In electrode double layer capacitor (EDLC), electrodes usually contain binder materials to provide adhesion between electrode materials. However, binder materials usually bring unwanted resistances to the component due to their non-conductivity properties and the occupation of ion cavities. The purpose of this thesis is to demonstrate the feasibility of fabricating electrodes for EDLCs by using carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene oxide (GO) without using any binding materials. At the same time, investigating the binder-free electrode’s electrochemical properties and make an assumption of its potential application in the future. The slurry of binder-free electrodes was fabricated by ultrasonicating water suspended CNTs and GO aqueous solution. The ultrasonicated mixture was then casted on an aluminum foil, followed by drying processes to form into an electrode film. By combining the CNTs/GO binder-free electrodes with aqueous electrolyte, a symmetrical electrode double layer capacitor (EDLC) was fabricated. The EDLC was also tested for electrochemical performance using a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) based gel electrolyte. It was found that an electrode with a low resistance was achieved by eliminating the use of binders. The as-prepared sample had an equivalent series resistance (ESR) of 0.07 Ohms. Furthermore, a solid-state, binder-free EDLC sample achieved a specific capacitance of 0.2876 F/m2 in volumetric terms, or 58.24 mF/g in gravimetric terms. The laboratorial investigation demonstrates a possible scheme of decreasing resistance start with eliminating binding materials in electrodes. Successfully fabricated binder-free electrodes show the feasibility of eliminating binding materials in electrodes. The easy access fabrication process of graphene oxide/CNT electrodes provides a chance for mass production in the industry. Solid-state electrolyte samples also give an example of making all-solid-state energy storage devices.

We have investigated electropolymerisation for fabrication of a chemically modified working electrode for the determination of dopamine and catechol neurotransmitters in the presence of ascorbic acid. A variety of film compositions were investigated that would allow discrimination of the neurotransmitters through a combination of electrostatic barrier and the film porosity. The films investigated were based on different compositions of () poly-o-toluidine-co-aniline (POT-co-PA), () poly-o-toluidine-co-o-anisidine (POT-co-POA) and () polyacriflavine (PAF). The POT-co-PA and POT-co-POA gave the most promising result although the POT-co-PA was preferred because of higher current enhancement and better separation of dopamine and catechol neurotransmitters in the presence of ascorbic acid. The uses of electropolymerisation make the investigated films attractive candidates for the fabrication of a chemically modified microelectrode with application in capillary electrophoresis separation with electrochemical detection. The active area of nano particle (Au, Pt and Ag) screen printed electrodes was determined using cyclic voltammogram with ferro/ferricyanide couple. The active surface of the nano particle coated electrode was found surprisingly to be 5% - 65% lower than that geometrically calculated surface area for the electrode. This is ascribed to the limitation of the screen printing approach that was used. A low cost high replication approach that would allow development of a capillary electrophoresis microfluidic chip with electrochemical detection (CE-ECD) on a polymer substrate was investigated. A fluidic top layer was fabricated using hot embossing and an electrode bottom layer by metal patterning on a polymer substrate using metallisation and photolithography.

