Dr. Joost Bakker

Biography

Joost Bakker is an Associate Professor in the Department of Condensed Matter Physics at Radboud University. His research aims to develop a bottom-up understanding of the interactions that drive heterogeneous catalytic processes at the molecular level, with a specific focus on the catalytic activity of transition metal clusters, considered to be the smallest heterogeneous catalysts. Bakker's work highlights the significance of metal clusters in enhancing the surface-to-volume ratio of precious catalytic materials, which often display unexpected catalytic activity. His studies probe the geometric and electronic structures of transition metal clusters reacting with gas-phase reactants, with exceptional control over size and charge that facilitates a fundamental understanding of catalyst-substrate interactions over time. Part of his efforts is dedicated to developing novel structure-sensitive characterization techniques, utilizing technologies such as Infrared Free-Electron Lasers.

Research Interests