Rzeszow University of Technology

 

The Chmielarz Research Group, led by Professor Paweł Chmielarz at the Rzeszów University of Technology’s Faculty of Chemistry, focuses on advanced polymer chemistry, particularly reversible deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP) techniques. Their research encompasses methods such as atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. These methods enable the synthesis of well-defined polymers with precise control over molecular weight, architecture, and functionality. The group applies these techniques to develop materials with specific properties for various applications, including biomedical devices and surface modifications.

 

Research areas:

  • Polymer Architecture, Mechanisms and Catalysis

The aim of the present research is to synthesize star polymers and polymer brushes with a core of natural origin responsive to external agents, using ATRP techniques based on continuous regeneration of the catalyst complex, starting from methods with regeneration of activators by chemical agents (ARGET ATRP, SARA ATRP), moving to more environmentally friendly techniques of regeneration of the catalyst complex by external agents (seATRP, sono-ATRP, photo-ATRP or metal-free ATRP). The realization of the present research is based, in particular, on the analysis of the kinetics of the electrochemical catalytic process (EC’) during the reduction of the regenerated catalytic complex in the presence of the obtained ATRP macroinitiators based on the structures of naturally occurring compounds, followed by a detailed understanding of the mechanism and kinetics of the polymerization processes. Another important aspect of the research is also the detailed analysis of the mechanism and kinetics of ATRP by determining the rate constants of individual particle reactions, and the study of the chemical structure of the obtained star polymers and polymer brushes.

  • Synthesis of polymer brushes

The aim of the conducted research is to synthesize polymer brushes from flat surfaces by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) methods, using techniques with reduced amounts of catalyst (low ppm). The modified materials include both inorganic surfaces (silicon wafers) and organic surfaces (poly(ether ether ketone)).

  • RAFT

The main objective of the group’s activities is to adapt the eRAFT technique, which is one of the techniques belonging to the method of radical polymerization with reversible deactivation (RDRP), for the preparation of polymeric materials with strictly defined: molecular weight, dispersivity, architecture and, as a result of the aforementioned parameters – strictly defined properties. The group’s research tasks focus on the search for optimal systems for application in eRAFT polymerization, which in the first stage of the work translates into obtaining the assumed reproducible results using the RAFT technique, the advantage of which is good control over the course of the polymerization process, and then transferring the developed methods to the ground of electrochemically controlled processes, i.e. developing systems for application in eRAFT.

  • Naturally-Derived Photocatalytic Systems

As part of the research activities, the research team is engaged in the synthesis of macromolecular compounds using photo-ATRP techniques (including metal-free ATRP). Another important aspect of the research is also the detailed analysis of the mechanism and kinetics of ATRP by determining the rate constants of individual molecular reactions and studying the chemical structure of the obtained macromolecules.

Professor Pawel Chmielarz is an outstanding scientist specializing in chemistry and chemical engineering. He currently heads the Department of Physical Chemistry at the Faculty of Chemistry, Rzeszow University of Technology. His research focuses on the characterization and optimization of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) methods, with particular emphasis on biomedical applications. Professor Chmielarz actively collaborates with international research centers, having completed internships at, among others, Carnegie Mellon University in the US and the universities of Padua, Constance, Milan and Aarhus. He is also the laureate of multiple scholarships and research grants. His commitment to the development of science and education has contributed to the creation of a thriving research group consisting of young scientists and students at Rzeszow University of Technology.