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This work presents an in-depth study of the crystal structures and hydrogen sorption potential of the Li - N - H and Li - Na - N - H systems. The structures of the materials have been studied using X-ray and neutron diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and inelastic neutron scattering. The behavior of the materials during heating was studied using variable temperature X-ray diffraction, intelligent gravimetric analysis in conjunction with neutron diffraction, intelligent gravimetric analysis combined with mass spectrometry and differential scanning calorimetry. The role of cation disorder in the Li - N - H (D) system has been explored, indicating that crystallographic ordering of the Li⁺ ions within lithium amide and lithium imide significantly affects the hydrogen sorption properties of the materials. Order-disorder transitions were observed both during hydrogen desorption from ordered LiNH₂ and during deuterium adsorption on ordered Li₂ND. Such transitions were not observed in disordered samples of the materials. The intrinsic disorder and the stoichiometry of Li - N - H(D) materials was shown to depend strongly on the techniques used during their synthesis. Studies regarding the synthesis, crystal chemistry and decomposition properties of the mixed Li / Na amides are presented. Two distinct mixed Li / Na amides of formulae Li₃Na(NH₂)₄ and LiNa₂(NH₂)₃ were observed in the LiNH₂ / NaNH₂ phase space. Na was also seen to be soluble in LiNH₂, forming sodium-doped LiNH₂ . Li₃Na(NH₂)₄ and Na-doped LiNH₂ were found to exhibit significant cation non-stoichiometry, whereas LiNa₂(NH₂)₄ was shown to exist as a line phase material. Thermogravimetric and calorimetric studies of the mixed Li / Na amides suggested that these materials decompose primarily with loss of H₂.

The cyto-protective compositions and effects of antiviral Maillard reaction products (MRPs) derived from roots of Isatis indigotica F. were examined using biochemical and biophysical methods. The Maillard reaction was identified as the main source of compounds with antiviral activity, an observation which has led to the proposal of a new class of active compounds that protect cells from influenza virus infection. In the roots, arginine and glucose were revealed to be the predominant reactants for the Maillard reaction. Significant anti-influenza virus effects were demonstrated in the RIE MRPs derived from the roots (RIE refers to the ‘radix Isatidis extracts’), and in Arg-Glc MRPs which are synthesised with arginine and glucose. Arg-Glc MRPs were confirmed as suitable models for the study of the antiviral effects of the root extracts. Furthermore, RIE MRPs and Arg-Glc MRPs were found to bind to the plasma membranes of erythrocytes and MDCK cells, and altered their properties. A novel antiviral mechanism was proposed: that MRPs achieve their cyto-protective effects by binding to the cell membrane rather than by direct action on viral particles. To validate the proposed mechanism, the interaction between MRPs and membrane lipids was investigated by biophysical experiments with phospholipids bilayers. Arg-Glc MRPs affected the rigidity of lipid packing in monolayers and bilayers, while RIE MRPs enhanced the fluidity. Both types of MRPs inserted into the hydrophobic core of bilayers, to differing extents, and induced the stabilisation or destabilisation of bilayers in a concentrationdependent manner. At certain concentrations, MRPs prevented the lamellar structure of bilayers from being destabilised by a viral fusion peptide, improved the lipid order and thereby inhibited cell-virus membrane fusion. The mechanism of the anti-influenza virus activity of RIE was therefore correlated to the interaction between MRPs and phospholipid bilayers, an integral component of the plasma membrane.

