Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) is a new class of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with zeolite-like properties such as permanent porosity, uniform pore size, and exceptional thermal and chemical stability. Until recently, ZIF materials have been mostly synthesized by solvothermal method. In this thesis, further analysis to tune the size and morphology of ZIF-8 is done upon our group’s recent success in preparing ZIF-8 crystals in pure aqueous solutions. Compositional parameters (molar ratio of 2-methylimidazole/Zn2+, type of zinc salt reagents, reagent concentrations, addition of surfactants) as well as process parameters (temperature and time) were systematically investigated. Upon characterizations of as-synthesized samples by X-ray powder diffraction, thermal gravimetric analysis, N2 adsorption, and field-emission scanning electron microscope, the results show that the particle size and morphology of ZIF-8 crystals are extremely sensitive to the compotional parameters of reagent concentration and addition of surfactants. The particle size and morphology of hydrothermally synthesized ZIF-8 crystals can be finely tuned; with the size ranging from 90 nm to 4 μm and the shape from truncated cubic to rhombic dodecahedron.

<p>Surfactants self-assemble into diverse aggregate structures like micelles and bilayers. These aggregates play a vital role in applications ranging from wastewater treatment to soil remediation to carbon utilization. Therefore, an understanding of aggregate morphologies in solutions and at interfaces allows us to tailor surfactants for specific applications. To that end, we have used molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to glean atomic-level insights into surfactant aggregation.</p><p>First, we focus on the self-assembly of Aerosol-OT (AOT), a double-tailed anionic surfactant in aqueous media. Through extensive classical MD simulations, AOT morphologies are generated that are consistent with experimental phase diagrams. Aggregates range from spherical micelles at low concentrations (1 wt.%) to bilayers at higher concentrations (20 wt.%). A transitional biphasic regime is identified at an intermediate concentration (7.2 wt.%); this regime comprises prolate spheroidal and long rod-like micelles. Metrics of micelle shape and size are computed from the moments of inertia tensor. The polydispersity in these metrics are also quantified. The bilayer thickness and area per AOT head group agree with experimental measurements. The simulations also reveal atomic-level mechanistic insights into the early stages of surfactant aggregation. Taken together, these simulations elucidate the structural diversity of AOT aggregates as a function of concentration and temperature thus being complementary to mean-field experiments.</p><p>Second, we attempt to understand the role of AOT in the valorization of carbon dioxide to calcium carbon ultrafine particles. Through an enhanced sampling MD technique called umbrella sampling, the interactions between a single molecule of AOT and the (10m14) crystal plane of CaCO₃ are investigated. These simulations are complemented by a first principles Density Functional Theory (DFT) analysis which is performed through collaboration. DFT identifies the most stable adsorption configurations for AOT-like surrogate molecules and unravels the nature of chemical bonds between these molecules and the (10m14) crystal plane.</p><p>Finally, preliminary experimental studies pertaining to the synthesis of CaCO₃ particles using CO₂ and surfactants is discussed. The CaCO₃ particles are characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The influence of the nature of the surfactant; anionic AOT, or cationic cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), on the morphology of CaCO₃ particles is discussed.</p>

This thesis is focused on possibility of studying stability and fusion of catanionic vesicles with Förster resonance energy transfer. The mainly used technique was Time-Correlated single photon counting. Firstly, excitation and emission spectra of chosen probes were measured and donor-acceptor pairs were suggested: 5-hexadecanoylaminofluorescein with Octadecyl Rhodamine B, Bodipy 493/503 with rhodamine or DiI, perylene with fluorescein, DiO with DiI. Then, time-resolved measurements of suggested pairs from environment of catanionic vesicles with different content of cholesterol were made in order to track the FRET associated with fusion of vesicles. It was found out, that it is not possible to use DiO as a donor because of it’s inefficient solubilisation into vesicles. It is also not possible for Bodipy to be used as a donor, because of it‘s excimer formation. In case of using fluorescein as a donor, it was found, that there is ongoing homo-fret between fluorescein molecules. Thanks to this, fusion was tracked by addition of unstained vesicles. It was also possible to track fusion in longer period of time. Also perylene-fluorescein pair was found to be capable of tracking the fusion, but with the exception of vesicles with content of cholesterol of 43 mol. %, tracking of fusion was possible only in short period of time.

The effect of native hyaluronan addition on CMC of excluded surfactants (Tween 20, BETADET THC 2, SDS, CTAT a CTAB) in physiological solution (0,15 M NaCl) has been investigated by fluoresence spectroscopy with Pyrene and Nile red as probes. The greatest influence on CMC has been observed in systems with cationic surfactant. System of cetyltrimethylamonnium bromid has been closely studied. Solubilization experiments with a hydrophobic dye Sudan red has been realized and aggregation number of this system has been determinated via fluorescence quenching with cetylpyridinium chloride as quencher and Pyrene as fluorescence probe. Addition of hyaluronan (native or hydrophobicaly modified) reduces aggregation number of system.

