Ces dernières années, les recherches industielles et académiques ont connu des bouleversements sansprécédents liés à la notion de Développement Durable. Le choix des matières premières, des réactions,des procédés, et la caractérisation du produit final obligent les industriels à repenser leur mode deproduction. Ce changement peut notamment s’effectuer par « la conception de produits et de procédéschimiques permettant de réduire ou d’éliminer l’utilisation et la synthèse de leurs substancesdangereuses. » Les travaux de recherche décrits dans cette thèse s’inscrivent dans ce contexte etconcernent la mise au point de nouveaux systèmes réducteurs utilisant des hydrosiloxanes commesubstituts des hydrures d’aluminium et de bore.Dans cet objectif, plusieurs systèmes réducteurs basés sur l’utilisation du 1,1,3,3-tétraméthyldisiloxane(TMDS) associé à un complexe métallique ont pu être développés au laboratoire. Selon la nature dumétal employé, les réductions sélectives de diverses fonctions organiques ont été effectuées. Ainsi, lefer (III) acétylacétonate associé au TMDS a permis la réduction de nitro aromatiques en anilinescorrespondantes ; le palladium sur charbon la synthèse d’alcoxysiloxanes à partir de cycles oxygénés,d’alcools ou de carbonyles ; les esters ont également été réduits en alcools par action d’un complexede molybdène ou de vanadium ; la réduction d’acides ainsi que la cyclisation de diacides ont pu êtreeffectuées à l’aide de tribromure d’indium et ce dernier complexe a également montré une bonneefficacité pour la réduction d’oxydes de phosphine. / In recent years, industrial and academic researches have experienced unprecedented changes related tothe concept of sustainable development. The choice of raw material, reactions, processes, andcharacterization of final products are constraining the industrials to rethink their production methods.This change can be accomplished by “the conception of chemical products and processes that reduceor eliminate the use and synthesis of hazardous materials.” The research work described in this thesisis focused on the development of new reducing systems using hydrosiloxanes as substitutes foraluminum and boron hydrides.In this context, several reducing systems based on the use of 1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane (TMDS)associated with a metal complex have been developed in the laboratory. Depending on the metal,selective reductions of various organic functions were performed. Thus, iron (III) acetylacetonate andTMDS allowed the reduction of aromatic nitro compounds; palladium on charcoal was used for thesynthesis of alcoxysiloxanes from oxygenated rings, alcohols or carbonyl compounds; esters were alsoreduced into alcohols by the action of a molybdenum or a vanadium complex; reduction of carboxylicacids as well as the cylization of dicarboxylic acids have been carried out using indium tribromide andthe latter complex also proved efficiency for the reduction of phosphine oxides derivatives

Les synthèses par sol-gel non-hydrolytique (SGNH) d'oxydes mixtes Re-Si-Al et Mo-Si-Al sont présentées comme une voie innovante pour la préparation en une étape de catalyseurs hétérogènes de métathèse. Les catalyseurs supportés à base d'oxyde de molybdène sont intéressants du fait de leur faible coût d'achat, de leur résistance mécanique et de leur bonne activité à température modérée. Les catalyseurs supportés à base d'oxyde de rhénium sont connus pour être très actifs et sélectifs même à température ambiante. Cependant ils sont chers et la sublimation de l'oxyde de rhénium pose problème lors de leur synthèse. La synthèse utilisée est basée sur la réaction en une étape des précurseurs chlorés (ReCl5 ou MoCl3, SiCl4, AlCl3) avec du diisopropyléther (iPr2O) à 110 °C dans le dichloromethane. Le faible coût des précurseurs, l'absence de modificateurs de réactivité et de templates ainsi que la simplicité de synthèse rendent le procédé SGNH particulièrement attractif. Les catalyseurs oxydes mixtes obtenus présentent des compositions bien contrôlées, des textures mésoporeuses et avec des densités en sites acides élevées. La caractérisation par DRX, XPS et ToF-SIMS montre que les catalyseurs peuvent être décrits comme une matrice silice-alumine amorphe avec des espèces de surface Mo et Re bien dispersées. Pour les catalyseurs à base de Re, dans les compositions riches en silice, des pertes de rhénium ont été observées durant la calcination. Cette perte de rhenium peut être évitée en augmentant le taux d'alumine dans la composition. De plus, nous avons montré que la sublimation de Re, au cours de la calcination dans les compositions riches en silice, n'a pas lieu quand toutes les étapes du procédé (synthèse, lavage, séchage et calcination) sont réalisées en l'absence d'humidité. Nous avons étudié l'influence de la composition sur la texture, la structure, l'acidité et les propriétés de surface, qui sont corrélées aux performances catalytiques. Les performances des catalyseurs Re-Si-Al et Mo-Si-Al ont été évaluées en métathèse du propène et en métathèse croisée de l'éthène et du trans-2-butène. Les catalyseurs SGNH sont comparés à des catalyseurs avec des compositions similaires préparés par d'autres méthodes (imprégnation, thermal spreading, flame spray pyrolysis). Les catalyseurs préparés par SGNH présentent une très bonne activité spécifique en métathèse. / The non-hydrolytic sol-gel synthesis (NHSG) of Re-Si-Al and Mo-Si-Al mixed oxides was proposed as an innovative one step route to heterogeneous olefin metathesis catalysts. Supported molybdenum oxide catalysts are receiving much attention as a result of their relatively low price, robustness and good activity at low temperature. Supported rhenium oxide catalysts are known to be highly active