Melania Rogowska

• Mboyi, Clève D.; Rogowska, Melania; Desbois, Nicolas; Nilsen, Ola; Hansen, Per-Anders & Gros, Claude P. (2026). Diversely substituted porphyrins for molecular layer deposition and comparative studies of their physical properties. Journal of Physical Chemistry C. ISSN 1932-7447. doi: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.6c04698. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Vapor-phase layer-by-layer deposition methods are capable of creating thin films of organic, inorganic, or hybrid organic–inorganic nanostructures. This approach allows the combination of the material properties of inorganic matrices with the molecular properties of organic molecules, such as building structures with optoelectronically active dye molecules. One such attractive class of dyes are the porphyrins. However, being macrocycles, their volatility is generally low, which significantly limits their use in vapor-based processes. We have therefore designed and synthesized variously substituted porphyrin macrocycles with the aim of tuning their sublimation properties, as well as their chemical reactivity, to enable their use in vapor deposition processes. A selection of these compounds has been used in molecular layer deposition (MLD) processes, proving their applicability and verifying that the porphyrin macrocycles retain their functional properties within the film material.

• Mandal, Arkalekha; Mohn, Chris Erik; Görbitz, Carl Henrik; Rogowska, Melania & Nilsen, Ola (2025). Elucidating the role of charge transfer on semiconductor properties in a new donor–acceptor cocrystal 1,5-dihydroxynaphthalene : TCNQ. Molecular Systems Design & Engineering. 10(7), p. 519–533. doi: 10.1039/d5me00033e. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  In this work, we have investigated the semiconducting properties of an unprecedented 1 : 1 π-stacked donor–acceptor cocrystal of 1,5-dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN) as the π-donor (D) with 7,7′,8,8′-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) as the π-acceptor (A). Molecular semiconductors with electron dominant transport, narrow bandgap, solution processing ability, air-stability are highly sought-after for application in n-channel organic field effect transistors. The DHN : TCNQ cocrystal shows n-type semiconductor nature with a narrow bandgap of around 1 eV, and a low LUMO energy level (−3.8 eV) making it less prone to areal degradation. The electron dominant transport in this cocrystal is described by assuming that electron and hole hop via a super-exchange mechanism along the mixed ⋯D–A⋯ π-stack direction. The participation of bridging molecular orbitals other than donor HOMO make a significant contribution to the super-exchange electron transfer, thus resulting in electron hopping from acceptor to acceptor which is four times larger than the value of hole hopping from donor to donor. Detailed analysis of crystal packing and electronic properties demonstrate that the super-exchange charge carrier transport is facilitated by strong π⋯π stacking interaction between the donor and acceptor, and prominent charge transfer.

• Rogowska, Melania; Bruzell, Ellen Merete; Valen, Håkon & Nilsen, Ola (2022). Photoactive Zr-aromatic hybrid thin films made by molecular layer deposition. RSC Advances. 12(25), p. 15718–15727. doi: 10.1039/d2ra02004a. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The principle of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (PDT) is appealing because it can be controlled by an external light source and possibly the use of durable materials. However, to utilise such surfaces requires a process for their production that allows for coating on even complex geometries. We have therefore explored the ability of the emerging molecular layer deposition (MLD) technique to produce and tune PDT active materials. This study demonstrates how the type of aromatic ligand influences the optical and antimicrobial properties of photoactive Zr-organic hybrid thin films made by MLD. The three aromatic dicarboxylic acids: 2,5-dihydroxy-1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid, 2-amino-1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid and 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid have been combined with ZrCl4 to produce hybrid coatings. The first system has not been previously described by MLD and is therefore more thoroughly investigated using in situ quartz crystal microbalance (QCM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The antibacterial phototoxic effects of Zr-organic hybrids have been explored in the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria model using a UVA/blue light source. Films based on the 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid linker significantly reduced the number of viable bacteria by 99.9%, while no apparent activity was observed for the two other photoactive systems. Our work thus provides evidence that the MLD technique is a suitable tool to produce high-quality novel materials for possible applications in antimicrobial PDT, however it requires a careful selection of aromatic ligands used to construct photoactive materials.

• Rogowska, Melania; Hansen, Per-Anders Stensby; Sønsteby, Henrik Hovde; Dziadkowiec, Joanna; Valen, Håkon & Nilsen, Ola (2021). Molecular layer deposition of photoactive metal-naphthalene hybrid thin films. Dalton Transactions. ISSN 1477-9226. 50(37), p. 12896–12905. doi: 10.1039/d1dt02201f. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  We here report on photoactive organic–inorganic hybrid thin films prepared by the molecular layer deposition (MLD) method. The new series of hybrid films deposited using 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid (2,6-NDC) and either hafnium chloride (HfCl4), yttrium tetramethylheptanedionate (Y(thd)3) or titanium chloride (TiCl4) were compared with the known zirconium chloride (ZrCl4) based system. All metal-naphthalene films are amorphous as-deposited and show self-saturating growth as expected for an ideal MLD process with varied growth rates depending on the choice of metal precursor. The growth was studied in situ using quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and the films were further characterised using spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV-Vis and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy to obtain information on their physicochemical properties. The hybrid thin films display intense blue photoluminescence, except for the Ti-organic complex in which titanium clusters were found to be an effective PL quencher for the organic linker. We demonstrate how the optical properties of the films depend on the choice of metal component to make a foundation for further studies on these types of organic–inorganic hybrid materials for applications as photoactive agents.

