Le séchage des dispersions colloïdales a été et demeure très étudié en raison de son extrême complexité et de son utilisation dans de nombreuses applications. Dans cette thèse, nous avons développé une simulation, d'abord unidirectionnelle, basée sur le principe des automates cellulaires, qui traite la problématique du séchage horizontal et vertical. Ce travail permet de prédire, par calcul numérique, la distribution des particules et la position des fronts de séchage dans les dépôts de dispersions sous forme de films minces. Nos résultats ont montré que la pression existant dans le fluide est la somme des pressions de Laplace et hydrostatique. Par rapport aux modèles existants, cela modifie la convection des particules dans la partie fluide de la dispersion. La diffusion collective des particules chargées a été étudiée également. Contrairement aux prédictions théoriques antérieures, nous avons pu montrer que la diffusion collective des particules chargées pouvait jouer un rôle majeur, y compris dans le cadre de l’approximation de lubrification. Finalement, la simulation 1D a été étendue en 2D, ce qui a permis de comprendre la raison pour laquelle deux fronts dans deux directions perpendiculaire (cas d’une géométrie rectangulaire) avancent à des vitesses différentes. Une comparaison entre les données expérimentales et le calcul numérique sur le profil du film et la vitesse des fronts de séchage pour une dispersion de silice montre un bon accord. / Drying of colloidal dispersions, given their uses in several fields in everyday life, has been the subject of many studies for a long time. In this thesis, we first developed an unidirectional simulation, based on the principle of the cellular automaton, which deals with the problem of horizontal and vertical drying. This work makes it possible to predict, by numerical calculation, the distribution of the particles and the position of drying fronts in deposits in form of thin films.The profile of the film in the liquid part was studied. Our results have shown that the pressure in the fluid is the sum of the Laplace and hydrostatic pressures. This result affects the dynamics of particles in the fluid part of the dispersion, in particular convection. The collective diffusion of charged particles has also been studied. Contrary to what was predicted in previous theoretical models, we were able to show that the collective diffusion of the charged particles could be important even within the lubrication approximation. Finally, the 1D simulation was extended to 2D in order to understand the reason why two fronts in perpendicular directions (case of a rectangular geometry) advance at different speeds. A comparison between the experimental data for the drying of a silica dispersion and the numerical calculation shows good agreement.

Les nanocolloïdes magnétiques sont des dispersions de nanostructures magnétiques dans un liquide porteur. Par la combinaison des propriétés du liquide et des particules magnétiques, ces dispersions peuvent être confinées, déplacées, déformées et contrôlées par l'application d'un champ magnétique externe et ont ainsi de nombreuses applications en nanosciences et les nanotechnologies. Nous avons étudié la dispersion de nanoparticules magnétiques (NPM) dans les solvants eutectiques profonds (DES). Ces solvants, constitués d'un mélange entre un sel d'ammonium (ici le chlorure de choline (Ch) et un donneur de liaison H (ici, l'ethyleneglycol (EG) ou l'urée (U)) ont des propriétés proches des liquides ioniques tout en étant biodégradables. L'un des verrous concernant ces dispersions est la nature des forces impliquées dans la stabilité colloïdale. En effet, on ne peut plus expliquer la stabilité des dispersions dans ces milieux par le modèle DLVO, classiquement utilisé dans l'eau, du fait de leur force ionique élevée. Nous avons dans en premier temps caractérisé soigneusement deux DES (ChEH (1:3) et ChU (1:2) en mol) du point de vue de la densité et viscosité pour des températures entre 20 et 45°C. Ceci nous a permis de montrer la forte association de ces liquides. Un protocole de dispersion de nanoparticules de maghémite (Fe2O3) ou de ferrite mixte (CoxZn1-xFe2O4) est ensuite proposé, et les dispersions sont étudiées par diffusion de rayonnement (lumière et SAXS). Il s'est avéré que les particules les plus petites étaient les mieux dispersées. Enfin, un test de synthèse de NPM dans des solutions d'argile a permis d'obtenir une polydispersité plus faible en sortie de synthèse. / Magnetic nanocolloids are dispersions of magnetic nanostructures in a carrier fluid. Thanks to the original properties of both the liquid and the magnetic particles, these dispersions can be confined, moved, deformed and controlled by applying an external magnetic field. Such dispersions thus have many applications in nanoscience and nanotechnologies.We studied the dispersion of magnetic nanoparticles in deep eutectic solvents (DES). These solvents (DES), obtained by mixing a quaternary ammonium salt (e.g., choline chloride Ch) and a hydrogen bond donor (e.g., ethyleneglycol EG or Urea U) have properties similar to ionic liquids, and are also biodegradable. One of the questions about these dispersions is the nature of the forces implied in colloidal stability, since the DLVO model classically used in water cannot be invoked here due to the very high ionic strength of the solvent.In a first step, we have carefully characterized two DES ((ChEG (1:3) and ChU (1:2) in mol), measuring the density and viscosity for temperatures between 20 and 45°C. We could thus show the high association in these liquids.A protocol to disperse nanoparticles of maghemite (Fe2O3) or mixed ferrite (CoxZn1-xFe2O4) is then proposed, and the obtained dispersions are studied by dynamic light scattering and SAXS. The size polydispersity was reduced by size sorting, and it reveals that the smallest particles are the most easy to disperse in the DES.Last, a synthesis of NMP in clay dispersion was tested and showed promising results with a reduced size polydispersity.