The price of crude glycerol has significantly decreased worldwide because of its oversupply. Many chemical and biological processes have been proposed to transform glycerol into numerous value-added products, such as glycolic acid, 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PDO), 1,2-propanediol (1,2-PDO), glyceric acid, and lactic acid. However, these processes suffer from several drawbacks, including high production cost. Therefore, in this study, a simple and robust electrochemical synthesiswas developed to convert glycerol into various value-added compounds. This study reports for the first time the use of Amberlyst-15 as a reaction mediumand redox catalyst for electrochemical conversion of glycerol. In the first part, the electrochemical performance of Amberlyst-15 over platinum (Pt)electrode was compared with that of conventional acidic (H2SO4) and alkaline (NaOH) media. Other parameters such as reaction temperature [room temperature (27°C) to 80 °C] and applied current (1.0 A to 3.0 A) were also examined. Under the optimized experimental condition, this novel electrocatalytic method successfully converted glycerol into glycolic acid after 8 h of electrolysis, with a yield of 45% and selectivity of 65%, as well as to glyceric acid after 3 h of electrolysis, with a yield of 27% and selectivity of 38%. In the second part of this study, two types of cathode electrodes, namely, activated carbon composite(ACC) and carbon black diamond (CBD) electrodes, were used in electrochemical conversion of glycerol. To the best of our knowledge, electrochemical studies of glycerol conversion using these electrodes have not been reported yet. Glycerol was also successfully reduced to lactic acid, 1,2-PDO, and 1,3-PDO, in addition to oxidation compounds (e.g. glycolic acid). Three operating parameters, namely, catalyst amount (6.4% to 12.8% w/v), reaction temperature [room temperature (27 °C) to 80 °C], and applied current (1.0 A to 3.0 A), were tested. In the presence of 9.6% w/v Amberlyst-15 at 2.0 A and 80 °C, the selectivity of glycolic acid can reach 72% and 68% (with yield of 66% and 58%) for ACC and CBD electrodes, respectively. Lactic acid was obtained as the second largest compound, withselectivity of 16% and yield of 15% for the ACC electrode and 27% selectivity and 21% yield for the CBD electrode. Finally, electro-oxidation and electroreduction of glycerol were performed in a two-compartment cell separated by a cation exchange membrane (Nafion 117). This study only focused on the electroreduction region. Three cathode electrodes (Pt, ACC, and CBD) were evaluated under the following conditions: 2.0 A, 80 °C, and 9.6% w/v Amberlyst-15. ACC demonstrated excellent performance in the electroreduction study and successfully reduced glycerol to 1,2-PDO, with a high selectivity of 85%. The selectivity of 1,2-PDO on Pt and CBD was 61% and 68%, respectively. Acetol and diethylene glycol were also obtained. The reaction mechanisms underlying the formation of these products are then proposed.

Neste trabalho são apresentados resultados relacionados à determinação de nitrato, nitrito e amônio por técnicas eletroquímicas. Para a determinação de nitrato foi utilizada uma lâmina de cobre cuja superfície é renovada continuamente empregando um processo de ativação (oxidação do cobre e subseqüente redução de íons Cu(II)) com potencial controlado em sistema FIA. As condições ótimas foram alcançadas por meio de 60 s para a etapa de ativação, vazão do transportador 3,0 mL min-1 e volume de amostra 150 µL. A repetibilidade foi estimada em 4,7% (n=9) com freqüência de amostragem de 60 amostras h-1. Trabalhando nas condições otimizadas um aumento na concentração de nitrato gerou um aumento proporcional na corrente, resultando em curva analítica em um intervalo de 0,1 2,5 mmol L-1 (-Ip (µA) = 0,13 + 4,6 [NO3-] (mmol L-1), R2 = 0,9991). Os limites de detecção e quantificação foram estimados em 4,2 (S/N = 3) e 14 (S/N = 10) µmol L-1, respectivamente. O mesmo sensor foi utilizado para determinações de nitrito por voltametria de pulso diferencial e a otimização dos parâmetros relativos ao processo de ativação (tempos de dissolução e redeposição) foi efetuada com o intuito de aumentar a sensibilidade. As condições ótimas foram de 30 s para a etapa de ativação, com uma repetibilidade de 1,9% (n=10), e o aumento nas concentrações de nitrito gerou um aumento proporcional na corrente, resultando em curva analítica em um intervalo de 50 µmol L-1 - 1,44 mmol L-1 (-Ip (µA) = -0,13 + 53,52 [NO2-] (mmol L-1 ), R2 = 0,9996). Os limites de detecção e quantificação foram estimados em 2,8 (S/N = 3) e 9,4 (S/N = 10) µmol L-1, respectivamente. O estudo da morfologia da superfície do eletrodo de cobre durante o