O objetivo deste trabalho é estudar a dinâmica vibracional de dois materiais cristalinos: o germânio (Ge) e o arseneto de gálio (GaAs) por intermédio da técnica de XAFS. Inicialmente, uma breve revisão baseada nas teorias básicas de livro-texto de física é apresentada e seus resultados e simplificações discutidos com base no que se conhece atualmente sobre vibração dos átomos nos sólidos. Em seguida, a técnica de análise empregada neste trabalho, a estrutura fina estendida de absorção de raios X (EXAFS), é apresentada. É feita uma descrição pormenorizada dos parâmetros físicos que podem ser obtidos, bem como das diferenças que fazem do EXAFS uma técnica bastante sui generis. Após isso, dados de EXAFS da borda K do Ge, do gálio (Ga) e do arsênio (As), medidos como função da temperatura, no intervalo de 20-350 K, serão analisados. São obtidos, além de distâncias interatômicas e coeficientes de expansão térmica, fatores de Debye- Waller e os terceiros cumulantes das distribuições de distâncias para cada temperatura. Por meio destes resultados, puderam ser estimados coeficientes de expansão térmica linear e frequência de Einstein medidos por EXAFS. Os resultados obtidos neste trabalho são comparados, tanto qualitativamente quanto quantitativamente, com resultados já bem estabelecidos de outras medidas, por exemplo, difração de raios X (XRD), calorimetria e espalhamento inelástico de nêutrons. Uma maneira coerente de interpretar a frequência de Einstein é proposta com base em medidas de densidade de estados. Além disso, são expostas algumas limitações da técnica e do método de análise. / The main objective of this work is to study the vibrational dynamics of two crystalline materials: germanium (Ge) and gallium arsenide (GaAs) using EXAFS. Initially, a brief review of physic's textbook theories are presented and their results are discussed based on what is currently known about vibrations of crystals. Later, the theory of Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) is presented. It is made a detailed description of the physical parameters that can be obtained as well as the di erences which make EXAFS a quite sui generis technique for solid state analysis. After that, EXAFS measurements of Ge, gallium (Ga) and arsenic (As) K edges carried out as function of temperature, in the range of 20-350 K, are analyzed. Interatomic distances, thermal expansions, Debye-Waller factors and the third cumulants of the distances distributions were obtained for each temperature. Through these results, linear thermal expansion coe cients and Einstein frequencies, as measured by EXAFS, could be estimated. The results obtained in this study were compared qualitatively and quantitatively with well-established results of measurements of other techniques, for example, X-ray di raction (XRD), calorimetry and inelastic neutron scattering. A consistent manner to interpret Einstein frequencies are proposed based on density of states measurements. Besides, some limitations, both of the technique and of the analysis method, are exposed.

La contamination des espèces vivantes par les éléments actinides est une source de toxicité radiologique et chimique conduisant à des séquelles graves pour l'organisme contaminé. La plupart des données disponibles sur l'interaction des actinides avec les systèmes biologiques sont basées sur des mesures macroscopiques physiologiques et fournissent très peu d'informations structurales et mécanistiques. Du fait de la complexité des systèmes impliqués dans ces processus, il est difficile de décrire la formation des complexes par des méthodes de biochimie. Notre stratégie a donc été d'approcher cette question par des systèmes biomimétiques très simplifiés que sont les peptides, en étudiant les mécanismes intramoléculaires affectés ou induits par l'interaction cation – ligand. Un pentapeptide carboxylique Ac-DDPDD-NH2 nous a servi de molécule de référence et de point de départ pour évaluer l'influence de la nature du peptide sur la topologie des complexes correspondants. Pour ce faire, différents analogues linéaires (permutations Asp/Ala, peptoïdes) et cycliques ont été synthétisés. De plus, dans le but d'incorporer des fonctions hydroxamates (très affines du Fe(III)) dans le pentapetide de référence, l'étude de la desferrioxamine et de l'acide acetohydroxamique a également été entreprise. Cependant, des difficultés de synthèse ne nous ont pas permis de tester ces dérivés. Trois cations actinides au degré d'oxydation +IV ont été sélectionnés (Th, Np, Pu) et comparés au cation Fe(III) souvent considéré comme analogue biologique du Pu(IV). L'agencement spatial du ligand autour du cation dans les complexes en solution aqueuse tamponnée a été étudié par spectrophotométrie et par Spectroscopie d'Absorption des rayons X. Les données spectroscopiques et l'ajustement des spectres EXAFS nous ont permis de rationaliser la topologie des complexes formés en fonction du peptide considéré : complexes mixtes hydroxy polynucléaires pour les séquences linéaires et cycliques, complexes mononucléaires pour la desferrioxamine. D'autre part, des différences notables sont apparues entre le Fe(III) et les actinides(IV), ce qui traduit une différence de réactivité en solution aqueuse. / The contamination of living organisms by actinide elements is at the origin of both radiological and chemical toxicity that may lead to severe dysfunction. Most of the data available on the actinide interaction with biological systems are macroscopic physiological measurements and are lacking a molecular description of the systems. Because of the intricacy of these systems, classical biochemical methods are difficult to implement. Our strategy consisted in designing simplified biomimetic peptides, and describing the corresponding intramolecular interactions with actinides. A carboxylic pentapeptide of the form DDPDD has been at the starting point of this work in order to further assess the influence of the peptide sequence on the topology of the complexes. To do so, various linear (Asp/Ala permutations, peptoïds) and cyclic analogues have been synthesized. Furthermore, in order to include the hydroxamic function (with a high affinity for Fe(III)) in the peptide, both desferrioxamine and acetohydroxamic acid have been investigated. However because of difficulties in synthesis, we have not been able to test these peptides. Three actinide cations have been considered at oxidation state +IV (Th, Np, Pu) and compared to Fe(III), often considered as a biological surrogate of Pu(IV). The spatial arrangement of the peptide around the cation has been probed by spectrophotometry and X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy. The spectroscopic data and EXAFS data adjustment lead us to rationalize the topology of the complexes as a function of the peptide sequence : mix hydroxy polynuclear species for linear and cyclic peptides, mononuclear for the desferrioxamine complexes. Furthermore, significant differences have appeared between Fe(III) and actinide(IV), related to differences of reactivity in aqueous medium.

Les composés organophosphorés sont des molécules importantes aussi bien dans le domaine de l'industrie nucléaire que pour les systèmes vivants. En effet, plusieurs extractants à la base de procédés du cycle de retraitement du combustible sont des molécules organophosphorées (TBP, HDEHP par exemple) et dans le domaine biologique les nucléotides sont des organophosphates qui jouent un rôle très important dans différents processus métaboliques.Si la littérature concernant les interactions des phosphates inorganiques avec les actinides est abondante, les études publiées avec des composés organophosphates se limitent généralement à des approches macroscopiques et/ou physiologiques. L'objectif de cette thèse est d'étudier la structure des plusieurs molécules organophosphorées avec des actinides pour affiner la compréhension et développer de nouveaux édifices spécifiques. La famille de molécules retenue pour cette approche est composée de 3 nucléotides d'adénine mono, bi et triphosphate (AMP, adénosine monophosphate – ADP, adénosine diphosphate - ATP, adénosine triphosphate) et d'un aminoalkylphosphate (AEP, O-phosphoryléthanolamine). La synthèse en milieu aqueux et faiblement acide (2,8-4) de plusieurs lanthanides représentants des actinides(III) (Lu, Yb, Eu) et d'actinides (U(VI), Th(IV) et Am(III)) a été réalisée. Plusieurs techniques analytiques et spectroscopiques ont été employées pour décrire la structure des complexes obtenus: les analyses spectrométriques réalisées par FTIR et RMN ont permis d'identifier les groupes fonctionnels impliqués dans la complexation, les analyses par ESI-MS et par titrage pH-métrique ont permis d'affiner la spéciation en solution et les analyses par EXAFS réalisées sur la ligne MARS du synchrotron SOLEIL, ont permis de décrire l'environnement proche des cations, tant pour des composés solides que pour des solutions. Quelques approches théoriques par DFT pour identifier