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However, water quality has been exponentially threatened by pollution from various sources due to urbanisation and industrialisation. The shortage of potable water is a global concern that can be addressed through effective water conservation policies. The main objective of these rules is to purify and reuse wastewater, thereby helping to conserve potable water. This approach includes innovative strategies to improve the efficiency, reusability and durability of the wastewater treatment process in line with the principles of the 3 Rs initiative: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Ensure the availability of clean water is a priority to achieve sustainable economic growth and promote human well-being. Semiconductor photochemistry has emerged as a pivotal tool to achieve the sustainable development goal of clean water, utilising natural light sources to support this effort.

The topic of my PhD thesis was the development of novel functional materials based on graphene and their composites with metal oxide photocatalysts in the form of nanoparticles for advanced oxidation technologies, especially the study of the correlation between the structural, optical, and morphological characteristics of TiO2@rGO composite nanoparticles and their photocatalytic properties. After completing my PhD at the University of Zagreb, I moved to the Faculty of Physics at the University of Rijeka (UNIRI), Croatia, as a senior assistant of the POMERI project, where I conduct research in the field of sustainable chemistry and materials science.

The main goal of the research within the POMERI project is the synthesis of thermally and structurally stable semiconductor thin films of various metal oxides (TiO2, ZnO, SnO2) using the atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique. In addition, metal oxide nanostructures prepared by electrochemical anodization will be coated with ALD layers. The aim is to enhance their photocatalytic and antibacterial properties under visible light to enable the complete degradation of water pollutants by utilising solar energy as a sustainable light source. The preparation of thin films using the ALD technique as a novel bottom-up approach to obtain materials with advanced functionality provides practical advantages, including excellent nucleation control, high uniformity over large surface areas, good repeatability, scalability to large substrates, and the ability to grow on porous or rough substrates. At the University of Rijeka in Croatia, we are developing several approaches for the in-situ ALD thin film synthesis process to address various challenges associated with this technique.

My research within the POMERI project focuses on developing titanium dioxide (TiO2) thin films with enhanced photocatalytic activity for use in advanced oxidation technologies. TiO2 is a non-toxic, biocompatible, and cost-effective semiconductor known for its unique optoelectronic properties and high chemical stability. It has been recognised as an efficient photocatalyst for the removal of pollutants from water. However, the use of TiO2 thin films to achieve maximum efficiency under natural sunlight remains a pioneering concept, with limited extensive applications in this field.

My contribution to the POMERI project can be outlined as follows:

• Optimization of the in-situ ALD synthesis process for TiO2 thin films,
• Investigation of TiO2 thin films doping to enhance photocatalytic properties,
• Comprehensive characterization of the thin films using various techniques available at UNIRI, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS)),
• Opportunities to visit international research laboratories and institutions and to network with scientists working in the same field.

In the future, I plan to test the prepared thin film materials in a photocatalytic process using solar light to remove pollutants from water. My goal is to understand the composition, structure, morphology, optical and electrical properties related to photocatalytic activity. This innovative approach to thin film synthesis could pave the way for potential large-scale applications of these materials as sustainable and efficient photocatalysts for wastewater treatment.

My research achievements at UNIRI are largely driven by access to state-of-the-art laboratories equipped with cutting-edge technologies. However, the most significant aspect of my work is the collaboration with an enthusiastic and passionate interdisciplinary team. This teamwork enables us to effectively share knowledge and exchange ideas, inspiring one another and ultimately leading to the success of our research.

Dr. Martina Kocijan

Faculty of Physics,

University of Rijeka, Croatia

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=6QCo-tsAAAAJ&hl=en

https://www.linkedin.com/in/martina-kocijan-78a880191/

https://pomeri.uniri.hr/eng/