Mes travaux de thèse s'inscrivent dans le cadre de l'étude de l'adsorption de systèmes moléculaires confinés dans des matériaux nanoporeux. Le confinement d'un fluide a des effets importants sur ses propriétés thermodynamiques car la compétition entre les effets de la taille des pores et les effets d'interface engendre des comportements nouveaux très spécifiques, comme de nouvelles phases et de nouvelles transitions de phase. Ces phénomènes interviennent communément dans de nombreux processus et procédés industriels : échange ionique, séparations sélectives, catalyse hétérogène... En particulier, j'ai étudié par simulation moléculaire les propriétés d'adsorption de molécules polaires d'intérêt industriel (CO2 et H2O) dans une nouvelle classe de matériaux poreux cristallins hybrides organiques-inorganiques dénommés MOFs (Metal-Organic Frameworks). Il s'agit de systèmes avec des propriétés d'adsorption remarquables déterminées par leur variété topologique et versatilité dues à la richesse de la chimie organique et de coordination et au fait qu'ils peuvent être fonctionnalisés avant comme après synthèse. Dans un premier temps je me suis intéressée à l'adsorption du CO2 dans une famille de systèmes ayant tous la même topologie mais des volumes poreux différents, les IRMOFs. J'ai pu ainsi caractériser l'effet du confinement sur leur capacité d'adsorption et un comportement universel a été mis en évidence : la température critique diminue lorsque le confinement augmente. Ensuite, j'ai étudié une nouvelle MOF cationique dénommée Zn2(CBTACN). Après avoir réussi à localiser les anions halogénure extra-charpente (ce qui n'était pas possible expérimentalement), j'ai caractérisé l'adsorption du CO2 dans ce matériau, d'abord comme corps pur et ensuite dans des mélanges. Enfin, je me suis intéressée à la stabilité hydrothermique de ces matériaux, qui est une thématique cruciale pour les applications. En particulier, j'ai observé le mécanisme d'hydratation d'un analogue de la MOF-5 qui se fait en deux étapes. Des effets collaboratifs, qui n'avaient pas été soulignés jusqu'à présent dans la littérature, ont été également mis en évidence.

With the aim of finding alternative reaction media for the synthesis of subvalent main group and transition metal cluster compounds, traditionally made through solid state reactions or in superacidic media, different alternative reaction media have been explored in this work. Room-temperature ionic liquids are amongst the more unconventional reaction media used. The syntheses performed have been aimed at both anionic and cationic cluster and the main tools used for characterization have been different X-ray diffraction and spectroscopic techniques. Selected ionic liquids have along with dichloromethane been shown to work as alternative reaction media for room temperature synthesis of the Bi5[GaCl4]3 salt. The salt containing the subvalent naked bismuth polycation Bi5 3+ was isolated from reduction reactions of BiCl3 in Ga/GaCl3-dichloromethane respectively Ga/GaCl3-ioinc liquid media. Three different classes of ionic liquids based on phosphonium-, imidazolium- and pyrrolidinium- salts have been used in synthesis. Homopolyatomic clusters from the lighter Group 15 element arsenic have also been studied. Solutions from the oxidative and reductive reaction routes of arsenic and AsCl3 in Lewis acidic toluene media were studied by EXAFS spectroscopy. The results were evaluated using molecular dynamics simulations of arsenic clusters. A discussion on how the calculated As4 cluster model relates to the experimental data resulted from this study. In terms of homopolyatomic anionic clusters the [K+(2,2,2-crypt)]2Ge9 2- compound containing the naked Ge9 2- anionic cluster has been isolated. The crystallographic investigation of [K+(2,2,2-crypt)]2Ge9 2- shows Zintl cluster anion Ge9 2- to be tricapped trigonal-prismatic with a symmetry very close to D3h. A chemical bonding analysis reveals two local minima of D3h symmetry and the cluster interaction scheme to be based on highly delocalised bonding. Ligand supported transition metal clusters from tungsten and palladium have also been prepared. Reduction of WCl6 in a reaction mixture of ionic liquid and co-solvent toluene resulted in tritungsten decachloride; W3Cl10(MeCN)3, being formed. Furthermore, palladium sandwich compounds; [Pd2(Ga2Cl7)(C7H8)2], [Pd2(GaCl4)(C9H12)2]∙C9H12 and [Pd2(Ga2Cl7)(C6H5Cl)2] have been prepared using GaCl3-arene reaction media. / <p>QC 20121212</p>

