Clean and affordable energy, especially solar energy, is becoming more and more important as our annual total energy consumption keeps rising. However, to make solar energy more affordable and accessible, the cost for fabrication, transportation and assembly of all components need to be reduced. As a crucial component for solar cells, transparent conductive electrode (TCE) can determine the cost and performance. A light weight, easy-to-fabricate and cost-effective new generation TCE is thus needed. While indium-doped tin oxide (ITO) has been the most widely used material for commercial applications as TCEs, its cost has gone up due to the limited global supply of indium. This is not only due to the scarcity of the element itself, but also the massive production of various opto-electronic devices such as TVs, smartphones and tablets. In order to reduce the cost for fabricating large area solar cells, substitute materials for ITO should be developed. These materials should have similar optical transmittance in the visible wavelength range, as well as similar electrical conductivity (sheet resistance) to ITO. This work starts with synthesizing ITO-replacing nano-materials, such as copper nanowires (CuNWs), derivative zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and so on. Further, we applied various deposition techniques, including spin-coating, spray-coating, Mayer-rod coating, filtration and transferring, to coat transparent substrates with these materials in order to fabricate TCEs. We characterize these materials and analyze their electrical/optical properties as TCEs. Additionally, these fabricated single-material-based TCEs were tested in various lab conditions, and their shortcomings (instability, rigidity, etc.) were highlighted. In order to address these issues, we hybridized the different materials to combine their strengths and compared the properties to single-material based TCEs. The multiple hybridized TCEs have comparable optical/electrical metrics to ITO. The doped-ZnO TCEs exhibit high optical transmittance over 90% in the visible range and low sheet resistance under 200Ω/sq. For CuNW-based composite electrodes, ~ 85% optical transmittance and ~ 25Ω/sq were observed. Meanwhile, the hybridization of materials adds additional features such as flexibility or resistance to corrosion. Finally, as a proof of concept, the CuNW-based composite TCEs were tested in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), showing similar performance to ITO based samples.

This study is aimed at developing modeling methodologies for simulating the flow of air and aerosol particles through fibrous filter media made up of micro- or nano-fibers. The study also deals with modeling particle deposition (due to Brownian diffusion, interception, and inertial impaction) and particle cake formation, on or inside fibrous filters. By computing the air flow field and the trajectory of airborne particles in 3-D virtual geometries that resemble the internal microstructure of fibrous filter media, pressure drop and collection efficiency of micro- or nano-fiber filters are simulated and compared with the available experimental studies. It was demonstrated that the simulations conducted in 3-D disordered fibrous domains, unlike previously reported 2-D cell-model simulations, do not need any empirical correction factors to closely predict experimental observations. This study also reports on the importance of fibers’ cross-sectional shape for filters operating in slip (nano-fiber filters) and no-slip (micro-fiber filters) flow regimes. In particular, it was found that the more streamlined the fiber geometry, the lower the fiber drag caused by a nanofiber relative to that generated by its micron-sized counterpart. This work also presents a methodology for simulating pressure drop and collection efficiency of a filter medium during instantaneous particle loading using the Fluent CFD code, enhanced by using a series of in-house subroutines. These subroutines are developed to allow one to track particles of different sizes, and simulate the formation of 2-D and 3-D dendrite particle deposits in the presence of aerodynamic slip on the surface of the fibers. The deposition of particles on a fiber and the previously deposited particles is made possible by developing additional subroutines, which mark the cells located at the deposition sites and modify their properties to so that they resemble solid or porous particles. Our unsteady-state simulations, in qualitative agreement with the experimental observations reported in the literature, predict the rate of increase of pressure drop and collection efficiency of a filter medium as a function of the mass of the loaded particles.