des structures stables ont complété les approches expérimentales.Tous les complexes solides (AMP, ADP, ATP et AEP) présentent des organisations polynucléaires, alors que les complexes d'ATP en solution sont mononucléaires. Dans tous les complexes synthétisés, l'interaction prépondérante entre les cations et les groupes phosphates des ligands a été démontrée. Les complexes avec les ligands monophosphatés (Lu-AMP, Lu-AEP et Th-AMP) s'organisent de manière identique avec des phosphates pontants indiquant que la partie organique n'a pas un effet important sur leurs structures.Les complexes solides d'ADP et d'ATP (avec les deux ions métalliques sphéroïdes Lu et Th) présentent beaucoup de similitudes au niveau de l'environnement local indiquant que la présence d'un troisième groupe phosphate n'a pas d'effet important sur l'organisation des complexes au niveau local. La structure fine de ces complexes n'a cependant pas pu être déterminée précisément, malgré les approches théoriques qui ont été menées.Les complexes de lanthanides et d'actinides avec l'ATP ont un comportement similaire au niveau macroscopique suggérant une structure identique au niveau moléculaire.Avec l'uranyle, le complexe U-AMP à pH acide montre une organisation moléculaire différente de celui préparée à pH basique mais avec les mêmes sites de coordination: phosphates et hydroxyles du sucre. / Organophosphorus compounds are important molecules in both nuclear industry and living systems fields. Indeed, several extractants of organophosphorus compounds (such as TBP, HDEHP) are used in the nuclear fuel cycle reprocessing and in the biological field, the nucleotides are organophosphates which play a very important role in various metabolic processes. If the literature on the interactions of actinides with inorganic phosphate is abundant, published studies with organophosphate compounds are generally limited to macroscopic and / or physiological approaches. The objective of this thesis is to study the structure of several organophosphorus compounds with actinides to refine a better understanding and develop new specific buildings blocks. The family of the chosen molecules for this approach consists of three adenine nucleotides mono, bi and triphosphate (AMP, adenosine monophosphate - ADP, adenosine diphosphate - ATP, adenosine triphosphate) and an aminoalkylphosphate (AEP O-phosphorylethanolamine). Complexes Synthesis was conducted in aqueous medium and weakly acidic (2.8-4) for several representatives of lanthanides considered as actinides (III) (Lu, Yb, Eu) and actinides (U (VI), Th (IV) and Am (III)). Several analytical and spectroscopic techniques have been used to describe the organization of the synthesized complexes: spectrometric analysis performed by FTIR and NMR were used to identify the functional groups involved in the complexation, analysis by ESI-MS and pH-metric titration were used to determine the solution speciation and EXAFS analyzes were performed on Mars beamline of the SOLEIL synchrotron, have described the local cation environment, for both solution and solid compounds. Some theoretical approaches of DFT were conducted to identify stable structures in purpose of completing the experimental approaches. All solid complexes (AMP, ADP, ATP and AEP) have polynuclear structures, while soluble ATP complexes are mononuclear. For all synthesized complexes, it has been demonstrated that the dominant interaction is between the cations and the phosphate groups of the ligands. Complexes with monophosphate ligands (AMP-Lu, Lu-Th-AEP and AMP) show similar organizations with bridging phosphates indicating that the organic part does not have a significant effect on their structures. ADP and ATP solid state complexes (with two spheroid metal ions: Lu and Th) show several similarities in terms of local environment indicating that the occurrence of a third phosphate group has no significant effect on the local organization of the complex. However, despite the theoretical approaches that have been conducted, the fine structure of these complexes has not been accurately determined, Complexes of lanthanides and actinides with ATP behave similarly at macroscopic level suggesting an identical structure at the molecular level for these complexes.With uranyl, U-AMP complexe synthesized at acidic pH show different behavior at molecular level than that observed at alkaline pH but the same coordination sites (phosphates and hydroxyls ribose groups) have been demonstrated for both complexes.

