Advent calendar - December 14th - Edwin Schreuder

In the Zernike Institute Advent Calendar, we are presenting 24 short spotlights in December. In these specials, we highlight PhD students, postdocs, support staff and technicians of our research groups and team - providing a glimpse into their typical day at work. In Episode 14 meet Edwin Schreuder, PhD researcher in the Materials Chemistry group of Prof. Moniek Tromp and the Biobased Chemistry and Technology group of Prof. Harry Bitter at the Wageningen University & Research.

I am finishing my PhD project jointly in the Materials Chemistry group here in Groningen and the Biobased Chemistry and Technology group at the Wageningen University & Research. In these groups there is among others a shared interest in improving the understanding of catalyst materials, with a focus on catalysts that have promising applications for processes that could assist in the energy transition or as more sustainable alternatives for current conventional catalysts.

In my research I focus on one such group of catalysts, namely tungsten- and molybdenum carbides. My motivation to work on these materials stems from their potential to replace expensive and non-abundant noble metal catalysts, like platinum and ruthenium, in reactions involving biomass valorization, for example producing biodiesels. More specifically I study how different synthesis methods change the physiochemical properties of the tungsten carbide catalysts and how those properties relate to their catalytic performance. These studies are necessary as metal carbides, contrary to their more conventional noble metal counterparts, can form many different phases and complex structures that might affect their catalytic performance.

Most of my lab work involves preparing the precursor of the catalyst and subsequently synthesize them under varying conditions in a tubular furnace. For characterization I spent a lot of time at the XAS machine we have in the group at Zernike and the powder XRD machine. To perform actual catalysis I made trips to Wageningen where there are many setups to perform catalysis. Even though I was most of my time in Groningen, I immensely enjoyed experiencing working in two different groups, each with their own group of nice people, customs, lab culture etc.

In my free time I like to play boardgames with colleagues and other friends. I also have a passion for music, which includes playing in an orchestra, visiting live concerts, joining dance classes or just listening to it with my noise cancelling headphones on. I can also be found regularly at one of the local chess clubs or in the cinema.

See all Advent Calendar items 2025 here!