Les travaux de cette thèse concernent la compréhension à l'échelle atomique des processus physico chimiques intervenant aux interfaces et dans des phases diluées. Pour commencer, nous avons étudié l'interaction entre la molécule 1,4-diazabicyclo [2.2.2]octane (DABCO) et un atome de gaz rare (He, Ne, Ar, Kr). Nous avons effectué une analyse systématique de ces systèmes, et nous en avons conclu que la méthode MP2 associée à une base diffuse est suffisamment précise pour décrire le système DABCO – Ar. Les surfaces d'énergie potentielle des complexes DABCO – gaz rare ont été calculées, ce qui nous a permis de réattribuer les spectres expérimentaux de ces espèces. Ensuite, nous nous sommes concentré sur les complexes DABCO – Arn (avec n = 2, 3, 4) neutres et ioniques. Nous avons montré que le DABCO interagi avec les atomes d'argon, et subit des déformations dues à l'effet de cette interaction faible sur ses modes de vibration. Par la suite, nous avons étudié les plus bas états électroniques du DABCO – Arn (n = 1, 2, 3). Nos résultats pourront être étendus à l'interprétation qualitative des études spectroscopiques et dynamiques des molécules de DABCO absorbés dans de grands agrégats d'argon. Enfin, nous avons étudié l'interaction entre l'imidazole et une couche d'or en présence de CO2. Nous avons montré que la molécule d'imidazole se fixe à l'agrégat d'or par une liaison covalente entre l'atome d'azote et un atome d'or, ainsi que des interactions faibles de type van der Waals entre les atomes d'hydrogène et la surface d'or. Nous avons déterminé que le site préférentiel pour l'interaction imidazole – or est le site top. Cette interaction permet un transfert de charge de l'imidazole vers la surface d'or, ce qui affecte la capture du CO2 (environ 50% plus faible par rapport à l'interaction Im(seule) – CO2). Mais l'augmentation du nombre de molécules d'imidazole à la surface de la couche d'or pourrait permettre une liaison plus forte entre le CO2 et l'imidazole / This thesis concern the understanding at the atomic level of physicochemical processes occurring at interfaces and dilute phases. First, we studied the interaction between the 1,4- diazabicyclo [2.2.2] octane (DABCO) molecule and a rare gas atom (He, Ne, Ar, Kr). We conducted a systematic analysis of these complexes, and we concluded that the MP2 method with a diffuse basis set is accurate to describe the system DABCO – Ar. The potential energy surfaces of DABCO – rare gas complexes were calculated, which allowed us to reatribuate the experimental spectra of these species. Then, we focused on DABCO – Arn (n = 2, 3, 4) neutral and ionic clusters. We have shown that the DABCO interacted with argon atoms and undergoes deformation due to the effect of the weak interaction on his vibrational modes. Subsequently, we studied the lowest electronic states of DABCO – Arn (n = 1, 2, 3). Our results can be extended to the qualitative interpretation of spectroscopic and dynamic studies of absorbed DABCO in large argon clusters. Finally, we studied the interaction between imidazole and a gold surface with CO2. We have shown that the imidazole molecule binds to the gold surface by a covalent bond between the nitrogen atom and a gold atom, and van der Waals interactions between hydrogen atoms and the gold surface. We determined that the preferred site for the imidazole – gold interaction is the top site. This interaction allows a charge transfer from the imidazole to the gold surface, which affects the capture of CO2 (about 50% lower compared to the interaction Im – CO2). But increase number of imidazole molecules on the gold surface could lead to a stronger bond between CO2 and imidazole