Molybdates and tungstates belonging to the scheelite family constitute an important class of materials, which have advantages as a relatively low cost and being non-polluting. Barium molybdate (BaMoO4), barium tungstate (BaWO4), calcium molybdate (CaMoO4) and calcium tungstate (CaWO4) have been extensively studied due their photoluminescent properties, besides that they also present catalysis and photocatalysis applications. However, to the best of our knowledge there are no structural characterizations of BaMoO4, BaWO4 and CaMoO4 by x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) in the literature. In this work, powders of these 4 compounds were prepared by microwave-assisted hydrothermal (MAH) method and polymeric precursor method (PPM) and their structural properties were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) measurements. The morphology and particle size of these crystalline powders were observed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). Furthermore, BaMoO4, BaWO4 and CaWO4 were employed as solid catalysts towards gas phase toluene oxidation reactions and their optical properties were investigated by ultraviolet visible (UV-Vis) absorption and photoluminescence (PL) measurements. XRD patterns confirm the phase purity of materials from both preparation methods and reveal a preferential growth when the powders are prepared by MAH due polymeric agents and processing using microwave, which was confirmed by FE-SEM. XANES and EXAFS results show that the preparation method did not introduce high disorders into the structure, however the H2 Temperature-Programmed Reduction (H2-TPR) measurements indicated that the catalyst reducibility is affected by the preparation method of the samples. PL emissions were attributed to the charge-transfer transitions within the [WO4]2- and [MoO4]2- complexes. / Os óxidos molibdatos e tungstatos, pertencentes a família das scheelitas, constituem urna importante classe de materiais que apresentam a vantagem de possuem relativo baixo custo e não serem poluentes. Molibdato de bário (BaMoO4), tungstato de bário (BaWO4), molibdato de cálcio (CaMoO4) e o tungstato de cálcio (CaWO4) tern sido extensivamente estudados devido as suas propriedades fotoluminescentes, além de apresentarem aplicações em catálise e fotocatálise. No entanto, não foi encontrada na literatura caracterizações estruturais de BaMoO4, BaWO4 e CaMoO4 por espectroscopia de absorção de raios X (XAS). Neste trabalho, partículas destes quatro compostos foram preparados pelo método hidrotermal assistido por micro-ondas (MAH) e método dos precursores poliméricos (PPM). Suas propriedades estruturais foram caracterizadas por difração de raios X (XRD) e espectroscopia de absorção de raios X na região XANES (do inglês X-Ray Absorption Near Edge Structure) e região EXAFS (do inglês Extended X-Ray Absorption Fine Structure). A morfologia e o tamanho de partícula desses pós cristalinos foram observados por microscopia eletrônica de varredura por emissão de campo (FE-SEM). Além disso, BaMoO4, BaWO4 e CaWO4 foram empregados como catalisadores sólidos para as reações de oxidação de tolueno em fase gasosa e as suas propriedades ópticas foram investigadas por medidas de absorção no ultravioleta/visível (UV-Vis) e fotoluminescência (PL). Os padrões XRD confirmam a pureza de fase dos materiais obtidos em ambos os métodos de preparação e revelam um crescimento preferencial dos pós preparados por MAH devido aos agentes poliméricos e ao processamento usando micro-ondas, esse crescimento foi confirmado pelas micrografias obtidas por FE-SEM. Os resultados de XANES e EXAFS mostram que o método de preparação não introduz desordens elevadas na estrutura, no entanto, as medidas de redução à temperatura programada (H2-TPR) indicaram que a redução do catalisador e afetada pelo método de preparação das amostras. As emissões de PL foram atribuídas às transições de transferência de carga dentro dos complexos [WO4]2- e [MoO4]2-.