Solid catalyst supports of SiOx-RGO (Reduced Graphene Oxide) and UiO-67 (Universitet i Oslo) have been successfully synthesized and were loaded with palladium nanoparticles to test for a series of heterogeneous reactions. The SiOx/RGO catalysts were synthesized through laser ablation of silicon and graphite oxide micron powder and UiO-67 metal-organic framework (MOF) was synthesized through mixing of precursors with DMF/HCl solution and washing the resultant powder from impurities. The SiOx/RGO supports were later impregnated with palladium precursors which were then subject to Microwave Irradiation (MWI). The UiO-67 framework was impregnated with palladium precursors and was irradiated with pulsed Nd:YAG 532 nm laser and was purified through washing and centrifugation. The resulting catalyst supports were characterized with UV-Vis, FTIR, Raman, XRD and XPS techniques and the UiO-67 framework was subject to Brunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET) surface area measurements before and after the catalytic reactions. The catalytic activity of palladium nanoparticles supported on SiOx/RGO and UiO-67 framework was tested in carbon cross-coupling reactions of Suzuki-Miyaura, Sonogashira reactions and oxidation of benzyl alcohol respectively. The catalysts have demonstrated excellent performance and have yielded a promising future for the catalytic supports in the previously stated reactions.

Les fullerènes de bisulfure métallique de type ( M eS2 , où Me= Mo et W) rencontrent un intérêt croissant du fait de leurs pouvoirs anti usure et réducteur de frottement en régime de lubrification limite. Les propriétés tribologiques de ces nanoparticules, dépendent à la fois de leurs caractéristiques intrinsèques (structure, morphologie, taille, ... ), des conditions de sollicitations (nature des surfaces, pression, température, ... ) ainsi que du cocktail d'additifs présent dans une formulation d'huile moteur. La compréhension de l'origine de ces propriétés passe obligatoirement par une parfaite connaissance du mode d'action des nanoparticules. L'objectif de ce travail de thèse est d’identifier les paramètres pouvant avoir une influence sur le comportement des nanoparticules à l’échelle nanométrique et de faire le lien entre ce comportement, les mécanismes de lubrification des nanoparticules, et leurs propriétés tribologiques. Afin de répondre à cet objectif nous avons adopté une approche multi échelle qui consiste dans un premier temps à étudier le comportement de fullerènes individuels (IF - M eS2 , ou Me= Mo et W) en cours de sollicitation. Ainsi grâce à une méthodologie expérimentale originale couplant la technique de nano indentation à une observation in situ dans un microscope électronique à transmission haute résolution (HRMET), nous avons visualisé pour la toute première fois et en temps réelle comportement de nanoparticules individuelles d’if- M eS2 (Me= Mo et W) sollicitées en compression et/ou en cisaillement dans un contact dynamique. Cette étude a permis d'identifier l'influence des caractéristiques intrinsèques des fullerènes sur leur réponse à l'échelle nanométrique et d'estimer des pressions de contact pour lesquelles le fullerène s'exfolie, roule ou glisse dans le contact. Nous nous sommes ensuite intéressés aux mécanismes de lubrification des fullerènes en dispersion dans une base lubrifiante, en condition de lubrification limite. En se basant sur des analyses XPS et des observations MEB et MET des tribofilms et des débris d'usure générés à l'issu d'essais de frottement réalisés dans trois contacts de nature différente (acier, alumine et DLC), nous avons clairement montré que les propriétés lubrifiantes des nanoparticules d'IF - M eS2 (Me= Mo et W) dépendaient à la fois de leurs caractéristiques intrinsèques et de la nature des surfaces frottantes. Ainsi un lien a été établi entre le comportement des fullerènes à l'échelle nanométrique et leur mode d'action dans un contact tribologique. Enfin, l'influence de la mise en dispersion des nanoparticules sur leurs propriétés tribologiques a été étudiée. Les propriétés tribologiques des nanoparticules dans une huile moteur ont été également évaluées. Deux approches expérimentales de type 'Bottom up' et 'Top dawn'ont été adoptées afin d'évaluer les interactions entre les nanoparticules et l'ensemble des additifs présents dans une huile complétement formulée. L'influence de la température sur les propriétés tribologiques des nanoparticules a été également abordée. / Inorganic Fullerene-(IF) like nanoparticles made of metal dichalcogenides ( M eS2 , Me= Mo and W)continue to attract an increasing interest as friction modifiers and anti-wear additives in liquid lubricant. Their efficiency as lubricant additive strongly depends on intrinsic properties of the nanoparticles (structure, morphology, size ... ), tribological conditions (nature of rubbing surface, pressure, temperature ... ) and also on the package of additives present in the full y formulated engine oil. Thus the control and the optimization of these properties require a perfect knowledge of the lubrication mechanisms of these nanoparticles. The aim of this work is to identify the parameters which influence the behavior of the nanoparticles at the nano-scale and to establish a correlation between this behavior, the lubrication mechanisms of nanoparticles and their tribological properties observed at macro-scale. For this aim, we have chosen a multi-scale approach, which firstly consists in studying the behavior of individual fullerenes (IF- M eS2, Me= Mo and W) during mechanical solicitation. Therefore, thanks to a new in situ TEM technique including nanoindentation, we have visualized the behavior of individual fullerenes in real time during nana-compression and nano-sliding tests. These results allowed us to identify the influence of the intrinsic characteristics of nanoparticles on their response at the nano-scale and to estimate critical values of pressure for rolling, sliding, exfoliation and failure of individual IF - M eS2 particles (Me= Mo and W).Secondly, we focused on the lubrication mechanisms of fullerenes when they are dispersed in base oil in boundary lubrication. The tribofilms and the wear particles obtained after friction tests at three different rubbing surfaces (steel, alumina and DLC), were studied using XPS analyses, SEM and TEM observations. We have clearly shown that the lubricating properties of nanoparticles depend both on their intrinsic properties and on the nature of the contact. Thereby, a correlation between the behavior of single nanoparticles at nano-scale and their lubricating properties under boundary lubrication was established. Finally, the influence of the dispersant on the tribological properties of the nanoparticles was investigated. The tribological properties of nanoparticles in fully formulated engine oil were also evaluated. Two experimental methods based on a 'Bottomup' and a 'top-dawn' approach were adopted to evaluate the interactions between nanoparticles and all the additives in fully formulated oil. The influence of the temperature on the tribological properties of the nanoparticles was also discussed.

Master of Science / Department of Civil Engineering / Alexander P. Mathews / Nanoscale magnetite is being examined for possible uses as an adsorbent of heavy metals and for the enhancement of water treatment processes such as stripping of trichloroethylene (TCE) from contaminated water supplies and wastewaters. Methods for recovering nanoscale magnetite must be developed before the particles can be used in water treatment processes. This is necessary because expelling high amounts of particles into the environment will be unacceptable and costly; if captured they can be reused; additionally, they could potentially cause environmental impacts due to their stability in an aqueous environment and possible toxicity. Nanoscale magnetite is superparamagnetic, so it has a high magnetic susceptibility, and hence it is very attracted to magnetized materials. Utilizing the magnetic properties of magnetite may be one possible means of separating the particles from a treatment process. High Gradient Magnetic Separation (HGMS) has been studied for the separation of micron and even tenths of a micron size particles, but there is little experimental data for HGMS of nanoscale magnetite. This research looks to filter nanoscale magnetite through a HGMS and determine the capture efficiency of the filter. Subsequently, the filter was backwashed to determine particle recover efficiencies. The flow rate was adjusted to determine the dependency of particle capture efficiency on cross sectional velocity through the filter. Additionally, particle loading was changed to better understand the correlation of particle loading with capture efficiency. Filtrations for nanoscale magnetite dispersed with sodium tripolyphosphate were also completed as well as filtrations of nanoscale magnetite coated with silica and magnetite silica composites. Experimental data in this research indicates that magnetite nanoparticles can be captured at 99.8% efficiency or higher in a well-designed filtration system. Capture efficiencies around 99.8% have been found for magnetite. The silica coated magnetite and magnetite silica composites were captured at efficiencies as high as 96.7% and 97.9%, respectively. The capture efficiency of the dispersed magnetite is lower than non-dispersed magnetite and most promising at relatively low fluid flow velocities and particle loadings. The maximum capture efficiency for dispersed magnetite particles was 90.3%. Both magnetite and dispersed magnetite were successfully recovered using backwash at pH of 10 to 11.

