral contacts with Philips, Toyota, and IBM-Zurich.

Website:

Group websites: http://www.uu.nl/faculty/science/en/organisation/depts/chemistry/research/cmi/

Pages/default.aspx and http://tc5.chem.uu.nl

2

20 21


2c o N D e N S e D m a t t e r a N D I N t e r f a c e S c o N D e N S e D m a t t e r a N D I N t e r f a c e S

http://www.uu.nl/faculty/science/en/organisation/depts/chemistry/research/cmi/Pages/default.aspx

http://www.uu.nl/faculty/science/en/organisation/depts/chemistry/research/cmi/Pages/default.aspx

http://tc5.chem.uu.nl

I N O r G A N I C C H e M I S T rY A N d C ATA LYS I S

Scientific Staff Prof.dr.ir. Krijn P. de Jong, Prof.dr.ir. Bert M. Weckhuysen, Prof.dr. frank M.f. de Groot,

dr. Andrew M. Beale (tenure track), dr. J.H. (Harry) Bitter, dr. Pieter C.A. Bruijnincx,

(tenure track), dr. Petra e. de Jongh

Technical support Ad M.J. van der eerden, Vincent Koot, J.d. (Hans) Meeldijk (debye Institute

technician), Ad J.M. Mens, fouad Soulimani, Marjan Versluijs-Helder, M. (rien)

van Zwienen, Monique f.A. Lamers and dymph J.M. Serree


research Mission

The emphasis is on fundamental research on heterogeneous catalysts and related nanomaterials to establish

the relation between structure and function on atomic, mesoscopic and macroscopic length scales. The main

objectives are the understanding and improvement of the synthesis of catalyst and sorbent materials using

porous model supports and their detailed characterization during and after synthesis. A second goal is the

further development of in-situ spectro-microscopic and tomographic multi-technique approaches to study

materials with subnanometer to micrometer precision at work. The research is fully connected to societal and

environmental developments, for example to arrive at a more sustainable supply of transportation fuels and

chemicals, by improvements in catalysis routes, development of hydrogen storage materials and the development

of routes for biomass conversion.

22 23



Info Guide

I N o r G a N I c c h e m I S t r y a N D c a t a ly S I S 3

3


Catalysis is the property of substances that facilitate chemical reactions without being consumed.

Heterogeneous catalysts are distinguished from homogeneous catalysts by the different phases present

during reaction. Chemical industry uses heterogeneous catalysts in the majority of their production

processes. The catalyst commonly consists of nanometer-sized active components, typically metals

or metal oxides, dispersed on a high-surface-area solid support, with performance depending on

the catalysts’ nanometre-size and on interactions involving the active components, the support

with the reactant and product molecules. Supported nanoparticles are often used for catalysis due

to their large surface to bulk ratio and their modified electronic structure properties. In addition

to catalysis, supported nanomaterials are also important for applications, such as hydrogen storage

and battery materials.

Fischer-Tropsch catalysis.The cobalt particle size effects in the Fischer-Tropsch reaction have been

determined and their origin revealed, allowing design of new catalyst materials. Using carbon

nanofiber supported catalysts with cobalt particle sizes between 3-25 nm it has been established

that the surface-specific activity drops strongly for cobalt particles smaller than 6 nm. Transient

experiments have revealed that irreversibly bonded CO at corners and edges of small cobalt particles

is an important cause for this decrease of the surface-specific activity. Using new impregnation,

drying and calcination methodology a narrow particle size distribution peaking around the optimal

particle size of 6 nm has been realized with Co/SiO2 catalysts.

Hydrogen Storage. Nanoparticles of MgH2 display lower hydrogen desorption energies; NaAlH

4

nanoparticles hydrogen show enhanced desorption kinetics, providing a route for hydrogen storage.

We have carried out ̀ quantum mechanical calculations showing that particles of MgH2 smaller than

1 nm release hydrogen with lower energy requirements thus showing the importance of nanosizing

for hydrogen storage. For NaAlH4 nanoparticles we have established an experimental relationship

between size and activation energy for desorption of H2.

Nanoscale chemical imaging with X-rays. Imaging of a working catalyst has been established using

in-situ X-ray spectro-microscopy, providing new opportunities for catalyst characterization studies.

Scanning Transmission X-ray Microscopy (STXM) has been combined for the first time with an

in-situ nanoreactor for the characterization of Fe-based Fischer-Tropsch catalysts. As a result, the

chemical composition changes of individual supported Fe nanoparticles could be investigated

in a flow of various gas environments, including oxygen, hydrogen and synthesis gas at elevated

temperatures. The role of carbidic, oxidic and metallic Fe can now be assessed and correlated with

catalytic performances.

Diffusion and reactivitiy within zeolites. External and internal molecular diffusion barriers have

been elucidated within large zeolite crystals, their intergrowth structure determined and a new

spectroscopic probe for Bronsted acidity imaging established. The outer surface and inner structure

of large ZSM-5 zeolite crystals have been structurally and spectroscopically investigated as a

function of the crystal morphology revealing detailed information on the micropore orientation

and accessibility, pore defects and acidity distribution. Based on these findings a general intergrowth

model and related growth mechanism has been proposed. In addition, the oligomerisation of styrene

and thiophene derivatives has been developed as a versatile chemical imaging tool to assess Bronsted

acidity in micro- and mesoporous zeolites.

Imaging of catalyst synthesis. New physicochemical insights have been obtained in the dynamics

of impregnation, drying and calcination processes of catalyst bodies in space and time. With the aid

of Raman and UV-Vis micro-spectroscopy in combination with X-ray tomography and Magnetic

Resonance Imaging, experimental protocols have been established for the deliberate synthesis of

egg-shell, egg-yolk, egg-white and uniform metal/metal oxide distributions within mm-sized Al2O

3

catalysts bodies of use for hydrodesulphurization, hydrogenation and Fischer-Tropsch reactions.

Electron tomography. Electron tomography has yielded quantitative and high resolution information

on the size and position of individual nanoparticles in 3D structures, facilitating new insights into

the assembly of nanoparticulate materials. For a catalyst composed of 3-4 nm NiO particles in

porous SiO2, individual particle sizes and locations were determined, proving the possibility to

combine a high dispersion with a very high local loading (40-50 wt%). For binary superlattices

consisting of PbSe, CdSe, and Au a comprehensive characterization down to the single nanocrystal

3

Figure 1: Photo of the nanoreactor at the STXM beamline of

the Advanced Light Source in Berkeley.

Figure 2: Visualization of the distinct internal diffusion barriers

24 25


I N o r G a N I c c h e m I S t r y & c a t a ly S I S 3I N o r G a N I c c h e m I S t r y & c a t a ly S I S

level was demonstrated, accurately determining nanocrystal sizes, superlattice parameters, and

crystallographic defects.

Crystallisation of microporous aluminophosphates. Insight into the crystallisation mechanisms of

mircoporous aluminophosphates has been obtained using a combination of in situ spectroscopic

and scattering methods. Detailed insight into the self-assembly mechanisms of two types of

microporous aluminophosphates structures (AFI and CHA) has been obtained using a variety of

in situ spectroscopic and scattering methods; in some cases these techniques have been combined to

obtain congruent insight into the crystallisation. All components in the synthesis have been studied

and comprehensive new insight into the self-assembly process(es) has been obtained.


The ICC group collaborates together with the Organic Chemistry and Catalysis group (Klein

Gebbink, van Koten & Jenneskens) in the Catalysis Centre Utrecht (CCU). Within this context of the

‘Earth and Sustainability’ of Utrecht University, the group works together with the Colloidal Science

groups (van Blaaderen, Lekkerkerker, Kegel & Erne), Natural Sciences & Society (Faaij), Condensed

Matter and Interfaces (Meijerink & Vanmaekelbergh), as well as with the Utrecht University Electron

Microscopy group (Verkleij†, Andries & Drury). The Lekkerkerker and Weckhuysen groups are

heading a university-funded Synchrotron Radiation User Support Group for helping researchers

to perform synchrotron-based research at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF)

in France.

Other Collaborations:

A large number of collaborations exist with academia and with industry, including Lercher (Munich),

Krause (Helsinki), Murzin (Turku), Schuth (MPI Mulheim), Zecchina/Lamberti (Torino), Anderson

(Manchester), Solomon (Stanford), Guo/Huse (Berkeley), Knop-Gericke/Schlogl (FHI, Berlin).

