Functional Molecules and Materials for Energy Conversion
PhD Students
Philip M. Stanley
Research: Metal-organic frameworks as energy conversion materials.
A key challenge to address current energy requirements is large-scale efficient conversion of solar energy to electricity while processing the greenhouse gas CO2 into useful fuels. My research employs MOFs as a high-potential compound class to study the entrapment of artificial molecular photosystems toward providing catalyst stabilization and understanding host-guest chemistry. Insights will be used for scaffold and photosystem tailoring toward efficient solar fuel synthesis.
Education: Chemistry B. Sc. (grad. 2017) & M. Sc. (grad. 2019) at the TU Munich. Chemistry PhD candidate under the Kekulé Fellowship since Jan. 2020 at the TUM. MBA candidate since Nov. 2019 at the Quantic School of Business and Technology.
Hobbies: Volleyball, Hiking, Board Games, Box Sets (e.g. Game of Thrones enthusiast), & Concerts.
Kathrin Kollmannsberger
Research: Atom-precise nanoclusters encapsulated in MOFs for electrochemical applications.
My work focuses on the synthesis and encapsulation of atom-precise, ligand-stabilized nanoclusters into MOFs. This stabilization permits the removal of weakly bound ligands from the cluster surface without risking severe agglomeration processes. The obtained metal@MOF systems are used as templates to form ultrasmall, supported metal nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution. This approach is an opportunity to examine the influence of size, structure and composition of nanoclusters/-particles on the catalytic performance in electrochemical reactions.
Education: Chemistry B. Sc. (grad. 2017) and M. Sc. (grad. 2019) at the TU Munich. Chemistry PhD candidate since April 2020 at the TU Munich. DBU scholar since Nov. 2020.
Hobbies: Bouldering, Skiing, Piano.
Johanna Haimerl
Research: Designing coordination network-based photosystems toward CO2 reduction.
To optimize the catalytic performance of CO2 reduction and artificial photosynthesis in MOFs, many contributing factors need to be investigated. My work explores the impact of the nature of the photosystem, its environment and anchoring method in the framework toward better understanding of energy and electron transfer mechanisms as well as the subsequent chemical processes. Possible photosystems could consist of a photocatalytic active carbon dioxide reducing species as well as a photosensitizer, either as a coordination complex or an organic dye.
Education: B. Sc. (grad. 2018) at University Bremen, M. Sc. (grad. 2020) at the TUM & Chemistry. Hans-Fischer PhD fellowship funding starting in Jan. 2021 at the TUM.
Hobbies: Horseback Riding, Reading, Arts & Crafts.
Masters' Students
2022 - Vanessa Ramm
2022 - Nadine Schmaus
Alumni
2022 - Mykhaylo Parkulab, Masters' student
2020 - Markus Schilling, RLC student