Les travaux de cette thèse concernent la compréhension à l'échelle atomique des processus physico chimiques intervenant aux interfaces et dans des phases diluées. Pour commencer, nous avons étudié l'interaction entre la molécule 1,4-diazabicyclo [2.2.2]octane (DABCO) et un atome de gaz rare (He, Ne, Ar, Kr). Nous avons effectué une analyse systématique de ces systèmes, et nous en avons conclu que la méthode MP2 associée à une base diffuse est suffisamment précise pour décrire le système DABCO - Ar. Les surfaces d'énergie potentielle des complexes DABCO - gaz rare ont été calculées, ce qui nous a permis de réattribuer les spectres expérimentaux de ces espèces. Ensuite, nous nous sommes concentré sur les complexes DABCO - Arn (avec n = 2, 3, 4) neutres et ioniques. Nous avons montré que le DABCO interagi avec les atomes d'argon, et subit des déformations dues à l'effet de cette interaction faible sur ses modes de vibration. Par la suite, nous avons étudié les plus bas états électroniques du DABCO - Arn (n = 1, 2, 3). Nos résultats pourront être étendus à l'interprétation qualitative des études spectroscopiques et dynamiques des molécules de DABCO absorbés dans de grands agrégats d'argon. Enfin, nous avons étudié l'interaction entre l'imidazole et une couche d'or en présence de CO2. Nous avons montré que la molécule d'imidazole se fixe à l'agrégat d'or par une liaison covalente entre l'atome d'azote et un atome d'or, ainsi que des interactions faibles de type van der Waals entre les atomes d'hydrogène et la surface d'or. Nous avons déterminé que le site préférentiel pour l'interaction imidazole - or est le site top. Cette interaction permet un transfert de charge de l'imidazole vers la surface d'or, ce qui affecte la capture du CO2 (environ 50% plus faible par rapport à l'interaction Im(seule) - CO2). Mais l'augmentation du nombre de molécules d'imidazole à la surface de la couche d'or pourrait permettre une liaison plus forte entre le CO2 et l'imidazole

Bio-inspired monomers functionalized with nucleobase or ionic group allowed synthesis of supramolecular polymers using free radical polymerization and controlled radical polymerization techniques. Comprehensive investigations for the structure-property-morphology relationships of these supramolecular polymers elucidated the effect of noncovalent interactions on polymer physical properties and self-assembly behaviors. Reverse addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization afforded acrylic ABC and ABA triblock copolymers with nucleobase-functionalized external blocks and a low-Tg central block. The hard-soft-hard triblock polymer architecture drove microphase-separation into a physically crosslinked hard phase in a low Tg matrix. Hydrogen bonding in the hard phase enhanced the mechanical strength and maintained processability of microphase-separated copolymers for thermoplastics and elastomers. A thermodynamically favored one-to-one stoichiometry of adenine and thymine yielded the optimal thermomechanical performance. Intermolecular hydrogen bonding of two thymine units and one adenine unit allowed the formation of base triplets and directed self-assembly of ABC triblock copolymers into remarkably well-defined lamellae with long-range ordering. Acetyl protected cytosine and guanine-containing random copolymers exhibited tunable cohesive strength and peel strength as pressure sensitive adhesives. Post-functionalization converted unprotected cytosine pendent groups in acrylic random copolymers to ureido-cytosine units that formed quadruple self-hydrogen bonding. Ureido-cytosine containing random copolymers self-assembled into nano-fibrillar hard domains in a soft acrylic matrix, and exhibited enhanced cohesive strength, wide service temperature window, and low moisture uptake as soft adhesives. A library of styrenic DABCO salt-containing monomers allowed the synthesis of random ionomers with two quaternized nitrogen cations on each ionic pendant group. Thermomechanical, morphological, and rheological analyses revealed that doubly-charged DABCO salts formed stronger ionic association and promoted more well-defined microphase-separation compared to singly-charged analogs with the same charge density. Bulkier counterions led to enhanced thermal stability, increased phase-mixing, and reduced water uptake for DABCO salt-containing copolymers, while alkyl substituent lengths only significantly affected water uptake of DABCO salt-containing copolymers. Step growth polymerization of plant oil-based AB monomer and diamines enabled the synthesis of unprecedented isocyanate-free poly(amide hydroxyurethane)s, the first examples of film-forming, linear isocyanate-free polyurethanes with mechanical integrity and processability. Successful electrospinning of segmented PAHUs afforded randomly orientated, semicrystalline fibers that formed stretchable, free-standing fiber mats with superior cell adhesion and biocompatibility. / Ph. D.