processo de ativação foi realizado por AFM com o objetivo de compreender o impacto das mudanças microestruturais no sinal de corrente para nitrato e nitrito. Os resultados indicam que após a ativação do eletrodo a superfície apresenta cristais com uma textura rugosa e ocorre aumento da área superficial, justificando o aumento de sinal de corrente. Para a determinação de amônio foram fabricados eletrodos íon seletivo (ISE) com membrana polimérica de forma tubular, os quais foram acoplados em um sistema de injeção em fluxo. A influência de parâmetros como vazão do transportador e alça de amostragem foi investigada e melhores resultados foram obtidos em 0,5 mL min-1 e 250 µL, respectivamente. Nas condições otimizadas a repetibilidade das determinações foi de 1,3 % (n=10) com freqüência de amostragem de 13 amostras h-1. Tendo em conta as otimizações do sistema FIA, injeções sucessivas de soluções de amônio com concentrações crescentes permitiram obter uma reta com coeficiente angular de 51,2 mV (R2 = 0,9836) no intervalo de 0,2 5 mg L-1. Os limites de detecção foram calculados em 0,05 mg L-1, respectivamente. / This paper presents results related to the determination of nitrate, nitrite and ammonium by electrochemical techniques. A copper electrode whose surface is continuously renewed using an activation process with controlled potential in a FIA system was used for nitrate determinations. The optimum conditions were achieved by an activation step of 60 s, carrier stream of 3.0 mL min-1 and sample volume of 150 µL. The repeatability was estimated as 4.7% (n = 9) with a sampling frequency of 60 samples h-1. At these optimized experimental conditions an increase in nitrate concentration caused a proportional increase in current, resulting in an analytical curve in the range from 0.1 to 2.5 mmol L-1 (-Ip (µA) = 0.13 + 4.6 [NO3-] (mmol L-1), R2 = 0.9991). The limits of detection and quantification were estimated as 4.2 (S/N = 3) and 14 (S/N = 10) µmol L-1, respectively. The same sensor was used for the determination of nitrite by differential pulse voltammetry and the optimization of the parameters involved in the activation process (dissolution and redeposition time) was performed in order to increase the sensitivity. Optimum conditions were established at 30 s for the activation step, with a repeatability of 1.9% (n = 10) and increased concentrations of nitrite generated a proportional increase in current, resulting in an analytical curve in the range from 50 µmol L-1 to 1.44 mmol L-1 (-Ip (µA) = -0.13 + 53.52 [NO2-] (mmol L-1), R2 = 0.9996). The limits of detection and quantification were estimated as 2.8 (S/N = 3) and 9.4 (S/N = 10) µmol L-1, respectively. The study of the morphology of the copper electrode surface upon the activation process was performed by AFM in order to understand the influence of microstructural changes in the current signal for nitrate and nitrite. The results indicated that after the activation the electrode surface presented a rough texture with a concurrent increase in the surface area, justifying the current increase. Ion-selective eletrodes (ISE) with a polymeric membrane in a tubular shape were fabricated for the determination of ammonium in a flow injection system. The influence of parameters such as the carrier stream and the sample volume was investigated and best results were obtained at 0.5 mL min-1 and 250 mL, respectively. Under optimum conditions the repeatability of the determinations was 1.3% (n = 10) with a sampling frequency of 13 samples h-1. Taking into account the optimization of the FIA system, successive injections of solutions with increasing concentrations of ammonium yielded a straight line with slope of 51.2 mV (R2 = 0.9836) in the range 0.2 to 5 mg L-1. The limits of detection were calculated as 0.05 mg L-1, respectively

Les enregistrements életrophysiologiques ont apporté des informations considérables sur le fonctionnement et le dysfonctionnement du cerveau. Améliorer les dispositifs d'enregistrement permettrait d'approfondir les connaissances au niveau de la science fondamentale et serait bénéfique pour les patients. Les principales limitations des électrodes en contact direct avec le cerveau comprennent leur invasivité, leur biocompatibilité et leur SNR. Il serait aussi souhaitable de mesurer simultanément les signaux électriques et moléculaires. Le couplage entre l'activité électrique et métabolic est encore mal comprise. Le but de ce travail était de fournir des solutions technologiques à ces défis dans le contexte de l’épilepsie.Nous avons développé des grilles flexibles de 4 µm d’épaisseur résolvant les problèmes d’invasivité, de rigidité et de biocompatibilité. Afin d’améliorer le SNR, des sites d'enregistrement en