Composições cerâmicas de CaxSr1-xTi1-yFeyO3-&delta;, x = 0, 0,5 e 1,0, y = 0 e 0,35, foram preparadas por meio de síntese reativa de CaCO3, SrCO3, TiO2 e Fe2O3 e pela técnica dos precursores poliméricos. Os pós-cerâmicos foram avaliados por meio de análise térmica (termogravimétrica e térmica diferencial), difração de raios X e microscopia eletrônica de varredura. Compactos cerâmicos sinterizados foram analisados por difração de raios X, microscopia eletrônica de varredura, microscopia de varredura por sonda e espectroscopia de impedância. A força eletromotriz gerada entre duas faces paralelas de amostras cilíndricas foi monitorada na faixa de temperatura 600 - 1100 oC para pressão parcial de oxigênio de ~50 ppm, utilizando-se uma bomba eletroquímica de oxigênio com transdutores de zircônia estabilizada com ítria. Foram refinadas, por meio de análise de Rietveld as estruturas cristalinas determinadas na análise por difração de raios X: perovskita cúbica (x = 0) e perovskita ortorrômbica (x 0). A condutividade elétrica foi analisada por medidas de espectroscopia de impedância na faixa de freqüências 5 Hz-13 MHz da temperatura ambiente até ~200 C. A deconvolução dos diagramas de impedância [-Z\"() x Z\'()] na faixa de temperaturas 300 < T(K) < 500 mostra dois semicírculos atribuídos às contribuições intragranular (grãos) e intergranular (contornos de grão) à resistividade elétrica. Os compactos sinterizado utilizando pós preparados pela síntese de estado sólido apresentam valores de resistividade intergranular e intragranular maiores que os compactos preparados com pós obtidos pela síntese química. O sinal elétrico (força eletromotriz) gerado sob exposição a oxigênio mostra que esses compostos podem ser utilizados em dispositivos sensores de oxigênio entre 600 e 1100C. Análises topográficas em microscópio de varredura por sonda em superfícies polidas e atacadas termicamente mostram detalhes morfológicos dos grãos, permitindo concluir que compactos sinterizados preparados com pós obtidos pela rota química são menos porosos que os preparados com pós obtidos pela rota convencional de síntese de estado sólido. Estes resultados estão de acordo com os resultados de medidas de espectroscopia de impedância. / CaxSr1-xTi1-yFeyO3-&delta;, x = 0, 0.5 and 1.0, y = 0 and 0.35, ceramic compounds were synthesized by reactive solid state synthesis of CaCO3, SrCO3, TiO2 and Fe2O3, and by the polymeric precursor technique. The ceramic powders were evaluated by thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Sintered ceramic pellets were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, scanning probe microscopy and impedance spectroscopy. The electromotive force resulting from the exposing the pellets to partial pressure de oxygen in the ~50 ppm in the 600-1100 oC range was monitored using an experimental setup consisting of an oxygen electrochemical pump with yttria-stabilized zirconia transducer and sensor. Rietveld analysis of the X-ray data allowed for determining the crystalline structures: cubic perovskite (y = 0) and orthorhombic perovskite (y 0). The electrical conductivity was determined by the two probe impedance spectroscopy measurements in the 5 Hz-13 MHz frequency range from room temperature to approximately 200 C. The deconvolution of the [-Z\"() x Z\'()] impedance diagrams in the 300 < T(K) < 500 range shows two semicircles due to intragranular (bulk) and intergranular (grain boundary) contributions to the electrical resistivity. Sintered pellets using powders prepared by the ceramic route present higher inter- and intragranular resistivity values than pellets prepared with chemically synthesized powders. The emf signal under exposure oxygen shows that these compounds may be used in oxygen sensing devices in the 600 - 1100 C range. Scanning probe microscopy topographic analysis of the polished and thermally etched surfaces of the pellets gave details of grain morphology, showing that pellets prepared with powders synthesized by the chemical route are less porous than the ones obtained by the ceramic route. These results are in agreement with the impedance spectroscopy results.

