Preparation and research on nanomaterials
- synthesis, characterization and modification of gold nanoparticles for biomedical applications
- synthesis and characterization of metallic nanoparticles with controlled size and narrow size distribution
- preparation of polymer nanocomposites for biomedical applications
- porous ceramics
- hybrid ceramic-organic layers, obtained by the sol-gel method
Modifications of the surface of ceramics, polymers and metals with advanced hybrid nanomaterials
- organic monolayers
- ultra-thin organic layers
- organic compounds on the surface of ceramic and metallic nanoparticles
- layered nanocomposites
- modification techniques used: chemical - from the gas and liquid phase and physical - with the use of low-temperature plasma and ultraviolet radiation
Characterization of nanomaterials
- measurements and analysis of nanoparticle sizes based on the techniques of atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), high resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR SEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS)
- measurements of physicochemical parameters of materials: microhardness, adhesion, surface energy
- determination of the structure of materials using the infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR)
Preparation and testing of materials for tribological applications, in the nano, micro and macro scale
- monolayers, ultra-thin layers and nanocomposite materials on the surface of ceramics, polymers and metals
- porous ceramics
- organic additives in the frictional contact of metal surfaces, their alloys, ceramics and polymers
Nanotribological studies of ultra-thin organic layers, obtained in the Department mainly on ceramic materials, began in the early 1990s. They were carried out in cooperation with the research team of prof. W. Olejniczak from the Department of Solid State Physics, Faculty of Physics and Chemistry, University of Lodz (currently the Faculty of Physics and Applied Computer Science, University of Lodz). Since the purchase of the AFM and STM microscopes by our Department in 2001, systematic nanotribological research and synthesis of monolayers and ultra-thin organic layers on various solid substrates have been started. A significant part of the PhD research carried out at our Department is related to nanotechnology and nanotribology.
Macrotribological research has been conducted in the Department since 1972, by the previous Head of the Department, prof. Stanisław Płaza, and has been continued until now. The first three doctoral dissertations, defended in 1995-1997, concerned the research on tribochemical properties, mainly of organic sulfur compounds as additives enriching lubricants. The subject is still sustained, also including petrochemical research.