Focus
Scientific and research activities at the Department of Graphic Arts and Photophysics are focused on several areas:
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Research into chalcogenide glasses and thin films, where attention is paid to the study of some systems based on tellurium (Ge-Sb-Te, Ga-Ge-Te), selenium (Ge-Sb-Se), but others (Ga-La-S, etc.). Research into amorphous chalcogenides greatly benefits from a wide cooperation with foreign institutions (Université de Rennes 1, Université de Lille, University of Debrecen, etc.). A new stimulus for the development of scientific and research activities in this area was the acquisition of a spectroscopic ellipsometer operating in the infrared region of the spectrum.
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Research into UV curable inks and varnishes, where the study is primarily focused on monitoring the quantity of migrating substances from systems with a lower number of components (two- to three-component systems). The effect is studied of different conditions on the number of migrant substances (degree of conversion of the binder, extraction time, radiation dose, etc.). Attention in this area is also paid to the study of additives for cationic curing systems. By observing the change in viscosity, we tested the capability of selected compounds to inhibit premature polymerization and also we examine the effect of potent inhibitors on the long-term functionality of reactive systems.
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Study of materials suitable for printing multilayer systems consisting of functional layers. In the case of transparent electrically conductive polymer PEDOT:PSS (poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate), the photoacoustic method was used to measure layers with thicknesses in the order of tens of nanometers, prepared by gravure printing in cooperation with the Chemnitz University of Technology. Studies in the field of multilayer electronic elements focused on depth profiles and photoacoustic spectra of organic photovoltaic cells with an active layer made of P3HT:PCBM (poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl):[6,6]-phenyl-C61-methyl butyrate), prepared by combining the methods of spin coating and vacuum evaporation in collaboration with École Polytechnique. Newly, photoacoustic depth profiling and photoacoustic spectra have been used to characterize layers made by screen printing from an aqueous dispersion of polyaniline stabilized by poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone), prepared in cooperation with the Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic. The thermal behaviour of these dispersions with different ratios of polyaniline and stabilizer was also investigated by TG-DTA methods and FTIR spectroscopy.
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Research in the field of conservation and restoration of paper-based prints, where attention is paid to the study of the causes and mechanisms of degradation of the colour layer of watercolour and printing ink on a paper base and then the influence of selected methods of preservation of printed matter (disinfection and neutralization) on the stability of the printing ink layer, within the VEPA project (Science for Paper Artefacts) with the Faculty of Restoration.
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Research into thermochromic systems based on molecular charge transfer complexes, where in cooperation with the National Institute of Chemistry (Slovenia) interaction of these components of the systems are investigated with respect to functional properties such as colour contrast, temperature interval of the colour change and the width of the hysteresis loop. Also, behaviour of these systems is studied after their encapsulation.
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Study of zinc oxide and zinc sulphide nanomaterials, where the aim of the research is to prepare perspective photoluminescent, electroluminescent as well as photocatalytic systems. Other issues studied are the search for a suitable surfactant and incorporation of nanomaterials into a binder system to allow application thereof using printing techniques.
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Research activities focused on materials with application potential, such as a combined sensor for temperature and humidity measurements (using the print of sensory and functional layers for sensors to measure the relative humidity in a wide range of temperatures and relative humidity), printed electroluminescent panels or solar cells.
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Fractal analysis for characterizing the press is used to examine other parameters of the fractal spectrum. The experiments are also aimed at increasing the reproducibility and optimizing the entire process of scanning and analysis.
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Tackling the issue of automated data collection in printing plants and its integration with an information system, where in cooperation with partner companies, among others, software has been developed to communicate with sensor data from printing machines and control it.
