2026 Malle Krunks: Materials Science Researcher – H-Index, Publications & Awards

Discipline name	D-Index	World Ranking	Current World Ranking	National Ranking	Current National Ranking	Publications	Citations
Materials Science	41	12746	12329	7	7	179	5648

Overview

Malle Krunks is affiliated with Tallinn University of Technology in Estonia. Their research work primarily focuses on engineering and materials science, with a significant emphasis on electrical and electronic engineering and materials chemistry. The areas of study also include renewable energy, sustainability and the environment, polymers and plastics, as well as atomic and molecular physics and optics.

Krunk's main research topics cover various aspects of semiconductor materials and photocatalytic technologies. These include chalcogenide semiconductor thin films, quantum dots synthesis and properties, advanced photocatalysis techniques, TiO2 photocatalysis and solar cells, transition metal oxide nanomaterials, ZnO doping and properties, and perovskite materials and applications.

The following recent papers illustrate the scope of their research contributions:

Thickness Effect on Photocatalytic Activity of TiO2 Thin Films Fabricated by Ultrasonic Spray Pyrolysis (2020, Catalysts)
Screening and optimization of processing temperature for Sb2Se3 thin film growth protocol: Interrelation between grain structure, interface intermixing and solar cell performance (2021, Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells)
Analysis of grain orientation and defects in Sb2Se3 solar cells fabricated by close-spaced sublimation (2021, Solar Energy)
ZnO/NiO heterostructures with enhanced photocatalytic activity obtained by ultrasonic spraying of a NiO shell onto ZnO nanorods (2022, Colloids and Surfaces A Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects)
Nickel oxide films by chemical spray: Effect of deposition temperature and solvent type on structural, optical, and surface properties (2021, Applied Surface Science)

Malle Krunks frequently collaborates with a group of co-authors, who have contributed to multiple publications together. Notable co-authors include Ilona Oja Açik, Nicolae Spalatu, Atanas Katerski, Aivars Vembris, and Raitis Gržibovskis.

Krunk's work is often published in specialized scientific venues focused on energy and materials science. The most frequent publication venues include:

Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells
Catalysts
Sustainable Energy & Fuels
Materials Science in Semiconductor Processing
RSC Advances

This publication record reflects sustained research activity spanning thin film semiconductors, solar energy materials, and photocatalytic nanomaterials. The combination of advanced experimental techniques and material optimization strategies is characteristic of Krunks' scholarly contributions.

Best Publications

Zinc oxide thin films by the spray pyrolysis method

Malle Krunks;Enn Mellikov

392
Citations
Nanostructured solar cell based on spray pyrolysis deposited ZnO nanorod array

M. Krunks;A. Katerski;T. Dedova;I. Oja Acik

207
Citations
Synthesis, vibrational spectra and X-ray structures of copper(I) thiourea complexes

Petra Bombicz;Ilpo Mutikainen;Malle Krunks;Tuula Leskelä

174
Citations
Structural and electrical characterization of TiO2 films grown by spray pyrolysis

I. Oja;A. Mere;M. Krunks;R. Nisumaa

171
Citations
Structural and optical properties of sprayed CuInS2 films

Malle Krunks;Olga Bijakina;Tiit Varema;Valdek Mikli

154
Citations
Crystal quality studies of CuInS2 films prepared by spray pyrolysis

I Oja;M Nanu;A Katerski;M Krunks

139
Citations
Composition and structure of CuInS2 films prepared by spray pyrolysis

M Krunks;V Mikli;O Bijakina;H Rebane

118
Citations
Spray pyrolysis deposition of zinc oxide nanostructured layers

M. Krunks;T. Dedova;I. Oja Açik

118
Citations
Composition of CuInS2 thin films prepared by spray pyrolysis

M Krunks;O Kijatkina;H Rebane;I Oja

112
Citations
Spray pyrolysis deposition of indium sulphide thin films

K. Otto;A. Katerski;A. Mere;O. Volobujeva

106
Citations
Zirconium doped TiO2 thin films deposited by chemical spray pyrolysis

A. Juma;A. Juma;I. Oja Acik;A.T. Oluwabi;A. Mere

100
Citations
Thermal decomposition study of HAuCl 4 ·3H 2 O and AgNO 3 as precursors for plasmonic metal nanoparticles

K. Otto;I. Oja Acik;M. Krunks;K. Tõnsuaadu

96
Citations
Structure and thermal behaviour of dichlorobis(thiourea)cadmium(II), a single-source precursor for CdS thin films

Krunks M;János Madarász;Hiltunen L;Mannonen R

87
Citations
Extremely thin absorber layer solar cells on zinc oxide nanorods by chemical spray

M. Krunks;E. Kärber;A. Katerski;K. Otto

84
Citations
Photoluminescence of spray pyrolysis deposited ZnO nanorods

Erki Kärber;Taavi Raadik;Tatjana Dedova;Jüri Krustok

84
Citations
ZnO/TiO2/Sb2S3 Core–Shell Nanowire Heterostructure for Extremely Thin Absorber Solar Cells

Romain Parize;Atanas Katerski;Inga Gromyko;Laetitia Rapenne

84
Citations
Nature of the native deep localized defect recombination centers in the chalcopyrite and orthorhombic AgInS2

J. Krustok;J. Raudoja;M. Krunks;H. Mändar

78
Citations
Thermal Decomposition of Copper(I) Thiocarbamide Chloride Hemihydrate

M. Krunks;T. Leskelä;R. Mannonen;L. Niinistö

74
Citations
Formation of CdS films by spray pyrolysis

M. Krunks;E. Mellikov;E. Sork

72
Citations
Postdeposition Processing of SnS Thin Films and Solar Cells: Prospective Strategy To Obtain Large, Sintered, and Doped SnS Grains by Recrystallization in the Presence of a Metal Halide Flux

Nicolae Spalatu;Jaan Hiie;Reelika Kaupmees;Olga Volobujeva

71
Citations
Structural and electrical characterization of TiO 2 films grown by spray pyrolysis

I. Oja;A. Mere;M. Krunks;R. Nisumaa

8
Citations