This work is focused on Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations of oxygen vacancy diffusion barriers in mixed perovskite lead zirconate titanate and its pure counterparts. We found out that barrier heights are different in lead titanate and lead zirconate caused by the different localization of the excess electrons due to the oxygen vacancy formation. Diffusion barriers were also determined for titanium-rich mixed phases and compared to experimental values. This work contributes to clarify unusually low experimentally measured diffusion coefficients in PZT. We found out that the induced vacancy states are forming localized bonds to the lead atoms which causes the oxygen vacancies to become immobile due to the increase of the activation energy of the diffusion process.

[pt] Esta tese descreve a síntese de um óxido misto de Zn e Zr (ZnxZr1-xOy), mediante uma técnica ainda não reportada e a utilização deste material na síntese de acetona a partir de etanol. O objetivo foi desenhar um catalisador com propriedades óxido-redutoras e capacidade de se autorregenerar após cada ciclo. A zircônia monoclínica (m-ZrO2) é um óxido já usado em catálise devido às suas propriedades ácido-básicas, mas com fracas propriedades óxido-redutoras. Estas últimas poderiam ser promovidas mediante dopagem substitucional deste material. A inserção de pequeníssimas quantidades de Zn na rede da m-ZrO2, mostraram um incremento apreciável na sua redutibilidade. O material obtido foi caracterizado por diversas técnicas e testado na obtenção de acetona a partir de etanol. O resultado indicou que a dopagem permitiu a formação de vacâncias de oxigênio, as quais promoveram a mobilidade do oxigênio até a superfície e, com isso, aumentaram redutibilidade do material. A seletividade da reação de conversão de etanol teve como produto maioritário a acetona. Foi demostrado que a regeneração do catalisador se deve a espécies oxidantes provenientes da dissociação da água presente no médio reacional; esta dissociação ocorreu nas vacâncias superficiais. Assim, demonstrou-se que a técnica desenvolvida no presente estudo, além de simples, resultou efetiva na síntese do óxido misto de Zn e Zr, um catalisador de composição simples, capaz de conduzir os diferentes passos do mecanismo na síntese de acetona. Considera-se que esta é a primeira etapa na sua viabilização comercial. / [en] This thesis describes the synthesis process of a mixed oxide with Zn and Zr (ZnxZr1-xOy), through a not yet published technique, as well as the utilization of this material in the acetone synthesis from ethanol. The mean goal was to design a catalyst with enhanced oxy-reduction properties and capability for selfregeneration after each cycle. Monoclinic zirconia (m-ZrO2) is already used in catalysis due to its acidic-basic properties, although its oxy-reduction properties are negligible. The enhancement of the oxy-reduction properties can be reached by substitutional doping of this material with a lower oxidation state metal. The insertion of very small quantities of Zn in the m-ZrO2 lattice, showed a high increment of its reducibility. The mixed oxides obtained were characterized by several techniques and catalytically tested in the acetone synthesis from ethanol. The results showed that doping allows the formation of oxygen vacancies, which allow oxygen mobility and therefore, the enhancement of reducibility. The reaction selectivity had acetone as majority product. It was shown that water is also produced and that it is dissociated in the oxygen vacancies generating oxidant species. The catalysts regeneration occurs due to those oxidant species. Therefore, it was demonstrated that the technique developed in this study was easy and effective in the synthesis of the mixed oxide with Zn and Zr, a catalyst with simple composition able to conduct every step of the acetone synthesis. This is considered the first step in the commercial feasibility of this material.

