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: 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...