Scientific Research

The scientific research at the Chair of Physical Chemistry is pursued in several directions. The first direction is related to the spectroscopic and thermodynamic studies of intermolecular interactions and hydrogen bonds. Another research direction is concerned with the study of kinetic-adsorption properties and photodegradation of organic pollutants in the processes related to the environmental protection. Also, some of the members of the Chair are engaged in crystal structure determination of the newly synthesized coordination compounds, by means of single crystal X-ray crystallography. Since 2020, most of the Chair members participate in project Carbon Capture by Self-Drying Schiff Base MOFs.

Studies of the interactions of secondary amides deserve special attention because of the importance of proteins in biological systems. In view of this, the research carried out at the Chair is especially concerned with the structure and interactions of amides, which may serve as the basis for simple models of the biological systems involving the peptide bond.

The study of kinetic-adsorption characteristics of some materials and of the procedures of photodegradation that are used in the processes related to the environmental protection have attracted increasing attention of researchers. The aim is to develop new technologies whose implementation would give a significant contribution to the quality of the environment.

Studies of the molecular structure by means of single crystal X-ray crystallography probe the properties of newly sythetized coordination and organic compounds, revealing their structural peculiarities such as ligand coordination modes, central atom coordination number of a coordination compound, or absolute structure of a chiral organic molecule. The knowledge structure of matter at molecular level is esential for understanding its macroscopic properties.

The members of the Chair of Physical Chemistry have at their disposal appropriate spectrometric instruments (FTIR, NIR, NMR, UV-VIS), instruments for gas and liquid chromatography (GC-MS, HPLC), densitometer, as well as a single crystal X-ray diffractometer.

International projects

  • A Global Approach for Recovery of Arable Land through Improved Phytoremediation Coupled with Advanced Liquid Biofuel Production and Climate Friendly Copper Smelting Process (Phy2Climate). Horizon 2020, Call H2020-LC-SC3-2018-2019-2020 (RIA). Project duration: January 1, 2021. to June 30, 2025. (54 months). Project leader: Prof. Dr Jelena Tričković.
  • Fundamental research on the removal of organic pollutants in water treatment by special hybrid processes. Project duration: September 1, 2010 to August 31, 2013. Project leader: for Germany. Dr.-Ing. Rolf Gimbel and Dr.-Ing. Ralph Hobby, University of Duisburg-Essen, and for Serbia Prof. Dr Ivana Ivančev Tumbas.

Projects supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Serbia

  • Carbon Capture by Self-Drying Schiff Base MOFs. Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia, Program for excellent projects of young researchers (PROMIS). Project duration: July 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022. Project leader: Dr Marko Rodić.
  • Improving remediation technologies and developing methods for the risk assessment of contaminated sites. Project No.: III-43005. Project duration: 2011-2019. Project leader: Prof. Dr Jelena Tričković, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad
  • Study of the synthesis, structure and activity of organic compounds of natural and synthetic origin. Project No.: ON-172013. Project duration: 2011-2019. Project leader: Prof. Dr Dušan Mijin, Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, Belgrade.
  • Effect of the water matrix and physico-chemical properties of relevant organic xenobiotics on the ecotoxicity and behavior in selected processes of water treatment. Project No.: ON-172028. Project duration: 2011-2019. Project leader: Prof. Dr Ivana Ivančev-Tumbas.
  • Development of Methods of Monitoring and Removal of Biologically Actives Substances Aimed at Improving the Quality of the Environment. Project No.: ON-172042. Project duration: 2011-2019. Project leader: Prof. Dr Biljana Abramović.
  • Design, synthesis, characterization and assessment of practical application of coordination and organometal compounds. Project No.: ON-172014. Project duration: 2011-2019. Project leader: Prof. Dr Katalin Mesaroš-Sečenji.