1. Hydration and carbonation behaviour of selected recycled materials from SloveniaVesna Zalar Serjun, Primož Oprčkal, Anton Meden, Marta Počkaj, Romana Cerc Korošec, 2025, objavljeni znanstveni prispevek na konferenci Povzetek: The European Union’s shift towards a circular economy emphasizes the substitution of virgin materials with recycled alternatives, particularly in the construction sector, which can accommodate large volumes of industrial by-products. Ashes from coal, biomass, paper sludge, and co-combustion processes are abundant secondary materials whose variable chemical and mineralogical compositions necessitate careful assessment to enable safe and effective reuse.This study investigates the hydration behaviour and early carbonation potential of ashes of different origin. The ashes were characterized using X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive spectroscopy. Hydraulic reactivity was evaluated by preparing ash pastes at a 1:1 water-to-ash ratio and monitoring hydration product formation over time using XRD. Carbonation of co-combustion ash was studied under controlled CO₂ conditions (2 % CO₂, 50 % RH, 20 °C ± 1 °C) at different moisture contents (0 wt.%, 10 wt.%, 20 wt.%, and 40 wt.%) and early curing times (0 hours, 1 hours, 4 hours, and 24 hours).Results indicate distinct differences among the ashes. Paper sludge ash exhibited the most extensive formation of calcium aluminate hydrates, coal and co-combustion ashes showed moderate hydration, while biomass ash produced only minor secondary phases. Carbonation of co-combustion ash proceeded concurrently with hydration, with lime depletion and calcite formation enhanced by higher moisture and longer curing. These coupled processes influenced both the kinetics and composition of hydration products. The findings demonstrate the potential of diverse combustion ashes for valorisation in construction materials and provide insight into their reactivity under early-age hydration and carbonation conditions, supporting circular economy initiatives. Ključne besede: circular economy, ashes from combustion, hydraulic activity, carbonation, phase composition, amorphous phase Objavljeno v DiRROS: 14.01.2026; Ogledov: 169; Prenosov: 93
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2. The formation and properties of large-surface-area intergranular mesoporous Al2O3 particlesKlara Šparlek, Romana Cerc Korošec, Goran Dražić, Anton Meden, Erika Švara Fabjan, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Mesoporous γ-Al2O3 with pores formed between nanocrystals was synthesized via the hydrothermal method, varying the ethanolamines (monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine), pH values (6.5, 7.5, 8.5) and the temperature of the thermal treatment. Characterization techniques, including nitrogen physisorption, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric-differential scanning calorimetry-mass spectrometry (TG-DSC-MS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), were employed to study the textural and structural properties of the materials. Thermal treatment at 500 ◦C produced mesoporous γ-Al2O3 with pores formed between nanoparticles. The materials synthesized with triethanolamine exhibited the narrowest pore size distribution and the highest specific surface area, particularly at higher pH values. The thermal treatment temperature significantly influenced the textural properties and crystallinity, with γ-Al2O3 retained up to 900 ◦C and the transformation to non-porous α-Al2O3 occurring at 1300 ◦C. These results demonstrate the critical role of synthesis parameters in understanding and optimizing the pore size and phase stability of mesoporous alumina. Ključne besede: mesoporous Al2O3, hydrothermal method, intergranular porosity, ethanolamines, influence of pH, temperature of thermal treatment Objavljeno v DiRROS: 17.11.2025; Ogledov: 271; Prenosov: 189
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4. Development and characterization of gelatin-based hydrogels containing triblock copolymer and phytic acidNjomza Ajvazi, Ingrid Milošev, Romana Cerc Korošec, Peter Rodič, Bojan Đ. Božić, 2024, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: In recent research, significant interest has been directed towards gelatin-based hydrogels due to their affordable price, extensive availability, and biocompatibility, making them promising candidates for various biomedical applications. The development and characterization of novel hydrogels formed from varying ratios of gelatin, triblock copolymer Pluronic F-127, and phytic acid have been presented. Swelling properties were examined at different pH levels. The morphology of hydrogels and their thermal properties were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) analysis of the hydrogels was also performed. The introduction of phytic acid in the hydrogel plays a crucial role in enhancing the intermolecular interactions within gelatin-based hydrogels, contributing to a more stable, elastic, and robust network structure. Ključne besede: hydrogels, phytic acid Objavljeno v DiRROS: 17.04.2025; Ogledov: 660; Prenosov: 363