The structural chemistry and magnetic properties of compounds isostructural with La₁₈Li₈Rh₅O₃₉ have been studied. In this cubic structure (space group Pm^{^_}<sub style='position: relative; left: -.5em;'>3</sub>n), [111] chains of alternating RhO₆ octahedra (2a, 8e sites) and LiO₆ trigonal prisms (16i site) occupy channels within a La-O framework. In order to study the consequences of both reducing the dimensions of the channels and introducing paramagnetic cations into both the framework and the polyhedral chains, compositions in the series Nd₁₈Li₈Rh_5-xFe_xO₃₉ (1 &le; x &le; 4) have been synthesised and characterised by magnetometry, neutron diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Iron preferentially occupies the 2a site as low-spin Fe(IV) and the larger 8e site as high-spin Fe(III). Compositions having x > 1 show spin-glass-like behaviour below ~5 K. The behaviour of this series of compositions has been compared with that of the known series La₁₈Li₈Rh_5-xFe_xO₃₉. In order to facilitate this comparison, the structure of La₁₈Li₈Fe₅O₃₉ has been fully characterised by both neutron diffraction and EXAFS. The use of both techniques has revealed differences between the mean and local environments of iron. In order to explore and extend the range and combinations of elements that can be accommodated in this structure, the Ti-containing compounds Ln₁₈Li₈M₄TiO₃₉ (Ln=La,Nd,Pr,Sm; M=Rh,Fe,Co) have been synthesised. Nd₁₈Li₈Fe₄TiO₃₉ was selected for a detailed study by magnetometry, neutron diffraction, Mössbauer spectroscopy and XANES. Cations were found to be stabilised in unusual oxidation states and disordered over three sites of the Nd₁₈Li₈Fe₄TiO₃₉ polyhedral chains. The 8e site is occupied by high-spin Fe³⁺, Ti³⁺ and Li⁺ in a ratio of 76:20:4; the 2a site by low-spin Fe⁴⁺ and Ti⁴⁺ in a ratio of 79:21 and the trigonal-prismatic 16i site by Li⁺ and Fe³⁺ in a ratio of 98:2. Nd₁₈Li₈Fe₄TiO₃₉ undergoes a transition to a spin-glass state at 4.25(5) K, whereas La₁₈Li₈Fe₄TiO₃₉ revealed a different type of magnetic transition at ~8 K. The nature of this transition is not yet clear. Monophasic samples could not be prepared in the Nd/Rh system and cation vacancies were found in Nd/Co. No pure samples of Sm-containing compositions could be prepared, while the only Pr composition which was obtained pure, according to X-ray diffraction, Pr₁₈Li₈Co₄TiO ₃₉ shows the similar magnetic properties to Pr₁₈Li₈Co₃TiO₃₉. The compositions Ln₁₈Li₈M₃ M'O₃₉ (Ln=La,Nd,Pr,Sm; M,M'=Fe,Co,Ti) with 25% of the 8e sites vacant have been investigated. The Co-containing compositions Nd₁₈Li₈Co₃FeO_39-y, Nd₁₈Li₈CoFe₃O_39-y and Nd₁₈Li₈Co₃TiO_39-y were characterised by neutron diffraction. Cation vacancies on the 8e sites were found to coexist with anion vacancies around the 2a sites. The remaining octahedral sites are occupied by a disordered arrangement of transition-metal cations. The trigonal-prismatic sites are fully occupied by Li except in the case of Nd₁₈Li₈CoFe₃O_39-y where some Fe is present, as confirmed by Mössbauer spectral data. Antiferromagnetic interactions are present on the Nd sublattice in each composition, but a spin glass forms below 5 K when a high concentration of spins is also present on the octahedral sites. The magnetic character of the Ln cations plays an important role in determining the properties of these compounds. Long-range magnetic order of the transition-metal cations was not observed in any compositions. Although this might be partly attributable to the cation disorder in the polyhedral chains, the apparent antiferromagnetic behaviour of Nd-containing compositions in which the transition metals have a low magnetic moment, e.g. Nd₁₈Li₈Co₃TiO_39-y, and the marked contrast between certain La and Nd compositions in which the transition metal content is the same, e.g. Nd₁₈Li₈Fe₄TiO₃₉ and La₁₈Li₈Fe₄TiO₃₉, suggests that the Ln sublattice is fully involved in determining the magnetic behaviour.

Multi-pass fusion welding by a filler wire (welding electrode) is normally carried out to join thick steel sections used in most engineering applications. Welded joints in an installation, is the area of critical importance, since they are likely to contain a higher density of defects than the parent metal and their physical properties can differ significantly from the parent metal. Fusion arc welding process relies on intense local heating at a joint where a certain amount of the parent metal is melted and fused with additional metal from the filler wire. The intense local heating causes severe transient thermal gradients in the welded component and the resulting uneven cooling that follows produces a variably distributed residual stress field. In multi-pass welds, multiple thermal cycles resulted in a variably distribution of residual stress field across the weld and through the thickness. These complex thermal stresses generated in welds are undesirable but inevitable during fusion welding. Presence of such tensile residual stresses can be detrimental to the service integrity of a welded structure. In addition to a complex distribution of residual stress state, multi-pass welds also forms dendritic grain structure, which are repeatedly heated, resulting in segregation of alloying elements. Dendritic grain structure is weaker and segregation of alloying elements would result in formation of corrosion microcells as well as reduction in overall corrosion prevention due to depletion of alloying elements.

