Department of Inorganic Chemistry
The Department conducts basic and applied research in the broad field of functional materials chemistry. The main direction of research is to link the crystal structure, electronic structure, microstructure, and transport properties with the possibility of applying the materials in energy conversion and storage systems, functional metallic and ceramic layers, and electrochemical sensors, as well as in the catalysis and photocatalysis. The Department also conducts research on cultural heritage objects.
Research
Group of the Chemistry of Materials
The research topics of the group focus on:
- Preparation and characterization of oxide materials for catalytic applications,
- Preparation and characterization of nanostructured ceramic, metallic and composite materials,
- Mechanism and kinetics of solid state decomposition.
Research
Group of the Photo- and Electrochemistry of Solid State
The group's area of interest is related to issues of photo- and solid-state electrochemistry. The group investigates the fundamental and applied nature concerns regarding transition metal oxides in the form of
micro- and nanomaterials and thin films.
These materials are used as:
- anodes for electrochemical PEC cells to convert solar energy into chemical energy,
- photocatalysts for the decomposition of pollutants in water and air,
- oxide fuel cell components,
- semiconductor gas sensors.
Research
Solid State Ionics group
The research activity of the Solid State Ionics group is concerned with the synthesis, study, and optimization of the physicochemical properties of materials, mainly oxide materials, which exhibit certain electrical,
catalytic, and chemical properties, including in particular high ionic conductivity.
The research is focused on the search for significant correlations between chemical composition, phase composition, crystallographic structure, defect structure and microstructure, and functional properties of the obtained materials, including electrical and transport properties and chemical resistance of the obtained materials.
Research
Heritage Research Laboratory
The group's research topics cover two areas. The first involves the analysis of works of art and monuments on paper, textiles as well as sculptures or ceramics.
The second concerns the development of tools used in the study of heritage objects.
Research
Functional Coatings Laboratory
The research interests of the Laboratory (FC Lab) focus on the following topics:
- fabrication of ceramic, metallic and composite layers (PVD, CVD, chemical and electrochemical methods),
- fabrication of materials and coatings on the matrix of intermetallic phases,
- characterization of physical and chemical properties of structural and functional materials (e.g., electrical and thermal properties, resistance to high-temperature oxidation and corrosion in electrolyte solutions),
- study of kinetics and mechanism of reaction diffusion,
- influence of technological parameters on the structure, composition, and properties of materials and layers.
Research
Thermoelectric Research Laboratory
The main scientific activities of our interdisciplinary team concern both basic research in the chemistry
and materials science of functional materials and engineering of thermoelectric devices, i.e., numerical modeling and design of new prototype thermoelectric modules and generators based on the developed materials.
Foundation of the Department of Inorganic Chemistry
The Department of Inorganic Chemistry at the Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics was established at the same time as the Faculty, in 1949. The first head of the Department was Prof. Adam Bielanski. After Prof. Bielanski's transfer to the Jagiellonian University in the early 1960s, the Department was headed by Prof. Jerzy Dereń
In 1971, the Faculty established the Institute of Materials Engineering, which included the Division of General Chemistry and Chemistry of Semiconductors. The scientific interests of the Division were the study of the properties of semiconductor oxides and heterogeneous catalysis. After the unfortunate death of Professor Deren in 1975, the Division was headed by Associate Professor Aleksandra Podgórecka until 1990.
Following the disappearance of the Institute of Materials Engineering, the unit was renamed the Division of Inorganic Chemistry. In 2002, the Division was again renamed as the Department of Inorganic Chemistry. The role of the Head of the Department was first held by Prof. Andrzej Malecki until 2012, and then by Prof. Marta Radecka from 2012 to 2020. The current Head of the Department is Dr Ewa Drożdż, AGH.