Pós nanocristalinos de Ba1-xCaxTiO3(0&#8804; x &#8804; 0.30) foram sintetizados pela primeira vez por meio do método dos precursores poliméricos modificados, em temperaturas relativamente baixas (500°C). Para a densificação dos corpos cerâmicos duas técnicas distintas foram utilizadas: a sinterização convencional, utilizando um forno elétrico; e a sinterização a laser, na qual um laser de CO2 foi utilizado como principal fonte de calor. Os corpos cerâmicos sinterizados pelas duas técnicas apresentaram um tamanho médio de grãos em torno de 500 nm, porém uma maior densidade relativa foi obtida nas cerâmicas sinterizadas a laser, chegando a 99%, além de boa transparência, &#8764;42% a 940 nm para a amostra com 30 mol% de Ca com espessura de 0.5 mm. Também verificamos por meio de simulação numérica, que a equação de condução de calor na aproximação linear, considerando uma fonte de calor com perfil gaussiano, descreve qualitativamente o comportamento observado durante a sinterização a laser no seu estágio final. Por meio da técnica de espectroscopia de impedância foi feita a caracterização dielétrica dos corpos cerâmicos, nos quais três pontos principais foram estudados: i) o efeito do tamanho de grãos; ii) a influência da concentração de Ca; e iii) a influência do método de sinterização. Com a variação do tamanho do grão foram observadas mudanças na intensidade do pico de transição ferro-paraelétrica, na temperatura de Curie e na permissividade relativa à temperatura ambiente. Para concentrações de Ca até 15 mol%, as cerâmicas apresentaram uma transição de Curie estreita semelhante ao BaTiO3,enquanto que para concentrações maiores, uma transição de fase difusa foi observada. A sinterização a laser resultou em corpos cerâmicos com constante dielétrica 30% maior, e menor perda dielétrica do que as cerâmicas sinterizadas convencionalmente. Finalmente, foi proposto um modelo baseando-se na formação de vacâncias de oxigênio para o aumento da condutividade elétrica com a substituição de Ca. / Ba1-xCaxTiO3 (0 &#8804; x &#8804; 0.30) nanocrystalline powders were successfully synthesized for the first time at relative low temperature (500 °C) by a modified polymeric precursor method. The densification of the ceramics was made by two distinct techniques: conventional sintering using an electric furnace; and by a laser sintering process in which a CO2 laser is used as the main heating source. It was achieved dense ceramics with an average grain size about 500 nm from both techniques. However, the laser sintered ceramics presented a higher relative density (99 %) and a transparency of 42% at 940 nm in the sample with 30 mol% of Ca. By numerical simulation of the thermal conduction equation on the linear approximation case and taking account a thermal source with a gaussian profile, it was possible to describe qualitatively the final stage of the laser sintering process. The dielectric characterization of the ceramic bodies were carried out by the impedance spectroscopy technique and three main effects were studied: i) the grain size effect; ii) the Ca concentration influence; and, iii) the sintering technique influence. Modifying the grain size led to changes in the ferro-paraelectric transition magnitude, on the Curie temperature value and in the relative permittivity at room temperature. For Ca2+ concentrations up to 15 mol% the sintered ceramics presented a sharp Curie transition like BaTiO3,while for higher Ca concentrations a diffuse phase transition was observed. The laser sintered ceramics presented a dielectric constant 30% higher than the conventional sintering and a lower dielectric loss. Finally, we have proposed a model based on the oxygen vacancies formation to explain the conductivity increase with the Ca2+ substitution.

