Jovana Ćirković

• PhD
• University of Belgrade

This study investigated the bioactivity of common ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) and manna ash (Fraxinus ornus L.) leaf extracts, both in the crude form and incorporated into a biopolymer matrix, against spongy moth (Lymantria dispar L.) larvae. Chemical analysis revealed that both species were abundant in polyphenolic compounds, with common ash conta...

The bioactivity of the Ailanthus altissima crude leaf extract (CLE) and a leaf extract incorporated into a biopolymer matrix (BPM) was tested against Lymantria dispar larvae. The crude leaf extracts and those incorporated into a chitosan–gelatin polymer matrix were examined in choice and non-choice assays at 0.01, 0.05, 0.5, and 1% concentrations f...

In this study, we performed cation substitutions at Bi-site (La3+) and Fe-site (Zr4+) to investigate their possible benefit for the ferroelectric properties of BiFeO3 ceramics. The cations with higher valence (Zr4+) ought to suppress the formation of structural defects during syntheses, such as oxygen vacancies and Fe2+. These defects are responsib...

A new formulation that gradually released encapsulated Thuja plicata essential oil (TPEO) as an active component from a biopolymer matrix within a given period was obtained. Antimicrobial activity was determined in in-vitro tests where pure TPEO successfully inhibited the development of different Phytophthora species. The TPEO essential oil was enc...

With the significant loss of biodiversity in the 20th and 21st century, pollution of air, soil, and water, alternatives to chemical pesticides are needed to preserve nature. One of the alternatives is the usage of plant components as pest insect control. They are an appropriate alternative to chemical pesticides as they are cost-effective, easy, an...

In this study, we report the influence of vanadium oxide (VO), as a photosensitive component, on the photoactivity of TiO2 nanotubes (TNTs). A series of TNTs of varying tube diameter were synthesized by the anodization of titanium foils at different voltages, while vanadium oxide was deposited on TNTs by wet chemical deposition. An improvement in t...

Due to the inability of conventional wastewater treatment procedures to remove organic pharmaceutical pollutants, active pharmaceutical components remain in wastewater and even reach tap water. In terms of pharmaceutical pollutants, the scientific community focuses on β-blockers due to their extensive (over)usage and moderately high solubility. In...

Thin copper selenide films were synthesized on polyamide sheets using the successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method at three different temperatures. It was found that elevating the temperature of the solution led to the creation of copper selenide films with different features. X-ray diffraction characterization revealed that al...

In this work by encapsulation technique we have synthetized three new clove bud essential oil (CEO) Emulsifiable Concentrate (EC) formulations depending on the carrier (synthetic zeolite- F-CSZ, nature zeolite- F-CNZ and gelatin- F-CG). The main idea was to develop an eco-friendly biopesticide that can find use in plant protection as an alternative...

This investigation was aimed to develop films and coatings based on natural biopolymers and active components, with physicochemical and functional properties for application in antimicrobial packaging. Biopolymer films were obtained from emulsions and dispersions by casting method. Coatings were formed by the application of emulsions on existing pa...

We present the synthesis and photocatalytic properties of mixed‐phase TiO2 nanoparticles decorated with silver nanodots obtained by environmental‐friendly wet chemical method using low molecular weight chitosan as the silver reducing agent. Structural analysis of synthesized Ag nanoparticles revealed that they crystallized in a rare hexagonal modif...

In this paper two methods of preparation of yttrium orthovanadate nanopowders were presented: Solid State Reaction (top – down approach) and Solution Combustion Synthesis (bottom – up approach). For starting structural characterization, X – Ray Powder Diffraction (XPRD) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) were used. We report th...

Four silver-based coordination polymers, {[Ag(L1)2]NO3}∞(1), {[Ag(L1)2]ClO4}∞(2), {[Ag(L2)2]NO3·H2O}∞(3) and {[Ag(L2)2]ClO4}∞(4), were synthesized using the thiomorpholine-4-carbonitrile (L1) and piperazine-1,4-dicarbonitrile (L2) ligands. Compounds1and2are two-dimensional, while3and4are three-dimensional. L1 and L2 are 1,4-bis-monodentate ligands...

This paper presents a systematic study on the photocatalytic activity of single-phase BiFeO3 (BFO) nanopowder, under the simulated solar irradiation in the presence of highly polluting textile dye (Mordant Blue 9). BFO nanopowder was synthesized by the means of the ultrasound-assisted sol-gel route. The structural and morphology analyses confirmed...

The study reported the development of biodegradable, environment- and eco-friendly material based on natural polymers and lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus L.) essential oil (LEO) for application as a green pesticide. The insecticidal effect of an emulsion composed of encapsulated LEO into a biopolymer matrix against the potato tuber moth (Phthorimae...

Titanium dioxide is a photocatalyst, known not only for its ability to oxidize organic contaminants, but also for its antimicrobial properties. In this article, significant enhancement of the antimicrobial activity of TiO2 (up to 32 times) was demonstrated after its activation by ball milling. The antimicrobial activity was analyzed for one fungal...

Bismuth ferrite, BiFeO3, was doped with a wide range of concentrations (0–30%) of Gd in order to investigate structural, ferroelectric, and magnetic properties and their correlation. Powder samples of Bi1-xGdxFeO3 (x = 0.00–0.30) were prepared using the hydro-evaporation synthesis method. Sintering process at 870 °C for 6 h of as-prepared, Gd doped...

