Sulfonation of Polystyrene by Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Process
The main attention was focused on the study of heterogeneous sulfonation of solid PS using gaseous SO₃. The influence of temperature, Mw of starting PS, specific surface area of solid particles and their morphology on the mechanism and kinetics of heterogeneous sulfonation was investigated. The water soluble sulfonated PS is prepared using homogeneous process. Sulfonated PS materials are characterized using elemental ICP analysis, EDAX microanalysis, scanning electron microscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy.
 
Modification of Polypropylene Using Itaconic Anhydride by Reaction in Melt
Kinetics of grafting reaction of polar compounds on isotactic PP is investigated. Conversion of polar monomer and melt flow index (MFI) is determined for wide scale of monomers, initiators. Reactive extrusion is carried out using twin screw extruder. FT-IR and 1H-NMR spectroscopy is used for determination structure of modified polypropylene.
 
Polyacrylamide Hydrogels Networks Synthesis
Polyacrylamide gels are prepared via free radical copolymerization of acrylamide and N,N´-methylenebisacrylamide in aqueous solution. The attention is paid to the investigation of the effect of cross-linking agent concentration on the kinetics of polymerized system.
 
Polyurethane Polymers for Textile Coating Formulation
New two component polyurethane systems based on polyester and polyether polyols and polydiisokyanates are intensively developed mainly with regard to use for non-breathable textile coating. Prepared textile coating show excellent mechanical properties and high endurance to water column. Moreover, flame retardants and fungicidal additives for polyurethane systems are developed as well.
 
Synthesis of Copolymers Based on Poly(lactic acid), Poly(glycolic acid) and Poly(ethylene glycol) via Ring Opening Polymerization
New biodegradable triblock copolymers based on the poly(lactic acid) (PLA), poly(glycolic acid) (PGA) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) are synthesized via Ring Opening Polymerization (ROP) using Tin-octoate as a catalyst. PEG-PLA/PGA-PEG copolymers are subsequently modified by itaconic acid to functionalize the copolymer with reactive -COOH groups and double bonds. Resulting ITA-PEG-PLA/PGA-PEG-ITA copolymers are non-toxic, biodegradable, biocompatible, pH and/or temperature sensitive useful for biomedical applications as injectable polymer drug delivery systems, tissue implants or resorbable bone adhesives. Physical or chemical hydrogels network properties, sol-gel transitions and degradable properties are studied. Polymers are characterized by means of 1H NMR, FT-IR, GPC, HPLC, DSC, TGA, polarization microscope and rheometer.
 
Collagen-based Sponges and Films
Collagen type I is being modified by either ITA-PEG-PLA/PGA-PEG-ITA or hyaluronic acid. Prepared films or sponges are cross-linked and studied with a view of water uptake, degradation, pore-size, mechanical properties or type of cross-linker. Biomedical applications of modified collagen materials are aimed at new cartilage scaffolds, haemostatic or wound healing coverings.
Biodegradable Polyurethanes Foams or Elastomers
Elastomeric polyurethanes (PU) or flexible polyurethane foams are prepared via in-situ polyaddition reaction between diisocyanate and polyether polyol using tin-catalyst and modified by cellulose or starch derivatives. In order to avoid environmental pollution by non-degradable polymer waste dump PU samples are studied in terms of their biodegradability and ecotoxicity. Samples are characterized as well by FT-IR, DSC, TGA and optical microscope.
Polymerization of Vinyl Monomers Using ATRP (atom transfer radical polymerization)
Initiation ATRB polymerization is investigated using modified POSS (polyhedral oligomeric silesquioxanes).
 
Coordination Polymerization of 1-Alkenes
New coordination catalysts based on diimine complexes of NI are used in polymerization of 1-alkenes (ethen, propen, hex-1-en). Dilatometric measurements and UV-VIS spectroscopy are used for investigation of the reaction kinetics.
Macromonomer Syntheses Using Living Polymerization Methods
The macromonomers ((poly)oligomers terminated with reactive functional group at one or both chain ends) based on polyolefins are synthesized via living coordination polymerization. Phenoxy-imine titanium complex activated by methylalumoxane (MAO) is used as the catalytic system for ethene oligomerization. Living oligomer ends (active centres) are transformed into iodine, hydroxyl, carboxyl and phenyl terminal groups by quenching with agents (end-capping). Resulting semitelechelic oligomers are characterized by ¹H NMR, GPC and DSC analyses.
 
Coordination Polymerization of Vinyl Monomers

Organometallic synthesis
The area of the research is the synthesis and characterization of organometallic complexes. The focus is on the complexes which could be potentially utilized as the catalyst precursors for homogenous polymerizations. The main goals are the prediction of catalyst behaviour consequent upon the complex properties and the complex modification by changing the ligand environment and the metal centre. The studied complexes are based on early and late transition metals (Ti, Ni) and on lanthanides (Nd, Sm). The new ligand systems, which are useful for the fine-tuning of the microstructure of polymers and oligomers, are developed. The emphasis is placed on the complexes that show novel activity and selectivity in polymerization reactions.
Ligands and complexes are characterized by IR, NMR spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C), UV-vis spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and single-crystal X-ray determination.