Research at Department of Chemistry focuses mainly on the physical chemistry of surfaces. We study phenomena at the interface of solid and liquid phases, solid and gaseous phases, respectively. Adsorption as our primary research topic is investigated both from the theoretical and practical point of view, especially with paying attention to application. We are interested in natural adsorbents (coals, clays), however, we attempt to develop new adsorbent materials based on carbon aerogels or organoclay composites. The experimental equipment enables us to describe our adsorbents (particle size distribution, specific surface area, pore volume and distribution, spectral properties, surface charge and zeta potential, the behavior during heating, etc.) in detail. Adsorption, which we study the most, possesses an extensive application utilization, such as gas cleaning and waste water treatment (immobilization of both organic and inorganic substances), adsorption is important in many industrial technologies and in advanced biomedical research as well. The adsorption efficiency (removal of pollutants) is measured by using advanced analytical techniques, especially HPLC-MS or spectral techniques (FTIR, UV/VIS, AAS). We also deal with preparation and study of nanoparticles, especially metal oxides. We monitor their photocatalytic activity and interaction with proteins.