We are happy to announce four PhD thesis topics related to our ongoing research projects focusing on biomass valorization to value-added products with the help of heterogeneous catalysis and green chemistry principles. If you would like to know more about the topics or study at the University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, please contact us. Updated on 7th January 2026.
Identification and Characterization of Surface Active Sites in Heterogeneous Catalysts Using In-Situ Approach and Probe Molecules
The goal of this thesis is to investigate the properties of heterogeneous catalysts using in situ techniques (FTIR, TPD/R/O and XRD). Particular attention will be given to describe properties of metal species and acid-base sites and their change with operation conditions. These observations will help to design catalyst structure with tailored catalyst properties.
Towards Effective Depolymerization of Lignin to Value-Added Chemical Using Tailor-Made Heterogeneous Catalysts
The research will focus on developing novel catalysts to selective depolymerization of lignin through hydrogenolysis reactions. The aim will be to understand the limitations of the hydrogenolysis of different bonds between the monomeric units. This will allow developing catalysts providing high yield of monomers to be further upgraded into valuable chemicals.
Advanced characterization of lignin and its depolymerization products
This dissertation focuses on the development and optimization of a comprehensive set of analytical methods for the advanced characterization of lignins and their depolymerization products. The work includes refining titration and NMR techniques to enable accurate determination of total hydroxyl group content as well as selective quantification of specific hydroxyl functionalities. Furthermore, analytical and preparative gel permeation chromatography will be optimized to improve molecular-weight determination and fractionation of lignin samples. For qualitative and quantitative analysis of selected semivolatile and nonvolatile compounds, optimized GC-MS and high-resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometry methods will be developed. All methods will be validated using an extensive database of model oxygen-containing phenolic compounds to ensure high selectivity, sensitivity, and reproducibility.This dissertation focuses on the development and optimization of a comprehensive set of analytical methods for the advanced characterization of lignins and their depolymerization products. The work includes refining titration and NMR techniques to enable accurate determination of total hydroxyl group content as well as selective quantification of specific hydroxyl functionalities. Furthermore, analytical and preparative gel permeation chromatography will be optimized to improve molecular-weight determination and fractionation of lignin samples. For qualitative and quantitative analysis of selected semivolatile and nonvolatile compounds, optimized GC-MS and high-resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometry methods will be developed. All methods will be validated using an extensive database of model oxygen-containing phenolic compounds to ensure high selectivity, sensitivity, and reproducibility.