3.1.2. Advanced Materials and Technologies

Leading researcher: Prof. Dr. Plamen Petkov, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ruzha Harizanova

Theme: Advanced Materials for Optics and Microelectronics (АМОM); Advanced Structural and Functional Glass-ceramics and Ceramics for Mechatronics (ASFGCM); Multifunctional Biomaterials.

The scientific group includes several main areas of research, with specific research intentions for a period of 4 years /2023-2026/:

• Advanced Materials for Optics and Optoelectronics (AMOO) – the team’s efforts will be focused on the synthesis and characterization of new working environments for optical, gas, biochemical and positional sensors. In this context, four scientific specializations have been formed on cutting-edge materials for: 1) Position sensors; 2) Thin-layer chalcogenide media; 3) Polarization optical elements and 4) Anodic insulating coatings.
• Advanced structural and functional glass-ceramic and ceramic materials for mechatronic applications – synthesis and characterization of bulk oxide glasses, glass-ceramics and ceramics with predetermined dielectric and/or magnetic properties for special purposes. Two main specializations have been formed: 1) Oxide glass ceramics with controllable electrical and magnetic properties and 2) High strength ceramics and intermetallic composites for mechatronics.
• Multifunctional biomaterials – research activity will develop in three main areas forming scientific specializations: 1) Bioactive materials for bone regeneration; 2) Obtaining glasses and glass ceramics for dental restorations; 3) Multifunctional oxide coatings with medical application.

According to the research team, the most promising for technology transfer are the optical materials for polarization holography and high-strength ceramics for special purposes, but naturally, positional sensors and bioactive materials may also be potential candidates for transfer. Currently, within the University, a coordination unit is being created to assess the transfer potential, which will facilitate us in determining the specific development.

Publications:

