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Advanced plasmonic materials for metasurfaces and photochemistry
Ligmajer, Filip ; Vala,, Milan (referee) ; Bauch, Martin (referee) ; Šikola, Tomáš (advisor)
Plazmonika, tedy vědní obor zabývající se interakcí světla s kovovými materiály, nabízí ve spojení s nanotechnologiemi nezvyklé možnosti, jak světlo ovládat a využívat. Výsledkem tohoto spojení může být například zaostřování světla pod difrakční limit, zesilování emise nebo absorbce kvantových zářičů, či extrémně citlivá detekce molekul. Tato práce se zabývá zejména možnostmi využití plazmoniky pro vývoj plošných optických prvků, tzv. metapovrchů, a pro fotokatalytické aplikace založené na plazmonicky generovaných elektronech s vysokou energií, tzv. horkých elektronech. Nejprve jsou vysvětleny teoretické základy plazmoniky a je poskytnut přehled jejích nejvýznamnějších aplikací. Poté jsou představeny tři studie zabývající se využitím plazmonických nanostruktur pro ovládání fáze a polarizace světla, pro vytváření dynamicky laditelných metapovrchů, a pro foto-elektrochemii s horkými elektrony. Společným prvkem těchto studií je pak používání pokročilých, resp. v rámci těchto oblastí netradičních, materiálů, jako např. oxidu vanadičitého nebo dichalkogenidů přechodných kovů.
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The pilot plant scale of the electrochemical elimination of Cr and Ni
Krušinová, Zuzana ; Klusoň, Petr (advisor) ; Žebrák, Radim (referee)
Electrocoagulation is a progressive yet not thoroughly understood method used to purify water contaminated by toxic elements and compounds. This bachelor thesis is focused on pilot scale testing of the electrochemical elimination of chromium and nickel from groundwater, realized on the premises of the company Velobel in Zlaté Hory. Firstly, it was essential to optimize the electrocoagulation process according to the parameters and composition of the groundwater. Secondly, it was necessary to test a continuous long-term operation that would make possible complete decontamination of the site. The electrocoagulation process was followed by addition of flocculant which was used to promote the sedimentation of the sludge. Lime solution was added simultaneously to change pH and to help eliminate nickel. This was followed by sedimentation and the purified water was led away by an overflow. The sludge was treated by a filter-press. Hexavalent chromium content in water samples was analysed spectrophotometrically with diphenylcarbazide, whereas trivalent chromium, nickel, zinc and manganese were analysed in a laboratory using ICP-OES (inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectrometry). It was discovered that the tested technology is very successful in real conditions, with metal removal efficacies...
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Investigation of new catalysts for polymer membrane fuel cells
Fiala, Roman ; Matolín, Vladimír (advisor) ; Bystroň, Tomáš (referee) ; Napporn, Teko Wilhelmin (referee)
Fuel cells are a promising alternate power source of electricity. Despite of sig- nificant improvement that was reached by research throughout recent decades, the technology is not still ready to large scale commercial use. The catalyst of fuel cell (FC) should be still investigated due to fact that the only reliable functional catalyst is Platinum, a noble and expensive metal, which makes the use of this technology not competitive. In this thesis, investigation of Platinum doped ceria catalyst and its modification prepared by physical technique of deposition which is magnetron sputtering is presented. The catalyst was studied using standard sur- face analytic techniques (PES, SEM, AFM, XANES) as well as electrochemical measurement (CV, PEIS). The principal part of this thesis reports direct analyses of catalyst in fuel cell using an individually designed fuel cell test station. Con- sidering the high power density (PD) about 1 W cm−2 and substantially higher specific power per gram of Platinum (SP) 1.6 kW mg−1 in comparison with com- mercial Pt-Ru/Pt-C reference catalyst and additionally the relatively longtime stability, the sputtered Platinum doped cerium oxide based catalyst was found a suitable catalyst for PEM FC. Moreover, possible substitution of Pt and CeO2 by other elements was shown. Beside of...
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Time-resolved potentiometry on liquid-liquid interface
Mansfeldová, Věra ; Nesměrák, Karel (advisor) ; Opekar, František (referee) ; Gál, Miroslav (referee)
Věra Mansfeldová: Time-resolved potentiometry on liquid-liquid interface (Dissertation thesis) Abstract The aim of this work is to explore the method of temporal resolution in potentiometry as a new prospective electrochemical analytical technique. In connection with interface of two immiscible electrolyte solutions (ITIES) it may find utilization in analytical chemistry. This technique up to my knowledge has not been published yet. Potential response of analyte on liquid/liquid interface includes both distribution processes, their temporal resolution and redox processes, which specificity can modified by changing the composition of individual phases. Unlike "classic" potentiometric techniques, limited just to potential determination, this method, which I have given the working name "time resolved potentiometry at liquid-liquid interface" utilizes time development of potential response, which was found to be an analyte-specific function. The time resolved potentiometry presented in this work includes time course of potential response to analytical parameters specific for particular analyte. It brings series of data characterizing the analyte in given environment in a similar manner as spectra and may allow creating analyte-specific data package - fingerprint. Combination with ITIES allows, unlike...