Networks:

ICC participates in the interuniversity graduate school ‘Netherlands Institute for Catalysis Research’

(NIOK; http://www.niok.nl; our group hosts since 2003 the ‘penvoerderschap’ of NIOK) and one

of the six Top Research Schools, namely the ‘National Research School Combination Catalysis’

(NRSCC; http://www.nrsc-catalysis.nl). At the international level ICC participates in several EU-

related networks, including COST, CONCORDE, ACENET and IDECAT. Recently, ICC became

a partner of a DOE-funded EFRC, an NWO/DFG-funded IRTG and an NSF-funded PIRE.

Funding:

Grants include, amongst others, NWO top, vici, vidi, veni, mid-size & rubicon, ACTS-Aspect,

ACTS-H2,

CatchBio, NRSC-C and M2i. Industrial bilateral contracts have been established with

Shell, Dow, Toyota, Total, Johnson Matthey, SK Energy and BASF.

Websites:

Group website: http://www.anorg.chem.uu.nl/

3

26 27


I N o r G a N I c c h e m I S t r y & c a t a ly S I S

Info Guide

I N o r G a N I c c h e m I S t r y & c a t a ly S I S 3

http://www.anorg.chem.uu.nl/

N A N O P H O T O N I C S

Scientific Staff Prof. dr. ruud e.I. Schropp, Prof. dr. Jaap I. dijkhuis, Prof. dr. Peter van der

Straten, dr. Johnny Vogels (tenure track), dr. dries van Oosten (tenure track),

dr. Jatin K. rath, dr. Marcel di Vece (tenure track)

Adjunct Staff Prof. dr. Albert Polman (fOM-AMOLf), Prof. dr. Wim J. Goedheer (fOM-

rijnhuizen), Prof. dr. Wim C. Sinke (eCN), Prof. dr. denise M. Krol (UC davis)

Technical support Caspar O. van Bommel, Karine H.M. van der Werf, Martin Huijzer, frits

ditewig, Paul Jurrius, Cees r. de Kok, Clarien L. derks, riny de Haas


research Mission

The research program focusses on opto-electronics and manipulation of matter by light on the nanoscale.

A full spectrum from purely fundamental to application driven research is maintained within the program.

This is not only to create an excellent playground for students to develop their talents and knowledge in

modern experimental physics, but also to make the staff keen on opportunities for funding and valorization.

The mission of the group Physics of Devices plays a decisive role in growing, understanding and optimizing

thin-film opto-electronic nanomaterials that allow for competitive fabrication of large-scale solar panels. This

enterprise is strengthened by the study of quantum and nano-particles for novel solar cell concepts. The mission

28 29


I N o r G a N I c c h e m I S t r y & c a t a ly S I S

Info Guide

N a N o p h o t o N I c S 4

4

Ultrafast Dynamics: The first demonstration of ultrafast switching in photonic band gap materials

has been one important achievement of the group. Another is the ultrafast manipulation of excitons

in a semiconductor quantum well by nano-acoustic soliton trains, but the real highlight was the

demonstration of acoustic soliton pulses as short as 200fs strictly obeying the Korteweg-de-Vries

equation.

Outlook

Nanophotonics is a very challenging and viable research area in which our program maintains a

strong and strategic position. Our assets are USEL, a modern well-equipped solar cell laboratory,

a cold atom set up holding the largest BEC in the world, the first atom laser, and a state-of the art

ultrafast laser laboratory. The facilities and the research approach make the program inherently

attractive for educating experimental physics as well as chemistry students, both in the bachelor and

the master research phase. Further, the strong connection with the Institute of Theoretical Physics

makes the cold atom and condensed matter research scientifically broader and stronger and attracts

excellent experimental students with a keen eye on theory. In 2010 a FOM projectruimte project

was granted on “Spin drag in Bose gases” in collaboration with the Institute of Theoretical Physics

and on “Trapping an atom with a fraction of a photon”.

The solar cell activity (USEL) has proven to be every successful in attracting significant contract

research funding. The Physics of Devices group is the coordinator of a new STW Perspectief program

proposal on silicon heterojunction solar cells (ECN, 4 universities, and 4 companies) and is the

Coordinator of the Cluster “High Performance Solar Cells” of the granted FES HTS&M program

2010. The cold atom activity has demonstrated strong competiveness for attracting research money

from FOM and NWO. The ultrafast activity allows for important chances for nano-lasers and

fabricating novel nanophotonic devices and solar cells by ultrafast laser ablation. Further, an alliance

with University of California (professor Krol) is starting to develop an ultrafast laser machining

activity for fabrication and study of novel nanophotonic materials and devices.

Finally, the vision of the Department of Physics and Astronomy to invest in a full professor

Nanophotonics and a tenure track assistant professor in 2010 will boost Nanophotonics in Utrecht.


Prof. A. van Blaaderen (joint FOM project, silicon CVI infiltration) in photonic crystals (P. Verleg,

J. Thijssen, D. ‘t Hart, Z. Zhou, S. Badaire) and ultrafast switching of photonic crystals.

Prof. D. Vanmaekelbergh (joint research proposal on Q-dots in silicon and nanowire lasers)

Prof. A. Meijerink (joint SenterNovem project ‘QC-Passi’, joint NEO project on Upconverter solar

cells, supported by the UU Focus and Mass program.)

Collaborations within the department:

Prof. H. Stoof (cold atom physics and many body theory and optical response of electron hole

plasmas in semiconductors). Prof. H. Stoof and dr. R. Duine (on Atomtronics).

of the group Ultrafast Dynamics is to develop ultrafast photonic switching, ultrafast nano-acoustics and study

dynamics of high-density carrier plasmas in solids. The mission of the group Atom Optics is to be world

leading in harnessing and studying transport in quantum gases and to develop the field of Atomtronics. The

vidi project “Atom laser” aims at construction and demonstration of an atom laser. The vidi project “Atom

Nanoplasmonics” aims to connect for the first time the field of cold atoms with nanoplasmonics.

research Highlights

Physics of Devices: The group has achieved record level efficiencies for thin film Si multi band gap

tandem cells by Very High Frequency Plasma Enhanced CVD (10% stable) and for further spectrum

splitting triple junction cells by Hot Wire CVD (11% stable). The group has played a pivoting role

in the implementation of flexible solar cells on foil at Nuon Helianthos. Recently, the group has

demonstrated the novel concept of plasmonic enhancement and photon up-conversion to enhance

the efficiency of thin film solar cells.

Figure 1: Plasmonic solar cells prepared at Utrecht Solar energy

Laboratory (USeL). each colored square is a separate device,

with 2d patterns with different particle diameter and pitch

(collaboration with AMOLf, Philips, and Caltech).

Atom Optics: The ground breaking achievement of the group has been the creation of the largest

Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) in the world in 2006. In 2009 the group opened the field of

quantum hydrodynamics by demonstrating first and second sound, shock waves, and Landau damping

in BEC’s. These issues directly connect to hot topics like Bosonic transport and Atomtronics.

Figure 2: Phase contrast image of a Na condensate consisting of

250·106 atoms at a temperature of 250 nK, a chemical potential

of 4 kHz.

4

30 31


4N a N o p h o t o N I c S N a N o p h o t o N I c S

Other Collaborations and Networks:

The research on nanomaterials for energy conversion operating the Utrecht Solar Cell Laboratory

includes our part-time professors in the FOM Institutes Rijnhuizen (prof. Goedheer), FOM Institute

AMOLF (Prof. Polman) and ECN (prof. Sinke). The group participates in the Focus & Massa

program (1) of the UU, the FOM-Joint Solar Program (2), FES programs (2), and EU-FP6/7 (3),

runs STW (1) and SenterNovem (9) projects, has numerous national (4), European (9) and global

(9) academic collaborations, and holds many industrial collaborations (15).

The atom optics and ultrafast dynamics part of the program runs the largest Bose-Einstein condensate

in the world. We maintain collaborations within the Debye Institute, the Institute for Theoretical

Physics, AMOLF, FELIX-FOM Rijnhuizen, UC at Davis (USA).

Funding:

The program covers the full spectrum of applied to fundamental research. Funding for the applied

part from Economic Affairs, European Commission, FOM, STW, and private enterprises. The

fundamental part of the program relies on the FOM, NWO and STW.

