Laboratory for Wet Chemistry

The Laboratory for Wet Chemistry is designed for the solution-based synthesis and processing of advanced materials, with a focus on thin films, nanopowders, and coatings. It supports research in nanotechnology, energy materials, biomaterials, and electronic components.

Researchers can carry out chemical synthesis under ambient and hydrothermal conditions, work with volatile and reactive substances safely, and perform deposition of thin films via spin coating. The lab allows for precise drying (air/vacuum), ultrasonic treatment, and rapid thermal processing of materials, with temperature capabilities up to 1000 °C and clean working conditions for sensitive procedures.

In short, the lab provides the necessary infrastructure for developing and processing functional materials, from wet-chemical synthesis to thermal treatment, in a controlled and safe environment.

Related equipment

Parr 4748 laboratory autoclave for hydrothermal synthesis

Autoclave 125 ml, 2 pieces (Parr 4748)

Person responsible: Dr. Marjeta Maček Kržmanc

Hydrothermal/solvothermal synthesis in highly alkaline and also acid media (only with PTFE insert).

Technical details

  • Temperature range +100°C to +240°C
  • Volume ~ 125 mL (PTFE insert)

Elma Elmasonic P ultrasonic bath

Ultrasonic bath 80/37kHz (Elma, Elmasonic P)

Person responsible: Asst. Prof. Dr. Marija Vukomanović

Dispersing, deagglomeration, cleaning, dissolving, stimulating cells.

Technical details

  • Frequency: 37 / 80 kHz
  • Time: 1–60 min
  • Temperature: Room–80 °C
  • Modes: Sweep / Pulse / Degas
Linari Engineering elecrtospinner for polymer fiber production

Electrospinner (Linari Engineering)

Person responsible: Asst. Prof. Dr. Marija Vukomanović

Electrospinning polymeric fibers.

Technical details

  • Output voltage: 0-60kV
  • Output current: up to 2mA
  • Rotating drum collector: 800 rpm

MPW-55 laboratory microcentrifuge

Microcentrifuge (MPW-55)

Person responsible: Dr. Špela Kunej

The MPW-55 centrifuge is a small laboratory centrifuge used in biomeaterial procesing. 

Technical details

  • Operation Conditions: 9 operating programs, RPM/RCF adjustment, 3 acceleration /deceleration curves (adjustable).
  • Tube number: 12
  • Tube volume: 2 ml
  • Rotation speed: 100 ÷ 14500 rpm, 100 rpm interval
Eppendorf 5810R laboratory centrifuge

Centrifuge (Eppendorf 5810R)

Person responsible: Dr. Špela Kunej

The Eppendorf 5810R centrifuge separates substances in liquid samples based on density, and it is used for material processing, sample purification, and various biological applications.

Technical details

  • Operation conditions: rotation speed, RCF, radius correction.
  • Different accelerating and braking ramps.
  • Tube number: 4
  • Tube volume: 1.5 – 400 ml
  • Rotation speed: 200 – 5000 rpm
Kambič I-265 CKUV incubator for controlled UV and visible light testing

Incubator (Kambič, I-265 CKUV)

Person responsible: Dr. Špela Kunej

The UV-VIS testi chamber is used for controlled environmental testing and irradiation of samples under different light sources, including UV (UVA, UVB), visible (Vis), and simulated sunlight.

Technical details

  • Enables irradiation of samples with UV, Vis or sunlight.
  • Work Volume: 264 l
  • Temperature Region. -10 °C -100 °C
  • Lamps (Osram):
  • UVA: Blacklight Blue Lamps L18/73
  • UVB: HNS 15W G13
  • Vis: LED Parathon PAR16 5W
  • Sunlight: Ultra-Vitalux 300W

Shimadyu UV-3600 UV-Vis-NIR spectrophotometer

UV-VIS-NIR Spectrophotometer (Shimadzu, UV-3600)

Person responsible: Dr. Špela Kunej

UV-Vis-NIR spectrophotometer for measuring absorbance, transmittance, and reflectance of solid and liquid samples.

Technical details

  • UV-3600 UV-Vis-NIR Spectrophotometer:
  • Wavelength Range: 185 nm – 3300 nm (UV, visible, and near-infrared)
  • Resolution: 0.1 nm
  • Sampling Pitch: 0.01 - 5 nm
  • Photometric System: Double-beam
  • Detectors: PMT, InGaAs, PbS
  • ISR-603 Integrating Sphere Attachment:
  • Wavelength Range: 220 nm – 2500 nm
  • Sphere Diameter: 60 mm

Kambič A-21CA steam sterilizer and autoclave

Steam Sterilizer (Kambič, Autoclave A-21CA)

Person responsible: Asst. Prof. Dr. Marija Vukomanović

Sterilization of liquids and solids.

Technical details

Sterilization temperature: 101-135C
Sterilization time: up to 90min (both liquid and solid)

Quorum K850 critical point dryer for electron microscopy samples

Critical point dryer (Quorum Technologies, K850)

Person responsible: Asst. Prof. Dr. Marija Vukomanović

Dehydrating biological samples for electron microscopy analysis.

Technical details

  • Operating temperature: 35C
  • Operating pressure: 1350psi
  • Requires liquid CO2
  • Specific sample holders: TEM grid holder, porous pot, bulk holder

Memmert WNB 7-45 shaking water bath

Shaking water bath (Memmert, WNB 7-45)

Person responsible: Asst. Prof. Dr. Marija Vukomanović

Incubating samples that require shaking, maintaining humidity and/or constant temperature (i.e. aging materials, release study or testing biodegradation).

Technical details

  • Temperature: from room temperature up to 100 °C
  • Time: 1min-99hours
  • Shaking: slow/medium/fast

Centric 350 laboratory centrifuge

Centrifuge (Centric 350)

Person responsible: Asst. Prof. Dr. Marija Vukomanović

Centrifugation of biological samples in centrifuge tubes or multi-plates. 

Technical details

  • Speed: 200-4500 rpm
  • Time: up to 99min
  • Holders: 15ml and 50ml tubes, multi-plates
Jipelec JetLight50 rapid thermal processing furnace

Rapid thermal processing furnace (Jipelec, JetLight50)

Person responsible: Dr. Špela Kunej

Used for the high-speed thermal processing of ceramic thin layers under controlled atmospheres.

Technical details

  • Substrate’s dimension up to 5x5 cm.
  • Processing under different atmospheres (inert or air).
  • High heating (up to 200 °C/s) and cooling rates.
  • Final temperature of 1000 °C.

*Financed by NANOCENTER.