The spectroscopic analysis of Thomas Gaudisson

Thomas Gaudisson focuses on spectroscopic analysis of catalytic materials. He uses spectroscopy to characterize catalyst properties.

Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Thomas Gaudisson. I’m a postdoc in the Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis group, headed by professor Bert Weckhuysen.

I obtained my PhD in Chemistry in Paris. My topic was related to synthesis and characterization of magnetic materials. I am very curious about new materials and new characterization techniques. After my PhD I moved to Utrecht to broaden my expertise on analytic characterization. Now, my research focuses on spectroscopic analysis of catalytic materials.

Where is this workplace?
I’m located in Utrecht Science Park (De Uithof), more precisely in the David de Wiedgebouw. Most spectroscopy setups are available in the laboratory, but sometimes it’s necessary to move abroad to use synchrotron radiation for X-ray spectroscopy (for instance in France, Germany, United States, and Switzerland).

What is special about this workplace or about your research?
My research group is well known in the catalysis world. The aim of my research is to expand knowledge of catalysts and improve them. For this, I use spectroscopy such as infrared with probe molecules to characterize the catalyst properties. In the meantime, I have to process and analyze data collected at the synchrotron. It allows me to simulate the materials and understand, at an atomic level, where the catalyst should be improved.