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. Ing. Miloslav Pekař, CSc.

1. Development of bioelectronic devices based on organic semiconductors

   The thesis is focused on the study of the relationship between the structure of materials for use in bioelectronic devices and their optical, optoelectric and electrical properties. The biocompatibility of these materials and the effect of their modification will be also studied. A typical device will be sensor of living cells physiological functions and platform for influencing cell behavior. The study will include preparation of model devices and their characterization.

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

2. Diagnostics and application of plasma interacting with liquids

   The study will be focused on low temperature plasma interaction with liquids, especially with water solutions containing inorganic and organic compounds as well as pure organic liquids. Plasma will be generated as electrical discharges in various electrode configurations and in different high voltage regimes. Diagnostics of generated plasma will be carried out by spectral methods, optical records and electrical measurements. Simultaneously, both physical and chemical processes initiated by plasma in liquids will be studied, e.g. generation of reactive species with high oxidation potential (hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radicals, ozone), changes in liquid composition and properties (decomposition of compounds dissolved in the solution or the liquids itself, changes of pH, conductivity, temperature). Analyses of liquids and discharge products will be carried out especially by spectrometric and chromatographic methods. The aim of the work will be to compare the efficiency of the studied processes from the viewpoint of the oxidation activity of the treated liquids for various discharge configurations with respect to their application in praxis.

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

3. Fluorescence spectroscopy in the study of properties of associative 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.

4. Hydration of biocolloids

   Study of hydration of several biocolloids (e.g. chitosan, hyaluronic acid, humic substances) by means of several methods chosen on the basis of students' review, study of phenomenons related to interactions of biocolloids with water and aqueous solutions (dissolving, dissociation).

   Tutor: Klučáková Martina, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

5. Characterisation and application of plasma activated water

   Nowadays, plasma activated water is a hot topic both in biomedical applications thanks to its high oxidation and sterilisation potential, and in agriculture as an alternative method of fertilisation due to the enhanced amount of nitrogen species. The aim of the work is characterisation of plasma activated water prepared by various plasma systems from the viewpoint of physical, chemical as well as biological or ecotoxicological parameters, and evaluation of its utilisation in praxis.

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

6. Interaction of thin porous layers of oxidic semiconductors with atmospheric plasma

   Semiconducting transition metal oxides play a key role in photocatalytic and electrophotocatalytic processes, and have recently been paving the way for successful applications in photonic equipment made by material printing. For this production technology it is most advantageous if the fixing of the layer is carried out by a so-called cold process, ie without heating to temperatures higher than about 150 ° C. Such a manufacturing process then enables mass production in roll-to-roll mode on polymer substrates. Atmospheric plasma treatment is a very promising way to achieve such a cold fixation. The work will therefore be devoted to a detailed study of processes taking place in thin porous layers of oxidic semiconductors in interaction with atmospheric plasma with an application view of printed electronics.

   Tutor: Dzik Petr, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

7. Mobility and reactivity of pharmaceuticals in soil ecosystems

   Study of interactions of hormones and drugs with soil organic matter, stability of formed complexes. Study of transport of hormones and drugs in model and real soils. Study of relationships between reactivity, mobility and bio-availability of pharmaceuticals.

   Tutor: Klučáková Martina, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

8. Nanoparticles prepared by plasma interaction with liquids

   Nanoparticles made of a wide spectrum of materials and their combinations, which determine their utilisation in praxis, can be prepared by low temperature plasma generated by electrical discharge in liquids. The aim of the work is to optimize conditions for the nanoparticles production from suitable materials, and characterised them by available methods.

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

9. Non-equilibrium thermodynamics and chemical kinetics

   Study of restrictions put by non-equilibrium thermodynamics on kinetics of chemical reactions and reaction-diffusion systems in well defined material models.

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

10. Organic functional materials with advanced optical properties

    The work will be focused on the study of the relationship between molecular structure and non-trivial optical properties, such as singlet-fission, multi-photon absorption, etc. Among the studied features will be light absorption, fluorescence quantum yield and lifetime, time-resolved fluorescence and determination of multi-photon absorption cross-sections and spectra. The experimental work will be based on steady state optical spectroscopy as well as on time resolved techniques including laser-based techniques. Unique apparatus for characterization of fluorescence in magnetic field and laser apparatus will be used during the study. The topic is solved within a research project financed by the Czech Science Foundation.

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

11. Plasma chemical synthesis and surface treatment of nano and micro materials

    The Thesis goal is synthesis and/or surface treatment of nano and micromaterials for technologic applications. The main part is supposed to be carried out using electrical discharges in/with liquids, gaseous discharges will be a minor part of the work. Besides the plasma characterisation, the broad field of material analyses will be completed to understand the plasma initiated processes with goal in process optimisation.

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

12. Study of chemical processes initiated by electrical discharges by PTR-TOF

    The goal of thesis is analysis of products generated by electrical discharges in gaseous mixtures

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

13. Surface cleaning of non-metallic archaeological objects by discharges in liquids

    Low temperature plasma generated by electrical discharge in liquids creates strongly oxidative environment that allows careful removal of layers of corrosion products from historical glass and ceramics surface. The Thesis goal is optimization of discharge and solution conditions for selected non-metallic materials (glass, ceramics) with respect to this technology application in conservation. The treated surface characterization will be carried out by optical microscopy, SEM-EDX, LIBS and other accessible techniques.

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