polymère hautement conducteur PEDOT: PSS ont été faits. La qualité des signaux enregistrés in vivo était meilleure que celui obtenu avec de l’or. Puis nous avons validé des sites d'enregistrement en transistors électrochimiques organiques, permettant l'amplification locale des signaux. Les grilles ont été testées in vivo et le SNR a été multiplié par 10. Enfin, nous avons fonctionnalisé les sites avec une enzyme pour mesurer le glucose. Par rapport aux dispositifs classiques, le capteur de glucose a montré une stabilité et une sensibilité inégalée in vitro.En conclusion, l'électronique organique semble être une solution technologique prometteuse pour les limitations des systèmes actuels visant à enregistrer l'activité électrique et moléculaire du cerveau. / Electrophysiological recordings brought considerable information about brain function and dysfunction. Improving recording devices would further our understanding at the basic science level and would be beneficial to patients. Major limitations of current electrodes that are in direct contact with brain tissue include their invasiveness, their poor biocompatibility, their rigidity and a suboptimal signal-to-noise ratio. In addition, it would be desirable to measure simultaneously molecular signals. The coupling between the electrical activity of neurons and metabolism is still poorly understood in vivo. The goal of this work was to provide technological solutions to such challenges in the context of epilepsy. We generate 4 µm thick, totally flexible but resilient grids, thus solving the challenge of invasiveness, rigidity and biocompatibility. In order to improve the signal-to-noise ratio, recording sites were made of the highly conductive polymer PEDOT:PSS. The quality of the in vivo signals recorded was better than that obtained with conventional gold contacts. Going a step further, we made the recording site as an organic electrochemical transistor, which enables local amplification of signals. The grid was tested in vivo and the SNR was increased by a factor of 10. Finally, we functionalized PEDOT:PSS sites with glucose oxidase to measure glucose. Compared to conventional devices, the glucose sensor showed unsurpassed stability and sensitivity in vitro. In conclusion, organic electronics appears to be a promising technological solution to the limitations of current systems designed to record the electrical and molecular activity of the brain.

Neste trabalho são apresentados resultados relacionados à determinação de nitrato, nitrito e amônio por técnicas eletroquímicas. Para a determinação de nitrato foi utilizada uma lâmina de cobre cuja superfície é renovada continuamente empregando um processo de ativação (oxidação do cobre e subseqüente redução de íons Cu(II)) com potencial controlado em sistema FIA. As condições ótimas foram alcançadas por meio de 60 s para a etapa de ativação, vazão do transportador 3,0 mL min-1 e volume de amostra 150 µL. A repetibilidade foi estimada em 4,7% (n=9) com freqüência de amostragem de 60 amostras h-1. Trabalhando nas condições otimizadas um aumento na concentração de nitrato gerou um aumento proporcional na corrente, resultando em curva analítica em um intervalo de 0,1 2,5 mmol L-1 (-Ip (µA) = 0,13 + 4,6 [NO3-] (mmol L-1), R2 = 0,9991). Os limites de detecção e quantificação foram estimados em 4,2 (S/N = 3) e 14 (S/N = 10) µmol L-1, respectivamente. O mesmo sensor foi utilizado para determinações de nitrito por voltametria de pulso diferencial e a otimização dos parâmetros relativos ao processo de ativação (tempos de dissolução e redeposição) foi efetuada com o intuito de aumentar a sensibilidade. As condições ótimas foram de 30 s para a etapa de ativação, com uma repetibilidade de 1,9% (n=10), e o aumento nas concentrações de nitrito gerou um aumento proporcional na corrente, resultando em curva analítica em um intervalo de 50 µmol L-1 - 1,44 mmol L-1 (-Ip (µA) = -0,13 + 53,52 [NO2-] (mmol L-1 ), R2 = 0,9996). Os limites de detecção e quantificação foram estimados em 2,8 (S/N = 3) e 9,4 (S/N = 10) µmol L-1, respectivamente. O estudo da morfologia da superfície do eletrodo de cobre durante o processo de ativação foi realizado por AFM com o objetivo de compreender o impacto das mudanças microestruturais no sinal de corrente para nitrato e nitrito. Os resultados indicam que após a ativação do eletrodo a superfície apresenta cristais com uma textura rugosa e ocorre aumento da área superficial, justificando o aumento de sinal de corrente. Para a determinação de amônio foram fabricados eletrodos íon seletivo (ISE) com membrana polimérica de forma tubular, os quais foram acoplados em um sistema de injeção em fluxo. A influência de parâmetros como vazão do transportador e alça de amostragem