1. Silane-modified lanthanide complexes for integration into hybrid coatings and nanoparticles : thermal sensing applications and live cell labelingIvan Sedmak, Aljoša Bolje, Jakob Kljun, Rok Podlipec, Hana Kokot, Sebastjan Nemec, Slavko Kralj, Peter Rodič, Iztok Golobič, Stane Pajk, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: Temperature sensing at the micro- and nanoscale remains a significant challenge due to the limitations of conventional techniques in spatial resolution and invasiveness. Here, we report the development of luminescent, temperature-sensitive coatings and nanoparticles based on a newly synthesized europium (Eu) complex integrated into a composite poly(methyl methacrylate)-siloxane-silica (PMMA-siloxane silica) matrix. The Eu complex, identified as the most promising candidate among three lanthanide complexes, was functionalized with silyl ethers via copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition and successfully incorporated into thin PMMA-siloxane silica films on glass surfaces and within silica nanoparticles. These materials exhibited strong thermal responsiveness, chemical stability, and suitability for high-resolution temperature sensing. Furthermore, Eu-loaded silica nanoparticles showed a distinct fluorescent signal and multiplexing capability in live-cell confocal microscopy and were internalized by lung epithelial cells (LA-4 cell line), highlighting their potential as bioimaging probes for localized intracellular temperature sensing. Although some photobleaching was observed under prolonged excitation, the materials demonstrated sufficient chemical and mechanical stability, making them promising for luminescent temperature sensing and live-cell imaging. These results establish the developed Eu-based hybrid materials as robust, non-invasive luminescent probes for high-resolution thermal sensing and cellular imaging.
Keywords: temperature sensing, silica nanoparticles, europium complex, photostability
Published in DiRROS: 26.09.2025; Views: 176; Downloads: 76
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2. Anti-icing performance and anti-corrosive properties of superhydrophobic nanosecond-laser-textured aluminum surfaces with a self-assembled monolayer coatingMatic Može, Peter Rodič, Tim Štrus, Miha Štucin, Robert Lovšin, Nina Kovač, Samo Jereb, Armin Hadžić, Matevž Zupančič, Iztok Golobič, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Water and ice accumulation on surfaces present significant challenges in numerous fields, causing issues such as corrosion of metallic surfaces and a broad range of problems associated with increased weight, altered hydro-/aerodynamics, vibrations, and heat transfer resistance. Currently, passive solutions, such as functionalized surfaces that also offer improved anti-corrosive properties, are being focused on. This study presents the fabrication and evaluation of four functionalized superhydrophobic surfaces on 1050A aluminum alloy samples using nanosecond laser texturing and self-assembled monolayer grafting to enhance anti-icing and corrosion protection. The developed surfaces exhibited superhydrophobicity with static and dynamic contact angles above 163° and a contact angle hysteresis below 2°, maintaining their nonwetting properties after multiple icing/deicing cycles. Three surfaces significantly lowered ice nucleation temperature with the lowest average value of -20.1 °C recorded on the surface with shallow, non-distinct features. The freezing delay was prolonged up to 468 % and 944 % at -15 °C and -20 °C, respectively, in comparison with the untreated reference surface. The superior anti-icing properties of the two surfaces with shallow structures, fabricated using a lower laser pulse fluence than those with deep structures, are ascribed to a lower number of potential active nucleation sites for condensation of water vapor and freezing initiation. In comparison with an untreated surface, ice adhesion was reduced by up to 60 % on surfaces with shallow features but increased between 33 % and 84 % on surfaces with deep morphological features. Repeatable cascade freezing was observed on one of the surfaces, which also exhibited the poorest anti-icing performance. Surfaces with non-distinct or irregular channels exhibited better corrosion properties than surfaces featuring well-defined laser-etched channels. The surface with the lowest surface roughness exhibited the best properties in all evaluations, providing a good starting point for future optimization with a focus on surfaces with micron scale and submicron features instead of the more traditional surfaces with structures on the scale of tens of microns. Overall, this functionalization approach is promising for industrial use, simultaneously offering enhanced robustness, anti-icing behavior, and corrosion protection.
Published in DiRROS: 01.07.2025; Views: 410; Downloads: 240
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3. Composition, microstructure and corrosion resistance of DED-LB additively manufactured Ti–6Al–4V alloy : comparison with wrought alloyIngrid Milošev, Peter Rodič, Barbara Kapun, Denis Sačer, Anish Nair, Davorin Kramar, Andrej Jeromen, Edvard Govekar, 2025, original scientific article Keywords: titanium alloys, directed-energy deposition by laser beam, simulated physiological solution
Published in DiRROS: 03.06.2025; Views: 506; Downloads: 298
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4. The effect of cerium ions on the structure, porosity and electrochemical properties of Si/Zr-based hybrid sol-gel coatings deposited on aluminumPeter Rodič, Jozefina Katić, Dorota Korte, Paula M. Desimone, Mladen Franko, Silvia Ceré, Mirjana Metikoš-Huković, Ingrid Milošev, 2018, original scientific article Published in DiRROS: 20.05.2025; Views: 369; Downloads: 168
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