“I. G. Murgulescu” Institute of Physical Chemistry
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Brief history
The Institute of Physical Chemistry was founded by Academician Ilie Murgulescu in 1963, as a result of splitting of the former Chemical Research Center of the Romanian Academy.
Outstanding personality of the Romanian chemistry, Professor Murgulescu is also the founder of the modern school of physical chemistry at the University of Bucharest. He devised the main research directions in physical chemistry and set up the structural framework of the Institute of Physical Chemistry, developed under his direction (1963 - 1977) and preserved with minor revisions for over 40 years.
For mostly political reasons, especially after the Professor’s retirement, the institute was forced into a sinuous administrative trajectory, eventually resulting in the loss of its dedicated building and legal personality. In spite of these shortcomings, its research staff was able to develop professionally and get ready for the major changes of the year 1990. Professor Ilie Murgulescu survived those troubled times and had a decisive contribution to the return of the Institute of Physical Chemistry back to the Romanian Academy. After his passing away in 1991, Academician Ilie Murgulescu made the last and unanimously expected gift to the Institute of Physical Chemistry: his name.
Address: Splaiul Independentei 202, Sector 6, 060021 – Bucharest, Romania
http://www.icf.ro
Phone: + 40 21 3167912
Fax: + 40 21 3121147
Director:
Dr. Mihai V. Popa ()
Deputy director:
Dr. Vlad T. Popa ()
Scientific secretary:
Dr. Mircea Olteanu ()
Structure:
Programmes: 9
Projects: 22
Laboratories: 10
Human resources:
Scientific researchers I: 32
Scientific researchers II: 11
Scientific researchers III: 21
Scientific researchers: 39
Assistant (junior) researchers: 41
Auxiliary staff: 21
Technical staff: 56
Various statistical data for the period 2002-2005:
Papers in international ISI journals: 348
Papers in Romanian Academy journals: 90
International scientific events organized: 12
National scientific events organized: 7
PhD theses defended: 22
Awarded patents: 2
International scientific agreements: 26
National and international research grants (coordinated and in cooperation): over 180
Romanian Academy awards: 6
research programmes
1. Quantum chemistry and molecular structure
2. Chemical thermodynamics
3. Chemical kinetics
4. Interface structure, interface processes and catalytic reactions
5. Electrode processes and electrochemical corrosion
6. Molten salts
7. Physical chemistry of oxide materials
8. Association colloids and dispersed systems
9. Coordination compounds – precursors and advanced materials in biological and catalytic processes
Research directions and infrastructure
1. Laboratory of quantum chemistry and molecular structure (Dr. Marilena Vasilescu) is mostly concerned with studies of electronic structure, molecular confirmation and reactivity of molecules and free radicals. Problems related to the structure of self-assembled systems (micelles, reverse microemulsions, liquid crystals), structures of layered compounds, molecular spectroscopy (ESR, IR, UV-VIZ, fluorescence), TPD, TPR and magnetic measurements. Lattice-theory axiomatics of quantum mechanics is applied to certain problems concerning chemical systems.
ESR lab
2. Laboratory of chemical thermodynamics (Dr. Speranta Tanasescu) is focused on two major fields: (1) thermodynamics of gaseous and condensed mono and multi-phase systems; (2) biothermodynamics and thermodynamical characterization of amino-acids, proteins and bacteria in solid state, solution and controlled atmosphere.
3. Laboratory of chemical kinetics (Dr. Domnina Razus) is involved in two projects concerning homogeneous gas-phase reactions (hydrocarbon oxidation in flames) and heterogeneous catalytic processes (hydrogen and hydrocarbon oxidation catalyzed by oxides and supported metal catalysts). The study of combustion and flames is focused on the initiation and propagation processes of deflagrations under non-steady conditions, with straightforward applied research extension concerning safety recommendations. Heterogeneous catalysis studies are concerned with the dynamics of gas-solid interaction with application to the selection of new catalysts and new chemical sensors and experimental investigation and modeling of oscillatory behavior of several heterogeneous processes.
Explosion lab
4. Laboratory of surface chemistry and catalysis (Dr. Mariuca Gartner) is involved in three projects. The correlation between solid surface reactivity and the appearance of adsorption states expected in both solid-gas and solid-liquid interfaces are studied. Various solids such as single crystals of IB group metals and transitional metal mixed oxides are characterized by work function variation, cyclic voltammetry, TPR and TPD, and electron spectroscopy. Oxidation processes of practical importance like oxidative coupling of methane, total oxidation of hydrocarbons and alcohol oxidation on inorganic membranes are also investigated.