[pt] No desenvolvimento de materiais resistentes ao choque térmico, os materiais com expansão térmica negativa ou próxima a zero têm sido de vital importância nos últimos anos. A família de cerâmicas A2M3O12 (A = cátion trivalente, M = cátion hexavalente) apresenta características promissoras para evitar a ruptura por choque térmico, devido às suas propriedades diferenciadas de expansão térmica. Contudo, mudanças na rede cristalina causadas por defeitos pontuais podem gerar alterações neste material. A cerâmica Al2W3O12 pode conter defeitos como vacâncias de oxigênio, que afetam suas propriedades ópticas, térmicas e outras propriedades. O propósito deste trabalho é estudar a influência das vacâncias de oxigênio sobre as propriedades da cerâmica Al2W3O12, bem como, a importância da temperatura e da atmosfera sobre a geração de vacâncias de oxigênio. A fase Al2W3O12 foi exposto a duas atmosferas (H2 e Ar) sob temperaturas controladas de 300 graus C, 400 graus C e 500 graus C com o proposito de gerar vacâncias de oxigênio. A cerâmica obtida desta forma foi caracterizada por técnicas de difração de pó de raios-X (DPRX), espectroscopia por refletância de difusão (DRS), espectroscopia de ressonância paramagnética eletrônica (EPR), espectroscopia Raman, espectroscopia de fotoelétrons de raios-X (XPS) e teste de condutividade térmica. A influência das vacâncias de oxigênio no coeficiente de expansão térmica e na condutividade térmica nas amostras calcinadas em atmosferas não-oxidantes foi demonstrada. As amostras calcinadas a 500 graus C revelaram uma alta absorção do espectro ultravioleta e visível em relação às amostras calcinadas em 300 graus C e 400 graus C. Além disso, foram constatados diferentes estados reduzidos de valência do W (tais como W5+ e W4+) através da tecnica de XPS a fim de compensar vacâncias de oxigênio que foram confirmadas pela analise de EPR e Raman. / [en] In the development of materials resistant to thermal shock, materials with negative or near zero thermal expansion have been of vital importance in recent years. The A2M3O12 family of ceramics (A = trivalent cation, M = hexavalent cation) has promising characteristics to avoid thermal shock rupture, due to its atypical thermal expansion properties. Within this family is the Al2W3O12 ceramic, which has unique thermal properties and this allows its use in conditions of thermal shock. However, changes in the crystal lattice caused by point defects can generate alterations in this material. Al2W3O12 ceramic can contain defects such as oxygen vacancies, which affect optical, thermal and other properties. The goal of this study is to study the influence of oxygen vacancies on the properties of Al2W3O12 ceramics, as well as the importance of temperature and atmosphere in the generation of oxygen vacancies. The Al2W3O12 phase was exposed to two atmospheres (H2 and Ar) at controlled temperatures: 300 degrees C, 400 degrees C and 500 degrees C to generate oxygen vacancies. The ceramic obtained was characterized by X-ray power diffraction (XRPD), diffusion reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and thermal conductivity test. The influence of oxygen vacancies on the coefficient of thermal expansion and thermal conductivity in calcined samples in non-oxidizing atmospheres was demonstrated. Samples calcined at 500 degrees C revealed high absorption of the ultraviolet and visible spectra compared to the samples calcined 300 degrees C and 400 degrees C. In addition, different states of reduced valence of W were found (such as W5+ and W4+), through the XPS technique, in order to compensate of oxygen vacancies, that were confirmed by EPR and Raman analysis.

