PhD call
List of PhD topics - STARTING from academic year 2026-2027
The call for PhD programme at our Department has been published here. If you are a motivated Slovak (or foreign) student and you would like to investigate and address challenges related to Inorganic Chemistry including bio-inorganic chemistry, computational chemistry, coordination chemistry, materials chemistry, and photochemistry, etc., do not hesitate and submit your (pre)application now!
Heteroaromatic compounds of boron for optoelectronic applications (Dr. Hrobarik)
The aim of the thesis is computer-aided design, synthesis, characterization and detailed photophysical study of heteroaromatic boron compounds based on the diborabezene or BODIPY skeleton for optoelectronic applications, including OLED materials, photodynamic cancer therapy and high-resolution bioimaging using laser fluorescence microscopy.
Highly efficient triplet photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy and phosphorescent bioimaging (Dr. Hrobarik)
The aim of the thesis is computer-aided design and synthesis of novel thiazole-annulated heteroaromatic ligands with intramolecular charge-transfer and their complexes with various transition metal ions, as highly-efficient and photochemically stable triplet sensitizers for photodynamic therapy and phosphorescent bioimaging. The detailed photophysical and electrochemical characterization of the newly synthesized dyes and their application in biomedical applications will be performed in a close collaboration with our foreign partners.
Photocatalysts Operating in the Near-Infrared (NIR) Region (Dr. Hrobarik)
The aim of the thesis is rational design and development of new class of highly efficient photocatalysts absorbing light in the near-infrared (NIR) region by single- or two-photon absorption process. This also includes development of efficient synthetic strategies towards them and application of these catalysts in chemically and industrially relevant transformations.
Hybrid inorganic-organic photosensitizers displaying large multiphoton absorption (Dr. Hrobarik)
The aim of the thesis is computer-aided design, synthesis, characterization and detailed photophysical study of hybrid inorganic-organic systems with potential application in photodynamic cancer therapy and high-resolution bioimaging using laser fluorescence microscopy.
Metal-organic frameworks comprising multidentate ligands with intramolecular charge-transfer for nonlinear optical applications (Dr. Hrobarik)
The aim of the thesis is synthesis of novel metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) comprising of various transition metal/lanthanoid ions and multidentate charge-transfer ligands based on thiazole-annulated heteroaromatics. The synthesized nanoporous MOFs will be structurally characterized and investigated for their photochemical properties and potential application in various fields of materials chemistry, utilizing nonlinear optical phenomena.
Unravelling the mechanism of oxidant activation at the surface of nanomaterials in AOPs for wastewater treatment (Dr. Monfort) - Euraxess offer
The main goal of this PhD thesis is to clarify the mechanism of oxidant activation including H2O2, S2O82- and SO5- using novel and/or know transition metal oxides. The investigation will be performed both in the dark and under light irradiation, and the mechnaistic investigations will be performed in the presence organic pollutants monitored by HPLC. Scavenging techniques will be first employed to identify and determine the contribution of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the pollutant degradation. The PhD thesis involves close collaboration with national and international partners in the full mechanistic elucidation of AOP activation and pollutant degradation. A large part of the PhD thesis will focus on the prepration of nanomaterials with efficient and sustainable catalytic activity.
Preparation of efficient heterogeneous AOP catalyst for the degradation of micropollutants in water (Dr. Monfort) - Euraxess offer
The main goal of this PhD thesis is to prepare and characterize catalysts based on transition metal oxide for advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). The strategies for design the catalysts should involved either novel materials or know materials which exhibit unresolved mechanistic activation. The heterogeneous AOP catalysts will be tested for the degradation of micropollutants including pharmaceutical compounds or persistent pesticides. An important part of the thesis will also focused on mechanistic elucidation of AOP activation and pollutant degradation.
High-entropy metal-organic frameworks as photocatalytic platforms for solar water treatment and green hydrogen production (Dr. Motola)
The aim of the PhD project is the rational design, synthesis and in-depth characterization of high-entropy MOFs (HEMOFs) with complex multicomponent metal nodes for advanced photocatalytic processes. The PhD candidate will systematically vary the composition of the metal nodes (combinations of transition metals) and organic linkers, study structure and porosity (PXRD, BET, SAXS, TGA, XPS) and evaluate stability in various types of wastewater. A key part of the work will be a detailed mechanistic study of charge separation, generation of reactive species and photocatalytic selectivity in pollutant removal, with emphasis on systems enabling simultaneous green hydrogen production.
Hybrid MOF-oxide and MOF-TiO2 nanotube interfaces for advanced (photo)electrocatalysis and sensing (Dr. Motola)
This PhD thesis focuses on the development and investigation of hybrid interfaces in which conductive or semiconductive MOFs are integrated with oxide substrates and TiO₂ nanotube layers prepared by anodic oxidation. The PhD candidate will prepare and optimize MOF thin films, anchor them onto 1D TiO₂ architectures and study charge transport across the interface (EIS, Mott–Schottky analysis, transient spectroscopy). Application-wise, the work will target (photo)electrocatalytic processes (e.g. Cr(VI) reduction, OER/ORR) and electrochemical sensors for toxic ions or organic pollutants, with strong emphasis on correlating the interfacial structure with functional performance.
Advanced air electrodes for low-temperature reversible SOFCs: Interface engineering with novel low-sintering electrolytes (Dr. Motola)
The goal of this PhD project is to develop a new generation of air electrodes for low-temperature reversible solid oxide fuel cells (RSOFCs) compatible with low-sintering electrolytes. The work will involve the design and synthesis of perovskite, layered and dual-phase cathode materials, their co-sintering or infiltration into electrolyte backbones, and targeted engineering of the electrode/electrolyte interface. The PhD candidate will employ advanced techniques (in-situ/operando EIS, high-temperature XRD, FIB-SEM 3D reconstructions) to study charge transport and long-term degradation in both fuel cell and electrolysis modes. The outcome will be an optimized microstructure and chemical composition of air electrodes enabling stable low-temperature operation.
Hierarchical architectures based on TiO2 nanotubes and nanotube-derived nanoparticles: From growth mechanism to energy and environmental applications (Dr. Motola)
This PhD topic builds on the research of anodic TiO₂ nanotubes and their thermal/chemical transformation. The PhD candidate will thoroughly investigate the growth mechanism of nanotubes in fluoride and fluoride-free electrolytes, their controlled disintegration into nanoparticles and the formation of hierarchical structures (nanotubes + nanoparticles, 3D networks, composites with conductive substrates). The aim is to link in-situ/operando characterization (e.g. in-situ XRD, Raman, TEM) with functional tests in photoelectrochemical water splitting, CO₂ reduction and photocatalytic pollutant degradation. Special emphasis will be placed on understanding the relationship between structural evolution during thermal/chemical treatment and the synergistic effect of hierarchical architectures on device performance.
Structure and redox properties of biologically relevant transition metal complexes (Dr. Rakovsky)
The goal of the project is to prepare and characterize new transition metal complexes with redox activities and studying their enzymomimetic activities and interactions with DNA.
Catalytic applications of selected transition metal complexes (Dr. Rakovsky)
The main focus is preparation, characterization and application if stable Cu(I) and Ru complexes in homogenous and heterogenous catalytic processes.