The dynamic characteristics of hydrogen and ionic bonding contributes to the reversible properties of acrylic polymers, opening new avenues for designing materials with mechanical strength and processability. These non-covalent interactions function as physical crosslinks, which provide enhanced structural and mechanical integrity to acrylic block copolymers. The strong hydrogen bonding or ionic interaction also directs self-assembly to hierarchical microstructures, which enables many applications including thermoplastic elastomers and energy storage devices. Inspired by complementary hydrogen bonding interactions between nucleobase pairs in DNA, a series of bioinspired nucleobase-acrylate monomers such as adenine acrylate (AdA), thymine acrylate (ThA), cytosine acrylate (CyA) were designed, whose synthesis were afforded by aza-Michael addition. Among those nucleobases, cytosine arises as a unique category. It is not only able to self-associate via weak hydrogen bonds, but also forms quadruple hydrogen-bond bearing units (ureido-cytosine) when functionalized with isocyanates. Reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (RAFT) yielded acrylic ABA triblock copolymers with CyA external hard blocks. A subsequent post-functionalization using hexyl-isocyanate generated the corresponding ureido-cytosine acrylate(UCyA)-containing triblock copolymers. The self-complementary quadruple hydrogen bonding in the UCyA polymers achieved a broader service temperature window, while the alkyl chain ends of UCyA units allowed tunability of the mechanical strength to apply as thermoplastic elastomers. In addition, quadruple hydrogen bonding induced stronger propensity of self-assembly and denser packing of the polymers, which contributed to a well-defined ordered morphology and enhanced resistance to moisture uptake. A facile 2-step synthesis provided doubly-charged styrenic DABCO salt monomer(VBDC₁₈BrCl) containing an octadecyl tail. RAFT polymerization allowed the preparation of DABCO ABA block copolymers with defined molecular weights and low polydispersity. Thermal analysis revealed a melting transition of the VBDC₁₈BrCl block copolymer resulting from the side-chain crystallization of the long alkyl tail. Systematic mechanical comparisons between DABCO salt-containing copolymers and the corresponding singly-charged polymer controls demonstrated superior mechanical properties attributable to a stronger ionic interaction between the doubly-charged groups. Morphological characterizations revealed a well-ordered lamellar microstructure and a unique three-phase morphology of the DABCO block copolymers, which involve a soft phase, a hard phase, and an ionic aggregates domain dispersed within the hard domain. / Master of Science

Este trabalho apresenta: 1) Duas revisões bibliográficas sendo uma sobre a síntese de α-ceto-tioésteres e -ésteres e a outra sobre a decomposição de sulfóxidos e sulfonas sulfeniladas; 2) Investigações prévias indicando a viabilidade da decomposição térmica e a estabilidade relativa dos derivados bissulfenilados de tioésteres de diferentes estados de oxidação Ia-e, obtidos a partir do α-ceto-tioéster; 3) O estudo de síntese de precursores de α-ceto-tioésteres II e α-ceto-ésteres III, a saber: α - metilsulfonil- α - metiltio tioésteres IVa-c, -éster V e α, α - dimetiltio - ésteres VIa-c; 4) Decomposição térmica de α-metilsulfonil-α-metiltio-tioésteres Iva, b e c e -éster V sintetizados aos α-ceto-tioésteres e ésteres correspondentes, pelo emprego do método elaborado anteriormente por Wladislaw e col. e sugestão do mecanismo da mesma. A síntese de α metilsulfonil α metiltio tiopropionato de etila (Ivb), foi efetuada a partir do ácido α-cloro propiônico através de quatro passos reacionais, a saber: sulfenilação por substituição, oxidação à sulfona , tioesterificação e sulfenilação pelo emprego de NaH/MeS02SMe em DMSO. A obtenção do α - benzil - α - metilsulfonil - α - metiltio - tioacetato de etila (Ivc) foi efetuada a partir de ácido α-cloro acético através de reações de sulfenilação por substituição oxidação à