Physikalische Chemie - Wittstock
Our research topics
We work on the preparation, characterization and application of organic thin films on inorganic supports. Such layers are of scientific interest because their properties are not only determined by a rigid inorganic material but also by an extremely thin layer of bound and flexible organic molecules with their diverse and adjustable properties. The combination of such contrary characteristics opens up a broad range of application reaching from biochemical testing systems (biochips and biosensors), electrocatalytical and electrochromic coatings to autonomous reaction materials (smart materials). Many properties of organic thin films become effective only if the layers are in contact with a solvent. Therefore we focus on the investigation of solid-liquid interfaces.
We are interested in the following questions
- How can highly specialized and functional biomolecules couple to artificial technical systems? [more]
- Which new perspectives emerge from the exploitation of nanostructured or microstructured functional units for classical electrochemical preparation and characterization methods?
- How can organic layers be structured laterally? [more]
- Can self-assembly be used for the generation of microscopic structures at interfaces? [more]
- How can the structure and reactivity of such layers be investigated with microscopic resolution? [more]
- Can properties of such layers be tuned by patterning for specific application?
- How can properties of thin films be switched electrochemically or photochemically?
- Do the design principles of artificial organic thin films play a role in the initial phase of cell attachment to surfaces in nature, for instance in the attachment of cells to surfaces in marine environments?
- How can functional layers be integrated into complex systems (lab on a chip)? [more]
- Why do microsystems behave so differently from their macroscopic counterparts?
These questions are investigated by preparation and structuring of thin layer systems and subsequent characterization using electrochemical, microscopic and spectroscopic methods. If necessary we also develop new methods for the characterisation of solid-liquid interfaces.
Special methods/ instrumentation: Here you find [more]