The long-lived fission product 126Sn (105 years) (Weast (1972)) is of substantial interest in the context of nuclear waste disposal in deep underground repositories. However, the prevalent redox state, the aqueous speciation as well as the reactions at the mineral-water interface under the expected anoxic conditions are a matter of debate. Therefore, in this PhD thesis I present work on the reactions of SnII with three Fe-bearing minerals as a function of pH, time, and SnII loading under anoxic condition with O2 level < 2 ppmv. The first mineral, goethite, contains only trivalent Fe (FeIIIOOH), the second, magnetite, contains both FeII and FeIII (FeIIFeIII2O4), and the third, mackinawite (FeIIS), contains only divalent Fe. The uptake behavior of the three mineral surfaces was investigated by batch sorption studies. Tin redox state was investigated by Sn-K X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy, and the local, molecular structure of the expected Sn surface complexes and precipitates was studied by extended X-ray absorption fine-structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy. Selected samples were also investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to elucidate the existence and nature of secondary, Fe- and /or Sn containing solids, and by Mössbauer spectroscopy to study FeII and FeIII in the minerals. Based on the such-obtained molecular-level information, surface complexation models (SCM) were fitted to the batch sorption data to derive surface complexation constants. In the presence of the FeIII-bearing minerals magnetite and goethite, I observed a rapid uptake and oxidation of SnII to SnIV. The local structure determined by EXAFS showed two Sn-Fe distances of about 3.15 and 3.60 Å in line with edge and corner sharing arrangements between octahedrally coordinated SnIV and the Fe(O,OH)6 octahedra at the magnetite and goethite surfaces. While the respective coordination numbers suggested formation of tetradentate inner-sphere complexes between pH 3 and 9 for magnetite, bidentate inner-sphere complexes (single edge-sharing (1E) and corner-sharing (2C)) prevail at the goethite surface at pH > 3, with the relative amount of 2C increasing with Sn loading. The interfacial electron transfer between sorbed SnII and structural FeIII potentially leads to dissolution of FeII and transformation to secondary FeII/FeIII oxide minerals. There is no clear evidence to confirm the reductive dissolution in the Sn/ magnetite system, Rietveld refinement of XRD patterns, however, indicates an increase of FeII/FeIII ratio in the magnetite structure. For the Sn/goethite system, dissolved FeII increased with SnII loading at the lowest pH investigated, indicative of reductive dissolution. At pH >5, spherical and cubic particles of magnetite were observed by TEM, and their number increased with SnII loading. Based on previous finding, this secondary mineral transformation of goethite should proceed via dissolution and recrystallization. The molecular structure and oxidation state of sorbed Sn were then used to fit the batch sorption data of magnetite and goethite with SCM. The sorption data on magnetite were fit with the diffuse double layer model (DLM) employing two different complexes, the first ( = -14.97±0.35) prevailing from pH 2 to 9, and the second ( = -17.72±0.50), which forms at pH > 9 by co-adsorption of FeII, thereby increasing sorption at this high pH. The sorption data on goethite were fitted with the charge distribution–multisite complexation model (CD-MUSIC). Based on the EXAFS-derived presence of two different bidentate inner-sphere complexes ((≡FeOH)(≡Fe3O)Sn(OH)3 (1E) and (≡FeOH)2Sn(OH)3) (2C)), sorption affinity constants of 15.5 ±1.4 for the 1E complex and of 19.2 ±0.6 for the 2C complex were obtained. The model is not only able to predict sorption across the observed pH range, but also the transition from a roughly 50/50 distribution of the two complexes at 12.5 µmol/g Sn loading, to the prevalence of the 2C complex at higher loading, in line with the EXAFS data. The retention mechanism of SnII by mackinawite is significantly dependent on the solution pH, reflecting the transient changes of the mackinawite surface in the sorption process. At pH <7, SnII is retained in its original oxidation state. It forms a surface complex, which is characterized by two short (2.38 Å) Sn-S bonds, which can be interpreted as the bonds towards the S-terminated surface of mackinawite, and two longer Sn-S bonds (2.59 Å), which point most likely towards the solution phase, completing the tetragonal SnS4 innersphere sorption complex. Precipitation of SnS or formation of a solid solution with mackinawite could be excluded. At pH > 9, SnII is completely oxidized by an FeII/FeIII (hydr)oxide, most likely green rust, forming on the surface of mackinawite. Six O atoms at 2.04 Å and 6 Fe atoms at 3.29 Å demonstrate a structural incorporation by green rust, where SnIV substitutes for Fe in the crystal structure. The transition between SnII and SnIV and between sulfur and oxygen coordination takes place between pH 7 and 8, in accordance with the transition from the mackinawite stability field to more oxidized Fe-bearing minerals. The uptake processes of SnII by mackinawite are largely in line with the uptake processes of divalent cations of other soft Lewis-acid metals like Cd, Hg and Pb. Very different Sn retention mechanisms were hence active, including oxidation to SnIV and formation of tetradentate and bidentate surface complexes of the SnIV hydroxo moieties on goethite and magnetite, and in the case of mackinawite a SnII sulfide species forming a bidentate surface complex at low pH, and structural incorporation of SnIV by an oxidation product, green rust, at high pH. In all three mineral systems and largely independent on the retention mechanisms, inorganic SnII was strongly retained, with Rd values always exceeding 5, across the relatively wide pH range relevant for the near and far-field of nuclear waste respositories. For the goethite and magnetite systems, the retention could be well modeled with surface complexation models based on the molecular structural data. This is an important contribution to the safety case for future nuclear waste repositories, since such SCMs provide reliable means for predicting the radioactive dose released by 126Sn from nuclear waste into the biosphere across a wide range of physicochemical conditions typical for the engineered as well as natural barriers.