sulfona tioesterificação alquilação com brometo de benzila e NaH em DMSO e, finalmente, a sulfenilação que só foi possível com o emprego de N-metiltioftalimida. A síntese de α-metilsulfonil-α-metiltio-propionato de etila (V) foi efetuada a partir do α-metilsulfonil malonato VIIa pelo eemprego do método de descarbetoxilação sulfenilativa usando 1,4 diazabiciclo [2,2,2] octano (DABCO) em tolueno sob refluxo e MeSO2SMe. Os compostos VIIa,b e c foram preparados a partir dos malonatos de dietila alquil - substituidos, seguido de sulfenilação e oxidação à sulfona. É de interesse a inédita reação de α - metilsulfonil fenilmalonato de dietila (VIIb), com DABCO em benzeno sob refluxo e MeSO2SMe, que conduziu à dessulfonilação sulfenilativa fornecendo o α - metiltio - fenilmalonato de dietila. É apresentada uma discussão mecanística tanto sobre descarbetoxilação, como sobre dessulfonilação sulfenilativas. A síntese de α,α-dimetiltio-ésteres VIa-c foi efetuada pela reação de sulfenilação com descarboxilação dos mono-ácidos malônicos correspondentes. O acompanhamento da descarboxilação e experimentos de deuteração permitiram esclarecer a sequência dos passos reacionais nestas novas reações. Cabe ressaltar que são compostos ainda não descritos na literatura os precursores IVa, IVb, IVc, V e Vib e 11 intermediários envolvidos nas reações efetuadas. Os resultados apresentados neste trabalho, além de importância sintética, trazem uma contribuição para a Química de Compostos Orgânicos de Enxofre. / This work presents: 1) Two literature reviews, one about the synthesis of α-keto thioesters and esters and the other on the decomposition of sulfenylated sulfoxides and sulfones; 2) Previous investigations indicating the viability of thermal decomposition and the relative stability of the dithioderivatives of different oxidation states Ia-e,which were obtained from the α-keto thioester; 3) The study of synthesis of α-keto thioesters II and esters III precursors, which are the following: α-methylsulfonyl-α-methylthio-thioesters IVa-c and -ester V, and α, α - dimethylthio esters VIa-c; 4) Thermal decomposition of the synthesized α - methylsulfonyl- α -methylthio- thioesters Iva,b e c and ester V, to the corresponding α-keto thioesters and α-keto ester, through the method developed by Wladislaw et al., with the suggestion of the mechanism. α-Methylsulfonyl-α-methylthio ethyl thiopropionate (Ivb) was synthesized from α-chloro-propionic acid in four steps: sulfenylative substitution, oxidation to sulfone, thioesterification and sulfenylation using NaH/MeSO2SMe in DMSO. α-Benzyl-α-methylsulfonyl-α-methylthio ethyl thioacetate (,i>Ivc) was obtained from α-chloro acetic acid through the following steps: sulfenylative substitution, oxidation to sulfone, thioesterification, alkylation with benzylbromide and NaH in DMSO, and finally, the sulfenylation which was successful only with the use of N-methylthiophtalimide. α-Methylsulfonyl-α-methylthio ethyl propionate (V) was synthesized through the sulfenylative decarbethoxylation of α methylsulfonyl diethyl malonate VIIa employing DABCO (1,4-diazabicyclo [2.2.2.]octane), in refluxing toluene, and MeSO2Sme. The compounds VIIa,b e c were obtained by the alkylation of malonates, followed by sulfenylation and oxidation to sulfones. An interesting and novel reaction, the sulfenylative desulfonylation, was observed when α-methylsulfonyl phenyldiethyl malonate (VIIb) was treated with DABCO, in refluxing benzene and MeSO2SMe, which led to the α-methylthio diethyl malonate. A mechanistic discussion about the sulfenylative decarbethoxylation and sulfenylative desulfonylation is presented. α, α-dimethylthio esters VIa-c were synthesized by sulfenylation and decarboxylation of the corresponding malonic half-esters. The sequence of the steps of this new reaction could be determined by deuteration experiments and by following the evolution of CO2. The precursors IV, IVb, IVc, V e Vib and 11 intermediates were unknown compounds. This work, besides the synthetical importance, presents some contribution to the Organosulfur Chemistry.

