Head: Dr. Sándor Kéki
Teaching staff involved in the programme:
- István Bányai
- Katalin Czifrák
- Sándor Kéki
- Mónika Kéri
- Ákos Kuki
- István Lázár
- Noémi M. Nagy
- Lajos Nagy
- Tibor Nagy
- Levente Novák
- Zoltán Szűcs
- Nóra Vajda
- Miklós Zsuga
Research topics:
Synthesis of polymers and copolymers with tailored properties. Preparation of light-emitting and shape-memory polymers. Characterization of natural and synthetic polymers by soft ionization mass spectrometry. Investigation of interfacial reactions on clay minerals using radioindication. Macromolecular colloids and their metal complexes. Synthesis and study of aerogels and aerogel nanocomposites. Application of high- and low-resolution NMR to the study of porous materials, gels and sols.
Description of the Doctoral Programme
Our research topics include the preparation of new functional homo- and copolymers and their transformation via polymer-analogous reactions, as well as the synthesis of linear and star-shaped amphiphilic copolymers and polymer networks with designed segment lengths, and the study of phase separation by transmission electron microscopy and by light-scattering photometry in different solvents. During the programme, students can learn the basics of dry-box techniques while studying living cationic polymerization.
With a view to green chemistry, we work on the following topics: the synthesis of new, partially biodegradable thermoplastic materials; the use of recycled polyurethanes; the preparation and investigation of synthetic macromolecular hydrocarbons with lubricant and lubricant-additive properties; and the synthesis of biopolymers. Our topics related to the medical applications include e.g. development of sustained- and controlled-release dosage forms and investigation of the release process; study of the micro- and macrostructure of the resulting dosage forms, the behavior of membranes, and diffusion and osmotic conditions; investigation of the solution structure and dynamics of PAMAM dendrimers with a view to controlled and delayed drug release; improvement of the bioavailability of poorly soluble active ingredients; and beyond the methods known so far, exploration of new possibilities for improving solubility by extrusion of polymers and active ingredients and the study of molecularly dispersed systems formed in the resulting “solid solutions” after solidification.
Further research areas include the synthesis and investigation of aerogels and aerogel nanocomposites with particular emphasis on their chemical, engineering, optical and biomedical applications as well as the synthesis and study of new macrocyclic complexing agents.
We also conduct extensive research on smart polymer-based systems, such as the preparation and characterization of compounds, polymers and composites with light-emitting and shape-memory properties. Our goal is to produce materials that emit light of different wavelengths in solvents of different polarity, i.e. that exhibit solvatochromic effects. This property can be used to determine the polarity of the microenvironment (e.g. biological systems) and can also extend their applicability to molecular detection.
In the field of shape-memory polymers, our topics include the preparation of chemically cross-linked shape-memory di- and triblock copolymers based on polyurethanes. As flexible blocks, we incorporate well-defined functional polyisobutylene and/or polyethylene oxide prepared by living polymerization. The mechanical properties of the cross-linked systems are investigated, and possibilities are explored for their biomedical applications and composite formation. The shape-memory behavior of interpenetrating polymer networks (semi-IPN), e.g. polyurethane/epoxy (PU/EP) systems is also studied including the incorporation of reinforcing agents to increase the force generated during recovery.
Our analytical research focuses on the characterization of natural and synthetic polymers by modern soft ionization mass spectrometric methods, and on uncovering relationships between the properties and structures of polymers/copolymers using artificial intelligence.
The main objectives of our research on macromolecular colloids include the following: the synthesis and functionalization of poly(amino acid)-type polymers and their partial hydrophobization to modify their tertiary structure; characterization of the resulting ligands and investigation of their solution structure using multinuclear and multidimensional NMR spectroscopy; study of the equilibria, structure and dynamics of metal complexes of macromolecular ligands in solution; and exploration of possible applications of these metal complexes in environmental protection, catalysis and medicine.
In the field of interfacial reactions, we primarily use radioindication methods to investigate the binding of microelements essential for plants, environmentally relevant cations, and radioactive contaminant ions on the surface of clay minerals. We also study the mechanisms of catalytic reactions occurring at the surface of clay minerals.
The three types of solution-state NMR spectroscopy are suitable for studying solid materials, gels and sols. Using NMR cryoporometry, the pore size of both soft and hard porous materials can be determined if it is smaller than 100 nm. Our PhD students can study the swelling of macromolecular colloids and the pore size of carbon nanoparticles and carbon-based gels using this technique. NMR diffusometry is an important tool for investigating larger pore sizes and pore structures and through this our students can gain insight into certain aspects of the structure and adsorption behavior of solid materials and gels. Low- and high-resolution NMR relaxometry is suitable for studying the size and dynamics of colloids; with this method, PhD students can characterize carbon nanoparticles and dilute polymer solutions. Involving quadrupolar NMR nuclei (²³Na, ¹⁷O) opens up new perspectives in this field.
In the future, it will also be possible to study solid-state NMR within the Doctoral School. The necessary hardware has been installed, and experiments are beginning to integrate this method into the programme’s portfolio.