Des nanobâtonnets de trioxyde de tungstène peuvent être élaborés sur un substrat de mica de type muscovite à l’aide d’une méthode simple de dépôt en phase vapeur. La croissance de ces objets semble obéir à un mode de croissance de type Stranski-Krastanov. Les nanobâtonnets sont majoritairement constitués d’une phase hexagonale métastable qui a été mise en évidence par MET. Cette structure se forme à partir d’un bronze de tungstène interfacial de structure hexagonale, qui croît en épitaxie sur le mica. Ce bronze contient du potassium provenant du substrat. Pour les bâtonnets les plus épais, la phase hexagonale est surmontée d’une structure monoclinique. La stabilité thermique de la structure hexagonale est importante puisqu’après un recuit à 600°C cette phase subsiste alors que la morphologie en bâtonnets est détruite. Les processus stabilisants la structure hexagonale sont apparemment à dissocier de ceux conduisant à la morphologie en bâtonnets. Le potassium joue un rôle majeur lors de la croissance des nanobâtonnets de WO3. Des élaborations de nanophases d’oxyde de tungstène suivies in situ par photoémission ainsi que par EXAFS de surface sur des substrats volontairement dopés avec du potassium mettent en évidence la forte affinité de cet élément avec le tungstène. Celle-ci peut même entraîner la décomposition partielle d’une molécule telle que du carbonyle de tungstène juste physisorbée à température cryogénique. En outre, la présence du potassium conduit à des phases plus oxydées qu’en son absence. / Tungsten trioxide nanorods can be elaborated on muscovite mica substrate through simple vapor deposition method. Growth of rods seems to follow a Stranski-Krastanov model. Their crystallography was investigated by TEM and reveals the presence of hexagonal phase. Such a metastable structure occurs from an interfacial hexagonal tungsten bronze which grows epitaxially on the substrate. This bronze phase contains potassium atoms coming from mica. Concerning the thickest rods, a monoclinic phase grows on the top of the hexagonal one. The hexagonal structure is thermally very stable: after annealing at 600°C, this phase is still detected whereas the rod morphology is destroyed. This point seems to indicate that processes which stabilize the hexagonal structure are different than those which are responsible of the rod shape. Potassium plays a major role in the formation of hexagonal WO3 phase. Additional tungsten oxide phase were elaborated on other substrates containing potassium atoms. Elaboration was then followed in situ by photoemission and SEXAFS and high affinity between potassium and tungsten was evidenced. Such an affinity can cause partial decomposition of tungsten hexacarbonyl molecule simply adsorbed at cryogenic temperature on substrate. Moreover, potassium atom presence leads to more oxidized phases than when this alkali metal is absent.

