Group Members:
Assoc. Prof. Dr. S. Gutzov
Prof. Dr. R. Tsekov
Assoc. Prof. Dr. S. Karakashev
Assist. Prof. Dr. M. Avramov
Assist. Prof. Dr. R. Slavchov
Assist. Prof. Dr. N. Danchova
Assist. Prof. Dr. I. Minkov
PhD students: 4

The research activities of the Laboratory of Functional Colloids and Surfaces /LFCS/ are concentrated in the following directions: Micro – and nanofluidics; Functional optical materials and aerogels and Colloid chemistry and surfaces. In the laboratory are working 7 researchers and 4 PhD students. The potential applications of the research activities of LFCS are in the fields of photovoltaic cells, optical sensors, thermal superinsulation materials, nanostructured surfaces and metamaterials. Other research directions are theoretical modelling of surface processes and creation of anisotropic heat exchange materials.

Recent References:

1. Tsekov R., A novel protocol for linearization of the Poisson-Boltzmann equation , Ann Univ Sofia Fac Chem Pharm 106 59, (2014)
2. Danchova N., Gutzov S., Matras-Postolek K., Bredol M., Lesev N., Kaloyanova S., Deligeorgiev T., “Preparation and optical properties of silica sol-gel microparticles functionalized with [Eu(ntac)3][pphendcn] and [Eu(phen)2](NO3)3 complexes”, Journal of Inclusion Phenomena and Macrocyclic Chemistry, 78  (2014)  381-386.
3. Gutzov S., Danchova N., Karakashev S., Khristov M., Ivanova J., Ulbikas J., Preparation and thermal properties of chemically prepared nanoporous silica aerogels, Sol-Gel Sci Technol 70 3 (2014) 511-516.

Scientific equipment:

Sol-gel laboratory, including vacuum dryers

UV-Vis / reflectance spectrophotometer

Automatical Reme-Hart Goniometer / Tensiometer

Luminescence microscope