The functionality of a novel 3-dimensional betavoltaic battery design will be investigated to improve conversion efficiency over existing planar devices. A beta-emitting isotope of nickel, Ni-63, is embedded in the volume of empty space between self-assisted p-i-n junction gallium phosphide nanowires to improve the beta capture efficiency. Parameters such as nanowire pitch, diameter, and height will influence the efficiency and were investigated thoroughly. Material selection was performed based on the following considerations. Gallium phosphide is chosen to achieve a high open circuit voltage under beta exposure. Ni-63 has an optimal beta energy spectrum for a nanowire device and a half-life of 101 years for long term application. The majority of the work focused on the development of the fabrication process, particularly the radioactive source deposition. The method used for embedding the source was a citrate-based sol-gel which was spun onto the sample. This method was modified for this nanowire application and specific challenges to the process are outlined. Furthermore, the obstacles of working with radioactive materials will be discussed. The first nanowire-based betavoltaic device is reported to produce beta-generated current and achieved a beta conversion efficiency of 0.03%. Investigation of the junction was performed to provide future improvements to the efficiency. Additionally, simulated IV curves for a non-active sample exhibited a possible conversion efficiency of 1.92%. / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

The sol-gel process has been employed to generate hybrid inorganic-organic network materials. Unique ceramers were prepared based on an alkoxysilane functionalized soft organic oligomer, poly(propylene oxide) (PPO), and tetramethoxysilane (TMOS). Despite the formation of covalent bonds between the inorganic and organic constituents, the resulting network materials were phase separated, composed of a silicate rich phase embedded in a matrix of the organic oligomer chains. The behavior of such materials was similar to elastomers containing a reinforcing filler. The study focused on the influence of initial oligomer molecular weight, functionality, and tetramethoxysilane, water, and acid catalyst content on the final structure, mechanical and thermal properties. The sol-gel approach has also been exploited to generate thin, transparent, abrasion resistant coatings for metal substrates. These systems were based on alkoxysilane functionazized diethylenetriamine (DETA) with TMOS, which generated hybrid networks with very high crosslink densities. These materials were applied with great success as abrasion resistant coatings to aluminum, copper, brass, and stainless steel. In another study, intercalated polymer-clay nanocomposites were prepared based on various epoxy networks montmorillonite clay. This work explored the influence of incorporated clay on the adhesive properties of the epoxies. The lap shear strength decreased with increasing clay content. This was due to a reduction in the toughness of the epoxy. Also, the delaminated (or exfoliated) nanocomposite structure could not be generated. Instead, all nanocomposite systems possessed an intercalated structure. The final project involved the characterization of a series of metallocene catalyzed linear polyethylenes, produced at Phillips Petroleum. Polyolefins synthesized with such new catalyst systems are becoming widely available. The influence of molecular weight and thermal treatment on the mechanical, rheological, and thermal behavior was probed. Although the behavior of this series of metallocene polyethylenes was not unlike that of traditionally catalyzed materials, this work is one of the first comprehensive studies of these new linear polyethylenes. The main distinction between the metallocene and traditional Ziegler-Natta catalyzed polyethylenes is the narrow molecular weight distributions produced by the former (for this series of materials, 2.3< Mw  Mn <3.6). / Ph. D.

