ACTIVITIES

Research that has been undertaken in the Laboratory for Precipitation Processes, i.e. the study of mechanisms and kinetics of processes involved in the solid phase precipitation, is a part of physical chemistry, known as surface and colloid chemistry. Within this area, a special consideration is given to the study of sparingly and moderately soluble ionic salts in electrolyte solutions. The knowledge gained in this way is about physical and chemical properties of the solid phase and the thermodynamic and kinetics of precipitation and crystallization processes.

Precipitation is one of the most important operations in chemical, pharmaceutical and many other process industries. In medicine and biology, precipitation plays an important role in normal (formation of bones, teeth, shells) and pathological (formation of calculi, calcification of soft tissuies in body, etc.) mineralization. Precipitation has to be considered also in geology and oceanology, as it is responsible for the formation of many sedimentary rocks and biogenic minerals. Traditionally, precipitation is connected with analytical chemistry, where it is used for assaying of elements and compounds and their identification, isolation, purification, and separation.

The objective of the research performed in the Laboratory for Precipitation Processes is to develop theoretical and generic solutions to a wide range of problems that involve precipitation processes, either these processes occur in natural systems or in industrial and other operations, and to apply the knowledge gained in research to the real problems. Calcium carbonates, calcium and magnesium phosphates, calcium oxalates and calcium sulphates are some of the model systems investigated in details.

The objective also is to contribute in education of undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as to supervise B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D. theses.