Title: Model systems with the use of CeO2 for bioapplication Author: Sofiia Bercha Department: Department of Surface and Plasma Science Supervisor: Ing. Nataliya Tsud Ph.D., Department of Surface and Plasma Science Abstract: This thesis is focused on the investigation of model systems for bioapplications. Interfaces between biomolecules and inorganic materials were studied by means of advanced surface science techniques with emphasis on the molecular electronic structure and bonding geometry as a function of material morphology and/or molecular deposition method. For the histidine/cerium oxide system it is demonstrated that the morphology of the oxide determines the mechanism of the molecular adsorption. The presence of an aqueous medium does not alter the histidine interaction with the nanostructured cerium oxide. For the adenine/cerium oxide system we have shown that the adenine molecule chemisorbs on CeO2 intact via nitrogen atoms, independent of the oxide morphology and deposition technique. The adenine molecule was found to decompose on a reduced surface of the cerium oxide. Combining experimental and theoretical methods two distinct phases of adenine on CeO2 were found. For adenine/Cu(111) system it was shown that the strong interaction with the surface keeps the molecule intact on the surface till...

Title: Study of cerium oxide thin films for biosensing applications Author: Yuliia Kosto Department: Department of Surface and Plasma Science Supervisor: Prof. RNDr. Vladimír Matolín, DrSc. Abstract: The presented scientific work was conducted in two main directions. The first one is an investigation of the simple biomolecules (glycine and sarcosine) bonding to cerium oxide model films by surface science techniques: photoelectron and near-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopies. Adsorption chemistry and thermal stability of the molecules on the oxides were studied in relation to the oxidation state of ceria cations, film morphology, and molecular deposition method. The oxygen vacancies in the oxide were shown to affect the adsorption geometry of glycine and stimulate molecular decomposition. The polycrystalline oxide morphology provided stabilizing effect on the glycine adlayer. Sarcosine deposited in vacuum formed densely packed adlayer with the molecules directed outwards. Interestingly, the results revealed that molecular film deposited from the aqueous solution, in contrast to deposition in vacuum, induces continuous reduction of the cerium oxide during thermal annealing. The second part is a study of polycrystalline cerium oxide thin films as an electrode for electrochemical and electrochemiluminescent...

The diploma thesis concerns the study of catalytic layers Pt-CeOx used in Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells. Employing a Transmission Electron Microscope and Near-Ambient Pressure Photoelectron Spectroscopy, morphology, particle size distribution, chemical composition, and effects of fuel cell conditions were studied. This work contributes to the clarification of the dynamic character of the prepared catalytic layers in reactive conditions, which is essential for understanding their catalytic activity and durability.

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The decay of 33 hour ¹⁴³Ce to levels in ¹⁴³Pr has been studied, using Ge(Li), NaI(Tl), and Si detectors. A number of new gamma ray transitions have been discovered. A decay scheme based on the experimental results is discussed and some spin assignments are suggested. This investigation was not exhaustive and suggestions are made as to further experiments which could be done. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

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