This thesis deals with the investigations on the atomic composition, chemical surface states and microstructural features of barium titanate and other electronic ceramics namely barium polytitantes, calcium manganites and magnesium calcium titanate by surface analytical techniques. After presenting a brief introduction on the ceramic materials studied in terms of their crystal structures, electrical properties, nonstoichiometry and interfacial characteristics, the thesis describes the synthesis of the ceramics and the methodology of the different surface analytical techniques utilized such as backscattering spectrometry (BS), an ion beam analysis (IBA) technique, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The XPS investigations on the chemical surface states of polycrystalline barium titanate having well-defined electrical characteristics reveal the prevalence of Ba in two distinct chemical environments : the one corresponding to the lower binding energy is related to the dielectric while the other having higher binding energy is correlated to semiconducting properties of the ceramics. Processes such as abrasion or polishing make the surfaces more reactive and susceptible to atmospheric contamination. Sputter cleaning causes surface modification leading to changes in the Ba (3d) and Ti (2p) spectra. Studies on the surface atomic composition by BS and microstructural features of doped barium titanate ceramics reveal their interfacial characteristics in terms segregation of dopants or metal ion constituents. Surfaces of these ceramics exhibit cationic as well as anionic nonstoichiometry depending on the processing steps involved. Ceramics synthesized by oxalate precursor route are Ti-rich while those prepared by gel-to-crystallite method are Ba-rich. These are correlated to the chemical processes and background impurities which in turn control the microstructures. Barium titanate substitued with > 1 at. % Mn are deficient in oxygen and exist as the hexagonal polymorph. Acceptors segregate at the grain boundaries accompanied by the enrichment of Ti leading to PTCR or GBLC characteristics. The oxygen nonstoichiometry prevailing in the surface regions of differently processed calcium manganites is investigated by way of depth profile measurements involving 16O(a,a) 16O resonant scattering. These studies reveal extensive compositional heterogeneity across the surface layers particularly in the manganite specimens annealed in lower po2 leading to the stabilization of brownmillerite phase. Two of the microwave dielectric ceramics namely dibarium nona-titanate and barium tetra-titanate with suitable variations in Ba:Ti ratios have been synthesized by the carbonate-gel precipitation. The corresponding dense ceramics have high permittivity (~ 52) and low temperature coefficient of permittivity (TCK ~ 5 ppm /0C). Extensive miscibility between the ilmenite-type MgTiO3 and perovskite-type CaTiO3 over a wide compositional range is brought about by the simultaneous equivalent substitution of Al3+ + La3+. The resulting (Mg1-(x+y)CaxLay)(Ti1-yAly)O3 ceramics exhibit improved microwave dielectric properties by way of high permittivity, low TCK and high quality factor. The microarea elemental distribution and chemical surface state studies reveal the complexity in the Mg/Ca distribution and its correlation with the solid state miscibility as well as dielectric properties. The discontinuous changes in the local site symmetry of the cationic substituents in these ceramics have been investigated by the photoluminescence spectra using Pr3+ as the emission probe.

High dielectric constant materials are of technological importance as they lead to the miniaturization of the electronic devices. In this context, the observation of anomalously high dielectric constant (>104) in the body-centered cubic perovskite-related (Space group Im3) material Calcium Copper Titanate ((CaCu3Ti4O12)(CCTO)) over wide frequency (100 Hz – 1MHz at RT) and temperature (100 – 600 K at 1 kHz ) ranges has attracted a great deal of attention. However, high dielectric constant in CCTO is not well understood yet, though internal barrier layer capacitor (IBLC) mechanism is widely been accepted. Therefore, the present work has been focused on the preparation and characterization of CCTO ceramic and to have an insight into the origin of high dielectric constant. Influence of calcination temperature, processing conditions, microstructure (and hence grain size), composition, doping etc on the electrical characteristics of CCTO ceramics were investigated. Electrical properties were found to be strongly dependent on these parameters. The dielectric constant in CCTO was observed to be reduced considerably on substituting La+3 on Ca+2 site. The formation temperature of CCTO was lowered substantially (when compared to conventional solid-state reaction route) by adopting molten-salt synthesis. The dielectric loss in CCTO was reduced by incorporating glassy phases at the grain boundary. Potential candidates for the practical applications such as charge storage devices, capacitors etc, with dielectric constant as high as 700 at 300 K was accomplished in a three-phase percolative composite fabricated by incorporating Aluminium particle into CCTO-epoxy composite. Polycrystalline CCTO thin films with dielectric constant as high as ~ 5000 (1 kHz and 400 K) were fabricated on Pt(111)/Ti/SiO2/Si substrates using radio frequency magnetron sputtering. Effect of sintering conditions on the microstructural, ferroelectric and varistor properties of CCTO and LCTO ceramics belonging to the high and low dielectric constant members of ACu3M4O12 family of oxides were investigated in detail and are compared. Ferroelectric-like hysteresis loop (P vs E) and weak pyroelectricity were observed in CCTO and plausible mechanisms for this unusual phenomenon have been proposed.

