Laboratory for Surface Science

• Prof. Mladen Petravić (retired)
• Prof. Gabriela Ambrožić, PhD
• Prof. Aleš Omerzu, PhD
• Assoc. Prof. Ivana Jelovica Badovinac, PhD
• Assoc. Prof. Ivna Kavre Piltaver, PhD
• Assoc. Prof. Iva Šarić Janković, PhD
• Assist. Prof. Maria Kolympadi Markovic, PhD
• Daria Jardas Babić, PhD
• Karlo Veličan
• Mattea Mačkić Jovanović

Main research topics at the Laboratory for Surface Science include:

Growth of thin oxide layers on metal or alloy surfaces by low-energy ion implantation

Ion-induced oxidation is a viable alternative to thermal oxidation of metals as it eliminates the need for elevated temperatures. In our studies, we use low-energy oxygen bombardment (with O₂⁺ ions in the energy range of 0.5-5 keV) for the oxidation of various metals (chromium, cobalt, nickel, iron, titanium, molybdenum) or alloys (nitinol, cobalt-chromium-molybdenum). X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) is an ideal method to determine the chemical state of a certain element on the sample surface and to calculate the relative concentration of a certain oxidation state. We compare our experimental results with the different theoretical models of metal oxidation to determine the kinetics of oxide growth on the metal surface.

XPS spectra around the Auger Cu LMM line obtained by irradiating a Cu metal foil with 1 keV O₂⁺ ions for different bombardment times. The experimental curves are represented by closed circles, while the solid and dashed lines represent numerical fits.

Characterization of impurities and point defects in semiconductor or insulating films

During the synthesis of semiconductor or insulating films by various deposition techniques (e.g. atomic layer deposition or magnetron sputtering deposition), some impurities always remain in the matrix of the materials (e.g. hydrogen in zinc oxide or chlorine in titanium dioxide). In some cases, certain concentrations of foreign atoms (dopants) are also deliberately introduced during the growth of the material in order to influence the properties of the final material. The concentration and type of impurities or dopants can play a key role in the properties of the materials, e.g. conductivity or optical absorption. Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) can detect very low concentrations of impurities in the material and determine their depth profile (distribution) in the sample. On the other hand, XPS can be used to determine the chemical bonding of a specific element in the material.

SIMS depth profile of ZnO film grown on Si substrate showing the distribution of Cu dopant atoms in the film

SIMS depth profile of ZnO film grown on Si substrate, showing the distribution of intrinsic hydrogen impurities in the film

Analysis of the surfaces of materials modified by chemical or physical techniques

Chemical and physical techniques are an effective means of altering the surface or forming a thin passive film on the surface of a material. For example, the growth of tin sulfide on the surface of tin or nickel oxide or hydroxide on nickel can be achieved very successfully by electrochemical methods by exposing the metals mentioned to electrolytic solutions. Various deposition techniques (e.g. atomic layer deposition or magnetron sputtering deposition) can be used to efficiently deposit thin films on the surface of various materials. The techniques used in our laboratory determine the chemical composition and thickness of the thin films grown on metal and ceramic surfaces.

XPS spectrum around the 2p atomic level of calcium recorded on hydroxyapatite (HA) film grown on Mg-Al-Zn alloy. The experimental curves are represented by closed circles, while the solid and dashed lines represent numerical fits.

Controlled reduction of transition metal oxide surfaces by bombardment with low-energy ions

The bombardment of transition metal oxide surfaces with low-energy ions can lead to the formation of new oxides or chemical compounds. Transition metal ions can change to lower oxidation states or atoms from the ion beam can bond with elements in the material matrix and form new compounds. Using the XPS technique, we can observe in situ changes on the surface of transition metal oxides caused by bombarding materials with various low-energy ions (Ar⁺, H₂⁺, N₂⁺,…)

XPS spectra around the 4f atomic levels of tungsten oxide (WO₃) obtained by irradiating WO₃ sample with 2 keV H₂⁺ ions for different bombardment times. The experimental curves are represented by closed circles, while the solid and dashed lines represent numerical fits.

