Our research activities are devoted to the use of minerals and synthetic crystalline phases as well as other mineral resources for the production of functional materials with applications in the industry and for environmental protection.

Current research objectives:

• Chemical and mineralogical characterization of layered (clay minerals, layered double hydroxides) and framework minerals (zeolites).
• Modification of minerals in order to obtain functional mineral materials: selective adsorbents, (photo)catalysts and composites for:
  + detoxification (mycotoxin immobilization)
  + water treatment and remediation – adsorptive and photocatalytic removal of inorganic (heavy metals) and organic (pesticides, steroid estrogens) pollutants
  + recovery of selected elements (e.g. lithium).

Former research objectives:

• Synthesis, structural and mechanical properties of clay-polymer nanocomposites.
• Pillared clays – synthesis, characterization and catalytic applications.
• Efficiency and mechanisms of heavy metals immobilization using phosphates (in situ phosphate induced metal stabilization) as an alternative technique for soil remediation.
• Chemistry, mineralogy and thermodynamic stability of heavy metal phosphates.

Please visit our projects site to get more details!