Excited to participate in the MOF2026 Conference (16-20 May 2026) in New Orleans and listen leading researchers in the MOF community.

A special highlight was meeting Prof. Omar Yaghi, whose pioneering work continues to inspire advances in porous materials.

Beyond the scientific sessions, New Orleans provided an unforgettable atmosphere with its unique architecture and vibrant streets. 

Effect of oxygen partial pressure on structural, electrical and hydrogen sensing properties of AZO films

Malihe Ghaffari, Kamalan Mosas, Amirhossein Pakseresht, Necmettin Kilinc, Jose J. Velazquez, Lothar Wondraczek, Dusan Galusek, Orhan Sisman

Hybrid As a favorable transparent conductive oxide (TCO), aluminum doped zinc oxide (AZO) films have been widely used in optoelectronic applications. Among AZO deposition techniques, magnetron sputtering enables precise control over film characteristics. In this work, we investigated the effect of partial oxygen pressure on the structural, optical, electrical and hydrogen sensing properties of AZO films by varying the O2:Ar gas flow ratios to 0:200 (0%), 30:200 (15%), 50:200 (25%), and 70:200 (35%) sccm. The film thickness decreased gradually from ∼379 nm to ∼227 nm with increasing oxygen partial pressure. XRD analysis confirmed the formation of the hexagonal wurtzite crystal structure in all films, while the average crystallite size decreased from 17 nm (0:200 sccm) to 14 nm (70:200 sccm). On the other hand, micro strain and dislocation density values of the films increased from ∼0.50% to 0.59% and from ∼1.81 x 10-3 nm−2 to 2.47 x 10-3 nm−2, respectively. XPS was employed to study the differences in the surface chemistry of the deposited films. The optical band gap energy estimations exhibited a decline from 3.60 to 3.33 eV with increasing oxygen partial pressure. The temperature-dependent I-V measurements revealed a strong dependence of electrical conductivity on oxygen incorporation. The hydrogen sensing performance of the AZO films was evaluated toward various concentrations (250–10,000 ppm) at 100 °C and 150 °C. The results provide insights into how the oxygen partial pressure during DC sputtering affects the performance of AZO films for optoelectronic uses and conductometric hydrogen sensing.

Photodynamically Active Zinc-Phthalocyanine Loaded Mesoporous Bioactive Glass Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications

Fatih Kurtuldu, Orhan Sisman, Gustavo Galleani, Milan Masar, Ana M. Beltran, Robert Klement, Jose J. Velazquez, Dusan Galusek, Zuzana Nescakova

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising approach for treating infections and cancer. However, the clinical translation of many photosensitizers is hindered by poor water solubility and tendency to aggregate. To overcome these limitations, zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc), a highly effective photosensitizer, is loaded into mesoporous bioactive glass (MBG) nanoparticles(NPs) in this study. The resulting ZnPc@MBGNPs with diameters ranging from 100 to 160 nm are well-dispersed, as confirmed both by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. ZnPc loading reduces the specific surface area and pore volume by ∼20%, confirming successful incorporation. Structural analysis (X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) reveals a heterogeneous nanocomposite system. Despite the reduced specific surface area, the nanoparticles retain their bioactivity after incubation in simulated body fluid. In vitro studies show no cytotoxicity without light, while red-light activation (at 660 nm) induces a dose- and time-dependent reduction in cell viability. In vivo testing using Galleria mellonella confirms biocompatibility at 50 µg/mL. After irradiation, ZnPc@MBGNPs exhibit strong antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, with a minimum inhibitory concentration equal to the minimum bactericidal concentration of 50 µg/mL. This study presents a multifunctional nanoplatform that combines photodynamic efficiency, bioactivity, and antibacterial performance, offering potential for clinical applications such as infection control and tissue regeneration.

On 30 April 2026, the FunGlass team — Orhan Sisman, Fatih Kurtuldu, Mai-Phuong Truong, and Ahmed Gamal Abd-Elsatar — visited Anton Paar for a technical demonstration of FRS 1600 high-temperature rheology platform.