Les conducteurs d'ions oxygène fonctionnant à des températures inférieures à 300 ° C sont des matériaux d'intérêt majeur pour une série d’applications technologiques telles que les piles à combustible solide, les batteries, les électrodes, les capteurs, des catalyseurs, etc. Cependant à l’heure actuelle, les conducteurs d'ions d'oxygène solides fonctionnent raisonnablement seulement à haute température, supérieure à 800°C, ce qui limite leur application. Dans la recherche de l'amélioration des conducteurs d'ions d'oxygène, la structure Brownmillérite (ABO2.5 éq. A2B2O5) a toujours joué un rôle important, en particulier dans le régime à basse température où la dynamique de la chaîne tétraédrique induit la mobilité de l'oxygène. Dans ce contexte, nous avons synthétisé une nouvelle phase Sr2-xBaxScGaO5 (avec x=0 SSGO et x= 0.1 SBSGO), contenant des ions 3d0 diamagnétiques et susceptible d’être un conducteur ionique pur. En fonction de la voie de synthèse, le composé présente deux polymorphes, orthorhombiques et cubiques, qui sont tous deux importants pour la conductivité de l'oxygène. La réaction à l’état solide conduit à une structure de type Brownmillerite orthorhombique tandis que la synthèse de fusion de zone (FTZ) donne une structure Pérovskite déficitaire en oxygène .Par diffraction neutronique sur poudre (D2B @ ILL) nous avons analysé la structure des deux polymorphes, en fonction de la température. Une analyse détaillée du type SSGO Brownmillerite montre que le Sc occupe les sites octaédriques, tandis que Ga occupe exclusivement les tétraèdres autres. Cet ordre de cations est assez inhabituel pour les structures de type Brownmillerite. La deuxième particularité est que Sr2-xBaxScGaO5 subit une transition de phase à partir d'une configuration ordonnée des chaines (GaO4), caractéristiques du groupe d’espace I2mb à température ambiante, vers une configuration désordonnée des chaînes dans le groupe d’espace Imma (à 500°C). Ce résultat important confirme notre hypothèse que le désordre est dynamique et il est la clé pour avoir un conducteur d'ions d'oxygène à températures modérées. La synthèse à des températures élevées (jusqu'à fusion), donne une structure cubique Pm ̅m, stable jusqu'à 1000 ° C. La structure est de type Pérovskite fortement déficitaire en oxygène. La mobilité de l’oxygène de ces nouveaux composés a été ensuite étudiée par la thermogravimétrie (TGA) couplée avec spectroscopie de masse (MS) après échange isotopique 18O-16O, par spectroscopie RAMAN et RMN couplée avec les calculs théoriques ab-initio (WIEN2k), par diffusion inélastique des neutrons (IN6@ILL) couplée avec des calculs de dynamiques moléculaire ab-initio (VASP). Les résultats obtenus via les études structurales et de dynamique de réseau montrent que l’activation de la mobilité ionique est liée à la transition vers la structure désordonnée Imma, qui implique une dynamique importante des chaines GaO4 et une diffusion unidimensionnel le long des canaux lacunaires. Ces résultats ont pu être reproduits par calculs de dynamique moléculaire, dans lesquels la diffusion ne concerne que les oxygènes des plans tétraédriques, et s’expliquent par des paramètres de maille a et c qui sont significativement augmentés par rapport à (Ca/Sr)FeO2.5. / Oxygen ion conductors operating at low temperature, below 300 ° C, are materials of major interest for several applications in the area of solid state ionicsas solid fuel cells, batteries, electrodes, sensors, catalysts, etc. However till now, the solid oxygen ion conductor works reasonably only at high temperatures above 800 ° C, which limits their application. In the search for improved oxygen ion conductors Brownmillerite structures ( ABO2.5 eq. A2B2O5 ) has always played an important role, especially in the low temperature regime where the dynamics of the tetrahedral chain induced mobility of oxygen. In this context, we have synthesized a new phase Sr1-xBaxScGaO5 with x = 0 (SSGO) and x = 0.1 (SBSGO) containing diamagnetic 3d0 ions to have a pure ion conductor. Depending on the synthesis route, the compound has two polymorphs, orthorhombic and cubic, which are both important for the oxygen conductivity. The reaction in the solid state leads to an orthorhombic Brownmillerite-type structure, while tmeling synthesis (using the Travelling Floating Zone method FTZ ) gives an oxygen-deficient Perovskite structure. The structures of both polymorphs were analyzed using the neutron powder diffraction as function of the temperature (D2B@ILL). A detailed analysis of SSGO Brownmillerite