Elipsometry lab
5. Laboratory of electrochemistry and corrosion (Dr. Eugen Roman) is focused on metal (semiconductor) / electrolyte interface, aiming at establishing its structure and the mechanism of electrode reaction. Among several subjects of study there are: electrochemical sources, solar energy conversion, electrochemical synthesis and oxide electrocatalysis. The corrosion processes of metals and alloys in aqueous and non-aqueous media are also investigated in order to establish efficient protection methods against corrosion in industrial equipment.
6. Laboratory of molten salts (Dr. Nicolae Ene) is specialized in obtaining physical-chemical data (phase diagrams, density, viscosity, electrical conductivity), pertaining to various molten salts and oxide systems and in finding the mechanism of processes involved in their practical applications. The basic and applied aspects related to the electrochemistry of light and refractory metals and electrosynthesis of special materials (borides, nitrides) are studied. Heat storage and heat transfer in molten salts regarding their utilization in non-conventional energy sources are also investigated.
Conductance lab
7. Laboratory of oxide materials science (Dr. Maria Zaharescu, CM of the RA) is currently involved in the physical chemistry of solid and vitreous state aiming to elucidate thermal phase equilibria, reaction mechanisms and structure - properties correlations in oxide systems. These studies aim to improve the design and development of classical and non-conventional methods for obtaining new oxide systems and to characterize these materials from the structural and technological point of view. A distinct research field deals with obtaining ceramic materials from gels.
8. Laboratory of supramolecular chemistry and interphase processes (Dr. Titus Constantinescu) applies separation methods to the study of equilibrium and non-equilibrium processes in the supramolecular chemistry in order to separate complex mixtures, detect types of kinetic and thermodynamic parameters and establish the correlations between structure, chromatographic behavior, biological and pharmaceutical activity.
9. Laboratory of colloid chemistry (Dr. Dan Anghel) carries out research on micellization, microemulsions, polymer-surfactant interactions, transport phenomena occurring across membranes, dielectric spectroscopy, modeling and simulation in colloidal surfactant chemistry, emulsions and solid-liquid dispersions.
10. Laboratory of coordination chemistry (Dr. Luminita Patron) is involved in modern aspects of coordination chemistry of the transition metal ions and rare earth (mono and polynuclear compounds), precursors for mixed oxides with superconductive properties, spectroscopic and magnetic behavior, inductive inner coordination sphere via metal orbitals, etc. Another direction of research is the study of the correlation between the structure of the coordination compounds and their biological activity.
Research results (between 2002-2005)
1 book published abroad
2 invited monographs published abroad
1 book published with the Publishing House of the Romanian Academy
348 papers published in ISI international journals
90 papers published in journals of the Romanian Academy
161 papers published in national publications
23 papers published in other journals
252 international scientific communications
223 national scientific communications
Selected ISI papers (since 2002):
A. Caragheorgheopol, H. Caldararu, M. Vasilescu, A. Khan, D. Angelescu, N. Zilkova, J. Cejka, “Structural Characterization of Micellar Aggregates in Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate/ Aluminum Nitrate/ Urea/ Water System in the Synthesis of Mesoporous Alumina”, J. Phys.Chem.,108 (23), 7735, 2004.
Marilena Vasilescu, D. Angelescu, H. Caldararu, M. Almgren, A. Khan, “Fluorescence Study of the Effect of Aluminium Salt on the Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate Aggregates”, Colloid and Surfaces A., Physicochem. Eng., 235, 57, 2004.
Al. Ivanov, “Fock Theories and Quantum Logics”, Int. J. Theor. Phys., 43, 77, 2004.
G. Munteanu, L. Ilieva, R. Nedyalkova, si D. Andreeva, “Influence of Gold on the Reduction Behaviour of Au-V2O5/CeO2 Catalytic Systems: TPR and Kinetic Parameters”, Applied Catalysis A: General, 227, 31, 2004.
