No description available.

L’étude des silicates fondus présente un intérêt dans divers domaines de recherche comme la géologie ou la fabrication des verres avec des applications technologiques importantes telles que par exemple, le confinement des déchets nucléaires. Ces recherches demandent des informations fondamentales sur la structure et la dynamique de ces liquides au niveau microscopique mais l’acquisition des données est très souvent limitée par les températures de fusion élevées des composés étudiés. Notre travail s’est donc basé sur l’utilisation de techniques sans contact afin de s’affranchir de cette difficulté. Dans le cadre de cette thèse, nous nous sommes intéressés à l’étude des propriétés structurales et dynamiques de divers aluminosilicates de calcium (CAS) fondus. Pour cela, nous avons développé un dispositif utilisant la lévitation aérodynamique afin d’effectuer des expériences de diffusion quasi-élastique des neutrons. En combinant ces mesures avec la diffusion inélastique des rayons X, nous avons pu obtenir des résultats sur la dynamique microscopique des CAS à l’état liquide ainsi que dans le régime de surfusion. En particulier, nous avons pu déterminer l’évolution de la viscosité avec la température et les coefficients de diffusion cohérents. Nous avons pu aussi étudier l’évolution de la dynamique de ces verres en fonction de l’augmentation de la quantité de silice dans la composition. En parallèle de nos travaux sur la dynamique, nous avons aussi réalisé des expériences de diffraction de neutrons et de rayons X sur les mêmes compositions et températures afin d’examiner l’ordre atomique local et essayer de le corréler aux propriétés dynamiques observées. / Because of their interesting properties as glass-forming systems, molten silicates play an important role in the geology of the Earth’s crust and mantle and are also of industrial interest for nuclear waste treatment. Research in these areas requires fundamental information on the microscopic structure and dynamics of silicate melts, but such measurements are hampered by the very high melting points of these systems. By extending the technique of aerodynamic levitation to inelastic neutron scattering, and also making use of inelastic synchrotron x-ray scattering, we have obtained results on the microscopic dynamics of silicates both above the melting point and in the supercooled regime. In particular, we have determined the temperature evolution of the viscosity and diffusion coefficient of calcium aluminosilicates, and thereby quantified the decrease in fragility of this glass-forming system as a function of increasing silica content. In parallel with our dynamical studies, we have performed x-ray and neutron diffraction experiments on the same compositions and temperatures in order to examine the local chemical order pertinent to the observed dynamical properties.

No description available.

Silicate glasses are the most common glass types and have impact on almost every aspect in our lives: from window, containers, to glass fibers for telecommunications. Unlike their crystalline counterparts, glass materials lack long-range order in their atomic arrangement but their structures do possess short and medium range characteristics that play critical roles in their physical and chemical properties. Despite active development of characterization techniques that have contributed to the understanding of glass structures, there remain key challenges in obtaining essential structural features of glasses. Atomistic computer simulations have become an increasingly important method in elucidating the atomic structures and in interpretation and/or prediction of composition-structure-property relationships of complex materials. In this dissertation, classical molecular dynamic (MD) simulations were used to investigate the atomic structures, dynamic and other properties of two important glass systems—aluminosilicate glasses and borosilicate glasses, which are the basis of most industrial and technologically important glasses. Firstly, a comprehensive study of peralkaline Na2O-Al2O3-SiO2 glass with varying Al2O3/SiO2, Na2O/Al2O3, Na2O/SiO2 ratios has been performed to obtain better understanding of the composition–structure–property relationships in this glass system. More than 99% of Al were 4-coordinated in these glasses, validating that Na+ tend to charge balance [AlO4]- network forming units first and then, excess Na+ was used to create non-bridging oxygen (NBO) on Si. As the drop of Na/Al ratio, the percentage of NBO decreases, indicating an increase of the glass network connectivity. In addition, polyhedral connection probability results show that Al tend to be randomly distributed in the glass structure, suggesting a violation of Lowenstein's rule. These structural properties were further used to explain macroscopic properties of glass, such as change of glass transition temperature (Tg) and hardness (Hv) with glass composition. Secondly, molecular dynamics simulations were used to understand the structural, thermal mechanical and diffusion behaviors of spodumene (LiAlSi2O6) crystalline phases and glasses. It was found that β-LiAlSi2O6 has a structure much closer to the glass phase. The α-LiAlSi2O6 phase, however, has a more closed-packed structure and higher density. The diffusion behaviors were also found to be closely related to the atomic structures. Thirdly, the surface atomic structures of a series of sodium borosilicate glasses were studied using recently developed compositional dependent partial charge potentials. This provides insight into: a) the structural difference between glass surface and bulk glass; b) the evolution of bulk and surface structures as the change of glass composition. Lastly, pressure and temperature effects on the structure and properties of borosilicate glass were investigated in detail. A serial data derived from different compression temperatures and pressures enable us to explore the link between the microstructure and macroscopic physical properties. The results show that compression temperature and pressure play important roles in glass densification process and may result various glass densification mechanism. This dissertation demonstrates that atomistic simulations coupled with effective potentials and careful validations have become an effective method in research and design of complex glass materials.

