Expertise & Projects
I develop functional products based on humic substances — from molecular design and synthesis through to scale-up and field application. My work sits at the intersection of green chemistry, agriculture, and environmental technology, turning biomass and bio-waste into materials that improve soils, deliver nutrients, and solve industrial problems.
Current work
At the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces I lead a small research group studying the hydrothermal synthesis of artificial humic substances. Using hydrothermal treatment — a green-chemistry route — we convert bio-waste such as leaves and bark into artificial humic matter within hours, reproducing in the laboratory a process that takes nature years to centuries. These materials mimic natural humic substances and offer a renewable alternative to fossil-derived inputs, with demonstrated benefits for soil quality, crop yield, and carbon sequestration. I supervise two PhD students, coordinate the group’s research, and collaborate with partner groups and institutes.
Areas of expertise
- Synthesis of artificial humic substances from diverse biomass — hydrothermal, Fenton-type, and phenol-formaldehyde routes
- Functionalisation and tailored derivatives — silanol-, phosphonate-, and quinone-modified humics for targeted properties
- Product development — biostimulants, micronutrient fertilizers, scale inhibitors, dust-suppression and soil-remediation agents
- Full development cycle — from laboratory concept through pilot to field trials and technical documentation
- Analytical characterisation and quality control — NMR, ICP-AES, TOC, SAXS, and UV-Vis spectroscopy
Selected projects
Dust suppression and wind-erosion control. Project leader. I led a small team developing silanol-functionalised humic derivatives as binding agents that immobilise dust particles on mineral surfaces. The work established, for the first time, the effectiveness of these derivatives against wind erosion — a promising route for mining, industrial sites, and urban air quality.
In-situ soil remediation (Nornickel). I led the subgroup responsible for developing humic–bentonite washing agents for the in-situ clean-up of diesel-contaminated soils. My role spanned reagent development, analytical work, on-site field trials and client engagement, and the technical documentation — including product specifications and an environmental-impact assessment that supported pilot-scale deployment in the field.
Scale inhibitors for oil production (Irkutsk Oil Company). I led the subgroup developing biopolymer-based inhibitor complexes to control mineral scaling in oil extraction. I was responsible for reagent development, analytical characterisation, core-flooding tests under reservoir conditions, and direct communication with the client, including presenting results.
Redox-active humics for biogas control. I led the subgroup developing quinone-enriched humic derivatives, via green-chemistry synthesis, designed to suppress methane generation in landfill and anaerobic systems, with a focus on structure–property relationships.
Antimicrobial and wound-healing materials. I led the subgroup developing humic-based bionanomaterials, including silver-nanoparticle gels and ointments with antimicrobial and wound-healing properties — demonstrating the versatility of humic substances beyond agriculture.
Contract analysis and quality control. I carried out quantitative analysis and quality control of commercial humic products for agro-input manufacturers, characterising humic- and fulvic-acid content and reporting results to clients.