La synthèse d’objets hybrides silice/latex constitue le coeur de ce travail de doctorat ; il s’agit de recouvrir partiellement des particules de polystyrène par de la silice nanométrique. Pour cela la polymérisation en émulsion de la phase organique in-situ en présence de nanoparticules de silice a été sélectionnée, en présence d’auxiliaires organiques pour rendre les surfaces amphiphiles. Les premières formulations mises en oeuvre avec des tensioactifs n’ont pas conduit à la décoration des latex parce que la présence de ces molécules aux interfaces favorise plutôt la dispersion des latex, empêchant l’adsorption de la silice. Par la suite, l’étude de deux systèmes composés respectivement d’une silice chargée négativement et du PEGMA, et d’une silice chargée positivement et du PSS, ont permis d’obtenir des latex « décorés » caractérisés par ATG et MET. Les mécanismes proposés s’appuient, selon les conditions, sur des mécanismes de nucléation homogène ou de nucléation en gouttelettes. Il apparait que la maîtrise des interactions pouvant être produites à la surface du latex est très importante pour permettre à la silice de se placer à sa surface. Ainsi, le choix de l’amorceur ou de l’auxiliaire organique est un paramètre clé pour obtenir des particules hybrides.Dans la dernière partie de cette étude, la silice a été introduite sous la forme d’objets hybrides silice/latex dans une suspension d’alumine pour procéder à l’hétérocoagulation des deux matériaux et à la granulation de l’alumine. La combinaison des propriétés des matériaux organique et inorganique constituant les particules hybrides a permis de conduire à l’amélioration de l’organisation microstructurale interne du granule lors de l’étape de séchage, en diminuant de manière significative les fissurations au sein des granules. / This work is centered on the silica/latex hybrid particles synthesis: the aim of the study is to partially cover the polystyrene beads with silica nanoparticles. For this purpose, in-situ emulsion polymerization of the organic phase with silica has been selected with organic auxiliaries to make the surfaces amphiphilic. The first compositions processed with surfactants did not lead to latex decoration because the presence of the molecules at the interface favors the dispersion of the latex impeding silica adsorption. Then, the study of two systems with, in one hand negatively charged silica and PEGMA, and in the other hand positively charged silica and PSS, allowed to get “decorated” latex characterized by TGA and TEM. The proposed mechanisms are based on the homogeneous nucleation or the droplet nucleation mechanisms depending on the conditions. It appears that the control of the interactions that could be produced at the surface of the latex is very important to allow the silica to go at the surface. Thus, the initiator or organic auxiliary choice is a key parameter to get hybrid particles.In the last part of this study, silica has been introduced via hybrid particles in an alumina suspension to proceed to heterocoagulation of both materials leading to alumina granulation. The combination of the properties of the organic and inorganic material that constitute the hybrid particles leads to the improvement of the microstructural organization inside the spheres during the drying step by reducing significantly the cracks in the spheres.