L'utilisation de revêtements sol-gel pour la protection contre la corrosion des métaux est une alternative aux traitements à base de chromates, proscrits du fait de leur forte toxicité. Ces travaux de thèse ont porté sur la caractérisation de revêtements sol-gel hybrides organique-inorganique contenant des pigments inhibiteurs de corrosion non toxiques, pour la protection contre la corrosion de l'alliage d'aluminium 2024. Tout d'abord, la caractérisation par spectroscopie d'impédance électrochimique de différents revêtements relativement poreux a permis d'analyser l'influence de l'épaisseur, de la température de séchage, de l'hydrolyse de la partie silane et du ratio silane/amine sur les performances du revêtement, en particulier des propriétés barrière. Puis, l'ajout d'un époxy dans la formulation a permis d'augmenter de façon significative les propriétés barrière du film. Les diagrammes d'impédance présentent une dispersion en fréquence, exprimée en termes de « constant phase element (CPE) », en haute et basse fréquence. En haute fréquence, ce comportement a été analysé à l'aide d'un modèle qui permet d'obtenir des profils de résistivité dans l'épaisseur du revêtement et au cours du temps d'immersion. Ce modèle est appliqué pour la première fois à l'étude de revêtements. Différents pigments inhibiteurs de corrosion ont ensuite été incorporés dans des revêtements de porosité différente. L'action des inhibiteurs est exacerbée lorsqu'ils sont incorporés dans un revêtement poreux. Néanmoins, lorsqu'ils sont incorporés dans un film dense, les performances vis-à-vis de la résistance à la corrosion sont élevées. / The use of sol-gel coatings for the protection against the corrosion of metals is an alternative to chrome-based treatments, banned for the industry for their high toxicity. This work is based on the characterisation of hybrid organic-inorganic coatings, filled with non-toxic corrosion inhibitors, for the protection against the corrosion of aluminium alloy 2024. First, the characterisation by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of different, relatively porous coatings, allowed the investigation of the influence of thickness, drying temperature, silane hydrolysis, and the silane/amine ratio on the coating performances, in particular the barrier properties. Then, the addition of an epoxy compound in the formulation allowed a significant increase in the film barrier properties. The impedance diagrams show a frequency dispersion, expressed in terms of a constant phase element (CPE), both in the high and low frequency range. In the high frequency range, this behaviour was analyzed using a model that allows obtaining resistivity profiles in the thickness of the coating and with immersion time. This model is applied for the first time to study coatings. Different corrosion inhibitors were then incorporated in coatings of different porosity. The action of the inhibitors was heightened when they are incorporated in a porous coating. Nevertheless, in a dense coating, the performances towards corrosion are high.

Le contrôle de la qualité des ressources en eau nécessite des outils de détection en continu et in situ. Dans ce contexte, les biocapteurs sont prometteurs dans le développement de nouveaux systèmes pour une détection précoce. On peut citer deux exemples dans des domaines aussi variés que la détection précoce de corrosion bactérienne ou la détection de la formation d'espèces biologiques responsables de maladies dégénératives.Ce travail propose la conception et la réalisation d'un biocapteur pour la détection de molécules d'intérêt biologiques. La réalisation de ce biocapteur est basée sur le dépôt de matériaux hybrides organiques/inorganiques à la surface d'un transducteur piézoélectrique.La première étape consiste à développer des matériaux fonctionnalisés innovants permettant l'encapsulation d'espèces biologiques. Pour cela deux voies ont été étudiées. La première passe par l'utilisation d'un acrylate type "acide aminé" le N-acryloyglycine (NAGly) permettant la synthèse de matériaux sous forme de film. La seconde utilise un autre type d'acrylate, le N-acryloxysuccinimide (NAS) couplé au 2-hydroxyethylacrylate (HEA) aboutissant un hydrogel fonctionnalisé. Les différentes mesures montrent que dans tous les cas, ces réseaux sont interpénétrés et permettent l'encapsulation de biomolécules.Pour la détection de ces espèces, un biocapteur piézoélectrique est développé dans la deuxième étape. Un dispositif expérimental développé au laboratoire assure la mesure et le suivi de l'évolution des propriétés viscoélastiques d'un matériau en contact avec un transducteur piézoélectrique. En effet, ces propriétés caractéristiques sont extraites à partir d'un modèle électrique original tenant compte simultanément des évolutions électriques et mécaniques du matériau. Ce capteur (transducteur + matériau déposé en surface) mis au contact avec les biomolécules permet leur détection et quantification.Les résultats montrent une corrélation entre le module visqueux du biocapteur et la concentration en biomolécules du milieu en contact. Cette corrélation est une