Research
Research Interests: Shaping of New MOFs for Hydrogen Storage
Biography
Dr. Lik Hong Wee is an accomplished chemist and researcher with a distinguished career in the field of nanoporous materials. He earned his first Bachelor's degree in Chemistry and Biology from Campbell University in 2004. In 2005, he advanced his studies by obtaining a Master's degree in Environmental Technology from the University of Wolverhampton. From 2006 to 2008, Dr. Wee pursued his PhD at Manchester Metropolitan University, where he honed his expertise in the synthesis of inorganic zeolites. Following his doctoral studies, Dr. Wee joined KU Leuven as a research scientist, a position he held from 2009 to 2019. His tenure at KU Leuven was marked by significant contributions to the field, particularly in developing crystalline materials such as zeolites, metal-organic frameworks MOFs and ordered mesoporous materials. Dr. Wee has an impressive publication record, with over 30 peer-reviewed papers in leading international journals, underscoring his impact and recognition in the scientific community. His work advances fundamental understanding and drives practical applications in various industrial processes.
Publications
1) Wee, L.H., Vandenbrande, S., Rogge, S.M.J., Jelle Wieme, J., Asselman, K., Erika O. Jardim, E.O., Joaquin Silvestre-Albero, J., Navarro, J.A.R., Van Speybroeck, V., Martens, J.A., Kirschhock, C.E.A. (2021) Chlorination of a zeolitic-imidazolate framework tunes packing and van der Waals interaction of carbon dioxide for optimised adsorptive separation. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 143, 13, 4962-4968.
2) Cirujano, F.G., Martín, N. and Wee, L.H. (2020) Design of hierarchical architectures in metal-organic frameworks for catalysis and adsorption. Chemistry of Materials, 32, 24, 10268–10295.
3) Kertik, A., Wee, L.H., Pfannmöller, M., Bals, S., Martens, J.A., and Vankelecom, I.F.J. (2017). Highly selective gas separation membrane using in situ amorphised metal–organic frameworks. Energy and Environmental Science, 10, 2342-2351.
4) Wee, L.H., Meledina, M., Turner, S., Van Tendeloo, G., Zhang, K., Rodriguez-Albelo, L.M., Masala, A., Bordiga, S., Jiang, J., Navarro, J.A.R., Kirschhock, C.E.A., Martens, J.A. (2017). 1D-2D-3D transformation synthesis of hierarchical metal-organic framework adsorbent for multicomponent alkane separation, Journal of the American Chemical Society, 139, 819-828.
5) Wee, L.H., Li. Y., Zhang, K., Davit, P., Bordiga, S., Jiang, J., Vankelecom, I.F.J., Martens, J.A. (2015). Submicrometer-sized ZIF-71 filled organophilic membranes for improved bioethanol recovery: Mechanistic in-sights by Monte Carlo simulation and FTIR spectroscopy. Advanced Functional Materials, 25, 516-525.
Full List of Publications
34. Wee, L.H., Vandenbrande, S., Rogge, S.M.J., Jelle Wieme, J., Asselman, K., Erika O. Jardim, E.O., Joaquin Silvestre-Albero, J., Navarro, J.A.R., Van Speybroeck, V., Martens, J.A., Kirschhock, C.E.A. (2021) Chlorination of a zeolitic-imidazolate framework tunes packing and van der Waals interaction of carbon dioxide for optimised adsorptive separation. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 143, 4962-4968.
33. Shahid, S., Baron, G.V., Denayer, J.F.M., Martens, J.A., Wee, L.H. and Vankelecom, I.F.J. (2021) Submicron-sized hierarchical ZIF-8 composite membranes: Enhancing gas separation performance by exploiting molecular dynamics in hierarchical hybrid materials. Journal of Membrane Science, 620, 118943.
32. Cirujano, F.G., Martín, N. and Wee, L.H. (2020) Design of hierarchical architectures in MOFs for catalysis and adsorption. Chemistry of Materials, 32, 10268–10295.
31. Kertik, A., Wee, L.H., Sentosun, K., Navarro, J.R., Bals, S., Martens, J.A., Vankelecom, I.F.J. (2020) High-performance CO2-selective hybrid membranes by exploiting MOF-breathing effects. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 12, 2952-2961.
30. Redfern, J., Geerts, L., Seo, J.W., Verran, J., Tosheva, L. and Wee, L.H. (2018) Toxicity and antimicrobial properties of ZnO@ZIF-8 embedded silicone against planktonic and biofilm catheter-associated pathogens. ACS Applied Nano Materials, 1, 1657-1665.