type shows that the Sc occupies octahedral sites, while the Ga occupies exclusively the tetrahedral ones. This cation ordering is unusual for the Brownmillerite structures. Moreover Sr2-xBaxScGaO5 undergoes a phase transition from an ordered configuration of the tetrahedral chains (GaO4) characteristic of I2mb space-group at room temperature, toward a disordered one characteristic of Imma space group (500 ° C). This important result confirms that the disorder of the tetrahedral chains is dynamic and it is the key to have oxygen ion conductor at moderate temperatures. Synthesis at elevated temperatures (up to melting point) gives a cubic structure Pm ̅m, stable up to 1000 ° C. The Perovskite -type structure is highly oxygen deficient. The mobility of the oxygen of these new compounds was studied by thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) after the isotope exchange 18O-16O, by Raman and NMR spectroscopy coupled with theoretical ab-initio calculations (WIEN2k), by inelastic neutron scattering (IN6@ILL) coupled with calculations of ab-initio molecular dynamics (VASP ) . The results obtained from the structural and the lattice dynamics studies show that activation of the ion mobility is related to the transition to a disordered structure Imma, which implies an important dynamics of the chains GaO4 and the diffusion along the one-dimensional vacancy channel. These results have been reproduced by molecular dynamics calculations, in which the diffusion pathway is due only to the oxygen in the tetrahedral planes.

Foram realizados estudos da síntese e do crescimento de cristais de BaY2F8:TR (TR= Nd3+; Pr3+; Er3+; Tb3+; Dy3+) simplesmente dopados e codopados (Nd3+:Dy3+ ; Nd3+:Pr3+) por meio do método de fusão por zona (FZ). Os cristais crescidos foram caracterizados quanto a sua estrutura por Difração de raios-x (DRX) e Difração de nêutrons (DN) com análise pelo método de Rietveld. Foi também estudado o comportamento na fusão deste material puro e dopado com elementos terras raras trivalentes através de: microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) e espectroscopia dispersiva de raios-x (EDS). A concentração final de dopantes, bem como, sua distribuição nos cristais crescidos foi estimada e, quando possível, foi ainda calculado o coeficiente de segregação de cada dopante nesta matriz. Os cristais foram também analisados por espectroscopia de absorção e emissão no caso dos materiais duplamente dopados, sendo observada evidencias de transferência de energia Nd-Pr na região UV. Foram obtidos cristais com dimensões da ordem de 40 mm x 10mm com boa qualidade óptica e estrutural adequados para estudos espectroscópicos e testes de ação laser com bombeamento por laser de diodo. Experiências preliminares de crescimento de fibras monocristalinas desta matriz pura e dopada com Tb3+, pelo método de crescimento de micro-pulling down, foram também realizadas visando uma avaliação do método aplicado a este fluoreto. Foram obtidas apenas fibras translúcidas com diâmetro constante sendo necessária maior investigação sobre o crescimento de fibras deste material puro ou dopado. / Synthesis and Growth process of single crystals of BaY2F8:TR (TR= Nd3+; Pr3+; Er3+; Tb3+;Dy3+) single-doped and co-doped (Nd3+ :Dy3+ ; Nd3+:Pr3+) were performed by Zone Melting method (ZM). The grown crystals were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Neutron Diffraction (ND) and analyzed by the Rietveld Method. The melting behavior of this pure and trivalent rare earth doped-fluoride was investigated also by scanning electron microscopy (MEV) and X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The concentration and distribution of the dopants in the grown crystals were measured, and when feasible, the segregation coefficient was estimated. The single crystals were also analyzed by absorption spectroscopy and emission spectroscopy in the case of the co-doped crystals. Evidences of the occurrence of energy transfer process in the UV for Nd-Pr were detected. From the study of the growth process single crystals of 40mm x 10mm in size, with good optical and structural quality were obtained for spectroscopy studies and tests of laser emission. Initial experiments were also performed in the growth of single crystalline fibers of this host doped with Tb3+, by the micro-pulling down method aiming a preliminary evaluation of the use of this growth process. Only semi-transparent fibers were obtained. Additional studies are necessary to improve the growth of single crystalline fibers of this fluoride.