Il est communément admis que les géopolymères sont des solutions potentielles comme alternative aux liants hydrauliques classiques. Les géopolymères sont produits à partir de réactifs non carbonés contrairement au ciment portland et nécessitent relativement peu d'énergie pour être élaborés. Ce sont des liants inorganiques issus de l'activation alcaline d'aluminosilicates. Afin de faire des géopolymères une alternative viable et industriellement intéressante, plusieurs verrous technologiques doivent être levés en particulier sur leur mise en œuvre et les mécanismes chimiques impliqués au très jeune âge. Les études précédentes sur les mécanismes de cette réaction de géopolymérisation montrent l'existence d'un mécanisme en trois phases (dissolution – réorganisation – polymérisation). Notre étude s'est portée sur les mécanismes impliqués dans le comportement à l'état frais et en prise de géopolymère modèle à base de métakaolin. Pour cela, nous avons développé une approche combinée entre les mesures rhéologiques et chimiques (RMN liquide) afin de répondre à la complexité de l'hétérogénéité chimique locale pendant la géopolymérisation. Dans les deux premières parties de la thèse, nous nous sommes intéressés à comprendre le développement des propriétés mécaniques du gâchage à la prise du géopolymère. Lors de mesures de suivi de module élastique au cours du temps, nous observons également trois phases, une première augmentation de module dès les premières centaines de secondes, un plateau caractéristique d'une période de latence puis une seconde augmentation de module après plusieurs heures. Dans un premier temps, nous sommes intéressés à la première augmentation de module. Il a été établi que l'origine de ce module était la formation d'un premier gel de rapport Si/Al < à 4.5 localisé au niveau des joints de grains de métakaolin. Dans un second temps, nous sommes focalisé sur la dernière augmentation de module dont l'origine est la formation d'un second gel dont la composition chimique est celle du produit final c'est-à-dire le géopolymère de rapport Si/Al ~2.Finalement, dans une troisième partie, nous avons mis évidence les principales différences qui existent entre les géopolymères et de ciment Portland d'un point de vue rhéologique. Ces matériaux se comportent comme des fluides newtoniens. Les interactions entre les particules sont dominées par les effets hydrodynamiques, qui sont principalement contrôlés par la viscosité élevée de la solution alcaline de silicate et non par la contribution des contacts directs entre les grains de métakaolin / It is commonly accepted that the geopolymers are potential solutions as an alternative to conventional hydraulic binders. Geopolymers are produced from no-carbon reactants unlike Portland cement and require relatively little energy to be developed. These are inorganic binders from the alkali activation of aluminosilicates. To make a geopolymer as viable alternative and industrially interesting, several technological hurdles must be overcome in particular, their casting and the chemical mechanisms involved at very early age. Previous studies on the mechanisms of this reaction of geopolymerisation show the existence of a three phase's mechanism (dissolution - reorganization - polymerization). Our study focused on the mechanisms involved in fresh behavior and during setting of model metakaolin based geopolymers. For this, we have developed a combined approach between the rheological measurements and chemical measurements (liquid NMR) to respond to the complexity of the local chemical heterogeneity during geopolymerisation. In the first two parts of the thesis, we are interested in understanding the development of mechanical properties from mixing to setting of geopolymers. During the measurement of the elastic modulus' evolution, we also observe three phases, the first increase of elastic modulus during the first few hundred seconds, a plateau characteristic of a latency period followed by a second increase of elastic modulus after several hours. As a first step, we are interested in the first increase of modulus. It was established that the origin of this modulus was the formation of a first gel with a Si / Al ratio <4.5 localized at the grain boundaries of metakaolin. In a second step, we focused on the last increase of the elastic modulus. The origin is the formation of a second gel; the chemical composition is that of the final product that is to say the geopolymer with a Si / Al ratio ~ 2.Finally, in the third part, we have identified the major differences between geopolymer and Portland cement from a rheological point of view. These materials behave as Newtonian fluids. The interactions between the particles are dominated by hydrodynamic effects, which are mainly controlled by the high viscosity of the alkaline silicate solution and not the contribution of direct contacts between the grains of metakaolin