This work is devoted to studying of electric properties, chemical stability and features of disordering in a crystal structure of the phases La28-xW4+xO54+1,5x[VО]2-1,5x (x=0,85; 1,01; 1,17; 1,33) and Pr28-xW4+xO54+1,5x[VО]2-1,5x (x = 0,92; 1,12; 1,33; 1,55) with cubic structure of defective double fluorite with an incomplete oxygen sublattice. Phases are received by solid-state ceramic technology. Using X-ray difractiion method phase composition is established, structural parameters and presumable phase composition taking into account shift of parameters are determined. Measurements of temperature dependence of conductivity are taken by method of impedance spectroscopy at a variation of temperature, partial pressure of oxygen pO2 and water vapors pH2O. Activation energy calculated of mixed hole, oxygen-ion conductivity and proton conductivity is calculated. Dependences of total ionic transport numbers t (ion) on pO2 for La28-хW4+хO54+1,5х[VO]2-1,5х are calculated from experimental isotherms of conductivity. Ion transport number t (ion) for Pr28-xW4+xO54+1,5x[VО]2-1,5x are measured by the EMF method, the type of the dominating charge carriers is defined. Chemical stability of ceramics La28-хW4+хO54+1,5х[VO]2-1,5х to hydrolytic decomposition and its interactions with acid gases were estimated increasing of grain boundary resistance after the cycle "hydration/dehydration", and also by results of X-ray phase analysis, thermogravimetric analysis and research of surfaces of the samples by of the optical and scanning electronic microscopy methods. Water uptake XH2O and extent of filling of structural vacancies of the phases La28-хW4+хO54+1,5х[VO]2-1,5х are defined by the thermogravimetric analysis the 2-1,5kh and, hydration enthalpies ΔНгидр are calculated. An influence of pO2 and pH2O on loss of weight of Pr28-xW4+xO54+1,5x[VО]2-1,5x samples testifies to susceptibility of the phases to oxidation. / Данная работа посвящена изучению электрических свойств, химической устойчивости и особенностей разупорядочения в кристаллической решетке фаз La28-xW4+xO54+1,5x[VО]2-1,5x (х=0,85; 1,01; 1,17; 1,33) и Pr28-xW4+xO54+1,5x[VО]2-1,5x (х = 0,92; 1,12; 1,33; 1,55), обладающих кубической структурой дефектного двойного флюорита с некомплектной кислородной подрешеткой. Фазы получены твердофазным синтезом по керамической технологии, методом РФА установлен фазовый состав, определены параметры кристаллической решетки и предположительный фазовый состав с учетом сдвига параметров. Проведены измерения температурной зависимости проводимости методом импедансной спектроскопии при вариации температуры, парциального давления кислорода Ро2 и паров воды Рн2о. Рассчитаны энергии активации смешанной дырочно-кислородной проводимости и протонной проводимости. Из экспериментальных изотерм проводимости La28-хW4+хO54+1,5х[VO]2-1,5х рассчитаны зависимости суммарных ионных чисел переноса t(ион) от Ро2. Для Pr28-xW4+xO54+1,5x[VО]2-1,5x t(ион) измерены методом ЭДС, определен тип доминирующих переносчиков заряда. Проведена оценка устойчивости керамики La28-хW4+хO54+1,5х[VO]2-1,5х к гидролизному разложению и взаимодействию с кислотными газами по приросту зернограничного сопротивления после цикла «гидратация/дегидратация», а также по результатам рентгенофазового анализа, термогравиметрического анализа и исследованием поверхностей образцов методами оптической и сканирующей электронной микроскопии. С помощью термогравиметрического анализа определена степень гидратации Хн2о фаз La28-хW4+хO54+1,5х[VO]2-1,5х и степень заполнения структурных вакансий, рассчитаны энтальпии гидратации ΔНгидр. Влияние Ро2 и Рн2о на потерю массы образцами Pr28-xW4+xO54+1,5x[VО]2-1,5x свидетельствует о подверженности фаз окислению.