L’objectif de cette étude consiste à synthétiser et caractériser de nouveaux matériaux hybrides organique/inorganique obtenus par greffage de poly(méthacrylate)s d’alkyle sur des nanoparticules de dioxyde de titane (TiO2) et d'oxyde de zinc (ZnO). Afin de mieux comprendre les facteurs influents les réactions mises en jeu lors d'un greffage à partir de la surface d'un oxyde métallique, nous avons choisi de travailler avec des nanoparticules disponibles commercialement et/ou élaborées. Des nanoparticules d’oxyde de zinc, de dimensions allant de 5 à 100 nm, ont été synthétisées par la méthode de précipitation, à température ambiante. La diffractométrie de rayons X (DRX) et la microscopique électronique à transmission (MET) ont permis de déterminer la structure cristalline, les dimensions et la morphologie des particules ainsi préparées. Les conditions de synthèse ont été optimisées afin d'augmenter la surface spécifique des particules tout en favorisant la présence de groupes hydroxyles en surface. La méthode de greffage de polymères méthacryliques a consisté à modifier préalablement la surface des nanoparticules par un agent de couplage réactif de type 3-méthacryloxypropyltriméthoxysilane (MPS). Les nanoparticules ainsi modifiées ont été caractérisées par spectroscopie (IRTF et RMN CP-MAS 13C et 29Si) et par analyse thermogravimétrique afin de confirmer la présence et la quantité de MPS greffé. Cet alcoxysilane, porteur d'une fonction méthacrylate, a permis de greffer des chaînes de poly(méthacrylate de méthyle), de poly(méthacrylate de tert-butyldiméthylsilyle) à partir de la surface des nanoparticules. La polymérisation radicalaire contrôlée par addition-fragmentation réversible (procédé RAFT) a été sélectionnée pour obtenir un contrôle des masses molaires, de faibles indices de polymolécularité et le greffage de copolymères diblocs. L'observation de ces nanoparticules hydrides en microscopie électronique à transmission montre clairement la présence d'une couronne de polymères à la surface des particules. L'étude de la stabilité thermique des nouvelles nanoparticules hybrides à base de ZnO a été réalisée par analyse thermogravimétrique sous atmosphère inerte. L'impact du procédé de polymérisation sur les mécanismes de dégradation thermique des polymères méthacryliques étudiés a été mis en évidence. Pour la première fois, des valeurs d'énergie d'activation ont été calculées sous atmosphère inerte et oxydante. / The objective of this study is to synthesize and characterize new organic/inorganic hybrid materials obtained by grafting methacrylic polymer through the surface of metal oxide nanoparticles. Commercially available titanium dioxide (TiO2) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were used as raw materials. For a better understanding of parameters which influence the grafting efficiency of polymers, ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized using the precipitation method. The synthetic pathway was optimized to obtain nanoparticles with high surface area and surface hydroxylation. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to determine the crystal structure, the size and morphology of nanoparticles. A polymerizable silane coupling agent, i.e. 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propylmethacrylate (MPS) was used to modify the surface of nanoparticules to obtain hydrophobic surface containing a polymerizable function. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), solid-state (13C and 29Si) Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopic investigations demonstrated that the silane coupling agent was fully hydrolyzed and linked to the hydroxyl groups already present on the particle surface through covalent and hydrogen bonds. Thermogravimetric data were helpful to quantify the amount of MPS linked to the nanoparticles surface. New poly(methacrylic ester)/ZnO and TiO2 nano-hybrid particles were prepared by in situ RAFT polymerization were prepared using the "grafting through" method. (Meth)acrylic homopolymers and diblock copolymers containing unconventional trialkylsilyl methacrylate (MASi) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomer units were grafted through the surface of nanosized particles modified by MPS. Results from FTIR and TGA analyses demonstrated that polymer chains were anchored on the nanoparticles surface. The thermal and thermo-oxidative degradation of methacrylic polymers and hybrid nanoparticles were also investigated by TGA. The effect of the RAFT polymerization on the thermal degradation of polymers was demonstrated. In addition, their apparent activation energy of degradation (Ea) was determined for the first time.

Sol-gel processing has been demonstrated to produce supported inorganic and hybrid microporous membranes with controlled physical and chemical properties under mild conditions. In preparing asymmetric membranes on mesoporous ceramic supports using traditional sol-gel processes, however, infiltration of the final coating material from smaller nanoparticles into the porous support can lead to unpredictable membrane thicknesses, poor reproducibility and reduced flux for separations.Herein we describe a size exclusion approach to prepare membranes by depositing well-defined relatively monodisperse particles on a mesoporous ceramic support. Ensuring that the particles remain on the surface by size exclusion can reduce or even eliminate infiltration. But if the porosity of the membrane top-layer is going to be finer than that of the support, it must be possible to sinter the particles to eliminate the interstitial porosity. Low temperature sintering is accomplished by preparing relatively compliant polysilsesquioxane particles through the introduction of organic substituents into the network of particles.To prepare membranes by size exclusion, we developed a sol-gel route to synthesize bridged polysilsesquioxane particles by polymerizing a dilute solution of monomers below their gelation concentration. Dynamic light scattering was used to monitor the particle size and size distributions during polymerizations up to the formation of gels. A membrane top-layer was successfully coated on a mesoporous titania-zirconia support through size exclusion of octylene- bridged polysilsesquioxane particles. To assist in determining if infiltration into the support has occurred and if particles are size-excluded from penetrating the support, we have covalently modified polysilsesquioxane particles with a fluorescent dye to provide direct visual evidence of the location of particles in the ceramic membrane. This is the first report of fluorescent diagnostics being used to detect infiltration and verify size exclusion of particles in asymmetric membrane deposition. We further created supported membranes of poly(phenylsilsesquioxane) through size exclusion of particles deposited on the support and then cured to establish a glassy, defect-free membrane coating without infiltration upon thermal exposure. Infiltration was verified with fluorescent dyes covalently bound into the particles. The size exclusion approach combined with fluorescent diagnostics allowed for the simplification of membrane formation and elimination of infiltration.