Com o objetivo de encontrar novas matrizes dopadas com terras raras para aplicação em dispositivos como amplificadores ópticos, o estudo da otimização da emissão dos íons de érbio (Er3+) no sistema Y2O3 Al2O3 SiO2 foi realizado. Pós, cuja composição é dada por (100-x) Y3Al5O12 (x) SiO2 (x varia de 0 a 70, considerando porcentagem em mol) e com concentração fixa de Er2O3 igual a 1% em mol, foram sintetizados via método Pechini modificado e tratados termicamente a 900 e 1000 &deg;C. Espectros de fotoluminescência (FL) na região do infravermelho próximo (transição 4I13/2 4I15/2 dos íons de Er3+) e espectros de up-conversion na região visível (2H11/2 + 4S3/2 + 4F9/2 4I15/2) foram medidos considerando excitação em 980 nm. Técnicas de caracterização como TG, DSC, DRX e FT-IR foram utilizadas para avaliar a cristalização e evolução das fases cristalinas em função da concentração de sílica (x) e da temperatura de tratamento térmico. As análises foram baseadas na comparação entre os dois diferentes solventes usados na preparação das resinas poliméricas: água e etanol. As condições ótimas encontradas para etanol são diferentes das condições encontradas quando água é usada como solvente, confirmando que as propriedades de FL na região do infravermelho próximo são bastante sensíveis às mudanças na estequiometria da matriz e às condições de processamento. A maior intensidade da emissão em 1540 nm foi observada em pós com x = 30 para etanol e x = 70 para água, tratados a 900 e 1000 &deg;C, respectivamente. Este resultado pode estar atribuído à combinação de baixa simetria e boa dispersão dos íons de Er3+ nestas matrizes. Os filmes foram preparados por evaporação por canhão de elétrons (PVD) a partir das pastilhas dos pós estudados. O estudo desses sistemas ainda é pouco reportado na literatura. A caracterização estrutural, morfológica e composicional dos filmes foi considerada com o intuito de avaliar a aplicação destes filmes como guias de ondas amplificadores. Além do elevado índice de refração, estes materiais também podem ser usados em estudos envolvendo efeitos fotoinduzidos. / In order to find a new Er-doped host for near infrared (NIR) optical amplifiers, a study on the optimization of the erbium emission ions in the Y2O3 Al2O3 SiO2 system was performed. (100-x) Y3Al5O12 (x) SiO2 powders (x varies from 0 to 70, in mol%) with a fixed Er2O3 concentration of 1.0 mol% were synthesized by a modified Pechini method and heat-treated at 900 and 1000 &deg;C. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra at 1540 nm of the 4I13/2 4I15/2 transition of Er3+ ions and the up-conversion spectra at visible region (2H11/2 + 4S3/2 + 4F9/2 4I15/2) upon 980 nm excitation were evaluated. Different techniques, such as thermogravimetry (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray powder diffractometry (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) were considered to evaluate crystallization and phase-evolution of the powders as a function of the silica content (x) and annealing temperature. The analyses were based on the comparison between two different solvents used in the preparation of the polymeric resins: ethanol and water. The optimal conditions for ethanol are quite different than the conditions for water used as solvent, confirming that the PL properties at the NIR region are highly sensitive to the changes in the host stoichiometry and processing conditions. The highest emission intensity at 1540 nm was observed for x= 30 for ethanol and x = 70 for water, treated at 900 and 1000 &deg;C, respectively. This result could be attributed to the combination of low symmetry and good dispersion of the Er3+ ions in these hosts. The films were prepared by electron beam evaporation (PVD) from the pellets of the powders studied. The study of these systems is still little reported in the literature. The structural, morphological and compositional characterization of the films was considered in order to evaluate the application of these films as waveguide amplifiers. In addition to the high refractive index, these materials can also be used in conditions involving photoinduced effects.