[pt] Os nanomateriais à base de TiO2 sensíveis à luz visível estão entre as alternativas mais promissoras para aplicações fotocatalíticas, como remediação ambiental. Os complexos de transferência de carga (CTCs) entre nano-TiO2 e ligantes bidentados, uma alternativa, têm sido amplamente estudados. No entanto, a eficiência da fotodegradação e o papel das espécies oxidantes reativas (ROS) não são totalmente compreendidos. Além disso, o desenvolvimento de CTCs baseados em TiO2 modificado com ácido malônico (MoA) ainda não foi investigado, até onde é sabido. Neste estudo, CTCs de TiO2-Acetilacetona (ACAC) e TiO2-MoA com alta área superficial foram sintetizados via sol-gel. Ambos os CTCs à base de TiO2preparados foram submetidos a testes de fotodegradação de tetraciclina e clorofenolcom e sem sequestrantes de ROS sob luz visível de baixa potência (26 W). Os CTCs TiO2-MoA foram totalmente caracterizadas por análises de DRX, MS-TGA, FTIR, adsorção-dessorção de N2, DRS, PL, EPR e XPS. A síntese sol-gel e o processo de calcinação adotado produziram CTCs de anatásio fortemente ligados (ligação covalente) com acetilacetona e ácido malônico, capazes de absorver ao longo do espectro visível quando calcinados a 300 graus C (TiO2-A300) e 270 graus C (TiO2-MoA270). Ambos os CTCs calcinados apresentam um único elétron preso na vacância de oxigênio (SETOV / centro de cores F+). Os CTCs TiO2-MoA-270 apresentaram áreas superficiais (>306 m2.g-1), volumes de mesoporos (>0,339 mL.g-1) e atividadefotocatalítica extremamente elevados, degradando aproximadamente 100 por cento de TC após 6 h. Os CTCs TiO2-MoA-270 e TiO2-A300 são uma fonte eficiente de geração de radicais *O2- e ineficientes geradores de radicais OH*. Os resultados desta pesquisa podem ser aplicados à síntese, via sol-gel, de outros CTCs, como os ácidos dicarboxílicos, e explorados em estudos posteriores sobre purificação do ar e produção de hidrogênio. / [en] Visible light-sensitive TiO2-based nanomaterials are among the most promising alternatives for photocatalytic applications, such as environmental remediation. The charge transfer complexes (CTCs) between nano-TiO2 and bidentate ligands, an alternative, have been widely studied. However, the photodegradation efficiency and role of reactive oxidizing species (ROS) are not fully understood. In addition, the development of CTCs based on TiO2 modified with malonic acid (MoA) have not yet been investigated, as far as the authors know. In this study, TiO2-Acetylacetone (ACAC) and TiO2-MoA CTCs with high surface area were synthesized via sol-gel route. Both as-prepared TiO2-based CTCs were subjected to tetracycline and chlorophenol photocatalytic degradation tests with and without ROS scavengers under low-power visible light (26 W). The TiO2-MoA CTCs were fully characterized by XRPD, MS-TGA, FTIR, N2 adsorption-desorption, DRS, PL, EPR and XPS analysis. The sol-gel synthesis and the calcination process adopted produced CTCs of nano-TiO2 anatase strongly bond (covalent bond) with acetylacetone and malonic acid, capable of absorbing along the visible spectrum when calcined at 300 degrees C (TiO2-ACAC-300) and 270 degrees C (TiO2- MoA-270). Both calcined CTCs present single electron trapped in oxygen vacancy (SETOV / F +color center). The TiO2-MoA-270 CTCs showed very high surface areas (>306 m2.g-1), mesopore volumes (>0.339 mL.g-1) and the highest photocatalytic activity, degrading approximately 100 percent of the TC after 6 h. The TiO2-MoA-270 and TiO2-A300 CTCs were an efficient source of *O2- radicals and inefficient generation of OH* radicals. The findings of this research can be applied to the synthesis, via sol-gel, of other CTCs, such as dicarboxylic acids, and explored in further studies on air purification and hydrogen production.

