O estudo da eletro-oxidação de moléculas orgânicas pequenas, altamente energéticas e ecologicamente sustentáveis, tem ganhado importância no cenário tecnológico atual com o desenvolvimento de atuadores e dispositivos eletrônicos biomiméticos. Ao longo das últimas décadas, avanços no entendimento de mecanismos envolvidos na eletrocatálise destas moléculas levaram luz à existência de comportamento auto-organizado durante as reações destas sobre diversos catalisadores metálicos na ausência e presença de um suporte polimérico. Nesse contexto, a reação de eletro-oxidação de glicose é uma candidata interessante como fonte de elétrons em dispositivos eletrônicos, gerando 24 elétrons em sua oxidação total a CO2. Os objetivos desta tese foram, então, investigar a reação de eletro-oxidação da molécula de glicose, com foco na cinética não-linear sobre diferentes superfícies utilizando Pt, Au, Cu, e polianilina (PANI) (como material de suporte do eletrodo de trabalho de Pt) nas oscilações de potencial observadas. Para isso, foram utilizadas técnicas potencio/galvanodinâmicas, potencio/galvanostáticas, Espectroscopia de Impedância Eletroquímica (EIS) e Nanobalança Eletroquímica de Cristal de Quartzo (EQCN). A reação de eletro-oxidação de glicose se mostrou uma rica fonte de oscilações periódicas de potencial (sobre Pt e Au) e de corrente (sobre Au) em meio alcalino, com oscilações periódicas estáveis, de longa duração e em uma ampla região de parâmetros, porém, a fraca adsorção dessa molécula sobre Cu pode ter sido o principal motivo da ausência de instabilidades neste catalisador. A propriedade das oscilações sobre Au e Pt, em meio alcalino, em apresentar altas amplitudes de potencial tem a capacidade de promover a autolimpeza periódica da superfície do catalisador, prolongando o tempo de vida deste e aumentando sua eficiência. Além disso, a sensibilidade das oscilações de potencial a diferentes adsorbatos permitiu o acesso a informações mecanísticas dificilmente obtidas por demais técnicas eletroquímicas. Estudos nanogravimétricos com a EQCN e eletrodos modificados com PANI mostraram que as variações de massa em condições oscilatórias são determinadas majoritariamente pelo fenômeno de compensação de cargas dentro do filme polimérico e que a oxidação da molécula orgânica é responsável pela variação majoritária de carga no mesmo. O aumento na tolerância destes catalisadores em relação à adsorção de CO e outros intermediários e presença de oscilações de potencial mostra uma mudança no mecanismo reacional em eletrocatalisadores de PANI em comparação a Pt e Au. O processo volumétrico, de aumento e diminuição do volume do suporte polimérico durante as oscilações de potencial, pode ser considerado no edesigne de atuadores auto-oscilantes em dispositivos autônomos. Por fim, a investigação da cinética não-linear na reação de eletro-oxidação de glicose sobre Au foi relatada por este trabalho pela primeira vez na literatura. / The study of the electro-oxidation of small organic molecules, highly energetic and ecologically sustainable, has gained importance in the current technological scenario with the development of actuators and biomimetic electronic devices. Over the last decades, advances in the understanding of the mechanisms involved in the electrocatalysis of these molecules have led light to the existence of self-organized behavior during their reactions on several metal catalysts and metal-polymer composites. More recently, new research has shown that such a phenomenon can be used in the control of the poisoning of catalytic surfaces by self-cleaning the surface, using such oscillatory reactions, increasing the catalyst life time and the potency of practical devices. In this context, the electro-oxidation reaction of glucose is na interesting candidate as electron source in electronic devices, despite the difficulty in its total oxidation, generating 24 electrons in its complete oxidation to CO2. The objectives of this thesis were to investigate the electro-oxidation reaction of the glucose molecule, focusing on the non-linear kinetics on different catalyst surfaces used (Pt, Au and Cu) and the effect of the support for working electrode on potential oscillations. For this, potentio/galvanodynamic, potentio/galvanostatic, Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) and Electrochemical Quartz Crystal Nanobalance (EQCN) techniques were used. The electro-oxidation reaction of glucose was shown to be a rich source of periodic potential oscillations (over Pt and Au) and of current (over Au) in alkaline medium, with stable periodic oscillations of long duration and in a wide range of parameters, but the low adsorption of this molecule on Cu may have been the main reason for the absence of instabilities in this catalyst. In contrast to the high current densities observed for the oxidation of glucose in alkaline medium over Pt and Au, in acid medium the low glucose activity led to low current densities over Pt and unstable potential oscillations in a more constrained range of parameters. In addition, the nonlinear kinetics of the electro-oxidation reaction of glucose on Au was reported by this work for the first time in the literature. Nanogravimetric studies with EQCN with polyaniline-modified electrodes have shown that the potential oscillations during the electro-oxidation of formic acid are strongly influenced by the process of charge compensation in the polymer film, for both the electrode of Pt coated with PANI (Pt/PANI) and for Pt nanoparticles deposited in this polymer support (Au/PANI/Pt). However, the decrease in the potential values where oscillations are observed and the decrease in their frequency can be explained by the increase in the tolerance of the Pt nanoparticles to the adsorption of CO and other intermediates, as reported by several authors in the literature. And in Pt nanoparticle electrodes supported by films such as PANI, the charge variation is still dominated by the organic oxidation reaction and the mass variation in the surface of the catalyst is dominated by the charge compensation effect within the film. Thus, the decrease of the catalyst affinity by organic adsorption makes the dynamic instabilities kinetics slower, as observed for the Pt, Au and PANIbased electrodes. And the higher tolerance of the catalyst supported on the polymer electrode by strong adsorbates, such as CO, does not prevent the emergence of oscillatory behavior, however, it can direct the oxidation reaction of the organic by a different mechanism pathway.

