Martyna Marchelek (UG) in National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) in Tsukuba

I spent 2 months (from 26 of March to 2 of June 2014) in National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) working on third generation nanocomposites. It was my second travel there in the project. During my visit I was investigated morphology of over fifty samples (such as KTaO₃+CdS+MoS₂ and KTaO₃+SrTiO₃+CdSe) prepared previously in Poland via hydrothermal method. The nanomaterials were synthesized in stainless-steel autoclave under room temperature and appropriate pressure. The synthesis conditions were chosen depending on the nanocomposites configurations.

In NIES I focused on characterization photocatalysts using analytical methods like X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and BET surface area.

The photocatalytic activities of samples will be continued in Poland. The photoactivity of semicoductors will be measured in the gaseous phase (toluene degradation) and liquid phase (phenol degradation).

I also had an opportunity to listen to a lecture presented by Guenter Oberdoerster, D.V.M., Ph.D. from University of Rochester Medical Center in USA: “Comparative risk assessment of airborne nanomaterials: analyzing exporure – dose – response relationships”.

My visit in Japan was one of the most important experiences during my PhD studies. In Tsukuba I had  great time and great opportunity to practice my scientific communication in international research group.