29. Kertik, A., Wee, L.H., Pfannmöller, M., Bals, S., Martens, J.A., and Vankelecom, I.F.J. (2017) Highly selective gas separation membrane using in situ amorphised metal–organic frameworks. Energy and Environmental Science, 10, 2342-2351.
28. Wee, L.H., Meledina, M., Turner, S., Van Tendeloo, G., Zhang, K., Rodriguez-Albelo, L.M., Masala, A., Bordiga, S., Jiang, J., Navarro, J.A.R., Kirschhock, C.E.A., Martens, J.A. (2017) 1D-2D-3D transformation synthesis of hierarchical metal-organic framework adsorbent for multicomponent alkane separation, Journal of the American Chemical Society, 139, 819-828.
27. Taherimehr, M., Van de Voorde, B., Wee, L.H., Martens, J.A., De Vos, D.E., Pescarmona, P.P. (2017) Strategies for enhancing the catalytic performance of Metal‐organic frameworks in the fixation of CO2 into Cyclic carbonates, ChemSusChem, 10, 1283-1291.
26. Li, Y., Wee, L.H., Martens, J.A., Vankelecom, I.F.J. (2017) Interfacial synthesis of ZIF-8 membranes with improved nanofiltration performance, Journal of Membrane Science, 523, 561–566.
25. Naik, P.V., Wee, L.H., Meledina, M., Turner, S., Li, Y., Van Tendeloo, G., Martens, J.A., Vankelecom, I.F.J. (2016) PDMS membranes containing ZIF-coated mesoporous silica spheres for efficient ethanol recovery via pervaporation. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 4, 12790-12798.
25. Wee, L.H., Meledina, M., Turner, S., Custers, K., Kerkhofs, K., Sree, S.P., Gobechiya, E., Kirschhock, C.E.A., Van Tendeloo, G., Martens, J.A. (2016) Anatase TiO2 nanoparticle coating on porous COK-12 platelets as highly active and reusable photocatalysts. RSC Advances, 52, 46678-46685.
24. Wee, L.H., Li. Y., Zhang, K., Davit, P., Bordiga, S., Jiang, J., Vankelecom, I.F.J., Martens, J.A. (2015) Submicrometer-sized ZIF-71 filled organophilic membranes for improved bioethanol recovery: Mechanistic in- sights by Monte Carlo simulation and FTIR spectroscopy. Advanced Functional Materials, 25, 516-525.
23. Wee, L.H., Janssens, N., Vercammen, J., Tamaraschi, L., Thomassen L., Martens, J.A. (2015) Stable TiO2-USY zeolite composite coatings for efficient adsorptive and photocatalytic elimination of geosmin from water. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 3, 2258-2264.
22. Herskowitz, M., Landau, M., Koukouliev, S., Zarchin, R., Nehemya, R., Wee, L.H., Martens, J. (2015) Homogeneous Tubular-Flow Process for Monoolein Preparation. Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society, 92, 1525-1529.
21. Wee, L.H., Meledina, M., Turner, S., Custers, K., Kerkhofs, S., Van Tendeloo, G., Martens, J.A. (2015) Hematite iron oxide nanorod patterning inside COK-12 mesochannels as an efficient visible light photocatalyst. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 3, 19884-19891.
20. Li, Y., Wee, L.H., Volodin, A., Martens, J. A. Vankelecom, I.F.J. (2015) Polymer supported ZIF-8 membranes prepared via an interfacial synthesis method. Chemical Communications, 51, 918-920.
19. Wee, L.H., Bonino, F., Lamberti, C., Bordiga, S., Martens, J.A. (2014) Cr-MIL-101 encapsulated Keggin phosphotungstic acid as active nanomaterial for catalysing the alcoholysis of styrene oxide. Green Chemistry, 16, 1351-1357.
18. Li, Y., Wee, L.H., Martens, J.A., Vankelecom, I.F.J. (2014) ZIF-71 as a potential filler to prepare pervaporation membranes for bio-alcohol recovery. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 2, 10034-10040.
17. Wee, L.H., Janssens, N., Sree, S.P., Wiktor, C., Gobechiya, E., Fischer, R.A., Kirschhock, C.E.A., Martens, J.A. (2014) Local transformation of ZIF-8 powders and coatings into ZnO nanorods for photocatalytic application. Nanoscale, 6, 2056-2060.
