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As a chemistry student, I started my research career at the Jožef Stefan Institute, where I worked on ZnO-based varistor ceramics. This early experience sparked my long-term interest in ZnO, which I later explored using solution synthesis routes to create nanoscale materials with tunable morphologies.

During my PhD studies, I systematically investigated the hydrothermal growth of ZnO and identified key parameters that influence whether uniform powders are formed or the material develops abnormal crystal morphologies (link Ceramics International). This fundamental understanding of nucleation and growth allowed me to form transparent and conductive ZnO thin films on glass following the SCOG growth mechanism. The resulting smooth, dense and (0001)-oriented polycrystalline layers exhibited structural and functional properties required for transparent electrodes (link Advanced Functional Materials).

Currently, my research focuses on the design and evaluation of advanced photocatalysts for environmental remediation, with a focus on ZnO and TiO₂-based materials. We synthesize photocatalysts in powder and film forms, and even 3D printed ceramics, to study their ability to degrade a variety of waterborne pollutants, including methylene blue (link MB), caffeine (link CAFF), and even microplastics. A key part of our work is the comprehensive characterization of the catalysts themselves and their degradation products using a combination of structural, chemical, and morphological techniques (link MP). These analytical approaches also support our broader efforts to track microplastic contamination in natural samples, for example, our recent study that identified microplastics in hailstones (link STOTEN).

In my research work, I try to connect fundamental material design with practical performance in real systems. We focus on the synthesis and characterization of photocatalysts aimed at enabling cleaner water solutions in the future. Alongside fundamental studies, we collaborate closely with industry to address real-world challenges related to input materials, processing and packaging. This understanding of industry problems ensures that the developed materials are not only scientifically sound but also relevant and applicable to practical environmental problems.

link Ceramics International: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272884216310240?via%3Dihub

link Advanced Functional Materials: https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adfm.201200214

link MB

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S246802302501822X

link CAFF

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272884224018108?via%3Dihub

link MP

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468023025010375?via%3Dihub

link STOTEN … https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969722058855?via%3Dihub

Matejka Podlogar

Affiliation:
Department for Nanostructured Materials, Jožef Stefan Institute

Country:
Ljubljana, Slovenia

E-mail:
matejka.podlogar@ijs.si

LinkedIn Profile:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/matejka-podlogar-9ba37b84/

https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=dfs500UAAAAJ&view_op=list_works&sortby=pubdate

https://www.ijs.si/ijsw/K7