A renowned scholar in the field of phosphate chemistry, Mykola Semenovych Slobodyanyk, Corresponding Member of the NAS of Ukraine, laureate of the L.V. Pysarzhevsky Prize of the NAS of Ukraine, Honored Master of Sciences and Engineering of Ukraine, was born on January 23, 1945, in the village of Shevchenkove in Cherkasy region. In 1968, he graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Since then, his professional activity has been connected with the Department of Inorganic Chemistry of the University, where he pursued postgraduate studies and progressed from engineer to professor (since 1989) and head of the department (since 1997). From 1997 to 2007, he was a dean of the Faculty of Chemistry at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv.
One of M.S. Slobodyanyk’s main achievements was the development of the physicochemical foundations for the controlled synthesis of complex oxide framework compounds (phosphates, fluorophosphates, titanates, niobates, molybdates, and tungstates) from fluxed salt systems. He established the relationship between the composition, structure, and properties of melts and the patterns of crystallization of complex oxide matrices, distinguished by a set of nonlinear optical, luminescent, and electrophysical properties.
Under M.S. Slobodyanyk’s leadership, the concept of a liquid crystal diaphragm in molten salts was developed, which opened the possibility to purposefully control the formation of crystalline matrices of variable and constant composition with special optical and electrophysical properties.
Mykola Slobodyanyk studied the influence of polyvalent metals and rare earth elements, as well as halide and nitride ions, on the crystallization processes and the production of special oxide matrices with high optical transparency.
M.S. Slobodyanyk trained 4 DScs and 17 PhDs, published over 350 scientific papers, two textbooks, and a number of teaching aids.
Mykola Slobodyanyk continued to work until the last days of his life. The path he followed is a model of dedication to his beloved work.
The scientific community, colleagues, students, and friends will remember his bright, extraordinary figure with deep gratitude and honor his contribution to the development of Ukrainian science.