Proton exchange membrane fuel cells and lithium polymer batteries are important as future power sources in electronic devices, vehicles and stationary applications. The development of these power sources involves finding and characterising materials that are well suited r the application. The materials investigated in this thesis are the perfluorosulphonic ionomer NafionTM (DuPont) and metal oxides incorporated into the membrane form of this material. The ionomer is used as polymer electrolyte in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) and the metal oxides are used as cathode materials in lithium polymer batters (LPB). Crystallinity in cast Nafion films can be introduced by ion beam exposure or aging. Spectroscopic investigations of the crystallinity of the ionomer indicate that the crystalline regions contain less water than amorphous regions and this could in part explain the drying out of the polymer electrolyte membrane in a PEMFC. Spectroscopic results on the equilibrated water uptake and the state of water in thin cast ionomer films indicate that there is a full proton transfer from the sulphonic acid group in the ionomer when there is one water molecule per sulphonate group. The LPB cathode materials, lithium manganese oxide and lithium cobalt oxide, were incorporated in situ in Nafion membranes. Other manganese oxides and cobalt oxides were incorporated in situ inside the membrane. Ion-exchange experiments from HcoO2 to LiCoO2 within the membrane were also successful. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction were used for the characterisation of the incorporated species and the Nafion film/membrane.

Metal oxide-facilitated transformation is likely an important degradation pathway of antibacterial agents at soil-water interfaces. Phenolic disinfectants (triclosan and chlorophene), fluoroquinolones (FQs), and aromatic N-oxides are of particular concern due to their widespread usage, potential toxicity and frequent detection in the environment. Results of the present study show that the above antibacterial agents are highly susceptible to metal oxide-facilitated oxidation. The interfacial reactions exhibit complex reaction kinetics, which are affected by solution pH, the presence of co-solutes, surface properties of metal oxides, and structural characteristics of antibacterial agents. Adsorption of the antibacterial agents to Mn and Fe oxide surfaces generally proceeds faster than oxidation reactions of these compounds by Mn and Fe oxides, especially in the case of Fe oxides. Reaction intermediates and end products are identified by GC/MS, LC/MS and/or FTIR. Structurally-related model compounds are examined to facilitate reaction site and mechanism elucidation. On the basis of experimental results and literature, reaction schemes are proposed. In general, the antibacterial agent is adsorbed to the oxide surface, forming a precursor complex. Electrons are transferred within the precursor complex from the antibacterial agent to the oxide, followed by releasing of the radical intermediates which undergo further reactions to generate oxidation products. The precursor complex formation and electron transfer are likely rate-limiting. For triclosan, phenoxy radicals are critical intermediates to form oxidation products through three pathways (i.e., radical coupling, further oxidation of the radical, and breakdown of an ether bond within the radical). The first two pathways are also operative in the oxidation of chlorophene. For FQs, oxidation generates radical intermediates that are most likely centered on the inner N in the piperazine ring. The radical intermediates then undergo three major pathways (i.e., radical coupling, N-dealkylation, and hydroxylation) to yield a variety of products. For aromatic N-oxides, a N-oxide radical intermediate is generated upon oxidation by MnO2, followed by the loss of oxygen from the N-oxide moiety and the formation of a hydroxyl group at the C-atom adjacent to the N-oxide moiety. Overall, a fundamental understanding of the reaction mechanisms between three classes of antibacterial agents and metal oxides has been obtained.