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• Rogowska, Melania & Sønsteby, Henrik Hovde (2026). Atomic layer deposition of BaSnO₃ using novel metal-organic precursors: towards FeFET and FTJ integration. Full text in Research Archive
• Trautner, Viktoria Elisabeth; Rogowska, Melania; Plümper, Oliver; Nilsen, Ola & Dziadkowiec, Joanna (2026). How hard do crystals push when growing under confinement? Real-time measurements of surface forces during hydration of periclase to brucite. doi: 10.5194/egusphere-egu26-7493. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Interactions between minerals and reactive fluids in porous rocks and building materials often result in crystallization of new minerals. The forces exerted by minerals growing under confinement on the surrounding matrix can be large enough to cause fracturing. Fractures expose new reactive surfaces, leading to progressive disintegration of the material. These processes can result in severe damage to cultural heritage and modern infrastructure, as well as changes in the rheological properties and weathering of natural rocks. Understanding and controlling volume-expanding mineral replacement reactions in pore spaces is thus an important objective to address both societal and geological issues. While crystallization pressures have been measured at larger scales, nanoscale force evolution during confined mineral growth remains poorly constrained.Here, we investigate volume-expansive mineral reactions in pores spaces by studying the hydration of MgO (periclase) in the Surface Forces Apparatus (SFA). Hydration of MgO to Mg(OH)­2 (brucite) causes a volume increase to 220%, yielding high crystallization pressures. We use MgO thin films (~90 nm) prepared by atomic layer deposition as reactive surfaces in our experiments, which are performed at the Flow Laboratory, Njord Center, University of Oslo. With the SFA, we measure distance-resolved adhesive and repulsive forces acting between two MgO surfaces under variable external load and how these change over time as the reaction progresses. Preliminary results indicate evolution of forces from strongly adhesive to repulsive during the hydration reaction, likely due to the presence of amorphous, gel-like precursors in the early stages of the reaction. As a reference for the SFA experiments, we study the hydration of isolated MgO surfaces with Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). This allows us to compare nucleation and growth rates, as well as microstructure and porosity of Mg(OH)­2 grown in SFA and AFM.

• Trautner, Viktoria Elisabeth; Dziadkowiec, Joanna; Rogowska, Melania & Nilsen, Ola (2025). Hydration of MgO under confinement: investigating damaging mineral growth in the Surface Forces Apparatus. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Crystallization of new minerals resulting from interactions with reactive fluids is common in porous rocks and building materials. The forces exerted by minerals growing under confinement on the surrounding matrix can be large enough to cause fracturing and disintegration. This can lead to severe damage to cultural heritage and modern infrastructure. Understanding and controlling volume-expanding mineral replacement reactions in pore spaces is thus an important objective. As part of an ongoing research project investigating damaging mineral growth under confinement, we study the hydration reaction of MgO (periclase) in the Surface Forces Apparatus (SFA). Hydration of MgO to Mg(OH)¬2 (brucite) causes a volume expansion of 220%, yielding high crystallization pressures. With the SFA, we can measure the forces acting between two surfaces under variable external load, as well as the distance between the surfaces, and how these evolve over time as the reaction progresses. We seek to use two types of reactive surfaces in our experiments: 1. MgO single crystals polished to ~10 µm thickness, and 2. MgO thin films (~200 nm) on mica prepared by atomic layer deposition. As a reference for the SFA experiments, we study the hydration of isolated MgO surfaces with Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). This allows us to compare nucleation and growth rates, as well as microstructure and porosity of Mg(OH)¬2 grown in SFA and AFM. All experiments are performed at the Flow Laboratory, Njord Center, University of Oslo.

• Rogowska, Melania; Hansen, Per-Anders Stensby & Nilsen, Ola (2024). Luminescent lanthanide-organic hybrid materials by atomic/molecular layer deposition. Full text in Research Archive
• Rogowska, Melania; Rykkje, Linn & Sønsteby, Henrik Hovde (2023). Tailoring Lattice Match by Cation Substitution in a Functional Ternary Oxide. Full text in Research Archive
• Rogowska, Melania & Nilsen, Ola (2023). Antimicrobial surfaces through photoactivation. University of Oslo, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Department of Chemistry. Full text in Research Archive

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