Este trabalho apresenta: 1) Duas revisões bibliográficas sendo uma sobre a síntese de α-ceto-tioésteres e -ésteres e a outra sobre a decomposição de sulfóxidos e sulfonas sulfeniladas; 2) Investigações prévias indicando a viabilidade da decomposição térmica e a estabilidade relativa dos derivados bissulfenilados de tioésteres de diferentes estados de oxidação Ia-e, obtidos a partir do α-ceto-tioéster; 3) O estudo de síntese de precursores de α-ceto-tioésteres II e α-ceto-ésteres III, a saber: α - metilsulfonil- α - metiltio tioésteres IVa-c, -éster V e α, α - dimetiltio - ésteres VIa-c; 4) Decomposição térmica de α-metilsulfonil-α-metiltio-tioésteres Iva, b e c e -éster V sintetizados aos α-ceto-tioésteres e ésteres correspondentes, pelo emprego do método elaborado anteriormente por Wladislaw e col. e sugestão do mecanismo da mesma. A síntese de α metilsulfonil α metiltio tiopropionato de etila (Ivb), foi efetuada a partir do ácido α-cloro propiônico através de quatro passos reacionais, a saber: sulfenilação por substituição, oxidação à sulfona , tioesterificação e sulfenilação pelo emprego de NaH/MeS02SMe em DMSO. A obtenção do α - benzil - α - metilsulfonil - α - metiltio - tioacetato de etila (Ivc) foi efetuada a partir de ácido α-cloro acético através de reações de sulfenilação por substituição oxidação à sulfona tioesterificação alquilação com brometo de benzila e NaH em DMSO e, finalmente, a sulfenilação que só foi possível com o emprego de N-metiltioftalimida. A síntese de α-metilsulfonil-α-metiltio-propionato de etila (V) foi efetuada a partir do α-metilsulfonil malonato VIIa pelo eemprego do método de descarbetoxilação sulfenilativa usando 1,4 diazabiciclo [2,2,2] octano (DABCO) em tolueno sob refluxo e MeSO2SMe. Os compostos VIIa,b e c foram preparados a partir dos malonatos de dietila alquil - substituidos, seguido de sulfenilação e oxidação à sulfona. É de interesse a inédita reação de α - metilsulfonil fenilmalonato de dietila (VIIb), com DABCO em benzeno sob refluxo e MeSO2SMe, que conduziu à dessulfonilação sulfenilativa fornecendo o α - metiltio - fenilmalonato de dietila. É apresentada uma discussão mecanística tanto sobre descarbetoxilação, como sobre dessulfonilação sulfenilativas. A síntese de α,α-dimetiltio-ésteres VIa-c foi efetuada pela reação de sulfenilação com descarboxilação dos mono-ácidos malônicos correspondentes. O acompanhamento da descarboxilação e experimentos de deuteração permitiram esclarecer a sequência dos passos reacionais nestas novas reações. Cabe ressaltar que são compostos ainda não descritos na literatura os precursores IVa, IVb, IVc, V e Vib e 11 intermediários envolvidos nas reações efetuadas. Os resultados apresentados neste trabalho, além de importância sintética, trazem uma contribuição para a Química de Compostos Orgânicos de Enxofre. / This work presents: 1) Two literature reviews, one about the synthesis of α-keto thioesters and esters and the other on the decomposition of sulfenylated sulfoxides and sulfones; 2) Previous investigations indicating the viability of thermal decomposition and the relative stability of the dithioderivatives of different oxidation states Ia-e,which were obtained from the α-keto thioester; 3) The study of synthesis of α-keto thioesters II and esters III precursors, which are the following: α-methylsulfonyl-α-methylthio-thioesters IVa-c and -ester V, and α, α - dimethylthio esters VIa-c; 4) Thermal decomposition of the synthesized α - methylsulfonyl- α -methylthio- thioesters Iva,b e c and ester V, to the corresponding α-keto thioesters and α-keto ester, through the method developed by Wladislaw et al., with the suggestion of the mechanism. α-Methylsulfonyl-α-methylthio ethyl thiopropionate (Ivb) was synthesized from α-chloro-propionic acid in four steps: sulfenylative substitution, oxidation to sulfone, thioesterification and sulfenylation using NaH/MeSO2SMe in DMSO. α-Benzyl-α-methylsulfonyl-α-methylthio ethyl thioacetate (,i>Ivc) was obtained from α-chloro acetic