S. Perisanu, I. Contineanu, M. D. Banciu, J. F. Liebman, B. S. Farivar, M. A. Mullan, J. S. Chickos, N. Rath, D. M. Hillesheim, “The enthalpies of formation of two dibenzocyclooctadienones”, Thermochimica Acta, 400, 1-2, 109, 2003
M. Teodorescu, M. Wilken, R. Wittig, J. Gmehling, “Azeotropic and solid-liquid equilibria data for several binary organic systems containing one acetal compound”, Fluid Phase Equilibria 204, 267-280, 2003
S. Tanasescu, C. Marinescu, F. Maxim, “Thermodynamic properties of nano- and micro- structured perovskite-type compounds”, Trans Tech Publications Ltd., Solid State Phenomena, Vol. 99-100, 117-122, 2004.
S. Tanasescu, A. Orasanu, D. Berger, I. Jitaru, J. Schoonman, “Electrical Conductivity and Thermodynamic Properties of Some Alkaline-Earth Doped Lanthanum Chromites”, International Journal of Thermophysics, 26, 543–557, 2005.
N.I. Ionescu, N.I. Jaeger, P.J. Plath, M.A. Liauw, C. Hornoiu, “Role of the heat transfer coefficient in determining the overall activation energy of thermokinetic oscillations”, J. Thermal Anal. Calorimetry, 73, 851 (2003).
M. Caldararu, G. Postole, M. Carata, M. Chelu, C. Hornoiu, N. I. Ionescu, T. Ioujakova and A. Redey, “In situ electrical conductivity study of propylene interaction with alumina surface”, Appl. Surface Sci., 211 (1-4), 156, (2003).
D. Razus, M. Molnarne and O. Fuss, “Limiting Oxygen Concentration Evaluation in Flammable Gaseous Mixtures by means of Calculated Adiabatic Flame Temperatures”, Chem. Eng. Process., 43, 775, (2004)
D. Oancea, M. Mitu, E. Pincu and D. Razus, “Temperature inhibiting effect on the ignition of a lean propylene-air mixture by an isothermally heated platinum filament”, Rev. Roumaine Chim., 49 (3-4), 391, (2004)
Ioan Balint, Akane Miyazaki, Ken-ichi Aika, “The relevance of Ru nanoparticles morphology and oxidation state to the partial oxidation of methane”, J. Catalysis, 220, 74, (2003)
M. O. Vlad, V. T. Popa, E. Segal and J. Ross, “Multiple Rate-Determining Steps for Non-Ideal and Fractal Systems”, J. Phys. Chem. B, 109, 2455, (2005)
V. Chihaia, St. Adams and W.F. Kuhs, “Influence of water molecules arrangement on structure and stability of 512 and 51262 Buckyball Water Clusters. A theoretical study”, Chemical Physics, 297, 271, (2004)
M. Gartner, R. Scurtu, A. Ghita, A. Zaharescu, M. Modreanu, C. Trapalis, M. Kokkoris G. Kordas, “Spectroellipsometric characterization of Sol-Gel TiO2-CuO thin coatings”, “Thin Solid Films”, 455, 417, (2004)
V. Pârvulescu, C. Anastasescu and B. L. Su, “Bimetallic Ru-(Cr, Ni, or Cu) and La- (Co or Mn) incorporated MCM-41 molecular sieves as catalysts for oxidation of aromatic hydrocarbons”, J. Mol. Catal. A, 211, 143, (2004)
V. Lazarescu, R. Scurtu, M. F. Lazarescu, E. Santos, H. Jones, W. Schmickler, “Field effects and surface states in second harmonic generation at n-GaAs(hkl)electrodes”, Electrochimica Acta, 50, 4830, (2005)
N. Spataru, T. Spataru, A. Fujishima, “Voltammetric determination of thiourea at conductive diamond electrodes Electroanalysis”, 17, (9), 800, (2005)
T. Spataru, A. M. Josceanu, N. Spataru, “Amperometric determination of nitrite at conductive diamond electrodes”, Rev. Roumaine Chim., 50 (2) 147, (2005)
M. V. Popa, E. Vasilescu, P. Drob, A. Santana-Lopez, J. Mirza-Rosca, C. Vasilescu, “Corossion behavior of some titanium base alloys in acid solutions”, Materials and Manufacturing Processes, 20, 35, (2005)
M. V. Popa, E. Vasilescu, P. Drob, C. Vasilescu, “Electrochemical behavior of thermally treated Ti-1Ni-0.5Mo alloy in sulphuric acid solutions”, Materials and Manufacturing Processes, 20, 65, (2005)
