Nanoprobes for high resolution spatial and temporal temperature mapping

Nanoprobes for high resolution spatial and temporal temperature mapping
1st supervisor and 1st promotor: Prof. Andries Meijerink
2nd supervisors: Prof. Alfons van Blaaderen and Prof. Bert Weckhuysen
2nd promotor: Prof. Bert Weckhuysen
3rd promotor: Prof. Alfons van Blaaderen
Affiliation: Utrecht University
Research theme: Catalyst Diagnostics to Develop More Active Catalysts

Temperature plays a crucial role in the efficiency and selectivity of chemical reactions. Optimization of temperature for a specific reaction often assumes a homogeneous temperature distribution but in reality there are large variations due to non-uniform mass and heat transport. Mapping temperature profiles with high spatial and temporal resolution is a first step in understanding and controlling temperature profiles in order to optimize the reactor performance.

In this project lanthanide-doped nanoparticles are used for remote temperature sensing using luminescence spectroscopy. Luminescent nanoprobes will be incorporated in catalytically active particles in real chemical reactors and remote excitation and collection of the emission enables accurate mapping of 3D temperature profiles. The highly temperature dependent emission spectra of different lanthanide ions in different nanocrystalline host materials allow for application in different temperature ranges and in a variety of chemical reactors, including microfluidics.

Confocal microscopy will be employed to measure local temperature variations on the sub-micrometer scale related to processes in individual catalytically active particles. The project will provide new insight in temperature variations over a wide range of length scales (micrometer to meter) and aid in the optimization of heat flows in chemical reactors.

Keywords:

• Temperature sensing
• Nanoparticle
• Luminescent Lanthanide
• Microfluidic Reactor
• Confocal microscopy