Branch Details

Physical Chemistry

Original title in Czech: Fyzikální chemieFCHAbbreviation: DKCPO_FCH_4Acad. year: 2021/2022

Programme: Physical Chemistry

Length of Study: 4 years

Accredited from: 16.10.2009Accredited until: 31.5.2024

Profile

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.

Key learning outcomes

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.

Occupational profiles of graduates with examples

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.

Entry requirements

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).

Guarantor

Issued topics of Doctoral Study Program

  1. Analysis of dielectric barrier discharge products burning in mixtures of nitrogen with organic compounds

    The aim of the doctoral thesis will be the analysis of gaseous products of dielectric barrier discharge, which burns in a mixture of nitrogen and suitably selected organic compounds at atmospheric pressure. GC-MS, FTIR, OES and PTR-MS methods will be used for the analysis of discharge products. The organic substances will be the monomers used for the deposition of thin hard or polymer layers. The goal of the work is to identify the emerging fragments of organic substances and possibly their mutual chemical reactions.

    Tutor: Mazánková Věra, doc. Mgr., Ph.D.

  2. 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.

  3. Plasma applications in conservation

    The thesis goal is study of plasma applications for the corrosion removal from various archaeological objects. Plasma will be generated in gases and liquids at low and atmospheric pressure. The artificially corroded samples will be prepared by different procedures for the study of removal efficiency of different corrosion kinds. The plasma diagnostics and in case of liquids also their diagnostics will be parts of thesis, too. The material analyses will be done using different analytical techniques, mainly SEM/EDX, XRD, FTIR a LA-MS.

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

  4. Plasma chemical surface treatment of nano and micro materials

    The thesis is focused on the surface treatment of nano and micro materials for technological applications, mainly in agriculture, aiming at the improved dispersion of these materials in water environment. The main part is supposed to be carried out using electrical discharges in/with liquids; gaseous discharges will be only a minor part of the work. Besides the plasma characterisation and the treatment efficiency for homogeneous colloid solutions formation, the broad field of material analyses will be completed to understand the plasma initiated processes with respect to the process optimisation.

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

  5. Study of chemical processes initiated by electrical discharges in extra-terrestrial atmospheres

    The goal of thesis is study of chemical processes initiated by electrical discharges in gaseous mixtures relating extra-terrestrial atmospheres. The plasma analysis will be carried out by optical emission spectrometry; chemical analyses of discharge products will be done mainly using in situ mass spectrometry with reactive ionization.

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

  6. Study of the plasma activated water application on soil organic components

    The environmentally friendly farming methods and procedures became a hot topic during the last years. One of possible ways is the application of plasma activated water. Water exposed to plasmas contains not only oxidative species (mainly hydrogen peroxide) but also species with antibacterial and fungicide properties (like peroxynitrile), all in dependence on plasma conditions. Moreover, it is possible to generate nitrites and nitrides that can be applied in form of spray through on leaves as fertilizers. A part of this spray terminates on soil and there is unknown up to now how this application changes the soil properties, especially properties of soil organic parts. The PhD study will be dialled on the detail study of plasma activated water application on different soil types with focus on the soil organic matter and microorganisms. The experimental work will use diagnostics available not at home faculty, only, but also at other European laboratories under the frame network of COST Action CA19110. The work will be continuously discussed with soil specialists from Mendel University in Brno.

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


Course structure diagram with ECTS credits

1. year of study, both semester
AbbreviationTitleL.Cr.Com.Compl.Hr. rangeGr.Op.
DCA_PFDProgresses in physical chemistrycs0CompulsoryColyes
DCO_EPMElectron processes in molecular materialscs0Compulsory-optionalDrExyes
DCO_NADPhotochemistrycs0Compulsory-optionalDrExyes
DCO_MEFPhysics and chemistry of molecular materialscs0Compulsory-optionalDrExyes
DCO_FNDPhysics and chemics of plasmacs0Compulsory-optionalDrExyes
DCO_KPDColloidics for advancedcs0Compulsory-optionalColyes
DCO_SMAdvanced spectroscopic methodscs0Compulsory-optionalDrExyes
DCO_REGReology cs0Compulsory-optionalDrExyes
DCO_TPDProcesses of transportationcs0Compulsory-optionalDrExyes