[pt] Os nanomateriais sensíveis à luz visível baseados em TiO2 são amplamente estudados para aplicações fotocatalíticas sob radiação UV-Vis. Entre os mecanismos de sensibilização à luz visível, vacâncias de oxigênio extrínsecas foram introduzidas em TiO2 e complexos de transferência de carga (CTCs) foram formados entre ligantes quelantes, como acetilacetona, e TiO2 nanocristalino ( TiO2-ACAC). Por outro lado, foi encontrado na literatura que o ácido glutárico acoplado à anatase nanocristalina (TiO2-GA) apresenta alta eficiência fotocatalítica sob UV devido à sua alta área superficial. No entanto, a influência das vacâncias de oxigênio extrínsecas no desempenho fotocatalítico dos CTCs à base de TiO2 é desconhecida e a sensibilização do TiO2 à luz visível por funcionalização com ácido glutárico (TiO2-GA) e seu desempenho fotocatalítico sob radiação de luz visível ainda não foram investigados. Neste trabalho, vacâncias de oxigênio extrínsecas de superfície/volume foram introduzidas em TiO2-ACAC através de calcinação a 270 °C sob ar estático, atmosferas de Ar e H2 e nanomateriais de TiO2-GA sensíveis à luz visível foram sintetizados via sol-gel e calcinados sob ar estático a 270 °C. Os CTCs de TiO2-ACAC e TiO2-GA foram caracterizados pelas técnicas de XRPD, FTIR, TGA, DRS, PL, EPR e XPS. Os resultados de FTIR comprovaram a formação do CTC através da interação quelante bidentada entre TiO2 e GA. Os CTCs de TiO2-GA calcinados a 270 °C sob ar estático exibiram uma longa cauda de absorção no espectro de luz visível devido à formação de centros F+ e defeitos Ti3+. A fotodegradação da tetraciclina (TC) usando sequestrantes e a correlação com EPR-spin trapping destacaram o papel fundamental do radical superóxido na degradação da TC pelos CTCs de TiO2-ACAC e TiO2- GA sob radiação de luz visível de baixa potência. O aumento da concentração de vacâncias de oxigênio extrínsecas não foi benéfico para o desempenho fotocatalítico dos CTCs de TiO2-ACAC, uma vez que as vacâncias de oxigênio extrínsecas no volume também atuam como centros de recombinação. De fato, o CTC de TiO2-ACAC com a menor concentração de vacâncias de oxigênio extrínsecas exibiu o maior desempenho fotocatalítico para degradação da TC devido a uma distribuição adequada de vacâncias de oxigênio extrínsecas no volume, o que fez com que os elétrons aprisionados sofressem saltos repetidos, reduzindo as taxas de recombinação e melhorando a eficiência na produção de radicais superóxido. Por outro lado, o alto teor de molécula orgânica de GA ineficientemente ligada à superfície do TiO2 não foi benéfica para o desempenho fotocatalítico dos CTCs de TiO2-GA, uma vez que a molécula orgânica que não é efetivamente ligada à superfície do TiO2 reduziu os sítios ativos na nanoestrutura de TiO2-GA. Nossas descobertas indicaram que os CTCs de TiO2-ACAC e TiO2-GA são capazes de degradar poluentes via interações com buracos eletrônicos e principalmente radicais superóxido e também forneceram informações fundamentais sobre a influência das vacâncias de oxigênio extrínsecas de superfície/volume no desempenho fotocatalítico, parâmetros de rede, propriedades ópticas e fotoquímicas dos CTCs baseados em TiO2. / [en] TiO2-based visible-light-sensitive nanomaterials are widely studied for photocatalytic applications under UV-Vis radiation. Among the mechanisms of visible light sensitization, extrinsic oxygen vacancies have been introduced into TiO2 and charge transfer complexes (CTCs) have been formed between chelating ligands, such as acetylacetone, and nanocrystalline TiO2 (TiO2-ACAC). On the other hand, it was found in the literature that nanocrystalline anatasecoupled glutaric acid (TiO2-GA) exhibits high photocatalytic efficiency under UV due to its high surface area. However, the influence of extrinsic oxygen vacancies on the photocatalytic performance of TiO2-based CTCs is unknown and the sensitization of TiO2 to visible light by functionalization with glutaric acid (TiO2-GA) and its photocatalytic performance under visible light radiation have not yet been investigated. In this work, surface/bulk extrinsic oxygen vacancies were introduced into TiO2-ACAC through