Publications of the Laboratory for Surface Science in the last seven years

1. I. Jelovica Badovinac, I. Kavre Piltaver, L. Črep, D. Jardas Babić, I. Šarić Janković, K. Veličan, K. Salamon, M. Kocijan, M. Podlogar, N. Gračanin, J. Lazarević, M. Knez, R. Peter, Synergistic enhancement of solar photocatalysis in ALD-grown TiO2-Cu composite films, Surfaces and Interfaces 73, 107570 (2025).
2. R. Peter, S. Kralj, I. Prološčić, M. Perčić, M. Kocijan, D. Jardas Babić, I. Šarić Janković, B. Jaklič, I. Kavre Piltaver, Ultra-thin ZnO coatings on microstructured γ-Fe2O3 thin films prepared by atomic layer deposition for enhanced photocatalysis, Materials Chemistry and Physics 346, 131373 (2025).
3. I. Ðurasović, R. Peter, G. Dražić, F. Faraguna, R. Anelić, M. Marciuš, T. Jurkin, V. Mohaček Grošev, M. Gracheva, Z. Klencsár, M. Ivanda, G.Štefanić, M. Gotić, Catalytically Active Oxidized PtOx Species on SnO2 Supports Synthesized via Anion Exchange Reaction for 4-Nitrophenol Reduction, Nanomaterials 15(15), 1159 (2025).
4. D. Jardas Babić, R. Peter, K. Salamon, D. Vengust, T. Radošević, M. Podlogar, A. Omerzu, Relation between structural and photocatalytic properties of thin ZnO films synthesised by plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition, Ceramics International (in press), 10.1016/j.ceramint.2025.07.068
5. D. Jardas Babić, R. Peter, M. Perčić, K. Salamon, D. Vengust, T. Radošević, M. Podlogar, A. Omerzu, Photocatalytic Properties of Thin ZnO Films Synthesised with Plasma-Enhanced Atomic Layer Deposition at Room Temperature, Vacuum 240, 114504 (2025).
6. M. Tkalcevic, M. Bubas, J. Sancho-Parramon, I. Perisa, K. Salamon, S. Bernstorff, I. Bogdanović Radović, G. Provatas, R. Peter, M. Mičetić, Ge and Core/Shell Ge/Al Quantum Dot Lattices in Amorphous SiC Matrix for Application in Photo-and Thermosensitive Devices, ACS Applied Nano Materials 8(20), 10395–10408 (2025).
7. K. Salamon, T. Sharifi, V. Kojić, R. Peter, N. Krstulović, Surface state-driven photoelectrochemical water oxidation enhancement in reactively co-sputtered Mo-doped BiVO4 photoanodes, Electrochimica Acta 531, 146357 (2025).
8. K. Ashurbekova, B. Alonso-Lerma, K. Ashurbekova, A. Muriqi, L. Barandiaran, I. Saric Jankovic, E. Modin, J. I. Santos, R. Perez-Jimenez, M. Petravic, M. Nolan, M. Knez, Growing Hybrid Cuticles: Metallochitins as an Emerging Family of Bioactive Mimics of Chitin, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 17(6), 10118–10128 (2025).
9. I. Jelovica Badovinac, R. Peter, Ales Omerzu, K. Velican, I. Kavre Piltaver, Effect of substrate and film thickness on structural and photocatalytic properties of ZnO thin films, Materials Science Forum 1145, 3–4 (2025).
10. I. Kavre Piltaver, R. Peter, K. Salamon, N. Lazarević, J. Lazarević, M. Mičetić, M. Petravić, Hydrogen Incorporation and Reduction of Oxidation States in WO3 Thin Films Irradiated with Low-Energy H2+ Ions, Materials Science Forum 1145, 25–38 (2025).
11. R. Peter, A. Omerzu, K. Velican, K. Salamon, M. Podlogar, I. Jelovica Badovinac, I. Kavre Piltaver, D. Jardas, M. Petravic, Functionalization of TiO₂ Surfaces with Copper Oxide Nanograins Grown by Atomic Layer Deposition for Enhanced Visible-Light Photocatalysis, Key Engineering Materials 1008, 15–26 (2025).
12. I. Kavre Piltaver, R. Peter, K. Salamon, M. Micetic, M. Petravic, In Situ X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy Study of Initial Stages of Tungsten Trioxide Reduction by Low-Energy Hydrogen Bombardment, The Journal of Physical Chemistry C 128 (12), 2024, 5345–5354.