première étape vers le développement d'un biocapteur piézoélectrique pour la détection et la quantification sélective de différentes espèces biologiques en solution. / The control of the quality of water resources requires tools for continuous and in-situ detection. In this context, biosensors are interesting in the development of new systems for early detection. For examples we can note the interest in the early detection of bacterial corrosion or the formation of biological species responsible of degenerative diseases.This work proposes the design and implementation of a biosensor for the detection of biological molecules. The realization of this biosensor is based on the deposition of organic/inorganic materials on the surface of a piezoelectric transducer.The first step is the development of innovative functionalized materials for encapsulation of biological species. For this, two approaches have been studied. The first involves the use of an "amino acid" acrylate, the N- acetylglycine (Nagly) for the synthesis of thin film. The second uses an other acrylate, the N- acryloxysuccinimide (NAS) copolymerized with 2- Hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) to form a functionalized hydrogel. The different measures show that in all cases, these networks are interpenetrating and allow the encapsulation of biomolecules.For the detection of these species, a piezoelectric biosensor is developed in the second step. An experimental device, developed in the laboratory, measures and monitors the evolution of the viscoelastic properties of a material in contact with a piezoelectric transducer. Indeed, these characteristics are extracted from an original electric model that take into account simultaneous electrical and mechanical changes in the material. This sensor (transducer and material deposited on the surface) in contact with biomolecules, enables the detection and quantification of these biomolecules.The results show a correlation between the viscous modulus of the biosensor and the concentration of biomolecules in contact. This correlation is a first step in the development of a piezoelectric biosensor for detection and selective quantification of different biological species in solution.

Le diagnostic moléculaire est un diagnostic basé sur l’analyse des acides nucléiques nécessite incontestablement la préparation d’échantillon. Cette préparation à pour objectif d’extraire des acides nucléiques d’un milieu généralement très complexe, de les purifier, de les concentrer voir les transporter dans des microsystèmes utilisés comme outils de diagnostic. Aujourd’hui, l’utilisation de nouvelles technologies et en particulier l’utilisation de supports solides ont permis de palier à un grand nombre de problèmes comparé aux méthodes conventionnelles. L’évolution de ces supports solides en particules colloïdales a permis de répondre à la demande des nouvelles technologies en apportant, une grande surface spécifique, une séparation rapide suite au caractère magnétique, un transport simple dans les microsystèmes et une chimie de surface modulable pour une bonne extraction de l’analyte recherchée. Ainsi, l’objet de cette étude est la synthèse de la silice magnétique submicronique en taille pour l’extraction des acides nucléiques. La synthèse de la silice magnétique a été conduite en trois étapes. Dans un premier temps, la synthèse de ferrofluide organique a été réalisée par coprécipitation des chlorures ferriques et ferreux en basic avant transfert en milieu organique. La deuxième étape a été la préparation d’émulsions magnétiques stables, fortement magnétiques (pour une séparation rapide) et de taille relativement homogène et reproductible. Le ferrofluide préparé organique préparé a été émulsionné pour préparer une émulsion huile dans l’eau (O/W) en utilisant un tensioactif anionique. L’émulsion magnétique a été ensuite encapsulée par une écorce de silice via le procédé sol-gel. Le procédé d’encapsulation a été optimisé via une étude systématique et par une caractérisation physicochimie et colloïdale complète de particules. La caractérisation morphologique des particules obtenues a montré une structure coeur magnétique et une écorce de silice parfaitement homogène. Ces particules de silice magnétique ont été utilisées pour étudier l’adsorption des acides nucléiques (fragment d’ADN) en fonction du pH et de la salinité. Les résultats montrent une bonne capacité d’adsorption des acides nucléiques et également un bon relargage. Ce résultat encourageant montre que ces particules peuvent être utilisées dans le diagnostic moléculaire où l’extraction, la purification et la concentration des acides nucléiques sont très recherchées / Currently, the genetics and DNA-based applications are developing very vast. All these applications such as gene therapy, diagnosis and PCR (polymerase chain reaction) require a previous step, which is the isolation and purification of genetic materials from their compartment. Taking care that the extraction method should produce the DNA in high purification state and in good conditions. The DNA extraction and purification are well known from