Σκοπός της παρούσας διδακτορικής διατριβής ήταν η ανάπτυξη ενός αποτελεσματικού καταλυτικού συστήματος με βάση το χαλκό, για την αναμόρφωση της μεθανόλης. Για το σκοπό αυτό εξετάστηκαν οι καταλυτικές ιδιότητες τριών συστημάτων βασιζόμενων σε καταλύτες χαλκού και παρασκευασμένων με τη μη συμβατική μέθοδο της καύσης: CuO-CeO2, τροποποιημένων καταλυτών CuO-CeO2 και Cu-Mn-O για την προαναφερθείσα διεργασία, καθώς και τα βέλτιστα δείγματα των καταλυτών CuO-CeO2 και Cu-Mn-O υποστηριγμένων σε μεταλλικούς αφρούς Al. Τα φυσικοχημικά χαρακτηριστικά των καταλυτών CuO-CeO2, βρέθηκαν να εξαρτώνται από τις παραμέτρους σύνθεσης. Ο βέλτιστος καταλύτης παρασκευάστηκε με λόγο Cu/(Cu+Ce)= 0.15. Στους τροποποιημένους καταλύτες CuO-CeO2, ένα μέρος του τροποποιητή εισχωρεί στο πλέγμα της δημήτριας, οδηγώντας στο σχηματισμό στερεού διαλύματος. Αυτό είχε ως αποτέλεσμα να επηρεαστούν τα φυσικοχημικά χαρακτηριστικά των δειγμάτων, αλλά και η καταλυτική συμπεριφορά τους. Οι σπινελικοί καταλύτες Cu-Mn-O είναι πολύ ενεργοί παρά τη μικρή ειδική επιφάνειά τους. Η ενεργότητά τους είναι συγκρίσιμη με αυτή των εμπορικών καταλυτών Cu-Zn-Al. Ο βέλτιστος καταλύτης ήταν αυτός με λόγο Cu/(Cu+Mn)= 0.30. Εξίσου αποδοτικοί για την παραγωγή υδρογόνου μέσω αναμόρφωσης της μεθανόλης, μονολιθικοί καταλύτες Cu-Ce/Al foam και Cu-Mn/Al foam παρασκευάστηκαν με τη μέθοδο της καύσης. Με βάση τα ευρήματα της ισοτοπικής μελέτης, προτείνεται για τον καταλύτη Cu-Mn-O ότι η αναμόρφωση πραγματοποιείται αποκλειστικά μέσω μηχανισμού που περιλαμβάνει τον ενδιάμεσο σχηματισμό μυρμηκικού μεθυλεστέρα. Για τους καταλύτες Cu-Ce-O και Cu-Zn-Al πραγματοποιείται ταυτόχρονα και μηχανισμός που περιλαμβάνει ως ενδιάμεσο είδος το διοξομεθυλένιο. / The scope of the present thesis was the development of an effective catalytic copper-based system for methanol reforming. The catalytic properties of three different copper-based systems prepared via the non conventional combustion method, were investigated for the aforementioned process: CuO-CeO2, modified CuO-CeO2 and Cu-Mn-O, as well as the optimal CuO-CeO2 and Cu-Mn-O oxide cata¬lysts supported on Al metal foam. The physicochemical characteristics of CuO-CeO2 catalysts were found to be influenced by the parameters of the synthesis. The optimal catalyst was prepared with Cu/(Cu+Ce) ratio equal to 0.15. In the case of modified CuO-CeO2 catalysts, at least part of dopant cations gets incorporated into the CeO2 lattice leading to solid solution formation. As a result, the physicochemical characteris¬tics of the samples were influenced, as well as their catalytic performance. Cu-Mn spinel oxide catalysts were found to be highly active despite their low surface area. Their activity is comparable to that of commercial Cu-Zn-Al catalysts. The optimal catalyst was prepared with a Cu/(Cu+Mn) ratio equal to 0.30. Structured Cu-Ce/Al foam and Cu-Mn/Al foam catalysts prepared via in situ combustion method were equally effective for hydrogen production via methanol reforming. Based on the findings of an isotopic study, a mechanism has been proposed for the reforming reaction over Cu-Mn-O, where methyl formate is formed as a reaction intermediate. An additional reaction mechanism is taking place over Cu-Ce-O and commercial Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalysts, resulting in the intermediate dioxomethylene.

