Physical Chemistry

We combine experiment, theory and computer simulation to understand, correlate and predict structural and macroscopic behavior of a wide variety of systems of different chemical nature. Our research is focused on gaining new fundamental knowledge and on the search for practical solutions in applications where such knowledge may help. Studies of soft mesoscopic systems and development of new chemical sensors are rapidly growing fields of research.

Current studies

  • Aggregation of ionic liquids and of classical surfactants in aqueous, aqueous-organic and non-aqueous media.
  • Structure and thermodynamic properties of polymer gels and membranes.
  • Molecular theory of liquid crystals.
  • Structure of ionic fluids from the integral equation theory.
  • Computer simulation of complex fluids by MD and MC methods.
  • Structure, stability and optical characteristics of carbon nanotube dispersions.
  • Ionophore-based chemical sensors.
  • Development and application of ion-selective electrodes with ionophore-containing membranes.
  • Electrochemical properties of these membranes.
  • Ionophore-based optical sensors: optodes.
  • Surface-enhanced Raman scattering in systems containing spectrally-active species and an ionophore fragments.
  • Nano-ceramics: thermal evolution of precursors and development of high-temperature ceramic sensors.
  • Electrode glass: development of new glassy materials and their application in potentiometric sensors.
  • Selectivity mechanisms of glass membranes.

The Department offers two educational programs for the degree of Master of Science in Chemistry

  1. Thermodynamics, Structure and Phase Behavior of Complex Fluids
  2. Physical Chemistry of Electrolytes, Ion- and Electron-Exchange Systems

Department Members

Publications