CAPTURE Academy

Pegie Cool is a prominent figure in the field of Chemistry, holding the esteemed position of Full Professor at the University of Antwerp. With nearly three decades at the University, she leads the Laboratory of Adsorption and Catalysis (LADCA), focusing on sorbents, catalysts, and porous materials. This dynamic research group is committed to advancing the understanding of sorbents, catalysts, and the synthesis and characterization of porous materials. Under her guidance, the LADCA team has made significant strides in industries ranging from petrochemicals to textiles and beyond. Her expertise spans plasma and photocatalytic CO2 conversion, as well as the development of novel porous catalysts and water purification. Within the realm of CO2 conversion, Professor Cool focusses on plasma catalytic conversion, photocatalytic conversion, and carbonation reactions with CO2. Additionally, she plays a pivotal role in the development of innovative porous catalysts, crucial in enabling active CO2 conversion and sorption processes. Her proficiency extends to the synthesis and thorough characterization of these advanced materials. In the domain of water purification, Professor Cool employs the technique of photocatalytic degradation of pollutants, effectively tackling environmental contaminants. Furthermore, her research extends to the development of novel sorbent materials, which play a crucial role in the recovery of heavy metals, including those of critical or toxic nature.

Samar Al Jitan - University of Antwerp 
Samar is a postdoctoral fellow with a PhD in Engineering from Khalifa University, where she specialized in Chemical Engineering. Her research focuses on the development and characterization of photocatalytic materials for environmental remediation, with particular emphasis on CO₂ conversion to solar fuels and the degradation of volatile organic compounds. She has extensive experience in wet chemical synthesis, heterogeneous photocatalysis, and advanced material characterization. In addition to her research, Samar has actively supervised students and supported the technical management of laboratory activities. Her contributions include academic publications and collaborative projects aimed at advancing sustainable solutions to environmental challenges.

Radu-George Ciocarlan - University of Antwerp
Radu is a highly accomplished chemist with a rich academic background. Holding a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Chemistry from the University of Antwerp, he specialized in the synthesis of innovative composites with photocatalytic properties for environmental remediation. His expertise extends to various methods of inorganic oxide synthesis, photocatalytic activity assessment, and the evaluation of CO₂ reduction and organic pollutants degradation. Radu is well-versed in a range of characterization techniques and has demonstrated exceptional leadership as a Laboratory Responsible. With extensive experience in supervising students and managing technical aspects, he has been instrumental in the acquisition of advanced laboratory instruments.

Sammy Verbruggen obtained his Bachelor degree in Bioscience Engineering - Chemistry in 2008 at UAntwerpen, his Master degree in Bioscience Engineering - Catalytic Technology in 2010 at KU Leuven and a joint PhD degree in Bioscience Engineering at both UAntwerpen and KU Leuven in 2014, as aspirant of the FWO. After a postdoctoral Fellowship of the FWO, a part of which in Pau (France), he was appointed guest professor in 2016 and as Assistant Professor in February 2019. Currently he is working on the central theme of (plasmonic) photocatalysis for environmental and energy applications. By maintaining a holistic bottom-up approach, every aspect of this research theme is addressed. The main focus is on the fundamental level of surface science (catalyst synthesis, surface modification, morphological engineering, etc.), but other facets such as reactor design, activity testing, social and economic aspects are elaborately addressed as well. The main research goal is to boost the photocatalytic activity of metal oxide semiconductors by improving their solar light conversion efficiency and photon utilization capacity. One of the primary strategies is surface modification with plasmonic nanostructures. A thorough fundamental mechanistic understanding of these composite nanomaterials is key.