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Low Platinum Content Thin Film Catalysts for Hydrogen Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells
Václavů, Michal ; Matolín, Vladimír (advisor)
Novel type of catalyst for proton exchange membrane fuel cells anode is demonstrated. It is based on magnetron sputtered Pt-CeO2 a Pt-Sn-CeO2 mixed oxides. It is shown, that these materials allow to significantly decrease amount of platinum in the anode catalyst. The preparation method yields high amount of platinum in ionized form, especially Pt2+ , which is related to the high activity. Stability of these catalytic layers were investigated under conditions similar to fuel cell anode (humidified hydrogen at elevated temperature). Also interaction of hydrogen a water under UHV conditions were studied, demonstrating high stability of the Pt2+ species. In the last part of the work sputtered Pt-Co mixed catalyst were investigated to be used in the PEMFC cathode. It is demonstrated that at right conditions, the sputtered alloy catalyst improves mass activity on cathode by factor more than two.
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Investigation of defects in thin metallic films
Hruška, Petr ; Čížek, Jakub (advisor)
In the present work Mg films prepared by RF magnetron sputtering were studied. Variable energy positron annihilation spectroscopy (VEPAS) was employed for investigation of defects in the Mg films. VEPAS characterization was combined with scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction in order to determine grain size, phase composition and texture. The effect of different deposition rate and deposition temperature, annealing, various substrates and film thickness on the structure and amount of defects present in the Mg films was examined. Defect studies by VEPAS showed that positrons in studied Mg films are trapped at misfit dislocations and at vacancy-like defects in grain boundaries and their density can be reduced by the deposition at elevated temperature. 1
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Deposition of Nanocomposite Thin Films
Kratochvíl, Jiří ; Kylián, Ondřej (advisor)
Nanocomposite thin films can find application in photovoltaics, optics, fabrication of sensors, or in biomedicine. This work investigates fabrication and characterization of thin metal-plasma polymer nanocomposite films which have direct application because of their unique optical properties (e.g. SERS - Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy) or antibacterial effects (biomedicine). We fabricated metal nanoparticles either by magnetron sputtering (island growth) or by means of gas aggregation source of nanoparticles, thereby we got nanoparticles with very different morphologies. We used silver as a material for nanoparticles because of its antibacterial effects. We incorporated these nanoparticles into sputtered Nylon and sputtered PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) plasma polymer matrix. These two polymers have very different chemical structure and related different surface energy. First, we compared growth of nanoparticles on substrates of sputtered Nylon and PTFE. Then we compared properties of sandwich nanocomposites polymer-Ag-polymer for both types of nanoparticles and for both matrix materials. We characterized produced thin films especially with respect to their stability in water (antibacterial films), thermal stability (sterilization by heating) and stability on the open air (storage). Finally, the tests...
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The photoluminescence and optical absorptance of plasma hydrogenated nanocrystalline ZnO thin films
Remeš, Zdeněk ; Chang, Yu-Ying ; Stuchlík, Jiří ; Mičová, J.
We have developed the technology of the deposition of the nominally undoped ZnO nanocrystalline thin films by DC reactive magnetron sputtering of Zn target in the gas mixture of argon and oxygen plasma. We have optimized the photoluminescence spectroscopy for measuring optically scattering thin layers with the high sensitivity, precise sample positioning and very low influence of the scattered excitation light. Here we present the latest results on the enhancement of the photoluminescence of the nanocrystalline ZnO thin films after plasma hydrogenation. The photoluminescence in near UV region has been enhanced whereas the deep defect related photoluminescence has been significantly decreased. We found good room temperature stability of the plasma hydrogenated ZnO nanocrystals in air, but fast degradation at elevated temperature\n
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Study of the effect of thin film catalyst morphology on efficiency of water electrolyzer with proton conducting membrane
Hrbek, Tomáš ; Matolín, Vladimír (advisor) ; Nováková, Jaroslava (referee)
Title: Study of the effect of thin film catalyst morphology on efficiency of water electrolyzer with proton conducting membrane Author: Tomáš Hrbek Department: Department of Surface and Plasma Science Supervisor: prof. RNDr. Vladimír Matolín, DrSc., Department of Surface and Plasma Science Abstract: This bachelor thesis deals with the possibility of reducing the amount of noble metals in catalytic layers of proton exchange water electrolyzer (PEM-WE). The PEM-WE is an important unit of hydrogen economy as it allows storage of excess energy from renewable sources in the form of chemical energy. In the first part, etched membrane electrolyzers were prepared and tested, membrane etching is a previously unpublished procedure leading to a reduction of the amount of catalyst. Etched membranes were studied by scanning electron microscopy and, consequently tested in real working conditions in electrolyzers. In the second part of the work; Ir and IrO2 were compared as catalysts for PEM-WE anode. Their in-cell performance was tested directly in the electrolysers and in controlled condition by rotating disk electrode. Keywords: electrolyzer, magnetron sputtering, thin-layer catalyst, etched mem- brane PEM, Ir vs. IrO2
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Deposition of Nanocomposite Thin Films
Kratochvíl, Jiří ; Kylián, Ondřej (advisor)
Nanocomposite thin films can find application in photovoltaics, optics, fabrication of sensors, or in biomedicine. This work investigates fabrication and characterization of thin metal-plasma polymer nanocomposite films which have direct application because of their unique optical properties (e.g. SERS - Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy) or antibacterial effects (biomedicine). We fabricated metal nanoparticles either by magnetron sputtering (island growth) or by means of gas aggregation source of nanoparticles, thereby we got nanoparticles with very different morphologies. We used silver as a material for nanoparticles because of its antibacterial effects. We incorporated these nanoparticles into sputtered Nylon and sputtered PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) plasma polymer matrix. These two polymers have very different chemical structure and related different surface energy. First, we compared growth of nanoparticles on substrates of sputtered Nylon and PTFE. Then we compared properties of sandwich nanocomposites polymer-Ag-polymer for both types of nanoparticles and for both matrix materials. We characterized produced thin films especially with respect to their stability in water (antibacterial films), thermal stability (sterilization by heating) and stability on the open air (storage). Finally, the tests...
