dr.ir. K. Wenderich (Kasper)

After obtaining a MSc degree in Applied Physics in 2011 at the University of Twente, I started my PhD at the PCS group at the same university, where I focused on the applications of photodeposition of cocatalytic nanoparticles on photocatalytic materials, specifically platinum on tungsten oxide. In 2016, I obtained my PhD degree. After spending a postdoctoral position at the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, I returned in 2018 to the PCS group for my next postdoc.

In October 2022 I got promoted towards the position of assistant professor. On September 12th 2024, I succesfully completed my UTQ assessment.

Expertise

• Chemistry

  • Titanium Dioxide
  • Hydrogen
  • Procedure
  • Water Type
  • Oxidation Reaction
  • Tungsten Oxide

• Material Science

  • Oxide
  • Tungsten

Organisations

In my research, I am focussing on contributing to sustainable energy storage through photocatalytic, electrocatalytic and/or photoelectrocatalytic means. In the case of photocatalysis, solar energy is directly stored in chemicals through the conversion of photons into charge carriers in semiconductor materials, which can be used for redox reactions. For electrocatalysis, these electrons are provided directly from the electrical grid for similar redox reactions. A big advantage of electrocatalysis is that it can resolve a too full electricity grid. In photoelectrocatalysis, both fields are combined using photoactive electrodes. A typical example of photo- and electrocatalysis is water splitting. I am interested in i) CO₂ reduction to value-added chemicals and ii) alternative photo-/electrochemical oxidation reactions. 

Within photocatalysis, I am investigating photothermal catalysis through the usage of small metallic plasmon particles coated on metal oxides. Currently, we are investigating if and how we can increase photothermal activities through a combination of material engineering and reactor engineering. We are exploring efficient photothermal reduction of carbon dioxide (CO₂) towards value-added products such as methane.

In addition, we are looking for advanced electrochemical approaches for efficient energy storage. Amongst others, I am involved in research where titanium hollow fiber electrodes are explored for alternative electrochemical applications. Specifically we are looking at the efficient epoxidation of alkenes. The hollow fiber electrodes allow for efficient delivery of the alkenes in a gaseous phase towards the electrode surface, as well as a high electrode surface area.

Lastly, we are also investigating the efficient reduction of CO₂ using ionic liquids as electrolyte rather than aqueous conditions. The advantage is that the solubility of CO₂ in ionic liquids is considerably larger than the solubility of CO₂ in aqueous media, thus allowing for more CO₂ being present at the electrode/electrolyte interface. In this research, we are investigating the influence of the composition of the ionic liquid electrolyte and the electrode type on the efficient reduction of CO₂ to ethylene.

Publications

Research profiles

In addition to my research, I am an enthusiastic and motivated teacher who is involved in multiple bachelor and master programs within the faculty of Science and Technology. I am teaching in the following courses:

Bachelor Advanced Technology/Chemical Science & Engeneering

Module 3 - Project Materials (202400643): I am acting as one of the CTO’s

Bachelor Advanced Technology

Semester 2, Q4 - System Dynamics 2 (202500306)
Module 5 - Project Signals, Models and Systems AT (202000693)
Module 5 - Models (202000628): I am acting as an examinator for one of the practicals

Bachelor Biomedische Technologie

Module 6 - Reaction Kinetics (202400267)
Module 6 - Proj. Modelleren v/e Kunstmatige Nier (202400264)

Bachelor Technische Natuurkunde

Module 5 - Project Signals, Models and Systems TN (202400598)

Master Nanotechnology

Module 1 - Characterization of Nanostructures (201600043)
Module 1 & 2 - Nano-Lab: Fabrication & Characterization (201600041)

Master Chemical Science & Engineering

Module 1 – Characterization (193700010)

Furthermore, I am actively involved in the AT and NT study programs as a member of the examination board.

Of course, I am also approachable for BSc & MSc theses and internships.

Affiliated study programs

Courses academic year 2025/2026

Courses in the current academic year are added at the moment they are finalised in the Osiris system. Therefore it is possible that the list is not yet complete for the whole academic year.

Courses academic year 2024/2025

Address

University of Twente

Horst Complex (building no. 20), room ME226
De Horst 2
7522 LW Enschede
Netherlands

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Organisations