Department of Physical Chemistry was established at the Faculty of Science in 1921 as the first department of physical chemistry in Czechoslovakia. Department was founded by prof. Jaroslav Heyrovský, who was later awarded a Nobel price (1959) for his discovery of polarography (1926). Prof. Heyrovský was a Head of the department until 1952, when he has become a director of newly established Institute of Polarography of the Academy of Sciences.

The research in the department was primarily focused on electrochemistry; other branches of physical chemistry has become popular in 60's. Due to a strong interest in polymer science the department has been renamed to the Department of Physical and Macromolecular Chemistry in 1992. Currently, variety of branches of modern physical chemistry, ranging from experimental to theoretical physical chemistry and chemical physics, biophysical chemistry and macromolecular chemistry, are actively investigated in the department.

More information on the research can be found on the pages of individual research groups.


Albertov Zeolite Day 2026

9 Jun 2026

Join us at Albertov Zeolite Day 2026 in Prague!

We would like to invite you to a focused morning of talks on zeolites, nanoporous materials and catalysis where you …

Science Fair 2026

8 Jun 2026

Another edition of the Science Fair took place at the beginning of June. Assoiate prof. Peter Košovan and his team represented the chemistry section of the Faculty of Science with …

Another award for a student supervised by Dr. Michal Mazur

8 Jun 2026

The Gymnasium in Roudnice nad Labem, together with its 1979 graduates class 4A, awarded the Růžena Urbanová Prize for excellent representation of the school to Yuliia Husak, the winner of …

A Supportive Support: The Important Role of Porous Supports in Plasma-Catalytic Ammonia Synthesis

25 May 2026

Ammonia powers the fertilizers that feed half the world, yet making it still relies on a century-old process running at extreme temperatures and pressures. Plasma catalysis offers a greener path …

Departmental retreat in Liblice

25 May 2026

Our department spent nice two days in Liblice.

The schedule included a little bit of science, a lot of great conversations, and even more laughter and shared moments. It …

The Charles University Rector's Award for Top Students has been awarded to a member of our Department

11 May 2026

The Professor Jaroslav Heyrovský Award for the Best Graduates of Natural Science Programs has been awarded to Samuel Kolesár, B.Sc. In his thesis, he independently designed and implemented the …

Listen to an interview with Associate Professor Peter Košovan on Český rozhlas (Czech Radio)

11 May 2026

On the program Věda Plus, Šárka Martanová spoke with Assoc. Prof. Peter Košovan about the work of his research group and the integration of theoretical models, computer simulations, and …

Peter Košovan's grant project was evaluated as excellent

30 Apr 2026

The project “Simulation of reaction equilibria in polymer systems – method development and applications” from the MacroMolecularModeling (MaMoMo) research group, headed by Peter Košovan, was evaluated as …

Great success in the Students' Professional Activities competition

23 Apr 2026

Congratulations! Yuliia Husak, a graduating senior from the Gymnázium Roudnice nad Labem, has won the regional round of the Students' Professional Activities (SOČ) competition in the field of chemistry …