Foram realizados estudos da síntese e do crescimento de cristais de BaY2F8:TR (TR= Nd3+; Pr3+; Er3+; Tb3+; Dy3+) simplesmente dopados e codopados (Nd3+:Dy3+ ; Nd3+:Pr3+) por meio do método de fusão por zona (FZ). Os cristais crescidos foram caracterizados quanto a sua estrutura por Difração de raios-x (DRX) e Difração de nêutrons (DN) com análise pelo método de Rietveld. Foi também estudado o comportamento na fusão deste material puro e dopado com elementos terras raras trivalentes através de: microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) e espectroscopia dispersiva de raios-x (EDS). A concentração final de dopantes, bem como, sua distribuição nos cristais crescidos foi estimada e, quando possível, foi ainda calculado o coeficiente de segregação de cada dopante nesta matriz. Os cristais foram também analisados por espectroscopia de absorção e emissão no caso dos materiais duplamente dopados, sendo observada evidencias de transferência de energia Nd-Pr na região UV. Foram obtidos cristais com dimensões da ordem de 40 mm x 10mm com boa qualidade óptica e estrutural adequados para estudos espectroscópicos e testes de ação laser com bombeamento por laser de diodo. Experiências preliminares de crescimento de fibras monocristalinas desta matriz pura e dopada com Tb3+, pelo método de crescimento de micro-pulling down, foram também realizadas visando uma avaliação do método aplicado a este fluoreto. Foram obtidas apenas fibras translúcidas com diâmetro constante sendo necessária maior investigação sobre o crescimento de fibras deste material puro ou dopado. / Synthesis and Growth process of single crystals of BaY2F8:TR (TR= Nd3+; Pr3+; Er3+; Tb3+;Dy3+) single-doped and co-doped (Nd3+ :Dy3+ ; Nd3+:Pr3+) were performed by Zone Melting method (ZM). The grown crystals were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Neutron Diffraction (ND) and analyzed by the Rietveld Method. The melting behavior of this pure and trivalent rare earth doped-fluoride was investigated also by scanning electron microscopy (MEV) and X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The concentration and distribution of the dopants in the grown crystals were measured, and when feasible, the segregation coefficient was estimated. The single crystals were also analyzed by absorption spectroscopy and emission spectroscopy in the case of the co-doped crystals. Evidences of the occurrence of energy transfer process in the UV for Nd-Pr were detected. From the study of the growth process single crystals of 40mm x 10mm in size, with good optical and structural quality were obtained for spectroscopy studies and tests of laser emission. Initial experiments were also performed in the growth of single crystalline fibers of this host doped with Tb3+, by the micro-pulling down method aiming a preliminary evaluation of the use of this growth process. Only semi-transparent fibers were obtained. Additional studies are necessary to improve the growth of single crystalline fibers of this fluoride.

