Topics of PhD. 2025/2026

Fluorides for modern applications

Supervisor: doc. Ing. Miroslav Boča, DrSc. e-mail: miroslav.boca@savba.sk
Study program: Inorganic chemistry, inorganic technology and materials

• Object of the work will be the study of inorganic fluorides for various branches (e.g. sensors, lasers, batteries). read more → The content of the study will be the development of synthetic methods, consequent spectral, thermochemical eventually structural characterisation and identification of systems with application potential.
  Keywords : ternary fluorides, spectral characterisation, modification transitions ← hide

Corrosion Resistance of Innovative Materials in Energy Applications: Analysis of Interactions in Molten Salts

Supervisor: doc. Ing. Miroslav Boča, DrSc. e-mail: miroslav.boca@savba.sk
Study program: Inorganic chemistry, inorganic technology and materials

• The subject of the thesis will be the study of desired and undesired interactions among various structural materials in the environment of molten salts. read more → These structural materials are employed in various energy applications ranging from solar energy storage through advanced nuclear reactors to batteries. The aim of the thesis is to identify factors influencing the interactions between materials and molten salts (whether positive or negative) and subsequently propose modifications to experimental conditions to intentionally control these interactions.

  Keywords: corrosion, molten salts, structural materials, alloys, interactions, energy applications ← hide

Hybrid materials with photosensitizing properties

Supervisor: Mgr. Peter Boháč, PhD. e-mail: peter.bohac@savba.sk
Consultant: prof. RNDr. Juraj Bujdák, DrSc. e-mail: juraj.bujdak@savba.sk
Study program: Physical chemistry

• With the challenges of the 21st century, particularly in the fields of medicine, energy, and environmental protection, the demand for sustainable technologies and materials is growing. This includes the use of reactive oxygen species (ROS), read more → which are being used more frequently, especially in medicine and environmental technology. This leads to an increasing demand for novel materials that enable effective photosensitization of ROS. The subject of the dissertation is the preparation and characterization of hybrid materials based on layered silicates and organic photosensitizers as well as their composites with commercial polymers in order to maximize the efficiency of photosensitization of ROS, especially singlet oxygen. The work requires the mastery of simple chemical syntheses and the application of molecular spectroscopy techniques, in particular UV-Vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy and quantum yield measurement.

  Keywords: Hybrid materials, layered silicates, photosensitization, singlet oxygen, spectroscopy ← hide

Changes in the photophysical properties of organic dyes due to adsorption

Supervisor: prof. RNDr. Juraj Bujdák, DrSc. e-mail: juraj.bujdak@savba.sk
Study program: Physical chemistry

• The adsorption of some luminophores can significantly change the photophysical properties of these substances. This can be caused by photophysical and chemical interactions between the dye read more → molecules, changes in the molecular structure, aggregation of the dye molecules or a direct interaction with the substrate. The topic of the dissertation is the preparation and characterization of hybrid systems of layered silicates and a selected series of organic luminophores. The aim is to develop new photofunctional hybrid systems and materials that are expected to maintain or enhance the photoactivity of the adsorbed dye molecules. The achievement of new photofunctional properties or the targeted modification of the properties of luminophores could be further benefits of the study.

  Keywords: luminescence, layered silicates, hybrid materials ← hide

Designing cost-effective and sustainable sodium-ion battery

Supervisor: doc. Ing. Miroslav Hnatko, PhD. e-mail: miroslav.hnatko@savba.sk
Study program: Inorganic chemistry, inorganic technology and materials

• Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) offer a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), utilizing abundant and more sustainable sodium resources. The aim of the work will be the development of efficient and eco-friendly SIB in a full-cell configuration. read more →The development of a low-cost, high-capacity anode composite will involve creating a hard-carbon anode using recycled biomass waste, along with extensive electrochemical studies to optimize the performance of SIB. Additionally, an amorphous Si-O-C-based anode will be prepared for a comparison. In the case of cathode, the efforts will focus on designing a low-cost, chemically stable NaSICON (Fe-Ti-Al-Si-P based) type composite and maricite polyanionic materials. Anode and cathode materials will be analyzed and their electrochemical performance will be studied. The main output of the work will be the development of durable, cost-effective, and sustainable SIB technology, offering a viable solution for future energy storage needs.

