Institute of Inorganic Chemistry
Topic
Development and application of biochar-modified geopolymer composites for environmental protection
PhD. program
inorganic technology and materials
Year of admission
2026
Name of the supervisor
Ing. Michal Slaný, PhD.
Contact:
Receiving school
Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology STU
Annotation
Environmental pollution is a global problem with adverse impacts on human health and the functioning of ecosystems. A major consequence is the contamination of environmental compartments through the accumulation of various contaminants from anthropogenic sources. The work will focus on the development of inorganic geopolymer composites modified with biochar, based on calcined or mechanochemically activated clay precursors, intended for the stabilization and immobilization of contaminants. Biochar will be used as a modifying component influencing the microstructure, surface chemistry, and the availability of sorption active sites within the inorganic geopolymer matrix. The research will include the evaluation of the sorption potential and adsorption properties of the prepared powder form composites under controlled conditions. The developed materials will be comprehensively characterized in terms of phase composition, structure, microstructure, and surface characteristics in order to confirm successful preparation of the geopolymer composites and to elucidate the mechanisms of adsorption, binding, stabilization, and immobilization of contaminants. This work will contribute to the design of sustainable geopolymer composite materials for environmental technologies and the remediation of polluted environments.