Pós nanocristalinos de Ba1-xCaxTiO3(0&#8804; x &#8804; 0.30) foram sintetizados pela primeira vez por meio do método dos precursores poliméricos modificados, em temperaturas relativamente baixas (500°C). Para a densificação dos corpos cerâmicos duas técnicas distintas foram utilizadas: a sinterização convencional, utilizando um forno elétrico; e a sinterização a laser, na qual um laser de CO2 foi utilizado como principal fonte de calor. Os corpos cerâmicos sinterizados pelas duas técnicas apresentaram um tamanho médio de grãos em torno de 500 nm, porém uma maior densidade relativa foi obtida nas cerâmicas sinterizadas a laser, chegando a 99%, além de boa transparência, &#8764;42% a 940 nm para a amostra com 30 mol% de Ca com espessura de 0.5 mm. Também verificamos por meio de simulação numérica, que a equação de condução de calor na aproximação linear, considerando uma fonte de calor com perfil gaussiano, descreve qualitativamente o comportamento observado durante a sinterização a laser no seu estágio final. Por meio da técnica de espectroscopia de impedância foi feita a caracterização dielétrica dos corpos cerâmicos, nos quais três pontos principais foram estudados: i) o efeito do tamanho de grãos; ii) a influência da concentração de Ca; e iii) a influência do método de sinterização. Com a variação do tamanho do grão foram observadas mudanças na intensidade do pico de transição ferro-paraelétrica, na temperatura de Curie e na permissividade relativa à temperatura ambiente. Para concentrações de Ca até 15 mol%, as cerâmicas apresentaram uma transição de Curie estreita semelhante ao BaTiO3,enquanto que para concentrações maiores, uma transição de fase difusa foi observada. A sinterização a laser resultou em corpos cerâmicos com constante dielétrica 30% maior, e menor perda dielétrica do que as cerâmicas sinterizadas convencionalmente. Finalmente, foi proposto um modelo baseando-se na formação de vacâncias de oxigênio para o aumento da condutividade elétrica com a substituição de Ca. / Ba1-xCaxTiO3 (0 &#8804; x &#8804; 0.30) nanocrystalline powders were successfully synthesized for the first time at relative low temperature (500 °C) by a modified polymeric precursor method. The densification of the ceramics was made by two distinct techniques: conventional sintering using an electric furnace; and by a laser sintering process in which a CO2 laser is used as the main heating source. It was achieved dense ceramics with an average grain size about 500 nm from both techniques. However, the laser sintered ceramics presented a higher relative density (99 %) and a transparency of 42% at 940 nm in the sample with 30 mol% of Ca. By numerical simulation of the thermal conduction equation on the linear approximation case and taking account a thermal source with a gaussian profile, it was possible to describe qualitatively the final stage of the laser sintering process. The dielectric characterization of the ceramic bodies were carried out by the impedance spectroscopy technique and three main effects were studied: i) the grain size effect; ii) the Ca concentration influence; and, iii) the sintering technique influence. Modifying the grain size led to changes in the ferro-paraelectric transition magnitude, on the Curie temperature value and in the relative permittivity at room temperature. For Ca2+ concentrations up to 15 mol% the sintered ceramics presented a sharp Curie transition like BaTiO3,while for higher Ca concentrations a diffuse phase transition was observed. The laser sintered ceramics presented a dielectric constant 30% higher than the conventional sintering and a lower dielectric loss. Finally, we have proposed a model based on the oxygen vacancies formation to explain the conductivity increase with the Ca2+ substitution.