In the present article the doping of aluminide coatings by Pt/Pd as well as Hf or Pd using industrial processes was developed. The different combinations of doping elements were tested as well as their influence on chemical composition of coatings was initially investigated. The Pt and Pd and both Pt + Pd was electroplated on the surface of the MAR M247 nickel superalloy. The Zr or Hf was doped during low activity CVD aluminizing process using industrial Bernex BPX Pro 325S system. The conducted research showed that Pt and Pd formed the (Ni, Pd, Pt) Al solid solution in the outer additive layer. The higher concentration of palladium in the near surface and in the whole additive layer was detected. The platinum was presented below the surface of aluminide coating. The Zr or Hf was detected mainly in the diffusion zone. The low concentration of Zr (about 0.1 wt.%) in the outer zone was observed. The hafnium was detected mainly in the diffusion zone but in the outer additive layer a small concentration of this element was measured. The obtained results showed that formation of three elements (Pd, Pt) + Zr or Hf modified aluminide coating using proposed technology is possible. The structure of all obtained aluminide coatings was typical for a low-activity, high temperature (LAHT) formation process mainly by outward diffusion of Ni from base material.

The effect of ligand structure on the catalytic activity of amine-bis(phenolate) chromium(III) complexes in the ring-opening copolymerization of phthalic anhydride and a series epoxides was studied. Eight complexes differing in the donor-pendant group (R₁) and substituents (R₂) in phenolate units were examined as catalysts of the model reaction between phthalic anhydride and cyclohexane oxide in toluene. They were used individually or as a part of the binary catalytic systems with nucleophilic co-catalysts. The co-catalyst was selected from the following organic bases: PPh₃, DMAP, 1-butylimidazole, or DBU. The binary catalytic systems turned out to be more active than the complexes used individually, and DMAP proved to be the best choice as a co-catalyst. When the molar ratio of [PA]:[epoxide]:[Cr]:[DMAP] = 250:250:1:1 was applied, the most active complex (R₁-X = CH₂NMe₂, R₂ = F) allowed to copolymerize phthalic anhydride with differently substituted epoxides (cyclohexene oxide, 4-vinylcyclohexene oxide, styrene oxide, phenyl glycidyl ether, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, and epichlorohydrin) within 240 min at 110 °C. The resulting polyesters were characterized by M_n up to 20.6 kg mol⁻¹ and narrow dispersity, and they did not contain polyether units.

This study presents the results of research into the influence of the time of the plasma nitriding process on the microstructure of the coatings obtained. Cold-work tool steels (60WCrV8, 90MnCrV8, 145Cr6), hot-work tool steel (X37CrMoV5-1) and high-speed tool steel (HS6-5-2) were selected as substrate material. The processes were carried out under industrial conditions using an Ionit device from Oerlikon Metaplas with variable process times of 2, 4 and 6 hours. According to literature data, a nitriding mixture consisting of 5% nitrogen and 95% hydrogen was chosen, which allowed the expected diffusion layer to be obtained without a white layer (composed of iron nitrides). Analysis of elemental mapping indicates that the presence and content of nitride-forming elements influences the formation of alloy additive nitrides in the microstructure of the diffusion layer. It was also found that an increase in the duration of plasma nitriding, results in an increase in the depth of the nitrided layers formed on the substrate of high-alloy steels: X37CrMoV5-1 and HS6-5-2. Nitrides of alloying additives, present in the diffusion layer, are formed in the high-alloyed the hot-work steel X37CrMoV5-1, indicating that these steels are the most suitable for plasma nitriding of the entire tool steels analysed.

Two aluminide layers (additive and interdiffusion) were deposited on a turbine blade made of ŻS6K superalloy by means of VPA and CVD methods. The additive and interdiffusion layers obtained by the VPA method consist of the NiAl phase and some carbides, while the additive layer deposited by the CVD method consists of the NiAl phase only. The residual stresses in the aluminide coating at the lock, suction side, and pressure side of the blade were tensile. The aluminide coating deposited by the CVD method has an oxidation resistance about 7 times better than that deposited by the VPA method. Al₂O₃ + HfO₂ + NiAl₂O₄ phases were revealed on the surface of the aluminide coating deposited by the VPA method after 240 h oxidation. Al₂O₃ + TiO₂ oxides were found on the surface of the aluminide coating deposited by the CVD method after 240 h oxidation. Increasing the time of oxidation from 240 to 720 h led to the formation of the NiO oxide on the surface of the coating deposited by the VPA method. Al₂O₃ oxide is still visible on the surface of the coating deposited by the CVD method. The residual stresses in the aluminide coating after 30 cycles of oxidation at the lock, suction side and pressure side of the turbine blade are compressive.

The use of mineral waste for the production of lightweight artificial aggregate is an important element of activities for sustainable development in construction and the implementation of the objectives of the circular economy. The article presents the physical, mechanical, and ecological properties of an innovative artificial aggregate produced from bottom sediments, concrete dust, and municipal solid waste incineration fly ash. The obtained research results confirm that the developed material achieves technological properties comparable to artificial aggregates available on the market, both commercial and those derived from recycling. However, the increased leachability of chlorides and sulphates remains a significant challenge, which may limit the scope of its applications. Despite this, the material shows the potential for use, among others, in the production of lightweight concrete. The analyses carried out have shown that the thermal hardening processes (200–400 °C) and autoclaving do not guarantee full immobilization of harmful substances contained in the raw materials for the production of this type of aggregate.