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

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

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

4. Combination of atomic force microscopy and fluorescence microscopy for the study of hydrogel surface layers

   By combining information from AFM techniques and confocal fluorescence microscopy, characterize the mechanical properties of selected gel systems based on polysaccharides, especially agarose in the surface layer. Correlating the available mechanical information from AFM techniques with microrheology based on fluorescence correlation spectroscopy or with the viscosity determined by fluorescence anisotropy techniques.

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

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. Hydrogels with gradient properties

   Design, preparation, characterization of hydrogels, based primarily on biopolymers, with gradient properties - preferably with diffusion gradient. Development of preparation and testing techniques. Evaluation of potential applications in medicine, sorption or environmental technologies.

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

8. Hydrogels with gradient properties

   Design, preparation, characterization of hydrogels, based primarily on biopolymers, with gradient properties - preferably with diffusion gradient. Development of preparation and testing techniques. Evaluation of potential applications in medicine, sorption or environmental technologies.

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

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. Organic materials with nonlinear optical properties

    The work will be focused on the study of the relationship between molecular structure and nonlinear optical properties, in particular multi-photon absorption. Among the studied features will be light absorption, fluorescence quantum yield and lifetime, 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. The scope of work will also include the study of materials properties for multi-photon microscopy and 3D printing with high resolution.

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

12. Organic semoconductors for bioelectronics

    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.

13. 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.

14. Study of interactions of charged catanionic vesciles with oppositely charged polyelectrolytes

    Using the techniques available at FCH BUT and collaborating partners study the influence of polyelectrolytes and inversely charged catanionic surfactant-based vesicular systems. The aim of the work will be to verify the influence of polymers on the aggregation and stability of catanionic systems, as well as the influence of zeta potential of these vesicular systems on the interaction with polymers. The main techniques will be fluorescence spectroscopy and microscopy.

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

15. Study of thermal properties of bulks materials

    The research work will focused on the study of thermal properties of materials used for heat storage based on phase change materials. The experimental part will focus on the measurement of heat accumulation in different materials by using of dot and surface temperature sensors (e.g. thermocouples, thermocamera). The new method based on the measurements of temperature responses to pulse or jump of the heat supplied to enable a comprehensive assessment of the substance properties will be used. To measure the absorption and emission properties listed PCM materials will be used thermocamera. The data processing will be performed using the methods of image analysis.

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