Dans la première partie de cette thèse, nous tirons parti du concept de nano-antenne optique afind'apporter une solution innovante au problème d'interprétation de la microscopie champ procheoptique (SNOM). En effet, il est connu que certaines nano-antennes développent des réponsesoptiques dipolaires. Dans cette thèse nous démontrons comment l’utilisation d’une nano-ouverturepapillon (nano-antenne dipolaire), à l’extrémité d’une pointe SNOM, permet de détecter et collecteruniquement une seule composante du champ proche électrique. Ce résultat est démontré d’unpoint de vue théorique par l’utilisation de simulation FDTD (Finite Difference Time Domain) et d’unpoint de vue expérimental par la caractérisation, par cette pointe innovante, d´échantillonsdiélectriques (réseaux, cristaux photoniques) et métalliques (milieux désordonnés plasmoniques).Dans une deuxième partie, nous démontrons comment la sonde développée dans la premièrepartie, peut être utilisée comme détecteur du signal émis par un nano-émetteurs (NE) unique. Il estétudié dans cette partie l’effet de couplage entre ces deux objets. Dans un premier temps, après ladescription complète des grandeurs caractéristiques d’un NE, nous démontrons théoriquementl’effet de la pointe sur la réduction du temps de vie de l’état excité et l’augmentation de lafluorescence d’un NE, en régime saturé et non saturé. Puis dans un deuxième temps nousdémontrons expérimentalement comment cette sonde réduit le temps de vie de l’état excité deboites quantiques placées à son extrémité, en comparaison de pointes SNOM plus conventionnellestelle que la pointe diélectrique et la pointe à ouverture circulaire. / In the first part of this manuscript, we use in our advantage the concept of optical nano-antennas, toget new solutions on the interpretation problems of scanning near-field optical microscope (SNOM)images. Indeed, it is known that some of the developed nano-antennas can express dipolarbehaviours. In this manuscript, we show how a bowtie nano-aperture (dipolar nano-antenna)embedded at the apex of a SNOM probe, can be used to detect and collect only one component ofthe electric near-field. This result is demonstrated as well theoretically, by the use of FDTD (FiniteDifference Time Domain) codes, as experimentally, by the characterisation with this tip, of dielectricsamples (diffraction grating and photonic crystals) and metallic ones (random plasmonic medium).In a second part, we show how the tip previously described, can be used as a detector of the signalfrom single emitter (SE). We study in this part the coupling and interactions between those twoobjects. After a full description of a two level system characteristics, we show theoretically the effectof our probe on the reduction of the excited state life time and the enhancement of thefluorescence of the SE, in both regime, saturated and non-saturated. Then we describeexperimentally how our special tip reduces the excited state life time of quantum dots placed at theapex of it, respect to more conventional SNOM probes as the dielectric and the circular apertureones.

Tesis para optar al grado de Magíster en Ciencias de la Ingeniería, Mención Eléctrica / Los dispositivos de almacenamiento de energía en particular las baterías de ion-litio han sido ampliamente utilizados en aplicaciones como: electrónica de consumo, vehículos eléctricos y sistemas de potencia con el fin de proveer confiabilidad, seguridad, rentabilidad y eficiencia; por esta razón es necesario analizar distintas configuraciones de packs modulares de baterías de acuerdo a los requerimientos de cada aplicación. En este sentido el objetivo del presente trabajo es desarrollar e implementar una estrategia de control capaz de manejar inteligentemente la energía de un pack modular de baterías de ion-litio minimizando su degradación con respecto a una métrica de desempeño dentro de la operación de una nano-red. La gestión de la energía de la nano-red se hace a través de un despacho económico con alto nivel de penetración de energía renovable que considera el rango de oscilación del estado de carga del pack modular de baterías en el contexto de su degradación; con el fin de definir una combinación óptima de las unidades de generación al mínimo costo de operación y alimentando la demanda eléctrica. Las simulaciones del caso de estudio se llevan a cabo a través de una plataforma económica-degradación que contempla el almacenamiento