The Laboratory of General Chemistry was established in 1887 under the title “General Experimental Chemistry” and provided chemistry instruction to all students of the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA). In 1983, it was incorporated into the School of Chemical Engineering (Government Gazette No. 80/1-3-83, Issue B) under its current name.

The Laboratory of General Chemistry contributes to both theoretical and laboratory education for undergraduate students of the School of Chemical Engineering in the following courses:

• Introduction to Chemical Engineering (1^st semester)
• Applied Teaching of Physical Sciences and Technology (4^th semester)
• Environmental Science and Technology (6^th semester)
• Nuclear Chemistry and Technology (6^th semester)
• Environment and Development (6^th semester, Inter-School course)
• Industrial Waste Management (8^th semester)
• Science and Engineering of Metallic Materials (9^th semester)
• Water Management (9^th semester)
• Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology (10^th semester)

Its teaching activities extend beyond the School of Chemical Engineering to other NTUA Schools, such as: the School of Applied Mathematical and Physical Sciences (General Chemistry, 5^th semester & Materials Science, 7^th semester) and the School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering (General Chemistry, 8^th semester).

The Laboratory also participates in teaching and laboratory exercises within several Interdepartmental Postgraduate Programs (M.Sc.) coordinated by NTUA, with the School of Chemical Engineering as the leading institution, including: “Science and Technology of Materials,” the School of Civil Engineering “Science and Technology of Water Resources,” the School of Mechanical Engineering “Automation Systems,” and the School of Rural and Surveying Engineering “Environment and Development” and “Environment and Development of Mountain Regions.” Furthermore, it contributes to the Inter-Institutional Postgraduate Program “Teaching of Chemistry, New Educational Technologies and Education for Sustainable Development.”

The Laboratory’s research activities focus primarily on the following areas:

• Electrochemical Synthesis and Characterization of Metallic, Semiconducting, and Composite Materials
  • Electrocrystallization of metals and alloys using direct and pulsed current methods; study of structural and mechanical properties.
  • Electrolytic preparation and characterization of thin films of inorganic semiconductors – electrochemical synthesis of metal chalcogenides; study of structural, electrical, and optical properties.
  • Development and characterization of new micro- and macromolecular organic and hybrid semiconductor systems.
  • Application of electrochemical analysis methods (voltammetry, chronoamperometry, photocurrent spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy).
  • Development of photoelectrochemical devices.
  • Electrolytic and non-electrolytic deposition of metals, alloys, and metal-matrix composites; study of their structural, mechanical, and physicochemical properties.
  • Electrochemical synthesis of metallic nanotubes, nanowires, and nanostructured inorganic patterns for the fabrication of one-dimensional metallic nanomaterials.

• Study of Environmental Protection Systems
  • Treatment and management of solid waste
  • Management of biowaste (aerobic and anaerobic processes)
  • Treatment of industrial waste (hazardous and non-hazardous)
  • Environmental quality monitoring and control
  • Water pollution and protection
  • Ion-exchange and adsorption processes
  • Water and wastewater treatment

• Synthesis of Nanomaterials by Chemical Methods, Characterization, and Study of Their Photo-Induced Properties
  • Synthesis of photocatalytic metal-oxide semiconductors through chemical modification and composite nanoparticles.
  • Structural characterization of photocatalytic materials using spectroscopic methods.
  • Application studies of photocatalysis mechanisms.
  • Synthesis and characterization of “smart” self-cleaning nanocomposite materials with photocatalytic, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties.

• Chemistry and Technology Education – Applications of New Technologies and Communication in Teaching