RESEARCH INTERESTS

• Inorganic binders (cement chemistry, silicates, aluminates, phosphates, CaSO4 phases)
• Organic binders (latex dispersions, epoxy resins, polyurethanes)
• Construction chemical admixtures (polycondensates, polycarboxylates, cellulose
• ethers, siloxanes, biopolymers)
• Colloid chemistry
• Intercalation chemistry
• Nanochemistry, nanomaterials, composite materials
• Application fields: concrete, dry-mix mortar, oil well cementing

KEY PUBLICATIONS

1. Bülichen D., Plank J.; “Role of Colloidal Polymer Associates for the Effectiveness of Hydroxyethyl Cellulose as a Fluid Loss Control Additive in Oil Well Cement”,
   Journal of Applied Polymer Science 126 (2012) E25 – E34.
2. Fluid Loss Control Additive in Oil Well Cement“, Journal of Applied Polymer Science 126 (2012), E25 – E34.
3. Plank, J.; Schröfl, C.; Gruber, M.; Lesti, M.; Sieber, R.: “Effectiveness of Polycarboxylate Superplasticizers in Ultra-High Strength Concrete: the Importance of PCE Compatibility with Silica Fume”, Journal of Advanced Concrete Technology 7 (2009) 5-12.
4. Plank, J.; Dai, Z.; Keller, H.; von Hoessle, F.; Seidl, W.: “Fundamental mechanisms for polycarboxylate intercalation into C3A hydrate phases and the role of sulfate present in cement”, Cement and Concrete Research 40 (2010) 45-47.
5. Zou N., Plank J.; „Intercalation of papain enzyme into hydrotalcite type layered double hydroxide“,
6. Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids 73 (2012), 1127 – 1130.
7. Gretz, M.; Plank, J.: “Hybrid additives for construction applications, fabricated through layer-by-layer adsorption of polycondensate type superplasticizers on latex templates”, Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 366 (2010) 38–44.
8. Plank J.; “Failed cement job caused environmental catastrophe at BP`s oil well”,
9. Cement International, 2011, 68 – 76.
10. Herdtweck E., Kornprobst T., Sieber R., Straver L., Plank J.; “Crystal Structure, Synthesis, and Properties of tri-Calcium di-Citrate tetra-hydrate {(Ca2+)3[(C6H5O7)3-]2}•4H2O“, Zeitschrift für Anorganische und Allgemeine Chemie 637 (2011), 655 – 659.
11. Dugonjić-Bilić F., Plank J.; “Polyelectrolyte Complexes from Polyethylene Imine/Acetone Formaldehyde Sulfite
12. Polycondensates: A Novel Reagent for Effective Fluid Loss Control of Oil Well Cement”, Journal of Applied Polymer Science 121 (2011), 1262 – 1275.
13. Lesti M., Ng S., Plank J.; “Ca2+ Ion – Mediated Interaction between Microsilica and Polycarboxylate Comb Polymers in Model Cement Pore Solution”, Journal of the American Ceramic Society 93 (10) (2010) 3493 – 3498.