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Electrochemical studies of the analytical utilization of self-assembled monolayers of calix[4]arene on the surface of polycrystalline gold electrode
Hrdlička, Vojtěch ; Navrátil, Tomáš (advisor) ; Ludvík, Jiří (referee)
This MSc. Thesis deals with electrochemical studies of the analytical utilization of self-assembled monolayers of thiolated calix[4]arene (C4A) and/or undecanthiole (C11SH) on the surface of a polycrystalline gold electrode. Hydroquinone, nitrobenzene, 2-nitrophenole and 4-nitrophenole have been used as tested model compounds. The real surface area of the electrode was determined using these two methods: From the charge of desorption peak of α-gold oxides (5.72±0.48 mm2 ) and using the Randles- Ševčík equation. (6.14±0.59 mm2 ). The preparation of the electrode consisted of polishing on alumina, immersing into piranha solution and cyclic voltammetry. The area of electrode surface was well reproducible. Stability of thiol monolayer in the area of negative potentials was tested. The C11SH layer is very stable; the desorption peak was recorded in basic solutions only (at −1.3 V vs. 3M Ag/AgCl). The position of the desorption peak of C4A is more pH dependent and it was recorded at −1.08 V at pH 13. The properties of the electrode modified by C11SH and or C4A were investigated using the model compound hydroquinone. It is assumed that the oxidation of the hydroquinone does not take place inside the C4A cavity; hence the hydroquinone molecule is too big to pass through the cavity. C11SH and C4 + C11SH act...
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Electrochemistry of Nitrocalixarenes
Liška, Alan ; Vojtíšek, Pavel (advisor) ; Cibulka, Radek (referee)
In this diploma thesis a detailed investigation of the step-by-step reduction mechanism of cone-mono-, di-, tri and tetranitrocalix[4]arenes (in non-aqueous DMF) is presented. The intramolecular interaction of reducible (and reduced) centers and its consequences for the geometry of the starting molecule was discussed including the character of radicalic intermediates and their spin state. It was found, that the electrochemically generated radical anions of nitrogroups (unlike their starting electroneutral state) can act as ligands. Therefore, a study of complex formation equilibria of cone-tetranitrocalix[4]arenes with alkali metal cations followed. The possible use of a "stereoelectrochemical" approach (the relationship between geometry or conformation of the molecule and its electrochemical data) was demonstrated in describing and explaining conformational and electrochemical differences between two isomeric dinitrocalix[4]arenes. Finally, a new series of 1,3-alt-tetranitrothiacalix[4]arenes was electrochemically characterized and compared with the "classic" calixarene derivatives. Key words: electrochemistry, calixarenes, stereochemistry
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Plasmonically active electrochemical electrodes based on tungsten disulfide nanotubes decorated with gold nanoparticles
Salajková, Zita ; Daňhel,, Aleš (referee) ; Ligmajer, Filip (advisor)
When an electromagnetic wave illuminates metal nanostructure under right circumstances, it can couple to the motion of electrons and thus give rise to so-called LSPR. When these collective oscillations non-radiatively decay, they excite charge carriers that can have, for a short moment of time, highly non-thermal energy distribution. These so-called "hot" electrons and holes can then take part in photochemical applications, e.g. in reactions on photoactive electrodes where hot electrons act as catalysts. Gold nanoparticles seem to be a good candidate for fabrication of such electrodes because they exhibit resonantly enhanced absorption due to plasmon excitation in the visible and near infrared spectral range, which could make the solar energy harvesting more efficient. In this work we present electrohemical experiments that should help to clarify the underlying principles of photochemical reactions involving hot electrons. Our model system consists of indium tin oxide electrodes covered with tungsten disulphide nanotubes that were previously decorated by gold nanoparticles. By comparing the results of chronoamperometric measurements on individual components of this system it was shown that excitation of plasmonic nanoparticles indeed leads to photocurrents and that electrochemical methods can serve as a valuable tool for analysis of photochemical reactions catalyzed by hot electrons.
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