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are porous networks of metal-centers connect by organic ligands, which have potential for an array of applications including gas separations and storage, drug delivery, and molecular sensing. A multitude of structures are reported with specific pore geometries and functionalities, but MOFs are not currently implemented in consumer or industrial applications. Two major setbacks have hindered their transition to the applied level. 1) Many MOFs are not stable in the presence of ambient moisture. 2) Most syntheses are costly and take place under batch-style solvothermal conditions. This thesis addresses both of these setbacks and examines the performance potential of water-stable MOFs for selective gas adsorption. A representative set of MOFs are exposed to water, and structural effects are monitored from a before and after comparison to identify properties of water-stable MOFs. A novel continuous-flow MOF synthesis process is reported along with preliminary optimization experiments, which yield direct suggestions for future process improvements. Batch-style scale-up experiments are also conducted for three other MOFs, which provide insight into synthesis phenomena. Application specific results are reported for toxic chemical filtration and carbon dioxide removal from flue gas using MOFs. The thesis concludes by summarizing the experimental findings, discussing the application potential of specific MOFs, and recommending topics for future research projects. Pitfalls observed during this research are also directly discussed along with potential solutions.

Metal organic framework (MOF) has emerged as a new class of porous, thermally stable material which has attracted great attention due to their wide applications in gas storage, separation, catalysis etc. Self-assembly is the operative mechanism of MOFs syntheses; however, the control of MOF self-assembly is still a challenge in the construction of predetermined, structurally well-defined MOFs. The goal of the research is to arrive at multidimensional, highly porous and functional MOFs via hierarchical assembly of smaller molecular building blocks and, at the same time, to examine the possibilities for different interesting molecular textures. This goal is to be accomplished by the knowledge of ligand coordination mode, and geometry as well as logical choices of ligands and metals from which the MOFs are to be constructed from. Preparations of novel frameworks as well as other interesting molecular architectures are highlighted with their structures characterized.

Metal organic framework (MOF) has emerged as a new class of porous, thermally stable material which has attracted great attention due to their wide applications in gas storage, separation, catalysis etc. Self-assembly is the operative mechanism of MOFs syntheses; however, the control of MOF self-assembly is still a challenge in the construction of predetermined, structurally well-defined MOFs. The goal of the research is to arrive at multidimensional, highly porous and functional MOFs via hierarchical assembly of smaller molecular building blocks and, at the same time, to examine the possibilities for different interesting molecular textures. This goal is to be accomplished by the knowledge of ligand coordination mode, and geometry as well as logical choices of ligands and metals from which the MOFs are to be constructed from. Preparations of novel frameworks as well as other interesting molecular architectures are highlighted with their structures characterized.

Les MOFs résultent de l'organisation de polyèdres métalliques reliés par des molécules organiques chélatantes pour former un réseau poreux. La construction de solides hybrides organiques/inorganiques permet d'imaginer un très grand nombre de matériaux aux propriétés structurales et physico-chimiques variées. Le confinement du substrat dans une structure rigide, associé à des propriétés particulières des clusters métalliques ainsi qu'à des parois pouvant être fonctionnalisées, fournissent un environnement catalytique unique, plaçant les MOF à la frontière entre les espèces types zéolites et les enzymes. Cependant, il existe aujourd'hui très peu de MOFs possédant plus d'une fonction catalytique. Néanmoins, les propriétés catalytiques des MOFs peuvent être améliorées de façons non négligeables grâce aux méthodes de post-fonctionalisation. Dans ce travail, nous reportons le développement d'une méthode de post-fonctionnalisation originale des amino-MOFs. La première étape consiste à convertir la fonction amine en fonction azoture. Puis, sans isolation ni purification, le MOF fonctionnalisé est obtenu par " Click Chemistry " en ajoutant l'alcyne correspondant. Cette méthode peut être appliquée à tous les types d'amino-MOFs et à quasi toutes les fonctions chimiques que l'on souhaite greffer. Une large librairie de nouveaux matériaux a ainsi été obtenue et complètement caractérisée. Cette méthode a aussi été utilisée pour créer des MOFs catalytiques à façon pour une réaction de transesterification, ainsi que pour l'investigation de nouvelles applications plus fines (niches industrielle)