calcination at 270 °C under static air, Ar and H2 atmospheres and visible-light-sensitive TiO2- GA nanomaterials were synthesized via sol-gel and calcined under static air at 270 °C. TiO2-ACAC and TiO2-GA CTCs were characterized by XRPD, FTIR, TGA, DRS, PL, EPR and XPS techniques. FTIR results proved the formation of the CTC through bidentate chelating interaction between TiO2 and GA. TiO2-GA CTCs calcined at 270 °C under static air exhibited a long absorption tail in the visible light spectrum due to the formation of F+ centers and bulk Ti3+ defects. Tetracycline (TC) photodegradation using scavengers and the correlation with EPR-spin trapping highlighted the key role of the superoxide radical in the TC degradation by TiO2-ACAC and TiO2-GA CTCs under low-power visible light radiation. The increased extrinsic oxygen vacancies concentration was not beneĄcial for photocatalytic performance of TiO2-ACAC CTCs, since bulk extrinsic oxygen vacancies additionally acts as recombination centers. In fact, the TiO2-ACAC CTC with the lowest extrinsic oxygen vacancies concentration exhibited the highest photocatalytic performance for TC degradation due to an adequate distribution of extrinsic bulk oxygen vacancies, which led to the trapped electrons undergoing repeated hopping, reducing the recombination rates and improving the efficiency in the superoxide radicals production. On the other hand, the high content of GA organic molecule ineffectively bounded to the TiO2 surface were not beneĄcial for photocatalytic performance of TiO2-GA CTCs, since the organic molecule that is not effectively bounded to the TiO2 surface reduced the active sites in the TiO2-GA nanostructure. Our Ąndings indicated that TiO2-ACAC and TiO2-GA CTCs are able to degrade pollutants via interactions with electronic holes and principally superoxide radicals and also, provided fundamental information about the influence of surface/bulk extrinsic oxygen vacancies on photocatalytic performance, lattice parameters, optical and photochemical properties of TiO2- based CTCs.

A l’ère du « big data » et de l’intelligence artificielle, les recherches pour trouver de nouvelles façons de stocker et traiter l’information se multiplient. Dans le domaine des mémoires non volatiles, cette émulation a conduit à l’émergence de nouveaux composants, dont les OxRAM (oxide-based resistive random access memories) auxquels nous nous sommes intéressés dans cette thèse. Il s’agit d’un empilement métal-oxyde-métal où la couche d’oxyde commute entre au moins deux états de résistance stables lorsqu’une tension est appliquée. Nos travaux ont porté sur l'étude électrique de dispositifs en croix, de dimensions submicroniques (500 x 500 nm2 ou 100 x 100 nm2) avec, comme oxyde diélectrique, le dioxyde d’hafnium HfO2 ou le dioxyde de titane TiO2. Pour l'élaboration des oxydes, nous avons mis en oeuvre le dépôt par jets moléculaires (ou MBE pour molecular beam epitaxy), technique très peu utilisée jusqu’ici dans la communauté des OxRAM. Cette technique d'ultravide permet d'obtenir des films très purs alors qu'avec l’ALD (pour atomic layer deposition), le précurseur employé induit une contamination en carbone, azote ou chlore. L'une des clés de l’optimisation des propriétés électriques se trouve dans le contrôle de la quantité et de la distribution des lacunes d’oxygène. A cet effet, nous avons exploré l’incorporation de divers éléments aux couches de HfO2 et TiO2. La microstructure et la composition des films d'oxyde ainsi dopés ont été analysées, puis les dispositifs OxRAM ont été fabriqués et leurs caractéristiques électriques (courant-tension) ont été étudiées. Pour les OxRAM à base de HfO2 (mettant en jeu un mécanisme filamentaire), nous avons tout d'abord optimisé l'élaboration de HfO2 par MBE. Nous avons obtenu des dispositifs dont les propriétés électriques se situent au niveau de l'état de l'art international, notamment pour la fenêtre mémoire. Grâce à la croissance par MBE, nous obtenons une plus petite tension de forming et une plus grande fenêtre mémoire que pour des composants similaires, que nous avons fabriqués à partir de films préparés par ALD. Nous suggérons