Welcome to the Institute

The Institute for Chemical Technology and Polymer Chemistry consits of four research groups, two of them working in Chemical Technology, two in Polymer Chemistry. The cooperative direction is formed by Prof. Barner-Kowollik, Prof. Deutschmann (speaker), Prof. Grunwaldt und Prof. Willhelm (ass. speaker).
The main research topics in Chemical technology are optimization of catalytical processes and characterization of catalysts. In Polymer science, new methods of polymer synthesis for modern materials as well as the improvement and the devolpment of characterization methods are topics of research.
Associated to the institute is the professorship Applied Spectroscopy (Prof. Clemens Heske) working on the characterization of surfaces and interfaces and the professorship Applied Computational Catalysis (Prof. Studt) based in Campus Nord.

Chemical Technology

Prof. Dr. O. Deutschmann
The group of Prof. Deutschmann works mainly on the simulation and optimization of catalytic processes. Special fields of interest are: High-temperature catalysis, Automotive catalytic converters, Solid Oxide Fuel Cells and Microreactors and Microburners. Another field are special materials and their characteristics, e.g. chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) and Infiltration (CVI). In addition, a associated research group is managed by Prof. Dr. R. Suntz. Prof. Deutschmann is also leader of a research group at the IKFT.

Polymeric Materials

Prof. Dr. M. Wilhelm
The resarch interests focus on method development in rheology, specifically "FT-Rheology" and the rheological characterization of polymeric materials. One special topic in this field is the influence of different topologies on the rheological characteristics of polymers. Therefore, Anionic synthesis of defined topologies is a fundament of our scientific work.
Other areas of interest are low-field nmr and novel detection systems for size exclusion chromatographie.

Chemical Technology and Catalysis

Prof. Dr. J.-D. Grunwaldt
The group's research areas range from preparation, testing to in-depth characterization of catalysts. Applications embrace exhaust gas catalysis, fine chemistry using innovative solvents and the use of renewable resources. Rational design using especially in situ characterization and high-output testing will be combined. More information can be found here. Prof. Grunwaldt is also leader of the group "Heterogeneous Catalysis" at the Institute for Catalysis Research and Technology (IKFT). In addition, the research group of PD Dr. W. Kleist is associated with the Chair of Chemical Technology and Catalysis.

Preparative macromolecular chemistry

Prof. Dr. C. Barner-Kowollik
The group's research areas range from living free (radical) polymerization methods ((ATRP, NMP, ESCP, RAFT, NMP, TKMP, ROP, ROMP) and the design of complex macromolecular architectures to mass spectrometric studies on polymer systems. An important focus is on the development of novel controlling protocols as well as modular orthogonal conjugation chemistries applied to macromolecular construction. The synthetic efforts are ultimately directed at the generation of nano- and micro-structured functional soft matter materials. Further research areas include reaction mechanisms and kinetics.

Applied Spectroscopy

Prof. Dr. C. Heske
The group’s research focuses on the development and application of cutting-edge spectroscopy techniques, primarily using soft and hard x-rays, to characterize the electronic and chemical properties of materials for energy conversion (examples include thin-film solar cells, materials for photoelectrochemical water splitting, fuel cells, hydrogen storage materials, and nuclear fuels). Using a combination of synchrotron radiation and lab-based methods, the group investigates surfaces and interfaces and collaborates closely with a large number of partners across the globe. Prof. Heske is also a director of the ANKA synchrotron radiation facility and the Institute for Synchrotron Radiation (IPS) at KIT’s Campus North, as well as a Professor in the Department of Chemistry, University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).

Applied Computational Catalysis

Prof. Dr. F. Studt
The group's research focuses on the developement and application of quantum chemical simulations for investigations of catalytic reactions.
Prof. Studt is also a director of the Institute for Catalytic research and Technology (IKFT) based in Campus Nord.