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5. SBA-15 mesoporous particles with adsorbed cresol red dye and functionalized with 3-aminopropyl groups : materials properties and dye release studiesErika Švara Fabjan, Romana Cerc Korošec, Klara Šifrer, Andrijana Sever Škapin, Ramon Martinez Manez, 2024, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Research in the field of sensing has focused on tailoring the responsiveness of materials through the variation in materials properties achieved via functionalization of the mesoporous matrix. pH indicator dyes capable of protonation/deprotonation reactions are known to display different forms, resulting in changes in colour. This research focused on the preparation of mesoporous substrates SBA-15 with integrated pH indicator dye o-cresolsulphonephtalein (cresol red) grafted with (3-aminopropy) trimethoxysilane (gaining functionalized-SBA-15 material) in order to gain a colour change response following release of the dye. UV-Vis reflectance and absorbance spectra were used to evaluate forms of cresol red. The textural properties, including specific surface area, pore size distribution and pore volume were evaluated using nitrogen sorption, and XRD analysis was conducted to evaluate crystallinity of the material and pore ordering. The presence of 3-aminopropyl groups was determined by thermal decomposition using TGA–DSC/MS. The functionalized SBA-15 materials loaded with cresol red mostly retained ordering of the pores and showed a slight reduction in surface area. Functionalization changed the surface properties of the material. In the non-functionalized SBA-15, cresol red was present in both double (H2L) and single (HL−) protonated forms, whereas in the functionalized SBA-15 the deprotonated L2−form prevailed. Through desorption experiments cresol red was successfully desorbed from selected sample to different media. The change of colour caused by alterations in the form of the dye once released from the mesoporous silica material into the medium was confirmed. The form of cresol red released was determined by the pH of the medium. Ključne besede: mezoporozni materiali, SBA-15, funkcionalizacija, uravnavanje odzivnosti, zaznavanje Objavljeno v DiRROS: 13.02.2024; Ogledov: 1357; Prenosov: 1071
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6. Characterisation of a 3D-printed alkali-activated material based on waste mineral wool at room and elevated temperaturesMajda Pavlin, Barbara Horvat, Romana Cerc Korošec, Rok Capuder, Lidija Korat Bensa, Vilma Ducman, 2024, izvirni znanstveni članek Ključne besede: recycling, alkalijsko aktivirani materiali, 3D print, mineralna volna Objavljeno v DiRROS: 25.01.2024; Ogledov: 1469; Prenosov: 1087
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7. Quality control of thermally modified timber using dynamic vapor sorption (DVS) analysisMiha Humar, Rožle Repič, Davor Kržišnik, Boštjan Lesar, Romana Cerc Korošec, Christian Brischke, Lukas Emmerich, Gregor Rep, 2020, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: The importance of thermal modification is increasing worldwide. Increased use of thermally modified timber (TMT) has resulted in a need for reliable quality control, comprising control of variation of the production within defined limits, allowing third-party control in the case of certification and the regulation of customer complaints and claims. Techniques are thus needed to characterise the modification of quality in terms of improved target properties of TMT during industrial production, and of TMT products that have been in service for an arbitrary time. In this study, we aimed to utilise dynamic vapor sorption (DVS) for this purpose. Norway spruce (Picea abies) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica) samples were thermally modified at different temperatures according to different heat treatment techniques: (1) the Silvapro process based on an initial vacuum; (2) an air heat treatment, whereby samples were wrapped in aluminium foil; (3) thermal modification of wood samples in the ambient atmosphere in a laboratory oven. Wood samples from closed processes were analysed for validation. TMT was characterised with respect to mass loss, colour and density. Mass loss of wood due to modification (MLTM) was correlated with factors