Le devenir des radionucléides naturels et anthropogéniques dans l’environnement demeure une préoccupation majeure des sociétés modernes nucléarisées. Parmi les compartiments environnementaux possiblement impactés, l’hydrosphère est ubiquitaire et peut transporter des composés ou éléments sur de très longues distances. L’évènement récent de Fukushima a démontré que le milieu marin pouvait être également directement impacté ce qui amène à des questionnements tant scientifiques que sociétaux. De nombreuses études ont déjà montré que les radionucléides présents dans l’eau de mer peuvent être fortement accumulés par les organismes marins mais pour autant leur spéciation est inconnue. Or cette connaissance est essentielle afin de maîtriser les mécanismes de transfert entre l’hydrosphère et la biosphère et d'évaluer in fine l’impact global sur l’Homme. Dans ce travail, nous avons choisi de déterminer expérimentalement la spéciation de trois actinides dans l’eau de mer dopée : l’uranium(VI), le neptunium(V) et l’américium(III) (via l’analogue europium(III)) en couplant des calculs de spéciation avec les outils spectroscopiques dont la Spectroscopie Laser Résolue en Temps (SLRT) et la Spectroscopie d'Absorption des Rayons X (EXAFS). Puis nous avons étudié les processus d’accumulation sur l’éponge A. cavernicola, choisi ici car considérée comme un biomoniteur de pollution pour les métaux lourds. L’accumulation de l’europium(III), de l’américium(III) et de l’uranium(VI) dans A. cavernicola a donc été investiguée à l'échelle de traces et ultra traces. Pour l'europium, les techniques d'imagerie X et électronique ont permis de localiser l'élément accumulé et d'en préciser la spéciation. / The fate of natural and anthropogenic radionuclides in the environment remains a major concern in our modern nuclearized societies. Among the environmental compartments, the hydrosphere is ubiquitous and can transport compounds or elements over very long distances. The recent event of Fukushima demonstrated that the marine environment could be directly affected and this raises both scientific and societal questions. Moreover, some studies have already shown that radionuclides present in seawater can be strongly accumulated by marine organisms although their speciation is most of the time unknown. Yet this knowledge is essential to better understand the transfer mechanisms from the hydrosphere to the biosphere and to evaluate their global impact on humans. In this work, we chose to experimentally determine the speciation of three actinides in doped seawater: uranium(VI), neptunium(V) and americium(III) (and the chemical surrogate europium(III)) by coupling speciation modeling with spectroscopic tools among which Time-Resolved Laser-Induced Fluorescence (TRLIF) and X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS). Then, we have studied the accumulation process in the sponge A. cavernicola, chosen here because it is considered as a biomonitor of heavy metal pollution. The accumulation of europium(III), americium(III) and uranium(VI) in A. cavernicola were investigated at trace and ultra-trace levels. Besides, for europium, X-ray and electronic imaging permit to localize the accumulated element in the sponge and to specify its speciation.

Suite aux conséquences environnementales provoquées par l’accident nucléaire de Fukushima, il est fondamental d’étudier les mécanismes gouvernant les effets des radionucléides sur la biosphère et ainsi identifier les processus moléculaires responsables du transport et de la déposition d’actinides comme le neptunium et l’uranium. Cependant, les informations concernant l’aspect microscopique des interactions entre actinide et molécules biologiques sont rares. Les données publiées étant majoritairement issue d’études in vivo, la structure des sites de coordination et l’effet de cette complexation sur les fonctions des protéines restent encore à découvrir.La calmoduline (CaM), qui est connue pour son affinité envers les actinides, agit comme un régulateur métabolique du calcium. Cette protéine, qui est présente de manière ubiquitaire dans le corps humain, peut également complexer d’autres métaux comme les actinides. Ainsi, en cas de contamination interne, les actinides complexés à la protéine pourraient l’empêcher de fonctionner correctement et donc avoir des répercussions sur un grand nombre de fonctions vitales pour l’organisme.La complexation du Np et de l’U par la CaM a été étudiée par spectroscopie EXAFS ce qui nous a permis de montrer que les actinides sont incorporés au site de complexation du calcium. Une fois les aspects structuraux et thermodynamiques étudiés, c’est l’impact de cette complexation sur les fonctions de la protéine qui a été étudié.Afin d’évaluer les conséquences de la complexation, une méthode calorimétrique basée sur une réaction enzymatique (Phosphodiesterase) a été développée. Ces expériences réalisées avec des concentrations variables d’actinides (30-500 nM) montrent une diminution de l’activité enzymatique lorsque la concentration d’actinide augmente. Les résultats montrent que le complexe CaM-An agit comme un inhibiteur enzymatique. De plus, on observe qu’à haute concentration en actinide, le complexe CaM-métal agit comme un poison et tue complètement l’activité enzymatique. / Considering the environmental impact of the Fukushima nuclear accident, it is fundamental to study the mechanisms governing the effects of the released radionuclides on the biosphere and thus identify the molecular processes generating the transport and deposition of actinides, such as neptunium and uranium. However, the information about the microscopic aspect of the interaction between actinides and biological molecules (peptides, proteins…) is scarce. The data being mostly reported from a physiological point of view, the structure of the coordination sites remains largely unknown. These microscopic data are indeed essential for the understanding of the interdependency between structural aspect, function and affinity.The Calmodulin (CaM) (abbreviation for CALcium-MODULated proteIN), also known for its affinity towards actinides, acts as a metabolic regulator of calcium. This protein is a Ca carrier, which is present ubiquitously in the human body, may also bind other metals such as actinides. Thus, in case of a contamination, actinides that bind to CaM could avoid the protein to perform properly and lead to repercussions on a large range of vital functions.The complexation of Np and U was studied by EXAFS spectroscopy which showed that actinides were incorporated in a calcium coordination site. Once the thermodynamical and structural aspects studied, the impact of the coordination site distortion on the biological efficiency was analyzed.In order to evaluate these consequences, a calorimetric method based on enzyme kinetics was developed. This experiment, which was conducted with both uranium (50 – 500 nM) and neptunium (30 – 250 nM) showed a decrease of the heat produced by the enzymatic reaction with an increasing concentration of actinides in the medium. Our findings showed that the Calmodulin actinide complex works as an enzymatic inhibitor. Furthermore, at higher neptunium (250 nM) and uranium (500 nM) concentration the metals seem to have a poison-like behavior and “kill” completely the enzymatic activity.

