Academic Areas

PPGQ has five areas of concentration: Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry. A brief summary of each area, as well as their main research lines, are described below.

Chemistry

The Chemistry concentration area studies matter and its properties, structure, transformations, and reactions. It is an interdisciplinary science that encompasses several fields, including physics, biology, geology, and engineering, being a vast and multifaceted area.

Each of these areas focuses on different aspects of Chemistry and has its own applications and techniques.

Chemistry also involves the use of experimental tools and methods to investigate and understand chemical reactions and their properties.

The Chemistry concentration area of PPGQ has research groups related to the following themes: Chemistry Teaching and Learning; and Green Chemistry, Sustainability, and Education.

Physical Chemistry

Physical Chemistry is an area of Chemistry that investigates the relationship between physics and chemistry. The goal is to understand how the laws of physics and the properties of matter are interconnected. This area focuses on describing chemical processes at the molecular and atomic levels and applying this knowledge to solve practical issues in chemistry.

Physical chemists investigate the properties of matter, including its structure, dynamics, thermodynamics, chemical equilibrium, and chemical reactions, as well as the transfer of energy during these reactions. They also study the physics of surfaces, solutions, colloids, and biology. Some topics of study include molecular structure, thermodynamics, chemical kinetics, chemical equilibration, solution thermodynamics, surface physics, and biology physics.

The Physical Chemistry concentration area of PPGQ has research groups related to the following themes: Electrochemistry; Theoretical Chemistry; Polymers; Theoretical Chemistry in Quantum Mechanics and Nonlinear Dynamics; Electrodeposition and Electrolytic Dissolution of Pure Metals and Alloys; Applied Nanotechnology in Agribusiness; and Electrochemistry and Ceramics.

Analytical Chemistry

Analytical Chemistry is an area of chemistry that focuses on identifying, quantifying, and purifying chemical compounds, i.e., it aims to provide quantitative and qualitative information about chemical compounds.

To perform its analyses, Analytical Chemistry uses various techniques, such as spectroscopic, chromatographic, electroanalytical, among others, which are selected according to the specific needs of each case. These techniques can be combined to complement information.

Analytical Chemistry also includes the development of new analysis methods and the optimization of existing methods. This involves the use of advanced technologies, such as mass spectrometry, high-performance liquid chromatography, electron microscopy, among others.

The Analytical Chemistry concentration area of PPGQ has research groups related to the following themes: Applied Instrumental Analysis; Environmental Biogeochemistry; Electroanalytical and Bioanalytical; Analytical, Bioanalytical, Biosensors, Electroanalysis, and Sensors; Applied Chemometrics; and Electrodeposition and Electrolytic Dissolution of Pure Metals and Alloys.

Inorganic Chemistry

Inorganic chemistry is an area of chemistry that focuses on the study of the structure, properties, and reactions of inorganic compounds, including metals, non-metals, salts, acids, and bases. Inorganic chemistry encompasses both simple compounds, such as elements of the periodic table, and complex compounds, such as coordination compounds.

This area has multiple applications in various fields, such as catalysis, advanced materials, energy, and medicine. For example, inorganic compounds are widely used in the manufacture of batteries, solar panels, automotive catalysts, and medicines.

Inorganic chemistry also includes the study of inorganic chemistry theory, such as models for electronic structure, chemical bonding, and reactions. The field also involves the development of new methods of synthesizing inorganic compounds and the improvement of existing processes.

The concentration area of inorganic chemistry at PPGQ has research groups related to the following topics: Structure and Reactivity of Inorganic Compounds; Inorganic Synthesis, Catalysis, and Kinetics; Heterogeneous Catalysis; Photoluminescent Materials; Renewable Energies, Nanotechnology, and Catalysis; Crystallography, Molecular Modeling, and Stereochemistry; Molecular Chemistry; and Inorganic and Bioinorganic Photochemistry.

Organic Chemistry

Organic chemistry is an area of chemistry that deals with the structure, properties, and reactions of organic compounds, which are compounds based on carbon and hydrogen, including hydrocarbons, proteins, nucleic acids, and other biological molecules.

This area has a wide variety of applications, such as the production of medicines, the manufacture of organic materials such as plastics and fibers, and in food production, especially in understanding the biosynthesis of compounds important to the human diet. Additionally, it is also relevant in the research of renewable energy sources, such as biofuels.

Organic chemistry also includes the study of organic chemistry theory, such as models for electronic structure, chemical bonding, and reactions, as well as the development of new methods of synthesis and optimization of existing processes.

The concentration area of organic chemistry at PPGQ has research groups related to the following topics: Natural Products; Synthesis of Natural Products; Bio-Organic Chemistry; Chromatography; Nuclear Magnetic Resonance; and Microbial Micromolecular Biochemistry.