Websites:

http://web.science.uu.nl/nanophotonics

4

32 33


N a N o p h o t o N I c S 4N a N o p h o t o N I c S

http://web.science.uu.nl/nanophotonics

O r G A N I C C H e M I S T r Y A N d

C A T A LY S I S

Scientific Staff Prof. dr. r.J.M (Bert) Klein Gebbink, Prof. dr. Leo W. Jenneskens, dr. Johann

T.B.H. Jastrzebski

Adjunct staff Prof. dr. Berth-Jan deelman

Technical support Ing. Henk Kleijn, dr. Milka H.M. Westbeek


research Mission

The central research mission of the OCC group lies in the development of new fundamental concepts in

homogeneous catalysis aimed at the design and understanding of the catalytic properties of transition metal

complexes and at their use in molecular synthesis. To this end, fundamental studies on the design and synthesis

of molecular transition metal catalysts and their ligands, supported by computation are conducted. Two topical

approaches are followed. In one, the amalgamation of concepts from biocatalysis and heterogeneous catalysis

in homogeneous catalysis, with bioinspiration is an important driver. In the other, sustainability in the full

spectrum of a homogeneous catalytic process, ranging from the choice of metal and ligand, to the use of substrates

and reagents, as well as the final catalyst operation and recycling is foreseen.

34 35



Info Guide

o r G a N I c c h e m I S t r y & c a t a ly S I S 5

5


The research activities of the group span the wider fields of molecular organic and inorganic

chemistry. Homogeneous catalysis, i.e. catalysis with the help of transition metal complexes, is at the

heart of the research program. In addition, the group has an interest in sustainable chemistry and

in the catalytic role of transition metal ions in biology. The group applies expertises and principles

from organic chemistry, organometallic chemistry, coordination chemistry, bioinorganic chemistry,

and supramolecular chemistry, in the design and synthesis of new homogeneous catalysts. These

catalysts may find application in organic synthesis, industrial fine chemical synthesis, and catalytic

biomass conversion.

Dendritic catalysts for superior catalysts recycling. Molecularly enlarged homogeneous catalysts are

constructed using covalent and non-covalent ‘grafting’ of metal complexes at the periphery of

dendrimers and hyperbranched polymers. Such enlarged catalysts offer the possibility to separate,

recuperate, and reuse homogeneous catalyst systems via filtration techniques. The catalytic activity

of these dendritic catalysts generally equals the activity of the monomeric catalyst. Interestingly, the

incorporation of a single catalytic Pd-center in the core of so-called ‘Dendriphos’ ligands resulted

in increased catalytic activities. An extraordinary size-related reactivity in the Suzuki-coupling of

aryl chloride substrates was found, i.e. in this case bigger is better!

Bio-inspired catalysis. Iron currently stands as a very promising catalyst metal because of its

advantageous price, abundancy, and non-toxicity properties. Inspired by the reactivity of a class

of mono-nuclear non-heme iron enzymes that contain a so-called ‘2-His-1-carboxylate facial

triad’ active site, a new ligand class, the bis(1-alkylimidazol-2-yl)propionates, was developed. These

ligands and their Fe-complexes are currently the closest synthetic equivalent to the enzyme active

site both in terms of structure and reactivity. Based on these ligands, iron-based catalysts were

developed for the extradiol cleavage of catechols and for the H2O

2-mediated epoxidation as well

as cis-dihydroxylation of olefins.

Organometallics: control over catalytic properties. Continued research efforts in the group have focused

on the electronic and steric modulation of the metal center in so-called pincer metal complexes.

These efforts have stimulated the use of pincer metal complexes in catalysis and synthesis and, as

a result, pincer ligands are now amongst the privileged ligands in organometallic chemistry and

homogeneous catalysis. Our most recent efforts in this field focused on the further development

of the catalytic properties of pincer metal complexes through the design of chiral pincer ligands,

the construction of hetero-binuclear hybrid complexes, the use of pincer complexes as orthogonal

tandem and auto-tandem catalysts, the introduction of planar chirality, and the construction of

semi-synthetic enzymes.

Catalytic biomass conversion. A highly active catalyst system Pd/TOMPP (TOMPP = tris(ortho-

methoxy)phenylphoshine) has been developed for the telomerization of butadiene with glycerol.

This system does not require any base or solvent, leads to reaction times as short as 10 minutes, has

a considerable selectivity for the desired ditelomers, and works on crude glycerol directly from the

biorefinery. Besides glycerol a variety of other bio-based alcohols and polyols, including sugars, can

be employed using this catalyst system.

5

36 37


o r G a N I c c h e m I S t r y & c a t a ly S I S 5o r G a N I c c h e m I S t r y a N D c a t a ly S I S

Advanced materials from renewable resources. Heat treatment (N2, 600-800oC) of wet-impregnated

(aqueous Ni2+, Co2+, Fe3+, Cu2+ solutions) cellulose beads gives (ferromagnetic) carbonaceous

or fully graphitized beads containing highly dispersed metal nano-particles; no external H2

source is required. Instead of cellulose, colloidal spheres, hydrothermally prepared from simple

carbohydrates, can also be used. They act as catalysts, amongst others for carbon nanofibre

(CNF)/nanotube (CNT) growth, and as supports for precious metals. Unexpectedly, conditions

were found enabling CNT growth without an external carbon source for materials containing

iron nano-particles giving hairy beads covered with short CNT’s.

Mono- and dialkyl tin compounds made easy. Alkyl tin compounds find widespread use as

stabilizers in PVC and as glass coating precursors. Through governmental regulations, the use of

dialkyl tin, and more recently mono-alkyl tin compounds is enforced. In a collaborative effort

with Arkema Vlissingen, a number of new routes to these compounds have been developed,

including catalytic redistribution of alkyl tins and catalytic Sn–C formation. These routes all

use homogeneous catalysis as the enabling technology.


The OCC group collaborates together with the Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis group (De

Jong and Weckkhuysen) in the Catalysis Centre Utrecht. Within the Debye Institute it furthermore

collaborates with Kegel, Vanmaekelbergh, and Meijerink. Its research efforts are embedded within

two of the research focal points of UU, i.e. Earth and Sustainability and Drug Innovation.


The group is also a partner in the Chemical Biology Program Utrecht, where it interacts with groups

from the Bijvoet Institute and the Biology department on the biological chemistry of transition

metal complexes and on X-ray crystallography (collaborations: Spek, Lutz, Liskamp, Killian, Breukink,

Egmond, Gros, van Bergen Henegouwen, Post). Outside of the Faculty of Science, the group has

several projects with partners from the University Medical Center Utrecht.

National, international and industrial collaborations include: Vogt (TUe), Bonnet (UL), Bäckvall,

Szabo (Stockholm), Costas (Girona), Cavel (Cardiff), Arkema, Abbott.

Networks:

National Research School Combination Catalysis NRSCC, Netherlands’ Institute for Catalysis

Research NIOK, EU-FP6 NoE ‘IDECAT’, EU-FP7 ITN ‘Nanohost’, CatchBio, COST-D40

Funding:

CW-NWO, ASPECT, NRSCC, UU, EU, IDECAT, CatchBio

Website:

http://www.uu.nl/science/occ

5

38 39


5o r G a N I c c h e m I S t r y & c a t a ly S I So r G a N I c c h e m I S t r y & c a t a ly S I S

http://www.uu.nl/science/occ

S O f T C O N d e N S e d M A T T e r A N d

B I O P H Y S I C S

Scientific Staff Prof.dr. Alfons van Blaaderen, Prof.dr.Ir. Marjolein dijkstra, Prof.dr. Hans C.

Gerritsen, dr. Arnout Imhof, dr. rené H.H.G. van roij

Adjunct staff dr. Krassimir P. Velikov

Technical support Ing. Peter H. Helfferich, Ing. dave J. van den Heuvel, dr. Judith e.G.J. Wijnhoven

and Maria delgado flores


research Mission

Soft Condensed Matter: The emphasis is on the development and characterization of new model colloids

and the quantitative 3D real-space analysis and manipulation of their self-assembly. Motivation comes both

from the use of these systems as condensed matter model systems, and from their use as advanced materials

in applications like photonic crystals and electronic-ink. In addition, we perform computer simulations and

theory on soft condensed matter systems and try to bring these together with the experiments in a strongly

synergistic approach.

