Sanja has been appointed as one of the two Serbian representatives on the Management Committee of COST Action CA25132 – MXene-Based Catalysts for Sustainability Chemical Challenges (MXeneCatSus), together with Dr. Ana Savić from the University of Niš.
The Action officially started on September 15, 2026, and will run until September 14, 2030. Over the next four years, it will bring together researchers from across Europe to develop new scientific collaborations focused on MXene-based catalysts and their applications in sustainable chemical technologies.
For Sanja, participation in MXeneCatSus represents an important opportunity to expand international collaboration in areas closely connected to her research interests, particularly photocatalysis, environmental chemistry, advanced functional materials and computational materials science. At the same time, her involvement in this European research network is also highly significant for the EMOS research group, creating new opportunities for international partnerships, joint research activities, knowledge exchange and the involvement of young researchers in collaborative scientific projects.
MXenes and Sustainable Catalysis
MXenes are a rapidly developing family of two-dimensional materials that have attracted considerable scientific interest due to their unique structural, electronic and surface properties.
These characteristics make MXenes promising candidates for numerous technological applications, including energy storage, environmental remediation and catalysis.
The MXeneCatSus COST Action focuses on exploring the potential of MXene-based materials to address some of the major sustainability challenges facing modern society. These include hydrogen generation, CO₂ capture and conversion, and the development of more sustainable technologies for nitrogen-based fertilizer production.
Achieving these objectives requires catalytic materials that combine high activity and selectivity with stability, affordability and environmental sustainability.
MXeneCatSus aims to contribute to these developments by creating a coordinated European research network that connects experts in materials synthesis, characterization, theoretical modeling and catalytic applications.
Connecting Photocatalysis and Computational Materials Science
One of the particularly interesting aspects of MXeneCatSus is its interdisciplinary approach, bringing together experimental and theoretical researchers to investigate new catalytic materials.
The Action includes dedicated Working Groups covering catalyst preparation, thermocatalysis, electrocatalysis and photocatalysis by MXene-based materials, as well as scientific communication and dissemination.
The photocatalysis component is particularly relevant to Sanja’s ongoing research, which includes the development, characterization and application of functional materials for environmental protection.
An important part of her scientific work focuses on photocatalytic processes and the degradation of organic pollutants, including pharmaceutical contaminants and other environmentally relevant compounds.
At the same time, computational approaches such as density functional theory, atomistic modeling and molecular simulations can provide valuable insights into the structure, stability and reactivity of catalytic materials.
The combination of experimental investigations and computational methods can help researchers better understand the mechanisms governing photocatalytic processes and support the rational development of improved materials.
With computational materials science and machine learning also included among the Action’s scientific priorities, MXeneCatSus creates opportunities to explore increasingly integrated approaches to materials research.
Sanja’s Role in the Management Committee
As a member of the Management Committee, Sanja will participate in the coordination and development of the Action’s international scientific network.
Management Committee members contribute to shaping the Action’s activities, coordinating cooperation between participating countries and supporting the organization of scientific meetings, training events and research exchanges.
An important objective of COST Actions is to establish lasting connections between researchers and institutions while creating opportunities for early-career scientists to gain international experience.
Through MXeneCatSus, Sanja will have opportunities to contribute to these activities, establish new collaborations and support the involvement of young researchers in international scientific initiatives.
The Action began with its kick-off meeting in Brussels on September 15, 2026, bringing together Management Committee representatives from the participating countries and marking the beginning of this four-year collaboration.
New Opportunities for International Scientific Collaboration
Participation in MXeneCatSus opens possibilities for joint research activities, exchange of scientific expertise, research visits, training schools and future international projects.
These opportunities are particularly valuable in modern materials science, where progress often depends on combining knowledge from chemistry, physics, materials engineering and computational science.
For Sanja, this COST Action provides a framework for strengthening existing research directions while exploring new applications of MXene-based materials, especially in photocatalysis and environmental technologies.
It also offers opportunities to connect researchers and students from Serbia with an international scientific community working on advanced materials and sustainable chemical processes.
MXeneCatSus represents an exciting new chapter in international scientific collaboration, bringing together researchers with complementary expertise to address important environmental and technological challenges.
COST Action: CA25132 – MXene-Based Catalysts for Sustainability Chemical Challenges (MXeneCatSus)
Duration: September 15, 2026 – September 14, 2030
Serbian Management Committee Members: Sanja Armaković and Ana Savić
More information about the Action, its scientific objectives, Management Committee and Working Groups is available on the official COST MXeneCatSus website.