Submitted by Claudinei Pracidelli (cpracide@ipen.br) on 2016-11-11T09:51:24Z No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2016-11-11T09:51:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / PtBi/C e PdBi/C foram preparados em diferentes razões atômicas (100:0, 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40 e 50:50) pelo método de redução via borohidreto de sódio (com adição total da solução de borohidreto em uma única etapa) utilizando H2PtCl6.6H2O, Pd(NO3)2, (BiNO3)3.5H2O como fonte de metais, Vulcan® (XC72-Cabot) como suporte de carbono e com uma carga metálica correspondente a 20% em massa. Os eletrocatalisadores obtidos foram caracterizados por difração de raios-X (DRX), microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (MET) e voltametria cíclica (VC). A atividade dos diferentes materiais preparados para a oxidação eletroquímica do ácido fórmico foi realizada em eletrólito ácido e alcalino utilizando-se as técnicas de voltametria cíclica, e cronoamperometria. Para estes estudos foi utilizado a técnica do eletrodo de camada fina porosa. A caracterização eletroquímica permitiu comparar o desempenho eletroquímico da platina e paládio, além de avaliar o benefício da presença do bismuto nas razões atômicas propostas. Os difratogramas de raio-X (DRX) confirmaram para todos os compostos de PtBi/C e PdBi/C a formação da estrutura cúbica de face centrada (cfc) característicos da rede cristalina da platina e do Paládio respectivamente. Outros picos encontrados foram associados a presença de fases de óxido de bismuto em ambos os compostos, PtBi/C e PdBi/C. A microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (MET) indicou que a presença de maiores teores de bismuto não acarretaram em aumento do tamanho médio da partícula. Os resultados eletroquímicos em meio alcalino indicaram que ainda é necessário uma otimização da concentração de ácido fórmico para que possamos observar melhores resultados quanto à adição de bismuto na platina ou paládio, no entanto os estudos em meio ácido mostraram o efeito benéfico da adição de bismuto tanto para platina quanto para o paládio. / Dissertação (Mestrado em Tecnologia Nuclear) / IPEN/D / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP

Abstract New methods are being sought for the production of chemicals, fuels and energy from renewable biomass. Lignocellulosic biomass consists mainly of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. Cellulose and hemicellulose can be converted to their building blocks, i.e. sugars, via hydrolysis. This thesis is focused on glucose production from cellulose by dilute acid hydrolysis. Acid hydrolysis has the drawback of limited glucose yields, but it has the potential to become a short-term solution for biochemical production. During acid hydrolysis, the cellulose chain is split into glucose, which undergoes further decomposition reactions to hydroxymethylfurfural, levulinic acid, formic acid and by-products like insoluble humins. The present thesis aims to increase our knowledge on complicated acid-catalysed hydrolysis of cellulose. Glucose decomposition and cellulose hydrolysis were studied independently in laboratory experiments. Kinetic modelling was used as a tool to evaluate the results. The effect of the hydrogen ion on the reactions was evaluated using formic or sulphuric acid as a catalyst. This thesis provides new knowledge of cellulose hydrolysis and glucose decomposition in formic acid, a novel catalyst for high-temperature dilute acid hydrolysis. Glucose yields from cellulose hydrolysed in formic or in sulphuric acid were comparable, indicating that a weak organic acid could function as a cellulose hydrolysis catalyst. Biomass fibres in the form of wheat straw pulp were hydrolysed more selectively to glucose than a model component, microcrystalline cellulose, using formic acid. Glucose decomposition took place similarly in formic and sulphuric acid when the temperature dependence of the hydrogen ion concentration was taken into account, but a significant difference was found between the reaction rates of cellulose hydrolysis in formic acid and in sulphuric acid. The observations can be explained by changes in the cellulose hydrolysis mechanism. Thus, it is proposed in this thesis that side-reactions from cellulose to non-glucose compounds have a more significant role in the system than has earlier been understood. / Tiivistelmä Uusia menetelmiä etsitään kemikaalien, polttoaineiden ja energian valmistamiseen uusiutuvasta biomassasta. Eräs biomassa, ns. lignoselluloosa, koostuu pääasiassa selluloosasta, hemiselluloosasta ja