HABILITATION LECTURE OF ASSOC. PROF. DR. KRISTINA ŽUŽEK

Habilitation lecture of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kristina Žužek

IPS invites you to the Habilitation Lecture in the habilitation process for Full Professor in the field of  Sensor Technologies of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kristina Žužek entitled: Exploring the Versatility of Electrochemistry in Material Science: Innovations and Applications. The lecture will take place on Friday, 8 November 2024, at 1:00 p.m. in the MPŠ Lecture Hall.

Abstract:

Electrochemistry plays a pivotal role in advancing material science, offering a wide array of applications from energy storage to electronic materials. This lecture highlights the potential of electrochemical methods in manipulating material properties, focusing on their versatility in optimizing the performance of advanced materials in the fields of catalyst design towards sensor technologies to sustainable recycling processes.

Research on the electrochemical synthesis of transition metal (Ni)-based catalysts and receptor elements explores their potential for sensory applications in detecting toxic organic compounds like formaldehyde in aqueous environments. Various receptor elements were prepared, including 2-D films and 1-D nanowires, composed of Ni and catalytically active Ni(OH)2/NiOOH surface sites. The excellent catalytic properties of KOH-modified Ni nanorods were structurally evaluated and supported by a study of their sensory properties and low detection limits of 8 ppm, which outperformed the state-of-the-art receptor elements. Electrochemistry was also applied to the synthesis of sensory elements based on the conductive polymer polyaniline (PANI), with a primary focus on its electronic and electrical properties, which are critical for ammonia (NH₃) detection. The interrelationship between PANI's electrochemical, optical, and electronic properties during its preparation was studied using spectroelectrochemical techniques. This evaluation of PANI's properties guided the design of sensor platforms capable of detecting low concentrations of ammonia. For the detection of ammonia in biological samples, PANI had to be prepared in its most conductive form to ensure high sensitivity. A novel detection mechanism for NH₃ was developed, which significantly improved sensitivity, reducing the detection limit to 1.44 μM. These exceptional results encouraged us to elevate the systems to the level of functioning sensory platforms.

On top of this, the electrochemical techniques have transformed the sustainability and recycling processes critical materials such as Nd-Fe-B and Sm-Co magnets. Electrochemical approaches enable the efficient recovery and recycling of rare earth elements, including Nd, Dy, Tb, and transition metal Co, with minimal energy consumption and reduced pollutant output. A novel recycling pathway for Nd-Fe-B magnets was established through selective anodic etching and leaching, enabling the extraction of the Nd₂Fe₁₄B phase from end-of-life magnets, facilitating the reengineering of these materials. Moreover, a new grain boundary engineering technique was developed, employing controlled Nd-Cu addition and copper electrodeposition to produce resource-efficient Nd-Fe-B magnets with enhanced magnetic properties. This method not only improves the performance of the magnets but also reduces dependence on critical raw materials, aligning with EUs sustainability objectives.

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