A simple and facile way to the fabrication of nano to micro scale organic-inorganic hybrid particles was demonstrated. A well known “template-assisted approach” was chosen for the preparation of these hybrid particles, in which the inorganic material of interest is templated against the template particles. A series of colloidal template particles including, polystyrene, poly (vinylcaprolactam) and poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) was used for the deposition of a variety of metal oxides/hydroxide nanoparticles. A classical surfactant free co-polymerization process was employed for the synthesis of these template particles. To facilitate the deposition of inorganic nanoparticles in subsequent steps, these colloidal particles were functionalized with the suitable functional groups. For this purpose, polystyrene particles were synthesized in the presence of acetoacetoxyethylmethacrylate (AAEM) co-monomer. Similarly, poly (vinylcaprolactam) and poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) particles were functionalized by adding AAEM and acrylic acid co-monomers, respectively, during their synthesis. It is thought that an effective interaction between these functionalities of employed template and metal oxide/hydroxide precursors is the driving force for the fabrication of organic-inorganic hybrid particles. A number of metal oxide/hydroxide nanoparticles including ZnO, TiO2, Ta2O5 and In(OH)3 were deposited on the surface of polystyrene colloidal particles. A systematic variation in the employed reaction conditions allowed a modulation in size, shape, morphology, shell thickness and inorganic contents of resulting hybrid particles. Similar effect of the employed Indium isopropoxide concentration on the morphology of PS-In(OH)3 hybrid particles was observed. In the case of PS-TiO2 and PS-Ta2O5 only core-shell morphology was observed. However, suitable surface chemistry and careful selection of reaction parameters allowed the deposition of as much thick as 130 nm TiO2/Ta2O5 shell on the polystyrene core. In addition, a controlled manipulation of the shell thickness with the employed concentration of inorganic salt was observed. Polystyrene colloidal particles coated with a high refractive index material such as TiO2, were employed as building blocks for the fabrication of self assembled colloidal crystals. The variation in particle size and TiO2 content of employed building blocks allowed the manipulation in stop band position and band width of resulting photonic structures. Furthermore, PS-ZnO hybrid particles with raspberry-like morphology were exploited as carrier for ZnO nanoparticles into a host polymer matrix to achieve a nanocomposite material. In addition, fabrication of a series of closed, intact and mechanically robust hollow spheres, composed of pure and mixed metal oxides was demonstrated. The removal of polystyrene core from PS-TiO2 and PS-Ta2O5 hybrid particles by chemical or thermal treatment resulted into the hollow TiO2 and Ta2O5 spheres, respectively. Templating of PVCL colloidal particles against ZnO nanoparticles was shown and variation in physical properties of the resulting hybrid microgels as a function of the loaded amount of ZnO nanoparticles was demonstrated. PVCL-ZnO hybrid microgels showed the temperature sensitivity of the template particles and the UV-absorbing property of the loaded ZnO nanoparticles. It was demonstrated that these hybrid materials can effectively be used in the preparation of a transparent UV-shielding material. In addition, the deposition of preformed and functionalized quantum dots (CdTe) on the surface of PNIPAm microgel particles was explored and a manipulation in the fluorescent properties of loaded quantum dots as a result of temperature induced swelling and deswelling of microgel template was investigated. It was found that the fluorescence of deposited quantum dots can be switched to “ON” or “OFF” by changing the temperature of the surrounding media. These hybrid particles are envisioned to be used in the fabrication of temperature nanosensors.

