Staff:
1. Assoc. Prof. Kiril Kostov Simitchiev, PhD – Head of Department
2. Prof. Plamen Nikolov Penchev, PhD, DSc
3. Assoc. Prof. Violeta Milenkova Stefanova, PhD
4. Assoc. Prof. Nikolay Todorov Kochev, PhD
5. Assist. Prof. Atanas Tanov Terziyski, PhD
6. Assist. Prof. Deana Liubomirova Georgieva, PhD
7. Assist. Prof. Veselina Hristeva Paskaleva, PhD
8. Assist. Prof. Evelina Konstantinova Varbanova, PhD
9. Assist. Prof. Slava Hristova Tsoneva, PhD
10. Assist. Prof. Lidia Ivanova Kainarova, PhD
11. Assist. Prof. Asya Dimitrova Hristozova
12. Assist. Prof. Dimitar Genchev Stoicov
13. Assist. Prof. Veneta Emilova Pandeva
14. Petia Nikolova Balabanova, MSc
15. Nediyalko Marinov Balinov, MSc
16. Stoian Ivanov Tenev, MSc

• Molecular spectroscopy
  Analytical applications of vibrational spectroscopy, quantum chemisty and chemical information for structural elucidation of chemical compounds and ordered molecular systems:
  – Determination of natural constituents in biomaterials by means of Raman spectroscopy;
  – Studying of vibrational and electronic structure as well as physical phenomenon with the aid of IR and Raman spectroscopy;
  – Creation of knowledge-based systems in which spectroscopic and chemical expertise is encoded to assist spectra interpretation;
  – Developing routine approaches of searching in spectral libraries;
  – Implementing pattern recognition techniques which have the ability to recognize structural properties by classifying spectral data.
  Team:
  Prof. G. Andreev, DSc.
  Assoc. Prof. N. Kochev, PhD
  Prof. P. Penchev, PhD, DSc
  Selectted publications:
  1. P. Penchev, G. N. Andreev, K. Varmuza. “Automatic Classification of Infrared Spectra Using a Set of Improved Expert-based Features”. Anal. Chim. Acta, 388 (1-2), 145-159 (1999).
  2. G.N. Andreev, O. Argirov, V, Ognianova. Implementation of expert system EXPIRS for interpretation of infrared spectra of negative ions of organic compounds J. Molec. Structure, 598, 27-35 (2001).
  3. G. N. Andreev, B. Schrader, R. Boese, P. Rademacher, L. von Cranach. Non-destructive NIR-FT-Raman analyses in practice. Part II. Analyses of ‘jumping’ crystals, photosensitive crystals and gems.” Fresenius J. Anal. Chem. 371, 1018-1022 (2001)
  4. N.T. Kochev, M.I. Rogojerov, and G.N. Andreev. “A new graphical approach for improved user control of Fourier self deconvolution of infrared spectra”. Vibrat. Spectrosc. 25, 177-183, (2001).
  5. G.N. Andreev, B. Schrader, D.A. Hristozova, V.B. Delchev, J.S. Petrov, P. Rademacher. Vibrational spectra and structure of the photochromic 2-(2’,4’-dinitrobenzyl)pyridine. Journal of Molecular Structure, 645(1), 77-87 (2003).
  6. B. Schrader, H. Schulz, M. Baranska, G. N. Andreev, C. Lehner, J. Sawatzki. “Non-destructive Raman analyses – polyacetylenes in plants”. Spectrochimica Acta, part A 61, 1395-1401 (2005).

• Atomic Spectroscopy
  Analytical application of atomic spectrometry methods (AAS, ICP-OES and ICP-MS) for trace elements determination in environmental, clinical and industrial samples
  – Development of pre-concentration and separation techniques compatible with atomic spectrometry methods: Liquid-Liquid Extraction; MW-assisted Cloud point extraction; Co-precipitation and Acid leaching
  – Correction of matrix induced interferences in ICP-MS and ICP-OES:
  i) formation of matrix based polyatomic ions and development of procedures for spectral interference corrections;
  ii) application of internal standardization for correction of non-spectral interference
  – Application of discrete sample introduction (FI, ETV) for analysis of heavy matrices
  – Metrology in Chemistry, Data acquisition and treatment
  Team:
  Assoc. Prof. K. Simitchiev, PhD
  Assoc. Prof. V. Stefanova, PhD
  Assist. Prof. D. Georgieva, PhD

  Selectted publications:
  1. V. Kmetov, V. Stefanova, D. Hristozov, D. Georgieva and A. Canals. “Determination of calcium, iron and manganese in moss by automated discrete sampling flame atomic-absorption spectrometry as an alternative to the ICP-MS analysis”. Talanta, 59, 123 (2003).
  2. V.Stefanova, V. Kmetov and A. Canals. “Application of internal standardization in ICP-QMS through discrete sample introduction methodologies”. J. Anal. Atom. Spectrom., 2003, 18, 1117.
  3. D. Hristozov, C. E. Domini, V. Kmetov, V. Stefanova, D. Georgieva and A. Canals. Direct ultrasound-assisted extraction of heavy metals from sewage sludge samples for ICP-OES analysis”. Analytica Chimica Acta, 2004, 516, 187.
  4. V. Stefanova, V. Kmetov and A. Canals. “A Method for calculation of dead time correction and mass discrimination factor for isotope analysis of uranium by ICP-MS”. Plovdiv University Scientific papers– Chemistry, 34, 5, 51 (2006).
  5. K. Simitchiev, V. Stefanova, V. Kmetov and A. Canals. “Cloud Point Extraction of Rh, Pd and Pt complexes with 2-mercaptobenzothiazole as preconcentration procedure for ICP-MS”. Annual of University of Sofia – Faculty of Chemistry 2006 (in press).

• Atmospheric chemistry
  Studying the kinetics of processes as gas phase radical reactions and heterogeneous interactions of gas species on ice surfaces is a major priority of the atmospheric chemistry, related to the ozone depletion and climate changes. It is found that the adsorption/desorption kinetics on ice is strongly influenced by the ice porosity, bulk and pore diffusion and solubility (Henry solution). We work in the area of computer modeling and heterogeneous, surface and bulk processes with importance for the atmosphere.
  Team:
  Assist. Prof. A. Terziyski, PhDSelected publications:
  1. Behr, P., A. Terziyski, R. Zellner, Z., Acetone Adsorption on Ice Surfaces in the Temperature Range T = 190-220 K: Evidence for Aging Effects Due to Crystallographic Changes of the Adsorption Sites, J. Phys. Chem. A, 110 (26), 8098-8107 (2006).
  2. Terziyski, A, P. Behr, R. Zellner, Modeling of adsorption and desorption processes in coated wall flow tube reactors, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Plovdiv, Scientific Works – Chemistry, vol. 32, book 5, (2004), 31-38.
  3. Behr, P., U. Scharfenort, A. Terziyski, R. Zellner, Thermodynamics of the interaction of acetone and acetic acid with ice surfaces at temperatures between 190 and 223 K, Torus-pess (2004).
  4. Behr, P., A. Terziyski, R. Zellner, Z., Reversible Gas Adsorption in Coated Wall Flow Tube Reactors. Model Simulations for Langmuir Kinetics. Z. Phys. Chem. 218 (2004) 1307.
  5. Behr, P., U. Scharfenort, A. Terziyski, K. Demiral, R. Zellner,  International Symposium on Combustion and Atmospheric Pollution, (2003), 575-578.