Dielectric materials are essential components of electronic devices and electric power systems. Consequently, the design and development of new materials with enhanced dielectric response remain of great importance. This dissertation examines three different approaches to enhancing the dielectric response: (i) percolative composites, (ii) polymer blending, and (iii) the induction of …
Ferroelectric materials have the ability to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy and vice versa, which makes them widely used as sensors, actuators, and ultrasonic transducers. While their electrical and electromechanical properties are well studied, mechanical properties like Young’s modulus (E) and hardness (H) remain known to a lesser extent. …
Environmental contamination by toxic metals—such as Pb²⁺, Cr³⁺, and Hg²⁺—and organometallic species like monomethylmercury (MeHg) presents one of the most persistent global challenges due to their bioaccumulation, long-term toxicity, and resistance to degradation. This thesis addresses this critical issue through a multidisciplinary approach combining nanotechnology, environmental chemistry, biosensor engineering, and …
Fluorine, though abundant on Earth, is not readily available in a form suitable for organic synthesis. While fluoride salts like fluorite exist, they have limited reactivity due to solubility properties. Converting fluorite to hydrofluoric acid (HF) or fluorine gas (F2) increases reactivity but introduces significant safety concerns due to the …
All-solid-state batteries are one of the key technologies for future energy storage and the transition to a climate-neutral society. They offer improved safety, stability, and a broader operating temperature range compared to conventional batteries with liquid electrolyte. Perovskite Li0.33La0.56 0.11TiO3 (LLTO) is recognized as one of the most promising solid …
A large body of data now exists demonstrating the influence of micro and nano plastics (MNPs) on living systems, and their detection has been documented across various ecosystems, including organisms that form part of the human diet. Nevertheless, up till now, a substantial portion of that research has been confined …
In the scope of this thesis, I focused on SrTiO3 (ST)-based dielectric ceramic composites as a lead-free perovskite material, which holds great potential for use in various electronic components. Such materials are large-scale and fabricated under high energy requirements, indicating an increasing need for a more environmentally friendly processing method. …
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent form of dementia, ranking as the 7th deadliest world’s disease. Over 99% of cases are triggered by unknown environmental factors. Despite decades of research, the exact cause remains elusive, and effective treatments are yet to emerge. Recent epidemiological evidence strongly links cognitive decline …
One of commonly used analytical technique for direct elemental analysis of solid samples is Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). Although widely used for the analysis of various samples, obtaining accurate quantitative results remains a major challenge as matrix-matched standards are required. The aim of this thesis was …
This thesis focuses on the development and optimisation of zirconium conversion coatings (ZrCCs) on cold-rolled steel (CRS), zinc (Zn), and aluminium alloy AA5754 substrates through a multidimensional approach. The utilization of statistical tools, specifically response surface methodology (RSM), enabled the assessment of the individual and mutual effects of various parameters …