16. Janssens, N., Wee, L.H., Martens, J.A. (2014) Esterification reaction utilizing sense of smell and eyesight for conversion and catalyst recovery monitoring. Journal of Chemical Education, 91, 876–879.
15. Wee, L.H., Lescouet, T., Ethiraj, J., Bonino, F., Vidruk, R., Garrier, E., Packet, D., Bordiga, S., Farrusseng, D., Herskowitz, M., Martens, J.A. (2013) Hierarchical zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 catalyst for monoglyceride Synthesis. ChemCatChem, 5, 3562-3566.
14. Wee, L.H., Lescouet, T., Fritsch, J., Bonino, F., Rose, M., Sui, Z., Garrier, E., Packet, D., Bordiga, S., Kaskel, S., Herskowitz, M., Farrusseng, D., Martens, J.A. (2013). Synthesis of monoglycerides by esterification of oleic acid with glycerol in heterogeneous catalytic process using tin-organic framework catalyst. Catalysis Letters, 143, 356-363.
13. Wee, L.H., Wiktor, C., Turner, S., Vanderlinden, W., Janssens, N., Bajpe, S.R., Houthoofd, K., Van Tendeloo, G., De Feyter, S., Kirschhock, C.E.A., Martens, J.A. (2012) Copper benzene tricarboxylate metal-organic framework with wide permanent mesopores stabilized by keggin polyoxometallate ions. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 134, 10911-10919.
12. Janssens, N., Wee, L.H., Bajpe, S.R., Breynaert, E., Kirschhock, C.E.A., Martens, J.A. (2012) Recovery and reuse of heteropolyacid catalyst in liquid reaction medium through reversible encapsulation in Cu3(BTC)2 metal-organic framework. Chemical Science, 3, 1847-1850.
11. Wee, L.H., Lohe, M., Janssens, N., Kaskel, S., Martens, J.A. (2012) Fine tuning of the metal-organic framework Cu3(BTC)2 HKUST-1 crystal size in the 100 nm to 5 micron range. Journal of Materials Chemistry, 22, 13742-13746.
10. Wee, L.H., Janssens, N., Bajpe, S.R., Kirschhock, C.E.A., Martens, J.A. (2011). Heteropolyacid encapsulated in Cu3(BTC)2 nanocrystals: An effective esterification catalyst. Catalysis Today, 171, 275-280.
9. Wee, L.H., Bajpe, S.R., Janssens, N., Hermans, I., Houthoofd, K., Kirschhock, C.E.A., Martens, J.A. (2010) Convenient synthesis of Cu3(BTC)2 encapsulated Keggin heteropolyacid nanomaterial for application in catalysis. Chemical Communications, 46, 8186-8188.
8. Wee, L.H., Tosheva, L., Doyle, A.M. (2008) Steam-assisted synthesis of zeolite films from spin-coated zeolite precursor coatings. Journal of Materials Chemistry, 18, 3563-3567.
7. Tosheva, L., Mihailova, B., Wee, L.H., Vasilev, C., Gasharova, B., Garbev, K., Doyle, A.M. (2008) Indirect observation of structured incipient zeolite nanoparticles in clear precursor solutions. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 47, 1-5.
6. Wee, L.H., Wang, Z., Tosheva, L., Itani, L., Valtchev, V., Doyle. A.M. (2008). Silicalite-1 films with preferred orientation. Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, 116, 22-27.
5. Wee, L.H., Wang, Z., Mihailova, B., Doyle, A.M. (2008). Organic functionalization of Silicalite-1 nanocrystals by ultrasonic treatment in methanol. Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, 116, 59-62.
4. Wang, Z., Wee, L.H., Mihailova, B., Edler, K.J., Doyle, A.M. (2007) Langmuir-Blodgett deposited monolayers of Silicalite-1 seeds for secondary growth of continuous zeolite films. Chemistry of Materials, 19, 5806-5808.
3. Wee, L.H., Tosheva, L., Vasilev, C. and Doyle, A.M. (2007) Influence of the dispersion medium on the properties of spin-coated Silicalite-1 films. Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, 103, 296-301.
2. Wee, L.H., Tosheva, L. and Doyle, A. M. (2008) Studies in Surface Science & Catalysis, 174, Part 1, 641- 644.
1. Tosheva, L., Wee, L.H., Wang, Z., Mihailova, B., Vasilev, C., Doyle, A.M. (2007) Studies in Surface Science and Catalysis, 170, Part 1, 577-584.
