Ilse van Ogtrop

After obtaining a BSc in Molecular Science and Technology and MSc in Chemical Engineering degree at TU Delft, Ilse van Ogtrop began her PhD in October 2024 as part of a collaboration between the research groups of Lars Bannenberg, Bernard Dam and Laurens Siebbeles. During her studies she specialized in the properties and characterization of materials and researched optical hydrogen sensing materials as part of her master thesis.

Ilse’s PhD project is centered on the material development of optical hydrogen sensing materials utilizing x-ray and neutron reflectometry, x-ray diffraction, hydrogenography and electronic structure calculations. Three main topics are researched as part of this project:

Rational development of optical hydrogen sensing materials: new sensing materials are developed to optimize the sensor’s performance for different applications. For example, monitoring the hydrogen concentration in chemical processes at high temperatures up to 270 °C and leak detection in hydrogen-combustion airplanes at temperatures as low as – 80 °C.

Influence of oxygen on the performance of optical hydrogen sensing materials: for al measurement in air, oxygen posses a problem due to cross-sensitivity. The reaction mechanisms and possible interactions with oxygen need to be determined, to better understand the problem of oxygen cross-sensitivity. With this knowledge steps can be made to minimise the effect of oxygen.

Origin and wavelength dependence of the optical response: the origin of the optical response and the overall the relation between the optical properties and the metal-to-hydrogen ratio is currently unknown and heavily debated. Both can provide crucial information needed for the optimalisation of optical hydrogen sensors and for the production of tailor-made hydrogen sensors.