Topics of PhD. 2026/2027

Fluorides for modern applications

Supervisor: doc. Ing. Miroslav Boča, DrSc. e-mail: miroslav.boca@savba.sk
Co-supervisor (specialist): Oksana Matselko, PhD. e-mail: oxana.matselko@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 →

Preparation of silicon carbide ceramics with high-temperature properties

Supervisor: Ing. Ondrej Hanzel, PhD. e-mail: ondrej.hanzel@savba.sk
Co-supervisor (specialist): prof. RNDr. Pavol Šajgalík, DrSc. e-mail: pavol.sajgalik@savba.sk
Study program: Inorganic chemistry, Inorganic technology and materials

  • The aim of the proposed research is to develop fully dense silicon carbide (SiC) materials with high-temperature properties. read more → Dissertation will be focused on preparation of silicon carbide ceramics by novel approach, without traditional sintering additives and at sintering temperature lower than 2000°C. The novelty of this method lies in the modification of SiC powders by freeze granulation with organic additives, followed by heat treatment of granulated powders and subsequent sintering by field assisted sintering techniques (FAST). Moreover, due to the increasing interests and demands in propulsion-system components, aerospace applications, parts of rocket engines, etc. it is essential not only to develop this new class of materials but also to thoroughly characterize their high-temperature properties. Therefore, thermal conductivity at high temperatures, high-temperature strength in temperature range from 1500°C to 2000°C and dynamic oxidation in oxyacetylene torch at temperature higher than 1700°C on such prepared materials will be characterized.Keywords: silicon carbide, sintering, thermal conductivity, high-temperature strength, dynamic oxidation ← hide

Hybrid materials with photosensitizing properties

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, read more → e.g. in the development of new materials for data storage, light-emitting diodes, or anticancer metallodrugs. 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 of molten fluorides of critical elements

Supervisor: Ing. Blanka Kubíková, PhD. e-mail: blanka.kubikova@savba.sk
Co-supervisor (specialist): doc. Ing. Miroslav Boča, DrSc. e-mail: miroslav.boca@savba.sk
Study program: Physical chemistry

  • The continuously increasing demand for critical elements used in super magnets and the lack of these elements in the European Union read more → make it necessary to recover them through recycling from available sources by electrolysis. Such processes require knowledge of interactions in multi-component systems. The subject of the work will be the study and characterization of molten fluorides containing critical elements through physicochemical and thermochemical analysis, followed by spectral and diffraction analysis of pure substances, molten mixtures, or solidified mixtures after experiments.Keywords: molten fluorides, critical elements, physicochemical analysis, spectral and diffraction analysis ← hide

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

Supervisor: Dr. Oľga Malkin, DrSc. e-mail: olga.malkin@savba.sk
Co-supervisor (specialist) Mgr. Stanislav Komorovský, PhD. e-mail: stanislav.komorovsky@savba.sk
Study program: Theoretical and computational chemistry

  • 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: NMR, EPR, relativistic quantum chemistry ← hide

Interpretation of NMR spin-spin couplings in transition metal complexes

Supervisor: Dr. Oľga Malkin, DrSc. e-mail: olga.malkin@savba.sk
Co-supervisor (specialist): Dr. Vladimír Malkin, DrSc. e-mail: vladimir.malkin@savba.sk
Study program: Theoretical and computational chemistry

  • Transition metal complexes play an important role in many areas of chemistry. read more → It is known than the sign and magnitude of spin-spin couplings in those complexes greatly varies depending on the metal. 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

Application of luminescent heterostructures in silicon photovoltaic cells

Supervisor: Ing. Pálková Helena, PhD. e-mail: helena.palkova@savba.sk
Supervisor: Mgr. Marián Matejdes, PhD. e-mail: marian.matejdes@savba.sk
Study program: Inorganic chemistry

  • The topic focuses on the development of heterostructures with a high aspect ratio, applicable to silicon photovoltaic cells, read more → with the aim of absorbing photons from solar radiation with a wavelength of <400 nm and subsequently emitting them in the visible spectrum with a wavelength of >500 nm. By incorporating these heterostructures into a polymer matrix and subsequently applying them to a photovoltaic cell, it is expected that the applied layer will further increase the efficiency of the photovoltaic cell.Keywords: photovoltaic cells, luminescent down-shifting, synthetic fluorohectorite, crystalline silicon ← hide

Development and application of biochar-modified geopolymer composites for environmental protection

Supervisor: Ing. Michal Slaný, PhD. e-mail: michal.slany@savba.sk
Co-supervisor (specialist): RNDr. Matej Baláž, DrSc.
Study program: Inorganic technology and materials

  • Environmental pollution is a global problem with adverse impacts on human health and the functioning of ecosystems. read more → A major consequence is the contamination of environmental compartments through the accumulation of various contaminants from anthropogenic sources. The work will focus on the development of inorganic geopolymer composites modified with biochar, based on calcined or mechanochemically activated clay precursors, intended for the stabilization and immobilization of contaminants. Biochar will be used as a modifying component influencing the microstructure, surface chemistry, and the availability of sorption active sites within the inorganic geopolymer matrix. The research will include the evaluation of the sorption potential and adsorption properties of the prepared powder form composites under controlled conditions. The developed materials will be comprehensively characterized in terms of phase composition, structure, microstructure, and surface characteristics in order to confirm successful preparation of the geopolymer composites and to elucidate the mechanisms of adsorption, binding, stabilization, and immobilization of contaminants. This work will contribute to the design of sustainable geopolymer composite materials for environmental technologies and the remediation of polluted environments.Keywords: geopolymer composites, biochar, stabilization and immobilization of contaminants, environmental remediation ← 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, read more → high mass transfer, high heat and electrical conductivity, and significantly lower viscosities, densities, and vapor pressure. 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 approaches to enhance thermoelectric performance of ceramics

Supervisor: Ing. Peter Tatarko, PhD. e-mail: peter.tatarko@savba.sk
Co-supervisor (specialist): RNDr. Matej Baláž, DrSc.
Study program: Inorganic chemistry

  • This PhD project focuses on the development of high-performance thermoelectric ceramic composites based on perovskite oxides, aiming to improve their efficiency for direct heat-to-electricity conversion. read more → The research will combine theoretical prediction of the properties of multi-substituted perovskite structures of the ABO₃ type with experimental synthesis, microstructural optimization, and comprehensive materials characterization. The PhD student will investigate various synthesis routes, including solid-state synthesis, mechanochemical synthesis, and self-sustaining reactions induced by high-energy ball milling, followed by sintering and thermal treatment. Particular emphasis will be given to understanding the relationships between chemical composition, microstructure, and key thermoelectric parameters, such as Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity. To further enhance thermoelectric performance, optimized ceramic matrices will be combined with electrically conductive secondary phases to form composite materials. The outcomes of this research are expected to contribute to a deeper understanding of transport mechanisms in oxide-based thermoelectric materials and to support the development of sustainable energy technologies for efficient waste heat recovery, in line with the goals of climate neutrality in Europe.Keywords: thermoelectric materials; perovskite oxides; ceramic composites; mechanochemical synthesis; theoretical modelling ← hide