Willem Verboom

Willem Verboom is a Researcher in the Department of Molecular Nanofabrication at the University of Twente. His work focuses on advanced chemical methodologies for actinide and lanthanide separation, with a particular emphasis on ligand design in ionic liquid and solvent extraction systems. His research contributes to sustainable development goals through innovations in radioactive waste management and nuclear fuel cycle technologies.

Key areas of expertise include complexation studies of trivalent and tetravalent ions, extraction chromatography, and the development of selective ligands for actinide/lanthanide separation. He has published over 605 peer-reviewed articles and supervised 32 research projects. Collaborations span international institutions, with recent work emphasizing radiation-resistant materials and sensor technologies for radioactive elements.

Research interests extend to solvent extraction kinetics, ionic liquid applications, and supported liquid membrane transport systems. His contributions bridge fundamental chemistry with applied nuclear engineering challenges, including the optimization of extraction resins and the study of ligand stability under gamma radiation.

Notable achievements include pioneering studies on diglycolamide-functionalized ligands and the development of potentiometric sensors for thorium and europium. Ongoing projects explore synergistic extraction strategies and phase-switching techniques to enhance furfural yields in biphasic systems.