Full-time study

4 years

prof. Ing. Martin Weiter, Ph.D.

Chairman :
prof. Ing. Martin Weiter, Ph.D.
Councillor internal :
prof. Ing. Jaromír Havlica, DrSc.
doc. Ing. František Šoukal, Ph.D.
prof. Ing. Oldřich Zmeškal, CSc.
prof. Ing. Jozef Krajčovič, Ph.D.
prof. Ing. Petr Ptáček, Ph.D.
prof. RNDr. Vladimír Čech, Ph.D.
Councillor external :
doc. Tomáš Syrový
doc. Ing. Irena Kratochvílová, Ph.D.
prof. Ing. Jozef Vlček, Ph.D.
prof. RNDr. Pavla Rovnaníková, CSc.

1. Advanced materials for organic and hybrid solar cells

   The work will deal with the preparation and characterization of materials - organic semiconductors, which are perspective for use in the field of organic and hybrid photovoltaics. Organic solar cells will be prepared and characterized by methods of material printing and other methods and their properties will be studied. Attention will be focused on characterization of optical and electrical properties of materials and solar cells. The aim is to optimize the properties of solar cells with respect to their specific application possibilities. It is expected that the PhD student will be involved in an international research project focusing on organic photovoltaics.

   Tutor: Weiter Martin, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

2. Alternative construction binders cured by controlled carbonation

   The production of current high-volume building materials is associated with the release of large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Some, in particular, prefabricated building elements can be produced on the basis of alternative binders using secondary industrial products, such as steel slag. Curing of these binders can be significantly supported by controlled carbonation, where solidification and hardening takes place in an atmosphere with a high partial pressure of carbon monoxide. The result is a material with high strengths after only a few hours of curing and with a negative carbon footprint, because carbon dioxide is consumed in its production. It is most advantageous to include this technology as a utilization step of the CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) technological system. The topic of the study is the development of binder systems from tactile alternative raw materials and the study of their curing by controlled carbonation.

   Tutor: Šoukal František, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

3. Corrosion of low carbon steel and galvanized steel: the role of humic and fulvic acids

   Low carbon and galvanized steel are a conventional material that is commonly used for various applications. Steel components can be located in water and soil, where, besides inorganic species, there are also organic molecules that can have a significant impact on the corrosion process. The role of humic and fulvic acids (the most important fraction of natural organic matter) in the corrosion process is insufficiently elucidated unlike inorganic species. The effect of humic and fulvic acids on corrosion resistance and corrosion products (composition, morphology) of low carbon and galvanized steel in the environment of inorganic ions at various pH will be investigated. Attention will be paid to the interactions of organic molecules with the metal surface and in the solution. The aim of the work will be to determine the effect of humic and fulvic acids on the corrosion of low carbon and galvanized steel and to describe the mechanism of interactions with the metal surface and in solution. The use of humic and fulvic acids as green corrosion inhibitors will also be assessed.

   Tutor: Wasserbauer Jaromír, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

4. Development of techniques for fast assessment of soil quality and properties

   Thermogravimetry appeared as a promising technique for fast assessing soil properties and showed a potential to replace current methods. These techniques are often costly and require a long experimental time, while thermogravimetry experiments require several hours. This work aims to search for new relationships between thermo-oxidative stability of soil determined using thermogravimetry and soil chemical properties (pH, content of biogenic elements including P, S and different forms of N, metals including Al and Fe), physical properties (texture and volume density) and biological indicators (microbial biomass, potentially mineralizable N, glomalin, and phospholipids contents and microbial emissions of carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide). These properties are known as indicators of soil quality. Therefore, the found correlations will be used to develop a complex soil quality index and models for predicting soil organic carbon stability.

   Tutor: Krajčovič Jozef, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

5. Novel organic materials for applications in bioelectronics

   The work will deal with preparation and characterization of new organic materials, which are prospective for use in bioelectronics. Attention will be focused primarily on the characterization of the optical and electrical properties of materials prepared in the form of thin films. The possibilities of using materials in thin-film sensory systems to stimulate cells and study their response will be studied.

   Tutor: Weiter Martin, prof. Ing., Ph.D.

6. Preparation of LDH layers on magnesium alloys to increase their corrosion resistance

   Based on the available literature, the dissertation thesis will use the knowledge for the preparation of LDH-based (Layered Double Hydroxide) layers. Successfully prepared layers on magnesium substrates will be analysed in terms of the microstructure, composition and corrosion behaviour. These LDH layers will be further suitably modified and functionalized to improve their corrosion and electrochemical properties.

   Tutor: Wasserbauer Jaromír, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

7. Role of alkali silicates in the technology of inorganic binders

   Various forms of soluble alkali silicates, especially water glasses, are very popular in inorganic binder technology in general. They are used both as very effective activators for alkali-activated materials, but also, for example, for the surface treatment of concrete as so-called sealers, especially for the treatment of industrial floors, where lithium silicates are beginning to gain ground in particular. In both applications, the reactivity of the silicates present plays a key role, which can also be influenced by other factors, such as organic substances. The topic of the doctoral thesis is therefore to monitor the gelation rate of model and real systems, the characterization of created products by instrumental techniques as well as the overlap of this knowledge into the mentioned applications. Sealers are mainly about interactions with the cementitious substrate, while in the case of alkali activated materials the crucial things will be the monitoring of the early stages of hydration and comparison of the behavior of both liquid water glasses and solid silicates used for one-part activated cements, to which water is only required.

   Tutor: Kalina Lukáš, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

8. Screen-printed films for the electronics

   The work is pointed out towards study and application of the material printing techniques in the field of printed electronics, mainly touch-screens and/or organic and bioelectronic applications. Screen-printing technology will be in-dept studied – design of structures, projection on the screen by photolithograpy, the technology of the printed pastes, screen-printing of samples. The printed films will be characterized and estimated by mechanical, optical and electrical measurements.

   Tutor: Zhivkov Ivaylo, doc. Mgr., Ph.D.

9. Study of biodegradable barrier coatings properties for agrochemical applications

   The current legislation tightens the view of materials used for agrochemical applications, the requirement is fully biodegradable slow-release systems of fertilizers and pesticides. One of the few candidates recognized by the legislation as fully biodegradable polymers are polyhydroxyalkanoates, which have the potential for use in these applications. The topic deals with the study of the properties of these materials and their derivatives with respect to the required applications. The work should relate the chemical structure of PHA polymers, their copolymers and mixtures and the resulting properties, including their behavior in the environment.

   Tutor: Přikryl Radek, Mgr., Ph.D.

10. Study of electric and dielectrical properties of materials of photovoltaic cells

    The work will be focused on the study of dielectric properties (complex permittivity) of materials used for the photovoltaic cells. To study methods will be used impedance spectroscopy and DC measurements

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

11. Study of optical phenomena on thin-film structure whith perovskites layers

    Work will be focused on the study of surface properties of thin films used in the preparation of thin film structures with layers of perovskites

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