un lien entre contaminants carbonés et largeur de la fenêtre mémoire. Par rapport à l'état de l'art, nos objectifs étaient d’abaisser les courants de fonctionnement et d’atténuer la variabilité entre nombreux cycles ainsi qu'entre composants. Nous avons pour cela examiné les effets de l'ajout dans HfO2 des éléments Al, La ou Ti (de quelques % jusqu'à 30 %), par co-dépôt avec Hf. Grâce à ces additions, nous parvenons à réduire le courant de reset, la tension de forming et la variabilité du courant de reset. De plus, les mesures XPS (pour X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) montrent une augmentation du taux de lacunes dans les couches La-HfO2, Ti-HfO2 et Al-HfO2. Concernant les composants à base de TiO2 (impliquant des mécanismes de type interfacial à l'une des deux interfaces avec les électrodes, dite active), nos objectifs étaient de diminuer les courants de fonctionnement et d’augmenter le nombre d’états de résistance accessibles stables. A cette fin, nous avons privilégié, là aussi, des stratégies matériaux. Nous avons modifié l'interface active du dispositif en y incorporant des hétéroéléments (Ne, N et B) par implantation ionique. La teneur en lacunes d’oxygène a été analysée par XPS tandis que la mobilité des lacunes a été quantifiée via leur énergie d’activation de diffusion Ea. Afin de déterminer Ea, nous avons mis au point un protocole expérimental original. Ainsi, nous avons établi que l'azote, dopant de type p dans TiO2, accroît la mobilité des lacunes tandis que le bore, dopant de type n, l’entrave et le néon, inerte, n'a pas d'incidence. L'énergie d'activation est minimale (0,4 eV) pour une implantation en azote de 1018 ions/cm3. La mobilité des lacunes n'est cependant pas le seul paramètre à améliorer : le transport des électrons à travers la barrière Schottky TiO2/Pt joue également un rôle crucial. [...] / In the age of big data and artificial intelligence, researches to find new ways to process and store the information multiply. In the field of non-volatile memories, this emulation has led to the emergence of new components, such as OxRAM (for oxide-based random access memories) in which we have been interested in during this PhD. It is a metal-oxide-metal stack where the oxide layer is able to switch between at least two stable resistance states under an applied voltage. In this work, we have studied sub-micrometer cross-point devices (500 x 500 nm2 or 100 x 100 nm2) with hafnium dioxide (HfO2) or titanium dioxide (TiO2) as dielectric oxide. The oxides have been deposited by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), a technique that has rarely been used so far in the OxRAM community. With this ultra-vide technique, we can obtain very pure films whereas with atomic layer deposition (ALD), precursors induce carbon, nitrogen or chlorine contaminations. For the electrical properties optimization, one of the keys is the concentration and distribution control of oxygen vacancies. Regarding that, we have explored the incorporation of various elements in HfO2 and TiO2 layers. The microstructure and the composition of these doped films have been analyzed, afterward OxRAM devices have been fabricated and their electrical characteristics (current-voltage) have been studied. For HfO2-based OxRAM (involving a filamentary mechanism), we have firstly optimized the MBE HfO2 deposition. The devices then obtained have electrical properties which are as good as those of the state-of-the-art components, in particular for the memory window. Moreover, these MBE deposited devices have a smaller forming voltage and a larger memory window than equivalent components that we have fabricated with ALD grown layers. So, we suggest a link between carbon impurities and memory width. In light of the state of the art, our objectives were to lower working currents and to reduce the variability between numerous cycles and between components too. To this end, we have examined the effects of adding Al, La or Ti elements in HfO2 (from few % to 30 %), by co-deposition with Hf. Thanks to these additions, we manage to decrease the reset current, the forming voltage and the variability of