Biophysics: In our vision the future of fluorescence microscopy lies in the combination of fluorescence imaging

and spectroscopic techniques. The group develops and exploits fluorescence spectroscopy based techniques in

microscopy. The novel methodologies utilize advanced detection methods, non-linear excitation and contrast

based on fluorescence spectroscopy. These developments are driven by biological and biophysical problems which

cannot be addressed with conventional imaging techniques.

40 41



Info Guide

6S o f t c o N D e N S e D m a t t e r & m o l e c u l a r B I o p h y S I c S

6


Soft Condensed Matter

Intro. Particles with sizes from several nm to several μm are called colloids. Colloidal particles are not

only found everywhere around us in for instance paints, food (mayonnaise, milk), pharmaceutical

products (creams) and in advanced materials such as electronic-ink, but are also a powerful condensed

matter model system, already for over a century. The reason is that colloidal particles are small enough

to have a thermodynamic temperature, but large enough that they can be seen by microscopy. A

quantitative 3D real space analysis was demonstrated to be feasible with confocal microscopy by our

group about a decade ago. Such an analysis is not (yet) possible for other systems that are close to

thermodynamic equilibrium. Therefore, colloids have been used by us and many others to test liquid

state theories, crystallization and the glass transition. The development of colloids small enough that

quantum confinement effects make their material properties extremely size dependent, and with

a size distribution small enough they can also self assemble into colloidal crystals, is of much more

recent date. Many-body quantum effects make the self assembly of such nano-colloids particularly

interesting for advanced applications and our research is partially moving into this direction.

Model Colloids. The study and development of colloidal particles is at an exciting turning point

at this time. With self assembly in mind, colloids are starting to be designed with more complex

interactions and shapes. This moves these systems away from mimicking simple atoms, and more

towards that of molecules and even systems from biology. Examples of more complex shapes

developed in our group are the ellipsoids, dumbbells, strings, caps and bullet shaped particle shown

in Figure 1. Functionality can also be built into the particles in several ways.

Figure 1: Self-assembly of novel colloids. The images show confocal and electron microscopy images of assemblies of dumbbells,

strings, caps, bullets, oppositely charged, and ellipsoidal colloids.

A still powerful way is to use a core-shell approach, pioneered by us and many other groups, to

isolate particle properties from inter particle interactions. However, deformability (e.g. with light

see Figure 1), porosity and many other concepts can be used to make particles ‘smart’. Interactions

apart from shape are becoming more complex as well. Examples that we are working on include:

oppositely charged interactions, patchy particles and transitions on the particle surface that are

temperature sensitive. Building up complex colloids from other colloids is also a powerful recurring

theme. Combinations can be made using emulsion droplets or (controlled) aggregation and even

the inclusion of external fields to direct processes or change interactions.

Manipulating Self Assembly. (SA) As mentioned, colloids are a powerful model system that can

be studied in real space. We have contributed to new insights related to crystal nucleation and

growth and the glass transition. Now that more complex particles become available we can study

effects of particle shape and interaction potential for more complex systems than those resembling

simple atomic systems such as noble gasses. Having matter organize itself in 3D structures is also

inherently cheap, certainly when it is compared to top-down procedures, such as lithography, where

it is essentially impossible to fabricate 3D structures. However, for many applications it becomes

essential to be able to guide the SA in certain directions. Fortunately, colloids couple strongly to

many external fields because of their size. Several of these are explored by our group. Changing

the inter particle interactions (including shape), is of course a direct way to alter phase behaviour.

Mixtures such as a dispersion of spheres of different sizes allow significantly richer phase behaviour

as well. However, gravity, electric and magnetic fields and flow fields are all used to influence colloids

close or even far out of equilibrium. Using strongly focused laser beams one can even manipulate

individual particles in 3D in what are called optical tweezers. An example in Figure 1 demonstrates

this in a study of crystal nucleation.

Advanced Functional Materials. At the moment e-book readers with electronic-ink displays are

finding mainstream use. In these displays the aggregation of differently coloured dye particles of

opposite charge is influenced by electric fields to arrive at different gray levels. The SA of regular

3D structures is a more advanced way to arrive at structures with which the propagation and

spontaneous emission of photons can be manipulated in ways analogous to how semiconductors

influence flows of electrons. Photonic crystals with a photonic band gap in the near infrared were first

realized by SA of colloids (Figure 1), but a band gap in the visible has not yet been realized, although

we theoretically identified a possible route. Function can also be realized in single colloids such as

for instance by manipulating the boundary condition of plasmon resonances in metallo-dielectric

particles. We have barely scratched the surface when it comes to combining the quantum phenomena

that can be addressed by the collective effects of nanoparticles in self assembled structures. Here we

have the opportunity to combine the properties of semiconductor, metal and magnetic particles in

new and exciting ways that will find applications in many fields.

6

42 43


6S o f t c o N D e N S e D m a t t e r & m o l e c u l a r B I o p h y S I c S S o f t c o N D e N S e D m a t t e r & m o l e c u l a r B I o p h y S I c S

Computer Simulations and Theory. Recently, many new experimental systems became available,

which show a dazzling and overwhelming number of intriguing and novel structures. This calls for a

better theoretical understanding of the self-assembly of these particles. In order to exploit the huge

parameter space of these new systems for functional, advanced materials, it is essential to develop

new theoretical tools that can predict in a more robust and efficient way the candidate (crystal)

structures of these particles. To this end, we have developed genetic algorithms and techniques

based on simulated annealing, and we have successfully applied these to a variety of systems, such

as bowl-shaped particles, snowmen particles, binary mixtures, and dipolar particles. Additionally,

the predicted structures are employed to determine the structure and phase behaviour, and to study

the kinetics, including hydrodynamic effects, nucleation, vitrification, and gelation of these new

systems, using free energy calculations, umbrella sampling, stochastic rotation dynamics, (classical)

density functional theory. We also study how the self-assembly can be steered by external fields,

such as templates, gravity, and electric fields. However, the final goal of our approach is to design

or reverse-engineer new colloidal building blocks that can self-assemble into structures with a

specific target, (e.g., a photonic band gaps) in order to guide in this way the chemical synthesis of

new particles and the experiments.

Figure 2. Computer simulations of the stacking of bowl-shaped particles and string formation of large and small dipolar particles in

an external electric field.

Molecular Biophysics

Non-linear spectral imaging of biological tissues. We use near-infrared femtosecond laser pulses

for spectral imaging of unstained tissues. The observed signals consist of two-photon excited

autofluorescence and second-harmonic signals from intrinsic components in the tissue. A sensitive

spectrograph records spectra for each pixel in the image, enabling four-dimensional (xyz-l) imaging.

The emission spectra provide information on the biochemistry of the tissue. For instance, the intrinsic

emission of epidermal cells in skin peaks at ~460 nm, and can be attributed to NAD(P)H and keratin

autofluorescence (see figure 3). Emission of dermal collagen is strongly peaked and originates from

second-harmonic generation. Current work includes in-vivo imaging of skin, development of a

mobile microscope equipped with a miniaturized, hand held scanner and a project to incorporate

Adaptive Optics in non-linear microscopy.

Quantitative imaging of protein cluster sizes in membranes. Fluorescence anisotropy is used to

measure FRET (Foster Resonance Energy Transfer) between identical dye molecules. Homo-

FRET results in a reduction of fluorescence anisotropy which can be used to compute the average

number of fluorophores per cluster. This method was applied to study clustering of the lipid raft

marker GPI-GFP (see figure 3). Clusters are visible in the plasma membrane. In the cytoplasm only

little clustering is observed. The method was used to study cell signaling; the clustering of EGF

receptors was followed after stimulating the cells with EGF.

Figure 3

Intrinsic emission of mouse tissue.

