Ce travail de thèse présente une méthode de synthèse par le procédé sol-gel pour la préparation de matériaux hybrides organiques-inorganiques (OIH) basés sur le mélange de deux polyéthers différents, le poly (oxyde d´éthylène) (PEO) et le poly (oxyde de propylène) (PPO) liées de façon covalente avec l´agent de réticulation ureasil (U). Dû aux différents sites actifs présents dans la structure du matériau OIH, plusieurs cations métalliques peuvent être introduits dans la matrice hybride par complexation soit avec l´oxygène de type éther, soit avec l´oxygène du type carbonyle. Suite à ce constat, différentes matrices hybrides ont été synthétisées en introduisant des ions Eu3+ ou Li+ afin de conférer aux matériaux des propriétés optiques ou électriques. La compréhension des propriétés structurales et thermiques des différents polymères, l´ajout de différents cations Eu3+/Li+, et l'effet du plastifiant (PPO2000) dans la mélange hybride U-xPEO1900:/U-1-xPPO2000 (ratio de PPO2000 dans la mélange, x = 0.2, 0.5 et 0.8), ont été étudiés par DSC et SAXS. Les résultats de DSC ont révélé une unique température de transition vitreuse (Tg) pour tous les matériaux étudiés. L´ajout des ions Eu3+ dans le matrice n´a pas causé de variations dans les valeurs de Tg tandis que l´insertion de cations Li+ a provoqué une augmentation dans les valeurs de Tg, indiquant l´existence d’interactions entre les cations Li+ et la phase polymérique du matériau OIH. Les courbes de calorimètrie de l´U-PEO1900 ont aussi révélé la présence d´une pic endothermique à 25 °C, associé à la fusion des domaines cristallins du PEO1900. La présence d´un deuxième maximum dans les courbes de diffusion des rayons X à petits angles (SAXS) a confirmé l’existence de la structure semi-cristalline du PEO1900 dans une région de température entre -100 °C < T < Tf. Tous les échantillons, non-dopés et dopés avec les ions Li+ et Eu3+, ont montré un pic de corrélation indiquant que la nano-structure de la matrice hybride n´est pas affecté par le dopage avec les cations métalliques. Les études par Spectroscopie Infrarouge à Transformée de Fourier (FTIR) et par spectroscopie Raman ont confirmé l´interaction des ions Eu3+ avec l´oxygène du type carbonyle présent dans les groupes urées de la matrice hybride, et des ions Li+ avec l´oxygène du type éther. La photodégradation accélérée a révélé une perte des performances de la photo-luminescence (PL) associée à des changements dans la coordination des ions Eu3+ avec la matrice hybride. La photodégradation induit la formation de photo-produits venant de la β-scission du macroradical formé dans la portion organique de la matrice hybride. La β-scission peut-être responsable pour la diminution de la PL du matériau dû la perte de l´efficacité de l´effet antenne du ligand organique pour le centre luminescent. La transition dans la région visible du rouge vers le bleu avec la photodégradation qualifie ces matériaux de bons candidats pour l'application comme capteurs et marqueurs optiques. La conduction ionique des matrices hybrides dopés avec Li+ a été évaluée par Spectroscopie d´Impédance en fonction de la température et les résultats ont révélé des corrélations entre la superstructure lamellaire du PEO1900 et le mécanisme de conduction. L´addition d´un plastifiant, le PPO2000, a permis l´augmentation de la conductivité ionique dans une région de température entre -100 °C < T < 10 °C dû à l´augmentation de la portion amorphe utilisée comme chemin de transport ionique efficace dans le mélange polymère hybride U-xPEO1900/U-1-xPPO2000. / In this PhD thesis a greener synthesis route via sol-gel reactions aiming to prepare multifunctional organic-inorganic hybrid (OIH) materials based on blending of two polyether amine end chains (i.e., Jeffamine® compounds) Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and Poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) covalently bonded with an ureasil cross-linking agent (U) is reported. Due to the different polar oxygen sites present in this OIH material, several metallic cations can to be introduced into the OIH matrix via ether- or carbonyl-type oxygen. So, different OIH matrices containing Eu3+ or Li+ cations were synthetized to evaluate their potential as photoluminescent or ionic conductor material, respectively. The thermal and structural characteristics of the Eu3+ or Li+ – loaded OIH materials, as well as the plasticizer effect of PPO2000 at the U-xPPO2000:/U-1-xPEO1900, (PPO2000 fraction x = 0.2, 0.5 and 0.8) blends, were carried out by DSC and SAXS. DSC results revealed a unique glass transition temperature (Tg) for all the studied OIH materials. The addition of Eu3+ cations