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Advanced Nanomaterials Lab

Photoactive nanomaterials for applications

Preparation and modification of semiconductor nanomaterials and their optimisation in terms of photocatalytic activity and stability

Nanofibrous textiles as functional carriers

Electrospinning of polymer nanofibrous textiles and the fixation of photoactive or sorption particles onto flexible substrates. Focus on practical material formats (immobilised catalysts, hybrid layers, composites).

Polymer, hydrogel, and sorption systems

Development of polymer and biopolymer materials, hydrogels, and organic composites for interaction with water, gases, and various substances, including surface modification and wettability control.

Comprehensive characterisation and application testing

Structure, surface chemistry, morphology, and functional response of materials, including the analysis of products and contaminants.

Research Laboratory Description

The Advanced Nanomaterials Laboratory combines the fields of materials engineering, polymer, and organic chemistry with a nanotechnological approach to scalable materials. It specialises in the synthesis and functional optimisation of photoactive materials and their anchoring onto nanofibres. The laboratory's activities are directed towards the development of functional prototypes for decarbonisation, solar fuel production, and circular water management.

Keywords

# advanced nanomaterials

# photoactive and sorption nanomaterials

# surface-modified nanomaterials

# polymer nanocomposites

# electrospinning

Objectives and Focus

The Advanced Nanomaterials Laboratory (ANL) focuses on the systematic development of photoactive semiconductor nanomaterials, nanofibrous, and sorption structures. Our key expertise lies in the unique integration of materials chemistry with polymer and organic chemistry. This enables us to effectively immobilise active components onto nanofibrous textiles and membrane systems, whether in the form of distinct layers or functional coatings.

Unlike fundamental research on powder materials, we concentrate on the stability and practical applicability of the resulting composites under conditions close to real-world applications. Our solutions find application primarily in environmental technologies (especially in water and air purification), the field of solar fuels, and energy applications.

Ing. Ladislav Svoboda, Ph.D.

Ing. Ladislav Svoboda, Ph.D.

Research Laboratory Leader


E-mail: ladislav.svoboda@vsb.cz
Phone: +420 596 999 356
Place: RB201

Research Activities and Projects

Advanced materials for energy and environmental technologies

  • Project No. CZ.02.01.01/00/23_021/0008592
  • Funding provider: The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic
  • Project duration: 2024 - 2028
  • Principal Investigator: Simha Martynková Gražyna prof. Ing., Ph.D.
  • The project focuses on the structural tuning and functional integration of nanomaterials into advanced composites, which, due to their enhanced stability, enable effective deployment in technologies for sustainable energy and environmental remediation.

NCK PolyEnvi21 –  National Competence Centre of Polymer Materials and Technologies for 21. century

  • Project No. TN02000051
  • Funding provider: Technology Agency of the Czech Republic
  • Project duration: 2023-2028
  • Principal Investigator: Leštinský Pavel doc. Ing., Ph.D.
  • The project is focused on the development of polymer materials and technologies, with an emphasis on sustainability, recycling, and industrial application. The group contributes through research into the chemical recycling of polymer waste, the characterisation of waste plastics, pyrolysis, separation processes, and the evaluation of recycling products.

Research Excellence For REgion Sustainability and High-tech Industries (REFRESH)

  • Project No. CZ.10.03.01/00/22_003/0000048
  • Funding provider: Ministry of the Environment of the Czech Republic
  • Project duration: 2022 - 2027
  • Principal Investigator: prof. Ing. Igor Ivan, Ph.D. 
  • Within the project, the laboratory focuses on the preparation and optimisation of advanced nanomaterials for specific energy and environmental applications.

Self-healing fiber ceramic matrix composite (SAFER)

  • Project No. TH82020004
  • Funding provider: Technology Agency of the Czech Republic
  • Project duration: 2023 - 2026
  • Principal Investigator: Peikertová Pavlína Mgr., Ph.D.
  • The project focuses on the applied research of ceramic composites with self-healing properties.

Main Techniques

  • Preparation: Electrospinning (Nanospider), deposition of nanomaterials onto nanofibrous textiles, patented procedures for nanomaterial synthesis.
  • Characterisation (optical and photoelectric properties): UV-Vis spectrometry, UV-Vis DRS (Diffuse Reflectance Spectrophotometry), photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, TCSPC (Time-Correlated Single Photon Counting), photocurrent measurements.
  • Surface and surface chemistry: XPS (X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy), FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, wettability measurements (contact angle).
  • Texture and particle size: BET (specific surface area), DLS (Dynamic Light Scattering).
  • Structure and morphology: XRD (X-ray Diffraction), SEM/EDX (Scanning Electron Microscopy with elemental analysis).
  • Mechanical and rheological properties of polymers/composites: Polymer rheology, DMA/DMTA (Dynamic Mechanical Analysis / Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis).
  • Magnetic and magneto-optical properties: MOKE (Magneto-Optical Kerr Effect).
  • Functional testing: Study of photocatalytic activity.

Results and Applications

We have developed and patented a technology for the permanent decontamination of air filters based on the photocatalytic deactivation of biological agents (CZ 309592), thereby bridging the gap between laboratory synthesis and industrial application.

We have established objective, comparable testing of photoactive materials through a method for the continuous measurement of photocatalysis using dye simulants (CZ 308365), which monitors activity over time and enhances the reproducibility and transferability of protocols.

We have developed a highly efficient adsorbent for boron sorption from water, based on polymer ion-exchange principles (CZ 310487), offering excellent selectivity, capacity, and reusability.

Selected publications

Contact information

Ing. Czernek Pavel

Researcher (9361)

pavel.czernek1@vsb.cz
+420 596 999 356
+420 596 999 378

prof. Ing. Izák Pavel, DSc., Ph.D.

Employee (9350)
Researcher (9361)

pavel.izak@vsb.cz
+420 596 991 545

Ing. Kotala Tomáš

Researcher (9361)

tomas.kotala1@vsb.cz
+420 596 991 545

doc. Dr. Ing. Lesňák Michal

Academic Staff Member (040)
Researcher (9361)

michal.lesnak@vsb.cz
+420 596 992 945

Modgil Shubham

Researcher (9361)
Employee (9360)

shubham.modgil@vsb.cz
+420 596 991 673

Ing. Smijová Julie, Ph.D.

Researcher (9361)

julie.smijova@vsb.cz
+420 596 991 545

Ing. Svoboda Ladislav, Ph.D.

Head of Work Group ANL (9361)
Academic Staff Member (9361)

ladislav.svoboda@vsb.cz
+420 596 999 356
RB201, 17. listopadu 2172/15 (map)
708 00 Ostrava - Poruba

Ing. Vaculík Miroslav, Ph.D.

Academic Staff Member (9361)
Employee (663)

miroslav.vaculik@vsb.cz
+420 596 991 601

Van der Bruggen Bart

Researcher (9361)

bart.van.der.bruggen@vsb.cz
+420 596 991 545

Zanata Leonardo

Employee (9361)

leonardo.zanata@vsb.cz
+420 596 991 673