Top: NAd(P)H and keratin emission of

epidermal cells

Bottom: Second harmonic of collagen and

fluorescence of elastin

Figure 4

Fluorescence anisotropy imaging

(a) Time resolved anisotropy decay of GfP in solution and in cells

(b) Intensity image of GPI-GfP (raft marker) in cells

(c) The anisotropy image of the same cell, and

(d) The cluster size image derived from (c)

6

44 45


S o f t c o N D e N S e D m a t t e r & m o l e c u l a r B I o p h y S I c S 6S o f t c o N D e N S e D m a t t e r & m o l e c u l a r B I o p h y S I c S

Working at the Integrated Laser Electron Microscopy, iLEM

Integrated Laser Electron Microscopy, iLEM. A scanning fluorescence microscope was developed

and incorporated in an existing transmission electron microscope (TEM). This combination allows

detection of rare events in large fields of view by fluorescence microscopy and investigation of

the ultra structure with nm resolution by TEM. The iLEM has applications in both biological and

material science. The instrument has been successfully used to locate and image stress proteins in

UV treated cells and the golgi-apparatus in rat intestine tissue. Current applications include the

imaging of virus-like particles and study of luminescent nano-particles.


A. Meijerink, D. Vanmaekelberg, H.N.W.Lekkerkerker, W.K.Kegel, A.P. Philipse, A.Polman


P.Gros (UU, Chem), G. Van Meer (UU, Chem), C. Keller (UU, Phys), W. van Sark (UU, Phys),

P. v Bergen en Henegouwen (UU, Bio), J.Post (UU, Bio), H. Wosten (UU, Bio), P. vd Sluis (UMC),

M. van Zandvoort (UMaastricht), B. Koster (LUMC), M. Verhaegen: (TU Delft), D. Sterenborg:

(Erasmus MC), A. Esposito: (Cambridge), B. Hendriks (Philips),

AMOLF (Amsterdam): Optical tweezers (M. Dogterom); Colloidal deformation by ion irradiation,

photonic crystals (A. Polman); Colloidal crystallization/nucleation, glass transition (D. Frenkel);

Sum frequency generation, (M. Bonn); UU Electron Microscopy (Post), University of Princeton

(W.B. Russel), New York University (P.M. Chaikin, D. Pine, D. Grier), USA: colloidosomes,

dielectrophoretic bottle, optical tweezers. (C. Graf): metallo-dielctric spheres.

Forschungszentrum Juelich (Germany): colloids under shear (J. K. G. Dhont)

University of Bristol): theory (B. Evans, M. Schmidt)

Networks:

European Network of Excellence “SoftComp”; European Collaborative project “NanoDirect”;

Joint DFG transregio Sonderforschungsbereich TR6 : “Colloidal Dispersions in External Fields”,

FOM Programme “Functional Nanoparticle Solids”; ESA Topical Team “Colloids in microgravity”

Funding:

FOM, STW, Agentschap NL, Nikon, L’Oreal, FEI company, N.W.O.,VICI, Aspasia, TOP, ECHO,

EU, CW

Websites:

http://www.colloid.nl and http://web.science.uu.nl/MBF/

6

46 47


S o f t c o N D e N S e D m a t t e r & m o l e c u l a r B I o p h y S I c SS o f t c o N D e N S e D m a t t e r & m o l e c u l a r B I o p h y S I c S 6

http://www.colloid.nl

http://web.science.uu.nl/MBF/

P H Y S I C A L A N d C O L L O I d C H e M I S T r Y

Scientific Staff dr. Ben H. erné, Prof. dr. Willem K. Kegel, Prof. dr. Henk N.W. Lekkerkerker,

dr. Andrei V. Petukhov, Prof. dr. Albert P. Philipse, dr. Gert Jan Vroege

Adjunct staff dr. Jan Groenewold, dr. r.H. (Hans) Tromp

Technical support MSc. ing. I.A. (emile) Bakelaar, drs. ing. Bonny W.M. Kuipers, Ing. Kanvaly

Lacina, dr. dominique M.e. Thies-Weesie, Marina Uit de Bulten-Weerensteijn


research Mission

Our research focuses on the fundamentals of physical and colloid chemistry, with the primary motivation to

explain macroscopic properties of colloidal fluids in terms of statics and dynamics of the microscopic colloidal

particles. Our choice of specific research topics is often inspired by important colloidal systems in nature and

(nano) technology. Illustrative examples are our laboratory-made colloidal rods and platelets that model the

abundant clay systems, the study of magnetic colloids that are relevant for catalysis and biomedical applications,

and our work on colloidal self-assembly that offers a new perspective on viruses and emulsions. This combination

of fundamental focus and practical inspiration entails scientific collaborations and project grants involving

groups from academia as well as industry.

48 49



Info Guide

V a N ‘ t h o f f l a B o r a t o r y f o r p h y S I c a l a N D c o l l o I D c h e m I S t r y 7

7

research Highlights

Intro. The main research theme of the Physical and Colloid Chemistry Group is the study of self-

organization of colloidal particles developed and prepared in the group. These particles range from

homogeneous spheres, rods, and plates through magnetic and fluorescent core-shell structures to

patchy ‘colloidal molecules’. We study the structure and dynamics of dispersions of these particles

as a function of their concentration, and in electric, magnetic, and centrifugal fields. Specific

systems under investigation are colloidal crystals, liquid crystals, glasses, gels, random packings and

mesoscopic (modulated) structures, such as magnetic strings, and charge-stabilized colloidal clusters.

We developed a recent interest in solid-stabilized emulsions and polyoxometalates. We employ state

of the art experimental techniques such as synchrotron scattering, neutrons and light as well as

optical (incl. confocal) and electron microscopy. We are also working on the development of X-ray

microscopy techniques. Advances in theories of soft-condensed matter together with computer-

simulations (to both of which our group made notable contributions) have created a powerful

conceptual framework which we employ to interpret our results and develop novel colloidal model

particles.

Highlight 1 Ultralow interfacial tension in phase separated colloidal systems. Over the last few years

our group has shown that the interfacial tension in fluid-fluid demixed colloid polymer systems

is roughly one million times smaller than in ordinary liquids. This allows direct observation of a

wide variety of interface characteristics. First of all, it allowed us to observe directly thermally

excited capillary waves, almost one hundred years after their prediction by Smoluchowski in 1908.

Subsequently, we were able to demonstrate experimentally that the process of film rupture in droplet

coalescence is mediated by these thermally excited capillary waves.

Another interesting interface with ultralow interfacial is the Isotropic–Nematic interface in

suspensions of colloidal platelets. This interface plays an important role in the size-shape relations

of nematic droplets in the isotropic phase (“tactoids”). By studying the deformation of the shape

and director field of these tactoids in a magnetic field, we were able to extract the interfacial tension

from the experimental data.

direct visualization of thermally excited capillary waves at a colloidal interface.

Hightlight 2. Structure formation and phase behavior of magnetic fluids

The thermodynamics of dipolar fluids like ethanol and water forms a long-standing challenge: even

the simplest model, namely the dipolar hard-sphere (DHS) fluid, still has a puzzling phase behavior.

We have developed synthesis methods for mono-disperse single-domain magnetic colloids of

various materials such as iron, cobalt, magnetite and hematite. The size control tunes the particle’s

magnetic moments, from a pure hard-sphere repulsion to particles with a dominating dipolar

attraction. We pioneered the use of cryogenic electron microscopy to study these colloids, resulting

in the first direct evidence for dipolar chain formation in magnetic fluids. The reversible nature of

dipolar structure formation, and the ensuing equilibrium cluster size distribution, was quantitatively

demonstrated via image analysis.

Cryogenic transmission electron micrograph of the chain and band formation by magnetic fe3O4 nanoparticles (diameter 20 nm).

Highlight 3. Equilibrium solid-stabilized emulsions.

Emulsions and their stability are extremely important in daily life, for example in food and medicine.

It has been known for more than a century that solid particles that are wetted more by water than

by oil act as emulsifiers for oil drops in water. Solid

particles tend to adsorb at the oil-water interface,

providing a mechanical barrier against coarsening

caused by coalescence of the oil droplets. These

so-called Pickering emulsions are of great interest

in science and technology and are still intensively

studied. While Pickering emulsions are believed

to be metastable in general and will sooner or

later demix, recently we discovered that certain

mixtures of oil, water and nanometer-size particles

spontaneously form thermodynamically stable

emulsions. The oil used was 3-methacryloxy-

propyltrimethoxysilane (TPM), a silane coupling

agent, and it was shown that different kinds

of particles lead to thermodynamically stable

emulsions, suggesting that generic rather than

specific properties are relevant. We are currently

systematically investigating the molecular basis of

this spontaneous emulsification. Moreover, the concept of colloids adsorbed onto oil-water interfaces

has led to a new approach to create ‘colloidal molecules’ with adjustable shape.