C. Bessada, E. M. Anghel, “11B, 23Na and 27Al NMR Study of Solid and Molten Na3AlF6 – Na2B4O6”, Inorg. Chem., 42, 3884, (2003)
P. M. Pavel, N. Ene, “Planar Solidification Solution with Mashy Zone”, Energy Conv. Management, 44, 2977, (2003)
V. Constantin, A. M. Popescu, S. Zuca, “Preliminary Studies of the Obtaining of Solid Metallic Cerium from Fluoride Melts”, Z. Naturforschung, 58A, 57, (2003)
M. Malki, C. Bessada, P. Echegut, M. Constantinescu, R. Piper, M. Olteanu, “Chemical Durability of Glass with Compositions Similar to the Nonvolatile Fraction of Wastes from an Acid Battery Plant”, Glass Technology, 46, 146, (2005)
M. Raileanu, M. Popa, L. Stanciu, L. Bordeianu, J. M. Calderon-Moreno and M. Zaharescu, “Preparation and Characterisation of Alumina Supported Silicalite Membranes by Sol-Gel Hydrothermal Method”, J. Membrane Sci., 5346, 1, (2002)
O. Scarlat, S. Mihaiu, Gh. Aldica, M. Zaharescu, J. R. Groza, “Enhanced Properties of Tin (IV) Oxide Based Materials by Field-Activated Sintering”, J. Am. Cerm. Soc., 86, 893, (2003)
A. Jitianu, A. Britchi, C .Deleanu, V. Badescu and M. Zaharescu, “Comparative study of the sol-gel proecesses starting with different substituded Si-alkoxides”, J. Non. Cryst. Solids, 19, 263, (2003)
O. Scarlat, S. Mihaiu, Gh. Aldica, J. Groza and M. Zaharescu, “Semiconducting SnO2 Dense Ceramics Obtained by a Novel Sintering Technique”, J. Eur. Ceram. Soc., 24, 1049, (2004)
M. Zaharescu, M. Crisan, L. Predoana, M. Gartner, D. Cristea, S. Degeratu and E. Manea, “Hybrid Inorganic-Organic Sol-Gel Coatings in the SiO2-TiO2 System”, J Sol-Gel Sci. Technol., 32, 173, (2004)
V. Fruth, M. Popa, D. Berger, R. Ramer, M. Gartner, A. Ciulei, M. Zaharescu, “Deposition and characterisation of bismuth oxide thin films”, J. Eur. Ceram. Soc., 25, 2171, (2005)
F. Spafiu, V. Oprea and T. Constantinescu, “Application of glass capillary columns Chirasil-L-Val for gas chromatographic separation of the enantiomers of D,L-pantolactone and analysis of the calcium pantothenate”, Rev. Roum. Chim., 49(2), 169, (2004)
A. Beteringhe and A. T. Balaban, “QSAR for toxicities of polychlorodibenzofurans, polychlorodibenzo-1,4-dioxins and polychlorodibenzobiphenyls”, Arkivoc, (i), 163-182, (2004)
A. T. Balaban, S. Basack, A. Beteringhe, D. Milles and C. Supuran, “QSAR study using topological indices for inhibition of carbonic anhydrase II by sulfanilamides and Schiff bases”, J. Mol. Div., 401, (2004)
P. Ionita, B. C. Gilbert and A. C. Whitwood, ”Generation of oxygen-, sulfur, nitrogen- and phosphorus-centred short-lived radicals via one-electron oxidation with nitro-substituted hydrazyl radicals”, Letters in Organic Chemistry, 1, 70, (2004)
P. Ionita, “Is DPPH Free Stable Radical A Good Scavenger For Oxygen Active Species?”, Chemical Papers, 59, 11, (2005)
D. F. Anghel, J. L. Toca-Herera, F. M. Winnik, W. Rettig, Regine v. Klitzing, "Steady-State Fluorescence Investigation of Pyrene-Labeled Poly(Acrylic Acid)s in Aqueous Solution and in the Presence of Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate", Langmuir, 18, 5600, (2002)
M. Balcan, D. F. Anghel, “Phase behavior of water/oil/nonionic surfactants with normal distribution of the poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) chain length”, Colloid Polymer Sci, 281, 143, (2003)
M. Balcan, D. F. Anghel, “Thermodynamic properties of polyethoxylated nonylphenols by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography” Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochem. Eng. Aspects 221, 1, (2003)