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...

The theoretical part deals with basic characteristics of low-temperature, low-pressure plasma. It also describes the principles of preparation of polymer and nanocomposite films using this type of plasma. It further explains the basic principles of methods used to characterize our samples. The experimental section shows a technology to produce hard polymeric coatings with metal (Cu) nanoparticles (NPs) fabricated by gas aggregation source (GAS). This approach has an important advantage that Cu concentration and matrix properties can be controlled independently. Characterization of the films in terms of chemical composition, morphology, optical and mechanical properties is described here alongside with description of Cu NPs production using GAS with variable aggregation length. The a- C:H matrix was deposited in a mixture of Ar and n-hexane on the substrates placed on a RF electrode. The beam of the NPs was normal to the substrate plane. In this arrangement it was possible to control hardness of the films and by operational parameters of the GAS also the amount of the NPs in the film. In the last section fabrication of nanocomposite films of titanium and nylon NPs is shown. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

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.

Title: Study of 3-phase catalytic layers for polymer electrolyte fuel cells and electrolysers Author: Šimon Fuka Department: Department of Surface and Plasma Science Supervisor: doc. Mgr. Iva Matolínová, Dr., Department of Surface and Plasma Science Abstract: The diploma thesis focuses on the study of catalytic layers for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC) or electrolyzers based on the mixture of platinum and cerium oxide. These layers are prepared by using magnetron sputtering, their properties are studied depending on the deposition parameters or the choice of the substrate by using SEM, AFM, XPS and then tested as an anode in the fuel cell. In addition to the morphology of the catalytic layers, it has been shown that the dispersion of very small nanoparticles of the catalyst with a size of 1-2 nm has a great effect on PEMFC performance. Most of the prepared samples gave maximal and maximal specific performance much higher than the state of art values published for Pt-CeOx system. By studying properties of the layers used as the anode catalysts, this work contributes to the understanding of PEMFC fuel cell behavior and, consequently, to its potential commercialization. Keywords: Fuel cell, cerium oxide, platinum, catalyst, magnetron sputtering

Title: Study of new catalytic materials for proton exchange membrane fuel cells Author: Petr Homola Department: Department of Surface and Plasma Science Supervisor: Prof. RNDr. Vladimír Matolín, DrSc. Abstract: Submitted thesis deals with study of thin layers based on platinum and cerium oxides in order to use them in fuel cells with polymer membrane (PEM- FC). A set of samples with different amount of platinum was prepared by means of magnetron sputtering. Samples were investigated by X - ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and results were confronted with sputtering parameters. It was found out that chemical state of platinum is related to its amount in thin layer. The less platinum was contained in thin layer, the less amount of Pt0 state was observed and amounts of Pt2+ and Pt4+ states increased. Furthermore the temperature stability of prepared layers in the interval from room temperature to 250 ◦ C was studied by means of XPS. The adsorption of carbon monoxide was measured by infrared absorption spectroscopy (IRAS). Increasing degree of adsorption on sample probably related to platinum reduction with increased tem- perature was observed. Measurements of other samples were devaluated by strong contamination with nickel carbonyls. Keywords: PEMFC, cerium oxide, magnetron sputtering, XPS, CO adsorption

Presented work is focused on the deposition and characterization of thin and ultrathin plasma polymer films, then also on the preparation of nanocomposites metal/plasma polymer. The characterization of plasma polymer films was partly done in-situ without exposing the samples to the atmosphere. The thickness of prepared films was measured by spectral ellipsometry, the chemical composition was measured by XPS. The morphology and optical properties of deposited films were measured ex-situ. It is shown that during the initial stages of growth the properties of plasma polymer films depend on their thickness and also on the material of the substrate. Many interesting applications were explored for prepared nanocomposites metal/plasma polymer. They can be used as superhydrophobic coatings, gradient coatings, substrates for Raman spectroscopy or as antibacterial coatings. Moreover, special optical properties of prepared nanocomposites were studied in detail. Presented work has an experimental character.

Title: Characterization of highly porous Pd-modified SnO2 sputtered thin films for H2 detection Autor: Mgr. Mykhailo Chundak Department/Institute: Department of Surface and Plasma Science Supervisor of the doctoral thesis: RNDr. Kateřina Veltruská, CSc., Department of Surface and Plasma Science Abstract: This doctoral thesis contains the study of tin dioxide and Pd-doped tin dioxide samples deposited by magnetron sputtering utilizing glancing angle deposition (GLAD). Influence of the deposition parameters on the change of morphology, crystalline structure and chemical state was studied. The samples were characterized by a variety of techniques, such as: X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), synchrotron radiation photoelectron spectroscopy (SRPES), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Prepared samples showed high porosity which could be controlled by deposition parameters (angle of the deposition, gas pressure and power of magnetron discharge). Highly porous SnO2 GLAD samples and Pd modified SnO2 GLAD samples were deposited on the substrates at room temperature and 300 řC. These samples were found to be polycrystalline with certain fraction of amorphous contribution, given by preparation conditions. The size of the...

Present doctoral thesis is focused on electron microscopy and spectroscopy investigation of novel metal-oxide anode catalyst for fuel cell application. Catalyst based on Pt- doped cerium oxide in form of thin layers prepared by simultaneous magnetron sputtering deposition on intermediate carbonaceous films grown on silicon substrate has been studied. The influence of catalyst support composition (a-C and CNx films), deposition time of CeOx layer and other deposition parameters, as deposition rate, composition of working atmosphere and Pt concentration on the morphology of Pt-CeOx layers has been investigated mainly by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The obtained results have shown that by suitable preparation conditions combination we are able to tune final morphology and composition of catalyst. Composition of carbonaceous films and Pt-CeOx layers was examined by complementary spectroscopy techniques - Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (EELS) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). Such prepared porous structures of Pt-CeOx are of promising as anode catalytic material for real fuel cell application. Keywords: cerium oxide, platinum, fuel cell, magnetron sputtering, Transmission Electron Microscopy

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...

Title: Controllable synthesis, treatment, and characterization of anodes for Direct Formic Acid Fuel Cell Author: Igor Bieloshapka Department: 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: This doctoral thesis concerns the preparation of anodes with Pd-based catalysts. Anodes were deposited on a support surface with magnetron sputtering. The prepared samples were tested in a direct formic acid fuel cell (DFAFC) station. Polyaniline, graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) have been additionally investigated as promising support material for polymer membrane fuel cells (FCs). A scanning electron microscope (SEM) and a transmission electron microscope (TEM) were used to observe the morphological differences between the prepared samples. Elemental composition and chemical states on the anode part were studied through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results show that the power density of the prepared anodes with 3 nm of palladium thickness is lower only by 30% in comparison with chemically prepared catalysts. The highest power density results were achieved for the...