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Barium titanate (BaTiO3 - BT) is a ferroelectric material with important technological applications. When partially doped with trivalent cations at the barium sublattice or pentavalent at the titanium sublattice, BaTiO3-based ceramics exhibit a semiconductive character, accompanied by a Positive Temperature Coefficient of Resistivity (PTCR). Several ways of BT modifications have been proposed in literature, as example, the use of different synthesis methods and the doping with different ions. Therefore, in the present work we have as objective the synthesis, sintering and electrical characterization of the rare earth ions (RE = La3+, Y3+, Er3+, Nd3+ e Eu3+) doped barium calcium titanate ceramics (Ba0,77Ca0,227RE0,003TiO3 BCT_RE) in order to study mainly the PTCR behavior. The powder synthesis was done by the polymeric precursor method followed by the sinterization at reducing atmosphere during the heating up ramp and different atmosphere during cooling down ramp in order to investigate the atmosphere and dopant effect on PTCR behavior. The characterization was done using the Differential Thermal Analysis, Thermogravimetry, Scanning Differential Calorimetry, X-ray Powder Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Impedance Spectroscopy techniques. The calcined powder at 600ºC/4h presented majority BCT phase and after sintering at 1350ºC/6h, a small amount of Ba6Ti17O40 phase was observed. The sintered ceramics presented a homogeneous grain size distribution but with the presence of a secondary phase at the grain boundary for all compositions, and Curie temperature at about 120ºC. The PTCR characteristics of the ceramics were studied as a function of the sintering atmosphere and dopant type. In summary, all the samples, exception of the Eu doped samples, presented PTCR behavior in all the studied conditions. . / O titanato de bário (BaTiO3 - BT) é um material ferroelétrico com importantes aplicações tecnológicas. Quando dopado com íons trivalentes no sítio do bário ou pentavalentes no sítio do titânio, cerâmicas de BaTiO3 exibem um caráter semicondutor, acompanhado por um coeficiente positivo da resistência com o aumento da temperatura (PTCR). Diversas formas de modificação do BT têm sido sugeridas na literatura, por exemplo, a utilização de diferentes métodos de síntese e a dopagem com diferentes íons. Dessa forma, no presente trabalho tivemos como objetivo a síntese, a sinterização e a caracterização elétrica de cerâmicas de titanato de bário e cálcio (Ba0,77Ca0,227RE0,003TiO3 BCT_RE) dopados com íons terras raras (RE = La3+, Y3+, Er3+, Nd3+ e Eu3+), visando principalmente o estudo do comportamento PTCR. A síntese dos pós foi realizada pelo método dos precursores poliméricos, seguido pela sinterização em atmosfera redutora durante o aquecimento e diferentes atmosferas no resfriamento com o intuito de investigar a influência da atmosfera e do dopante no comportamento PTCR. A caracterização foi feita utilizando as técnicas de Análise Térmica Diferencial, Termogravimetria, Calorimetria Exploratória Diferencial, Difração de Raios X, Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura e Espectroscopia de Impedância. Os pós calcinados a 600ºC/4h apresentaram fase majoritária BCT e após sinterizados a 1350ºC/6h foi observada a presença da fase Ba6Ti17O40. As cerâmicas sinterizadas apresentaram uma distribuição homogênea de tamanho de grão, porém com a presença de uma segunda fase na região de contorno de grão para todas as composições, com temperatura de Curie em torno de 120ºC. As características PTCR das cerâmicas foram estudadas em função da atmosfera de sinterização e do tipo do dopante. Em resumo, todas as amostras, com exceção das dopadas com Eu, apresentaram comportamento PTCR para todas as condições estudadas.

