In the journal Advanced Energy Materials with an impact factor IF= 16.146 we reported results that represent the first direct ECE study of strongly anisotropic non-perovskite materials. We have shown that both the absolute values of ECE and the width of the temperature range over which they are observed strongly depend on the direction of applied electric field. These results were confirmed both by direct experimental measurements on single crystals cut in different directions, and theoretical predictions based on statistical mechanics.
COBISS.SI-ID: 3501563
In the Journal Advanced Functional Materials with an impact factor IF=11.382 we published a method for high temperature stabilization of amorphous alumina. The strain-induced stabilization is obtained by dispersion of rigid globular polycarbosilane macromolecules within an alumina matrix. The alumina matrix remains amorphous even at 1200 °C. Based on this amorphous nanocomposite, a new facile and inexpensive coating for mechanical protection of glass surfaces is further developed. The nanocomposite coating is characterized by a full optical transparency and exceptional tribological characteristics. The wear resistance exceeds that of the current advanced ion-exchanged boroaluminosilicate glass by a factor of 25–35 whereas its scratch resistance is exceeded by more than an order of magnitude.
COBISS.SI-ID: 4427003
In the journal Physical Review Letters with an Impact factor IF=7.728 our work was reported on investigation of the series of isolated Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni adatoms on the Ag (100) surface and explain their excitation spectra. To explain the measured valence band spectra, we performed first principles calculations and we used the theoretical results to understand how the Hund’s exchange controls the physics of 3d adatoms on the surfaces of Ag (100).
COBISS.SI-ID: 2741755
In the journal Applied Catalysis B with an impact factor IF= 7.435 we described colloidal W nanoparticles that were synthesized following a similar approach to the so-called hot-matrix synthesis used for the preparation of semiconductor nanocrystals. The highest photocurrent of ~830 mA/cm2 at 1.9 V vs. RHE was obtained with a 900 nm thick WO3 film. Incident photon-to-current efficiency (IPCE) studies showed that WO3 electrodes exhibit IPCE values as high as 66%. The proposed approach herein for fabrication of textured WO3 can be extended for the preparation of other metal oxide thin films.
COBISS.SI-ID: 3680763
The photocatalytic performance of complex oxide heterostructures depends primarily on the interfacial coupling of the two component structures. This interface character inherently varies with the synthesis method. The focus of this article is placed on the interface character of a pulsed laser deposited CoFe2O4/BaTiO3 thin film. The structural TEM analysis shows that within this somehow incompatible composite interface, a different phase is formed corresponding to the compound Ba2Fe3Ti5O15, which belongs to the ilmenite crystal structure of FeTiO3 type. The results suggest a chemical activity between these two oxides, which could lead to the synthesis of complex engineered interfaces.
COBISS.SI-ID: 3676923
BiFeNbO pyrochlore nanoparticles were synthesized by a facile coprecipitation reaction. We have demonstrated that visible light can generate a significant amount of excitons in BiFeNbO, the excitons can dissociate and diffuse to the surface where they can perform a chemical reaction. The nanoparticles exhibit intensive visiblelight absorption due to a narrow band gap and high visible light photocatalytic activity for degradation of methyl orange.
COBISS.SI-ID: 3046395
Nitrogen doped TiO2 nanostructures in the form of marigold flowers have been synthesized for the first time using a facile solvothermal method. The structural analysis has shown that such an N -doped TiO2 system crystallizes in the anatase structure. The optical absorption spectra have clearly shown the shift in the absorption edge towards the visible light range, which indicates successful nitrogen doping. Microscopy studies have shown the thin nanosheets (petals) of N:TiO2 with a thickness of 2–3 nm, assembled in the form of the marigold flower with a high surface area (224 m2/g). The N:TiO2 nanostructure with marigold flowers is an efficient photocatalyst for the decomposition of H2S and production of hydrogen under solar light. The maximum hydrogen evolution obtained is higher than other known N:TiO2
COBISS.SI-ID: 2917883
We report the photoelectrochemical performance of textured porous ZnO and CdX coated ZnO films (X = S, Se).To increase the light harvesting efficiency, we sensitized these ZnO electrodes with CdS and CdSe quantum dots, using the SILAR method. Quantum efficiency values as high as 90% were achieved with the textured porous ZnO films. These results demonstrate that both CdS and CdSe sensitized textured porous ZnO electrodes could be potentially useful materials in light harvesting applications.
COBISS.SI-ID: 2740219
Tha rticle published in journal with an impact factor of 23.194 represents an important contribution to sustainable technologies. The current intensive research in electrocaloric (EC) materials has been driven by the quest for new energy efficient and environmentally friendly cooling technologies that would contribute to a reduced carbon footprint. The bottle neck for development of the EC cooling technologies is in the yet still too small EC temperature changes that can be induced in the materials. To overcome this, the research has focused on several segments with an emphasis on development of theoretical understanding, high performance EC materials and smart material engineering. This paper insightfully reviews the progress in these research fields and critically discusses the major advances in order to present a compact picture of the state of the art, extract new knowledge and propose promising future research directions. The invitation to contribute to one of the most prestigious journals in the field of Materials us a great honor for the authors and shows on his scientific reputation in the field
COBISS.SI-ID: 2210043
Synthesis of a dynamic supply-network under uncertainty is developed and applied to food industry. The previously-developed multi-objective model for achieving energy self-sufficiency by integrating renewables into companies supply-networks has now been extended to account for the dynamic consideration of variable supply and demand over the year, for uncertainties related to products, demand and sun radiation, and for multi-objective optimisation, in order to obtain the most sustainable company`s supply-network. The sustainable synthesis of a company`s network is performed regarding the integration of renewables such as biomass and other wastes, and solar energy. The obtained solutions are those reflecting maximal profit, reflecting constantly-changing dynamic market conditions, accounting for several uncertain parameters, and protecting the environment.
COBISS.SI-ID: 17775126