Thesis (Ph. D. (Biochemistry)) -- University of Limpopo, 2004 / The NRF/Royal Society Initiative, and the University of the North Research Development & Administration

Le présent travail intitulé « Etude des instants initiaux des réactions solide – solide » a été réalisé dans le cadre d'une thèse en co-tutelle franco-italienne sous le double sceau de Alma Ticinensis Universitas de Pavie et de l'Université Joseph Fourier de Grenoble. Il s'est déroulé pour l'essentiel au ‘Département de Chimie-physique Mario Rolla' de l'université de Pavie, sous la direction du Prof. Paolo GHIGNA. La partie française c'est déroulé sous la direction du Prof. Michel DUCLOT au Laboratoire d'Electrochimie et de Physico-Chimie des Materiaux et des Interfaces - LEPMI (UMR 5631, CNRS, Grenoble-INP, UJF). De plus, les travaux expérimentaux du suivi de la cinétique des réactions oxyde - oxyde ont été réalisés au ‘European Synchrotron Radiation Facility', (E.S.R.F, Grenoble, France), sous la direction du Dr. Francesco D'ACAPITO. Le mémoire est subdivisée en 7 chapîtres. L' introduction fait un point général sur les connaissances des réactions entre solides tant du point de vue thermodynamique que du point de vue transport de la matière. Le première chapitre fait le point des connaissances de la cinétique des réactions solide – solide et montre l'intérêt de la connaissance des phénomènes aux instants initiaux. Ce point constitue la partie originale qui sera développé dans ce travail. Dans le chapître 2 sont présentés la stratégie d'analyse (rayonnement synchrotron, ajustement des données) ainsi que le système expérimental (film mince du matériaux étudie sur substrat monocristallin). Le chapître 3 est consacrée a l'étude de la croissance épitaxiale des films minces d'oxyde de type MO, (M = Mn, Zn, Ni), à l'aide d'un système de déposition par magnetron sputtering Radio Frequence (RF-magnetron sputter). L' échantillon obtenu est ensuite recuit pour l'homogéneité de l'orientation épitaxiale. Les techniques X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) et Fluorescence X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy (fluo-XAS) sont présentées dans le chapître 4 ainsi que le faisceau synchrotron GILDA BM08 de l'ESRF, où ont été réalisées les expériences ce qui a permis l'identification d'au moins un nouveau composé cristallin. Sur le faisceau ID24 (ESRF) ont été réalisées les mesures de X-ray Absorption Near Edge Spectroscopy (micro-XANES) (chapître 5). Le faisceau ID03 (ESRF) a servi pour les mesures de diffraction superficielle (chapître 6). Un pas en avant dans l'analyse de la surface est présenté dans le chapître 7 où les mesures par Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) et par Electron Diffraction (ED) montrent des changements impressionnants de la structure et de la morphologie superficielle des films d'oxyde (chapître 8). Ce travail a permis un approche performante pour la compréhnsion des mécanismes des réactions interfaciales au niveau de l'atome. Ces résultats peuvent être une contribution important pour l'élaboration de nouveaux oxydes à l'état nanometric. Cette perspective laisse penser à l'ouverture d'une nouvelle voie pour l'étude de mécanismes de réaction à l'état solide de façon analogue au réactions de femtochimie en phase gazeuse.