13. K. Ashurbekova, E. Modin, H. Hano, K. Ashurbekova, I. Šarić, R. Peter, M. Petravić, A. Chuvilin, A. Abdulagatov, M. Knez, In Situ Investigation of Thermally Induced Surface Grapheniztion of Polymer-Derived Ceramic (PDC) Coatings from Molecular Layer (MLD) Deposited Silicon-Based Preceramic Thin Films, Chemistry of Materials, 35, 8092-8100 (2023).
14. O. Yurkevich, E. Modin, I. Šarić, R. Peter, M. Petravić, M. Knez, Introducing a Robust Flexible Conductive Hybrid: Indium Oxide-ParyleneC Obtained by Vapor Phase Infiltration, Chemistry of Materials, 35, 7529-7541 (2023).
15. T. Sharifi, K. Salamon, M. Bohač, R. Peter, T. Čižmar, M. Petravić, K. Juraić, I. Grčić, A. Gajović, Photocatalytic properties of semi-transparent WxTi1-xO2 thin films for water treatment, Catalysis Today, 413-415, 113904 (2023).
16. Marić, G. Dražić, E. Radin, R. Peter, M. Škarabić, T. Jurkin, A. Pustak, N. Baran, L. Mikac, M. Ivanda et al. Impact of platinum loading and dispersion on the catalytic activity of Pt/SnO2 and Pt/a-Fe2O3, Applied surface science, 607, 155073 (2023).
17. R. Peter, A. Omerzu, I. Kavre Piltaver, R. Speranza, K. Salamon, M. Podlogar, K. Velican, M. Percic, M. Petravic, Large enhancement of visible light photocatalytic efficiency of ZnO films doped in-situ by copper during atomic layer deposition growth, Ceramics International 49, 35229-35238 (2023).
18. Đurasović, G. Štefanić, G. Dražić, R. Peter, Z. Klencsár, M. Marciuš, T. Jurkin, M. Ivanda, S. Stichleutner, M. Gotić, Microwavw-Assisted Synthesis of Pt/SnO2 for the Catalytic Reduction of 4-Nitrophenol to 4-Aminophenol, Nanomaterials 13 (17), 2481 (2023).
19. D. Čakara, R. Peter, M. Finšgar, Optical Properties and Formation of Corrosion Inhibitor Films at the Cu/Cu2O/H2O Interface, Surfaces and interfaces, 32, 1021108 (2022).
20. M. Tkalčević, D. Boršak, I. Periša, I. Bogdanović-Radović, I. Šarić Janković, M. Petravić, S. Bernstorff, M. Mičetić, Multiple exciton generation in 3D ordered networks of Ge quantum wires in alumina matrix, Materials, 15, 5353, 11 (2022).
21. O. Yurkevich, E. Modin, I. Šarić, M. Petravić, M. Knez, Entropy-Driven Self-Healing of Metal Oxides Assisted by Polymer-Inorganic Hybrid Materials, Adv. Mater., 2202989 (2022).
22. Ž. Petrović, A. Šarić, I. Despotović, J. Katić, R. Peter, M. Petravić, M. Ivanda, M. Petković, Surface Functionalisation of Dental Implants with a Composite Coating of Alendronate and Hydrolysed Collagen: DFT and EIS Studies, Materials, 15, 5127 (2022).
23. K. Ashurbekova, K. Ashurbekova, B. Alonso-Lerma, I. Šarić, L. Barandiaran, E. Modin, M. Petravić, R. Perez-Jimenez, M. Knez, Biocompatible Silicon-Based Hybrid Nanolayers for Functionalization of Complex Surface Morphologies, ACS. Appl. Nano Mater., 5, 2, 2762-2768 (2022).
24. M. Vrankić, A. Šarić, T. Nakagawa, Y. Ding, I. Despotović, L. Kanižaj, H. Ishii, N. Hiraoka, G. Dražić, D. Lützenkirchen-Hecht, R. Peter, M. Petravić, Pressure-induced and flaring photocatalytic diversity of ZnO particles hallmarked by finely tuned pathways, J. Alloy Compd., 894, 162444 (2022).
25. G. Ondrašek, I. Jelovica Badovinac, R. Peter, M. Petravić, J. Macan, Z. Rengel, Humates and Chlorides Synergistically Increase Cd Phytoaccumulation in Strawberry Fruits, Heightening Health Risk from Cd in Human Diet, Exposure and Health, 14, 393–410 (2022).
26. S. Mežnarić, I. Jelovica Badovinac, I. Šarić, R. Peter, M. Kolympadi Markovic, G. Ambrožić, Ivana Gobin, Superior UVA-photocatalytic antibacterial activity of a double-layer ZnO/Al2O3 thin film grown on cellulose by atomic layer deposition (ALD), J. Environ. Chem. Eng., 10, 108095 (2022).