acid through the following steps: sulfenylative substitution, oxidation to sulfone, thioesterification, alkylation with benzylbromide and NaH in DMSO, and finally, the sulfenylation which was successful only with the use of N-methylthiophtalimide. α-Methylsulfonyl-α-methylthio ethyl propionate (V) was synthesized through the sulfenylative decarbethoxylation of α methylsulfonyl diethyl malonate VIIa employing DABCO (1,4-diazabicyclo [2.2.2.]octane), in refluxing toluene, and MeSO2Sme. The compounds VIIa,b e c were obtained by the alkylation of malonates, followed by sulfenylation and oxidation to sulfones. An interesting and novel reaction, the sulfenylative desulfonylation, was observed when α-methylsulfonyl phenyldiethyl malonate (VIIb) was treated with DABCO, in refluxing benzene and MeSO2SMe, which led to the α-methylthio diethyl malonate. A mechanistic discussion about the sulfenylative decarbethoxylation and sulfenylative desulfonylation is presented. α, α-dimethylthio esters VIa-c were synthesized by sulfenylation and decarboxylation of the corresponding malonic half-esters. The sequence of the steps of this new reaction could be determined by deuteration experiments and by following the evolution of CO2. The precursors IV, IVb, IVc, V e Vib and 11 intermediates were unknown compounds. This work, besides the synthetical importance, presents some contribution to the Organosulfur Chemistry.

Supramolecular polymers represent a family of polymeric materials that are held together with dynamic, noncovalent interactions. In contrast to conventional functional polymers that usually have high melt-viscosity due to their covalent nature and chain entanglement, supramolecular polymers combine excellent physical properties with low melt-viscosity, allowing for less energy-intensive processability and recyclability. Dynamic bonding with multiple binding sites, such as multiple hydrogen bonding or multiple ionic bonding, exhibits much stronger binding strength compared to the counterparts containing only a single binding site, thereby allowing for enhanced mechanical integrity to the polymers and facilitate self-assembly. This dissertation focuses on the design of novel supramolecular polymers building from the doubly-charged or quadruple hydrogen bonding (QHB) scaffolds utilizing chain-growth polymerization or step-growth polymerization, as well as elucidate the structure-property-morphology relationships of the polymers. A 2-step nucleophilic substitution reaction afforded a series of 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO)-based styrenic monomers with two pairs of charged groups. An optimized 2-step reversible-addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization synthesized ABA triblock thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) with a low Tg poly (n-butyl acrylate) central block and a high Tg external charged blocks. Strong ionic interactions between doubly-charged units drove molecular self-assembly to form densely packed, hierarchical microstructures, which contributed to a robust, crosslinked physical network that allows the polymer to retain thermomechanical integrity until degradation. High-resolution single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) coupled with powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) further disclosed a detailed 3-D structural information of molecular arrangement and ion distribution within the charged phase through comparing DABCO-salt monomer single-crystal structure and the corresponding homopolymer XRD pattern. It was found that the physical properties of the DABCO-salt copolymers not only relied on their charge content and architectures but also dependent on their electrostatically-bonded counterions. The size and structure of the counterion determined the strength of dipole-dipole interaction, which significantly impact on thermal property, (thermo)mechanical performance, water affinity, and microstructure. A cytosine-functionalized monomer, cytosine