Head: Prof. Darinka Christova, Ph. D. Tel: +359 2 979-22-85; +359 2 973 3005 e-mail: dchristo(at)old.polymer.bas.bg
Research focus: synthesis, investigation and applications of novel amphiphilic functional (co)polymers and networks.
The investigations cover: polymers of controlled composition, structure and hydrophilic-hydrophobic balance; stimuli-responsive (temperature- or pH-responsive) polymer materials with tunable properties in aqueous media; development of hydrophilic and amphiphilic copolymer networks, interpenetrating networks and organic/inorganic hybrid hydrogels and their application in environmentally-responsive polymer materials for medicine and biotechnology, high performance composite membranes of controlled permeability, immobilization of enzymes and cells; hybrid polymer-biomass sorbents for heavy metal ions remediation, etc.
Projects: Stimuli-responsive and self-organizing copolymers: molecular and functionality design for medical, pharmaceutical and biotechnological applications Funding: SCOPES program of the Swiss National Science Foundation 2005-2008 Partner: EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
Heavy metal ions biosorption by filamentous fungi immobilized in polymer hydrogels Funding: National Science Fund of Bulgaria 2005-2008 Partner: Institute of Microbiology - BAS (base organization)
Detoxification of aqueous ecosystem polluted with heavy metals and xenobiotics Funding: National Science Fund of Bulgaria 2009-2011 Partners: Institute of Engineering Chemistry – BAS (base organization) and Institute of Microbiology - BAS