Laboratory of Physicochemistry of Materials
Description of the Group
Our research is within physico-chemical properties of various engineering surfaces and within single-molecule biophysics of proteins and peptides. Currently, we strive to understand the mechanisms of global/local oxidation of selected 2D materials and to develop methods of learning about structural changes within single biological molecules from changes of their nanomechanical properties. We use advanced research techniques based mostly on AFM, SEM, Raman, XPS, Auger and EDS spectroscopies. Our research is currently supported by generous funding from the polish government.
Research Activities
Our current research focuses on the application of atomic force microscopy methods to
- measure nano-mechanical properties of nano[1]and micro-objects such as single molecules of selected proteins, as well as
- modify the physico-chemical properties of surfaces of 2D materials such as MoS2 at the nano- and micro-scale.
For our research we also use other modern methods of studying materials at local scales, including select[1]ed lithography methods, methods of electron micros[1]copy (SEM, TEM), methods of chemical composition analysis, such as energy-dispersive X- ray spectrosco[1]py (EDS), local Raman spectroscopy, and other meth[1]ods. The members of the team are employees of the Faculty of Chemistry of the University of Warsaw
Team Leader
I am a material physico-chemist, the main inventor of the thermochemical nanolithography method. I have dealt with and I have been involved in physical and chemical characterization of arbitrary surfaces mainly by methods of atomic force microscopy. Examples of such research include studies of friction and viscosity of individual water layers at micro- and nano[1]scale, and research into the adhesion, friction and abrasion of engineering materials at micro- and nano-scale. At present, at the Faculty of Chemistry of the University of Warsaw, at CNBCh, I focus on micro and macro-scale surface research of selected 2D materials such as MoS2 for future applications in the electronics and energy industries. Nevertheless, I have also substantial research experience in nano-mechanical characterization of individual biological objects such as proteins, and I plan to develop such research as well in CNBCh.