Research at the Institute of Chemistry is primarily focused on fundamental and theoretical research with an overlap into practice.

The Institute of Chemistry is split into main research groups. One group led by P. Rovnaník is focused on the investigation and development of building materials, the second group led by J. Malá works in the field of water management. The building materials group covers several areas of research topics. We are focused mainly on the investigation and development of alkali-activated materials (AAM), application of waste materials for the production of AAM, and investigation of their technological properties, microstructure and durability. One topic on which we are collaborating with the Institute of Physics is the investigation of the electrical properties of AAM composites with conductivity enhancing admixtures and fillers. We focus mainly on the development of the AAM with self-sensing and self-heating properties. This complements similar research on Portland cement-based materials conducted at the Institute of Technology of Building Materials and Parts with which we also closely cooperate. The second topic covers the research of lime mortars, modification of their properties and investigation of historical plasters.

The water management group focuses on several areas. One of these is the removal of nutrients from water, namely nitrogen from agricultural runoffs in denitrification bioreactors (DB) and phosphorus in pools and agricultural wetlands. We are also exploring the potential of using DBs for simultaneous removal of emerging micropollutants such as pesticides and veterinary pharmaceuticals. Another area of interest is the protection of karst areas, particularly in relation to the quality of incoming surface water.