ligniinistä. Selluloosa ja hemiselluloosa voidaan muuttaa hydrolyysin avulla niiden rakennuspalikoikseen eli sokereiksi. Tämä väitöskirja keskittyy glukoosin tuottamiseen selluloosasta laimean happohydrolyysin menetelmällä. Happohydrolyysi kärsii rajoittuneesta glukoosin saannosta, mutta sillä on potentiaalia tulla lyhyen aikavälin ratkaisuksi biokemikaalien tuotannossa. Happohydrolyysin aikana selluloosaketju pilkkoutuu glukoosiksi, joka reagoi edelleen hajoamisreaktioiden kautta hydroksimetyylifurfuraaliksi, levuliini- ja muurahaishapoiksi ja kiinteäksi sivutuotteeksi. Tämän tutkimuksen tavoitteena on kasvattaa ymmärrystämme monimutkaisesta happokatalysoidusta selluloosan hydrolyysistä. Glukoosin hajoamista ja selluloosan hydrolyysiä tutkittiin erikseen laboratoriokokein. Kineettistä mallinnusta käytettiin työkaluna arvioimaan tuloksia. Vety-ionien vaikutus reaktioihin arvioitiin käyttämällä muurahais- ja rikkihappoja katalyytteinä. Tämä väitöskirja antaa uutta tietoa selluloosan hydrolyysistä ja glukoosin hajoamisreaktioista muurahaishapossa, joka on uusi katalyytti korkean lämpötilan laimean hapon hydrolyysissä. Glukoosisaannot muurahaishappo-hydrolysoidusta selluloosasta olivat vertailukelpoisia vastaaviin rikkihappo-hydrolyysi saantoihin. Tämä viittaa siihen, että heikko orgaaninen happo voisi toimia selluloosahydrolyysin katalyyttinä. Kun katalyyttinä käytettiin muurahaishappoa, vehnän oljesta tehdyt kuidut hydrolysoituivat selektiivisemmin glukoosiksi kuin mallikomponenttina toimineen mikrokiteisen selluloosan. Kun vetyionikonsentraation lämpötilariippuvuus otettiin huomioon, glukoosi hajosi samalla tavalla sekä muurahais- että rikkihappokatalyytissä, mutta merkittävä ero havaittiin selluloosahydrolyysin reaktionopeudessa. Havainnot voidaan selittää selluloosahydrolyysin mekanismissa tapahtuvilla muutoksilla. Väitöskirjassa esitetään, että sivureaktioilla selluloosasta ei-glukoosi-tuotteiksi on merkittävä vaikutus systeemiin.

A chemical ionisation mass spectrometer (CIMS) was developed and utilised for measurements onboard the Facility for Atmospheric Airborne Measurements (FAAM) BAe-146 aircraft. The I- ionisation scheme was implemented to detect nitric acid (HNO3), formic acid (HC(O)OH), hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and dinitrogen pentoxide (N2O5) simultaneously at a sampling frequency of 1 Hz. Sensitivities ranged from 35±6 ion counts pptv-1 s-1 for HC(O)OH to 4±0.9 ion counts pptv-1 s-1 for HCN and limits of detection from 37 ppt for HNO3 and 5 ppt for HCN. Trace gas concentrations of species such as HC(O)OH are currently under predicted in global models. In order to understand their role in controlling air quality, it is crucial that their production pathways and abundance are accurately measured and constrained. To date, airborne measurements of these trace gases have been difficult as a result of instrumental limitations on an aircraft such as limit of detection and sampling frequency. The first UK airborne measurements of HC(O)OH and HNO3 confirmed that HC(O)OH is under predicted by up to a factor of 2 in a trajectory model that implements the full Master Chemical Mechanism (MCM) and Common Representative Intermediate Scheme (CRI). The inclusion of a primary vehicle source enabled the model to reproduce the concentrations observed; verifying that direct sources are under represented. Secondary formation of HC(O)OH was observed through its correlation with HNO3 and ozone (O3), indicating a strong photochemical production source. Hydroxyl (OH) concentrations were estimated for the first time in a flight around the UK using the HC(O)OH and HNO3 measurements. A biomass burning (BB) plume identification technique is applied to data obtained from Canadian biomass fires using HCN as a marker. A 6 sigma above background approach to defining a plume resulted in a higher R2 correlating value for the normalised excess mixing ratio (NEMR) to carbon monoxide (CO) when compared to current methods in the literature. The NEMR obtained from this work; 3.76±0.02 pptv ppbv-1, lies within the range found in the literature. This NEMR is then used to calculate a global emission total for HCN of 0.92 Tg (N) yr-1 when incorporated into the global tropospheric model STOCHEM CRI. The first direct N2O5 airborne measurements on an aircraft at night are compared to indirect measurements taken by a broadband cavity enhancement absorption spectrometer. An average R2 correlation coefficient of 0.87 observed over 8 flights for 1 Hz measurements indicates the selectiveness of the I- ionisation scheme to detect N2O5 directly, without nitrate (NO3) interference.