  Keywords: Na-ion batteries, SiOC anode, NaSICON cathode, hard carbon, maricite ← hide

Development of advanced relativistic methods for prediction of spectroscopic parameters

Supervisor: Mgr. Stanislav Komorovský, PhD. e-mail: stanislav.komorovsky@savba.sk
Study program: Theoretical and computational chemistry

• Nowadays, the study of heavy-element containing molecular systems is becoming more important in various scientific areas, e.g. in the development of new materials for data storage, light-emitting diodes, or anticancer metallodrugs. read more → The main goal of the thesis is the development of relativistic methods for calculation of spectroscopic parameters (NMR, EPR, XRay, MCD, …), followed by their implementation into the program ReSpect, that is available for the scientific community at respectprogram.org.

  Keywords: quantum chemistry, NMR, EPR, relativistic theory, numerical methods, computational science ← hide

Desirable interactions molten fluorides of critical elements

Supervisor: Ing. Blanka Kubíková, PhD. e-mail: blanka.kubikova@savba.sk
Supervisor: doc. Ing. Miroslav Boča, DrSc. e-mail: miroslav.boca@savba.sk
Study program: Physical chemistry, inorganic technology and materials

• European Union (EU) suffers from the lack of raw materials in general and created a list of elements, defining a group of critical elements with low recycling rates. read more → The recycling seems to be the efficient way how to reduce the dependence on imports of raw materials, reduce the volume of waste and how to increase the sustainable development. Subject of PhD. topic is the study and characterization of molten fluorides of critical elements by means of physico-chemical and thermochemical analysis, as well as spectral and diffraction analysis of pure compounds, molten systems and solidified mixtures after the experiments.

  Keywords: molten fluorides, critical elements, physicochemical analysis, spectral and diffraction analysis ← hide

Interpretation of NMR spin-spin couplings in transition metal complexes

Supervisor: Dr. Vladimír Malkin, DrSc. e-mail: uachmalk@savba.sk
Supervisor: Dr. Oľga Malkin, DrSc. e-mail: uacholga@savba.sk
Study program: Theoretical and computational chemistry

• Transition metal complexes play an important role in many areas of chemistry. It is known than the sign and magnitude of spin-spin couplings in those complexes greatly varies depending on the metal. read more → However, despite a wealth of experimental and theoretical data on the topic no satisfactory explanation has been yet proposed.

  Keywords: NMR, DFT, relativistic quantum chemistry, transition metal complexes ← hide

Development and application of quantum chemical tools for interpretation and analysis of NMR and EPR parameters of heavy-element compounds

Supervisor: Dr. Oľga Malkina, DrSc. e-mail: uacholga@savba.sk
Consultant: Mgr. Stanislav Komorovský, PhD. e-mail: stanislav.komorovsky@savba.sk
Study program: Theoretical and computational chemistry

• Nowadays quantum-chemical programs became indispensable tools in different areas in chemistry. Different options for analyzing the obtained results and explaining the observed trends make them particularly attractive for chemists. read more → However, the development of interpretation tools at the relativistic level necessary for treating heavy-element compounds remains a challenging topic.

  Keywords: NMR, EPR, relativistic quantum chemistry ← hide

Additive manufacturing of 3D glass structures containing a phosphor for applications with enhanced light emission

Supervisor: Ing. Monika Michálková, PhD. e-mail: monika.michalkova@savba.sk
Consultants: Dr. Mahmoud Mokhtar, Jozef Kraxner PhD.
Study program: Inorganic technology and non-metallic materials