do not change the Tg values while the Li+ cations caused an increase in the values of Tg, due to the Li+ interaction with the polymeric phase of the material. The U-PEO1900 calorimetric curves also showed the presence of an endothermic peak at 25 °C associated to the fusion of the crystalline domains of PEO1900. The second maxima observed in the curves of small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) confirmed the presence of the crystalline structure of PEO1900 in a temperature range of -100 < T < Tf. All the samples, undoped and Li+ or Eu3+ doped ones, showed a correlation peak indicating that the OIH nano-structure is not affected by the metallic cations doping. Analysis carried out by Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR) and Raman Spectroscopy confirmed the Eu3+ cations interaction via the oxygen carbonyl-type present in the urea groups of the hybrid matrix, and that of Li+ cations with the oxygen ether-type. The accelerate photo-degradation revealed a loss of the photo-luminescence (PL) efficiency due to the changes in the Eu3+ cations coordination with the hybrid matrix. The photo-degradation induces the formation of photo-products from the macro-radical β-scission formed in the organic fraction of the hybrid matrix. The β-scission can be responsible for the material PL decrease due to the drop in the antenna effect from organic ligand to luminescent center. The visible emission transition from red → blue with the photo-degradation qualify these materials as good candidates to be applied as sensors and optical markers. The ionic conduction of the Li+-loaded hybrid matrices was investigated by Impedance Spectroscopy as a function of the temperature. Results showed a correlation between the lamellar superstructure of the PEO1900 and the conducting process. The plasticizers addition (PPO2000) alloyed to improve the value of the ionic conductivity in the low temperature range, -100 °C < T < 10 °C due to the increase of the amorphous fraction used as effective ionic transport pathway in the U-xPEO1900/U-1-xPPO2000 polymeric hybrid blend.

L’utilisation croissante de systèmes électroniques miniaturisés induit une forte demande en microsources d’énergie performantes, telles que les microbatteries au lithium. En vue d’améliorer les propriétés de l’électrolyte, nous avons étudié les propriétés électriques et thermomécaniques d’électrolytes solides de type borate de lithium. Une corrélation entre la conductivité ionique et le coefficient de dilatation thermique (CTE) a été mise en évidence pour différentes compositions de verres massifs. A partir des résultats de CTE obtenus, un modèle de prédiction basé sur les travaux de Appen permettant la détermination de ce dernier en fonction de la composition chimique a été développé. Dans un second temps, différentes techniques de préparation de cibles denses nitrurées ont été mises en œuvre afin d’abaisser le CTE de la cible et ainsi permettre son utilisation sur une plus longue durée. Par ailleurs, l’utilisation d’une cible nitrurée a également été envisagée pour augmenter la teneur en azote dans les couches minces. Finalement, des couches minces d’électrolyte de différentes compositions ont été préparées par pulvérisation cathodique (sous plasma d’argon ou d’azote pur) et ont fait l’objet d’une caractérisation chimique, structurale, électrique et thermomécanique. Le rôle bénéfique de l’azote sur la conductivité ionique des couches minces a ainsi pu être confirmé. / The growing use of miniaturized electronic devices results in a strong demand in high-performance energy microsources, such as lithium microbatteries. In order to improve electrolyte properties, we have studied the electrical and thermomechanical properties of bulk electrolyte based on lithium borate glasses. A correlation between ionic conductivity and thermal expansion coefficient has been evidenced for bulk materials. Further to CTE results, a predicting model based on studies leaded by Appen allowing a determination of CTE as a function of the chemical composition has been developed. In a second time, different preparation techniques of dense nitrated targets have been implemented in order to decrease their CTE and to allow their use for a longer period. Otherwise, nitrated targets have also been considered to increase the nitrogen content in thin films. Finally, electrolyte thin films of different compositions have been prepared by rf magnetron sputtering (under pure argon or nitrogen gas) and have been chemically, structurally, electrically and thermomecanically characterized. The favorable influence of nitrogen on the ionic conductivity of thin films has been confirmed.