Les ressources fossiles que sont le gaz ou le pétrole permettent non seulement de couvrir la majeure partie des besoins énergétiques mondiaux, mais fournissent également les briques élémentaires carbonées utiles à des pans entiers de l’industrie chimique. L’utilisation massive de ces combustibles fossiles pose toutefois un problème écologique majeur, le réchauffement climatique, qui se doublera à terme d’un problème de disponibilité de ces ressources. Pour pallier ces difficultés, une des solutions envisagées consiste à abandonner progressivement les hydrocarbures fossiles au profit de ressources carbonées renouvelables telles que le CO₂ ou la biomasse lignocellulosique pour le stockage de l’énergie et/ou comme sources de produits chimiques. Cette entreprise, qui se propose de transformer des substrats fortement oxygénés contenant des liaisons C=O et C–O, requiert fondamentalement un apport d’énergie sous la forme de transferts d’électrons dans des réactions de réduction pour former des liaisons C–H qui préexistent dans les produits dérivés du pétrole. Dans ce contexte, le présent travail doctoral se propose en premier lieu de définir les attributs d’un réducteur renouvelable, c’est-à-dire d’une espèce chimique adaptée à la réduction – limitée à des transferts d’hydrure – de ressources renouvelables oxygénées tel que le CO₂. Les avantages et inconvénients de différentes sources d’hydrure (H₂, acide formique, hydroboranes et hydrosilanes) seront ainsi analysés à la lueur de considérations thermodynamiques et cinétiques et la renouvelabilité de ces réducteurs sera discutée. Dans un second temps, les propriétés réductrices de nouveaux réducteurs renouvelables que sont les formiates de bore et de silicium seront étudiées. Ces composés combinent une source d’hydrure renouvelable, l’acide formique, avec un élément oxophile du groupe principal dont les propriétés stéréoéléctroniques sont modulables. Par un dialogue entre expérience et théorie, il sera démontré que ces composés peuvent avantageusement remplacer les hydroboranes ou hydrosilanes, non renouvelables, dans différents processus réducteurs qui seront unifiés derrière le concept plus général d’hydroélémentations par transfert. / The utilization of cheap and abundant sustainable resources such as carbon dioxide or biomass derivatives as source of fuel and chemicals imposes the development of efficient reduction methods, able to promote the conversion of C-O bonds (π and σ) into C-H bonds in an energy and atom efficient manner. Within the realm of C-O reduction methods, the utilization of main group element-based hydrides (e.g. LiAlH₄ or NaBH₄) has proven highly beneficial in terms of selectivity and versatility in the reduction of various functional groups, including poorly electrophilic CO₂. This behavior not only stems from the positive kinetic attributes of these reductants in hydride transfer reactions but also from the oxophilicity of the main group elements that ensures the reductions are downhill processes. Yet, the latter appealing features comes at an energetic price, and the preparation of main group hydrides mainly relies on energy-demanding processes, which in turn limit the recyclability of these reductants. With the goal in mind to circumvent these limitations while preserving the beneficial properties of the main-group element during reduction, one of the major objectives of the research project presented therein was to study the unknown reductive chemistry of boryl formate and silyl formates. The latter indeed combine a renewable hydride source (formic acid can be obtained by 2e electroreduction of CO₂) linked directly to the main group element by the oxygen atom of the formate, which hints at the recyclability of this class of main group element-based reductants. Through a joint experimental and theoretical study, it will be demonstrated that these compounds can advantageously replace non-renewable hydroboranes or hydrosilanes in various reducing processes, which will be unified behind the more general concept of transfer hydroelementation.

A eletro-oxidação de ácido fórmico vem sendo discutida por muito tempo na literatura, em particular, a natureza do intermediário ativo no caminho direto tem sido debatida. Recentemente alguns grupos relataram novos aspectos deste processo por meio da análise da oxidação de ácido fórmico e sua dependência com o pH da solução. A maioria dos estudos, no entanto, foi realizado sob condições convencionais, ou seja, próximas ao estado de equilíbrio termodinâmico. Alternativamente, o sistema pode ser estudado longe do equilíbrio pelo controle da corrente, nessas condições a oxidação de moléculas orgânicas pequenas sobre platina pode apresentar a formação de padrões e mostrar comportamentos oscilatórios. Pelas condições drasticamente diferentes se poderia alcançar um melhor entendimento do rede complexo de reação, qual fica escondido em experimentos convencionais. Dessa maneira, a dependência do pH de oxidação de ácido fórmico foi revisitada em voltametria cíclica e estendida a uma ampla região de temperatura e condições oscilatórias. Algumas observações adicionais podem ser obtidas: a) a dependência do pH, como relatada anteriormente, pode ser reproduzida, reforçando a proposição do formiato mais provável como espécie ativa, em lugar do ácido fórmico; b) em meio ácido um terceiro caminho ao lado dos caminhos direito e indireto poderia ser ativo; c) padrões oscilatórios foram encontrados em meio alcalino e evidenciaram o carácter bloqueante de espécies oxigenadas como responsável pela formação de padrões; d) geralmente, todos os processos envolvidos diretamente ou indiretamente, podem ser muito propensos a variações pequenas no pH e temperatura da solução, que a atividade deles pode mudar significativamente e o sistema apresentar resultados diferentes sob condições similares. Adicionalmente, os estudos foram estendidos à oxidação de metanol, qual permitido um visto diferenciado na adsorção de espécies carbonáceas e oxigenadas, as quais principalmente poderiam ter caráter inibitório. Apesar disso, como os resultadas mostraram sob algumas condições, uma interação efetiva de ambas espécies via o mecanismo de Langmuir-Hinshelwood pode ocorrer, que o caminho direito da oxidação pode mostrar uma atividade mais alta e as padrões oscilatórios desaparecem. Observou-se ainda que o ácido fórmico produzido como subproduto parcialmente oxidado poderia ter um papel importante na reação da eletro-oxidação de metanol. Ao fim foi encontrado que não apenas ajustamentos como ligar platina com ouro pode melhorar o desempenho do catalisador pelos efeitos eletrônicos e ligantes, mas também modificações no conteúdo da solução, como a oxidação simultânea do ácido