The bottom-up self-assembly of colloids with liquid protrusions

to create ‘colloidal molecules’ with controlled ‘bond angles’.

7

50 51


7V a N ‘ t h o f f l a B o r a t o r y f o r p h y S I c a l a N D c o l l o I D c h e m I S t r y V a N ‘ t h o f f l a B o r a t o r y f o r p h y S I c a l a N D c o l l o I D c h e m I S t r y

Highlight 4. Structure and defects in colloidal crystals and liquid crystals

Synchrotron X-rays are extensively used to reveal the

structure of crystals of colloids in great detail. The

diffraction studies, which yield ensemble-averaged

order parameters, are supplemented by confocal

microscopy, which is able to visualise the local defect

structure. In particular, effects of size impurities on

crystal nucleation and growth have been revealed.

The results of these fundamental studies can be of

importance for, e.g., metallurgy, as they shed light

on the way to manipulate the size of the crystallites.

Another interesting example is liquid crystals of

goethite particles with board-like shape. Here we

have discovered the unusual coexistence of smectic

and columnar phases, which is induced the particle

polydispersity. Moreover, the unambiguous evidence

of the existence of the biaxial nematic phase has

recently been demonstrated.


Soft Condensed Matter, Inorganic Chemistry & Catalysis, Condensed Matter & Interfaces


Océ-technologies, Schlumberger, Shell, NIZO Food Research, Philips.

Networks:

The groups participates as a foreign partner in the German network ‘DFG Transregio

Sonderforschungsbereich’ SFB TR6 and is involved in the organisation of the Partnership for Soft

Condensed Matter at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (Grenoble, France).

Funding:

CW ECHO; Senter Novem (EZ); FOM; STW; STW/Hyflux; FOM/DFG; Shell; Océ; Unilever

Websites:

http://www.uu.nl/faculty/science/EN/organisation/depts/chemistry/research/pcc/Pages/contact.

aspx

Synchrotron x-ray scattering pattern of biaxial nematic

phase of goethite feOOH nanoparticles and an illustration

of particle self-organization.

7

52 53


7V a N ‘ t h o f f l a B o r a t o r y f o r p h y S I c a l a N D c o l l o I D c h e m I S t r yV a N ‘ t h o f f l a B o r a t o r y f o r p h y S I c a l a N D c o l l o I D c h e m I S t r y

http://www.uu.nl/faculty/science/EN/organisation/depts/chemistry/research/pcc/Pages/contact.aspx



d e B Y e A C T I V I T I e S

Within the Debye Institute a number of institutional activities are organized.

The debye Lunch Lectures

Every 1st Wednesday of the month there is a Debye lunch lecture, based

on a recent article published in a high impact journal. The lecture is

held by the first author of the article and is especially meant for young

scientists to present themselves in the Institute. The lectures are visited

by fellow colleagues, students and undergraduate students.

The debye Chair and debye Lecture

The Debye Chair is a 3-month Chair for an eminent scientist in the field of Catalysis, Colloids or

Nanophotonics. Amongst others the Debye Chair was held by Chris Murray from the University of

Pennsylvania, David Ramaker, George Washington University and David Pine, New York University.

Besides the mutual research activities the Debye Chair gives some 6 master classes on her/his

specific field of research.

Another not-to-be-missed event is the Debye Lecture. The Debye Lecture is a special annual

event at which an internationally renowned scientist delivers a keynote lecture on one of the

fields of interest of the Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science. Previous speakers include Prof.

Gerhard Ertl (Nobel Prize Laureate 2007), Prof. Joan van der Waals and Prof. Ferdi Schuth. In the

pictures Prof. Ertl and Prof. Pine.

Within the institute suggestions for candidates are made for both the Debye Chair and the yearly

Debye Lecture.

56 57



Info Guide

D e B y e a c t I V I t I e S 8

8

Prof. Gerhard Ertl Prof. David Pine

delivering his debye lecture in 1999 debye Professor, 2009

James Boswell courses

The institute organizes two courses for the PhD students at the James Boswell institute, both courses

are especially designed for the Institute. First, there is a course Presenting in English for scientists.

In a group of 4 participants the PhD students are taught the necessary skills to give an effective

English presentation. Secondly, there is the course Writing in English for scientists. Here a group of

10 to 14 people train in writing a scientific article which is to be published in a scientific journal.

debye Sports day

Professors of the debye Institute also participate in the sport activities.

Besides all the serious matters the PhD students organize the Debye Sports Day and BBQ. At the

campus sport accommodation the institute members and students compete in several sports like

football, volleyball, tennis, etc. In the pictures below you will find an impression of our Sports Day.

After these activities it is time for food, drinks and laughter at the BBQ.

The debye Spring School and the dO! days

The Debye Spring School and DO! Days are part of the educational program of the Debye institute.

The DO! Days and the Spring School are bi-annual events, which alternate each other. The main

goal of the DO! Days is to achieve integration of the PhD students who work in the different

sections of the institute, while the Spring School aims at improving knowledge about the research

topics of the institute.

The themes of the Spring School concentrate around Colloids, Catalysis and Nanophotonics.

The Spring School lasts 3 days. During 2 days there are lectures by renowned scientists both

from universities and industry. On the 3rd day there is an excursion, mostly to an industrial plant.

The DO! days last 2 days. On the first day a PhD student from each research group gives a talk on

the research that is performed in his/her respective research group.

The second day is for the excursion, again mostly to an industrial plant.

In the evenings on both occasions there is an interactive debate session or an evening lecture, after

which the bar opens for some more discussion.

Both events are organized on a nice location, in the afternoons there is some time off to have a

look at the surroundings.

The Phd Committee

The PhD Committee of the Debye Institute (Debye Aio Commissie, DAC) represents and attends the

interests of the PhD students and Post Docs working within the institute. Its main goal is two-

8

58 59


8D e B y e a c t I V I t I e SD e B y e a c t I V I t I e S

fold: to provide information about issues that concern PhD students within the institute and to be

a source of cohesion for the PhD students who work in the different sections of the institute. In

order to achieve these goals, the DAC was established by the general board of the Debye institute in

1994. In principle, every group within the institute is represented by one member. Representatives

of the PhD committee regularly meet with the general board of the institute and, if appropriate,

with the general boards of the departments of Chemistry and Physics & Astronomy. Moreover, the

DAC organizes a number of activities.

Opportunities for personal development for PhD students are listed at the Course Manual for PhD

students, which can be found at the website of the institute in the Periodicals menu. This manual

provides a number of educational possibilities for the PhD students of the institute. Generally, there

are three different categories of courses available. First of all, there are the courses organized by the

institute itself. These are aimed specifically at the phenomena and theoretical concepts required in

the institute’s research program and at the stimulation of co-operations within the institute. Secondly,

lectures (mainly at master level) are given by section members of the Department of Chemistry

and the Department of Physics & Astronomy; these courses are also aimed at PhD students. Finally,

there are courses offered by other research institutes, which offer a broad scope of disciplines, some

of which may also be of interest for PhD students within our institute.

8

60 61


8D e B y e a c t I V I t I e S D e B y e a c t I V I t I e S

W H Y O P T f O r T H e d e B Y e I N S T I T U T e

f O r N A N O M A T e r I A L S S C I e N C e ?

Career Opportunities

The Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science provides excellent facilities and an environment for

ambitious research, teaching and training programs at various levels ranging from advanced Bachelor

and Master to PhD students and postdocs. The programs have a truly interdisciplinary character,

in which chemists and physicists have collaborated closely since 1989, and they are recognized for

their excellent record and strong ties with industry. Below we briefly summarize the opportunities

on different levels.

Master programme Nanomaterials: Chemistry & Physics

The Master programme Nanomaterials: Chemistry & Physics is directly linked to the activities in the

Debye Institute. The programme aims to provide graduate students with a solid background in the

theory of Nanomaterials Science and to develop the experimental skills necessary to perform high-

level research. The programme (120 ECTS) consists of a part devoted to courses (25%), internship

(25%) and a thesis research project (50%), which is carried out in one of the research groups of the

Institute or (in part) in one of the partner groups outside the Institute.

