SCIENCE
Our main research focus is on the preparation and characterization of nanomaterials, such as nanostructured thin films and nanoparticles. We aim especially for efficient catalysts for fuel cells and electrolyzers.
The Nanomaterials Group benefits from the expertise of its senior researchers in surface science and thin film growth. The knowledge and experience are constantly handed down to younger researchers and students, and the scope has expanded to include physical chemistry and electrochemistry.
We combine research on model catalysts in ultra-high vacuum or low gas pressures with studies on nanostructured catalysts at near-ambient pressures. The former gives us insight into reaction mechanisms, and the latter indicates suitability of the catalysts for applications. We are also in close cooperation with computational chemists to get further insights.
Our publications by year (listed on the department's website):
Tomáš Hrbek wins in his category at a student conference
09/24/2020The Czech-Slovak Student Scientific Conference in Physics is an annual conference for Bachelor and Master students of physics. This year was organized by the Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering of the Czech Technical University and received contributions in five physics areas. Due to the current epidemic situation, the conference was held completely online. The authors of the three best contributions in each area are awarded. This year, our Master student Tomáš Hrbek has won…
MoreComprehensive in-situ study of a fuel cell catalyst highlighted by CERIC
09/02/2020
In February this year, we reported on a study of the impact of simulated operating conditions on a Pt-Ni catalyst. Now, Dr. Ivan Khalakhan and coworkers have further deepened our understanding of changes in this type of catalyst under operating conditions. The article "Evolution of the PtNi Bimetallic Alloy Fuel Cell Catalyst under Simulated…
MoreDr. Peter Kúš receives the Dean's Prize for his book on thin-film catalysts
07/10/2020
Last year we informed that the dissertation of Dr. Peter Kúš had been selected for inclusion in Springer Theses and thus published as a book. The thesis presented a thorough experimental study of thin-film catalysts prepared by magnetron sputtering, and it brought results that can reduce the costs of energy storage in hydrogen. Now, the quality…
MoreStudy on a Pt-Ni cathode catalyst published in Applied Catalysis B: Environmental
02/04/2020
Dr. Ivan Khalakhan and co-workers have studied the impact of the operating conditions of a proton-exchange-membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) on a Pt-Ni cathode catalyst. The aim was to gain fundamental insights into the changes in its surface composition. A PtNi alloy catalyst was exposed alternately to oxidizing (O2) and reducing (H2) atmospheres, which…
MoreTomáš Hrbek awarded the Dean's Prize for his bachelor thesis
12/13/2019
Our master student Tomáš Hrbek has received the Dean's Prize, which is awarded yearly to the authors of four best bachelor's and four best master's theses defended that year across the faculty. Tomáš was awarded for his bachelor's thesis named "Study of the effect of thin film catalyst morphology on efficiency of water electrolyzer with proton…
MoreNew publications on nanostructured catalysts
11/12/2019
The effort of our group to reduce the costs of water electrolyzers and hydrogen fuel cells is reflected in two new articles, published respectively in the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy and in the Journal of Power Sources. Both studies deal with thin-film catalysts deposited by magnetron sputtering, and both show how the content of…
More2nd Workshop of the Nanomaterials Group
10/25/2019
The Nanomaterials Group (NMG) organized the 2nd group workshop in Spišské Bystré, Slovakia. We spent one week, from June 30th to July 6th, in the pleasant village and its surroundings, which span the Slovak Paradise and the south-eastern part of the Tatra Mountains. This gave us time and space to discuss all scientific topics pursued by our group,…
MoreDr. Peter Kúš's dissertation published within Springer Theses
06/18/2019
Peter Kúš successfully defended his doctoral thesis last year and continues in our group as a researcher. However, the defense has not remained his only success with the thesis. Charles University nominated it for inclusion in Springer Theses, a book series of outstanding PhD theses in the fields of chemistry, physics, earth sciences, and…
MoreSingle-atom Pt/CeO2 catalyst—HOT Paper and cover story
06/17/2019
The Journal of Materials Chemistry A has published a work of the Surface Physics and Nanomaterials groups and three cooperating Italian institutions, Ultimate dispersion of metallic and ionic platinum on ceria by Andrii Tovt, Luigi Bagolini, Filip Dvořák, Nguyen-Dung Tran, Mykhailo Vorokhta, Klára Beranová, Viktor Johánek, Matteo Farnesi Camellone…
More