The visit provided valuable insight into high-temperature rheological measurements and their potential applications for glass. 

We sincerely thank the Anton Paar team, especially Richard Randl, Daniela Schwarz, Matthias Walluch and Julie Eckel for the excellent organization, warm hospitality, and informative demonstrations.

On 30–31 March 2026, Dr. Orhan Sisman visited İnönü University and met with Prof. Necmettin Kılınç and his research team.

The visit provided a valuable opportunity to discuss ongoing research activities, exchange ideas on chemical sensors, functional materials, and gas-sensing technologies, and explore potential collaboration opportunities related to the HyBreath Glass project.

Happy to participate in the Block Course: “Chemical Sensors — Basics, Technology and Applications”, held at Eberhard Karls University Tübingen (02-13 March 2026)

This intensive course provided valuable training on the fundamentals, technologies, and practical applications of chemical sensors. Sincerely thank Dr. Nicolae Barsan, Prof. Udo Weimar, and all team members involved in organizing and delivering the course for creating such an inspiring and highly informative learning environment.

It was a pleasure to participate in the 3-day symposium “Intelligent Hybrid Materials”, held as the Closing Workshop of the Carl Zeiss Foundation Breakthroughs Program at Friedrich Schiller University Jena. I am grateful for the opportunity to present the current progress and key outcomes of project within an inspiring scientific environment, under the leadership of Prof. Lothar Wondraczek (Laboratory of Glass Science).

A precision bath circulator has been successfully purchased and installed to enable controlled generation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for the HyBreath Glass project. The system ensures stable temperature regulation and reproducible vapor conditions, supporting reliable evaluation of MOF-glass–based sensing and air-monitoring technologies.

We have successfully purchased and installed a high-precision diode laser engraving system for the HyBreath Glass project. This advanced tool enables micro- and nano-scale patterning of glass surfaces, supporting the fabrication of functional structures for next-generation air-monitoring and smart glass technologies. 

Matúš Beňo wrote the story of our HyBreath Glass project. Click the Link for the full story..!

Big thanks to KEYENCE and Jerguš Jurík for providing the VHX Digital Microscope for a 3-week trial at FunGlass Research Center! 🔬✨ We’re excited to explore its powerful imaging capabilities and apply them to our advanced glass and materials research. Truly appreciate the support and collaboration! 

Overcoming the Selectivity-Sensitivity Trade-Off in Electroactive Gas Sensing Using Hybrid Glass Composites

Orhan Sisman, Oksana Smirnova, Yang Xia, Nadja Greiner-Mai, Aaron Reupert, Vahid Nozari, Jose J. Velazquez, Dusan Galusek, Alexander Knebel, Lothar Wondraczek 

Hybrid glasses derived from meltable metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as a new class of amorphous materials. Combining the porosity of MOFs with the processing ability of glasses, they are thought to enable a wholly new range of functional compounds. By way of example, it is demonstrated here how the intrinsic porosity of glasses obtained from zeolitic imidazolates (ZIFs) can be used to overcome the selectivity-sensitivity trade-off in electroactive gas sensing. For this, composites are fabricated in which metallophthalocyanines are embedded within a ZIF-62 MOF glass matrix. Such a material enables the detection of gas species (or their absence) utilizing the pronounced electrochemical sensitivity of phthalocyanines. Thereby, the solid glass does not only stabilize and protect the active component, but also – through its retained, highly tunable porosity – ensures sensor selectivity by molecular sieving and targeted size exclusion of larger molecules. In addition, the hydrophobicity of the ZIF pore interior protects the active component from degradation caused by ambient humidity. Investigations of the structural, optical and electronic properties of the composite indicate that compoundation is purely physical, that is, chemical interactions between the compound partners are avoided and the individual properties of the hybrid glass matrix and the electroactive metallophthalocyanine are retained. Atmosphere-controlled high-temperature electrical impedance measurements reveal significant shifts in resistance in CO2 and Ar atmosphere as compared to airflow. These results provide a proof of concept for sensitive and selective gas sensors based on such composites. 

A new portable gas flow controller unit has been designed and built-up for the implementation of the project!