fórmico e metanol poderiam permitir um aumento no desempenho. Em ambos os casos a formação de CO pode ser oprimida, que o processo mais ativo, notadamente a oxidação direta do ácido fórmico é mais pronunciada. / The electro-oxidation of formic acid remained under discussion for a long time in literature, where especially the active intermediate in the direct oxidation pathway was discussed controversially. Recently some groups reported new insight by the analysis of the formic acid oxidation in dependence on the bulk solution pH. Yet, the majority of the studies are carried out under conventional conditions, which are close to the thermodynamic equilibrium. On the other hand the system can be driven far from equilibrium by controlling the current, conditions where the oxidation of small organic molecules over platinum may undergo pattern formation and show oscillatory behaviour. Due to the drastically different conditions one may get a better understanding of the complex reaction network, which remains hidden in conventional experiments. Thus, the pH dependence of formic acid oxidation was revisited under steady state voltammetry and extended to a wide temperature range and oscillating conditions. Here insight could be given in various points: a) the pH dependence, as reported earlier, could be reproduced and strongly suggests formate rather than formic acid as most active species; b) in acidic media a third pathway beside direct and indirect ones may be active; c) newly found oscillation patterns in alkaline media revealed the site blocking character of adsorbed water species as possible origin for pattern formation; and d) generally, all surface processes, which are directly or indirectly involved, can be very susceptible to small variations in the bulk solution pH and temperature, that their activity can change significantly and the system emerge different results under similar conditions. Further effort was done to extend the study to methanol oxidation, which allowed a differentiated view on the adsorption of carbonaceous and oxygenated species, which may have mostly inhibiting character. Yet, as the results showed under some conditions, an effective interaction of both species via Langmuir-Hinshelwood mechansim can be realized, that the direct oxidation pathway can undergo higher activity and oscillation patterns may cease. It could also be found, that the produced formic acid as partially oxidized by-product may have a crucial role in the reaction network of the electro-oxidation of methanol. At last it could be found, that not just adjustments like alloying of platinum with gold can enhance the catalyst performance by electronic and ligand effects, but also modifications in the solution content, such as simultaneous oxidation of formic acid and methanol allow an increasing performance. In both ways the formation of CO can be suppressed, that the most active process, namely the direct oxidation of formic acid is more pronounced.

The polymer electrolyte fuel cell converts the chemical energy in a fuel, e.g. hydrogen or methanol, and oxygen into electrical energy. The high efficiency and the possibility to use fuel from renewable sources make them attractive as energy converters in future sustainable energy systems. Great progress has been made in the development of the PEFC during the last decade, but still improved lifetime as well as lowered cost is needed before a broad commercialization can be considered. The electrodes play an important role in this since the cost of platinum used as catalyst constitutes a large part of the total cost for the fuel cell. A large part of the degradation in performance can also be related to the degradation of the porous electrode and a decreased electrochemically active Pt surface. In this thesis, different fuel cell reactions, catalysts and support materials are investigated with the aim to investigate the possibility to improve the activity, stability and utilisation of platinum in the fuel cell electrodes. An exchange current density, i0, of 770 mA cm-2Pt was determined for the hydrogen oxidation reaction in the fuel cell with the model electrodes. This is higher than previously found in literature and implies that the kinetic losses on the anode are very small. The anode loading could therefore be reduced without imposing too high potential losses if good mass transport of hydrogen is ensured. It was also shown that the electrochemically active surface area, activity and stability of the electrode can be affected by the support material. An increased activity was observed at higher potentials for Pt deposited on tungsten oxide, which was related to the postponed oxide formation for Pt on WOx. An improved stability was seen for Pt deposited on tungsten oxide and on iridium oxide. A better Pt stability was also observed for Pt on a low surface non-graphitised support compared to a high surface graphitised support. Pt deposited on titanium and tungsten oxide, displayed an enhanced electrochemically active surface area in the cyclic voltammograms, which was explained by the good proton conductivity of the metal oxides. CO-stripping was shown to provide the most reliable measure of the electrochemically active surface area of the electrode in the fuel cell. It was also shown to be a useful tool in characterization of the degradation of the electrodes. In the study of oxidation of small organic compounds, the reaction was shown to be affected by the off transport of reactants and by the addition of chloride impurities. Pt and PtRu were affected differently, which enabled extraction of information about the reaction mechanisms and rate determining steps. The polymer electrolyte fuel cell converts the chemical energy in a fuel, e.g. hydrogen or methanol, and oxygen into electrical energy. The high efficiency and the possibility to use fuel from renewable sources make them attractive as energy converters in future sustainable energy systems. Great progress has been made in the development of the PEFC during the last decade, but still improved lifetime as well as lowered cost is needed before a broad commercialization can be considered. The electrodes play an important role in this since the cost of platinum used as catalyst constitutes a large part of the total cost for the fuel cell. A large part of the degradation in performance can also be related to the degradation of the porous electrode and a decreased electrochemically active Pt surface. In this thesis, different fuel cell reactions, catalysts and support materials are investigated with the aim to investigate the possibility to improve the activity, stability and utilisation of platinum in the fuel cell electrodes. An exchange current