In 1957, Lagaly started his chemistry studies at the Heidelberg University, receiving his degree as "Diplom-Chemiker" in 1962. He conducted his doctorate studies at the Institute for Inorganic Chemistry at the same institution under Armin Weiss, and was awarded his Doctor degree in 1967 with the work "Untersuchung von Quellungsvorgängen in n-Alkylammonium-Schichtsilicaten". From 1965 he worked as an Assistant at the Institute for Inorganic Chemistry of the Munich University where he concluded his Habilitation in 1971 and then was employed as lecturer. In 1974 he was employed as Professor for Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Kiel, retiring in 2004. His research lines concentrated on Clay chemistry, Colloid chemistry and Interface chemistry as well as chemistry from porous compounds, layered materials and intercalation chemistry. Among his many contributions to the fields of Clay and Colloid Chemistry, one of his most recognized developments was the Alkylammonium Method for the determination of layer charge in layered aluminosilicates. He acted as treasurer of the German Colloid Society from 1979 to 2003. In 2004 the same institution awarded him with the Wolfgang Ostwald Prize. Lagaly was President of the German Clay Group from 1987 to 1992 and of the European Clay Groups Association from 1999 to 2003. In addition, Lagaly acted for many years as editor-in-chief for and as well as editor for and .
1969 - , awarded by the Kolloid-Gesellschaft 1995 - , The Clay Minerals Society 1996 - Doctor honoris causa, University of Szeged 1999 - Wolfgang-Ostwald-Kolloquium of the Kolloid-Gesellschaft dedicated to the 60th birthday of G. Lagaly 2001 - in recognition of innovative and dynamic scientific contribution to the field of Clay Sciences 2002 - Marilyn & Sturges W. Bailey Distinguished Member Award, Clay Minerals Society 2002 - Socio de Honor de la 2004 - , awarded by the Kolloid-Gesellschaft 2005 - Membre d'Honneur du 2006 -
The Gerhard Lagaly Award
awards the Gerhard Lagaly Award, to "internationally excellent scientists with outstanding original research in the field of clay mineralogy." The prize was first awarded in 2014 to Prof. Dr. Juraj Bujdák. In 2016, the prize went to Dr. habil. Sabine Petit. The recipient of the 2018 prize was Dr. Stephan Kaufhold.
In March 2017 an hydrated calcium phyllomanganate with formula Ca2xMn1−xO2•1.5-2H2O was accepted as new mineral by the International Mineralogical Association. This new species was discovered and described by :de:Thomas Witzke|Dr. Thomas Witzke and colleagues. It was named Lagalyite, in honor of Gerhad Lagaly and his contributions to the fields of clay chemistry and mineralogy.
Selected works
Karl Jasmund, Gerhard Lagaly : Tonminerale und Tone. Struktur, Eigenschaften, Anwendungen und Einsatz in Industrie und Umwelt. Steinkopf Verlag, Darmstadt, 1993.
Gerhard Lagaly, Oliver Schulz, Ralf Zimehl: Dispersionen und Emulsionen: eine Einführung in die Kolloidik feinverteilter Stoffe einschließlich der Tonminerale, Steinkopf Verlag, Darmstadt, 1997.
