This thesis deals with the production of compact graphite iron in a foundry HEUNISCH Brno, s.r.o. The first part describes the structure, chemical composition, properties, methods of modification and inoculation. The following section describes the production of cast iron, metallographical evaluation of the planimetric method and image analysis.

The dissertation thesis deals with investigation of electrode materials for Lithium-ion batteries. The main aim of investigation was focused to materials for negative electrode of Litihum-ion batteries. These negative electrode materials operate on intercalation principle. Object of interest are carbonaceous materials, especially their graphite forms. Graphite plays host role in lithium ion – graphite interactions that provides LiC6 compound. As a result of that investigation can be considered improving of graphite materials from stability, irreversible capacity and other parameters points of view. This kind of investigation takes an important part in field of elementary investigation work engaged to the next generation of Lithium-ion batteries. The work also describes the fire safety issue of Lithium-ion batteries along with compatibility of negative electrode materials and aprotic electrolytes.

The diploma thesis is focused on the dependence of heat storage on thermal conductivity, which is characterized by the thermal conductivity coefficient. Two basic materials were chosen for the measurements – universal plaster mixture and gypsum plaster. The thermal conductivity of the materials was increased by adding milled graphite powder, which conducts the heat very well. The taken samples were then examined for differences in the behaviour in the non-stationary thermal field and thermal-technical parameters – the specific heat capacity and the thermal conductivity coefficient – were determined.

In the diploma thesis the charge transfer reaction on thin layer N,N',N'',N'''-tetramethyl-tetra-3,4-pyridinoporphyrazinocobalt mediator is studied. The mediator is deposited on electrode surface formed by basal plane of highly ordered pyrolytic graphite. The modified electrode, which displays electrocatalytic activity to oxidation of propylene, has been characterized by cyclic voltammetry, backscattering spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy.

Supercapacitors have aroused considerable attention due to their high power capability, which enables charge storage/output in minutes or even seconds. However, to achieve a high energy density in a supercapacitor has been a long‐standing challenge. Here, graphite is reported as a high‐energy alternative to the frequently used activated carbon (AC) cathode for supercapacitor application due to its unique Faradaic pseudocapacitive anion intercalation behavior. The graphite cathode manifests both higher gravimetric and volumetric energy density (498 Wh kg−1 and 431.2 Wh l−1) than an AC cathode (234 Wh kg−1 and 83.5 Wh l−1) with peak power densities of 43.6 kW kg−1 and 37.75 kW l−1. A new type of Li‐ion pseudocapacitor (LIpC) is thus proposed and demonstrated with graphite as cathode and prelithiated graphite or Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) as anode. The resultant graphite–graphite LIpCs deliver high energy densities of 167–233 Wh kg−1 at power densities of 0.22–21.0 kW kg−1 (based on active mass in both electrodes), much higher than 20–146 Wh kg−1 of AC‐derived Li‐ion capacitors and 23–67 Wh kg−1 of state‐of‐the‐art metal oxide pseudocapacitors. Excellent rate capability and cycling stability are further demonstrated for LTO‐graphite LIpCs.

Wasserstoff ist der ideale Energieträger, da er völlig schadstofffrei verbrennt und einen potentiell hohen Energiegehalt pro Masse besitzt. Die größte Herausforderung für den Gebrauch von Wasserstoff als Kraftstoff ist die Wasserstoffspeicherung in sicheren und kostengünstigen Systemen. Die Ziele und Aufgaben der vorliegenden Doktorarbeit sind, poröse Materialien, die unterschiedliche Struktur und Zusammensetzung besitzen, für die Physisorption von Wasserstoff mittels einer neuartigen volumetrischen Apparatur zu untersuchen. Das Erreichen maximaler Speicherdaten stand nicht im Vordergrund dieser Arbeit. Viel wichtiger war es, einen Struktur – Eigenschafts – (Sorptions) – Zusammenhang zu verstehen, auf deren Basis eine systematische Entwicklung von Wasserstoffspeichermaterialien erfolgen könnte. Zwei Klassen von potentiellen Wasserstoffspeichern wurden erforscht: expandierte Graphitmaterialien und Metallorganische Netzwerke. Neue experimentelle Methoden zur Untersuchung der Wasserstoffspeicherkapazität an modifizierter volumetrischer Apparatur wurden erfolgreich entwickelt und geprüft. Das Verwenden einer der Kammern als Referenzkammer ermöglicht das Ausschließen der experimentellen Artefakte aus der Auswertung der gespeicherten Wasserstoffmenge. Es wurde keine Gaszustandgleichung bei tiefen Temperaturen verwendet, was sehr wichtig bei den Experimenten mit Wasserstoff ist.