The aim of the project was to establish rate and mechanisms of solid state reduction of manganese ores. The project studied carbothermal reduction of manganese oxide MnO, two Groote Eylandt (Australian) and Wessels (South African) manganese ores in hydrogen, helium and argon atmospheres at temperatures up to 1400C for MnO and 1200C for manganese ores. Experiments were conducted in the fixed bed reactor with on-line off-gas analysis. The major findings are as follows. ?? Rate and degree of reduction of MnO and ores increased with increasing temperature. ?? Reduction of MnO and manganese ores at temperatures up to 1200C was faster in helium than in argon, and much faster in hydrogen than in helium. The difference in MnO reduction in hydrogen and helium decreased with increasing temperature to 1400C. ?? Addition of up to 7 vol% of carbon monoxide to hydrogen had no effect on MnO reduction at 1200C. ?? In the process of carbothermal reduction of ores in hydrogen at 1200C, silica was reduced. ?? Reduction of both GE ores was slower than of Wessels ore. This was attributed to high content of iron oxide in the Wessels ore. ?? Carbon content in the graphite-ore mixture had a strong effect on phases formed in the process of reduction; thus, in the reduction of Wessels ore with 12-16 wt% C, a-Mn and Mn23C6 were formed; when carbon content was above 20 wt%, oxides were reduced to carbide (Mn,Fe)7C3. ?? Kinetic analysis showed that mass transfer of intermediate CO2 from oxide to graphite in carbothermal reduction in inert atmosphere was a contributing factor in the rate control. ?? High rate of reduction of manganese oxide in hydrogen was attributed to formation of methane which facilitated mass transfer of carbon from graphite to oxide. Hydrogen was also directly involved in reduction of manganese ore reducing iron oxides to metallic iron and higher manganese oxides to MnO. Reduction of Wessels and Groote Eyland Premium Fines ores in the solid state is feasible at temperatures up to 1200C; while temperature for solid state reduction of Groote Eyland Premium Sands is limited by 1100C.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Chemistry / Jun Li / Nanostructured electrode materials for electrochemical energy storage systems have been shown to improve both rate performance and capacity retention, while allowing considerably longer cycling lifetime. The nano-architectures provide enhanced kinetics by means of larger surface area, higher porosity, better material interconnectivity, shorter diffusion lengths, and overall mechanical stability. Meanwhile, active materials that once were excluded from use due to bulk property issues are now being examined in new nanoarchitecture. Silicon was such a material, desired for its large lithium-ion storage capacity of 4,200 mAh g[superscript]-1 and low redox potential of 0.4 V vs. Li/Li[superscript]+; however, a ~300% volume expansion and increased resistivity upon lithiation limited its broader applications. In the first study, the silicon-coated vertically aligned carbon nanofiber (VACNF) array presents a unique core-shell nanowire (NW) architecture that demonstrates both good capacity and high rate performance. In follow-up, the Si-VACNFs NW electrode demonstrates enhanced power rate capabilities as it shows excellent storage capacity at high rates, attributed to the unique nanoneedle structure that high vacuum sputtering produces on the three-dimensional array. Following silicon’s success, titanium dioxide has been explored as an alternative highrate electrode material by utilizing the dual storage mechanisms of Li+ insertion and pseudocapacitance. The TiO[subscript]2-coated VACNFs shows improved electrochemical activity that delivers near theoretical capacity at larger currents due to shorter Li[superscript]+ diffusion lengths and highly effective electron transport. A unique cell is formed with the Si-coated and TiO[subscript]2-coated electrodes place counter to one another, creating the hybrid of lithium ion battery-pseudocapacitor that demonstrated both high power and high energy densities. The hybrid cell operates like a battery at lower current rates, achieving larger discharge capacity, while retaining one-third of that capacity as the current is raised by 100-fold. This showcases the VACNF arrays as a solid platform capable of assisting lithium active compounds to achieve high capacity at very high rates, comparable to modern supercapacitors. Lastly, manganese oxide is explored to demonstrate the high power rate performance that the VACNF array can provide by creating a supercapacitor that is highly effective in cycling at various high current rates, maintaining high-capacity and good cycling performance for thousands of cycles.