foi investigada e melhores resultados foram obtidos em 0,5 mL min-1 e 250 µL, respectivamente. Nas condições otimizadas a repetibilidade das determinações foi de 1,3 % (n=10) com freqüência de amostragem de 13 amostras h-1. Tendo em conta as otimizações do sistema FIA, injeções sucessivas de soluções de amônio com concentrações crescentes permitiram obter uma reta com coeficiente angular de 51,2 mV (R2 = 0,9836) no intervalo de 0,2 5 mg L-1. Os limites de detecção foram calculados em 0,05 mg L-1, respectivamente. / This paper presents results related to the determination of nitrate, nitrite and ammonium by electrochemical techniques. A copper electrode whose surface is continuously renewed using an activation process with controlled potential in a FIA system was used for nitrate determinations. The optimum conditions were achieved by an activation step of 60 s, carrier stream of 3.0 mL min-1 and sample volume of 150 µL. The repeatability was estimated as 4.7% (n = 9) with a sampling frequency of 60 samples h-1. At these optimized experimental conditions an increase in nitrate concentration caused a proportional increase in current, resulting in an analytical curve in the range from 0.1 to 2.5 mmol L-1 (-Ip (µA) = 0.13 + 4.6 [NO3-] (mmol L-1), R2 = 0.9991). The limits of detection and quantification were estimated as 4.2 (S/N = 3) and 14 (S/N = 10) µmol L-1, respectively. The same sensor was used for the determination of nitrite by differential pulse voltammetry and the optimization of the parameters involved in the activation process (dissolution and redeposition time) was performed in order to increase the sensitivity. Optimum conditions were established at 30 s for the activation step, with a repeatability of 1.9% (n = 10) and increased concentrations of nitrite generated a proportional increase in current, resulting in an analytical curve in the range from 50 µmol L-1 to 1.44 mmol L-1 (-Ip (µA) = -0.13 + 53.52 [NO2-] (mmol L-1), R2 = 0.9996). The limits of detection and quantification were estimated as 2.8 (S/N = 3) and 9.4 (S/N = 10) µmol L-1, respectively. The study of the morphology of the copper electrode surface upon the activation process was performed by AFM in order to understand the influence of microstructural changes in the current signal for nitrate and nitrite. The results indicated that after the activation the electrode surface presented a rough texture with a concurrent increase in the surface area, justifying the current increase. Ion-selective eletrodes (ISE) with a polymeric membrane in a tubular shape were fabricated for the determination of ammonium in a flow injection system. The influence of parameters such as the carrier stream and the sample volume was investigated and best results were obtained at 0.5 mL min-1 and 250 mL, respectively. Under optimum conditions the repeatability of the determinations was 1.3% (n = 10) with a sampling frequency of 13 samples h-1. Taking into account the optimization of the FIA system, successive injections of solutions with increasing concentrations of ammonium yielded a straight line with slope of 51.2 mV (R2 = 0.9836) in the range 0.2 to 5 mg L-1. The limits of detection were calculated as 0.05 mg L-1, respectively

Les durées de vie des cellules solaires photovoltaïques organiques (OPV) doivent être améliorées afin que cette technologie puisse être commercialisée sur une grande échelle. Ce travail étudie l’influence de la sélection des matériaux pour l’interface supérieure sur la dégradation des OPV inversées. La première partie de cette étude s’occupe des effets de la dégradation thermale. Il a été constaté que la tension de circuit-ouvert (VOC) et le facteur de forme (FF) diminuent lors du vieillissement des OPVs ayant une HTL de MoO3 et une électrode d’argent. Des expériences de caractérisation physique ont mis en évidence que les électrodes d’argent démouillent lors du vieillissement thermique ce qui peut conduire à la mort rapide des cellules avec des électrodes minces. Des analyses de rupture ont également faites. Il a été constaté que l’adhésion d’interface supérieure augmente fortement dans les échantillons avec électrode en argent due à la diffusion de matière, et il est possible qu’il y ait une relation entre cette diffusion et la perte de VOC et FF. Dans la deuxième partie, les effets de la lumière sur la dégradation et l’influence de la présence d’oxygène ou d’humidité ont été étudiés. Quelques effets des matériaux ont été notés, en particulier sur la durée de vie. L’oxygène a eu l’effet d’accélérer notablement la dégradation, et aucune différence n’a été notée selon les matériaux utilisés. En revanche, l’humidité a eu un effet prononcé sur les échantillons avec certains HTLs. Ce travail souligne