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The focus of our research is the tailoring of the inorganic-organic interface in hybrid materials and nanocomposites with special interest in a controlled design of inorganic building blocks such as nanoparticles. The large interface area in these materials requires a specific knowledge in tailoring the chemistry between inorganic and organic moieties. The controlled design of the interface allows the induction of new properties in the final material. Our research is highly interdisciplinary between the fields of inorganic, organic, and polymer chemistry and utilizes a broad spectrum of techniques like X-ray diffraction, common spectroscopic methods, thermo-analytical methods or mechanical tests.
Associated work groups:
Speciation and elemental analyis
(apl. Prof. Dr. Ralf Kautenburger)
The research group WASTe (Working group for Analytical Speciation Techniques) is mainly focused on element trace and speciation analysis as well as on the development of innovative coupling techniques
Molecular and organometallic chemistry
(Priv.-Doz. Dr. André Schäfer)
Environmental Analysis Unit
09.03.2026 | German Research Foundation (DFG) Funds Project on the Oxidation of Intermetallic Compounds
Effective immediately, the DFG is funding a project submitted by PD Dr. Oliver Janka titled “Oxidation of Intermetallic Aluminum Compounds for the Preparation of (New) Chalcogenides” through a research grant. The goal is to synthesize known and new oxides, sulfides, selenides, and tellurides using intermetallic aluminum compounds as starting materials. Within the scope of the project, a distinction is made between compounds that have defined oxidation states in their oxidized form and those in which one of the metals can exhibit multiple oxidation states. For example, the formation of divalent and trivalent europium can be achieved during the oxidation of EuAl2. Depending on the reaction conditions used, this is even possible selectively.
09.02.2026 | Doctorate by Anna Michaely
We warmly congratulate Anna Michaely on the successful completion of her doctoral thesis in the field of mechanochemical reduction of metal oxides. In her research, she succeeded in developing new synthetic approaches to reduced titanium, vanadium, and niobium oxides. The results open up promising prospects for more sustainable reduction processes, as they demonstrate that mechanochemical methods allow for significantly lower temperatures and thus lower energy consumption than conventional reduction methods. We are delighted with this important scientific contribution and wish Anna all the best for her future endeavors!
29.01.2026 | Doctorate by Svenja Pohl
In her doctoral thesis, Svenja Pohl focused on the synthesis of so-called melting gels from trialkoxysilanes and the detailed elucidation of their structure and the underlying structure-property relationships. Her research provided crucial insights into the cause of the formation of these special thermoplastic hybrid polymers, which are produced by a sol-gel process. Svenja not only succeeded in identifying the fundamental mechanisms of formation, but also demonstrated the potential of the insights gained for applications in the field of optical materials. We are delighted about this significant scientific contribution and wish Svenja all the best for her future!
09.01.2026 | Promotion von Elias C. J. Gießelmann
Wir gratulieren Elias C. J. Gießelmann zum erfolgreichen Abschluss seiner Promotion die mit der Bestnote summa cum laude ausgezeichnet wurde! In seiner Doktorarbeit konzentrierte Elias sich auf die Synthese und Charakterisierung intermetallischer Aluminiumverbindungen und deren Oxidationsverhalten. In etwas mehr als drei Jahren entstanden dabei zehn Publikationen bei denen er Erstautor ist, darüber hinaus noch neun weitere Arbeiten bei denen er Untersuchungen beigesteuert hat. Dies betrifft insbesondere die Festkörper-NMR-Spektroskopie an verschiedenen Kernen. Wir freuen uns über diese wichtigen wissenschaftlichen Beiträge und wünschen Elias alles Gute für seine Zukunft!
17.12.2025 | Joining forces for clean water: Pioneering project strengthens water protection in Saarland
The Department of Inorganic Chemistry at Saarland University and the Ministry for the Environment, Climate, Mobility, Agriculture, and Consumer Protection (MUKMAV) are continuing their long-standing successful collaboration. With the completion of the previous project and the start of a new five-year joint project in mid-2026, research into assessing the condition of Saarland's waters will be intensified. One focus is on the effects of new requirements under the EU Municipal Waste Water Directive and the implementation of the Water Framework Directive in Saarland. In addition to established real-time measurements using mobile measuring stations, automatic samplers will also be used to detect organic and inorganic micropollutants (“emerging pollutants”) from diffuse and point sources. In addition, the project is dedicated to the analysis of small catchment areas in order to answer specific environmentally relevant questions. With this project, the partners are making a decisive contribution to the sustainable development and protection of Saarland's water.
October 2, 2025 | New publication on the mechanochemical activation of
In a recent publication, Tobias Straub and Elias Gießelmann investigated how mechanochemical activation (MCA) affects sodium intercalation in NaTi₂(PO₄)₃ (NTP) – a promising material from the NASICON family for sodium-ion energy storage. The study showed that grinding can significantly reduce crystallite size and increase specific surface area. These structural changes have a significant impact on the material's ability to interacalate sodium ions. It became particularly clear that the efficiency of intercalation depends not only on mechanical activation, but is also strongly determined by the chemical nature of the sodium source used. The study was published in the journal RSC Mechanochemistry. Go to publication.
October 2, 2025 | First mechanochemical synthesis of MgV₂O₄
In a recent publication, our working group, in collaboration with the groups of Prof. Chris Kay (Saarland University) and Prof. Oliver Clemens (University of Stuttgart), reports on the successful synthesis of magnesium vanadate (MgV₂O₄) using mechanochemical processes. As part of the work, Anna Michaely investigated how the choice of starting materials and the intensity of the grinding process affect the phase formation, microstructure, and electrochemical properties of MgV₂O₄. The synthesis was carried out using high-energy ball mills, whereby the exothermic reaction between V₂O₅ and Mg led to the formation of the desired spinel phase within just 20 minutes. Accompanying DFT calculations provided important thermodynamic information on the reactivity of the various reactant combinations. The results show that moderate grinding conditions lead to improved conductivity, while overly intensive grinding processes cause structural defects and increased grain boundary resistance. Go to publication.