Over the past years, research efforts have focused on adding highly conductive nanoparticles, such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs), into polymers to improve their electrical conductivity or to tailor their piezoresistive behavior. Resultant materials are typically described by the weight or volume fractions of their nanoparticles. The weight/volume fraction alone is a very global quantity, making it a poor evaluator of a doping configuration. Knowing which particles actually participate in improving electrical conductivity can optimize the doping strategy. Additionally, conductive particles are only capable of charge transfer over a very short range, thus most of them do not form part of the conduction path. Thus, understanding how these particles are arranged is necessary to increase their efficiency. First, this work focuses on polymers loaded with CNTs. A computational modeling strategy based on a full morphological analysis of the CNT network is presented to systematically analyze conductive networks and show how particles are arranged. A definition of loading efficiency is provided based on the results obtained from this morphology analysis. This study provides useful guidelines for designing these types of materials based on important features, such as representative volume element, nanotube tortuosity and length, tunneling cutoff distance, and efficiency. Second, a computational approach is followed to study the conductive network formed by hybrid particles in polymer nanocomposites. These hybrid particles are synthesized by growing CNTs on the surfaces of GNPs. The objective of this study is to show that the higher electrical conductivity of these composites is due to the hybrids forming a segregated structure. Polymers loaded with hybrid particles have shown a higher electrical conductivity compared with classical carbon fillers: only CNTs, only GNPs or mixed CNTs and GNPs. This is done to understand and compare the doping efficiency of the different types of nanoparticles. Finally, some parameters of the hybrid particle are studied: CNT density on GNPs, and CNT and GNP geometries. Recommendations to further improve the composite’s conductivity based on these parameters are presented. It is noted that this work is the first time the hybrid particle is studied through a computational approach.

A simple and facile way to the fabrication of nano to micro scale organic-inorganic hybrid particles was demonstrated. A well known “template-assisted approach” was chosen for the preparation of these hybrid particles, in which the inorganic material of interest is templated against the template particles. A series of colloidal template particles including, polystyrene, poly (vinylcaprolactam) and poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) was used for the deposition of a variety of metal oxides/hydroxide nanoparticles. A classical surfactant free co-polymerization process was employed for the synthesis of these template particles. To facilitate the deposition of inorganic nanoparticles in subsequent steps, these colloidal particles were functionalized with the suitable functional groups. For this purpose, polystyrene particles were synthesized in the presence of acetoacetoxyethylmethacrylate (AAEM) co-monomer. Similarly, poly (vinylcaprolactam) and poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) particles were functionalized by adding AAEM and acrylic acid co-monomers, respectively, during their synthesis. It is thought that an effective interaction between these functionalities of employed template and metal oxide/hydroxide precursors is the driving force for the fabrication of organic-inorganic hybrid particles. A number of metal oxide/hydroxide nanoparticles including ZnO, TiO2, Ta2O5 and In(OH)3 were deposited on the surface of polystyrene colloidal particles. A systematic variation in the employed reaction conditions allowed a modulation in size, shape, morphology, shell thickness and inorganic contents of resulting hybrid particles. Similar effect of the employed Indium isopropoxide concentration on the morphology of PS-In(OH)3 hybrid particles was observed. In the case of PS-TiO2 and PS-Ta2O5 only core-shell morphology was