derived from DVS analysis. The present DVS measurements suggest that the equilibrium wood moisture content (EMC95% RH), the time to reach 10% wood moisture content (t10% MC), and the elongation factor, c, derived from a logarithmic function, can serve as alternative parameters to characterise the quality of several thermal modification processes. Further studies are recommended using other wood species, different modification processes and further parameters gained from DVS measurements to understand the robustness and the predictive power of the applied technique Ključne besede: thermal modification, quality control, dynamic vapour sorption, wood, moisture content Objavljeno v DiRROS: 31.08.2023; Ogledov: 1471; Prenosov: 923
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8. Metal and non-metal modified titania : the effect of phase composition and surface area on photocatalytic activityBoštjan Žener, Lev Matoh, Martin Reli, Andrijana Sever Škapin, Romana Cerc Korošec, 2022, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: The application of TiO 2 photocatalysis in various environmental fields has been extensively studied in the last decades due to its ability to induce the degradation of adsorbed organic pollutants. In the present work, TiO 2 powders doped and co-doped with sulfur and nitrogen and modified with platinum were prepared by particulate sol-gel synthesis. PXRD measurements revealed that the replacement of HCl with H 2SO4 during synthesis reduced the size of the crystallites from ~ 30 nm to ~20 nm, increasing the surface area from ~44 m2/g to ~80 m2/g. This is consistent with the photocatalytic activity of the samples and the measured photocurrent behavior of the photocatalysts. The results showed that the prop- erties of the powders (i.e., surface area, crystallite size, photocurrent behavior) depend strongly not only on the type but also on the amount of acid and dopants used in the synthesis. Doping, co-doping and modification of TiO 2 samples with nitrogen, sulfur and platinum increased their photocatalytic activity up to 6 times. Ključne besede: titanium dioxide, powders, doping, photocatalysis, photocurrent, SEM Objavljeno v DiRROS: 04.05.2023; Ogledov: 1468; Prenosov: 771
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9. Improved synthetic route of incorporation of nanosilicon species into phenol-formaldehyde resin and preparation of novel ZnAl-layered double-hydroxide hybrid phenol-formaldehyde resinAna Dremelj, Romana Cerc Korošec, Andreja Pondelak, Branka Mušič, 2022, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Hybrid phenol-formaldehyde (PF) resins represent one of the most important niche groups of binding systems for composites. New industrial needs, environmental requirements, and price fluctuations have led to further research on materials with enhanced mechanical and thermal properties. The preparation of novel hybrid materials can be achieved by inclusion of various elements or functional groups in the organic polymer phenolic framework. Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of a PF-based hybrid material with different nanoscale silicone species and ZnAl-layered double hydroxide (LDH). The main goals of this study were to improve the synthetic pathways of hybrid resin, as well as to prepare granulated composite materials and test samples and determine their characterization. Added inorganic species increased the glass-transition temperature by a minimum of 8 °C, which was determined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Rheological properties (melting viscosity and flow distance) of the hybrid resin were measured. The homogeneity of distribution of added species across the organic matrix was evaluated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). With synthesized new hybrid-binding systems, we prepared different granulated composite materials and evaluated them with the measurements of rheological properties (flow curing characteristics). Tensile strength of samples, prepared from granulated composite material, improved by more than 5%. Ključne besede: phenol-formaldehyde hybrid resins, nano-SiO2, ZnAl-LDH, composites, glass-transition temperature, mechanical properties Objavljeno v DiRROS: 03.05.2023; Ogledov: 1421; Prenosov: 899
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10. In-depth rheological characterization of tungsten sol-gel inks for inkjet printingUrša Opara Krašovec, Tjaša Vidmar, Marta Klanjšek Gunde, Romana Cerc Korošec, Lidija Slemenik Perše, 2022, izvirni znanstveni članek Ključne besede: rheology, inkjet printing, tungsten oxide, sol-gel Objavljeno v DiRROS: 11.02.2022; Ogledov: 1889; Prenosov: 1324
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