Tensides rank among the surfactants with ability to reduce surface tension. This ability is used to remove impurities. Surfactants can be divided into four basic groups: anionic, cationic, nonionic and zwitterionic. Anionic surfactants belong to the most widespread surfactants in the Czech Republic today. They get into sewage waters from various cleansing and washing agents which are used both in households and industry. So this diploma thesis deals with their assessment by application of capillary electrophoresis.

This diploma thesis is focused to nickel coatings on magnesium alloys. At the introduction of this work is briefly commented phase composition of AZ91 alloy, which is followed by detailed description of five very different theories of Ni-P coatings formation. Theoretical part is ended by review aimed to current states of development in areas of chemical nickel coating, influence of AZ91 alloy microstructure to current less deposition and possibility of surfactants influence to decrease of surface roughness. In experimental part of this thesis was the morphology and composition of Ni-P coatings including interlayers dependence on chemical composition of nickel-plating bath and magnesium alloy surface pre-treatment investigated using scanning electron microscopy and inverted optical microscopy. Average phosphorus content was obtained using energy dispersive analysis. Closing part of experimental part was dedicated for mechanical properties of coatings by micro-indentation analysis.

Theoretical part of this thesis presents summary of material and testing parameters which influence SCG and consequently the duration of the FNCT test. The experimental part focuses on modification of testing conditions of FNCT test in order to minimize the test time. FNCT tests were performed for four types of surfactants: Arkopal N110, Sodium dodecylbenzensulfonate (NaDBS), Disponil LDBS55 and Simulsol SL8. The most pronounced accelerating effect was observed for NaDBS surfactant, which in comparsion with commonly used Arkopal N110 doubled the test speed at the same concentration (11 %) and other test conditions. The accelerating effect of NaDBS was also observed for two different PE grades: Liten VB85 and VL 20N. Under the test conditions 80 °C and 4 MPa, 5% NaDBS water solution caused for VL 20N almost 12,5-fold acceleration compared to conventional 2% Arkopal N110 and almost 8,5-fold acceleration for VB 85. The correlation between wettability of surfactant solution and FNCT time to fracture was found.

A new method for determining viscoelastic properties on the interfacial interface called interfacial rheology was intoduced and investigated. Measured data were compared with data from tanziometer for model system of surfactant. Three concentration renge of surfactant, namely SDS (anionic), TTAB (cationic) and Tween (nonionic), were measured. From the measured data the influence of structure, critical micellar concentration and charge on the viscoelastic properties of the interfacial interface was determined. Furthermore, this new method was used for biological systems and specifically for biofilms of two bacterial strains. First, the viscoelastic properties of biofilms on the agar were determined, and the viscoelastic properties dependence on temperature

Surfactants self-assemble into aggregates above a certain concentration. In this work mixtures of the cationic surfactant cetyltrimetylammonium bromide (CTAB) and the anionic surfactant sodium octyl sulfate (SOS) were investigated systematically. The measurements were accomplished by combining the two complimentary techniques static light scattering (SLS) and cryo-transmission electron microscopy (CRYO-TEM). It was found that CTAB-rich samples contain large threadlike micelles rather close to mole fractions where vesicles start to form. The mole fraction x of the surfactant in excess in the aggregates was calculated and it was found that it differs a lot from the mole fraction in the bulk, and the transition from micelles to vesicles occurs when x is about 0.7. In the SOS-rich samples small globular micelles were observed that transform into vesicles upon dilution. Some of the samples rich in SOS were found to contain open vesicles with CRYO-TEM and the reasons for this behavior have been discussed. One question that needs to be further investigated is whether or not these structures are the result of some kind of distortion of the equilibrium process during sample preparation in connection with CRYO-TEM measurements. In most cases the two methods showed consistent results and trends, but for some samples differences could be observed.

Supercrystals (SCs) offer the opportunity to integrate nanoparticles into current technologies without losing their unique and designable properties. In the past two decades, much research has been conducted, allowing the synthesis of differently shaped nanoparticles of various materials. Employing those building units, several methods have been developed enabling the preparation of an increasing number of different superstructures. In this review, an overview is given of the large versatility of surfactant molecules used for SC preparation. While SCs with uncharged organic ligands are by far the largest group, the use of charged or uncommon ligands allows the preparation of unique SCs and superlattices. Additionally, the influence of the ligands on the self‐assembly and properties of the resulting SCs is highlighted.