Composições cerâmicas de CaxSr1-xTi1-yFeyO3-&delta;, x = 0, 0,5 e 1,0, y = 0 e 0,35, foram preparadas por meio de síntese reativa de CaCO3, SrCO3, TiO2 e Fe2O3 e pela técnica dos precursores poliméricos. Os pós-cerâmicos foram avaliados por meio de análise térmica (termogravimétrica e térmica diferencial), difração de raios X e microscopia eletrônica de varredura. Compactos cerâmicos sinterizados foram analisados por difração de raios X, microscopia eletrônica de varredura, microscopia de varredura por sonda e espectroscopia de impedância. A força eletromotriz gerada entre duas faces paralelas de amostras cilíndricas foi monitorada na faixa de temperatura 600 - 1100 oC para pressão parcial de oxigênio de ~50 ppm, utilizando-se uma bomba eletroquímica de oxigênio com transdutores de zircônia estabilizada com ítria. Foram refinadas, por meio de análise de Rietveld as estruturas cristalinas determinadas na análise por difração de raios X: perovskita cúbica (x = 0) e perovskita ortorrômbica (x 0). A condutividade elétrica foi analisada por medidas de espectroscopia de impedância na faixa de freqüências 5 Hz-13 MHz da temperatura ambiente até ~200 C. A deconvolução dos diagramas de impedância [-Z\"() x Z\'()] na faixa de temperaturas 300 < T(K) < 500 mostra dois semicírculos atribuídos às contribuições intragranular (grãos) e intergranular (contornos de grão) à resistividade elétrica. Os compactos sinterizado utilizando pós preparados pela síntese de estado sólido apresentam valores de resistividade intergranular e intragranular maiores que os compactos preparados com pós obtidos pela síntese química. O sinal elétrico (força eletromotriz) gerado sob exposição a oxigênio mostra que esses compostos podem ser utilizados em dispositivos sensores de oxigênio entre 600 e 1100C. Análises topográficas em microscópio de varredura por sonda em superfícies polidas e atacadas termicamente mostram detalhes morfológicos dos grãos, permitindo concluir que compactos sinterizados preparados com pós obtidos pela rota química são menos porosos que os preparados com pós obtidos pela rota convencional de síntese de estado sólido. Estes resultados estão de acordo com os resultados de medidas de espectroscopia de impedância. / CaxSr1-xTi1-yFeyO3-&delta;, x = 0, 0.5 and 1.0, y = 0 and 0.35, ceramic compounds were synthesized by reactive solid state synthesis of CaCO3, SrCO3, TiO2 and Fe2O3, and by the polymeric precursor technique. The ceramic powders were evaluated by thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Sintered ceramic pellets were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, scanning probe microscopy and impedance spectroscopy. The electromotive force resulting from the exposing the pellets to partial pressure de oxygen in the ~50 ppm in the 600-1100 oC range was monitored using an experimental setup consisting of an oxygen electrochemical pump with yttria-stabilized zirconia transducer and sensor. Rietveld analysis of the X-ray data allowed for determining the crystalline structures: cubic perovskite (y = 0) and orthorhombic perovskite (y 0). The electrical conductivity was determined by the two probe impedance spectroscopy measurements in the 5 Hz-13 MHz frequency range from room temperature to approximately 200 C. The deconvolution of the [-Z\"() x Z\'()] impedance diagrams in the 300 < T(K) < 500 range shows two semicircles due to intragranular (bulk) and intergranular (grain boundary) contributions to the electrical resistivity. Sintered pellets using powders prepared by the ceramic route present higher inter- and intragranular resistivity values than pellets prepared with chemically synthesized powders. The emf signal under exposure oxygen shows that these compounds may be used in oxygen sensing devices in the 600 - 1100 C range. Scanning probe microscopy topographic analysis of the polished and thermally etched surfaces of the pellets gave details of grain morphology, showing that pellets prepared with powders synthesized by the chemical route are less porous than the ones obtained by the ceramic route. These results are in agreement with the impedance spectroscopy results.