long time ago, but these methods are time and organic solvents consuming. Nowadays, new nanotechnology-based techniques allow establishing rapid, efficient, environment respecting and cheaper isolation methods for DNA extraction. Silica-coated magnetic emulsions as a form of core-shell were successfully synthesized for magnetic separation of DNA. Magnetic core is the separation tool and silica shell is the DNA capturer and releaser part. The silica-coated magnetic emulsions synthesis was carried out in three steps. Starting from the organic ferrofluid synthesis by the coprecipitation of ferrous and ferric chlorides in aqueous ammonium hydroxide solution. The iron oxide nanoparticles were coated with oleic acid layer and redispersed in octane. Second step consisted of preparation of magnetic emulsion. The obtained ferrofluids used as oil to prepare oil in water emulsion (O/W) and SDS was used as surfactant. Then, the magnetic emulsion particles, the magnetic droplets, were coated with silica shell using the sol-gel process. The encapsulation was performed using TEOS as silica precursor and its hydrolysis was catalyzed by ammonium hydroxide. Particles characterization showed that the performed synthesis produced perfect core-shell particles. These particles have been used to study the DNA binding in different conditions of pH, ionic strength and DNA concentration in solution. Results show good fixation and release of DNA molecules by the silica magnetic particles. In addition to the extraction results, the colloidal stability and speed separation of silica coated magnetic particles, these particles can be recommended as strong DNA separation tools

[pt] Foram desenvolvidos nanocompósitos de óxidos dopados com níquel metálico pelo processo Sol-Gel modificado pelo uso do PVA (Álcool Polivinílico) na função de matriz de crescimento dos nanocompósitos. Os precursores dos óxidos foram os nitratos de seus próprios metais. Foram sintetizados três tipos de nanocompósitos óxido de magnésio, óxido de alumínio e óxido de zinco. O trabalho envolveu quatro etapas principais: levantamento bibliográfico, desenvolvimento e caracterização dos nanocompósitos e uso dos nanocompósitos como catalisadores na síntese de nanotubos de carbono. O desenvolvimento dos nanocompósitos foi motivado pela necessidade de materiais com tamanho e estrutura controláveis para emprego como catalisadores pela indústria. Na síntese dos nanocompósitos foi usada uma relação de PVA/ Água de 1/12 que depois foi variada para avaliar a influência sobre a força de hidrólise, a relação entre metal da matriz e níquel metálico foi de 9:1, em porcentagem em massa. Também foi avaliada a influência do surfactante Dodecil Sulfato de sódio (SDS) e do hidróxido de amônio na síntese dos nanocompósitos. Os nanocompósitos sintetizados neste trabalho foram testados como catalisadores no crescimento de nanotubos de carbono pela técnica de High Vacuum Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). Os catalisadores utilizados tinham tamanho de cristalito aproximado de 11nm no caso de óxido de magnésio e de 5 nm no caso do óxido de alumínio, o níquel metálico formado nestes suportes estava bem disperso e com dimensões estimadas de 3nm. Nanotubos de carbono de uma camada e mais de uma camada foram obtidas somente quando o suporte do níquel metálico era o óxido de magnésio. Os nanotubos foram caracterizados por Raman e microscopia eletrônica de varredura. / [en] Metallic Nickel and oxide nanocomposite have been developed by Sol-Gel process modified by the use of PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) as a matrix for the growth of the nanocomposites. The oxides precursors were nitrates from their own metal. Three types of oxides were synthetized, magnesium oxide, aluminum oxide and zinc oxide. This work is presented in four sections: literature survey, development and characterization of nanocomposites and the use of nanocomposites as catalysts in the synthesis of carbon nanotubes. The development of these nanocomposites was motivated by the need for materials with controllable size and structure for use as catalysts in industry. The synthesis of the nanocomposites used a ratio of PVA / water of 1/12 that was later varied to evaluate the influence of the force of hydrolysis, the relationship between the matrix oxide metal and metallic nickel was 9:1 in mass percentage. The influence of the surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and the ammonium hydroxide was also evaluated in the nanocomposites synthesis. The nanocomposites synthesized in this work were tested as catalysts in the growth of carbon nanotubes by the technique of High Vacuum Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). The catalysts used had a crystallite size of approximately 11nm in the case of magnesium oxide and 5 nm in the case of aluminum oxide, metallic nickel formed on these supports was well dispersed with a size of 3nm. Single layer and multiple layer carbon nanotubes were obtained only when magnesium oxide was the nickel substrate. The nanotubes were characterized by Raman and scanning electron microscopy.