and selective even at room temperature. However, they are expensive and moderately stable because of the sublimation of the rhenium oxide. The NHSG synthesis used in this work is based on the one pot reaction of chloride precursors (ReCl5 or MoCl3, SiCl4, AlCl3) with diisopropylether (iPr2O) at 110 °C in dichloromethane. The simplicity of NHSG makes it attractive: multi-step procedures, expensive precursors, or reactivity modifiers are not needed. The mixed oxide catalysts exhibited well-controlled compositions and mesoporous textures, with high acid site densities. XRD, XPS and ToF-SIMS showed that the catalysts could be described as an amorphous silica-alumina matrix with well-dispersed Re or Mo surface species. In the case of Re-based catalysts, rhenium losses by sublimation during calcination were observed for the silica-rich formulations. The loss of rhenium could however be avoided by increasing the Al content. More importantly we demonstrate that Re sublimation during calcination of silica-rich formulations is suppressed when the whole preparation procedure (synthesis, washing, drying and calcination) is carried out in the absence of water. Particular attention was devoted to the study of the influence of the composition on texture, structure, acidity and surface properties, which were correlated with the catalytic performances. The performance of selected Re-Si-Al and Mo-Si-Al catalysts was evaluated in the metathesis of propene and in the cross-metathesis of ethene and trans-2-butene. The NHSG catalysts were compared to catalysts of similar compositions prepared by other more methods (impregnation, thermal spreading, flame spray pyrolysis). The catalysts prepared by NHSG have a high specific activity in the metathesis reaction.

Um dos radionuclídeos que se destaca mundialmente é o molibdênio-99. O 99Mo é o gerador do radioisótopo mais amplamente usado para a preparação de radiofármacos para fins de diagnóstico em medicina nuclear, o tecnécio-99m. Neste estudo, as nanopartículas de magnetita foram sintetizadas por precipitação de íons Fe2+ em meio alcalino e tratadas por irradiação de microondas e foram aplicadas na separação do 99Mo por adsorção. O material foi caracterizado por FTIR, MEV, DRX, DSC, TGA e EDS. Os estudos de adsorção foram realizados utilizando a técnica em batelada e em colunas de leito fixo. Verificou-se a influência das espécies de Al e os radioisótopos Te, I e Ru na adsorção de 99Mo. Os efeitos do pH, tempo de contato, temperatura, concentração e dose do adsorvente foram investigados. Modelos de isotermas de adsorção Langmuir e Freundlich foram usados para obter informações sobre o processo de adsorção e os modelos cinéticos de pseudo-primeira ordem, pseudo-segunda ordem e difusão intrapartículas foram estudados para avaliar a cinética de adsorção. Soluções de dessorventes para a recuperação do 99Mo foram investigadas. A nova via de síntese de nanomagnetita proposta mostrou-se simples e rápida, fazendo uso de um único reagente. As nanopartículas de magnetita apresentaram forma esférica de aproximadamente de 20 nm e polidispersão heterogênea. As caracterizações por DRX, DSC e TGA confirmaram a predominância da fase magnetita nas amostras. A adsorção de 99Mo nas nanopartículas de magnetita foi próxima de 100% no intervalo de pH entre 1 e 11, durante 30 min de tempo de contato e 15 mg de dose do adsorvente. O modelo de isoterma de adsorção de Langmuir apresentou melhor acordo para a remoção 99Mo pelas nanopartículas de magnetita, e a cinética de adsorção foi melhor descrita pelo modelo de pseudo-segunda ordem. A caracterização por EDS indicou ausência de contaminação. A recuperação do 99Mo da nanomagnetita com solução de NaOH foi superior a 95% e os elementos Ru, Te, Al e I não interferiram na propriedade adsortiva da nanomagnetita. Estes resultados mostraram que nanopartículas de magnetita são bons adsorventes para o Mo e, por conseguinte, tem grande potencial para aplicação no processo de separação e purificação do 99Mo de fissão. / One of radionuclides that stand out globally is the Molybdenum-99. The 99Mo is the radionuclide generator most widely used radioisotope for the preparation of radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic purposes in nuclear medicine, Technetium-99m. In this study, magnetite nanoparticles were synthesized by precipitation of Fe2+ ions in an alkaline medium and treated by microwave irradiation and were studied for 99Mo adsorption and recovery The synthesized material was characterized by FTIR, SEM, XRD, DSC, TGA and EDS. Adsorption studies were carried out using the batch technique and fixed bed columns. The influence of the Al and the radioisotopes of Te, I and Ru species on 99Mo adsorption of was verified. Effects of pH, contact time, temperature, concentration and adsorbent dosage were investigated. Adsorption isotherm models of Langmuir and Freundlich were used to obtain information on the adsorption process and the kinetic models of pseudo first-order, pseudo-second order and intraparticle diffusion were studied to evaluate the adsorption. Desorbent solutions for 99Mo recovery were investigated. The new route for nanomagnetite synthesis was found to be simple and fast using of just one reagent. The magnetite nanoparticles showed spherical shape with about 20 nm in diameter and heterogeneous polydispersion. The characterizations by XRD, DSC and TGA confirmed the predominance of magnetite phase. The adsorption of 99Mo was close to 100% by the magnetite nanoparticles in the pH range from 1 to 11 for 30 min of contact time and 15 mg of adsorbent dosage. Langmuir adsorption isotherm model showed better agreement for the 99Mo adsorption by nanomagnetite nanoparticles, and the adsorption kinetics was better described by the pseudo second order model. The nanoparticle characterization by EDS indicated no contamination. The recovery of 99Mo with NaOH 2 mol L-1 from the magnetite nanoparticles was higher than 95% and the elements Ru, Te, Al and I did not interfere in the adsorption property of magnetite nanoparticles. These results showed that magnetite nanoparticles were good adsorbent for 99Mo and therefore have great potential for application in the process of separation and purification of fission 99Mo.

Os Ferros Fundidos de Alto Cromo (FFAC), por apresentarem excelentes propriedades tribológicas, têm sido amplamente utilizados em aplicações específicas envolvendo elevadas perdas de material por abrasão, especialmente no setor da mineração. Entretanto, a demanda por materiais com maior resistência ao desgaste aumenta continuamente, sendo necessárias novas pesquisas nesta área. Portanto, o presente trabalho objetiva avaliar a utilização do nióbio para aumentar, ainda mais, a resistência à abrasão dos FFAC\'s. Por outro lado, quando o FFAC é utilizado na fabricação de peças com geometrias irregulares (por exemplo, rotores de bombas), o componente pode apresentar diferentes níveis de refinamento da microestrutura, entre as regiões finas e espessas, devido às variações na taxa de resfriamento. No presente trabalho foi avaliado, o efeito do grau de refinamento da microestrutura, e a interação do refinamento com a adição de nióbio, na resistência ao desgaste abrasivo dos FFAC\'s. Para tanto, foram desenvolvidos quatro estudos principais: no primeiro estudo foram fabricados blocos de FFAC variando o grau de refinamento da microestrutura e foi mostrado que: grandes incrementos no grau de refinamento resultam em maiores perdas de massa por abrasão. Nas microestruturas menos refinadas, os carbonetos de cromo M7C3, de maior tamanho, são menos susceptíveis ao micro trincamento e podem, ocasionalmente, atuar como barreiras ante os eventos abrasivos. Em uma segunda série de experimentos, foi avaliada a interação do efeito do grau de refinamento da microestrutura com a adição de nióbio em teores baixos (1 %); mostrando que, para microestruturas com alto grau de refinamento, adições de nióbio reduzem as perdas de massa por abrasão em até 50 %. Em uma terceira série de experimentos foi avaliada a interação dos efeitos da adição de nióbio e de molibdênio. Quando comparado com a liga isenta de molibdênio, adições simultâneas de nióbio e molibdênio resultaram em microestruturas mais refinadas, com maior microdureza da matriz, e com carbonetos de nióbio (NbC) de maior dureza. Para condições de desgaste abrasivo por baixos esforços, onde o desgaste foi mais acentuado na matriz, adições simultâneas de nióbio e molibdênio resultaram em aumentos da resistência á abrasão dos FFAC estudados. Na última etapa do trabalho foi adicionado 3 % de nióbio em um liga de FFAC com composição química inicial hipereutética (25%Cr/3%C), a qual apresentaria carbonetos primários de cromo M7C3 de grande tamanho que induziriam comportamento frágil do material quando exposto ao desgaste. Porém, a adição de nióbio resultou em um FFAC com microestrutura mais refinada (eutética), contendo NbC\'s compactos e por conseguinte, mais resistente ao desgaste abrasivo. / High Chromium Cast Irons (HCCI\'s), because of their excellent tribological properties, have been widely used for specific applications involving high wear rates by abrasion, especially in the mining sector. However, the demand for materials with higher wear resistance is continuously growing and thus further research is needed in this area. For that reason, the current work purposes to assess the use of niobium to further increase the wear resistance of HCCI\'s. On the other hand, when HCCI is used for manufacturing components with irregular geometries (e.g. pump impellers), the components thin and thick regions can contain different levels of structure refinement due to variation in their cooling rates. In this work, the effect of structure refinement and the interaction between structure refinement and niobium addition on the abrasion resistance of HCCI\'s were evaluated. For that purpose, four systematic main studies were developed: in the first study, blocks of HCCI were manufactured varying the structure refinement and it was shown that large increases in the degree of structure refinement result in higher wear mass losses by abrasion. In less refined microstructures, the larger M7C3 chromium carbides are less susceptible to microcracking and can occasionally act as a barrier to abrasive particles. In the second series of experiments, the interaction between structure refinement and niobium addition in low concentrations (1 %) was evaluated; showing that for more refined microstructures, niobium additions reduce the mass losses by abrasion up to 50 %. In the third series of experiments, the interaction between niobium and molybdenum additions was evaluated. Compared to molybdenum-free alloy, simultaneous additions of niobium and molybdenum resulted in a more refined microstructure, higher hardness of the matrix and harder niobium carbides (NbC). For Low Stress Sliding Abrasion (LSSA) wear configuration, where wear was more pronounced in the matrix, simultaneous addition of niobium and molybdenum resulted in increase of abrasion resistance in the studied HCCI. In the last stage of this work, 3 % of niobium were added in an HCCI alloy with hypereutectic initial chemical composition (25%Cr/3%C), which presents primary large sized chromium carbides that induce a brittle behavior of the HCCI when subjected to wear. However, the niobium addition resulted in a more refined microstructure (eutectic) HCCI containing compact-shaped NbC carbides, and consequently in more resistance to abrasive wear.

O desenvolvimento de eletrocatalisadores eletricamente condutores com alta atividade para a reação de redução de oxigênio (ORR - Oxygen Reduction Reaction) e desprendimento de oxigênio (OER - Oxygen Evolution Reaction) é de extrema importância e interesse para dispositivos de eletro-conversão de energia, como as células a combustível e eletrolisadores, que operam tanto em meio alcalino quanto ácido. Em meio alcalino, é possível o uso de metais não nobres e, assim, são viáveis para o uso em larga escala. Em meio ácido, é necessário o uso de materiais estáveis, uma vez que eles são expostos a um ambiente extremamente corrosivo e à altos potenciais, principalmente durante o processo de liga/desliga do dispositivo. Diante disso, este trabalho foi dividido em três linhas de pesquisa: Parte I - estudos de eletrocatalisadores bifuncionais para a ORR e OER em meio alcalino, sendo eles compostos por espinélios de manganês-cobalto em combinação com nanopartículas de ouro (MnCo2O4/Au). Parte II - estudos de eletrocatalisadores alternativos para a ORR em eletrólito ácido, onde foram considerados carbetos e nitretos de molibdênio (Mo2C-MoN) e, oxinitretos de tântalo (Ta-ON). Parte III - estudo de suportes alternativos ao carbono para a ORR em eletrólito ácido, sendo eles compostos por carbonitretos de tântalo e titânio (Ta-CN e Ti-CN). Os resultados da Parte I para MnCo2O4/Au mostraram que houve um aumento significativo na atividade de MnCo2O4 com a adição de ouro para ambas as reações. Foi possível observar que a combinação de nanopartículas condutoras (ouro) com nanopartículas ativas, mas não condutoras (MnCo2O4), é promissora para o desenvolvimento de eletrocatalisadores ativos para uso como eletrodos de oxigênio. Quanto a Parte II, os materiais compostos por Mo2C-MoN foram obtidos por meio da inserção de carbono e nitrogênio com tratamento térmico, na presença de carbono Vulcan e NH3, em alta temperatura. O material nomeado como MoN + Mo2C (molibdato) foi o que apresentou maior atividade catalítica, o que pôde ser atribuído ao menor tamanho de cristalito, maior quantidade da sua fase MoN e ao efeito sinérgico entre MoN e Mo2C, facilitando a ORR em comparação ao nitreto e carbeto de molibdênio puros. Nesta mesma linha de pesquisa, oxinitretos de tântalo foram sintetizados utilizando ureia como fonte de nitrogênio. Foi observado que Ti-Ta-ON apresentou maior atividade catalítica quando comparado aos demais eletrocatalisadores. Já na Parte III, os resultados para carbonitreto de titânio como suporte para a platina (Pt/Ti-CN) mostraram que, além da sua atividade para a ORR ser semelhante à platina suportada em carbono (Pt/C), ele também se mostrou mais estável que Pt/C após a realização de testes de estabilidade. / The development of conductive electrocatalysts with high activity for the oxygen reduction and evolution reactions (ORR and OER) is of extremely importance for devices that electroconvert energy, such as fuel cells and electrolizers, which work in alkaline and acid media. A substantial amount of metals can be employed in alkaline electrolytes once the latter do not require the use of noble metals. The acid medium asks for stable materials, since they are exposed to a high oxidative environment and potentials during the start-up/shutdown events of the device. On the base of these facts, this research work has been divided into three parts: Part I - bifunctional electrocatalysts studies for the ORR and OER in alkaline electrolyte, the materials were composed of spinel manganese-cobalt oxide combined with gold nanoparticles (MnCo2O4/Au). Part II - studies of alternative electrocatalysts for the ORR in acid electrolyte, which included molybdenum carbides and nitrides (Mo2C-MoN), and tantalum oxynitrides (Ta-ON). Part III - alternative supports to the carbon for the ORR in acid electrolyte, which included tantalum and titanium carbonitrides (Ta-CN and Ti-CN). The results for MnCo2O4/Au, in Part I, showed that the addition of gold on the surface of the oxide improved the latter activity for both reactions. The combination of conductive nanoparticles (gold) with active, but non-conductive, nanoparticles (MnCo2O4) seems promising for the development of active electrocatalysts for the ORR and OER. In Part II, the materials composed of Mo2C-MoN were synthesized through carbon and nitrogen insertion, in a high temperature heat treatment, in the presence of Vulcan carbon and NH3. Among the gotten materials, the so called MoN + Mo2C (molybdate) showed the better electrocatalytic activity for the ORR, which could be attributed to its smaller crystallite size and the greater amount of its MoN phase, along with the synergistic effect between MoN and Mo2C. In this way, tantalum oxynitrides materials were obtained via a urea synthesis. The catalyst referred to as Ti-Ta-ON showed the better ORR activity among all the others studied oxynitrides materials. In Part III, besides the activity for the ORR of platinum supported on titanium carbonitride (Pt/Ti-CN) was similar to the activity of platinum supported on carbon (Pt/C), Pt/Ti-CN was also more stable than the latter, after the stability tests.

As células a combustível são dispositivos eletroquímicos que produzem energia elétrica limpa. Entretanto, o seu uso em larga escala ainda é limitado devido às enormes perdas de potencial que ocorrem no cátodo em função da lenta cinética da reação de redução de oxigênio (RRO). Portanto, é necessário o desenvolvimento de novos catalisadores que sejam viáveis comercialmente, apresentem alta atividade eletrocatalítica e grande estabilidade para esta reação. Neste trabalho, a RRO foi estuda em meio ácido em eletrocatalisadores à base de platina suportadas em carbetos de tungstênio (WC) e molibdênio (MoC) com diferentes estruturas cristalinas. Os carbetos foram preparados pelos métodos de decomposição térmica (MDT) e carburação (MC) e, subsequentemente, utilizados para a preparação dos catalisadores do tipo Pt-carbeto pelo método do ácido fórmico ou borohidreto de sódio. Estes materiais foram caracterizados por difração de raios-X (XRD), espectroscopia de energia dispersiva de raios-X (EDX), microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (TEM), espectroscopia de absorção de raios-X (XAS) in situ e espectroscopia de fotoelétrons excitados por raios-X (XPS). As medidas eletroquímicas foram realizadas em meio ácido usando a técnica de eletrodo disco-anel rotativo de camada fina. Os resultados de XRD, em conjunto com as medidas de TEM, indicaram que o MDT e MC fornecem carbetos com estruturas cúbicas (&beta;-WC1-x e &delta;-MoC) e hexagonais (&alpha;-WC e &alpha;-Mo2C) com tamanho de partícula < 2 nm e entre 10 e 40 nm, respectivamente. Os estudos eletroquímicos evidenciaram que os catalisadores Pt-carbeto/C apresentam diferenças de atividade específica (SA) e mássica (MA) para a RRO em função da estrutura e composição e que todos os catalisadores do tipo Pt-&beta;-WC1-x/C, Pt- &alpha;-Mo2C/C e Pt-&delta;-MoC/C e Pt2Ni- &alpha;-WC/C apresentam maior SA em comparação à Pt/C. A concentração de carbeto na matriz de carbono também influenciou significativamente os valores de SA, porém não há uma tendência clara que permita unificar um efeito comum para todos os catalisadores. Dentre todos estes catalisadores, o Pt-&beta;-WC1-x40/C e o Pt-&delta;-MoC40/C são 3,6 e 2,5 vezes mais ativos (SA) em comparação ao catalisador Pt/C. Também foi observado que a via predominante da RRO envolve cerca de 4 elétrons por molécula de oxigênio, com baixa produção de H2O2 em todos os casos. No caso dos materiais baseados em Pt-&beta;-WC1-x/C, análises de XANES in situ mostraram um pequeno aumento na ocupação da banda 5d da Pt, o que deve levar a uma interação Pt-OHx mais fraca, aumentando a cinética da RRO como observado. Além disso, os resultados de XPS evidenciam que a melhora na atividade específica está relacionada a um efeito sinérgico entre Pt ou Pt2Ni com as espécies do tipo WOx ou MoOx; exceto para os catalisadores de ligas Pt2Ni, para o qual os resultados de XPS indicaram a presença de WC na superfície do catalisador. Os testes de estabilidade mostraram que apesar do Pt/C ser mais ativo após 12.000 ciclos, o catalisador Pt-&alpha;-WC20/C é o mais estável em relação a sua AS, indicando que as interações benéficas das fases remanescente de Pt e WC/WOx são mantidas após o teste de durabilidade. / Fuel cells are electrochemical devices that produce clean electrical energy. However, their use on large scale is still limited due to the enormous potential losses that occur at the cathode due the slow kinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Therefore, the development of new catalysts that are commercially viable, present high electrocatalytic activity and great stability for this reaction is still necessary. In this work, the ORR was studied in acid medium on platinum-based electrocatalysts supported on tungsten (WC) and molybdenum (MoC) carbides with different crystalline structures. Carbides were prepared by the thermal decomposition (TDM) and a carburizing (CM) methodes and, subsequently used for the preparation of the Pt-carbide type catalysts by the formic acid or sodium borohydride method. These materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The electrochemical measurements were performed in acid medium using the thin-layer rotating disk-ring electrode technique. The results of XRD, together with those of TEM, indicate that the MDT and MC provide carbides with cubic (&beta;-WC1-x and &delta;-MoC) and hexagonal ( &alpha;-WC and &alpha;-Mo2C) structures with particle size < 2 nm and between 10 and 40 nm, respectively. The Pt-carbide/C catalysts exhibit differences in the specific activity (SA) and mass (MA) for the ORR as a function of structure and composition. All catalysts of the types Pt-&beta;-WC1-x/C, Pt- &alpha;-Mo2C/C, Pt-&delta;-MoC/C and Pt2Ni- &alpha;-WC/C presented higher SA as compared to Pt/C. The concentration of carbide in the carbon matrix significantly influence the SA, but no tendency was clearly found so to identify a common effect catalysts overall. Among all catalysts, Pt-&beta;-WC1-x40/C and Pt-&delta;-MoC40/C are 3.6 and 2.5 times more active (SA) compared to the Pt/C catalyst. It was also observed that the predominant ORR mechanism involve &cong; 4 electrons per oxygen molecule, and so with negligible production of H2O2. In the case of the materials based on Pt-&beta;-WC1-x/C, in situ XANES analyzes evidenced a small increase in the Pt 5d-band, occupancy leading to a weaker Pt-OHx interaction, increasing ORR kinetics as observed. In addition, XPS results show that the improvement in SA is related to a synergistic effect between Pt or Pt2Ni with WOx or MoOx species, except for the Pt2Ni alloy catalysts, for which the XPS results indicated the presence of some WC on the catalyst surface. Stability tests show that although Pt/C is more active after 12,000 cycles, the Pt-&alpha;-WC20/C catalyst is the most stable relative to its SA, indicating that the beneficial interactions of the remaining phases of Pt and WC/WOx are maintained after the durability test.

Nenhuma / Phase transformations in U-Mo alloys, in the as-cast condition, with Mo additions of 5, 7 to 10 wt.%, were investigated by performing artificial aging heat treatments at temperatures of 300 to 500 C. The use of scanning electronic microscopy with field emission gun and electrostatic force microscopy, in combination with conventional microstructural characterization techniques, allowed the detailed description of the microstructure in terms of the constitution and morphology of the transformation product phases which had not yet been reported for U-Mo alloys. The dendritic structure of the as-cast condition was characterized by the presence of molybdenum segregation, which was evidenced by the variation of the Mo content around the nominal composition of the alloys, between the centre and boundaries of the dendrites. The influence of Mo segregation was observed after the artificial ageing heat treatments carried out at both temperatures. Segregated regions with Mo contents below 6.3% presented twinned microstructures, associated with diffuse X-ray diffraction patterns and a remarkable hardening related to disorder-order transformation type, after aging at 300 oC. When submitted to ageing at 500 C, such Mo contents lead to a complete decomposition of the &#61472;phase or its o variant into a non-lamellar constituent composed by the gamma and alpha phases with microhardness above 580 HV. The heterogeneous nucleation of a lamellar constituent, whose morphology is typical of the divergent discontinuous precipitation mechanism, reported for U-Nb alloys, was responsible for the consumption of the non-lamellar constituent with the extension of the ageing heat treatment. Mo contents between 6.3 and 8.0% determined the absence of twinned morphology after ageing at 300 C, showing a hardening effect only for the 240 hours treatment, as a result of the disorder-order reaction. The cellular decomposition of the phase in these regions took place after ageing at 500 C. A two-phase and alpha e gamma constituent with lamellar morphology and a typical hardness of 450 HV was observed. In the case of the U-10Mo alloy, three transformation mechanisms were observed after ageing at 500 C, as a result of Mo segregation. The lamellar constituent was found in the dendrites boundaries whose Mo contents ranged between 7.4 and 8.6%. For the intermediate portions between the center and the dendrites boundaries, known as interdendritic region, where Mo contents between 8.6 and 10.2% were found, there was no decomposition of the gamma phase in the early stages of aging while the precipitation of the gamma phase, with acicular or Widmanstätten morphology, was noticed in the central portion of the dendrites, with Mo contents ranging from 10.2 to 12.0%. This observation is an evidence that the ability to stabilize the phase provided by the Mo, passes through a maximum and corresponds to the eutectoid composition of U-Mo system, unlike previous reports in the literature which relate a delay in the onset of phase decomposition even for Mo contents higher than 10%.

Six new crystal structures were determined using a Rigaku Mercurcy 375/MCCD(XtaLab mini) diffractometer. The structure of a molybdenum cofactor was solved resulting in an R1 (R1 = Σ ||Fo| - |Fc|| / Σ |Fo|) of 3.61% despite the presence of a disordered DMSO molecule. New Tetrakis(N-phenylacetamidato) Dirhodium(II) complexes were synthesized and characterized. Two 2,2-cis-[Rh2(NPhCOCH3)4]•(C3H4N2)x where x= 1 or 2 were successfully crystallized and solved with R1 values below 5%. Additional studies were conducted via NMR to observe formation of both products. Three potential catalysts were synthesized starting with 3,1-[Rh2(NPhCOCH3)4]. The resulting compounds were a mono adduct 3,1-[Rh2(NPhCOCH3)4]•(C3H4N2), and two dimer of dimers complexes with amine bridges 3,1-[Rh2(NPhCOCH3)4]2•(C8H6N2) and 3,1-[Rh2(NPhCOCH3)4]2•(C10H8N2). All three complexes were crystallized and solved with R1 values less than 10%. Additional NMR studies were conducted to elucidate solid and solution phase structures and to determine the possibility of additional amine bonds forming.

Molybdenum experiments: In Australia young Merlot vines sometimes suffer from vegetative disorders such as slow, zigzagged growth and leaf distortion. Merlot is also particularly known as a low- and inconsistent-yielding grape variety. Previous research showed that when foliar applications of molybdenum (Mo) were applied to Merlot vines the vegetative symptoms improved. More recently, when sodium molybdate was applied to Mo-deficient Merlot, yield improved; a function of increased bunch weight brought about by bigger berries. It has also been reported that at high concentrations, molybdenum might be detrimental to yield. Experiments were conducted on own-rooted Merlot (clone D3V14) vines in commercial vineyards in the Adelaide Hills (Hills) and at McLaren Vale, South Australia. Effects of molybdenum deficiency on the vegetative growth and yield of Vitis vinifera cv. Merlot: The aims of the current study were to: a) elucidate the mechanism by which molybdenum affects yield of Merlot; b) to monitor the effects of Mo-treatment on the balance between vine reproductive and vegetative growth; c) to monitor the residual effects of Mo-treatment on growth and yield of Merlot and; d) to determine whether high concentrations of molybdenum are detrimental to yield. Three rates of sodium molybdate were applied to vines in springtime (control = 0g, rate 1 = 0.101g and rate 2 = 0.202g sodium molybdate per vine). Vine molybdenum status was measured prior to treatment and again at flowering time using petiole, shoot tip and inflorescence analysis. The effects on vegetative growth were monitored at veraison, during dormancy and at budburst in the seasons following Mo-treatment. At flowering time, pollen vitality, pollen tube growth and flower structure were examined. Bunch number per vine, fruitset, berry weight and berry composition were measured at harvest. In the Hills, the controls had adequate molybdenum however, at McLaren Vale petiolar molybdenum concentration fell within the suggested deficiency range of 0.05-0.09 mg/kg in the petioles at flowering time. No visual symptoms of Mo-deficiency were observed on the experimental vines. At McLaren Vale, Mo-treatment reduced pruning weight and improved vine balance. Mo-treated vines in the Hills and at McLaren Vale were affected by delayed budburst in the season following Mo-treatment irrespective of their Mo-status. However, no seasonal carryover of molybdenum could be detected in tissue analysis at flowering time. Juice total soluble solids, pH and titratable acidity were not affected by Mo-treatment at McLaren Vale or in the Hills. However, juice from Mo-treated vines in the Hills had a significantly higher concentration of molybdenum than the controls. At McLaren Vale there was no significant difference in juice molybdenum concentration between treatments. In the Hills, yield was not affected by Mo-treatment. However, Mo-treated vines at McLaren Vale had significantly higher yields (approximately double) than the Mo-deficient controls. Bunch number per vine was not affected by Mo-treatment, either in the year that treatments were applied or in the following season. However, bunches from Mo-treated vines had significantly better fruitset resulting in more berries per bunch. Berry weight was affected by Mo-treatment in one season only. Yield was not detrimentally affected on vines that received the higher rate of sodium molybdate. In the Hills, Mo-treatment did not affect pollen numbers, pollen vitality or pollen tube growth. At McLaren Vale, where the controls were Mo-deficient, pollen vitality was not affected by Mo-treatment. However, pollen tube growth was significantly enhanced by Mo-treatment. Significantly more pollen tubes penetrated the ovules from Mo-treated vines and a higher proportion of ovaries had at least one penetrated ovule. Structural observations revealed that a significantly higher proportion of ovules from Mo-deficient vines were defective. The absence of an embryo sac in those ovules is probably the cause of pollen tube growth inhibition and subsequent poor fruitset. Effects of mode of pollination on yield of Merlot and the interacting effects of sodium molybdate sprays: Pollination experiments were conducted on field-grown own-rooted Merlot (clone D3V14) vines in commercial vineyards in the Adelaide Hills and at McLaren