In this paper, we describe synthesis and characterization of YVO4 and Eu3+‐doped YVO4 nanopowders. Two methods of preparation were used—solution combustion synthesis (SCS) and classical ceramic method (CCM)—and compared. Morphology and structure of all samples were characterized with atomic‐force microscopy (AFM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and field...

In this paper we present photoluminescence measurements of CdSe nanoparticles embedded in transparent glass. Sample is prepared using an original technique, which combines both heat treatment and ultraviolet laser irradiation. Photoluminescence spectra displayed one main emission band at 2.14 eV. We identify this bands energy as basic interband tra...

In this work we present simple chemical method for preparation of Ag/TiO2 nanoparticle composites and investigate their photocatalytic performance under visible and UV-enriched irradiation sources. The coupling of metallic additives with TiO2 (anatase, rutile or mixed phase tetragonal structures), results in extension of the absorption range, highe...

Bulk ceramic samples of BiFeO3 were light doped (up to 1%) with Nb⁵⁺ in the place of Fe³⁺ (B-site doping) and their multiferroic properties were investigated using XRD, SEM, polarization (PMTS) and magnetization (SQUID) techniques. It is shown that even the small percentages of doping can notably change electric and magnetic behavior. Electric cond...

One-dimensional (1D) TiO2 nanotubes perpendicular to the substrate were obtained by electrochemical oxidation of titanium foil in an acid electrolyte. In order to alter the crystallinity and the morphology of films the as-anodized amorphous TiO2 nanotube films were sintered at elevated temperatures. The evolution of the morphology was visualized vi...

In this work we present simple synthetic route with low energy requirements, designed to produce high surface area titania (TiO2) photocatalyst. Method involves usage of titanium(IV)-isopropoxide and chitosan, a polysaccharide rarely utilized in ceramics-related research. Thorough characterization of the obtained powders was conducted using several...

Thin films of CuSe2 nanoparticles embedded in selenium matrix were prepared by vacuum evaporation method on a glass substrate at room temperature. The optical properties of the films were investigated by photoluminescence spectroscopy (T = 20-300K) and UV-VIS spectroscopy (T = 300K). Surface morphology was investigated by scanning electron microsco...

Copper selenide thin films of three different thicknesses have been prepared by vacuum evaporation method on a glass substrate at room temperature. The optical properties of the films were investigated by UV–VIS–NIR spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Surface morphology was investigated by field-emission scanning electron microscopy. C...

Visible-light active mesoporous N,S-doped and co-doped anatase TiO2 powders were synthesized by non-hydrolytic sol-gel route, starting from TiCl4 and Ti((OPr)-Pr-i)(4) dissolved in cyclohexane or dimethyl sulfoxide, later used as a S-doping agent. After drying in an inert atmosphere, the gels were annealed at 500 degrees C for 3 h, in air or ammoni...

BiFeO3 powders were synthesized by sonochemically assisted hydrothermal and hydro-evaporation methods. The X-ray diffraction confirmed the presence of secondary phases, Bi25FeO39 and Bi2Fe4O9, in as prepared BiFeO3 powders. Optimization of sintering conditions indicated that temperature of 800 °C and time of 2 h after pressing at 9 t/cm2 provided c...

Bismuth ferrite, BiFeO3 (BFO), powder was synthesized by hydrothermal method from Bi(NO3)3•5H2O and Fe(NO3)3•9H2O as precursors. The synthesized powder was further sintered using spark plasma sintering (SPS). The sintering conditions were optimized in order to achieve high density, minimal amount of secondary phases and improved ferroelectric andma...

Ordered titania nanotubes (pore diameter E 90 nm and wall thickness E 10 nm) were obtained by the anodization technique and used for the ex-situ deposition of cadmium sulfide quantum dots (CdS QDs) via simple immersion of titania substrates in the CdS colloid. The colloidal dispersion of CdS nanoparticles in water was obtained in the presence of th...

Ba0.8Sr0.2TiO3 (BST) powder, obtained by a hydrothermal treatment of precursor solution previously prepared by complex polymerization method (HT-CPM), was uniaxially pressed and sintered at 1280 °C for 1-32 h. The sintering effect on structural parameters, phase composition, dielectric and ferroelectric properties was investigated. Rietveld refinem...

BaCe0.9Eu0.1O2.95 (BCE) nanopowder was synthesized by citric-nitric autocombustion method. Rietveld refinement analysis showed that unit cell volume was slightly larger compared with the most known BaCe0.9Y0.1O2.95, which might contribute to higher proton mobility. Sinterability of BaCeO3 is also enhanced by doping with Eu, since dense single-phase...

Nano- (30-60 nm) and submicron (100-350 nm) ZnO particles were synthesized using solvothermal method at 200 degrees C from an ethanolic solution of zinc acetate dihydrate, applying different reaction conditions, i.e., pH value of precursor and time of the reaction. The X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), t...

Barium strontium titanate was obtained by hydrothermal treatment of barium strontium titanate citric precursor solution, previously prepared by complex polymerization method. The thermally induced phase evolution was followed at various temperatures up to 800 °C using thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis,...

Barium strontium titanate was obtained by hydrothermal treatment of barium strontium titanate citric precursor solution, previously prepared by complex polymerization method. The thermally induced phase evolution was followed at various temperatures up to 800 �C using thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis,...