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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
Junior Research Group
(PD Dr. André Schäfer)
Environmental Analysis Unit
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 | Graduation of Max Briesenick
We congratulate Max Briesenick on successfully completing his doctorate! In his now completed doctoral thesis, he focused on the synthesis of transparent silsesquioxane-siloxane oligomers for optical applications with an adjustable refractive index. His research showed that highly refractive and thermally stable systems can be realized—however, some of these materials require special post-treatment. Max not only succeeded in synthesizing chain-shaped oligomers, but also demonstrated the formation of polyhedral structures, opening up new perspectives for material development. We are delighted about this important scientific contribution and wish Max all the best for his future endeavors!
September 22 ,2025 | Melting, mixing, fluorescing—a new process enables the encapsulation of fluorescent dyes
In a paper published today, Svenja Pohl, Nils Steinbrück, and Michal Pachnicz have presented for the first time a melt-emulsion strategy for the production of polyphenylsilsesquioxane (PPSQ) microspheres with embedded hydrophobic dyes. The starting point was a thermoplastic, low-crosslinked PPSQ precursor—the so-called “melting gel”—which can be emulsified in hot water with Triton™ X-405 above 70°C. Subsequent condensation with caustic soda leads to the formation of solid microspheres with an average diameter of approximately 3 μm. Targeted heat treatment further increased the cross-linking and removed the surfactant residues, converting the particle surface from hydrophilic to hydrophobic. The phenyl-rich matrix enables efficient embedding of hydrophobic fluorescent dyes. Particularly noteworthy is the high quantum yield of the dye in the matrix and the good dye distribution. This new method opens up innovative avenues for optoelectronic applications such as LED encapsulations and luminescent solar concentrators. The study has been published in the journal Materials Advances. Go to publication.
August 29, 2025 | Optimized synthesis strategy for transparent high-temperature materials in optical applications
A new study by Max Briesenick investigates how post-crosslinking strategies can improve the thermal and mechanical properties of siloxane/silsesquioxane hybrid materials. These hybrids, which contain sterically demanding aromatic units, often do not undergo complete crosslinking during thermal consolidation, limiting their performance in high-temperature environments. By adding specific additives, it was possible to develop materials with improved structural integrity, high degree of condensation, and remarkable thermal stability—up to 453 °C. The resulting polymers not only maintained their long-term optical transparency at 200 °C with minimal yellowing, but also exhibited elastic behavior at elevated temperatures. This elasticity, together with improved viscosity and reduced brittleness, makes them suitable for demanding thermal applications. The study has been published in the journal Molecules. Go to publication.
August 28, 2025 | Publication in Chemical Science
In collaboration with Prof. Richard Dronskowski's group at RWTH Aachen University, the bonding in intermetallic compounds of the Ca-Pt-Al system was investigated in detail. The compounds were produced and structurally examined by Dr. Stefan Engel during his dissertation. Now, with the help of quantum chemical calculations and the LOBSTER program package developed by colleagues in Aachen, it has been possible to gain a much deeper insight into the complex bonding situation of these compounds. The work was published in the flagship journal Chemical Science of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). to the publication
August 8, 2025 | Promotion von Mana Abdirahman Mohamed
As part of her doctoral thesis, Mana Mohamed investigated the continuous wet chemical synthesis of inorganic-organic hybrid materials. The materials are based on polyoxomolybdates and show promising properties as electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries. Particularly noteworthy is that the materials can be used with or without temperature treatment, which significantly expands their potential applications. Her research makes important contributions to the development of efficient and sustainable energy storage technologies. Congratulations on your successful doctorate!
July 10, 2025 | Lorenzo Alberti says goodbye as an ERAMSUS+ student
Lorenzo Alberti, a doctoral student at the Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, spent six months as a guest in our research group. During his research stay, he worked on an exciting project to develop self-healing polymers based on metal-mediated cross-linking reactions. The time was not only extremely productive scientifically, but also personally enriching for the entire team. We would like to thank Lorenzo for the great collaboration and wish him continued success in his academic career!
June 19-22, 2025 | Elias Gießelmann and Oliver Janka participate in the 52nd Solid State Seminar in Hirschegg
Elias Gießelmann and Oliver Janka participated in the Solid State Seminar in Hirschegg again this year. Elias Gießelmann presented his research results in a lecture entitled “Frank-Kasper phases in the ternary system Hf-Nb-Al.”
June 18, 2025 | Active Together: The Research Group at the 2025 Company Run
The company run has become a fixed part of our working group's annual calendar—and this year, once again, a motivated team was at the starting line. The focus was not on athletic performance, but on the fun of running together and reaching the finish line. With plenty of team spirit and good humor, the group showed that community also plays an important role outside the laboratory. A big thank you to all participants for their commitment and the great atmosphere!