Three-way catalysis (TWC) involves simultaneous removal of the three pollutants (i.e., CO, NOx, and HCs) which led to the branch of auto-exhaust catalysis. CeO2 has become the main component of TWC catalyst because of its oxygen storage storage (OSC) property to supply oxygen under excess fuel condition and store oxygen under lean condition. Substitution of smaller isovalent cations like Ti4+, Zr4+ and Hf4+ ions in CeO2 forming Ce1-xMxO2 (M = Ti, Zr &Hf) solid solution enhance the OSC property. XRD along with EXAFS study showed that cations arrange in FCC lattice but oxygen coordination around metal ions is split into 4 + 4 coordination in Ce1-xMxO2 instead of ideal 8 coordination in CeO2. The longer Ce/Ti/Zr – O bonds are weakly bound and can be easily removed by H2 giving high OSC value than pure CeO2. Among the three OSC systems studied here, Ce0.5Zr0.5O2 showed exceptionally high OSC which lead to formation of a new a pyrochlore, Ce2Zr2O6.3. This compound is nearly metallic. Ce0.85-xTi0.15PtxO2- (x = 0.01 & 0.02) crystallizes in fluorite structure and Pt is ionically substituted with 2+ and 4+ oxidation states. H/Pt atomic ratio at 30 oC over Ce0.84Ti0.15Pt0.01O2- is 5 and over Ce0.99Pt0.01O2-δ is 4 against just 0.078 for 8 nm Pt metal particles. Carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon oxidation activity are much higher over Ce1-x-yTixPtyO2 (x= 0.15, y= 0.01, 0.02) compared to Ce1-xPtxO2 (x= 0.01, 0.02). Synergistic involvement of Pt2+/Pt0 and Ti4+/Ti3+ redox couples in addition to Ce4+/Ce3+ due to the overlap of Pt(5d), Ti(3d), and Ce(4f) bands near EF is shown to be responsible for enhanced redox property and higher catalytic activity. On substitution of Pd ion in Ce1-xTixO2, more lattice oxygen is found to be more labile than Pd in CeO2. The easy removal of oxygen from the more reducible Ti4+ containing support plays a major role in showing higher catalytic activity of this material for CO oxidation, N2O and NO reduction by CO. The catalyst shows 100% N2 selectivity  240 oC in NO+CO reaction. It has been shown that oxide ion vacancy creation created by removal of lattice oxygen by CO is responsible for dissociation of NO or N2O at a lower temperature. Ionicity of Pd2+ ion in different support could be varied by varying the ionicity of the oxide support itself. Rates of CO oxidation increases or activation energy decreases over Ce1-xPdxO2-δ, Ti1-xPdxO2-δ and Ce1-x-yMxPdyO2-δ (M = Ti, Zr, Hf ; x = 0.25, 0.4 ; y = 0.02) is increased with ionicity of Pd2+ ion. The substitution of Sn in CeO2 forming Ce1-xSnxO2 (x = 0.1-0.5) solid solution was prepared using tin oxalate precursor by solution combustion method. These oxides can be promising support for noble metals because of the Sn4+  Sn2+ redox couple in addition to Ce3+/Ce4+. The two electron process involved in the redox reaction of Sn as well as easy reducibility of Sn4+ to Sn2+ offers a far better redox catalytic system hitherto not reported. Ce1-xSnxO2 solid solutions as well as Pd ion substituted Ce1-xSnxO2 was prepared for the first time.

Fabrication of artificially structured superlattices, when controlled on a nanoscale level, can exhibit enhanced dielectric properties over a wide temperature range. Possible fabrication of new functional devices based on the parametric values of dielectric constants of these heterostructures was the major motivation behind the work. Chapter 1 gives a brief overview of ferroelectrics; their defining features and their commercial importance to electronic industry. An introduction to ferroelectric superlattices, their technological application and fundamental physics that influence the behavior of superlattices are provided. Chapter 2 deals with the various experimental studies carried out in this research work. It gives the details of the experimental set up and the basic operation principles of various structural and physical characterizations of the materials prepared. A brief explanation of material fabrication, structural, micro structural and physical property measurements is discussed. Chapter 3 involves fabrication of two-component ferroelectric superlattices consisting of Barium Titanate (BTO), and Strontium Titanate (STO) with nanoscale control of superlattice periodicities by high-pressure multi target pulsed laser deposition on Pt (111)/Ti/SiO2/Si (100) substrate. Superlattices with varying periodicities were fabricated and their compositional variation across the thin film and the interface width were studied using Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS). Fabrications of superlattice structure were supported by observation of satellite peaks in XRD corresponding to the coherent heterostructures. The microstructural analysis was carried out using cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and contact mode-AFM was used to image surface morphology and root-mean-square (rms) roughness of the thin film heterostructure. Chapter 4 deals with ferroelectric studies of BTO/STO