27. I. Šarić, M. Kolympadi Markovic, R. Peter, P. Linić, K. Wittine, I. Kavre Piltaver, I. Jelovica Badovinac, D. Marković, M. Knez, G. Ambrožić, In-situ multi-step pulsed vapor phase surface functionalization of zirconia nanoparticles via copper-free click chemistry, Appl. Surf. Sci, 539, 148254, 10 (2021).
28. K. Ashurbekova, K. Ashurbekova, I. Saric, E. Modin, M. Petravic, I. Abdulagatov, A. Abdulagatov, M. Knez, Radical-triggered cross-linking for molecular layer deposition of SiAlCOH hybrid thin films, ChemComm, 57, 2160-2163(2021).
29. K. Ashurbekova, K. Ashurbekova, I. Saric, M. Gobbi, E. Modin, A. Chuvilin, M. Petravic, I. Abdulagatov, M. Knez, Ultrathin Hybrid SiAlCOH Dielectric Films through Ring-Opening Molecular Layer Deposition of Cyclic Tetrasiloxane, Chem. Mater., 33, 1022-1030 (2021).
30. A. Omerzu, R. Peter, D. Jardas, I. Turel, K. Salamon, M. Podlogar, D. Vengust, I. Jelovica Badovinac, I. Kavre Piltaver, M. Petravic, Large enhancement of photocatalytic activity in ZnO thin films grown by plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition, Surfaces and Interfaces, 23, 100984 (2021).
31. R. Peter, M. Petravić, Initial stages of oxide formation on copper surfaces during oxygen bombardment at room temperature, J. Phys. Chem. C, 125, 25290–25297 (2021).
32. G. Ondrašek, F. Kranjčec, L. Filipović, V. Filipović, M. Bubalo Kovačić, I. Jelovica Badovinac, R. Peter, M. Petravić, J. Macan, Z. Rengel, Biomass bottom ash & dolomite similarly ameliorate an acidic low-nutrient soil, improve phytonutrition and growth, but increase Cd accumulation in radish, Sci. Total Environ. 753, 141902 (2021).
33. G. Ambrožić, M. Kolympadi Markovic, R. Peter, I. Kavre Piltaver, I. Jelovica Badovinac, Duško Čakara, D. Marković, M. Knez, Building organosilica hybrid nanohemispheres via thiol-ene click reaction on alumina thin films deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD), J. Colloid Interface Sci. 560 (2020).
34. M. K. Markovic, R. Peter, I. Jelovica Badovinac, I. Sarić, M. Perčić, R. Radičić, D. Marković, M. Knez, G. Ambrožić, ‘Sandwich’-like hybrid ZnO thin filmsproduced by a combination of atomic layer deposition and wet-chemistry using a mercapto silane as single organic precursor, Nanotechnology 31,185603 (2020).
35. R. Peter, K. Salamon, A. Omerzu, J. Grenzer, I. Jelovica Badovinac, I. Šarić, M. Petravić, Role of Hydrogen-Related Defects in Photocatalytic Activity of ZnO Films Grown by Atomic Layer Deposition, J. Phys. Chem. C 124, 8861–8868 (2020).
36. I. Jelovica Badovinac, R. Peter, A. Omerzu, K. Salamon, I. Šarić, A. Samaržija, M. Perčić, I. Kavre Piltaver, G. Ambrožić, M. Petravić, Grain size effect on photocatalytic activity of TiO2 thin films grown by atomic layer deposition, Thin Solid Films 709, 138215 (2020).
37. Ž. Petrović, A. Šarić, I. Despotović, J. Katić, R. Peter, M. Petravić, M. Petković, A New Insight into Coating’s Formation Mechanism Between TiO2 and Alendronate on Titanium Dental Implant, Materials 13, 3220 (2020).
38. M. Tkalčević, L. Basioli, K. Salamon, I. Šarić, J.S. Parramon, M. Bubaš, I. Bogdanović-Radović, S. Bernstorff, Z. Fogarassy, K. Balázsi, M. Petravić, M. Mičetić, Ge quantum dot lattices in alumina prepared by nitrogen assisted deposition: Structure and photoelectric conversion efficiency, Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells 218,110722 (2020).