The combined talents and expertise of physicists and chemists are the key to success in the field

of nanomaterials science, which is the focus of this programme. Inspiring challenges in this area

of science include:

• thesynthesisoffunctionalunitsandtheirmanipulationtoformnoveland‘artificial’solids;

• the study of fundamental self assembly processes in (nano)structured systems and the

development of theory and models to explain these phenomena;

9

62 63


1

Info Guide

W h y o p t f o r t h e D e B y e I N S t I t u t e f o r N a N o m a t e r I a l S S c I e N c e 9

9

projects and are further stimulated during combined work discussions. The PhD training programme

includes specialized courses on presentation skills, project planning, English writing and project

management. Visits to (inter-)national conferences and collaborations of exchange visits with

international partners are a regular ingredient of a PhD programme at the institute. In addition, all

PhD students follow the bi-annual Spring School on one of the research themes of the Institute,

which is organized by staff members of the Institute, and the DO!days, a bi-annual informative and

social meeting, organized by a representative student committee.

The institute contains approximately 100 PhD students.

Post docs

The institute employs some 40 post doctoral fellows, who typically make a transition from running

an individual research project (as PhD students) towards running (a part of) a group. At the institute

post docs carry out a well defined project with many opportunities for acquiring a more independent

research attitude.

Scientific guests

The institute welcomes a large number of guests from all over the world, visiting the institute for

periods ranging from a few days to a year (sabbatical)

• theelucidationofstructure-propertyrelations;

• materialsengineeringandtheapplicationofmaterialsinimprovedandnoveldevices;

• photonphysicsinnanostructuredmaterials.

There is a wide range of courses for the students to choose from. In practice, during their thesis

project, most students become part of one of the research groups in the Debye Institute, and many

contribute to scientific publications. At the moment approximately 80 students participate in the

master programme.

The Master’s programme in Chemistry and Physics is an excellent starting point for a career as a

researcher in a multidisciplinary environment. More than half the graduates go on to do their PhD

research in the Netherlands or abroad. And because you can also carry out your work experience

in industry, the programme offers you an excellent opportunity to explore possibilities for an

industrial career.

Opportunities for other students

Performing a research project is a compulsory part of the Bachelor programme of Utrecht University

at the final part of every academic year. While for the first- and second-year the projects are

relatively short and are mostly aimed on getting students acquainted with the research work in

different groups, the third-year bachelor students spend about 3 months (15 ECTS) to perform an

independent study under supervision of a PhD student, a postdoc or a faculty. Every year many

Bachelor students join the groups within the Debye Institute.

Also students of other Masters’ programmes such as Science & Education and Science & Business

Management perform their thesis research projects within the Debye Institute. Usually these projects

are shorter (30 ECTS) than those of the Master programme Nanomaterials: Chemistry & Physics

(60 ECTS).

The last but not least group of students regularly joining the Debye Institute for Materials Science

are the students from outside Utrecht, who come to perform their internship at UU. This provides

the students an opportunity to learn more about top research topics, which are investigated within

the Institute. There are a number of exchange programmes with other universities, which can

support students’ visits to Utrecht.

Phd Students

The institute welcomes Dutch and international students to enroll in a PhD programme, which

takes a maximum of 4 years and aims on the highest level of education and research training. Each

student has a well defined individual research programme, which is part of the research programme

of the group. Interactions with other members of the department are an essential part of all research

9

64 65


W h y o p t f o r t h e D e B y e I N S t I t u t e f o r N a N o m a t e r I a l S S c I e N c eW h y o p t f o r t h e D e B y e I N S t I t u t e f o r N a N o m a t e r I a l S S c I e N c e 9

Summer School

Nanomaterials: Science & Applications

Every summer 25 students from all over the world visit the Institute to follow an intensive two-

week course on the fundamentals and applications of nanomaterials science.

So, if you want to:

• WidenanddeepenyourknowledgeinNanomaterialsScience

• Learnhowtomake,measureandmodelnanomaterials

• Beinspiredbynovelapplicationsofnanomaterials

• GetintroducedtolaboratoryskillsinNanomaterialsresearch

• VisitanindustrialnanomaterialsR&Dlaboratory

• Presentthenanomaterialstopicofyourchoicetoaninternationalaudience

• HavefunwithfellowstudentsfromallovertheworldinUtrecht(University)

Then here is your opportunity!

for whom?

The school is mainly aimed on the advanced bachelor students, who are interested in the Master

Programme Nanomaterials: Chemistry and Physics with a background in chemistry, physics or

materials science as well as proficiency in English.

The fields of nanoscience and nanotechnology depend on materials with critical dimensions in

the nanometre range. Examples include organic macromolecules, inorganic catalyst particles, and

size-quantized metal and semiconductor structures. The properties of these materials depend on the

size and shape of the nanoparticles and their ordering in 2-D and 3-D structures. Nanomaterials

find applications in a wide range of fields such as device technology (nanophotonics, solar energy

conversion, opto-electronics), medicine (sensors, labelling) and chemical synthesis (catalysis). In the

course students will be introduced to the exciting interdisciplinary field of nanoscience, its chemical

and physical aspects, and its many applications. The school combines theory (lectures, tutorials) with

experiment, laboratory tours, exercises and a visit to an industrial research laboratory

9

66 67


W h y o p t f o r t h e D e B y e I N S t I t u t e f o r N a N o m a t e r I a l S S c I e N c e W h y o p t f o r t h e D e B y e I N S t I t u t e f o r N a N o m a t e r I a l S S c I e N c e 9

W H A T S T U d e N T S T H I N K O f

O U r P r O G r A M M e

“Physics is not a totally different world for a chemist”

Martien den Hertog gained her B.Sc. in Chemistry at Utrecht University and, because she liked the physical

aspects of chemistry most, she chose to go on to study Chemistry and Physics.

“I’m doing my main subject in two parts. First, I did research in the Atom Optics and Ultrafast

Dynamics research group on the temperature of the magnetic optical trap of rubidium. In a magnetic

optical trap you catch atoms using a combination of a magnetic field and a laser beam. The atoms

move extremely slowly in this trap and from their speed you can calculate the temperature.

I found it really worthwhile to learn how such a complicated set-up works in practice. At the same

time, you’re observing a completely isolated system. Since it’s possible to have a full overview, you

can really get down to the details of how it works. That’s what I like about physics research. And

it’s not as if physics is a totally different world for a chemist.

I’m now doing research at the AMOLF research institute in Amsterdam on wave guides for silicon.

Again, a totally physics subject. We went to look around AMOLF for the Thin Films course – the

lecturers regularly organise a visit to current research projects. It seemed to me a good place to do

research and I was able to arrange a work placement. The last course I’ll be doing is Fundamentals

of Business and Economics, because I want to see if I’d like to work in the industrial sector. But

at the moment I think I’d like to do a PhD first. I really like to have the time to dig into all the

ins and outs of a subject”.

68 69



Info Guide

W h a t S t u D e N t S t h I N k o f o u r p r o G r a m m e 10

10

“The lectures build a bridge between theories and present research”

Yanchao Liu did his Bachelor’s degree in Applied Physics in Beijing, China.

“I got interested in Utrecht University after seeing an interview on television with their Nobel

Prize winner and physicist Gerard ‘t Hooft. So I searched their website for study opportunities

that suited me and would give me good prospects. I chose Chemistry and Physics because it offers

an interdisciplinary programme in nanoscience, which is a topic with a great potential and lots of

interesting research.

Among the chemistry courses I did was Organic Synthesis Strategies, which is a true chemistry

subject! Later, I used this knowledge in my paper and presentation about organic solar cells for the

Device Physics course. In the Institute for NanoMaterials Science, co-operation between chemistry

and physics research is very good. Seminars are sometimes presented by chemists and sometimes

by physicists, and you can’t tell who is who. In nanoscience there is no hard boundary between

the two disciplines anymore.

What I like about the lectures here is that they build a bridge between theories and present research.

You can use what you learn directly in your experiments. The students often work together and

the professors are very nice and helpful”.

10

70 71


W h a t S t u D e N t S t h I N k o f o u r p r o G r a m m eW h a t S t u D e N t S t h I N k o f o u r p r o G r a m m e 10

H O W T O G e T T O T H e d e B Y e I N S T I T U T e

From Schiphol Airport to Utrecht

Arrival by airplane

The best way to travel from Schiphol Airport to Utrecht is by train. There is a direct train connection

between the airport and Utrecht Central Station. It only takes you 30-45 minutes to travel to Utrecht.