l’importance de penser à la durée de vie quand on désigne les dispositifs OPV, en particulier pour sélectionner des matériaux appropriés afin d’optimiser la durée de vie. / Organic photovoltaic (OPV) solar cells show great promise but suffer from short operating lifetimes. This study examines the role that the selection of materials for the hole extraction interface in inverted OPV devices plays in determining the lifetime of a device. In the first part of the study, the effects of thermal degradation were examined. It was found that devices containing MoO3 HTLs and silver top electrodes exhibit an open-circuit voltage (VOC)/fill factor (FF)-driven mechanism. Physical characterisation experiments showed that, with heating, the silver electrode undergoes de-wetting. With thin electrodes this can result in the catastrophic failure of the device. A fracture analysis study found that silver-containing devices experience an increase in adhesion of their top layers to the active layer due to interdiffusion between the layers. This interdiffusion may be related to the loss of VOC and FF in Ag/MoO3 devices through diffused species forming charge traps in the active layer. In the second part of the study, the effects of photodegradation in different atmospheres were studied. Some material-dependent effects were observed when the devices were aged in an inert atmosphere, including variations in projected lifetime. The effect of oxygen was to greatly accelerate degradation, and remove any of the material-dependence observed in the inert experiment, while humidity led to a substantial increase in the degradation rate of devices containing PEDOT:PSS (poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate). This study underlines the importance of considering device lifetime in device design, and choosing materials to minimise degradation.

<p>Epidural cortical stimulation (ECS) is a developing therapy for many neurological disorders. However, the mechanisms by which ECS has its effects are unknown, and this lack of understanding has limited the development and optimization of this promising therapy. This dissertation investigates the effects of ECS on the neurons in the cortex and how these effects vary with electrode geometry and location as well as the electrical and geometrical properties of the anatomy.</p><p>The effects of ECS on cortical neurons were investigated using a three dimensional computational model of the human precentral gyrus and surrounding anatomy. An epidural electrode was placed above the gyrus, and the model was solved using the finite element method. The outputs of the model included distributions of electric potential, the second spatial derivative of potential (activating function), and current density. The distributions of electric potential were coupled to compartmental models of cortical neurons to quantify the effects of ECS on cortical neurons. A sensitivity analysis was performed to assess how thresholds and distributions of activating function were impacted by changes in the geometrical and electrical properties of the model. In vivo experiments of epidural electrical stimulation of cat motor cortex were performed to measure the effects of stimulation parameters and electrode location on thresholds for evoking motor responses.</p><p>During ECS, the region of cortex directly underneath the electrode was activated at the lowest thresholds, and neurons deep in the sulcus could not be directly activated without coactivation of neurons located on the crowns or lips of the gyri. The thresholds for excitation of cortical neurons depended on stimulation polarity as well as the orientation and position of the neurons with respect to the electrode. In addition, the patterns and spatial extent of activation were influenced by the geometry of the cortex and surrounding layers, the dimensions of the electrodes, and the positioning of the lead. In vivo thresholds for evoking motor responses were dependent on electrode location and stimulation polarity, and bipolar thresholds were often different from monopolar thresholds through the respective anode and cathode individually. The effects of stimulation polarity and electrode location on thresholds for evoking motor responses paralleled results of the computational model. Experimental evidence of indirect effects of ECS, mediated by synaptic interactions between neural elements, revealed an opportunity for further development of the computational model. The outcome of this dissertation is an improved understanding of the factors that influence the effects of ECS on cortical neurons, and this knowledge will help facilitate the rational implantation and programming of ECS systems.</p> / Dissertation

No description available.

