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). The findings will be useful in applications such as light-emitting devices (OLED), solar cells, organic solid-state lasers, fluorescent markers for the study of biological systems, etc. Part of the work will be the preparation and study of model devices for selected applications. 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. FCH VUT 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. Photocatalytic oxide semiconductor layers with hierarchical porosity

   The dissertation will cover the preparation of crystalline nanoparticles and binder systems for use in thin film formation. Suitable templating agents will be investigated and liquid printing formulations providing layers with controlled pore size from micropores to mesopores should be designed, utilizing the combinantion of self-assemly and forced assembly approaches. Also, the optimization of layer curing processes will be performed and the physicochemical properties of printed layers will be studied.

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

3. Plasma-chemical remediation of liquid wastewater from agriculture and its reutilization

   Interaction of non-thermal plasma with water induces formation of reactive species with high oxidation potential such as hydroxyl radicals that can be utilized in non-selective reactions leading to decomposition or transformation of compounds in the liquid phase. This study will assess suitability of plasma systems for the treatment of liquid waste products from agriculture in order to reutilized them back to the agriculture. For analyses of liquid and gaseous products, available methods will be employed (PTR-TOF-MS, IMS, GC-MS, HPLC, etc.). Suitability of the treated products will be assessed using ecotoxicological tests as well as by the application on the model agricultural plants.

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

4. Study of electrical discharge initiated chemical processes in prebiotic atmospheres in stationary regime

   During the last decade, a huge number of exoplanets was discovered. Some of their atmospheres seems to be similar to the so-called prebiotic atmospheres and thus, synthesis of molecular life precursors is probable. This synthesis can be initiated by radiation, star winds, volcanism or by lightning, i.e. by electrical discharges. The aim of the PhD study is experimental observation of life precursors synthesis initiated by different electrical discharges generated in prebiotic atmospheres with various compositions. Experimental system will be operating at different pressures in the stationary regime. Thus, longer operation of the discharges will be proceeded. The temperature dependence of observed processes will be studied, too. Electrical discharges will be diagnosed by optical emission spectrometry and by electrical measurements. The gaseous products will be determined by in situ proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry as well as by available analytical techniques (IMS, GC-MS). The whole study will be carried out under the frame of the Europlanet research network.

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