The very large number of distinct structures that are known for metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and zeolites presents both an opportunity and a challenge for identifying materials with useful properties for targeted separations. In this thesis we propose a three-stage computational methodology for addressing this issue and comprehensively screening all available nanoporous materials. We introduce efficient pore size calculations as a way of discarding large number of materials, which are unsuitable for a specific separation. Materials identified as having desired geometric characteristics can be further analyzed for their infinite dilution adsorption and diffusion properties by calculating the Henry's constants and activation energy barriers for diffusion. This enables us to calculate membrane selectivity in an unprecedented scale and use these values to generate a small set of materials for which the membrane selectivity can be calculated in detail and at finite loading using well-established computational tools. We display the results of using these methods for >500 MOFs and >160 silica zeolites for spherical adsorbates at first and for small linear molecules such as CO₂ later on. In addition we also demonstrate the size of the group of materials this procedure can be applied to, by performing these calculations, for simple adsorbate molecules, for an existing library of >250,000 hypothetical silica zeolites. Finally, efficient methods are introduced for assessing the role of framework flexibility on molecular diffusion in MOFs that do not require defining a classical forcefield for the MOF. These methods combine ab initio MD of the MOF with classical transition state theory and molecular dynamics simulations of the diffusing molecules. The effects of flexibility are shown to be large for CH₄, but not for CO₂ and other small spherical adsorbates, in ZIF-8.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are crystalline hybrid materials with interesting chemical and physical properties. This thesis is focused on the synthesis and characterization of different MOFs and their use in heterogeneous catalysis. Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs), including ZIF-4, ZIF -7 and ZIF -62, Ln(btc)(H2O) (Ln: Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Ho, Er and Yb), Ln2(bpydc)3(H2O)3, (Ln: Sm, Gd, Nd, Eu, Tb, Ho and Er), MOF-253-Ru and Zn(Co-salophen) MOFs were synthesized. Various characterization techniques were applied to study the properties of these MOFs. X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), single crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were extensively used. The effect of synthesis parameters, such as batch composition and temperature, on the formation and morphology of ZIF-7 and ZIF-62 was studied. Structural transformation and flexibility of two series of lanthanide-based MOFs, Ln(btc)(H2O) (Ln: Nd, Ho and Er) and Ln2(bpydc)3(H2O)3, (Ln: Sm and Gd) upon drying and heating were characterized. Relations between metal coordination, structure flexibility and thermal stability among the Sm2(bpydc)3(H2O)3, Nd(btc)(H2O) and MOF-253 were investigated. Salophen- and phenanthroline-based organic linkers were designed, synthesized and characterized. Metal complexes were coordinated to these linkers to be used as catalytic sites within the MOFs. Catalytic studies using two MOF materials, Ln(btc) and MOF-253-Ru, as heterogeneous catalysts in organic transformation reactions were performed. The heterogeneous nature and recyclability of these MOFs were investigated and described. / <p>At the time of doctoral defence the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper nr 4: Submitted; Paper nr 5: Submitted</p>

This thesis reports on a new low-cost wafer-level packaging technology for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). The MEMS process is based on a revised version of High Aspect Ratio Polysilicon and Single Crystal Silicon (HARPSS) technology. The packaging technique is based on thermal decomposition of a sacrificial polymer through a polymer overcoat followed by metal coating to create resizable MEMS packages. The sacrificial polymer is created on top of the active component including beams, seismic mass, and electrodes by photodefining, dispensing, etching, or molding. The low loss polymer overcoat is patterned by photodefinition to provide access to the bond pads. The sacrificial polymer decomposes at temperatures around 200-280aC and the volatile products permeate through the overcoat polymer leaving an embedded air-cavity. For MEMS devices that do not need hermetic packaging, the encapsulated device can then be handled and packaged like an integrated circuit. For devices that are sensitive to humidity or need vacuum environment, hermiticity is obtained by deposition and patterning thin-film metals such as aluminum, chromium, copper, or gold. To demonstrate the potential of this technology, different types of capacitive MEMS devices have been designed, fabricated, packaged, and characterized. These includes beam resonators, RF tunable capacitors, accelerometers, and gyroscopes. The MEMS design includes mechanical, thermal, and electromagnetic analysis. The device performance, before and after packaging is compared and the correlation to the model is presented. The following is a summary of the main contributions of this work to the extensive research focused on MEMS and their packaging: 1)A new low-cost wafer-level packaging method for bulk or surface micromachined devices including resonators, RF passives and mechanical sensors is reported. This technique utilizes thermal decomposition of a sacrificial polymer through an overcoat polymer to create buried channels on top of the resonant/movable parts of the micromachined device. It provides small interconnections together with resizable package dimensions. We report MEMS package thicknesses in the range of 10 mm to 1 mm, and package size from 0.0001 mm to 1 mm. 2)A revised version of the HARPSS technology is presented to implement high aspect ratio silicon capacitors, resonators and inertial sensors in the smallest area.

Metal diketonato complexes are populate in recent ten years, because of diketone compound is easy to get and cheap and also have good volatility to be the precursor of MOCVD, they usually can be the materials of wafer processing by high technology electronics industries. Many scientists are trying to synthesis these diketonato complexes, and find out the better reactivity compounds to be the precursor of MOCVD. In order to knowing the decompose activities of these complexes, we are trying to compare the metal-oxygen bonds of these diketonato complexes in this paper. By the way, these diketonato complexes have difference geometry in cis and trans form, and also have conformation isomers between syn and anti form. We will compare and discuss the structures and controlling factors in these kinds of diketonato complexes in this paper.