O presente projeto teve como objetivo selecionar componentes orgânicos para obtenção de compósitos híbridos pela técnica sol-gel utilizando como precursor tetraetilortossilicato (TEOS) visando avaliar o efeito do agente orgânico na evolução do sol para gel e nas propriedades finais dos suportes para imobilizar a lipase microbiana de Burkholderia cepacia. Foram testados três compostos orgânicos ?-ciclodextrina (?CD), carboximetilcelulose (CMC) e hidroxietilcelulose (HEC) e os resultados obtidos foram comparados com o comportamento já estabelecido para o polivinilálcool (PVA), tanto em termos morfológicos como atividade catalítica em meio aquoso (hidrólise de triacilgliceróis) e meio orgânico (síntese de éster de cadeia curta e longa). A motivação do estudo está diretamente relacionada com a elevada afinidade do suporte híbrido SiO2-PVA pelo glicerol, sendo uma das limitações do uso deste suporte para imobilizar lipases com finalidade de aplicação em reações de transesterificação conduzidas em fluxo contínuo. As características morfológicas e estruturais dos suportes resultantes foram determinadas empregando técnicas convencionais, indicando similaridade das propriedades estruturais, fornecendo suportes com áreas superficiais entre 361,6 a 529,7 m2 g-1 e morfologia amorfa. A diferença marcante entre os suportes foi verificada quanto a capacidade de adsorção do subproduto da reação de transesterificação, sendo verificado que a substituição do polivinilálcool por ?-ciclodextrina reduziu em até 50% a habilidade do suporte hibrido em absorver glicerol. Os componentes derivados de celulose apresentaram resultados similares aos obtidos com o polivinilálcool. Em termos de afinidade pelo glicerol os resultados obtidos permitiram a classificação dos suportes híbridos na seguinte ordem crescente: SiO2-CMC > SiO2-PVA > SiO2-HEC > SiO2- ?CD. Quanto a afinidade dos suportes para imobilização da lipase de B. cepacia, os valores de atividade hidrolítica dos derivados imobilizados, nas condições adotadas, revelaram que todos os suportes tiveram o mesmo tipo de interação com a enzima resultando em valores de recuperação de atividade na faixa de 56 - 63%, valores próximos aos normalmente obtidos pela matriz de SiO2-PVA (68%). Os parâmetros cinéticos (Km e Vmax) determinados indicaram que a lipase imobilizada nos diferentes tipos de suporte, apresentou afinidade semelhante pelo substrato azeite de oliva. Os valores determinados de Km e Vmax da lipase de B. cepacia na forma livre (Km = 410 mM e Vmax =12391 Ug-1) mostraram que independente do suporte, a imobilização reduziu aproximadamente 60% da afinidade da enzima pelo substrato. Em meio orgânico, tanto as reações de esterificação como de transesterificação mediadas pelos derivados imobilizados apresentaram desempenho similar com atividade de esterificação da ordem de 118 ?M.g-1min-1 e rendimentos de formação de ésteres etílicos da ordem de 98,30%. De uma forma geral, os resultados obtidos foram promissores e permitiram selecionar o composto orgânico ?CD para substituir com vantagens o polivinilálcool no preparo de matrizes hibridas para imobilização da enzima lipase. O menor poder hidrofílico desta matriz em relação às outras matrizes testadas pode ser creditado a estrutura cíclica da ?CD que reduziu a capacidade do suporte SiO2-?CD em adsorver glicerol, principal subproduto da reação de transesterificação. Testes em processos conduzidos em fluxo contínuo são sugeridos para comprovação da eficiência dessa matriz. / The objective of this work was to select organic compounds for preparing hybrid composites by the sol-gel technique using tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) as precursor aiming at evaluating the effect of the organic agent in the transformation of the sol into gel and in the final properties of the matrices for immobilizing lipase from Burkholderia cepacia. Three organic components ?