density, i0, of 770 mA cm-2Pt was determined for the hydrogen oxidation reaction in the fuel cell with the model electrodes. This is higher than previously found in literature and implies that the kinetic losses on the anode are very small. The anode loading could therefore be reduced without imposing too high potential losses if good mass transport of hydrogen is ensured. It was also shown that the electrochemically active surface area, activity and stability of the electrode can be affected by the support material. An increased activity was observed at higher potentials for Pt deposited on tungsten oxide, which was related to the postponed oxide formation for Pt on WOx. An improved stability was seen for Pt deposited on tungsten oxide and on iridium oxide. A better Pt stability was also observed for Pt on a low surface non-graphitised support compared to a high surface graphitised support. Pt deposited on titanium and tungsten oxide, displayed an enhanced electrochemically active surface area in the cyclic voltammograms, which was explained by the good proton conductivity of the metal oxides. CO-stripping was shown to provide the most reliable measure of the electrochemically active surface area of the electrode in the fuel cell. It was also shown to be a useful tool in characterization of the degradation of the electrodes. In the study of oxidation of small organic compounds, the reaction was shown to be affected by the off transport of reactants and by the addition of chloride impurities. Pt and PtRu were affected differently, which enabled extraction of information about the reaction mechanisms and rate determining steps. / Polymerelektrolytbränslecellen omvandlar den kemiska energin i ett bränsle, exv. vätgas eller metanol, och syrgas  till elektrisk energi. Den höga verkningsgraden samt möjligheten att använda bränsle från förnyelsebara källor gör dem attraktiva som energiomvandlare i framtida hållbara energisystem. En enorm utveckling har skett under det senaste årtiondet men för att kunna introducera polymerelektrolytbränslecellen på marknaden i en större skala måste livstiden öka och kostnaden minska. Elektroderna har en central del i detta då den platina som används som katalysator står för en stor del av kostnaden för bränslecellen. En stor del av prestandaförsämringen med tiden hos bränslecellen kan också relateras till en degradering av den porösa elektroden och en minskad elektrokemiskt aktiv platinayta. I denna avhandling studeras olika bränslecellsreaktioner samt olika katalysatorer och supportmaterial med målet att undersöka möjligheten att förbättra platinakatalysatorns aktivitet, stabilitet och utnyttjandegrad i bränslecellselektroder. Utbytesströmtätheten, i0, för vätgasoxidationen i bränslecell bestämdes till 770 mA cm-2Pt genom försök med modellelektroderna. Denna var högre än vad som framkommit tidigare i litteratur, vilket visar att de kinetiska förlusterna på anoden är mycket små. Katalysatormängden på anoden borde därför kunna minskas utan några större potentialförluster så länge masstransporten av vätgas är tillräcklig. Den elektrokemiskt aktiva ytan, aktiviteten och stabiliteten hos elektroden visade sig kunna påverkas av supportmaterialet. Platina deponerad på volfram oxid hade en högre aktivitet vid höga potentialer vilket relaterades till den förskjutna oxidbildningen på ytan. Elektroder med platina på volframoxid och iridiumoxid var mer stabila än elektroder med platina på kol. Det var även platina på ett icke grafitiserat kol med låg yta jämfört med platina på grafitiserade kol med en hög yta. Platina på metalloxidskikt av volfram och titan visade en högre elektrokemiskt aktiv yta i de cykliska voltamogrammen än platina på kol, vilket förklarades med att båda metalloxiderna har en bra protonledningsförmåga. CO-stripping gav det säkraste måttet på den elektrokemiskt aktiva ytan i en elektrod i bränslecell. CO-stripping visade sig även vara användbart för karaktärisering av degraderingen av en elektrod. Oxidationen av små organiska föreningar påverkades av borttransporten av intermediärer samt av kloridföroreningar. Pt aoch PtRu påverkades olika vilket gjorde det möjligt att få fram information om reaktionsmekanismer och hastighetsbestämmande steg. / QC 20101014

Alloys, intermetallic compounds and multi-metal oxides are generally made by traditional solid-state methods that often require melting or grinding/pressing powders followed by high temperature annealing (> 1000 degrees C) for days or weeks. The research presented here takes advantage of the fact that nanoparticles have a large fraction of their atoms on the surface making them highly reactive and their small size virtually eliminates the solid-solid diffusion process as the rate limiting step. Materials that normally require high temperatures and long annealing times become more accessible at relatively low-temperatures because of the increased interfacial contact between the nanoparticle reactants. Metal nanoparticles, formed via reduction of metal salts in an aqueous solution and stabilized by PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone), were mixed into nanoparticle composites in stoichometric proportions. The composite mixtures were then annealed at relatively low temperatures to form alloy and intermetallic compounds at or below 600 degrees C. This method was further extended to synthesizing multi-metal oxide systems by annealing metal oxide nanoparticle composites hundreds of degrees lower than more traditional methods. Nanoparticles of Pt (supported or unsupported) were added to a metal salt solution of tetraethylene glycol and heated to obtain alloy and intermetallic nanoparticles. The supported intermetallic nanoparticles were tested as catalysts and PtPb/Vulcan XC-72 showed enhanced catalytic activity for formic acid oxidation while Pt3Sn/Vulcan XC-72 and Cu3Pt/y-Al2O3 catalyzed CO oxidiation at lower temperatures than supported Pt. Intermetallic nanoparticles of Pd were synthesized by conversion chemistry methods previously mentioned and were supported on carbon and alumina. These nanoparticles were tested for Suzuki cross-coupling reactions. However; the homocoupled product was generally favored. The catalytic activity of Pd3Pb/y-Al2O3 was tested for the Heck reaction and gave results comparable to Pd/y-Al2O3 with a slightly better selectivity. Conversion chemistry techniques were used to convert Pt nanocubes into Ptbased intermetallic nanocrystals in solution. It was discovered that aggregated clusters of Pt nanoparticles were capable of converting to FePt3; however, when Pt nanocubes were used the intermetallic phase did not form. Alternatively, it was possible to form PtSn nanocubes by a conversion reaction with SnCl2.

