Vladimir Alexandrovich Plotnikov (1873-1947) was an outstanding scientist electrochemist, the academician of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, the corresponding member of the AS USSR (02/23/1920). He worked in the KPI from 1899 to 1941 (from 1910 - professor) in the 1931-1941 simultaneously he was the Director of the Institute of Chemistry Academy of Sciences USSR.
V.A. Plotnikov initiated research electrochemistry non-aqueous environments which have been evolved in 20-30 years of XX century in the original research area, called "Kyiv electrochemical School", which got the worldwide recognition. V.A. Plotnikov and his colleagues were the first in the world to receive the metal by electrolysis of aluminum at the room temperature. In the pre-war years, V.A. Plotnikov’s school has made the most significant contribution to the study of the nature of electrolyte solutions.