-cyclodextrin (?CD), carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) were tested. The organic component polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was used as control taking into consideration its morphological properties and the catalytic activity of the immobilized derivative in aqueous medium (triacylglycerols hydrolysis) and organic medium (synthesis of short and long chain esters). The motivation of this work was directly related with the high affinity of the matrix polysiloxane-polyvinyl alcohol (SiO2- PVA) by the glycerol, limiting the use of the immobilized derivative in the transesterification reactions running on a continuous flow. The morphological and structure properties of the resulting matrices was determined using conventional techniques, showing similar structure properties, with surface area values between 361.6 and 529.7 m2g-1 and amorphous morphology. The main difference among the matrices were observed regarding their ability to adsorb glycerol, the main byproduct of the transesterification reaction. It was verify that the replacement of the polyvinyl alcohol by ?-cyclodextrin reduced in about 50% the hybrid composite capacity to adsorb glycerol. On the other hand, the cellulose components showed similar results as the polyvinyl alcohol. Considering as an evaluated parameter the glycerol affinity, the achieved results allowed classifying the hybrid composites as follows: SiO2- CMC > SiO2-PVA > SiO2-HEC > SiO2-?CD. The performance of the hybrid composites for immobilizing lipase from B. cepacia, through the hydrolytic activity reveal that all the matrices show the same interaction with the lipase, resulting in activity recovered values between 56-63%, which is close to the value attained by SiO2-PVA matrix (68%). The kinetic parameters (Km and Vmax) values determined for free lipase (Km = 410 and Vmax = 12391 Ug-1), showed that independely of the immobilization support the affinity of the enzyme for the substrate was reduced by 60%. In organic medium, all the immobilized derivatives showed similar behavior on both esterification and transesterification reactions attaining esterification activity of 118 ?M.g-1min-1 and ethyl ester yields of 98.30%. Overall, the results were promising and allowed selecting the organic component ?CD to replace, with advantages, the use of PVA for preparing hybrid composites. The lower hydrophilic capacity of this matrix compared with the others matrices can be explained by the cyclic structure of the ?CD that reduced the capacity of the SiO2-?CD matrix in the glycerol adsorption, the main byproduct of the transesterification reaction. Assays carried out in packed bed reactor running on a continuous basis are propose to confirm the efficiency of this matrix.

A temperatura de operação de células a combustível de óxido sólido (SOFCs) que utilizam zirconia estabilizada com itria (YSZ) como eletrólito é 1000 oC. Essa alta temperatura gera graves problemas relativos a materiais e vida util da célula. Por isso, condutores iônicos que possuem alta condutividade em temperaturas inferiores são pesquisados atualmente. Estudos mostraram que La10Si6O27 tipo apatita possui alta condutividade iônica de oxigenio, que é comparativamente maior que a de YSZ, a 500 oC, sendo, portanto, um potencial candidato como eletrólito para SOFC. O objetivo do presente trabalho é o desenvolvimento de técnicas de síntese de silicato de lantânio tipo apatita. Rotas inéditas de solgel modificada para sintetizar La9,33Si6O26 são propostas. Volumes estequiométricos de soluções de Na2SiO3 e LaCl3 foram misturados para a formação de gel de Si. Em seguida este gel foi calcinado a 900 °C, lavado, filtrado e tratado novamente a 900 °C. Em outra rota, volumes estequiométricos de soluções de Si (Na2SiO3 ou TEOS) e de La (LaCl3) foram utilizados para obtenção de gel de Si. Em seguida, hidróxido de La foi precipitado pela adição de uma base (NaOH ou NH4OH) ao gel. O material resultante foi calcinado a 900 °C, lavado, filtrado e tratado novamente a 900 °C. Pós de aglomerados fracos e alta sinterabilidade foram obtidos. DRX dos pós mostrou a estrutura de apatita monofásica a 900 oC. Morfologia de ceramica densa foi observada em imagens de MEV da superfície das pastilhas sinterizadas a 1200,1300 e 1400 oC por 4 h. Estas temperaturas e tempo de sinterização são significativas, pois no método convencional temperaturas superiores a 1700oC e tempos muito maiores são necessários para obtenção de tais cerâmicas. Densidades relativas superiores a 90% foram obtidas através dos métodos propostos. Uma conclusão importante é que TEOS, o reagente usual de alto custo, pode ser substituído por Na2SiO3, de preço muito mais baixo, para obter La9,33Si6O26 tipo apatita. / Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFCs) operating temperature that uses yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) as the electrolyte is 1000ºC. This high temperature causes serious problems concerning cell life and materials. Therefore, the