1. T. Vladkova, A. Staneva, I. Avramova, I. Ivanova and D. Gospodinova, Fucoidan-Containing, Low-Adhesive Siloxane Coatings for Medical Applications: Inhibition of Bacterial Growth and Biofilm Development, Materials 2023, 16(10), 3651; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16103651
2. E. Lilov, V.Lilova , S. Nedev, A. M. Adam, S. Kozhukharov and C. Girginov, Depth dependence of the photocatalytic reaction rate. Kinetic model generalization, Physica Scripta, Volume 98, Number 9, https://doi.org/10.1088/1402-4896/ace745
3. C. Girginov, S. Kozhukharov, A. Tsanev, M. Georgieva, M. Petrova, E. Lilov, P.  Petkov, Influence of the final thermal sealing on the properties of combined anodic alumina/cerium conversion coatings on AA2024-T3 aircraft alloy, Journal of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy 58(5):881-896, https://doi.org/10.59957/jctm.v58i5.124
4. Dimka Fachikova, Gergana Ilieva, Comparison of corrosion behaviour of two stainless steels for medical applications, Metall. Mater. 69 (2024), 4, 1669-1674, https://doi.org/10.24425/amm.2024.151439 (Q4)
5. Y. Trifonova, V. Lilova, V. Ivanova, T.S. Lyubenova, P. Petkov, Optical Properties of Chalcogenide Thin Films for Solar Cells, Journal of Hunan University (Natural Sciences), vol. 50, pp. 12-20, 2023. https://doi.org/10.55463/issn.1674-2974.50.6.2
6. I. Valchev, V. Savov, I. Yordanov, S. Petrin and P. Antov, Effect of Hot-Pressing Temperature on the Properties of Eco-Friendly Fiberboard Panels Bonded with Hydrolysis Lignin and Phenol–Formaldehyde Resin, April 2024 Polymers 16(8):1059, Q1, https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16081059
7. D. Stratiev, I. Shiskova, V. Toteva, G.Georgiev, R. Dinkov, I. Kolev, I. Petrov, G. Argirov, V. Bureva, S. Ribagin, K. Atanassov, S. Nenov, S. Sotirov, R.Nikolova and A. Veli, Experience in Processing Alternative Crude Oils to Replace Design Oil in the Refinery, Resources 2024, 13(6), 86; Q2, https://doi.org/10.3390/resources13060086
8. C. Girginov, S. Portolesi, S. Kozhukharov, A. Tzanev, E. Lilov, P. Petkov, Selection of appropriate electrochemical deposition regime for cerium conversion coating on anodized AA2024‑T3 aircraft alloy, J. of Applied Electrochemistry, (2024),Q2 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10800-023-02012-9
9. A. Adam, S. Alshelkamy, P. Petkov, E. Ibrahim, Structural and thermoelectric properties of doped Bi2Te3 crystalline alloys, Materials Science and Engineering: B, Volume 303, May 2024, 117276, Q2, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mseb.2024.117276
10. P. Bancheva, V. Zhelev, P. Petkov, T. Petkova, Molybdenium doped ZnO thin films obtained by spray pyrolysis, Materials 2024, 17(9), 2164, Q2, https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17092164
11. E. Lilov, S.Nedev, V.Lilova, S.Kozhukharov, Ch.Girginov, Solution conductivity as a factor determining the photocatalytic reaction rate, Journal of Phtochemistry and Photobiology, Volume 21, June 2024, 100240, Q3 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpap.2024.100240
12. S. Kozhukhrov, C. Girginov, P. Petkov, E. Lilov, Chapter Opportunities for application of cerium oxide-based materials in the civil engineering, automatics and energetic sector, From the Edited Volume “Cerium -Chemistry, Technology, Geology, Soil Science and Economics”, IntechOpen, https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.1004168
13. S. Kozhukharov, Ch. Girginov, S. Portolesi, A. Tsanev, V.Lilova & P. Petkov, Optical current density for catodic CeCC deposition on anodized AA2024‑T3 aircraft alloy, Journal of Applied Electrochemistry 54(12):2887-2918, Q2, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10800-024-02143-7
14. R. Harizanova, T. Tasheva, V. Gaydarov, V. Lilova, S.Nedev, G. Zamfirova, M. Nedkova, C. Rüssel, Structure and physicochemical characteristics of the glasses in the system Na 2 O/BaO/ZrO 2 /TiO 2 /SiO 2 /B 2 O 3 /Al 2 O 3 – influence of the ZrO 2 addition on the physico-chemical and mechanical properties, Solid State Science (2024), Q2, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2024.107515
15. I. Mihailova, P. Dimitrova, L. Radev, α/β-TCP silicate glass-ceramic obtained by sol-gel: structure and in vitro bioactivity, Boletín de la Sociedad Española de Cerámica y Vidrio, Q1, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bsecv.2024.04.002
16. A. Surleva, L. Angelova, D. Ilieva, V. Ivanova, O. Surleva, K. Chavdarova, Ensuring quality in the research laboratory, Applied Sciences (2024), 14(8), 3281; Q2 https://doi.org/10.3390/app14083281
