Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry and Electrochemistry RCH1

At the Faculty of Chemistry of the Silesian University of Technology, a new project entitled
“Evaluation of the Possibility of Improving the Surface Properties of Copper Alloys with Zinc and Nickel Additions via Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation”
has been launched. The project is funded under the programme “Support for Students in Enhancing Their Competences and Skills.”

The project will be carried out from January 7 to September 30, 2026, and is financed by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. Its total value amounts to PLN 48,464.12, which corresponds to the full amount of the awarded funding.

The Project Manager and scientific supervisor is dr inż. Maciej Sowa, while dr inż. Marta Wala is responsible for the validation of the learning outcomes achieved by the students.

The project participants are Maciej Gdala and Łukasz Gardas, students who have been actively involved in research activities conducted within the Electrochemistry Group for several years.

The aim of the project is to evaluate the possibility of improving the surface properties of copper alloys containing zinc and nickel by forming oxide layers using plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO). The research scope includes, among others, optimisation of process parameters, advanced characterisation of the produced coatings, and analysis of their functional properties, including photocatalytic and electrocatalytic performance.

The project is financed by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education under Action 01.05 “Skills in Higher Education” of the European Funds for Social Development Programme (FERS) 2021–2027.
Offer number: N190.

The implementation of the project will contribute to the further development of students’ research competences as well as to the expansion of knowledge in the field of modern, environmentally friendly technologies for metal surface modification.