Thin films play a pivotal role in various technological applications, influencing the optical and electronic landscapes of materials. Composite films, that exhibit inhomogeneity at a lengthscale below the wavelength of visible light, provide seemingly endless possibilities for tuning the optoelectronic properties of such coatings. With support of the EU-funding programme for research and innovation, we combine state-of-the-art optical, spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques as well as modelling approaches for studying the physico-chemical principles governing the interplay among the chemical composition, structure and optoelectronic properties of composite thin films. In particular, we are interested in ion-to-electron charge transfer occurring in (semi)conducting polymer films in contact with an ionic (aqueous) solution.
Open positions:
Within the framework of an EIC Pathfinder Open project (Horizon Europe), we are seeking for a postdoctoral researcher motivated to work on the development of experimental and data treatment methods related to optical, spectroscopic and electrochemical measurements, for monitoring the ion-to-electron charge transfer in conducting polymer composites. The full job description and directions for applicants can be found at: https://collsurf.uniri.hr/postdoc-position/
Relevant papers:
I. Stojanoska, M. Okorn, B. Kmet, H. Uršič, V. Gradišnik, D. Čakara, J. Kovač, D. Kuscer, Indium-zinc-oxide thin films produced by low-cost chemical solution deposition: Tuning the microstructure, optical and electrical properties with the processing conditions, Heliyon 2023, 9, e19744-e19757, doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19744
Finšgar* M. and Čakara* D. Spectroscopic analysis and in situ adsorption of 2-mercaptobenzothiazole corrosion inhibitor on Zn from a chloride solution, Applied Surface Science 2022, 606, 154843
D. Čakara*, P. Ritzert, D. Boyaciyan and R. von Klitzing, “Dielectric function of a polymer brush functionalized with gold nanoparticles determined from spectroscopic ellipsometry,” 2022 45th Jubilee International Convention on Information, Communication and Electronic Technology (MIPRO), 2022, pp. 223-229, doi: 10.23919/MIPRO55190.2022.9803571.
Čakara* D., Peter R., Finšgar, M. Optical properties and formation kinetics of corro-
sion inhibitor films at the Cu/Cu2O/H2O interface. Surfaces and Interfaces 2022, 32,
102108.
G. Pathak and D. Čakara*, “Variable Angle Spectroscopic Ellipsometry Study of Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):Polystyrene Sulfonate Thin Films in Contact with Air,” 2020 43rd International Convention on Information, Communication and Electronic Technology (MIPRO), 2020, pp. 1881-1889, doi: 10.23919/MIPRO48935.2020.9245443.
Pathak, G.; Krasinska-Krawet, Z.; Szyk-Warszynska, L.; Čakara*, D. Doping of poly(3,4-
ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) films studied by means of electrochemical variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry. Thin Solid Films 2018, 651, 31–38