Vale in 2003-04 and in 2004-05. Inflorescences were supplied with supplementary Merlot pollen (self-pollination), with pollen from another variety (cross-pollination) or they were left to pollinate naturally (open pollination). In the Hills, mode of pollination did not affect fruitset or berry weight. In 2003-04 fruitset increased significantly at McLaren Vale when inflorescences were cross-pollinated with Semillon. Applying supplementary Merlot pollen also tended to improve fruitset, however none of the treatments affected berry weight. In 2004-05 there was no significant difference between treatments. These results indicate that Merlot may be a poor producer of pollen and may suffer from self-incompatibility. Given the significant improvements in yield gained by spring foliar applications of sodium molybdate to Mo-deficient Merlot vines, in 2005-06 a reciprocal experiment was conducted to separate the effects of Mo-treatment and mode of pollination on the male and female flower parts. The aims of this experiment were to: a) determine whether the male or female reproductive organs are more important in determining the success of fruitset of Merlot and; b) determine which remedial measure, Mo-treatment or pollination, is more effective at overcoming poor fruitset. Supplementary pollination treatments—cross-pollination (Semillon); self-pollination (Mo-deficient pollen); self-pollination (Mo-treated pollen) and; open-pollination—were applied to Mo-treated and Mo-deficient vines. Cross-pollinating Mo-deficient vines with Semillon significantly improved fruitset of Merlot compared to other pollination treatments on those vines, however applying molybdenum to the vines in springtime was more effective at improving fruitset. Within the Mo-treated vines the effects of supplementary pollination on fruitset were not thought to be of any practical significance. The results of this experiment provide further evidence that Mo-deficiency affects the female flower parts more than the male reproductive organs of Merlot. The occurrence of ‘star’ flowers in Australia: In 2003 faulty flowers were discovered on Canada Muscat grown in the Coombe Vineyard at the University of Adelaide’s Waite Campus. The Canada Muscat flowers opened from the top in ‘star’ formation in contrast to normal grape flowers, which shed the calyptra from its base. Star flowers were reported in French literature in the late 1800s. They were reported to as a symptom of a ‘disease’ that caused ‘coulure’, the cure for which was vine removal. The current report is the first known report of star flowers occurring in Australia. Through dissemination of the news of this discovery, several star flower variants were found in other varieties in South Australia. The association of star flowers with poor berry development and the frequency of the occurrence of star flowers suggest that this flower aberration may be affecting yield to a greater extent than previously recognised. This study provides a detailed description of two types of star flowers: those that occur in response to environmental conditions and those that occur every season. Other star flower variants are also documented. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1280856 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, 2007

<p>HIV-1 protease inhibitors are important in the most frequently used regimen for the treatment of HIV/AIDS, the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). For patients with access to this treatment, an HIV infection is no longer lethal, but rather a manageable, chronic infection. However, the HIV-1 protease inhibitors are generally associated with serious shortcomings such as adverse events, development of drug resistance and poor pharmacokinetic properties. Most of the approved inhibitors suffer from high protein binding, rapid metabolism and/or low membrane permeability. </p><p>In this project, novel HIV-1 protease inhibitors comprising a rarely used tertiary alcohol in the transition-state mimic were designed, synthesized and evaluated. The rationale behind the design was to achieve ‘masking’ of the tertiary alcohol by for example, intramolecular hydrogen bonding, which was believed could enhance transcellular transport. </p><p>A reliable synthetic protocol was developed and a series of highly potent inhibitors was obtained exhibiting excellent membrane permeation properties in a Caco-2 cell assay. However, the cellular antiviral potencies of these compounds were low. In an attempt to improve the anti-HIV activity, microwave-accelerated, palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions and aminocarbonylation of aryl bromide precursors were employed to produce P1'-extended test compounds. Inhibitors demonstrating up to six times higher antiviral effect were obtained, the best derivatives having para 3- or 4-pyridyl elongations in P1'.</p><p>Fast metabolic degradation was observed in liver microsome homogenate, which is believed, at least partly, to be attributable to benzylic oxidation of the indanol P2 group of the inhibitors. To enable facile variation of the P2 side chain a new synthetic route was developed using an enantiomerically pure, benzyl-substituted epoxy carboxylic acid as the key intermediate. Cyclic and amino-acid-residue-derived P2 groups were evaluated, and inhibitors equipotent to the series containing an indanol moiety were produced.</p>