L'objectif de ce travail est l'étude des interactions entre des nanoparticules de platine et la zircone yttriée (YSZ pour Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia), oxyde conducteur ionique. Il s'agissait de transposer les effets de promotion électrochimique de la catalyse mis en évidence sur des films polarisés de platine de faible dispersion déposés sur des membranes denses de YSZ à des systèmes catalytiques conventionnels à base de nanoparticules métalliques dispersées sur des poudres de YSZ. La migration des ions oxydes promoteurs n'est plus contrôlée par une polarisation électrique mais induite thermiquement. Ces travaux ont permis de mettre au point une méthode de mesure de la dispersion du Pt déposé sur la zircone yttriée. Les interactions Pt/YSZ et notamment celles entre les lacunes d'oxygène de YSZ et les nanoparticules de Pt ont été étudiées par réduction en température programmée et spectroscopie infrarouge. L'importance des lacunes d'oxygène du support YSZ sur les propriétés de chimisorption du Pt et sur son activité catalytique pour l'oxydation du propane a été clairement montrée. La migration thermique des ions oxydes a été étudiée par échange isotopique 18O/16O. Un mécanisme de la réaction de combustion du propane a été proposé incluant le rôle prépondérant des oxydes de réseau de YSZ contrairement aux supports conventionnels en silice et en zircone non substituée. Finalement, les paramètres pouvant influencer les interactions Pt/YSZ comme la surface spécifique de YSZ, le taux d'oxyde d'yttrium, la méthode de préparation de YSZ ainsi que la teneur et la taille des nanoparticules de Pt ont été évalués. Les résultats ont mis en évidence la migration thermique des ions oxydes du support vers le Pt dès 100 °C. D'autre part, l'échange entre les oxygènes du réseau et ceux de la phase gaz est extrêmement rapide dès 100°C. L'activité catalytique du Pt semble promue par la mobilité des oxygènes du support / The aim of this work is to investigate the interactions between Pt nanoparticles and Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia (YSZ), an ionically conducting support. The idea was to overcome the effects of electrochemical promotion of catalysis (EPOC) observed on Pt/YSZ electrochemical catalysts which present low metal dispersion to conventional catalytic systems based on metallic nanoparticles finely dispersed on YSZ powered support. In that configuration, the migration of the oxygen ions from YSZ toward the Pt surface is not electrically controlled but thermally induced without any polarisation. First, we have established a new procedure to measure the Pt dispersion over YSZ. The metal support interactions between Pt and YSZ were characterized by Temperature Programmed Reduction and Infrared Spectroscopy. The importance of the YSZ oxygen vacancies on the chemisorptive behaviours of Pt as well as its catalytic for the propane oxidation was clearly demonstrated. The thermal migration of oxygen ions was validated by using the Isotopic Exchange procedure 18O/16O. The impact of these vacancies was evaluated and a mechanism of the propane deep oxidation on Pt/YSZ was proposed including the important role of bulk YSZ oxygen species in opposition with conventional supports such as silica and non-substituted zirconia. Finally, the key parameters that can influence the Pt/YSZ interactions such as the YSZ specific surface area, the yttria content, the YSZ preparation route as well as the loading and size of Pt nanoparticles were investigated. Our results point out that the thermal migration of oxygen ions from YSZ toward Pt surface occurs from 100 °C. In addition, the exchange between oxygen species from YSZ bulk and those from the gas phase is extremely fast starting from 100 °C. The Pt catalytic activity for the propane deep oxidation seems to be promoted by the mobility of the bulk YSZ oxygen species

Cette étude a pour finalité le développement d'une nouvelle famille de catalyseurs pour la combustion des suies Diesel afin de produire des filtres à particules (FAP) à régénération continue basse température. En effet, les régénérations périodiques des FAP actuellement commercialisés, engendrent une surconsommation plus ou moins élevée en carburant. Les catalyseurs étudiés sont des céramiques conductrices par les ions oxygènes et exempts de métal noble. L'ensemble de ces études a permis d'aboutir à plusieurs conclusions majeures. Les oxygènes actifs pour oxyder les particules de suies à basse température sont les oxygènes contenus dans le catalyseur. L'oxydation de la suie a donc lieu à l'interface solide/solide : suie/catalyseur. Un mécanisme de type électrochimique comme dans une pile à combustible mais à l'échelle nanométrique a été proposé : l'oxydation de la suie représente la réaction anodique qui se déroule aux points de contact suie / 8-YSZ, les électrons produits diffusent à travers les particules de suie vers les point triples entre les particules de suie (conductrices électroniques), la phase gaz (présence d'oxygène) et 8-YSZ (conducteur ionique) où se déroule la réaction cathodique d'incorporation de l'oxygène gazeux dans le matériau. Les paramètres clés qui gouvernent l'activité catalytique sont la surface de contact suie/catalyseur et donc la granulométrie de la poudre de catalyseur ainsi que la pression partielle d'oxygène dans la phase gaz et la mobilité de l'oxygène dans le catalyseur / This study aims to develop a new family of catalysts for diesel soot combustion to produce and optimize self-DPFs, based on ionic conducting ceramics, able to continuously burn soot particulates at low temperatures without fuel overconsumption and without the use of noble metals. The investigated catalysts are oxygen ionically conducting ceramics. Yttria stabilized Zirconia (8-YSZ containing 8 mol% of yttria) was chosen as the reference catalyst due to its high thermal and chemical stability and good ionic conductivity. A set of experiments was implemented to vary different parameters that can influence the reactivity of the reference catalyst. All of these studies have resulted in several major conclusions. Oxygen species active to oxidize soot particles at low temperature are those contained in the catalyst. An electrochemical type mechanism as in a fuel cell but at the nanoscale was proposed: the soot oxidation represents the anodic reaction which occurs at the contact points soot / 8-YSZ/O2 (gas) electrons are diffused through soot particles to triple points between the soot particles (electronic conductor), the gas phase (presence of oxygen) and 8-YSZ (ion conductor) where the cathodic reaction takes place with the incorporation of gaseous oxygen into the ceramic. The key parameters that influence the catalytic activity of 8-YSZ are soot / catalyst contact and thus the agglomerates size of the catalyst powder, the oxygen partial pressure in the gas phase and the mobility of oxygen in the catalyst

Fast ionic conductors, i.e. materials in which charge transport mainly occurs through the motion of ions, are an important class of materials with immense scope for industrial applications. There are different classes of fast ionic conductors e.g. polymer electrolytes, glasses, oxide ion conductors etc. and they find applications such as solid electrolytes in batteries, in fuel cells and in electro active sensors. There are mixed conducting materials as well which have both ions and electrons as conducting species that are used as electrode materials. Specifically, polymer electrolytes 1−3 have been in use in lithium polymer batteries, which have much more advantages compared to other secondary batteries. Polymer electrolyte membranes have been in use in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC). The membranes act as proton conductors and allow the protons produced from the fuel (methanol) to pass through. Oxide ion conductors are used in high temperature solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) and they conduct via oxygen ion vacancies. Fuel cells are rapidly replacing the internal combustion engines, because they are more energy efficient and environment friendly. The present thesis is concerned with the preparation, characterization and conductivity studies on the following fast ionic conductors: (MPEG)xLiClO4, (MPEG)xLiCF3SO3 where (MPEG) is methoxy poly(ethylene glycol), the hydrotalcite [Mg0.66Al0.33(OH)2][(CO3)0.17.mH2O] and the nanocomposite SPE, (PEG)46 LiClO4 with dispersed nanoparticles of hydrotalcite. We also present our investigations of spin probe electron spin resonance (SPESR) as a possible technique to determine the glass transition temperature (Tg) of polymer electrolytes where the conventional technique of Tg determination, namely, differential scanning calorimetry, (DSC), is not useful due to the high crystallinity of the polymers. In the following we summarize the main contents of the thesis. In Chapter 1 we provide a brief introduction to the phenomenon of fast ionic conduction. A description of the different experimental techniques used as well as the relevant theories is also given in this chapter. In most solid polymer electrolytes (SPE), the usability is limited by the low value of the ionic conductivity. A number of different routes to enhance the electrical, thermal and mechanical properties of these materials is presently under investigation. One such route to enhance the ionic conductivity in polymer electrolytes is by irradiating the polymer electrolyte with gamma rays, electron beam, ion beams etc. In Chapter 2, we describe our work on the effect of electron beam (e-beam) irradiation on the solid polymer electrolytes (MPEG)xLiClO4 and (MPEG)xLiCF3SO3. The polymer used is methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) or poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether with a molecular weight 2000. Salts used are LiClO4 and LiCF3SO3. ’x’ in the subscript is a measure of the salt concentration; it is the ratio of the number of ether oxygens in the polymer chain to that of the Li+ ion. ’x’ values chosen are 100, 46, 30 and 16. Nearly one order of magnitude increase in the conductivity is observed for samples (MPEG)100LiClO4 and (MPEG)16LiCF3SO3 on irradiation. It was found that the increase in the net ionic conductivity is a function of both the irradiation dose and the salt concentration. The enhanced ionic conductivity remains constant for ∼ 100 hrs, which signifies a possible near permanent change in the polymer electrolyte system due to irradiation. The samples were also characterized using DSC and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). DSC results could be correlated with conductivity findings, giving low Tg values for samples having high conductivity. It was also found that there is a small increase in the crystalline fraction of the samples on irradiation, which agrees with earlier reports on samples irradiated with low dosage. FTIR results are suggestive of decreased cross linking as the reason for increased ionic conductivity. However, this aspect needs a further confirmatory look before the findings can be termed conclusive. In Chapter 3, we describe the studies we have carried out on Li -doped hydrotalcite. We report the details of preparation and characterization of hydrotalcite as well as NMR and ionic conductivity measurements on both doped (with Li+ ions) and undoped hydrotalcite. Hydrotalcite was prepared by co-precipitation method and the composition of hydrotalcite was chosen as [Mg0.66Al0.33(OH)2][(CO3)0.17.mH2O]. Samples were prepared with salt (LiClO4) concentration 5 %, 10 %, 15 %, 20 % and 25 %. It was found that the highest ionic conductivity occurs for the sample with 20 % doping. 7Li NMR plots for all the samples clearly show an overlap of a Gaussian and a Lorentzian lineshape. The Gaussian line is because of the presence of a less mobile fraction of the 7Li+ ions and the Lorentzian line is because of the presence of a more mobile fraction of 7Li+ ions. The highest ionic conductivity was found for the salt concentration 20 % and from the room temperature 7Li NMR studies we found that for this particular concentration, the mobile fraction of the 7Li ion is also maximum. Without the salt doping, the conductivity of the sample was too small to be measured. Temperature variation of both 1H and 7Li NMR was also done, to compare the ionic conductivities from NMR. Another method to obtain enhanced properties in polymer electrolytes is by forming ’nanocomposite’ polymer electrolytes. Nanocomposites are formed by dispersing nanoparticles of certain materials in the polymer electrolyte matrix. Till now, nanoparticles used are mostly oxides of metals, e.g. Al2O3, TiO2, MgO, SiO2 etc and clays like montmorillonite, liponite, hydrotalcite etc. Chapter 4 describes the preparation and characterization of the nanocomposite polymer electrolyte (PEG)46LiClO4 formed with hydrotalcite nanoparticles. The polymer used is PEG, poly(ethylene glycol) of molecular weight 2000, and salt used is LiClO4. The salt concentration is selected so as to give the highest ionic conductivity for the solid polymer electrolyte. Hydrotalcite belongs to a class of materials called LDH, layered double hydroxides. The composition selected is [Mg0.66Al0.33(OH)2][(CO3)0.17 .mH2O], since this is the most stable composition. These materials are easy to prepare in the nano size and are being used in a number of applications. These are characterized by the presence of layers of positively charged double hydroxides separated by layers of anions and water molecules. The water molecules give stability to the structure. Nanoparticles of hydrotalcite were prepared in the laboratory itself. XRD data of hydrotalcite confirm the crystal structure. TEM data show the particle size to be ∼ 50 nm. The polymer electrolyte (PEG)46LiClO4 was doped with these nanoparticles and the doping levels are 1.8 %, 2.1 %, 2.7 %, 3.6 % and 4.5 % by weight. Impedance spectroscopy was used to find the ionic conductivity. We have found that the sample with a doping of 3.6 % by weight gives the highest ionic conductivity and the increase in ionic conductivity is nearly one order of magnitude. DSC was used for thermal characterization of these nanocomposites. The glass transition temperatures, Tg , found from DSC measurements corroborates the ionic conductivity data, giving the lowest Tg for the sample with highest conductivity. Temperature variation of the ionic conductivity shows Arrhenius behavior. 7Li NMR was done on the pristine SPE (PEG)46LiClO4 and the nanocomposite of (PEG)46LiClO4 with 3.6 % filler. The ionic conductivity was also estimated from the temperature variation of 7Li NMR line widths. Studies on the DSC endotherms of the nanocomposites give the fractional crystallinity of the samples. From these studies it can be concluded that the variation in ionic conductivity can be attributed to the change in fractional crystallinity; the nanocomposite polymer electrolyte having highest ionic conductivity, i.e. the NCPE with filler concentration of 3.6 % also has the lowest fractional crystallinity. Additionally, a possible increase in the segmental motion inferred from a reduction in the glass transition temperature coupled with a lowering of the activation energy may also contribute to the increased ionic conductivity in the nanocomposite polymer electrolyte. Glass transition temperature Tg has a very important role in studying the dynamics of polymer electrolytes. In Chapter 5, we explore the possibility of using spin probe electron spin resonance (SPESR) as a tool to study the glass transition temperature of polymer electrolytes. When the temperature of the polymer is increased across the glass transition, the viscosity of the sample decreases. This corresponds to a transition from a slow tumbling regime with τc = 10−6 s to a fast tumbling regime with τc = 10−9 s where τc is the correlation time for the probe dynamics. Spin probe ESR can be used to probe this transition in polymers. We have used 4-hydroxy tempo (TEMPOL) as the spin probe which is dispersed in the nanocomposite polymer electrolyte based on (PEG)46LiClO4 and hydrotalcite. Below and across the glass transition, this nitroxide probe exhibits a powder pattern showing both Zeeman (g) and hyperfine (hf) interaction anisotropy. When the frequency of the dynamics increases such that the jump frequency f is of the same order of magnitude as the anisotropy of the hf interaction, i.e., ∼ 108 Hz, the anisotropy of the interactions averages out and a spectrum of reduced splitting and increased symmetry in the line shape is observed. This splitting corresponds to the nonvanishing isotropic value of the hyperfine tensor and is observed at a temperature higher than but correlated with Tg. The crossover from the anisotropic to isotropic spectrum is reflected in a sharp reduction in the separation between the two outermost components of the ESR spectrum, which corresponds to twice the value of the z-principal component of the nitrogen hyperfine tensor, 2Azz, from ∼75 G to ∼ 35 G. In our study, we have varied the concentration of the nano-fillers. The Tg for all the samples were estimated from the measurement of T50G and the known correlation between 4 T50G and Tg, where T50G is the temperature at which the extrema separation (2Azz) of the ESR spectra becomes 50 Gauss. The values obtained from this method are compared with the values found from DSC done on the same samples. Within experimental error, these two techniques give reasonably close values. Tg’s were also estimated by a cross over in the correlation time (τc) vs temperature plot. The τc values were calculated using a spectral simulation program. We conclude that spin probe ESR can be an alternative to the DSC technique for polymers with high fraction of crystallinity, for which DSC often does not give any glass transition signature. In Appendix I, ionic conductivity studies on quenched and gamma irradiated polymer electrolytes (PEG)46LiClO4 and (MPEG)16LiClO4 is done. It is observed that, (i) the samples quenched to 77 K after melting show enhancement of ionic conductivity by a factor of 3 & 4; (ii) on irradiation, the ionic conductivity decreases for a dose of 5 kGy and subsequently, keeps on increasing for higher doses of 10 kGy and 15 kGy. In Appendix II, the BASIC language program (eq-res.bas) used for impedance data analysis is given.

L’objectif de ce travail était de démontrer la possibilité de coupler sur un même catalyseur, la fonction de stockage et réduction des NOx (sur le baryum) avec un effet électrochimique reposant sur un système micropile. Ce système micropile est composé de nanoparticules catalytiques (Pt et Rh) déposés sur conducteur ionique par les ions O2- (YSZ) en contact avec un support conducteur électronique (SiC dopé) de façon à pouvoir générer, sous mélanges réactionnels, une force électromotrice capable de réduire électrochimiquement une partie des NOx sur le Pt et d’oxyder le CO, les hydrocarbures imbrûlés et H2 sur le Rh. L’effet micropile a été observé sur un catalyseur Pt/Ba (matériau de stockage)/YSZ/Rh enduit dans les canaux d’un filtre à particule en carbure de silicium dopé, en condition essence pauvre à 400°C et en condition Diesel à plus basse température (300°C). Une augmentation de la conversion des NOx d’environ 10% a été observé sur les catalyseurs micropile. L’effet électrochimique a été détecté par une surproduction de CO2, en milieu riche (très peu ou pas de O2) provenant de la réaction d’oxydation électrochimique du CO (produit par vaporeformage) en réagissant avec les ions O2- provenant de YSZ. De plus, des tests catalytiques ont montré que YSZ peut être utilisée comme matériau de stockage des NOx. En effet, un traitement réducteur préalable augmente fortement sa capacité de stockage des NOx / The main objective of this study was to demonstrate the coupling between NOx storage/reduction process on barium, with an electrochemical reduction of NOx (micro fuel cell effect) on the same catalyst. The micro fuel cell effect is ensured by a an electromotive force (potential) which is created between catalytic nanoparticules (Pt and Rh) in contact with an ionic conductor (YSZ) and an electronic conductor (doped SiC). The micro fuel cell effect was observed, during the regeneration phase of the catalysts (rich period), on a Pt/Ba/doped α-SiC-YSZ/Rh monolithic system under lean-burn gasoline conditions at 400°C with an enhancement of about 10 % of the NOx conversion over a complete cycle lean/rich. This electrochemical effect was characterized by the electrochemical oxidation of CO (produced by steam reforming) into CO2 by using O2- ions coming from YSZ. Under Diesel conditions, the micro fuel cell system was found to work at low temperature especially at 300°C. In the second part of the work, a new generation of NOx Storage and reduction catalyst was developed consisting only of noble metals (Pt and/or Rh) deposited on YSZ support (Ba free catalyst). The catalytic measurements revealed that YSZ can be used as a NOx storage material in lean burn conditions (Gasoline and Diesel) especially when it was previously reduced under hydrogen. The storage mechanism would take place on the oxygen vacancies created by the removal of O-2 ions from the YSZ structure

In this work the influence of solid electrolyte additives on the gas sensing properties of tin oxide layers was investigated systematically for the first time. NASICON (NAtrium, Super Ionic CONductor, Na(1+x)Zr2SixP(3-x)O12; 0 &amp;lt;= x &amp;lt;= 3) was used as a model for solid electrolyte additives. The structure of that material is ideally suitable for studies of the correlation between material parameters and the gas sensitivity of the layers. In the NASICON structure the content of mobile Na+-ions can be varied by a factor of four resulting in a simultaneous change of the ionic conductivity sigma(Na+) by approximately three orders of magnitude without considerable structural alterations. Powders of SnO2 and NASICON (x = 0; 2.2; 3) were prepared separately by means of sol-gel routes and mixed in a volume ratio of 80/20. Pastes were prepared from these powders with different compositions and screen printed on alumina substrates with a fourfold structure of thin film gold electrode combs. Four different compositions were characterised simultaneously at elevated temperatures in various gas atmospheres. The conductivity of the layers, when measured in air, decreases considerably with increasing Na+-content in the NASICON additive. This is correlated with enhanced activation energy of the electronic conductivity. The sensitivity of the layers to polar organic molecules like R-OH (alcohols), R-HO (aldehydes) and ROOH (carboxylic acids) is highly enhanced by the NASICON additive. This is observed especially on the admixtures with NASICON of high Na+-content (x = 2.2 and x = 3). On the other hand, the sensitivity to substances with mid-standing functional groups like 2-propanol or propanone can not be enhanced by NASICON additives. Furthermore the sensitivity of these composite layers to CO, H2, NH3, methane, propane, propene and toluene (all exposed as admixtures with air) is lower than the sensitivity of pure SnO2-layers. These observations are well correlated with the results of gas consumption measurements on SnO2/NASICON powders by means of FTIR spectroscopy. In spite of the lack of surface analytical data, a model of surface chemical gas reactions based on a triple phase boundary (SnO2/NASICON/gas atmosphere) was developed, which explains the experimental observations qualitatively. It is assumed that the decrease of the electronic conductivity as observed in the presence of NASICON additives with increasing Na+-content is due to an enhanced electron depletion layer. This is formed in the SnO2 grains by Na+/e- interactions across the SnO2/NASICON-interface. The enormous enhancement of the sensitivity to polar organic molecules may be due to specific nucleophilic interactions with the Na+-ions and coupled Na+/e--interactions at the triple phase reaction sites.

In this work the influence of solid electrolyte additives on the gas sensing properties of tin oxide layers was investigated systematically for the first time. NASICON (NAtrium, Super Ionic CONductor, Na(1+x)Zr2SixP(3-x)O12; 0 &amp;lt;= x &amp;lt;= 3) was used as a model for solid electrolyte additives. The structure of that material is ideally suitable for studies of the correlation between material parameters and the gas sensitivity of the layers. In the NASICON structure the content of mobile Na+-ions can be varied by a factor of four resulting in a simultaneous change of the ionic conductivity sigma(Na+) by approximately three orders of magnitude without considerable structural alterations. Powders of SnO2 and NASICON (x = 0; 2.2; 3) were prepared separately by means of sol-gel routes and mixed in a volume ratio of 80/20. Pastes were prepared from these powders with different compositions and screen printed on alumina substrates with a fourfold structure of thin film gold electrode combs. Four different compositions were characterised simultaneously at elevated temperatures in various gas atmospheres. The conductivity of the layers, when measured in air, decreases considerably with increasing Na+-content in the NASICON additive. This is correlated with enhanced activation energy of the electronic conductivity. The sensitivity of the layers to polar organic molecules like R-OH (alcohols), R-HO (aldehydes) and ROOH (carboxylic acids) is highly enhanced by the NASICON additive. This is observed especially on the admixtures with NASICON of high Na+-content (x = 2.2 and x = 3). On the other hand, the sensitivity to substances with mid-standing functional groups like 2-propanol or propanone can not be enhanced by NASICON additives. Furthermore the sensitivity of these composite layers to CO, H2, NH3, methane, propane, propene and toluene (all exposed as admixtures with air) is lower than the sensitivity of pure SnO2-layers. These observations are well correlated with the results of gas consumption measurements on SnO2/NASICON powders by means of FTIR spectroscopy. In spite of the lack of surface analytical data, a model of surface chemical gas reactions based on a triple phase boundary (SnO2/NASICON/gas atmosphere) was developed, which explains the experimental observations qualitatively. It is assumed that the decrease of the electronic conductivity as observed in the presence of NASICON additives with increasing Na+-content is due to an enhanced electron depletion layer. This is formed in the SnO2 grains by Na+/e- interactions across the SnO2/NASICON-interface. The enormous enhancement of the sensitivity to polar organic molecules may be due to specific nucleophilic interactions with the Na+-ions and coupled Na+/e--interactions at the triple phase reaction sites.

Non-stoichiometric strontium iron oxide is described by an abbreviated formula SrFeOx (2.5 ≤ x ≤ 3.0) exhibits a variety of interesting physical and chemical properties over a broad range of temperatures and in different gaseous environments. The oxide contains a mixture of iron in the trivalent and the rare tetravalent state. The material at elevated temperature is a mixed oxygen conductor and it, or its derivatives,can have practical applications in oxygen conducting devices such as pressure driven oxygen generators, partial oxidation reactors in electrodes for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). ¶ This thesis examines the behaviour of the material at ambient and elevated temperatures using a broad spectrum of solid state experimental techniques such as: x-ray and neutron powder diffraction,thermogravimetric and calorimetric methods,scanning electron microscopy and Mossbauer spectroscopy. Changes in the oxide were induced using conventional thermal treatment in various atmospheres as well as mechanical energy (ball milling). The first experimental chapter examines the formation of the ferrite from a mixture of reactants.It describes the chemical reactions and phase transitions that lead to the formation of the oxide. Ball milling of the reactants prior to annealing was found to eliminate transient phases from the reaction route and to increase the kinetics of the reaction at lower temperatures. Examination of the thermodynamics of iron oxide (hematite) used for the reactions led to a new route of synthesis of the ferrite frommagnetite and strontium carbonate.This chapter also explores the possibility of synthesis of the material at room temperature using ball milling. ¶ The ferrite strongly interacts with the gas phase so its behaviour was studied under different pressures of oxygen and in carbon dioxide.The changes in ferrite composition have an equilibrium character and depend on temperature and oxygen concentration in the atmosphere. Variations of the oxygen content x were described as a function of temperature and oxygen partial pressure, the results were used to plot an equilibrium composition diagram. The heat of oxidation was also measured as a function of temperature and oxygen partial pressure. ¶ Interaction of the ferrite with carbon dioxide below a critical temperature causes decomposition of the material to strontium carbonate and SrFe12O19 . The critical temperature depends on the partial pressure of CO2 and above the critical temperature the carbonate and SrFe12O19 are converted back into the ferrite.The resulting SrFe12O19 is very resistant towards carbonation and the thermal carbonation reaction does not lead to a complete decomposition of SrFeOx to hematite and strontium carbonate. ¶ The thermally induced oxidation and carbonation reactions cease at room temperature due to sluggish kinetics however,they can be carried out at ambient temperature using ball milling.The reaction routes for these processes are different from the thermal routes.The mechanical oxidation induces two or more concurrent reactions which lead to samples containing two or more phases. The mechanical carbonation on the other hand produces an unknown metastable iron carbonate and leads a complete decomposition of the ferrite to strontiumcarbonate and hematite. ¶ Thermally and mechanically oxidized samples were studied using Mossbauer spectroscopy. The author proposes a new interpretation of the Sr4Fe4O11 (x=2.75) and Sr8Fe8O23 (x=2.875)spectra.The interpretation is based on the chemistry of the compounds and provides a simpler explanation of the observed absorption lines.The Mossbauer results froma range of compositions revealed the roomtemperature phase behaviour of the ferrite also examined using x-ray diffraction. ¶ The high-temperature crystal structure of the ferrite was examined using neutron powder diffraction.The measurements were done at temperatures up to 1273K in argon and air atmospheres.The former atmosphere protects Sr2Fe2O5 (x=2.5) against oxidation and the measurements in air allowed variation of the composition of the oxide in the range 2.56 ≤ x ≤ 2.81. Sr2Fe2O5 is an antiferromagnet and undergoes phase transitions to the paramagnetic state at 692K and from the orthorhombic to the cubic structure around 1140K.The oxidized formof the ferrite also undergoes a transition to the high-temperature cubic form.The author proposes a new structural model for the cubic phase based on a unit cell with the Fm3c symmetry. The new model allows a description of the high-temperature cubic form of the ferrite as a solid solution of the composition end members.The results were used to draw a phase diagramfor the SrFeOx system. ¶ The last chapter summarizes the findings and suggests directions for further research.