Zeolites are microporous, crystalline materials that have an important role in catalysis and in separation processes. They have been known for more than 150 years, and in theory there are over two million possible structures. In practice, however, a mere 292 have actually been made. We know how their formation starts and we know how it ends, but the rest of the synthesis is a rather complicated mess.

At the UvA’s Research Priority Area Sustainable Chemistry, an interdisciplinary team in the “complexity in catalysis” theme hopes to shed new light on the zeolite formation process using advanced computational and experimental methods. They are now joined by Kizilkaya, a PhD graduate from Eindhoven University of Technology (2014) who currently leads a research group in catalysis at the Izmir Institute of Technology where he combines lab experiments and molecular simulations.

Kizilkaya is the seventh scientist to participate in the RPA’s successful visiting professors’ programme. This multi-year programme supports visits of selected international professors who can contribute to valuable discussions with SusChem group members and help the RPA’s master and PhD students. By actively participating in group meetings, these visiting professors contribute to ongoing projects and create an international, critical yet positive atmosphere that emphasizes the importance of high-level research, critical thinking, and collaboration.

See also

Research Priority Area Sustainable Chemistry: Visiting professors