The submerged entry nozzle (SEN) has been used to transport the molten steel from tundish to the mould. The main purpose of the SEN usage is both to prevent oxygen and nitrogen pick-up by molten steel and to achieve the desired flow condition in the mould. Therefore, the SEN can be considered as a vital factor for a stable casting process and the steel quality. Furthermore, the steelmaking processes occur at high temperatures around 1873 K so the interaction between the refractory materials of the SEN and molten steel is unavoidable. Therefore, the knowledge of the SEN behaviors during pre-heating and casting is necessary for the design of the steelmaking processes. The internal surfaces of modern SENs are coated with a glass/silicon powder layer to prevent the SEN graphite oxidation during pre-heating. The effects of the interaction between the coating layer and the SEN base refractory materials on clogging were studied in supplement 1. The results of the study indicated the penetration of the formed alkaline-rich glaze into the Alumina/graphite base refractory during pre-heating. More specifically, the alkaline-rich glaze reacts with graphite to form carbon monoxide gas. Thereafter, dissociation of CO at the SEN/molten metal interface takes place. This leads to reoxidation of dissolved REM (Rare Earth Metal), which form the “In Situ” REM oxides at the interface between the SEN and the REM alloyed molten steel. Also, the interaction of the penetrated glaze with alumina in the SEN base refractory materials leads to a formation of a high-viscous alumina-rich glaze during the SEN pre-heating process. This in turn, creates a very uneven surface at the SEN internal surface. The “In Situ” formation of the REM oxides together with the uneven internal surface of the SEN may facilitate the accumulation of the primary inclusions. Supplement 1 revealed the disadvantages of the glass/silicon powder layer. On the other hand the carbon oxidation is a main industrial problem for un-coated Alumina/Graphite Submerged Entry Nozzles (SEN) during pre-heating. This led to the proposal of a new refractory material for the SEN. In supplement 2, the effect of ZrSi2 antioxidant and the coexistence of antioxidant additive and (4B2O3 ·BaO) glass powder on carbon oxidation were investigated at simulated non-isothermal heating conditions in a  controlled atmosphere. Also, the effect of ZrSi2 antioxidant on carbon oxidation was investigated at isothermal temperatures at 1473 K and 1773 K. The specimens’ weight losses and temperatures were plotted versus time and compared to each others. The thickness of the oxide areas were measured and also examined using XRD, FEG-SEM and EDS. The coexistence of 8 wt% ZrSi2 and 15 wt% (4B2O3 ·BaO) glass powder of the total alumina/Graphite base refractory materials, presented the most effective resistance to carbon oxidation. The 121% volume expansion due to the Zircon formation during heating and filling up the open pores by (4B2O3 ·BaO) glaze during green body sintering led to an excellent carbon oxidation resistance. In supplement 3, decarburization behaviors of Al2O3-C, ZrO2-C and MgO-C refractory materials constituting a commercial Submerged Entry Nozzle (SEN), have been investigated in different gas atmosphere consisting of CO2, O2 and Ar. The (CO2/O2) ratio values were kept the same as it is in propane combustion flue gas at Air Fuel Ratio (AFR) values equal to 1.5 and 1 for both Air-fuel and Oxygen-fuel combustions. Laboratory experiments were carried out non-isothermally in the temperature range 873 K to 1473 K at 15 K/min followed by isothermal heating at 1473 K for 60 min. The decarburization ratio (α) values of the three refractory types were determined by measuring the weight losses of the samples. The results showed that the decarburization ratio (α) values of the MgO-C refractory became 3.1 times higher for oxygen-fuel combustion compared to air-fuel combustion both at AFR equal to 1.5 in the temperature range 873 K to 1473 K. The decarburization ratio (α) values for Al2O3-C samples were the same as for the isothermal heating at 1473 K and non-isothermal heating in the temperature range 473  to 1773 K with a 15 K/min heating rate. It substantiates the SEN preheating advantage at higher temperatures for shorter holding times instead of heating at lower temperatures for longer holding times. Jander’s diffusion model was proposed for estimating the decarburization rate of Al2O3-C refractory in the SEN. The activation energy for Al2O3-C samples heated at AFR equal to 1.5, for air-fuel and oxygen-fuel combustions were found to be 84.5 KJ/mol and 95.5 KJ/mol respectively during non-isothermal heating in the temperature range 873 K to 1473 K. / QC 20101008