17. A. Yoleva, S. Djambazov, G. Chernev, Sol-gel Synthesis and Characterization of Cerium-Doped Yttrium Silicate, J.of Hunan Univ. (Natural Science), 51 13 (2024), Q2 https://doi.org/10.55463/issn.1674-2974.51.5.6
18. Vesislava Toteva, Ivo Valchev and Stoyko Petrin, Polymers from renewable resources: Glucose from enzymatic hydrolysis of hemp biomass, Polymers from renewable resources 2024, Vol 15(3) – 381-388, https://doi.org/10.1177/20412479241266952
19. A. Zaidan, V. Ivanova and P. Petkov, Physical Vapor Deposition of Indium-Doped GeTe: Analyzing the Evaporation Process and Kinetics, Inorganics 12(8):209, 2024,  Q2,  https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics12080209
20. S. Kozhukharov, K. Girginov, S. Portolesi, E. Lilov, P. Petkov, Sealing of cerium oxide coating primers on anodized AA2024-T3 alloy by boiling in Lourier buffers, Journal of Electrochemical Science and Engineering, (August 2024), Q2 https://doi.org/10.5599/jese.1949
21. А. Stoilova, L. Nedelchev, V. Lilova, Y. Trifonova, Effect of InP/ZnS nanocrystals aggregation on the kinetic of birefringence recorded in thin azo polymer composite films, Physica Scripta, Volume 99, Number 9, Q2, https://doi.org/10.1088/1402-4896/ad6d09
22. D. Stratiev, I. Shiskova, V. Toteva, G. Georgiev, R. Dinkov, I. Kolev, I. Petrov, G. Argirov, V. Bureva, S. Ribagin, K. Atanassov, S. Nenov, S. Sotirov, R. Nikolova and A. Veli, Experience in Processing Alternative Crude Oils to ReplaceDesign Oil in the Refinery, Resources, 2024, vol. 13, issue 6, 1-30, Q1 https://doi.org/10.3390/resources13060086
23. S. Slavov, M. Noncheva, R. Harizanova, Characterization of the Dielectric Parameters of Monophase Polycrystalline Bismuth Titanate Pyrochlore (Bi2Ti2O7) Ceramics and Glass-Ceramics, Evolutionary Studies in Imaginative Culture 2024, Vol 8.2, S2 (2024) 179-187, Q2 https://doi.org/10.70082/esiculture.vi.1034
24. D. Stratiev, I. Shishkova, G. Argirov, R. Dinkov, M. Ivanov, S. Sotirov, E. Sotirova, V. Bureva, S. Nenov, K. Atanassov, D. Stratiev and S. Vasilev, Roles of Catalysts and Feedstock in Optimizing the Performance of Heavy Fraction Conversion Processes: Fluid Catalytic Cracking and Ebullated Bed Vacuum Residue Hydrocracking, Catalysts 2024, 14(9), 616; Q3, https://doi.org/10.3390/catal14090616
25. А. Yoleva, T. Tasheva, S. Djambazov, A. Batsova, Development of Multicomponent Glasses for Application as a Glazing Layer on Dental Zirconia, International Journal of Applied Glass Science (2024), Q2 https://doi.org/10.1111/ijag.16684
26. Tina Tasheva, Gabriela Valova, FT-IR and raman spectroscopy of ZnO and MgO containing glasses in the B2O3/Na2O/CaO/P2O5 system, 59, 6, 2024, https://doi.org/10.59957/jctm.v59.i6.2024.14
27. A. Zaidan, V. Ivanova, P. Petkov, P Bancheva-Koleva, Exploring The Structural And Electronic Characteristics Of Amorphous Ge – Te – In Material Through Ab Initio Methods, Journal of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy 59(5):1109-1118, September 2024, https://doi.org/10.59957/jctm.v59.i5.2024.13
28. El-Khouly, D. Karpenkov, V. Khovaylo, A. Diab, P.Petkov, A.Adam, Effect of single and dual doping on the thermoelectric properties of FeVSb0.95Sn0.05 and Fe0.95Co0.05VSb0.90Sn0.10 half-Heusler alloys, Vacuum, Volume 228, October 2024, 113530, Q2, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vacuum.2024.113530
29. Adam, A.K. Diab, M.H. El-Qahtani, P. Petkov, M.Ataalla, “Investigations of structural and thermoelectric properties of Cu2Se and Cu2-xAgxSe alloys”, Solid State Communications, Volume 399 (2025) 115877, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssc.2025.115877
30. Bancheva, V.Zhelev, “Synthesis and Investigation of Tellurium-Doped ZnO Thin Films Obtained by Spray Pyrolysis”, NATO SPS (2025), Springer Ver., https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-2316-7_23
31. Mitev, N.Karev “Factor Analysis of Labour Productivity in the Kozloduy Nuclesr Power Plant” In book: Innovative Dynamics in Management and Engineering (IDME) (pp.281-288) Ed. Haitham Alzoubi, Springer Nature(2025)  https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-90131-7_32  
32. El-Khouly, S.M. Amer, V. Khovaylo, P.Bancheva, P. Petkov, A.Adam, “Mechanical and crystallographic texture features of half-Heusler TiCoSb thermoelectric based alloys”. J.Alloys and Compounds, 1037 (2025) 182539 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2025.182539