observed. However, suitable surface chemistry and careful selection of reaction parameters allowed the deposition of as much thick as 130 nm TiO2/Ta2O5 shell on the polystyrene core. In addition, a controlled manipulation of the shell thickness with the employed concentration of inorganic salt was observed. Polystyrene colloidal particles coated with a high refractive index material such as TiO2, were employed as building blocks for the fabrication of self assembled colloidal crystals. The variation in particle size and TiO2 content of employed building blocks allowed the manipulation in stop band position and band width of resulting photonic structures. Furthermore, PS-ZnO hybrid particles with raspberry-like morphology were exploited as carrier for ZnO nanoparticles into a host polymer matrix to achieve a nanocomposite material. In addition, fabrication of a series of closed, intact and mechanically robust hollow spheres, composed of pure and mixed metal oxides was demonstrated. The removal of polystyrene core from PS-TiO2 and PS-Ta2O5 hybrid particles by chemical or thermal treatment resulted into the hollow TiO2 and Ta2O5 spheres, respectively. Templating of PVCL colloidal particles against ZnO nanoparticles was shown and variation in physical properties of the resulting hybrid microgels as a function of the loaded amount of ZnO nanoparticles was demonstrated. PVCL-ZnO hybrid microgels showed the temperature sensitivity of the template particles and the UV-absorbing property of the loaded ZnO nanoparticles. It was demonstrated that these hybrid materials can effectively be used in the preparation of a transparent UV-shielding material. In addition, the deposition of preformed and functionalized quantum dots (CdTe) on the surface of PNIPAm microgel particles was explored and a manipulation in the fluorescent properties of loaded quantum dots as a result of temperature induced swelling and deswelling of microgel template was investigated. It was found that the fluorescence of deposited quantum dots can be switched to “ON” or “OFF” by changing the temperature of the surrounding media. These hybrid particles are envisioned to be used in the fabrication of temperature nanosensors.

La synthèse et l’assemblage de particules colloïdales de morphologie et de fonctionnalité originale permet d’envisager la fabrication de matériaux aux propriétés électromagnétiques innovantes. Au cours de ce travail, nous nous sommes intéressés à la synthèse de colloïdes hybrides silice/polystyrène par un processus de polymérisation en émulsion du styrène ensemencé par des germes de silice préalablement fonctionnalisés en surface par des groupements méthacrylate. Ces particules hybrides, composées d’une particule centrale de silice entourée d’un nombre contrôlé de nodules de polystyrène, ont été utilisées comme moules afin de synthétiser des nanocages d’or de morphologie contrôlée. Ces nanocages d’or ont été caractérisées structuralement et optiquement. Nous nous sommes également intéressés à l’assemblage des particules hybrides silice/polystyrène via la génération d’interactions entre les nodules de polystyrène grâce au contrôle de qualité du solvant pour le polystyrène. Les particules présentant un nodule de polystyrène s’assemblent en petits clusters alors que celles présentant deux nodules de polystyrène forment des chaînes. / The synthesis and the assembly of colloidal particles with original morphology and functionality should allow the fabrication of next-generation materials. This study deals with the synthesis of hybrid silica/polystyrene particles by an emulsion polymerization of styrenes eeded by surface functionalized silica particles. These particles, made by a silica coredecorated by a controlled number of polystyrene nodules, has been used as templates for thesynthesis of goldnanocages morphologically controlled. Theses gold nanocages has been characterized structurally and optically. We have also investigated the self-assembly of hybrid silica/polystyrene particles by generating interaction between polystyrene nodules due to the control of the solvent quality for polystyrene. Particles with one polystyrene nodule self assemble in little clusters and particle with two nodules in chains.

Durch die Funktionalisierung von Silica- und Gold-Nanopartikeln mit einem neu entwickelten photoschaltbaren Polymer wurden gezielt selbst¬organisierte Architekturen aus Polymer-Nanokompositen aufgebaut. Silica-Oberflächen wurden mit Transferagenzien für eine oberflächeninitiierte reversible Additions–Fragmentierungs-Ketten-transferpolymerisation (engl. reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT-) Polymerisation) modifiziert und systematisch untersucht. Dazu wurden Mono-, Di- und Trialkoxysilylether als Ankergruppen in die chemische Struktur der RAFT-Agenzien integriert. Die Analyse von funktionalisierten planaren Substraten durch Rasterkraftmikroskopie hat gezeigt, dass di- und trifunktionelle Ankergruppen als vernetzte Aggregate auf der Oberfläche gebunden werden, wenn die Immobilisierung in Toluol durchgeführt wird. Als Ursache dafür wurde durch dynamische Lichtstreuung (DLS) eine, im Vergleich zur Reaktion mit der Oberfläche, beschleunigte Aggregation der Ankergruppen identifiziert. Die Vernetzung konnte durch die Verwendung von 1,2-Dimethoxyethan als Lösungsmittel unterbunden werden, wodurch besser definierte Oberflächenstrukturen erhalten wurden. Diese wurden ebenfalls durch Monoalkoxysilylether erreicht, die unabhängig vom Lösungsmittel keine Möglichkeit zur Vernetzung bieten. Die Charakterisierung funktionalisierter sphärischer Silica-Nanopartikel mittels Transmissionselektronen¬mikroskopie (TEM) bestätigten diese Ergebnisse. Dadurch wurde gezeigt, dass vernetzte Ankergruppen zu der Aggregation von Silica-Nanopartikeln führen. An den funktionalisierten Partikeln wurden RAFT-Polymerisationen durchgeführt, deren Produkte durch Gel-permeations¬chromatographie und Thermogravimetrie analysiert wurden. Dabei wurde gezeigt, dass die Beladungsdichte des Polymers nicht ausschließlich mit der Konzentration der RAFT-Agenzien auf der Oberfläche steigt, sondern vor allem mit deren Erreichbarkeit für Makroradikale. Zudem wurde festgestellt, dass der Anteil niedermolekularer Nebenprodukte unabhängig vom Aggregationgrad der verwendeten Ankergruppen ist. Nach diesen Prinzipien maßgeschneiderte Silica- und Gold-Nanopartikel wurden in einer Blockcopolymermatrix dispergiert und mittels TEM analysiert. Durch Mikrophasenseparation der Matrix konnten erstmals RAFT-Polymer-funktionalisierte Nanopartikel gezielt und selektiv in eine Phase integriert werden. Zusätzlich wurde beobachtet, dass selektiv Silica-Partikel mit kleinen Durchmessern aus der eingesetzten Größenverteilung eingebaut wurden. Neben dem Design von Nanopartikeln wurde ein photoschaltbares Polymer (PAzoPMA) für die Anwendung in Polymer-Nanokompositen entwickelt. Durch die reversible Licht-induzierte transcis-Isomer¬isierung der schaltbaren Azobenzol-Einheiten des Polymers, nimmt sowohl die molekulare Größe ab als auch das Dipolmoment deutlich zu. Diese Änderungen konnten durch Wasser-Kontaktwinkel-Analysen, DLS und Ionenmobilitäts-Massenspektrometrie charakterisiert werden. Durch die Funktionalisierung von Silica- bzw. Gold-Partikeln mit diesem Polymer wurden photoschaltbare Nanokomposite synthetisiert, indem PAzoPMA über RAFT-Agenzien an die Oberfläche gebunden wurde. Die Bestrahlung einer Dispersion dieser Hybridpartikel mit ultraviolettem Licht induzierte die transcis-Isomerisierung, die eine Selbstorganisation der Primärpartikel zur Folge hatte. Insbesondere funktionalisierte Gold-Nanopartikel aggregierten zu definierten, sphärischen Überstrukturen, was durch DLS und optische Absorptions-spektroskopie belegt wurde. Durch letztere konnte außerdem gezeigt werden, dass der geschaltete Zustand länger stabil ist als bei bisher literaturbekannten Systemen mit Kleinmolekülen als Photoschalter. Eine weitere Stärke des entwickelten Systems wird mittels TEM-Analyse verdeutlicht. Die über die molare Masse des PAzoPMAs in der Partikelhülle einstellbaren Abstände der Primärpartikel, innerhalb dieser Überstrukturen, verdeutlichen das große Potential des Systems.