acrylate (CyA), allowed the synthesis of acrylic ABA triblock TPEs with pendant nucleobase moieties in the external blocks and a low Tg central polymer matrix through RAFT polymerization. Post-functionalization of cytosine (Cyt) bidentate hydrogen bonding sites with alkyl isocyanate, allowed the formation of ureido-cytosine (UCyt) groups in the external block that were readily dimerized through QHB interactions. The UCyt units in the external block enhanced mechanical strength and induced stronger phase-separation of the block copolymers compared to the corresponding Cyt-containing TPE analogs. Facile conventional free-radical polymerization using CyA and subsequent post-functionalization enabled accessibility to random copolymers containing pendant UCyt QHB moieties in the soft polymer matrix. The synergy of the flexible polymer matrix and the dynamic character of QHB groups contributed to the ultra-high elasticity of the polymer and rapid self-healing properties. QHB interactions enabled efficient mechanical recovery upon deformation by facilitating elastic chain retraction to regenerate the original physical network. Finally, one-pot step-growth polymerization through chain extending a novel bis-Cyt monomer and a commercially available polyether diamine using a di-isocyanate extender afforded segmented polyurea series for extrusion additive manufacturing. The molecular design of the polyureas featured soft segments containing flexible polyether chain and a relatively weak urea hydrogen bonding sites in the soft segment and rigid UCyt hydrogen bonding groups in the hard segment. The reversible characteristics of QHB enabled low viscosity at the processing temperature while providing mechanical integrity after processing and reinforced bonding between the interlayers, which contributed to the remarkable strength, elasticity, toughness, and interlayer adhesion of the printed parts. / Doctor of Philosophy / This dissertation focuses on designing supramolecular thermoplastic elastomers containing strong noncovalent interactions, i.e., quadruple hydrogen bonds or double ionic bonds. Inspired from noncovalent interactions in our mother nature, a series of bio-inspired monomers functionalized with nucleobase or ionic units were synthesized through scalable reactions with minimal purification steps. Polymerization of the functional monomers through step-growth or chain-growth polymerization techniques affords a variety of supramolecular thermoplastic elastomers with well-defined structures and architectures. These thermoplastic elastomers comprise soft and hard constituents; the former contains low glass transition polymer chains that provide elasticity while the latter contains strong noncovalent units to impart mechanical strength. Varying the soft/hard component ratios enables polymers with tunable physical properties to address different needs. Systematic characterizations of these supramolecular polymers revealed their distinct properties from the polymers containing the covalent or weak noncovalent interactions and facilitate molecular-level understanding of the polymers. Generally, incorporating strong noncovalent interactions increases the temperature for polymer segmental motion and extends thermomechanical plateau windows. Additionally, the strong association strength of those non-covalent interactions promotes microphase separation and self-assembly, contributing to a high degree of structural ordering of the polymers. Moreover, the dynamic characteristics of the noncovalent interactions offer the polymers with reversible properties, which not only enables melt-processability and recyclability of the polymer but also contributes to a series of smart properties, including self-healing, shape-memory, and recoverability. Thus, the molecular design using supramolecular chemistry provides promising avenues to developing functional materials with enhanced mechanical properties, processability, and stimuli-responsiveness for emerging applications.