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Study of mechanical properties of nanolayered Ti/Ni coatings
Zábranský, L. ; Václavík, R. ; Přibyl, R. ; Ženíšek, J. ; Souček, P. ; Buršík, Jiří ; Fořt, Tomáš ; Buršíková, V.
The aim of the present work was to study the dependence of mechanical properties of Ti/Ni multilayer thin films on the thicknesses of constituent Ti and Ni layers. The multilayer thin films were synthesized by deposition of Ti and Ni layers alternately on single crystalline silicon substrates using direct current magnetron sputtering method. Thicknesses of Ti and Ni layers varied from 1.7 nm to 100 nm. The micro-structure of the multilayer films was studied using X-ray diffraction technique, scanning electron microscopy with focused ion beam technique and transmission electron microscopy. Mechanical properties obtained from nanoindentation experiments were discussed in relation to microstructural observations.
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Controllable synthesis, treatment and characterization of anodes for Direct Formic Acid Fuell Cell
Bieloshapka, Igor ; Jiříček, Petr (advisor) ; Khalakhan, Ivan (referee) ; Čechal, Jan (referee)
Title: Controllable synthesis, treatment and characterization of anodes for Direct Formic Acid Fuell Cell Author: Mgr. Igor Bieloshapka Department/Institute: Department of Surface and Plasma Science, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University Supervisor of the doctoral thesis: Ing. Petr Jiříček, CSc., Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Division of Solid State Physics, Department of Optical Materials Abstract: At this doctoral thesis, anodes were prepared by novel DC magnetron sputtering technique for direct formic acid fuel cells (DFAFCs). Anode part consisted of support material and catalyst. Carbon cloth and polyaniline were used as a support. Palladium and palladium-copper bimetallic catalysts were deposited on the top of the support. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM) were used for investigation of the morphology of the anodes. Composition and chemical states on the anode part were studied by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Transmission electron microscope (TEM) together with the XPS technique were used for characterizing graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) as a promising support for the polymer membrane fuel cells. For decreasing the role of substoichiometric PdCx phase and other contaminations on the surface of...
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Epitaxial growth and characterization of metamagnetic nanoparticles for biomedical applications
Motyčková, Lucie ; Gröger,, Roman (referee) ; Arregi Uribeetxebarria, Jon Ander (advisor)
Magnetické nanočástice představují perspektivní prostředek pro široké množství biomedicínských aplikací v neustále se rozvíjejících oblastech diagnostiky a léčebné terapie. Využití magnetických nanočástic z metamagnetických materiálů by mohlo poskytnout výrazný přínos například z hlediska zlepšení ovladatelnosti biologických subjektů uvnitř lidského těla. Tato práce se zabývá růstovými mechanismy a magnetickými vlastnostmi nanočástic ze slitiny železa s rhodiem (FeRh) ukotvených na substrátu MgO. Slitina FeRh byla vybrána pro její specifickou fázovou přeměnu z antiferomagnetické do feromagnetické fáze nastávající v blízkosti pokojové teploty, což umožňuje ovládání magnetických vlastností nanočástic v teplotním rozsahu blízkém lidskému tělu. Prezentované nanostruktury jsou vyráběny magnetronovým naprašováním využívajícím přístup samouspořádání “bottom–up”. Morfologie a magnetické chování připravených nanostruktur jsou vyšetřovány pomocí mikroskopie atomových a magnetických sil, které umožňují získat prostorové rozložení feromagnetických a antiferomagnetických domén v jednotlivých nanoostrůvcích.
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Vývoj, optimalizace a validace analytické metody na stanovení antibiotika ciprofloxacin ve vodě pomocí LC/MS
VACLOVÁ, Jana
This bachelor thesis deals with the development, optimization and validation of an analytical method for determination of antibiotic ciprofloxacin in water using LC/MS. At first, the development and optimization of the analytical method was performed. The following parameters were selected for optimization: mobile phase composition and injection volume of sample, conditions of electrospray, voltage on S-lens and F-lens, collision energy, maximum trap fill time and number of microscans. Then, the analytical method was successfully validated. Finally, the method was applied for the determination of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin in the layers made from PEEK.
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