ionic conductors which have high conductivity at lower temperature are currently researched. Studies have shown that the composition of La10Si6O27 apatite type has high oxygen ionic conductivity, which is comparably higher than that of YSZ, at 500 oC, it is therefore a potential candidate as for SOFC electrolyte. The objective of the present work is the development of lanthanum silicate with apatite type synthesis techniques. Novel modified solgel routes to synthesize La9.33Si6O26 are proposed. Stoichiometric volumes of Na2SiO3 and LaCl3 solutions were mixed for the formation of Si gel. This gel was calcined at 900 °C, washed, filtered and again thermally treated at 900 °C. In the other route, stoichiometric volumes of Si (Na2SiO3 or TEOS) and La (LaCl3) solutions were used for obtaining Si gel. Then, La hydroxide was precipitated by adding of a base (NaOH or NH4OH) to gel. Then the material was calcined at 900 °C, washed, filtered and again treated at 900 °C. Highly sinterable weakly agglomerated powders have been obtained. XRD patterns of the powders showed the single-phase apatite structure at 900 oC. Dense ceramic morphology was observed from the SEM images of surface of the pellets sintered at 1200, 1300 and 1400oC for 4h. This low temperature sintering and time of sintering are significant because the conventional method requires superior temperatures of 1700 oC to obtain the same dense ceramics. High relative densities higher than 90% was obtained via proposed methods. An Important conclusion is the TEOS, the usual high cost reagent, may be substituted by a cheap price Na2SiO3, to obtain apatite type La9.33Si6O26.

Amostras de dióxido de cério dopadas com La e Fe foram confeccionadas e caracterizadas por uma técnica nuclear baseada em interações hiperfinas conhecida como Correlação Angular Gama-Gama Perturbada (CAP). Como o composto em questão não é radioativo, foram utilizados núcleos radioativos como ponta de prova 111In 111Cd, que decaem através de uma cascata gama-gama 171-245 keV, com nível intermediário possui uma meia-vida de 84ns, spin 5/2- e um momento de quadrupolo elétrico Q= 0,83. Inicialmente uma metodologia para a produção das amostras precisou ser elaborada. As amostras de dióxido de cério e seus dopantes foram produzidas através do processo Sol-Gel, passando por uma calcinação e sinterização até a finalização da amostra. Sendo caracterizada por diversos tipos de técnicas (Difração de Raios-X e Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura) culminando no estudo através da técnica CAP, para uma compreensão das interações quadrupolares elétricas das amostras e também a possibilidade da existência de comportamento magnético (assunto intensamente investigado dado o interesse na área da spintrônica). Os resultados encontrados foram analisados frente aos conhecimentos encontrados na literatura e as discussões foram feitas em função da variação do elemento dopante, tipos de tratamentos térmicos usados na sinterização e as diferentes temperaturas de medidas. Permitindo uma discussão e interpretação física dos resultados encontrados. / Samples of cerium dioxide doped with La and Fe were fabricated and characterized by a technique based on nuclear hyperfine interactions known as Perturbed Angular Gamma-Gamma Correlation (PAC). As the used compound is not radioactive and the PAC technique requires a radioactive decaying through a cascade gamma-gamma, a radioactive probe nuclei were used (111In 111Cd - 171-245 keV), with intermediate has a half-life of 84ns, spin 5/2- and a moment of electric quadrupole Q= 0,83. Initially a methodology for the production of the samples had to be prepared. The cerium dioxide and its dopants were produced by the Sol-Gel process, undergoing a calcining and sintering. The sample are characterized by various types of techniques (X-ray Diffraction and Scanning Electron Microscopy) succeeding study through hyperfine Interactions, with the PAC technique, to an understanding of the electric quadrupole inteirações samples and also the possibility of the existence of magnetic behavior (subject intensively investigated given the interest in the field of spintronics). The results were analyzed taking the knowledge found in the literature and discussions were made on the basis of the variation of the doping element, thermal treatments used in the sintering temperatures and the different measures. Allowing a discussion and physical interpretation of results.

