The 14th Global Conference on Materials Science and Engineering
(CMSE 2025)

Abstract: To be updated

Abstract: The hardness of the contact surface of carbonitrided JIS-SCM420 low-alloy steel is higher than that of carburized one after the rolling-sliding contact fatigue test, which shows the greater resistance of the former to temper softening. The tangential force decreases until 1.0 × 10⁴ cycles and then increases gradually. Tribofilms are formed after 10⁴ cycles, and these cycles are fitted to the transition of the tangential forces. In the subzero-treated material, a crack formed vertically from a horizontal crack in the interior to the contact surface. The depth at which the horizontal crack formed corresponds to the maximum-shear-stress regime. In addition to the maximum-shear-strain regime, severe plastic deformation may generate horizontal microcracks in the interior of the specimen. Subsequently, the crack can propagate vertically to the rolling surface, where tensile stress is exerted, thus opening the subsurface crack. In the non-subzero-treated material, cracks formed on the surface and are connected to voids in the interior of the specimen. Solid dissolved nitrogen can create N₂ gas voids that change the direction of crack propagation.

Abstract: Flavins have emerged as promising photocatalysts for organic transformations, yet their practical application faces significant challenges, including synthetic accessibility, photostability, solubility, and tunable redox properties. We aims to establish general design principles for sustainable, high-performance flavin derivatives tailored for photocatalysis. By systematically exploring structural variations, we investigate how modifications to the flavin core—such as isoalloxazines, alloxazines, and deazaflavins—impact key properties like absorption spectra, triplet state energetics, and singlet oxygen generation. Our approach integrates experimental studies with quantum chemical calculations to optimize photophysical and redox properties, enabling the use of mild visible light sources and enhancing catalytic efficiency.

A major focus is on tuning singlet oxygen production for selective oxygenation reactions while minimizing unwanted side reactions. We also explore strategies to extend absorption into the red region, enabling photocatalysis with low-energy light and reducing substrate degradation. Additionally, we address photobleaching and stability issues by optimizing flavin structures and exploring alternative oxidants for catalyst regeneration. The results highlight the potential of tailored flavin derivatives for diverse photocatalytic applications, including sulfoxidations, benzylic oxidations, and energy-transfer cycloadditions. This work provides a roadmap for the rational design of flavin-based photocatalysts, bridging the gap between fundamental research and practical implementation in sustainable chemistry.

Keywords: Flavins, spectroscopy, photocatalysis, photochemistry, singlet oxygen

Acknowledgements: This work was supported by the Czech Science Foundation (Grant No 24-11386K) and by the research grant WEAVE-UNISONO UMO-2023/05/Y/ST4/00062, from The National Science Centre of Poland (NCN).

Abstract: Nanostructured materials evolved to a wider range of applications with the present progres of nanoscience and nanotechnologies, from medical to industrial, and from sensing to laser particle acceleration. While surface to volume ratio is getting larger, nanostructure dominant properties tends to be the morphology and surface related characteristics. Thus, we could talk about adsorption, catalytic processes and surface morphology related applications. A new cutting edge morphology related application of such nanostructured surfaces is particle acceleration by laser interaction with nanostructured materials. In recent years, High-Power lasers acceleration, particularly from thin metalic targets, become a competitor of clasic particle accelerators, and nanostructured targets have already proved their role in improving electron extraction efficiency by laser beams. However, if nanoporous materials, easier (and cheaper) to be produced, have already been started to show their process enhancement potential, crystaline matrials and aligned nanostructure areas are still on their beginning. Starting from oxide single-crystal nanowire layers previously used in different other applications (e.g. sensors, solar cells) and crystaline substrates, we explore here the possibility of using such ‘targets’ in laser particles acceleration. Preliminary simulations data on electron transport through such surfaces are compared with experimental data obtained from an electron beam of a classic accelerator, for a better understanding of laser acceleration elementary processes from such targets. Some preliminary laser acceleration tests were also performed and some results are presented and discussed here, with a particular focus on the laser extracted charge and generated electromagnetic fields, in corelation with the target properties.

Keywords: ZnO nanowires, nanostructured targets, laser acceleration, electron beam

Acknowledgements: We acknowledge funds from Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitization / Institute of Atomic Physics from the National Research-Development and Innovation Plan III, through ELI-RO 30/2024 project and support of National Interest Infrastructure facility IOSIN—CETAL at INFLPR.

Abstract: A new dye-sensitized photovoltaic solar cell based on Nd₂Ru₂O₇ (NRO) pyrochlore was elaborated in the new stack materials Glass/FTO/TiO₂/Nd₂Ru₂O₇/hibiscus/Pt/FTO/Glass configuration and was characterized. Nd₂Ru₂O₇ pyrochlore oxide was elaborated as mesoporous nanoparticles dispersed in dimethylformamide (DMF) and deposited via spin coating onto the compact TiO₂ compact layer previously deposited on FTO-coated glass substrate. Hibiscus sabdariffa was used as absorbent dye on the NRO photoanode. The optical properties of the films showed highly performance of ~ 70% absorbance and a transmittance below ~ 50%. Dye-impregnated photoanodes have a high absorbance that covers the visible-IR spectral range (360 nm –1000 nm). These assembled photoanode materials give an open-circuit voltage Voc of 2.86 V. The efficiency of the natural dye solar cell (DSSC-N) with the new NRO photoanode increased by a factor of 1.35 compared with the simple TiO2 based solar cell reported in the literature. In this study, we present a novel configuration employing a natural dye extracted from hibiscus sabdariffa petals (from west Africa), integrated within a multilayered structure of FTO/TiO₂/Nd₂Ru₂O₇. Remarkably, our investigation has yielded a significant breakthrough, achieving an impressive energy conversion efficiency of 10.24%. Our study not only contributes to the fundamental understanding of DSSCs but also holds significant implications for practical applications in renewable energy technologies. Through a comprehensive analysis encompassing fabrication processes, characterization techniques, and performance evaluations, we provide valuable insights into the potential of our innovative solar cell design to address pressing energy challenges in the twenty-first century. Importantly, all these findings are original, showcasing the effectiveness of our novel approach for enhancing the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells.