Redox electrolytes for Graetzel photoelectrochemical cells were prepared on the basis of di-ureasil/silica nanocomposites and cell with 5.5 % efficiency was manufactured [J. photochem.photobiol. A,169 (2004) 57 (Cobiss SI ID 3092506)]. Hydrolysis was performed with acetic acid, leading to direct condensation of alkoxysilane groups to polysiloxanes (aprotic gels). Low-volatile sulpholane was also included in the nanocomposite [Adv. Funct. Mater., 14 (2004) 45 (Cobiss SI-ID 2981502)], preventing in this way the crystallisation of KI in nanocomposite, which occurred with high-volatile solvents.
COBISS.SI-ID: 2981402
We first described the preparation of Cu2O nanowires with a polyol method without any additives or stabilisers. The final morphology of Cu2O nanowires was dependent on the initial concentration of the precursor (CuAc2). Such structures were obtained only in the concentration region 0.01-0.1 mol/L. The reaction temperature and time also influenced the formation of nanowires, so above 190 °C and after prolonged time (more than 8 h) the reaction led to Cu particles and not nanowires. The advantage of the reported preparation method is a one-step reaction with the application of CuAc2 in DEG.
COBISS.SI-ID: 3645978
For the removal of pesticides from waste water we tested photodegradation, fotocatalysis and ozonation combined with toxicity monitoring of degradation products by using bioanalitical methods. We showed that the degradation of the same compounds with various techniques can produce various degradation products, which may significantly differ in toxicity. We confirmed that tests of toxicity based on inhibition of the enzyme AChE are appropriate indicator of the presence of neurotoxic substances. This test is successfully used in research and testing AOPs for the removal of pesticides from water.
COBISS.SI-ID: 803579
Despite low volatility of ionic liquids they are still liquid, therefore remains the problem of gluing of devices. The solution was sought in the preparation of condensed ionic liquids whit gel consistency. This was achieved by synthesis of a new sol-gel precursor, i.e. alkylimidazolium cation functionalised with a trialkoxysilyl group and iodide as anion. Addition of HCl catalyst led to condensation of alkylsilylimidazolium cations in polyhedral silsesquioxanes (R-SiO3/2)n (n = 8 or more) increasing the viscosity. The efficiency of Graetzel cells was up to 3.5 %, but they were very stable.
COBISS.SI-ID: 3319834
A white substance found by flotation of charred material in hearth layers in Divje babe I cave was analyzed. With the help of electron microscopy, IR spectroscopy and XRD, it was found that the white substance is magnesium 1M muscovite, with an unusual ribbon-like shape of the crystal. The presence of the white substance in the ribbon form was ascribed to the disintegration of slates, which had been brought to the cave. This raises the suspicion that people used slates by the hearths. The geochemical formation of the ribbon-like white magnesium 1M muscovite remains an open question.
COBISS.SI-ID: 26936621