La phosphorescence est une émission lumineuse perdurant après l'arrêt de l'excitation, due à un piégeage par des défauts de la matrice des porteurs de charges formés durant l'excitation, puis à leur dépiégeage progressif avec l'énergie thermique à température ambiante, suivi de leur recombinaison radiative. Le premier objectif de la thèse était la compréhension des mécanismes de phosphorescence, jusqu'alors inconnus. La phosphorescence du matériau le plus ancien, ZnS:Cu+,Co2+, est due au piégeage d'électrons sur des lacunes de soufre distantes de l'activateur Cu+. La luminescence est associée à la recombinaison radiative depuis la bande de conduction (bleu) ou une lacune anionique plus ou moins proche de Cu+ (vert, rouge) vers les orbitales 3d de Cu+. La phosphorescence du matériau le plus performant, SrAl2O4:Eu2+,Dy3+,B3+, est due au piégeage d'électrons sur des lacunes d'oxygène proches de l'activateur Eu2+. La seconde émission observable à basse température est due à un transfert de charge entre les ions Eu3+ résiduels et O2-, et est associée à un piégeage de trous. Des règles générales sont dégagées pour le piégeage dans tous les matériaux phosphorescents : lacunes anioniques proches des activateurs pour Eu2+, Ce3+, Tb3+ et Pr3+, lacunes anioniques éloignées des activateurs pour Cu+ et Mn2+, lacunes cationiques pour les activateurs Eu3+, Tm3+ et Sm3+. Un nouveau modèle est établi sur l'agglomération et la stabilisation des défauts quel que soit le défaut de charge qu'ils induisent, avec des comparaisons d'énergies d'ionisation. Ce modèle permet une approche prédictive de la synthèse de nouveaux matériaux phosphorescents, ainsi qu'une approche raisonnée de l'optimisation de la fluorescence de certains luminophores. Le second objectif de la thèse était la découverte de nouveaux matériaux phosphorescents. Plusieurs matrices dopées par Eu2+ ont été trouvées phosphorescentes, parmi lesquelles principalement (Ca,Sr)Al2Si2O8:Eu2+,Pr3+ (brevetée par Rhodia Electronics and Catalysis et le CNRS), émettant pendant quelques heures avec une nouvelle couleur bleu très clair.

L'étude des silicates fondus présente un intérêt dans divers domaines de recherche comme la géologie ou la fabrication des verres avec des applications technologiques importantes telles que par exemple, le confinement des déchets nucléaires. Ces recherches demandent des informations fondamentales sur la structure et la dynamique de ces liquides au niveau microscopique mais l'acquisition des données est très souvent limitée par les températures de fusion élevées des composés étudiés. Notre travail s'est donc basé sur l'utilisation de techniques sans contact afin de s'affranchir de cette difficulté. Dans le cadre de cette thèse, nous nous sommes intéressés à l'étude des propriétés structurales et dynamiques de divers aluminosilicates de calcium (CAS) fondus. Pour cela, nous avons développé un dispositif utilisant la lévitation aérodynamique afin d'effectuer des expériences de diffusion quasi-élastique des neutrons. En combinant ces mesures avec la diffusion inélastique des rayons X, nous avons pu obtenir des résultats sur la dynamique microscopique des CAS à l'état liquide ainsi que dans le régime de surfusion. En particulier, nous avons pu déterminer l'évolution de la viscosité avec la température et les coefficients de diffusion cohérents. Nous avons pu aussi étudier l'évolution de la dynamique de ces verres en fonction de l'augmentation de la quantité de silice dans la composition. En parallèle de nos travaux sur la dynamique, nous avons aussi réalisé des expériences de diffraction de neutrons et de rayons X sur les mêmes compositions et températures afin d'examiner l'ordre atomique local et essayer de le corréler aux propriétés dynamiques observées.