Ces travaux de thèse résultent d’une étude multidisciplinaire dont l’objectif final était d’élaborer une électrode négative à base de zinc pour accumulateur alcalin rechargeable. L’origine de l’étude tient en la découverte surprenante, par la société EASYL, d’un nouveau procédé de synthèse du zincate de calcium (CAZN), matière électrochimiquement active et connue pour ses bonnes caractéristiques de cyclabilité en générateur alcalin rechargeable. L’intérêt de cette découverte réside dans ses caractéristiques avantageuses : la synthèse ultra-rapide se fait en continu, n’utilise aucun système de chauffe ni de solution alcaline et conduit à une granulométrie et une pureté contrôlée du zincate de calcium ; la rendant compatible avec une production industrielle de ce matériau.L’utilisation de CAZN en batterie prismatique de 4 Ah a permis la découverte d’un fonctionnement des électrodes de type cœur-coquille, leur cœur actif étant riche en zinc et leur surface jouant le rôle de couche protectrice ; si la capacité nominale est choisie inférieure à la capacité théorique de la batterie, l’activité à cœur de l’électrode est maintenue sans que sa surface ne soit altérée, ce qui permet d’éviter (ou de ralentir) la formation de dendrite, un effet très bénéfique sur la cyclabilité de l’électrode.Cependant, l’utilisation du zincate de calcium comme seule source de matière active ne semble pas appropriée. En effet, la formation du cœur de zinc conduit à l’apparition d’une couche résistive d’hydroxyde de calcium à sa périphérie, diminuant les performances électrochimiques des électrodes. Aussi surprenant que cela puisse paraitre, il est cependant possible de régénérer une électrode vieillie ayant formé une couche riche en hydroxyde de calcium par un simple repos, soit un arrêt pur et simple de la batterie. La formation de cette couche résistive peut en outre être évitée par l’ajout d’oxyde de zinc sacrificiel au zincate de calcium, additif actif qui s’est avérée efficace tant d’un point de vue morphologique qu’électrochimique.En revanche, la formation contrôlée d’un cœur riche en zinc conduit à la densification du zinc sur lui-même, et diminue la surface de contact matière active/électrolyte et donc les performances électrochimiques. Partant de ce constat, la structure de l’électrode a été intégralement repensée pour permettre la formation, non pas d’un cœur de zinc, mais de plusieurs d’entre eux, par l’emploi de collecteurs de courant multicouches ; cette méthodologie, aussi simple qu’efficace, conduit à d’excellentes performances pratiques et une cyclabilité optimale de la batterie. / The work presented in this document results from a multidisciplinary study, the unique goal of which is to develop a negative electrode for alkaline rechargeable batteries. At the origin of this thesis, is the surprising discovery by EASYL of a new way to synthesize calcium zincate (CAZN), an electrochemically active material known for its good cycling characteristics in alkaline batteries. The advantage of such a discovery resides in its unique characteristics: the ultra-fast synthesis is carried out continuously, uses neither heating system nor alkaline solutions, yields pure and tailored CAZN crystals; it is therefore compatible with an industrial production of this material.Its use in a 4 Ah prismatic batteries allowed to unveil a core-shell operation mechanism, in which the electrode evolves towards an active zinc-core surrounded by a protective shell. So, if the nominal capacity remains below the theoretical one, the core of the electrode can be kept active while the surface is maintained, thus avoiding (or at least slowing down) possible dendrite formation and yielding prolonged cycle life.However, the use of calcium zincate as the only active material source is not appropriate, because the formation of the zinc-core leads to the appearance of a resistive layer of calcium hydroxide at its periphery, which reduces the overall electrochemical performance. As surprising as it may seem, it is possible to regenerate an electrode having formed such a calcium hydroxide-rich layer by a simple rest such as a stop of the battery. Nevertheless, it is preferable to avoid the formation of this resistive layer and to do so, the use of a mixture of sacrificial zinc oxide combined with calcium zincate has proven very effective, both from a morphological and an electrochemical point-of-view.However, the controlled formation of a zinc-rich core leads to zinc densification on itself; this decreases the surface of contact between the active material and the electrolyte, and thus the electrochemical performance. This negative effect has been overcome by drastically rethinking the structure of the electrode, in order to allow the formation of multiple and tailored zinc cores. To that goal, multilayers of current collector were employed, which proved simple and effective to reach high-performance and high cyclability zinc electrodes for alkaline batteries.