Neste trabalho, estudamos a dinâmica de formação e dispersão de agregados de látex quando inseridos num cristal líquido liotrópico. Esse cristal líquido é um sistema ternário composto de laurato de potássio, cloreto de decilamônia e água; e apresenta fases nemáticas uniaxiais calamítica e discótica (NC e ND, respectivamente) e biaxial (NB). As partículas de látex possuem diâmetro de 100nm e partículas com diferentes tipos de recobrimentos foram testadas. Observamos que nas fases NC e NB há formação de aglomerados de partículas, porém na transição para a fase ND as partículas se dispersam no meio. Verificamos que esse processo de aglomeração e dissociação das partículas está relacionado com a transição de fase NB - ND e foi observado em dois sistemas hospedeiros por resfriamento e por aquecimento. No intervalo de temperatura que corresponde à fase nemática biaxial para o cristal líquido puro, observa-se que há um aumento na dimensão dos aglomerados, que se tornam anemométrico e orientados na direção de orientação do meio. Dois diagramas de fases foram construídos, variando-se a concentração de partículas dispersas no meio, e a composição relativa de surfactantes do sistema hospedeiro. Experimentos de espalhamento de raios X indicam que a distância média entre as micelas que formam o meio hospedeiro não é alterado pela inserção de partículas no cristal líquido e permanece a mesma em todas as fases nemáticas. Foram também realizados estudos de reologia que mostram que a viscosidade do sistema é alterada pela presença das partículas de látex. Os fenômenos observados são interpretados levando-se em conta as flutuações de orientação das micelas nas diferentes fases nemáticas. / In this work, we studied the dynamics of agglomeration and dissociation of latex particles when inserted into a lyotropic liquid crystal. This liquid crystal is a ternary system formed by potassium laurate, decilamonium chloride and water, presenting uniaxial calamitic and discotic nematic phases (NC e ND, respectively) and a biaxial nematic phase NB. The latex particles have diameter of 100 nm and particles with different surface treatments were tested. It was observed that in the NC e NB phases the latex particles form agglomerates, however in the transition to the ND phase, the particles disperse in the medium. In the temperature domain of the biaxial nematic phase the agglomerates increase in size, become anisometric and oriented along parallel to the orientation of the medium. Two phase diagrams were built by varying the particle concentration dispersed in the liquid crystal and by varying the relative composition of surfactants of the liquid crystal. X rays diffusion experiments have shown that the average distance between the micelles in the host medium are not affected by the presence of the latex particles and remain the same in all nematic phases. Rheology studies were also performed and it was found that the viscosity of the system is affected by the presence of the particles. The observed phenomenon are interpreted taking into account the orientational fluctuations of miceles in the different nematic phases.