superlattices. The size dependent polarization behaviors of the superlattices are shown. The experimental realization of the dimensional range in which, the long-range coupling interaction dominates the overall polarization behavior of the system was studied. The dependence of average spontaneous polarization on the individual layer thickness, temperature and the dimensional range of interaction are discussed. The enhanced non-linear behaviors of the films were measured in terms of tunability. The dielectric phase transition behavior of superlattice structures of different periodicities was studied. Chapter 5 focuses on fabrication of three-component ferroelectric superlattices consisting of Barium Titanate (BTO), Calcium Titanate (CTO) and Strontium Titanate (STO). The fabrications of superlattice structures were confirmed by the presence of satellite reflections in XRD analysis and a periodic concentration of Sr, Ba and Ca throughout the film in Depth profile of SIMS analysis. The microstructural analysis was carried out using cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and contact mode-AFM was used to image surface morphology and root-mean-square (rms) roughness of the thin film heterostructure. The dielectric characteristic and polarization properties of the system are discussed. Large variations of lattice distortion in the consisting layers were achieved by varying the stacking sequence and superlattice periodicity. The influence of interfacial strain on enhancement of ferroelectric polarization was studied. The size dependence and the role of interfaces in the observed enhancements of the dielectric behaviors were highlighted. The tunability of about 55% was achieved in these systems and was higher than any of the single polycrystalline thin film of the constituent materials reported till date. The enhanced dielectric properties were thus discussed in terms of the interfacial strain driven polar region due to high lattice mismatch and electrostatic coupling due to polarization mismatch between individual layers. Chapter 6 deals with the dielectric response, impedance spectroscopy and the DC leakage characteristics of the superlattice structures. All the heterostructures fabricated, exhibited low frequency dispersion, similar to that of the Jonscher’s universal type of relaxation behavior. The anomalous dispersion was observed in the imaginary dielectric constant at high frequencies. A Debye type relaxation behavior was observed in the impedance analysis at low temperatures, whereas, a departure from ideal ‘Debye’ type was noticed as the temperature was increased. The leakage currents of all the heterostructures were found to be a few orders less than the homogeneous single layer thin films. A space charge limited conduction was observed in al the superlattice structures fabricated. Chapter 7 summarizes the present study and discusses about the future work that could give more insight into the understanding of the ferroelectric perovskite heterostructures.

Le remplacement de la fibre monomode a maintien de polarisation par de la fibre monomode standard dans les gyroscopes a fibre est un véritable enjeu économique. En effet, il permettrait a ces systèmes d'être compétitifs au niveau du coût sur le marche des centrales de navigations inertielles actuellement domine par les gyroscopes laser. Cependant, les problèmes de non réciprocités et d'effondrement du signal provoqués par l'utilisation de ce type de fibre n'ont pas été résolus de façon satisfaisante à ce jour. C'est a ce niveau que l'utilisation de la double conjugaison de phase apparaît comme une solution intéressante. L'objectif de ce travail consistait à valider cette solution d'une part en mettant au point un cristal photoréfractif adapte à cette application et d'autre part en insérant un miroir a double conjugaison de phase dans un gyroscope commercial fonctionnant a 850 mn. Dans un premier temps, nous avons donc etudie un nouveau cristal photorefractif : le titanate de barium calcium (bct) dont l'interet repose sur le fait qu'il ne subit pas de transition de phase de 120\ a 98\ c, contrairement au cristal de titanate de baryum dont il est dérivé. Ce cristal, généralement utilise pour la conjugaison de phase en raison de sa bonne efficacité est en effet détruit si sa température devient inférieure a 10\ c. Notre étude a permis de démontrer les bonnes propriétés photorefractives de ce matériau (coefficients electro-optiques élevés, sensibilité proche infrarouge) et de comprendre les différences de comportement par rapport au titanate de baryum. Dans un second temps, nous avons étudié et optimise un miroir a double conjugaison de phase réalisé avec un cristal de titanate de baryum que nous avons ensuite insere dans un gyromètre a fibre. Ainsi, nous avons pu montrer que le gyrometre a double conjugaison de phase permet de mesurer des rotations et n'introduit pas de non-reciprocités supérieures a la précision du montage que nous avons utilise (200 \/h).