33. Trifonova, A. Stoilova, D.Dimov, G.Mateev, D.Nazarova, L.Nedelchev, Vl.Ivanova, V.Lilova, “The synthesis of New Chalcogenides from system GeTe6-Cu and a layered structure based on them and Azo polymer for applications in optoelectronics”, Materials 18 (2025) 3387 https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18143387
34. Trifonova, A. Stoilova, D. Dimov, G. Mateev, Vl. Ivanova, Il. Mitov, Ol. Surleva, “Photo-induced birefringence in layered composite materials based on Ge–Te–In and azo polymer prepared through different methods”, Materials 18 (2025) 3837, https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18163837
35. Bancheva, P.Petkov, T.Petkova, V. Zhelev, “Indium-doped ZnO thin films obtained by spray pyrolysis for position sensitive photodetector”, Materials 18 (2025) 3744, https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18163744
36. M.H. El-Qahtani, H. Farid, A. Diab, P. Petkov, A.Adam, M.Ataalla, ), “Novel In0.5Ga0.5Sb/Ag-NPsx composites for thermoelectric applications”, Journ. Engineering and Performance (2025– to be published
37. El-Qahtani, P.Petkov, M.El-Hadek, A.Adam, M.Ataalla, “Nanostructure-driven optimization: Ag-nanoparticles boosting thermoelectric properties of Bi1.8Na0.2Te₃ alloys”, Materials 18 (2025) – to be published
38. Bancheva, P.Petkov, T.Petkova, V.Zhelev, “Ba containing Oxide films”, Materials 18 (2025) – in press.
39. Kavetskyy, R.Harizanova, P.Petkov, J.Cizek, R.Krause-Rehberg, O.Sausa, B.Zgardunska, I.Gugov,A.Kiv, C.Ruessel, “Phase transition and structural defects in complex iron-containing oxide galsses probrd by positron annihilation”, Solid State Phenomena (Volume 374), p. 119-124 https://doi.org/10.4028/p-ofOO4M
40. Harizanova, W. Wisniewski, D.Tatchev, G.Avdeev, S. Nedev, C.Rüssel,“Barium Titanate-Based Glass–Ceramics Crystallized from Multicomponent Oxide Glasses: Phase Composition and Microstructure”, Materials 18 (2025) 3783, https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18163783
41. Lilova, E.Lilov, S.Kozhukharov, G.Avdeev, C.Girginov, “Comparative Study of the Bulk and Foil Zinc Anodic Behavior Kinetics in Oxalic Acid Aqueous Solutions”, Materials 18 (2025) 3635,  https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18153635
42. Tasheva, “The influence of the crucible and the cooling rate on the structure of glasses and glass-crystalline materials in the CaO-Na₂O-P₂O₅-B₂O₃ System”, J. Chem. Techn. Metall. 60 (2025) 843, https://doi.org/10.59957/jctm.v60.i5.2025.15
43. Tachev, A. Hoell, R. Harizanova, I. Mihailova, “On the determination of resonant curves in anomalous small-angle X-Ray scattering”, J.Appl.Cryst. 58 (2025) 6673, https://doi.org/10.1107/S1600576725006673
44. Tasheva, S. Slavov , “Synthesis, Structure and Dielectric Properties of Glasses in the TeO₂-V₂O₅– Bi₂O₃ System”, Materials 18 (2025) – in press
45. Stankov, S.Slavov, D.Donchev, K. Hadjov, “Transmissbility of rubbers by cyclic distribution (linear case )”, Materials 18 (2025) – in press
46. Fatos Rexhepi, Andriana Surleva, Valdet Gjinovci, Application of FTIR spectroscopy and multivariate calibration for prediction of acrylamide in potato chips commercial samples, Elsevier, Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy 329 (2025) 125655 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2024.125655
47. Tasheva, A. Yoleva, J.Mateeva, H.Georgiev, “Study of Study of New Glass–Ceramic and Dense Ceramic Containing Biogenic Hydroxyapatite” Materials 2025, 18(13), 3059; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18133059
48. Mihajlova, P.Dimitrova, L.Radev, “New Glass-ceramics in the System Ca₂SiO₄-Ca₃(PO4)₂ – Phase Composition, Microstructure and Effect on the Cell Viability”, Materials 18 (2025), https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18163887
49. Staneva, B. Martinov, “Structural characterization, Citotoxicity and Microbiological Activity one step synthesized RGO/AuNPs Nanocomposites”, Materials 18 (2025),  https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18194464
50. Algihmani, „Glass formation in the GeSe2–As2Se3–MeCh systems (Me = Cu, Ag, Zn, Cd, Sn, Pb; Ch = S, Se, Te)“, Materials Advanced and Functional Ceramics and Glasses (2025), https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18215058
51. Fachikova, S. Kusturov, D. Lilova, “Corrosion Behavior of a High Nitrogen Austenitic Stainless Steel in Aqueous Solutions of Citric and Oxalic Acids”, Materials 18 (2025) – in press
52. Fachikova, “Corrosion Behavior of Mild Steel in Aqueous Solutions of Ammonium Nitrate”, Archives of Metallurgy and Materials (2025) – in press