The general objective of the project is to design, prepare and characterize new monomers and superior polymeric structures, able to ensure an efficient platform for the incorporation of organic and/or nanodimensional components. The final materials could find applicability in ecological technologies, such as environmental protection, UV protection, photocatalysis, sensors, energy storage, dental materials and (bio) imaging, etc.

MAIN RESEARCH FIELDS

• Chemical modification of natural and synthetic polymers (oxidation, amination, esterification, etc.)
• Preparation and/or functionalization of inorganic nanostructures, including carbon nanotubes, metal nanoparticles and metal oxides
• Preparation and characterization of hybrid materials based on natural polymers for applications as proton conducting membranes in electric cells
• Synthesis of new hybrid composites using various techniques (photopolymerization, radical polymerization, ATRP) to achieve flexible coatings and evaluate the prospects of applicability in optics, photocatalysis, environmental protection, food packaging or cosmetics
• Production of hydrogels by photochemical crosslinking (photocrosslinking) for applications in health, food industry, drinking water distribution, pharmaceutical industry, agriculture, etc.