Le parasite Varroa destructor provoque depuis plus de 30 ans la perte de nombreuses colonies à travers le monde. L’utilisation d’acaricides de synthèse s’est avérée inefficace au Canada et ailleurs dans le monde à la suite de la sélection de varroas résistants. Dans ce contexte, il est devenu impératif de trouver de nouveaux moyens pour contrôler cette peste apicole. Ce travail original de recherche a pour but de déterminer les paramètres fondamentaux d’une lutte intégrée contre la varroase fondée sur l’utilisation périodique de différents pesticides organiques (l’acide oxalique, l’acide formique et le thymol) associée à des seuils d’interventions. Les seuils d’intervention ont été déterminés à l’aide de régressions linéaires entre les taux de parasitisme par V. destructor et la formance zootechnique des colonies d’abeilles mellifères (production de miel et force des colonies). Un total de 154 colonies d’abeilles du Centre de recherche en sciences animales de Deschambault (CRSAD) ont été suivies de septembre 2005 à septembre 2006. Les seuils calculés et proposés à la suite de cette recherche sont de 2 varroas par jour (chute naturelle) au début mai, 10 varroas par jour à la fin juillet et de 9 varroas par jour au début septembre. L’efficacité des traitements organiques avec l’acide oxalique (AO), l’acide formique (AF) et le thymol a été vérifiée en mai (avant la première miellée) en juillet (entre deux miellées), en septembre (après la miellée et pendant le nourrissage des colonies) et en novembre (avant l’hivernage). L’acide oxalique a été appliqué en utilisant la méthode d’égouttement (4% d’AO p/v dans un sirop de sucrose 1 :1 p/v). L’acide formique a été appliquée sous forme de MiteAwayII™ (tampon commercial imbibé d’AF 65% v/v placé sur le dessus des cadres à couvain), Mitewipe (tampons Dri-Loc™ 10/15cm imbibés de 35 mL d’AF 65% v/v placés sur le dessus des cadres à couvain) ou Flash (AF 65% coulé directement sur le plateau inférieur d’une colonie, 2 mL par cadre avec abeilles). Le thymol a été appliqué sous forme d’Apiguard™ (gélose contenant 25% de thymol p/v placée sur le dessus des cadres à couvain). Les essais d’efficacité ont été réalisés de 2006 à 2008 sur un total de 170 colonies (98 appartenant au CRSAD et 72 appartenant au privé). Les résultats montrent que les traitements de printemps testés ont une faible efficacité pour le contrôle des varroas qui sont en pleine croissance durant cette période. Un traitement avec l’AF à la mi-été permet de réduire les taux de parasites sous le seuil en septembre mais il y a risque de contaminer la récolte de miel avec des résidus d’AF. Les traitements en septembre avec le MiteAwayII™ suivis par un traitement à l’acide oxalique en novembre (5 mL par égouttement entre chaque cadre avec abeilles, 4% d’AO p/v dans un sirop de sucrose 1 :1 p/v) sont les plus efficaces : ils réduisent les niveaux de varroase sous le seuil de 2 varroas par jour au printemps. Nos résultats montrent également que les traitements réalisés tôt en septembre sont plus efficaces et produisent des colonies plus fortes au printemps comparativement à un traitement réalisé un mois plus tard en octobre. En conclusion, ce travail de recherche démontre qu’il est possible de contenir le développement de la varroase dans les ruchers au Québec en utilisant une méthode de lutte intégrée basée sur une combinaison d’applications d’acaricides organiques associée à des seuils d’intervention. / For nearly 30 years, Varroa destructor has been responsible for the loss of many honey bee colonies around the world. The continued use of synthetic acaricides has resulted in their reduced efficacy against this pest in Canada and in other countries because of the selection of resistant mite populations. With this situation still present, it has become of utmost importance to develop efficient methods to control this apicultural pest. The major goal of this original work is to determine the fundamental parameters underlying the use of an integrated pest management (IPM) strategy against the varroa mite. The IPM strategy developed in this research is based on the periodic use of organic pesticides (oxalic acid, formic acid and thymol) and treatment threshold. Treatment thresholds were determined from linear regressions between the varroa mite levels and the zootechnical performances (honey production and colony strength) of honey bee colonies. A total of 154 honey bee colonies from the livestock of the “Centre de recherche en sciences animales de Deschambault” (CRSAD) were monitored from September 2005 to September 2006. Based on our findings, we propose economic treatment thresholds for three periods in the year: early May, late July and early September that are respectively 2, 10 and 9 varroa mites per day. Efficacy of the various organic treatments: formic acid (FA), oxalic acid (OA) and thymol was evaluated in May (before the first honey flow), in July between two honey flows, in September (after the honey flow and before the fall feeding of colonies) and in November (before wintering). OA was applied using the trickling method (4% OA w/v in a sucrose syrup 1:1 w/v). FA was applied using MiteAwayII™ (pads imbedded with FA 65% v/v placed on top of brood frames), Mitewipe (Dri-Loc™ pads 10/15cm imbedded with 35 mL FA 65% v/v placed on top of brood frames), Flash (FA 65% poured directly on the bottom board of colonies, 2 mL per frame with bees). Thymol was applied using Apiguard™ (gel with 25% de thymol w/v placed on top of the brood frames). Efficacy trials were realised from 2006 to 2008 on a total of 170 colonies (98 from the CRSAD and 72 owned by a commercial beekeeper). Results show that treatments applied in spring give low efficacy on reducing varroa mite populations that are in full growth at this time because of large amounts of brood available for mite reproduction. Application of a FA treatment in mid-summer offers the opportunity to reduce mite populations at the 11 mites per day September threshold but FA summer application is accompanied by a risk of incorporating residues in the harvested honey. Application of MiteAwayII™ in September followed by an oxalic acid treatment in November (trickling method 4% OA w/v in a sucrose syrup 1 :1 w/v, 5 mL between frames with bees) gave the best efficacy results: varroa mite levels are reduced below the 2 mites per day spring threshold. Our results also show that an early September management strategy of colonies for winter preparation (varroa treatment and fall feeding) gives greater varroa control, higher colony winter survival and stronger colonies in spring when compared to a later treatment in October. In conclusion, this work shows that varroa mite control in honey bee colonies in Québec is possible by using an integrated pest management strategy based on the application of a combination of organic acaricides in association with treatment thresholds.

Ce projet de thèse a concerné la recherche et le développement de catalyseurs multifonctionnels efficaces et de procédés catalytiques en une étape (hydrolyse-déshydratation, hydrolyse-oxydation) pour la transformation de la cellulose en produits chimiques à valeur ajoutée (glucose, 5-HMF, acide formique). Ces produits sont également connus sous le nom de molécules plateformes et ils présentent un intérêt dans une large gamme d'applications, par exemple, pour les industries alimentaires et chimiques et pour la production de carburants. Dans ce projet, des recherches systématiques sur la synthèse de l'acide formique en présence de catalyseurs HPA contenant du vanadium ont d'abord été conduites. En particulier, l'influence de la composition du catalyseur et des paramètres du procédé sur le rendement en produit cible a été étudiée. Le rendement en AF obtenu (66%) est supérieur à tous les résultats rapportés dans la littérature à ce jour. Les catalyseurs NbOx / ZrO2 ont été évalués pour la première fois sur la réaction d'hydrolyse-déshydratation de la cellulose microcristalline activée en milieu aqueux. Des rendements élevés en glucose et en 5-HMF (22 et 16%, respectivement) ont été observés. Des catalyseurs carbonés à base du matériau Sibunit modifié ont été utilisés pour la première fois pour l'hydrolyse-déshydratation de la cellulose. Les rendements en glucose (jusqu'à 74% dans un réacteur en continu) et en 5-HMF (jusqu'à 21% dans un réacteur statique) ont été obtenus en présence de Sibunit modifié par sulfonation et / ou oxydation. Ces résultats sont également supérieurs à ceux reportés à ce jour sur les systèmes catalytiques carbonés. La relation entre l'activité sur les réactions d’hydrolyse-déshydratation et la méthode d'activation du carbone a été étudiée en profondeur. L'étude du mécanisme et de la cinétique de la réaction d'hydrolyse-déshydratation de la cellulose en présence de catalyseurs acides solides a également été réalisée. / The PhD project was devoted to search for and to develop effective multifunctional catalysts and catalytic one-stage processes (hydrolysis-dehydration, hydrolysis-oxidation) for transformation of cellulose to valuable chemicals (glucose, 5-HMF, formic acid). These products are also known as platform molecules and they seem to be promising for a wide range of application in food and chemical industries and for fuel production. In this project, systematic investigations of the formic acid synthesis in the presence of vanadium-containing HPA catalysts was first conducted; the influence of the catalyst composition and process parameters on the yield of the target product was studied. The obtained FA yield (66 %) was superior to all the results reported in literature. The NbOx/ZrO2 catalysts were applied for the first time for hydrolysis-dehydration of activated microcrystalline cellulose in pure water. High yields of glucose and 5-HMF (22 and 16 %, respectively) were observed. Carbon catalysts based on modified Sibunit material was used for the first time for cellulose hydrolysis-dehydration. The yields of glucose (up to 74 % in a flow reactor) and 5-HMF (up to 21 % in a static reactor) were obtained in the presence of Sibunit modified by sulfation and/or oxidation; these are much superior to the results on carbon catalytic systems reported in literature. The relation between the activity to hydrolysis-dehydration and the method of the carbon activation was thoroughly studied. Investigations of the mechanism and kinetics of cellulose hydrolysis-dehydration in the presence of solid acid catalysts were also carried out.