Une molécule soumise à un champ laser infra-rouge intense (dans la gamme des 10 14 W.cm−2) peut être ionisée par effet tunnel. Le paquet d’ondes électroniques (POE) ainsi libéré est alors accéléré par le champ laser et, lorsqu’il repasse à proximité de l’ion parent, il a une certaine probabilité de se recombiner dans son état fondamental. Lors de cette recombinaison, le POE libère son énergie sous la forme d’un flash attoseconde (1as=10 −18s) de rayons XUV. Cette émission cohérente est produite à chaque demi-cycle laser résultant en un train d’impulsions attosecondes. Dans le domaine spectral, ce train correspond à un spectre discret d’harmoniques de la fréquence lasers. L’étape de recombinaison de l’électron avec l’ion parent peut être considérée comme une sonde de la structure des orbitales de valence moléculaires participant à la génération d’harmoniques et de la dynamique ayant lieu dans l’ion pendant l’excursion de l’électron dans le continuum. En caractérisant en amplitude, phase et polarisation, l’émission harmonique associée à cette recombinaison, il est possible de remonter à ces informations structurales et dynamiques avec une précision de l’ordre de l’Ångström et une résolution attoseconde. En particulier, la phase de l’émission harmonique qui est difficile à caractériser, encode des informations indispensables à la bonne compréhension des processus ayant lieu dans le milieu de génération. Nous présentons les principes et testons de nouvelles techniques permet tant de caractériser la phase de l’émission attoseconde suivant plusieurs dimensions à la fois et dans un laps de temps optimisé. Dans une première partie, nous présentons une méthode permettant de caractériser rapidement la phase spectrale de l’émission harmonique, fondée sur un modèle en champ fort de la photoionisation à deux couleurs (RABBIT). Nous introduisons ensuite une nouveau dispositif interférométrique à deux sources, permettant de mesurer les variations de phase de l’émission attoseconde induites par l’excitation d’un paquet d’ondes rotationnelles ou vibrationnelles. Ce dispositif très stable, compact et sobre énergétiquement repose sur l’utilisation d’un élément optique de diffraction (DOE) binaire. Après avoir qualifié notre dispositif par des simulations numériques et des expériences préliminaires, nous montrons qu’il est si sensible qu’il permet de mesurer les variations de phase en fonction du paramètre d’excitation pour différentes trajectoires électroniques dans le continuum. Pour l’azote et le dioxyde de carbone, les mesures expérimentales montrent des variations de phase très différentes pour les deux premières trajectoires électroniques. Ce DOE est ensuite utilisé pour mesurer la phase de l’émission harmonique dans les molécules alignées dans les mêmes conditions expérimentales que le RABBIT. Les deux expériences menées successivement donnent des résultats compatibles que nous combinons par deux méthodes différentes : le CHASSEUR et le MAMMOTH. Enfin, nous proposons de combiner le DOE avec un réseau transitoire pour caractériser simultanément la phase de l'émission attoseconde moléculaire suivant deux axes de polarisation différents. Ces différentes techniques de mesure de phase nous ont permis d’étudier précisément l’émission harmonique suivant différentes dimensions (angle d’alignement, intensité de génération, trajectoire électronique) et d’en tirer de nouvelles informations sur le mécanisme de génération dans les molécules. / When a low-frequency laser pulse is focused to a high intensity into a gas, the electric field of the laser light may become of comparable strength to that felt by the electrons bound in an atom or molecule. A valence electron can then be 'freed' by tunnel ionization, accelerated by the strong oscillating laser field and can eventually recollide and recombine with the ion. The gained kinetic energy is then released as a burst of coherent XUV light which is spectrally organized as harmonics of the fundamental driving field frequency.In high-harmonic molecular spectroscopy, the recombining electron wave-packet probes the structure of the molecule and the dynamics occurring in the ion left after tunnel ionization. The XUV burst is imprinted with this information which can be retrieved through an accurate characterization of the amplitude, phase and polarization of the harmonics. In the case of small molecules as nitrogen and carbon dioxide, impulsive alignment allows to change the direction of recombination of the electron wave-packet with respect to the molecular axis. The XUV burst from the molecular sample should then be characterized both along the spectral dimension and the alignment angle one, and this for the two polarization components. In this report, we present a new experimental scheme to perform two-source interferometry to measure the phase of the emission in aligned molecules along the alignment angle dimension. We how a refined spatio-spectral analysis of the fringe patterns obtained with this very stable interferometer allows one to extend high-harmonic spectroscopy from short to long trajectories. We then show how the combination of this setup together with RABBIT gives access to a bidimensionnal (spectrum and alignment angle) phase map with no arbitrary constant. Finally comparing two-source interferometry with transient grating spectroscopy leads to inconsistent results that can be interpreted taking into consideration polarization effects.