The spinel structure (general formula AB2O4) is widely occurring in natural and synthetic materials, and has a marked technological and scientific significance due to its magnetic, electric and multiferroic behaviours. The presence of transition metal cations with multiple oxidation state and the resulting charge, orbital and spin degrees of freedom of the partially occupied d-orbitals lead to uniquely ordered ground states. The coupling of all the three degrees of freedom can result in a structurally distorted ground state where the direct metal-metal interaction forms atomic clusters, or 'orbital molecules'. The Verwey phase of magnetite (Fe3O4), occurring below TV ~ 125 K, is driven by a cooperative bond distortion that forms linear Fe3+-Fe2+-Fe3+ arrangement (trimeron). The effect of non-stoichiometry and chemical modification on this complex structure has been investigated with a variety of samples through microcrystal synchrotron XRD. A mineral sample (Al, Si, Mg and Mn impurities, TV = 119 K) confirms the Verwey phase as the most complex long-range electronic order known to occur naturally; its relevance in space sciences is discussed. Moreover, the structural analysis of two synthetic magnetites (Fe3(1-δ)O4 with 3δ = 0.012 and TV = 102 K, Fe3-xZnxO4 with x = 0.03 and TV = 90 K) univocally confirmed the persistence of the transition, and its first order, at doping level > 1 %, contrary to previous reports. Moreover, the temperature evolution of the trimerons and their persistence above TV was probed through X-ray Pair Distribution Function analysis on pure Fe3O4: the data analysis between 90 K < T < 923 K show that the Verwey phase goes from long-range ordered (T < 125 K) to short-range ordered (T > 850 K). Magnetite can thus only be considered to have a regular cubic spinel structure above the Curie temperature (TC = 858 K). The pyrochlore lattice of B cations in a spinel gives the structure the potential for frustration upon antiferromagnetic ordering. Fe2GeO4 and γ-Fe2SiO4 were synthesised through conventional solid state routes, with the use of high-pressure synthesis for the latter. Magnetometry and heat capacity measurements highlighted two transitions (Tm1 = 8.6 K and Tm2 = 7.2 K, and Tm1 = 11.2 K and Tm2 = 7.5 K respectively). Powder neutron diffraction data between 2 K < T < 25 K showed that both materials stay undistorted below TN. Magnetic Rietveld refinement led to two highly unconventional magnetic structures, with incommensurate propagation vectors and modulation of the moment magnitude. γ-Fe2SiO4 also shows a spin-ice order below Tm2. The results are unique and unusual for transition metal oxides; the models are systematised by proposing a 'frustration wave' model, in which the degree of frustration is a spatial quantity that can be distributed through the structure in order to stabilise the ground state.

It is generally believed that one of the key parameterscontrolling the normal state and superconducting properties ofhigh temperature superconductors is the charge carrierconcentrationpin the CuO2planes.By changing the non-isovalent dopingconcentration on the RE site as well as the oxygen content in(RE)Ba2Cu3O7−δ, an excellent tool is obtained tovary the hole concentration over a wide range from theunderdoped up to the overdoped regime.In the present thesis thefocus is on the doping effects on the structural and normalstate electrical properties in Nd-123 doped with Ca, La, Pr,Ca-Pr, and Ca-Th.T he effects of doping have been investigatedby X-ray and neutron powder diffraction, and by measurements ofthe resistivity, thermoelectric powerS, and Hall coefficient RH.T he thermoelectric power is a powerful tool forstudies of high temperature superconductivity and is highlysensitive to details of the electronic band structure.Sas a function of temperature has been analyzed in twodifferent two band models.The parameters of these models arerelated to charactristic features of the electron bands and asemiempirical physical description of the doping dependence ofSis obtained.So me important results are following: (i)The valence of Pr in the RE-123 family.Results from thestructural investigations, the critical temperature Tc, and thethermoelectric power indicated a valence +4 at low dopingconcentration, which is in agreement with results of chargeneutral doping in the RE-123 family.(ii)Hole localization. The results of bond valence sum (BVS)calculations from neutron diffraction data showed that holelocalization on the Pr+4site was the main reason for the decrease of thehole concentration p.Differ ent types of localization wereinferred by S measurements for Ca-Th and Ca-Pr dopings.(iii)Competition between added charge and disorder. Theresults of RH measurements indicated that Ca doping introduceddisorder in the CuO2planes in addition to added charge.This could bethe main reason for the observed small decrease of thebandwidth of the density of states in the description of aphenomenological narrow band model.(iv) Empirical parabolic relation between γ and p.S data were analyzed and well described by a two-band modelwith an additional linear T term, γT.An empiricalparabolic relation for γ as a function of holeconcentration has been found. <b>Key words:</b>high temperature superconductors, criticaltemperature, resistivity, thermoelectric power, Hallcoefficient, X-ray diffraction, Neutron diffraction, NdBa2Cu3O7−δ, hole concentration,substitution.