39. K. Ashurbekova, K. Ashurbekova, I. Šarić, E. Modin, M. Petravić, I. Abdulagatov, A. Abdulagatov, M. Knez, Molecular layer deposition of hybrid siloxane thin films by ring opening of cyclic trisiloxane (V3D3) andazasilane, Chem. Commun. 56, 8778-8781 (2020).
40. M. Fenero, M. Knez, I. Saric, M. Petravic, H. Grande, J. Palenzuela, Omniphobic Etched Aluminum Surfaces with Anti-Icing Ability, Langmuir, 36, 37, 10916-10922 (2020).
41. I. Jelovica Badovinac, I. Kavre Piltaver, R. Peter, I. Šarić, M. Petravić, Formation of oxides on CoCrMo surfaces at room temperature: An XPS study, Appl.Surf.Sci. 471, 475 (2019).
42. I. Šarić, R. Peter, M.K. Markovic, I. Jelovica Badovinac, C. Rogero, M. Ilyn, M. Knez, G. Ambrožić, Introducing the concept of pulsed vapor phase copper-free surface click-chemistry using the ALD technique, Chem. Commun. 55, 3109-3112 (2019).
43. K. Salamon, M. Mičetić, J. Sancho-Parramon, I. Bogdanović Radović, Z. Siketić, I. Šarić, M. Petravić, B. Bernstorff, -TaON thin films: production by reactive magnetron sputtering and the question of non-stoichiometry, J. Phys. D. 52, 30 (2019).
44. N. Nekić, I. Šarić, K. Salamon, L. Basioli, J. Sancho-Parramon, J. Grenzer, R. Hübner, S. Bernstorff, M. Petravić, M. Mičetić, Preparation of non-oxidized Ge quantum dot lattices in amorphous Al2O3, Si3N4 and SiC matrices, Nanotechnology 30, 33 (2019).
45. M. Vrankić, A. Šarić, S. Bosnar, D. Pajić, J. Dragović, A. Altomare, A. Falcicchio, J. Popović, M. Jurić, M. Petravić, I. Jelovica Badovinac, G. Dražić, Magnetic oxygen stored in quasi-1D form within BaAl2O4 lattice, SciRep, 9, 15158 (2019).
46. A. Omerzu, I. Šarić, I. Kavre Piltaver, M.Petravić, T. Kapun, J. Zuleb, S. Stifter, K. Salamon, Prevention of spontaneous combustion of cellulose with a thin protective Al2O3 coating formed by atomic layer deposition, Surf.Coat.Techn. 333, 81 (2018).
47. I. Šarić, R. Peter, I. Kavre Piltaver, I. Jelovica Badovinac, K. Salamon, M.Petravić, Residual chlorine in TiO2 films grown at low temperatures by plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition, Thin Solid Films 628, 142 (2017).
48. I. Kavre Piltaver, R. Peter, I. Šarić, K. Salamon, I. Jelovica Badovinac, K. Koshmak, S. Nannarone, I. Delač Marion, M.Petravić, Controlling the grain size of polycrystalline TiO2 films grown by atomic layer deposition, Appl. Surf. Sci. 419, 564 (2017).
49. S. Kraljević Pavelić, V. Micek, A. Filošević, D. Gumbarević, P. Žurga, A. Bulog, T. Orct, Y. Yamamoto, T. Preočanin, J. Plavec, R. Peter, M. Petravić, D. Vikić-Topić, K.Pavelić, Novel, oxygenated clinoptilolite material efficiently removes aluminium from aluminium chloride-intoxicated rats in vivo, Micropor.Mesoporous Materials 249, 146 (2017).
50. J. Katić, M. Metikoš-Hukovića, I. Šarić, M. Petravić, Electronic structure and redox behavior of tin sulfide films potentiostatically formed on tin, J. Electrochem. Soc. 164, C383 (2017).
51. R. Peter, I. Šarić, I. Kavre Piltaver, I. Jelovica Badovinac, M.Petravić, Oxide formation on chromium metal surfaces by low-energy oxygen implantation at room temperature, Thin Solid Films 636, 225 (2017).
52. R. Peter, I. Šarić, M.Petravić, Enhanced Oxidation of Nickel at Room Temperature by Low-energy Oxygen Implantation, Croat. Chem. Acta 90, 2 (2017).
53. I. Kavre Piltaver, I. Jelovica Badovinac, R. Peter, I. Šarić, M.Petravić, Modification of molybdenum surface by low-energy oxygen implantation at room temperature, Appl. Surf. Sc. 425, 416 (2017).
54. K. Salamon, M. Buljan, I. Šarić, M. Petravić, S. Bernstorff, Ta2N3 nanocrystals grown in Al2O3 thin layers, Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 8, 2162 (2017).