L'objectif de la thèse est d'expérimenter et de valider de nouvelles voies d'exfoliation des feuillets de graphène dans des élastomères de type silicone (PDMS) et des thermoplastiques de type polyéthylène (PE). Ce projet s'appuie sur des étapes de modifications chimiques des feuillets de graphite oxydé (GO) dont la polarité initiale n'offre pas une compatibilité satisfaisante avec les matrices étudiées. Différentes approches ont été explorées : la synthèse du GO greffé PDMS a été réalisée avec succès par greffage directe d'un PDMS fonctionnalisé triéthoxysilane et par une réaction d'hydrosilylation catalytique de GO modifiés vinyltriméthoxysilane en présence de polyméthylhydrogénosiloxane. Une étude des propriétés viscoélastiques de suspensions de GO et GO modifié/PDMS a montré l'importance de l'interaction charge-charge sur la formation d'un réseau percolant. Le seuil de percolation rhéologique du GO a été obtenu à 1,75 %wt avec Af~60. En se basant sur le greffage radicalaire du pentadécane par abstraction d'atomes d'H par un peroxyde à haute température, il a été possible d'extrapoler cette réaction pour procéder au greffage d'un PE de faible masse molaire (Mn~2000). De plus, des PE fonctionnalisés thiol et azoture de Mn similaire ont aussi été greffés sur des dérivés du graphite par addition radicalaire et de Michael. Après sélection d'une charge présentant une conductivité en poudre proche du graphite et une bonne affinité pour les milieux alcanes, un nano-composite à base de PEBD présentant des propriétés électriques convenables pour une application de blindage électromagnétique (4.105 Ω.cm à 25%wt) a été réalisé et ceci sans utiliser d'agents réducteurs toxiques / The aim of this thesis was to experiment and validate new means of graphene exfoliation in an elastomer matrix such as silicone (PDMS) and a thermoplastic matrix such as polyethylene (PE). Because of the low affinity of graphene oxide for these matrices due to its high polarity, its chemical modification was carried out. Different approaches were explored: the grafting of PDMS onto GO was carried out with success by a direct functionalization with a PDMS terminated triethoxysilane and by a catalytic hydrosilation reaction of a PDMS terminated Si-H onto vinyltrimethoxysilane modified GO. The viscoelastic behavior of GO and modified GO/PDMS suspensions showed the importance of the filler-filler interaction on the formation of a percolating network. The rheological percolation threshold of the GO/PDMS suspension was obtained at ~1.75 wt% with an aspect ratio (Af) of ~60. In addition, the grafting of PE onto GO was studied with the high temperature radical grafting of pentadecane formed by a hydrogen atom abstraction with a peroxide, which was then extrapolated to a low molecular PE (Mn~2000). Moreover, thio and azide functionnalized PE with a similar Mn were also grafted onto graphite derivatives by a radical and a Michael addition. After choosing the filler which presented the closest electrical conductivity to the one of graphite powder and a good affinity for a heptane media, a LDPE based nano-composite that presented suitable electrical properties for an electromagnetic shielding application (4 105 Ω.cm at 25 wt%) was obtained and this without any use of toxic reducing agents

Electroconductive silicate-based composites are advanced materials that allow building structures to perform several different functions simultaneously. Addressing the issues of their development and use is a suitable topic for research work. The aim of this work is to study the effect of structure on the resistivity of silicate composite. The structure of electrically conductive composites is studied on dry cement paste and mortar mixtures as well as on test bodies made of hardened cement paste and mortar after 28 days of curing. Based on the analysis of the raw materials, six suitable electroconductive fillers are selected based on particle size, resistivity, and water absorption. The parameters of dry cement paste and hardened cement paste with replacement of 4-19 wt. % cement by the selected fillers are determined. Two of the fillers are selected for use in dry and hardened mortar. Resistivity is determined for all dry mixes and hardened composites variants, and percolation thresholds are approximately determined. By studying the structure of the selected variants, it is shown that the most important parameters that have the greatest influence on the resistivity of the silicate composites are mainly the particle size and the intrinsic resistivity of the electrically conductive filler. For silicate composites in the hardened state, the volume of hydration products, especially portlandite and C-S-H gels, also has a significant influence. For both dry blends and hardened composites, it was found that the smaller the particle size of the electroconductive filler, the smaller the representation needed to reach the percolation threshold. Portlandite and C-S-H gels in the volume of the hardened composite cause its high resistivity. The resistivity of the hardened composite is always higher than that of the dry blends. Thus, the proportion of electroconductive filler needed to reach the percolation threshold is higher in hardened composites than in dry mixes. The resist

This diploma thesis deals with lithium-ion batteries. It is focused on negative electrode on grafit based. The goal of this thesis is to show the problematics of lithium-ion batteries together with possibilities for improvement of their basic parametres as capacity and current elektricity loadability. The first part is focused on the description of functionality of lithiumion battery. The second part is practical and it is focused on production of negative electrodes from natural graphite 280H which has different thickness and compression pressure. The third part describes preparation of negative electrodes from natural graphite 280H and also includes results of measurement. In the last part are different types of negative electrodes from natural graphite 280H compared and evaluated including the determination of conclusions. This comparison and evaluation based on obtained data.