Science

Synthesis and characterisation of materials

Developing new synthesis methods for the efficient creation of new and known organic and inorganic matter. The main lines of research encompassed by this spearhead involve the development of new synthesis methods through homogeneous catalysis and the creation of functionalised porous inorganic oxide materials. An important aspect of the research is sustainability, in terms of both the synthesis methods developed and the materials themselves. This latter point also ties in with studying the growth of thin films using computer simulations and the modelling of plasma catalysis (conversion and synthesis of molecules through plasma). 

Using experimental and computational techniques to characterise the static (geometric parameters on various length scales, electronic, vibrational and other energy states, etc.) and dynamic (various time scales) properties of the materials and obtain deeper insight into their properties and the causes behind various (bio)chemical physical and physical (bio)chemical phenomena. The spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques used cover almost the entire electromagnetic spectrum, with typical applications in X-rays, UV-Vis spectroscopy (including raman and other laser spectroscopic technology), infrared, microwave and radiowave (NMR) spectrometry and various forms of mass spectrometry.

Reputation

In the Bibliometric Benchmark study, spectroscopy was explicitly mentioned as one of the strongest subfields of Applied Physics & Chemistry at the University of Antwerp and was judged to have an impact of 1.43 compared with the average of 1.26 in this field. The methods mentioned above are frequently used in this spearhead to characterise solid matter in combination with other imaging technology (FTIR microscopy, Raman microscopy, AFM, tomography, etc.). Electron microscopy also plays an important role in characterisation at the University of Antwerp, as do various sub-technologies such as quantitative atomic resolution, electron energy loss, tomography, precession, etc.

Collaboration

The synthesised materials and characterised properties can be applied in various industries, such as the drug and agrochemicals industry, petrochemicals, electronics and nanotechnology. They may also provide the solutions to various major societal challenges in the future, such as energy management and the development of new drugs and sustainable production processes.

The Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences conducts specific research in this field to develop materials with medicinal applications. Research is conducted into the development of inorganic materials in both the Department of Chemistry and the Department of Bio-engineering. Spectroscopic and spectrometric research is supported by calculations carried out in the CalcUA key facility, which is also in charge of performing calculations for the growth of materials and coatings. These calculations are often of a highly interdisciplinary nature, combining mathematical methods and computer science with concepts from chemistry and physics. These chemical analyses tie in with the physical characterisation being done in the Department of Physics. The university also works with the university colleges.

Projects incorporated in this spearhead receive external research funding from Flemish, Belgian and European organisations and funds. Twenty-five members of the Tenured Academic Personnel work in this research field, assisted by three Industrial Research Fund (IOF) fellows and around 35 post-doctoral researchers.