Email address: hermans@chem.wisc.edu
B.S. 2000, Leuven University (KU Leuven)
M.Sc. 2002, Leuven University (KU Leuven)
Ph.D. 2006, Leuven University (KU Leuven)
Postdoctoral Fellow at ETH Zurich, 2007-08
Assistant Professor at ETH Zurich, 2008-13
Also: Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering
John and Dorothy Vozza Professor of Chemistry
Research Description
The Hermans Group is a multidisciplinary team, focusing on both fundamental and applied aspects of sustainable chemistry and catalysis. Topics of interest include:
- Synthesis of heterogeneous catalysts
- Immobilization of homogeneous catalysts
- Catalytic and kinetic studies
- Unravelling of reaction mechanisms
- (In situ) spectroscopy (Infrared, Raman, UV-Vis)
- Reactions in supercritical fluids and expanded liquid phases
- Use of renewable resources
- Quantum-chemical and theoretical kinetic calculations
- Reaction engineering
- High-pressure reaction technology
Considering the present challenges, our research group focuses on sustainable chemistry and catalysis:
- Understanding the mechanisms of catalytic transformations
- Viable use of renewable platform molecules
- Design of energy efficient processes
Our interests range from purely mechanistic understandings of catalytic reactions to the design of applied catalytic systems. In order to contribute to these challenges, we use state-of-the-art equipment and set-ups.
Awards and Honors
Emerging Researcher, ACS Division of Energy and Fuel Chemistry | 2014 |
Vilas Mid-Career Investigator Award | 2017 |
ExxonMobil Chemical European Science and Engineering Award | 2009 |
Incentive Award, Comité van Beheer van het Bulletin des Sociétés Chimiques Belges | 2007 |
Laureate, International DSM Awards for Chemistry and Technology | 2006 |
Selected Publications
Selective oxidative dehydrogenation of propane to propene using boron nitride catalysts. Science. 2016;354:1570-1573. | .
Synthesis Gas Conversion over Rh-Mn-WxC/SiO2 Catalysts Prepared by Atomic Layer Deposition. ACS Catalysis. 2018;8(11):10707-10720. | .
Selective Oxidative Cracking of n-Butane to Light Olefins over Hexagonal Boron Nitride with Limited Formation of COx. Chemsuschem. 2020;13:152-158. | .
Synthesis Gas Conversion Over Molybdenum-Based Catalysts Promoted by Transition Metals. ACS Catalysis. 2020;10:365-374. | .
B-MWW Zeolite: The Case Against Single-Site Catalysis. Angewandte Chemie-International Edition. 2020;. | .