Research at the Department of Physical Chemistry II

Characterization, conception and practical application of complex and nano-structured liquids and their interfaces define the central research interests of the Regensburg Solution Chemistry Group.

The major focus is on homogeneous, transparent and thermodynamically stable liquids, such as solutions of electrolytes, surfactants, polymers, bio-molecules as well as Ionic Liquids and micro-emulsions. Other systems such as emulsions, or structured solutions in supercritical carbon dioxide are also investigated. The self-organisation of molecular liquid systems and specific ion effects (e.g. the Hofmeister series) in nature and technology are in the center of interest.

To characterize structure, dynamics, reaction kinetics, and thermodynamic properties of such systems a multitude of experimental and theoretical methods is employed. From the view-point of basic research the interplay between solvation and association, between hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions, is explored to understand the self-organisation of molecular systems and its consequences on the macroscopic properties of the sample.

The gained knowledge is often rapidly transferred to applied research. For instance new green solvents and surfactants and environmentally friendly Ionic Liquids are designed, as well as green insect repellents, anti-odorising products etc.

Generally, the necessary high-precision equipment is designed and developed by the group in collaboration with the faculty workshops. More sophisticated experiments such as neutron scattering or special microscopy techniques are performed at various international research centres and institutes

Please follow the link to take a view from our equipment and Laboratories

In order to efficiently transform the obtained knowledge to the design of industrial products or new technical processes, the SKH Company for applied and technical chemistry was founded in 2000. The firm is recognized as an associate institute of the University of Regensburg. This company also offers services in the field of product formulation, especially of cosmetics, household products and pharmaceutics.

the focus of our research will be mainly on two areas:

• Conception of environmentally friendly solvents, surfactants, and liquid solutions for chemical and industrial processes.
• Environmentally friendly extraction of plants (essential oils, biopolymers etc.) for the design of highly added value chemicals based on renewable feed stocks (not for fuel production). The vision is a new view on European agriculture that becomes more and more independent of subsidising.

can be subdivided into ten topics all related to solution chemistry. Please follow the links below to lern more about specific subjects:  

• Solvents and Hydrotropes
• Surfactants, Micelles and Microemulsions
• (Non-)aqueous Electrolyte Solutions
• Theory of Electrolytes
• Specific Ion Effects
• Ionic Liquids
• Mixtures of Carbonates and Silicates – from Nanocrystals to Biomorphs and Silica Gardens
• Structured Aqueous Alginate Gels
• Formulation chemistry and the development of a natural water-soluble insect repellent
• Reactions under Hydrothermal Conditions

Note that we are working on several more topics of minor extensiveness, mostly in collaboration with colleagues all over the world. The behaviour of polymers in aqueous solutions and adsorbed to solid surfaces, as studied by AFM might be of interest for a broad readership [66,71] as well as the unified concept of curvature, packing parameter and hydrophilic-hydrophobic difference in surfactant solutions [138].