abstract: Alkali treated aluminosilicate (geopolymer) was functionalized by surfactant to increase the hydrophobicity for making Pickering emulsion for the first part of this work. In the first part of this study, alkali treated metakaolin was functionalized with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide ((C16H33)N(CH3)3Br, CTAB). The electrostatic interaction between this quaternary ammonium and the surface of the aluminosilicate which has negative charge has taken place. The particles then were used to prepare Pickering emulsion. The resulting stable dispersions, obtained very fast at very simple conditions with low ratio of aluminosilicate to liquid phase. In the second part, the interaction between geopolymer and glycerol was studied to see the covalent grafting of the geopolymer for making geopolymer composite. The composite material would be the basis material to be used as support catalyst, thin coating reagent and flame retardant material and so on, Variety of techniques, Thermogravimetric (TGA), Particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE), FTIR, Solid state NMR, Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), BET surface area, Elemental analysis (CHN), TEM, SEM and Optical microscopy were used to characterize the functionalized geopolymer. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Chemistry 2012

Com o objetivo de encontrar novas matrizes dopadas com terras raras para aplicação em dispositivos como amplificadores ópticos, o estudo da otimização da emissão dos íons de érbio (Er3+) no sistema Y2O3 Al2O3 SiO2 foi realizado. Pós, cuja composição é dada por (100-x) Y3Al5O12 (x) SiO2 (x varia de 0 a 70, considerando porcentagem em mol) e com concentração fixa de Er2O3 igual a 1% em mol, foram sintetizados via método Pechini modificado e tratados termicamente a 900 e 1000 &deg;C. Espectros de fotoluminescência (FL) na região do infravermelho próximo (transição 4I13/2 4I15/2 dos íons de Er3+) e espectros de up-conversion na região visível (2H11/2 + 4S3/2 + 4F9/2 4I15/2) foram medidos considerando excitação em 980 nm. Técnicas de caracterização como TG, DSC, DRX e FT-IR foram utilizadas para avaliar a cristalização e evolução das fases cristalinas em função da concentração de sílica (x) e da temperatura de tratamento térmico. As análises foram baseadas na comparação entre os dois diferentes solventes usados na preparação das resinas poliméricas: água e etanol. As condições ótimas encontradas para etanol são diferentes das condições encontradas quando água é usada como solvente, confirmando que as propriedades de FL na região do infravermelho próximo são bastante sensíveis às mudanças na estequiometria da matriz e às condições de processamento. A maior intensidade da emissão em 1540 nm foi observada em pós com x = 30 para etanol e x = 70 para água, tratados a 900 e 1000 &deg;C, respectivamente. Este resultado pode estar atribuído à combinação de baixa simetria e boa dispersão dos íons de Er3+ nestas matrizes. Os filmes foram preparados por evaporação por canhão de elétrons (PVD) a partir das pastilhas dos pós estudados. O estudo desses sistemas ainda é pouco reportado na literatura. A caracterização estrutural, morfológica e composicional dos filmes foi considerada com o intuito de avaliar a aplicação destes filmes como guias de ondas amplificadores. Além do elevado índice de refração, estes materiais também podem ser usados em estudos envolvendo efeitos fotoinduzidos. / In order to find a new Er-doped host for near infrared (NIR) optical amplifiers, a study on the optimization of the erbium emission ions in the Y2O3 Al2O3 SiO2 system was performed. (100-x) Y3Al5O12 (x) SiO2 powders (x varies from 0 to 70, in mol%) with a fixed Er2O3 concentration of 1.0 mol% were synthesized by a modified Pechini method and heat-treated at 900 and 1000 &deg;C. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra at 1540 nm of the 4I13/2 4I15/2 transition of Er3+ ions and the up-conversion spectra at visible region (2H11/2 + 4S3/2 + 4F9/2 4I15/2) upon 980 nm excitation were evaluated. Different techniques, such as thermogravimetry (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray powder diffractometry (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) were considered to evaluate crystallization and phase-evolution of the powders as a function of the silica content (x) and annealing temperature. The analyses were based on the comparison between two different solvents used in the preparation of the polymeric resins: ethanol and water. The optimal conditions for ethanol are quite different than the conditions for water used as solvent, confirming that the PL properties at the NIR region are highly sensitive to the changes in the host stoichiometry and processing conditions. The highest emission intensity at 1540 nm was observed for x= 30 for ethanol and x = 70 for water, treated at 900 and 1000 &deg;C, respectively. This result could be attributed to the combination of low symmetry and good dispersion of the Er3+ ions in these hosts. The films were prepared by electron beam evaporation (PVD) from the pellets of the powders studied. The study of these systems is still little reported in the literature. The structural, morphological and compositional characterization of the films was considered in order to evaluate the application of these films as waveguide amplifiers. In addition to the high refractive index, these materials can also be used in conditions involving photoinduced effects.