• The primary objective of this undertaking is to create a novel form of optoelectronic materials called luminescent phosphor-in-glass (PiG). These materials are designed to be both cost-effective and highly efficient, with customizable luminescence properties. read more → The composition of the material comprises a glass matrix and luminescent particles, incorporating YAG-based phosphors doped with rare earth elements such as Eu3+, Eu2+, Dy3+, Tb3+, Ce3+, or transition metals such as Mn4+/Cr3+. Through additive manufacturing, it is feasible to integrate multiple layers of various phosphors within a single glass matrix, potentially enhancing the optical properties of the end product. The research will explore the influence of employing different additive manufacturing techniques, such as stereolithography (SLA), direct ink writing (DIW), fused deposition modelling (FDM), and binder jet fabrication process on the quality of the fabricated PiG materials and their optical properties. As a glass matrix various waste glasses and in-house melted glasses will be used. Additionally, it aims to comprehend how distinct interlayer arrangements and diverse geometric shapes of 3D PiG structures impact the photoluminescence and optical properties of the resultant materials.

  Keywords: viscous flow of glass, glass, ceramic, luminescence ← hide

Preparation and characterization of luminescent glass-ceramic materials prepared by sintering in a viscous flow

Supervisor: Ing. Monika Michálková, PhD. e-mail: monika.michalkova@savba.sk
Consultant: Dr. Marzieh Ghadamyari
Study program: Inorganic technology and non-metallic materials

• The primary objective of this undertaking is to create a novel form of optoelectronic materials called luminescent phosphor-in-glass (PiG). read more →These materials are designed to be both cost-effective and highly efficient, with customizable luminescence properties. The material itself consists of a glass matrix and luminescent particles, with the phosphor being based on YAG and doped with rare earth elements such as Eu3+, Eu2+, Dy3+, Tb3+, Ce3+, or transition metals like Mn4+/Cr3+.
  Light extraction efficiency in LED packaging can be improved by matching the phosphor (glass microsphere) refractive index with the encapsulant glass to minimize scattering. Therefore, the study will focus on analyzing various glass matrices, such as waste glass or in-house melted glass, and their impact on the optical properties of the PiG composite. The densification process will involve viscous flow at temperatures of up to 1000°C, which helps in reducing preparation costs.

  Keywords: viscous flow of glass, glass, ceramic, luminescence ← hide

Molten salts synthesis: A new way toward new as well as traditional functional molecules

Supervisor: Ing. František Šimko, PhD. e-mail: frantisek.simko@savba.sk
Study program: Inorganic technology and materials

• Inorganic molten salts as high-temperature ionic liquids have various beneficial physicochemical qualities as solvents and reaction media, including a higher oxidizing potential, high mass transfer, high heat and electrical conductivity, and significantly lower viscosities, densities, and vapor pressure. read more →Thus, when compared to conventional solid-state reactions molten salt synthesis is one of the simplest methods for fast, cost – effective, low – temperature ways for obtaining of new or traditional functional solids. Low-temperature molten salt synthesis is a relatively new procedure that has been successfully used in the synthesis of traditional ceramic powders (such as YAG, Y3Al5O12) as well as newly discovered molecules, alkali metal oxo-fluoro-aluminates.

  Keywords: molten salts, solid electrolytes, fast ion conductors, oxofluoroaluminates, YAG ← hide

Novel perovskite oxides for high-temperature thermoelectric applications

Supervisor: Ing. Peter Tatarko, PhD., e-mail: peter.tatarko@savba.sk
Study program: Inorganic chemistry

• This research investigates the design and development of novel ABO3-type perovskite thermoelectric materials. Focusing on complex A-site compositions with at least four elements, the study aims to clarify the impact of B-site doping on key thermoelectric properties. read more → Theoretical predictions will guide the selection of candidate compositions. A comprehensive experimental program will characterize the electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, Seebeck coefficient, and overall thermoelectric efficiency of these materials. The findings of this work have the potential to advance the development of high-performance thermoelectric generators, contributing significantly to the EU Green Deal’s objectives for energy efficiency and sustainability.
  Keywords: perovskite oxides, thermoelectric materials, entropy-stabilized ceramics, synthesis ← hide