The train station is part of Schiphol Plaza, just follow directions for ‘trains’. Train tickets are available

from the yellow ticket machines near the platforms at Schiphol Plaza or from the ticket offices,

which are situated close to the red/white-checked cube at Schiphol Plaza. There is a direct train to

Utrecht every 15 minutes. Buy a one way ticket (‘enkele reis’) to Utrecht Central Station. When in

doubt, you can always ask someone at the ticket office. You will soon notice that almost everyone in

the Netherlands speaks English fairly well. For journey advice and time tables you can also check:

http://www.ns.nl.

Travel within Utrecht

From Utrecht Central Station you can either take a bus (http://www.gvu.nl) or a taxi.

Buses and ‘de strippenkaart’

To pay for buses, trams and metro in the Netherlands you need a ‘strippenkaart’ (a ticket with strips

on it). Each strip represents a zone, and each city and region is divided into travelzones. Every time

you travel, you will use up one basic strip + the number of zones you are travelling in. So each ride

74 75



Info Guide

h o W t o G e t t o t h e D e B e y e I N S t I t u t e 11

11

http://www.ns.nl/

http://www.gvu.nl

amounts to a number of strips (‘strippen’) depending on the distance. Within Utrecht-city you will

need 2 ‘strippen’, to the Uithof Campus 3 ‘strippen’

Although you can buy a single ticket (2 or 3 “strippen”) on the bus, it is much cheaper to buy a

blue “strippenkaart” at the city bus station (‘stadsbusstation’), at the railway station, post office or

supermarket.

Validity & transfer

How long you can travel depends on the number of strippen that you have stamped. 2-4 strips

are valid for 1 hour from the time of stamping. Within this time you also have the right to change

buses, as long as you stay within the same zone(s).

OV-chipcard

OV-chipcard is the smart card that will soon replace all other public transport tickets in The Netherlands.

The OV-chipcard is a new means of payment for the public transport system. The smart card is the

size of a bank card and contains an invisible chip. The OV-chipcard can be loaded with credit in

euros with which you can travel anywhere within The Netherlands, or with a travel product such

as a single or season ticket.They are personal, anonymous, and disposable cards. The OV-chipcard

is introduced in phases. At the moment you can use the OV-chipcard in many regions and at many

travel companies.

Travel to de Uithof

Take bus 11 or 12 from Central Station (3 strippen).

Currently the institute is still situated in 4 buildings.

Around Christmas 2010 two of our research groups

– Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis and Organic

Chemistry and Catalysis - move to a new building.

Postal and visiting address: Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG

Utrecht. If you leave the bus at busstop “Bestuursgebouw”

the new building is around the corner.

The Physical and Colloid research group is situated in

the Kruyt building at Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht,

The Netherlands, tel.: +31 30 253 2550 (reception) Line

11 stops at the Leuvenlaan busstop “Botanische Tuinen”.

Line 12 and 12S stop at the Padualaan busstop Kruyt

building (http://www.gvu.nl).

The Condensed Matter and Interfaces, Nanophotonics and Soft Condensed Matter and Molecular

Biophysics reseach groups are situated in the Ornstein laboratory and the Robert van de Graaff

laboratory at Princetonplein 1 3584 CC Utrecht, The Netherlands, tel.: +31 30 253 2603 (reception)

The F.A.F.C. Wentbuilding here on the right is untill the end of 2010 or the beginning of 2011

still the home of the Inorganic and Catalysis research group.

Line 11 stops at the Leuvenlaan busstop “Botanische Tuinen”. Line 12 and 12S stop at the Padualaan

busstop Kruyt building.

11

76 77


h o W t o G e t t o t h e D e B e y e I N S t I t u t eh o W t o G e t t o t h e D e B e y e I N S t I t u t e 11

http://www.gvu.nl


Scientific staff Prof. Dr. Andries Meijerink, Prof. Dr. Daniël Vanmaekelbergh

and Dr. Celso de Mello Donegá,

Dr. P. Liljeroth (TT), Dr. J .H. van Lenthe

Adjunct staff/emeriti* Prof. Dr. John J. Kelly*, Prof. Dr. Cees R Ronda,

Dr. O. Gijzeman*

Technical support Hans Ligthart, Ing. Stephan Zevenhuizen,

Jessica Woudstra-Heilbrunn and Irene van Duin

Ornstein Laboratory, Princetonplein 5, 3584 CC Utrecht, The Netherlands

Telephone secretary +31 30 253 2414; Fax+31 30 253 2403


Inorganic Chemistry & Catalysis

Scientific Staff Prof.Dr.Ir. Krijn de Jong, Prof.Dr.Ir. Bert Weckhuysen, Prof.Dr.

Frank de Groot, Dr. Andy Beale (TT), Dr. Pieter Bruijnincx (TT),

Dr. Harry Bitter and Dr. Petra de Jongh

Technical support Ad van der Eerden, Vincent Koot, Hans Meeldijk,

Ad Mens, Fouad Soulimani, Cor van der Spek,

Marjan Versluis-Helder, Rien van Zwienen,

Dymph Serree and Monique Lamers

Went Building, Sorbonnelaan 16, 3584 CA Utrecht, The Netherlands

Telephone secretary +31 30 2537400; Fax +31 30 251 1027


Nanophotonics

Scientific Staff Prof. Dr. R.E.I. Schropp, Prof. Dr. J.I. Dijkhuis,

Prof. Dr. P. van der Straten, Dr. J. Vogels (TT),

Dr. D. van Oosten (TT), Dr. J.K. Rath, Dr. M. Di Vece (TT)

Adjunct staff Prof. Dr. A. Polman (FOM-AMOLF),

Prof. Dr. W.J. Goedheer (FOM-Rijnhuizen),

Prof. Dr. W.C. Sinke (ECN), Prof. Dr. D.M. Krol (UC Davis)

Technical support staff C.O. van Bommel, C.H.M. van der Werf, M. Huijzer,

F. Ditewig, P Jurrius, C.R. de Kok, C.L. Derks, E. de Haas.

R. van de Graaff Laboratory, Princetonplein 5, 3584 CC Utrecht, The Netherlands

Telephone secretary +31 30 253 3171; Fax +31 30 254 3165


(TT) = tenure track

Organic Chemistry and Catalysis

Scientific Staff Prof. Dr. R.J.M (Bert) Klein Gebbink,

Prof. Dr. Leo W. Jenneskens, Prof. Dr. Berth-Jan

Deelman, Dr. Johann T.B.H. Jastrzebski

Technical support Ing. Henk Kleijn, Dr. Milka H.M. Westbeek

Kruyt Building, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands



Soft Condensed Matter and Molecular Biophysics

Scientific Staff Prof.Dr. Alfons van Blaaderen, Prof.Dr.Ir.

Marjolein Dijkstra, Prof.Dr. Hans C. Gerritsen,

Dr. Arnout Imhof, Dr. René van Roij

Adjunct staff Dr. Krassimir P. Velikov

Technical support Ing. Peter Helfferich, Ing. Dave van den Heuvel,

Maria Delgado Flores and Dr. Judith Wijnhoven.

Ornstein Laboratory, Princetonplein 5, 3584 CC Utrecht, The Netherlands




Scientific Staff Dr. Ben H. Erné, Prof. Dr. Willem K. Kegel,

Prof. Dr. Henk N.W. Lekkerkerker,

Dr. Andrei V. Petukhov, Prof. Dr. Albert P.

Philipse, Dr. Gert Jan Vroege,

Adjunct staff Dr. Jan Groenewold, Dr. Hans Tromp,

Technical support MSc. ing. I.A. (Emile) Bakelaar,

Drs. ing. Bonny W.M. Kuipers, Ing. Kanvaly

Lacina, Dr. Dominique M.E. Thies-Weesie,

Marina Uit de Bulten-Weerensteijn

Kruyt Building, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands



Departm

ent of Chemistry Nanophotonics





















External Advisory Committee

Board






mailto:science.secr.cmi%40uu.nl?subject=

mailto:science.secr.anorg%40uu.nl?subject=

mailto:%20e.dehaas%40uu.nl?subject=

mailto:science.secr.orgchem%40uu.nl?subject=

mailto:science.secr.scmbf%40uu.nl?subject=

mailto:science.secr.fcc%40uu.nl?subject=

debye institute - universiteit utrecht · using processes from colloids science. moreover, catalyst...

Documents