Research team members

The project team is well-balanced, consists of experienced and young researchers. The principal investigator and his research group at Faculty of Science have long term experience in the field of physical-chemistry of colloids and interfaces developing theoretical models and experimental methods. The Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology group has experience in synthesis of nanoparticles and functional nanostructured materials and in the field of electroanalytical chemistry and chemical sensors. In order to complete all proposed tasks one Postdoc will be employed for a period of twelve months.

Tajana Begović (PI) has been involved in research in the field of colloid physical chemistry since 1995. Her major research accomplishments have been in the area of thermodynamics of surface reactions, development the method of surface characterization (i.e. surface charge densities and surface potentials). Her research focus in the last several years has been to extend and apply the method of measuring surface potential by single crystal electrode, as well as to investigate the influence of interfacial water layer on surface properties that will allow a detailed description of the states at the interface and surface reactions. The results of her work were published in 59 scientific papers (in relevant Journals: Adv. Colloid. Int. Sci., PCCP, Langmuir, JCIS) and 4 chapters in monographs in the fields relevant to the proposed project. T. Begović has responsibility over the implementation of the general scientific plan, management of the administrative, legal, financial, technical and other aspects of the project. She will also closely organize, monitor and participate in the planning and progress of the experimental work related to solid/liquid interface.

Davor Kovačević has been involved in research in the field of physical chemistry for more than 20 years. Since 1993 he has been involved in the research in physical chemistry of colloids and interfaces (electrical interfacial layer, interfacial equilibria, adsorption, electrokinetics, adhesion, etc.). Later on, after spending one year in 2001 as a post-doc in Laboratory of Physical Chemistry and Colloid Science at Wageningen University, The Netherlands, he extended his research interests to physical chemistry of macromolecules (polyelectrolyte multilayers, polyelectrolyte complexes, etc.). The results of his research have been published in 44 scientific papers which are cited more than 550 times. D. Kovačević will be responsible for the part of the project dedicated to polyelectrolytes.

Damir Iveković has been involved in research in the field of electrochemical sensors and (bio)electrochemical catalysis since 1997. He also has long experience in development and building of dedicated electrochemical and analytical instruments. Recently he extended his research interests to synthesis of functional nanomaterials for application in electrochemical sensors. The results of his research have been published in 21 scientific papers, which were cited 270 times, and 2 patents. D. Iveković is participating in tasks T1–T4.

Josip Požar is currently employed as a senior assistant at the Division of Physical Chemistry at Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb. He has experience in the field of physical chemistry of macromolecules (interpolylelectrolyte neutralization and protonation, counterion condensation, polyelectrolyte multilayer formation). The results of his research have been published in 10 scientific papers. Within proposed project he will participate in the investigations of polyelectrolyte complex and multilayer formation (complexation energetics, thermodynamic and kinetical investigations of the mentioned phenomena), specific and general aspect of counterion binding and the investigations of polyelectrolyte protonation equilibrium.

Danijel Namjesnik is currently employed as an senior expert assistant at Division of Physical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb. He currently works on his PhD thesis, which includes investigation of interactions between different crystal planes of the metal oxide crystals in electrolyte solutions. He has experience in surface potential measurements, data acquisition and signal processing, electronics (construction and/or modification of scientific instruments), and programming PC applications. He is engaged in preparations of single crystal electrodes, potentiometric measurements, and construction of new instruments.

Jasmina Salopek is currently employed as an expert assistant at Division of Physical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb. She currently works on her PhD thesis, which includes polyelectrolyte complexes in solution and polyelectrolyte multilayers. She is engaged in P1–P3 parts of the project.

Sandra Čičić is currently employed as an assistant at Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb. She currently works on her PhD thesis on heterogeneous electrochemical catalysis. She is be engaged in T1 and P1.

Zlatko Brkljača is currently employed as an Postdoctoral student at Division of Physical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb. He is engaged in P4–P5 parts of the project.

Antun Barišić is currently employed as an assistant at Division of Physical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb. He currently works on his PhD thesis. He is engaged in P3 part of the project.