The main objective of the study is to train the highly qualified professionals who will be prepared for independent, creative, scientific and research activities in the field of physical chemistry. Students are trained to formulate a scientific problem independently, propose hypotheses and procedures leading to its solving and attempt its confirmation on an experimental or theoretical level. Critical evaluation of published scientific information and the ability to communicate in English - both verbally and in written form, makes an integral part of the study.

The main objective of the study is to train the highly qualified professionals who will be prepared for independent, creative, scientific and research activities in the field of physical chemistry. Students are trained to formulate a scientific problem independently, propose hypotheses and procedures leading to its solving and attempt its confirmation on an experimental or theoretical level. Critical evaluation of published scientific information and the ability to communicate in English - both verbally and in written form, makes an integral part of the study.

The specialization trains professionals who will be able to participate in highly qualified scientific and research activities based on physically-chemical processes, namely in university departments, the departments of The Academy of Sciences, research institutes, but also in industrial research centres. The graduates are prepared for independent creative work in the area of physical chemistry. Due to a wide range of practical applications of physical chemistry, the graduates can find employments not only in physical and chemical research, but virtually in all chemical or chemistry related specializations.

The admission to the Faculty of Chemistry is conditioned by the completion of the Master's program in the same or a related field. The basic prerequisites for the admission are: interest and aptitude for scientific work, knowledge of the English language and a very good study record achieved in the Master's program (grade point average of all passed examinations usually does not exceed 2.0).

prof. RNDr. František Krčma, Ph.D.

1. Advanced materials for organic photonics

   Advanced organic materials represent a very interesting alternative to traditional inorganic substances used in photonic applications. Organic materials provide a number of potential advantages such as flexibility, low weight, preparation with low-cost material printing techniques, wide range of parameter tuning, low environmental impact, etc. This work will deal with the study of the relationship between (especially) optical properties and the chemical structure of organic pi-conjugated molecules (dyes, pigments). One of the target applications will be organic solid-state lasers. Part of the work will be the preparation and study of such model structures. In particular, properties related to radiative and non-radiative processes after photoexcitation will be studied. Typical methods of study will include absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, determination of fluorescence lifetime and quantum yields, and determination of threshold excitation energy to induce amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) and other parameters affecting their function. The work will take place within the Laboratory of Organic Electronics and Photonics (https://www.fch.vut.cz/vav/cmv/laboratore/elektro) at the Center for Materials Research at the Faculty of Chemistry, Brno University of Technology. Within this team, we have more than 20 years of experience in this field, evidenced by almost 200 publications cited more than 1000 times. FCH BUT is a proud holder of the HR Excellence in Research Award by the European Commission (https://www.vut.cz/en/but/hr-award).

   Tutor: Vala Martin, prof. Mgr., Ph.D.

2. Bio-applications of plasma activated water

   By the interaction of plasma with water, so-called plasma activated water is produced that has different physical properties as well as chemical composition. These changes are caused mainly by the production of oxygen and nitrogen reactive species, in the dependence on the plasma activated water preparation. Thanks to its high oxidation and sterilisation potential, plasma activated water is a contemporary hot topic both in biomedicine and agriculture. Due to the enhanced amount of nitrogen species, it can also serve as an alternative method of fertilisation. The work itself will deal with plasma activated water applications on selected microorganisms and fungi in order to evaluated efficiency of this medium in human and veterinary medicine or agriculture.

   Tutor: Kozáková Zdenka, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

3. Derect plasma application for therapeutic purposes

   Thesis will be focused on the direct therapeutic application of low temperature non-equilibrium plasma for sterilization and wound healing. There are expected mainly in vitro experiments, in vitro as well as in vivo experimeents with pathogens are planned under collaboration with Veterinary University

   Tutor: Krčma František, prof. RNDr., Ph.D.

4. Derect plasma application for therapeutic purposes

   Thesis will be focused on the direct therapeutic application of low temperature non-equilibrium plasma for sterilization and wound healing. There are expected mainly in vitro experiments, in vitro as well as in vivo experimeents with pathogens are planned under collaboration with Veterinary University

   Tutor: Krčma František, prof. RNDr., Ph.D.

5. Fluorescence spectroscopy in the study of properties of associtive colloidal systems

   This work is focused on the use of stationary, time resolved and microscopic fluorescence techniques in research of physical properties of associative colloids. The information obtained will be correlated with technological parameters of associative colloids such as solubilization and solubilization capacity, stability, size distribution, etc. The study will acquire not only skills in various techniques of fluorescence spectroscopy, but also in comparative techniques such as light scattering techniques.

   Tutor: Mravec Filip, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

6. Indicators for smart packing

   The topic is focused on the study of gas indicators / sensors as part of a smart package that can inform the consumer when the critical concentration of gases in the package has been exceeded. These are indicators of gases released in food packaging during their spoilage, such as ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, mercaptans and others. Furthermore, indicators of the state of the atmosphere of the package, typically an indicator of oxygen in the atmosphere of carbon dioxide or oxygen in vacuum packages. The subject of the dissertation will be the preparation of indicators, the study of their properties and their calibration. The preparation of a printed indicator with a visually evaluable colour change or even with a change in fluorescence is assumed.

   Tutor: Veselý Michal, prof. Ing., CSc.

7. Non-equilibrium thermodynamics and the theory of chemical kinetics

   The results, which have been obtained within the area of macroscopic non-equilibrium thermodynamics, show tighter links between chemical thermodynamics and kinetics than usually supposed. Thermodynamics delineates the general framework which determines, among other, also the form of rate equations and puts some restrictions on coefficients occurring in these equations. The corresponding thermodynamic theory has been elaborated only for the linear fluids to date and even here some interesting questions remain to be answered. During this PhD study, following problems will be solved successively: • kinetics in non-ideal fluid mixtures, applicability of activity in kinetic equations; • application of the thermodynamic theory on reaction mechanisms with activated complex, study of relationships to the corresponding microscopic theory (of activated complex) and to the preceding problem; • application of the theory on several selected published mechanisms, comparison of thus obtained kinetic equations with the published equations, discussion of the contribution of the novel theory to the praxis of reaction kinetics; • extension of the theory outside the linear fluid model, focused particularly on reacting systems with significant effect of diffusion and on the relationship between the rate of reaction and diffusion.

   Tutor: Pekař Miloslav, prof. Ing., CSc.

8. Study of thermal properties of bulks materials

   The work will focus on the study of thermal properties of bulk materials prepared by 3D printing. The experimental part will focus on measuring the properties of materials with additives (pigments, dyes, metals) using surface and point temperature sensors (thermocouple, thermal camera). The work will use a new method based on temperature measurements of responses to the pulse or jump of heat supplied, enabling a comprehensive evaluation of the properties of these substances. A thermal camera will be used to measure the absorption and emission properties of the mentioned PCM materials. Image analysis methods will be used for data processing.

   Tutor: Zmeškal Oldřich, prof. Ing., CSc.

9. The study of bioaccumulation of selected contaminants in plants using the Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy method

   Currently there is a big expansion in the development of nanomaterials that find their use in industry. As they become mass spread the risk of leaking into the environment increases and therefore it is necessary to monitor their influence on various ecosystems. Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) is an optical emission method suitable for elemental mapping of large sample surfaces. The information about biodistribution and bioaccumulation of material in the organism is crucial for correct evaluation of its toxic effect. The LIBS method can detect contaminants in plants with sufficient resolution. The goal of this work is to determine bioaccumulation and translocation of selected nanomaterials in plants and study of plasma activated water application on this bioaccumulation.

   Tutor: Pořízka Pavel, doc. Ing., Ph.D.