Este trabalho apresenta a preparação de filmes nanoestruturados de óxido de manganês e de vanádio por diferentes técnicas e a sua caracterização eletroquímica utilizando diferentes líquidos iônicos como eletrólito. Os filmes de óxido de manganês foram preparados por automontagem camada-por-camada e por eletrodeposição assistida por molde de nanoesferas de poliestireno. Os filmes de óxido de vanádio foram preparados também por automontagem camada-por-camada e por deposição eletroforética. Diversos aspectos relacionados ao uso dos líquidos iônicos como eletrólitos foram discutidos: os resultados obtidos para os filmes de óxido de manganês por automontagem camada-por-camada mostraram que os íons do líquido iônico participam do processo de compensação de carga superficialmente e que o cátion do líquido iônico, apesar de mais volumoso, apresenta coeficiente de difusão maior que o Li+, formando uma barreira à intercalação dos mesmos na estrutura do material. A partir dos resultados obtidos para os filmes de óxido de manganês por eletrodeposição assistida por nanoesferas de poliestireno, foi possível verificar que o desempenho do sistema depende da natureza do líquido iônico utilizado, sendo possível obter desempenho superior aos solventes orgânicos convencionais com um dos líquidos iônicos utilizados do ponto de vista da ciclabilidade. Desempenho superior aos eletrólitos convencionais também foi observado para os filmes de óxido de vanádio obtidos por automontagem camada-por-camada. Por fim, a caracterização eletroquímica em líquidos iônicos dos filmes de óxido de vanádio obtidos por deposição eletroforética mostrou que não apenas o uso de nanopartículas, mas também o modo de deposição das mesmas influencia no desempenho eletroquímico do sistema. De maneira geral, os resultados obtidos mostraram que o uso de filmes nanoestruturados e de líquidos iônicos como eletrólitos constituem alternativas promissoras para a obtenção de dispositivos de armazenamento e conversão de energia de alto desempenho e segurança. / This work presents the preparation of manganese and vanadium oxides nanostructured films by different techniques and their electrochemical characterization in different ionic liquids based electrolytes. Manganese oxide films have been prepared by self-assembly layer-by-layer and by electrodeposition assisted by polystyrene nanospheres template. Vanadium oxide films have been also prepared by self-assembly layer-by-layer deposition and by electrophoretic deposition. Several aspects related with the use of ionic liquids as electrolytes have been discussed: the obtained results from layer-by-layer deposition of manganese oxide have shown that ionic liquid ions also participate in the charge compensation process, but only superficially; in spite of ionic liquid cation been larger than Li+, it moves faster, achieving the electrode surface before, being a barrier for Li+ intercalation. From the results obtained for the manganese oxide prepared by template assisted electrodeposition, it was possible to notice that electrochemical performance is dependent on the ionic liquid structure, being possible to achieve higher performance than with conventional organic solvent electrolyte with one of the studied ionic liquid. Superior performance in comparison with conventional electrolyte has also been achieved for vanadium oxide films prepared by layer-by-layer deposition from the point of view of cyclability. Finally, the electrochemical characterization of vanadium oxide films prepared by electrophoretic deposition in ionic liquids has shown that not only the use of nanoparticles but also the deposition method employed influences the electrochemical performance. To conclude, the obtained results have shown that the use of nanostructured films and ionic liquids as electrolytes are promising alternatives for the obtention of high performance energy storage and conversion devices.

Ce travail porte sur l'utilisation des déséquilibres radioactifs dans les échantillons de sols totaux, et des fractions minérales séparées. Les objectifs étaient d'évaluer : 1) l'impact d'un changement de végétation et de la granulométrie de la roche mère dans les sols sur les déséquilibres, 2) les phases minérales secondaires capables d'enregistrer des informations temporelles, et leur séparation chimique et 3) l’information temporelle portée par les minéraux primaires. Ce travail a mis en évidence sur le site de Breuil-Chenue que les couches les plus profondes du sol (< 40cm) ne montrent pas d’impact de la végétation ou de la granulométrie de la roche mère sur les déséquilibres radioactifs. Les faibles vitesses de production du sol (~1-2 mm/ka) obtenues reflètent la très faible érosion physique affectant ce site situé sur un plateau. La seconde partie de ce travail a permis d'identifier un protocole permettant d’extraire les oxydes de fer sans création de fractionnement chimique. Enfin, l'analyse de biotites d’un profil du même site a montré que les déséquilibres U/Th permettaient de déterminer de façon indépendante les vitesses d’altération in situ des minéraux dans les sols. / The aim of the present study was to evaluate weathering and soil formation rates using U-Th disequilibria in bulk soil or separated minerals. The specific objectives of this work were to evaluate the use of U-Th chronometric tools 1) regarding the impact of a land cover change and the bedrock characteristics 2) in selected secondary mineral phases and 3) in primary minerals. On the Breuil-Chenue (Morvan) site, no vegetation effect neither a grain size effect was observed on the U-Th series in the deepest soil layers (< 40cm). The low soil production rate (1-2 mm/ka) is therefore more affected by regional geomorphology than by the underlying bedrock texture. In the second part of this work, based on a thorough evaluation of different technics, a procedure was retained to extract Fe-oxides without chemical fractionation. Finally, the analysis of biotites hand-picked from one of the studied soil profile showed that U- series disequilibria allow to independently determinate the field-weathering-rate of minerals.

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No description available.

This diploma thesis deals with the X-Ray crystallography study of structural changes within lithium-ion cells. First part consists of the theoretical discussion about the structural changes in commerce lithium-ion cells with focus on X-Ray crystallography. Then the ex situ, in situ and operando terms are discussed. Verification of the XRD usage is realized on the LiFePO4 material. Experimental part deals with the optimization and preparation of electrochemical cells and the measurements. Finally, results of the Rietveld analysis are discussed.