Cerâmicas de silicato de lantânio tipo apatita têm sido estudadas devido ao grande interesse tecnológico para aplicação como eletrólito em células a combustível de óxido sólido de temperatura intermediária (IT-SOFC: Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cell). A condutividade iônica dessas cerâmicas em temperaturas intermediárias (600-800°C) é maior do que a da YSZ (Ytria Stabilized Zirconia) utilizada como eletrólito em SOFCs de alta temperatura (800-1000°C). Neste trabalho, silicato de lantânio tipo apatita foi sintetizado pelo método sol-gel seguido de precipitação, a partir de Na2SiO3 como fonte de sílica. No método proposto, estudou-se rotas de síntese em meio ácido e básico para a formação do gel de sílica, seguida de precipitação. A fase cristalina de silicato de lantânio tipo apatita foi obtida pela calcinação de pós sintetizados a 900°C. Esta temperatura é muito inferior às praticadas em outros métodos convencionais de síntese. As análises por difração de raios X (DRX) mostraram silicato de lantânio tipo apatita como fase principal do material sintetizado na rota de síntese em pH ácido. No entanto, uma fase secundária indesejável, La2Si2O7, foi identificada quando o pó cerâmico foi calcinado a 1200°C. Por outro lado, pela rota básica, fase única de silicato de lantânio tipo apatita foi obtida após tratamento térmico dos precursores a 900 e 1200°C. Pastilha cerâmica obtida a partir dos pós obtidos e sinterizados a 1400°C por 4h, apresentaram fase cristalina pura de silicato de lantânio tipo apatita. Microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) foi utilizada para observar a morfologia dos pós e microestrutura das pastilhas sinterizadas. Pós cerâmicos finos com tamanho de partículas submicrométricas e microestrutura típica de apatita foram alcançadas pelo método proposto. / Lanthanum silicate apatite-type ceramics have been studied because of the great technological interest for IT-SOFC applications as electrolyte (Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cell). Ionic conductivity of those ceramics at intermediate temperatures (600-800°C) is higher than that of YSZ (Ytria Stabilized Zirconia) electrolyte used at high-temperatures (800-1000 °C) SOFCs. In this work, lanthanum silicate apatite-type was synthesized by sol-gel method followed by precipitation from Na2SiO3 as a source of silica. In the proposed method, synthesis routes in acid and basic medium to the formation of silica gel, followed by precipitation were studied. Apatite crystalline phase of lanthanum silicate ceramic was obtained by calcining the powders at 900°C. This temperature is much lower than those other conventional methods of synthesis. Analysis by x-ray diffraction (XRD) showed the lanthanum silicate apatite-type phase as the main phase of the synthesized material at the pH acid synthesis route. However, undesirable secondary phase, La2Si2O7, was recognized when the powder was calcined at 1200°C. On the other hand, by the basic route, single apatite-type phase powder was obtained after thermal treatment of the precursors at 900 and 1200°C. Ceramic pellet obtained from those powders sintered at 1400°C for 4h, presented pure apatite crystalline phase of lanthanum silicate. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe morphology of powders and microstructure of sintered pellets. Sub micrometric size powders and apatite typical microstructure ceramic were reached by the suggested method.