Neste trabalho, estudamos a dinâmica de formação e dispersão de agregados de látex quando inseridos num cristal líquido liotrópico. Esse cristal líquido é um sistema ternário composto de laurato de potássio, cloreto de decilamônia e água; e apresenta fases nemáticas uniaxiais calamítica e discótica (NC e ND, respectivamente) e biaxial (NB). As partículas de látex possuem diâmetro de 100nm e partículas com diferentes tipos de recobrimentos foram testadas. Observamos que nas fases NC e NB há formação de aglomerados de partículas, porém na transição para a fase ND as partículas se dispersam no meio. Verificamos que esse processo de aglomeração e dissociação das partículas está relacionado com a transição de fase NB - ND e foi observado em dois sistemas hospedeiros por resfriamento e por aquecimento. No intervalo de temperatura que corresponde à fase nemática biaxial para o cristal líquido puro, observa-se que há um aumento na dimensão dos aglomerados, que se tornam anemométrico e orientados na direção de orientação do meio. Dois diagramas de fases foram construídos, variando-se a concentração de partículas dispersas no meio, e a composição relativa de surfactantes do sistema hospedeiro. Experimentos de espalhamento de raios X indicam que a distância média entre as micelas que formam o meio hospedeiro não é alterado pela inserção de partículas no cristal líquido e permanece a mesma em todas as fases nemáticas. Foram também realizados estudos de reologia que mostram que a viscosidade do sistema é alterada pela presença das partículas de látex. Os fenômenos observados são interpretados levando-se em conta as flutuações de orientação das micelas nas diferentes fases nemáticas. / In this work, we studied the dynamics of agglomeration and dissociation of latex particles when inserted into a lyotropic liquid crystal. This liquid crystal is a ternary system formed by potassium laurate, decilamonium chloride and water, presenting uniaxial calamitic and discotic nematic phases (NC e ND, respectively) and a biaxial nematic phase NB. The latex particles have diameter of 100 nm and particles with different surface treatments were tested. It was observed that in the NC e NB phases the latex particles form agglomerates, however in the transition to the ND phase, the particles disperse in the medium. In the temperature domain of the biaxial nematic phase the agglomerates increase in size, become anisometric and oriented along parallel to the orientation of the medium. Two phase diagrams were built by varying the particle concentration dispersed in the liquid crystal and by varying the relative composition of surfactants of the liquid crystal. X rays diffusion experiments have shown that the average distance between the micelles in the host medium are not affected by the presence of the latex particles and remain the same in all nematic phases. Rheology studies were also performed and it was found that the viscosity of the system is affected by the presence of the particles. The observed phenomenon are interpreted taking into account the orientational fluctuations of miceles in the different nematic phases.

This thesis is about using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy for studying soft materials. Soft materials may be encountered everyday by most readers of this thesis, for example when taking a shower or watching TV. The usefulness of these materials originates from them being soft yet, at the same time, having some kind of a structure. The characteristic length scale of those structures is often on the order of nanometers (10-9 m) and the structure can respond to various external stimuli such as temperature, electric and magnetic fields, or the presence of interfaces. NMR spectroscopy excels when studying soft materials because it is a non-invasive technique with a large spectral resolution. Moreover, different NMR methods allow us to study local molecular dynamics or longer-range translational diffusion. Understanding those latter aspects is very important for the development of dynamic and responsive materials. Papers I-III present our work on assessing molecular adsorption on interfaces in colloidal dispersions. Here, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) or silica particles were the colloidal substrates to which proteins, polymers or surfactants adsorbed. Papers IV-VI concern ionic mobility in liquid crystals (LCs). The influence of material structure on, for example, the anisotropy of diffusion or on the association/dissociation of ions was studied in several LC phases. / QC 20110225

Magnetic nanoparticles that display high saturation magnetization and high magnetic susceptibility are of great interest for medical applications. Nanomagnetite is particularly desirable because it displays strong ferrimagnetic behavior, and is less sensitive to oxidation than magnetic transition metals such as cobalt, iron, and nickel. Magnetite nanoparticles can be prepared by co-precipitating iron (II) and iron (III) chloride salts in the presence of ammonium hydroxide at pH 9-10. One goal of this work has been to develop a generalized methodology for stabilizing nanomagnetite dispersions using well-defined, non-toxic, block copolymers, so that the resultant magnetite-polymer complexes can be used in a range of biomedical materials. Hydrophilic triblock copolymers with controlled concentrations of pendent carboxylic acids were prepared. The triblock copolymers contain carboxylic acids in the central urethane segments and controlled molecular weight poly(ethylene oxide) tail blocks. They were utilized to prepare hydrophilic-coated iron oxide nanoparticles with biocompatible materials for utility in magnetic field guidable drug delivery vehicles. The triblock copolymers synthesized contain 3, 5, or 10 carboxylic acids in the central segments with Mn values of 2000, 5000 or 15000 g/mol poly(ethylene oxide) tail blocks. A method was developed for preparing ~10 nm diameter magnetite surfaces stabilized with the triblock polymers. The carboxylic acid is proposed to covalently bind to the surface of the magnetite and form stable dispersions at neutral pH. The polymer-nanomagnetite conjugates described in this thesis have a maximum of 35 wt. % magnetite and the nano-magnetite particles have an excellent saturation magnetization of ~66 - 78 emu/g Fe3O4. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirms the magnetite crystal structure, which appears to be approximately single crystalline structures via electron diffraction spectroscopy analysis (EDS). These materials form stable magnetic dispersions in both water and organic solvents. / Ph. D.