real de cada batería del pack a través de la actualización de su energía máxima durante todo el horizonte de evaluación. La métrica de desempeño denominado Caso Base utiliza una batería de 100Ah para alimentar la demanda eléctrica de la nano-red por una autonomía energética de 8 horas como máximo, la cual es comparada versus todos los casos de estudio propuestos: Caso Sobredimensionado utiliza una batería de 150Ah, pack modular de 2 baterías analizado en dos casos de estudio: Caso A de (80-40Ah) y Caso B de (100-50Ah), pack modular de 3 baterías de (80-40-20Ah) bajo dos políticas operacionales de restricción del estado de carga diferentes (PO1 y PO2). En todos los casos de estudio la política operacional permite entregar la misma energía que la métrica de desempeño así como también el costo de inversión de todas las configuraciones es comparable. Finalmente los resultados muestran que todos los casos propuestos suministran la demanda eléctrica de la nano-red durante todo el horizonte de evaluación; destacando que todas las configuraciones logran una duración extra respecto a la métrica de desempeño. Por ejemplo el pack modular de 3 baterías PO1 presenta una duración extra en las tres baterías de 22, 16 y 30 meses respectivamente teniendo una inversión superior en 620 USD respecto al Caso Base. En consecuencia se puede concluir que la decisión final de selección del diseño modular obedece al criterio del ejecutor del proyecto y a la necesidad del sistema, de tal forma que si la inversión del pack modular es superior en el corto plazo la degradación de las baterías será menor en el largo plazo lo que permite generar mayor rentabilidad.

L’objectif de cette étude consiste à synthétiser et caractériser de nouveaux matériaux hybrides organique/inorganique obtenus par greffage de poly(méthacrylate)s d’alkyle sur des nanoparticules de dioxyde de titane (TiO2) et d'oxyde de zinc (ZnO). Afin de mieux comprendre les facteurs influents les réactions mises en jeu lors d'un greffage à partir de la surface d'un oxyde métallique, nous avons choisi de travailler avec des nanoparticules disponibles commercialement et/ou élaborées. Des nanoparticules d’oxyde de zinc, de dimensions allant de 5 à 100 nm, ont été synthétisées par la méthode de précipitation, à température ambiante. La diffractométrie de rayons X (DRX) et la microscopique électronique à transmission (MET) ont permis de déterminer la structure cristalline, les dimensions et la morphologie des particules ainsi préparées. Les conditions de synthèse ont été optimisées afin d'augmenter la surface spécifique des particules tout en favorisant la présence de groupes hydroxyles en surface. La méthode de greffage de polymères méthacryliques a consisté à modifier préalablement la surface des nanoparticules par un agent de couplage réactif de type 3-méthacryloxypropyltriméthoxysilane (MPS). Les nanoparticules ainsi modifiées ont été caractérisées par spectroscopie (IRTF et RMN CP-MAS 13C et 29Si) et par analyse thermogravimétrique afin de confirmer la présence et la quantité de MPS greffé. Cet alcoxysilane, porteur d'une fonction méthacrylate, a permis de greffer des chaînes de poly(méthacrylate de méthyle), de poly(méthacrylate de tert-butyldiméthylsilyle) à partir de la surface des nanoparticules. La polymérisation radicalaire contrôlée par addition-fragmentation réversible (procédé RAFT) a été sélectionnée pour obtenir un contrôle des masses molaires, de faibles indices de polymolécularité et le greffage de copolymères diblocs. L'observation de ces nanoparticules hydrides en microscopie électronique à transmission montre clairement la présence d'une couronne de polymères à la surface des particules. L'étude de la stabilité thermique des nouvelles nanoparticules hybrides à base de ZnO a été réalisée par analyse thermogravimétrique sous atmosphère inerte. L'impact du procédé de polymérisation sur les mécanismes de dégradation thermique des polymères méthacryliques étudiés a été mis en évidence. Pour la première fois, des valeurs d'énergie d'activation ont été calculées sous atmosphère inerte et oxydante. / The objective of this study is to synthesize and characterize new organic/inorganic hybrid materials obtained by grafting methacrylic polymer through the surface of metal oxide nanoparticles. Commercially available titanium dioxide (TiO2) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were used as raw materials. For a better understanding of parameters which influence the grafting efficiency of polymers, ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized using the precipitation method. The synthetic pathway was optimized to obtain nanoparticles with high surface area and surface hydroxylation. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to determine the crystal structure, the size and morphology of nanoparticles. A polymerizable silane coupling agent, i.e. 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propylmethacrylate (MPS) was used to modify the surface of nanoparticules to obtain hydrophobic surface containing a polymerizable function. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), solid-state (13C and 29Si) Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopic investigations demonstrated that the silane coupling agent was fully hydrolyzed and linked to the hydroxyl groups already present on the particle surface through covalent and hydrogen bonds. Thermogravimetric data were helpful to quantify the amount of MPS linked to the nanoparticles surface. New poly(methacrylic ester)/ZnO and TiO2 nano-hybrid particles were prepared by in situ RAFT polymerization were prepared using the "grafting through" method. (Meth)acrylic homopolymers and diblock copolymers containing unconventional trialkylsilyl methacrylate (MASi) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomer units were grafted through the surface of nanosized particles modified by MPS. Results from FTIR and TGA analyses demonstrated that polymer chains were anchored on the nanoparticles surface. The thermal and thermo-oxidative degradation of methacrylic polymers and hybrid nanoparticles were also investigated by TGA. The effect of the RAFT polymerization on the thermal degradation of polymers was demonstrated. In addition, their apparent activation energy of degradation (Ea) was determined for the first time.

Aluminiumfluorid (HS-AlF3), das mit Hilfe des Sol-Gel-Verfahrens unter nicht-wässrigen Bedingungen hergestellt wird, weist eine extrem große Oberfläche und eine hohe Lewis-Acidität auf, die mit den stärksten bekannten Lewis-Säuren wie SbF5 und ACF vergleichbar ist. Diese ungewöhnlichen Eigenschaften werden im Ergebnis einer neuen Sol-Gel-Synthese erhalten, die die Fluorolyse eines Aluminium-Alkoxids durch wasserfreien Fluorwasserstoff in organischen Lösungsmitteln zur Grundlage hat. Das zunächst in einer amorphen, katalytisch inaktiven Vorstufe mit großer Oberfläche gebildete Gel wird nach anschließender Trocknung mit gasförmigen Fluorierungsmitteln nachfluoriert, wobei die aktive Form des HS-AlF3 erhalten wird. Im Rahmen der vorliegenden Arbeit wurden alle Schritte dieses Syntheseweges untersucht und die Ergebnisse einschließlich einer detaillierten Analyse der erhaltenen Materialien diskutiert. Des Weiteren wurde HS-AlF3 durch eine Imprägnierungs-Methode auf das Trägermaterial Al2O3 aufgetragen, wobei verschiedene Beladungen mit HS-AlF3 getestet wurden. Die Eigenschaften des HS-AlF3/Al2O3 als Lewis-Säure-Katalysator wurden mittels der Dismutierung von CHClF2 und der Isomerisierung von CBrF2CBrFCF3 bestimmt. Die Herstellung von AlFyOx mit Hilfe des Sol-Gel-Verfahrens ist ebenfalls beschrieben, wobei das Produkt amorph ist und eine große Oberfläche von bis zu 240 m2/g aufweist. / Aluminum fluoride (HS-AlF3) prepared via sol-gel synthesis route under non-aqueous conditions exhibits high surface area and an extremely strong Lewis acidity, comparable with some of the strongest known Lewis acids such as SbF5 and ACF. The basis of its unusual properties is the sol-gel fluorination of aluminum alkoxide with anhydrous HF in organic solvents yielding first an amorphous catalytically inactive precursor with high surface area, which can be dried and eventually post-fluorinated to get HS-AlF3. In this thesis, all steps of the synthesis route were thoroughly investigated. The results of these investigations together with detailed analysis of the obtained materials are reported and discussed. HS-AlF3 supported on Al2O3 with different HS-AlF3 loadings was prepared by wet impregnation method. The properties of the HS-AlF3/Al2O3 samples as Lewis acid catalyst were evaluated for CHClF2 dismutation and CBrF2CBrFCF3 isomerization. The preparation of AlFyOx via sol-gel method is also reported. AlFyOx prepared is amorphous and have high surface are up to 240 m2/g.

No description available.