the reset current. Furthermore, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements show an increase of vacancies amount in La-HfO2, Ti-HfO2 and Al-HfO2 layers. Concerning TiO2-based components (for which the mechanism is interfacial and takes place at one of the two electrode interfaces, said active), our goals were to diminish working currents and to augment the number of accessible stable resistance states. For this purpose, we have also focused on material strategies. We have modified the active interface by heteroelements ion implantation (Ne, N and B). The oxygen vacancies content has been analyzed by XPS while the vacancies mobility has been quantified via their activation energy diffusion Ea. In order to determine Ea, we have developed an original experimental protocol. In this way, we establish that nitrogen, which is a p-type dopant in TiO2, heightens the oxygen vacancies mobility, whereas boron, which is a n-dopant, hinders it and the neon, inert, does not have any effect on vacancies mobility. The activation energy is minimal (0.4 eV) for a nitrogen dose of 1018 ions/cm3. However, the oxygen vacancies mobility is not the only parameter that we have to improve: the electronic transport through the TiO2/Pt Schottky barrier plays also a crucial role. The results achieved during this PhD attest to the pertinence of the MBE utilization and of an analysis that combines ionic and electronic aspects in order to improve the resistive switching phenomenon understanding and the OxRAM performances.

Cette étude s’intéresse à l’amélioration des performances du laser solide Er3+:YAG, dont la longueur d’onde de 1,64 µm est dite « eye-safe ». L’une des solutions est le remplacement des monocristaux actuellement utilisés comme milieu amplificateur par des céramiques polycristallines Er:YAG transparentes, dont les propriétés thermomécaniques remarquables permettent une meilleure cohérence du faisceau de sortie et de ce fait, une augmentation des performances du laser. Cependant, la réunion des différents critères requis pour obtenir la transparence reste un réel challenge dans l’élaboration de ces céramiques. L’utilisation de poudres commerciales issues de deux voies de synthèse différentes a permis de souligner le rôle primordial des caractéristiques physiques de la poudre sur le comportement à la compaction et au frittage, effectué par Spark Plasma Sintering, tandis que la composition phasique et la pureté chimique conditionnent la qualité optique finale. Il ressort également que la coloration de la céramique observée lors du frittage résulte, non pas d’une contamination au carbone, mais de la formation de lacunes d’oxygène. Enfin, l’analyse et la compréhension du mode d’action du LiF utilisé comme aide au frittage ont permis d’établir des mécanismes réactionnels permettant d’optimiser le cycle de frittage. Cette démarche a conduit à l’obtention de céramiques polycristallines transparentes (Ø = 30 mm, e = 3 mm) à qualité optique élevée avec des valeurs de transmission de 80 % à 400 nm et 84 % à 1100 nm. Sur la base de ces résultats et de la simulation numérique, un changement d’échelle des céramiques (Ø = 50 mm, e = 5 mm) a été effectué dans le but de les évaluer en cavité laser. / This work focus on the improvement of the solid state Er3+:YAG laser performances presenting an "eye-safe" wavelength at 1.64 µm. One way is the replacement of single crystals currently used as gain media by polycrystalline ceramics as they present improved thermo-mechanical properties allowing a longer use of the laser. However, the meeting of different criteria requested to get transparency remains a challenge in the development of these ceramics. The use of commercial powders produced by two different synthesis ways allowed to highlight the essential role of the physico-chemical characteristics of the powder on compaction and sintering behaviors, performed by Spark Plasma Sintering, Phase composition and chemical purity have an influence of the final optical quality. It was also figured out that the gray coloration of the ceramic observed after sintering is caused by the formation of oxygen vacancies, rather than a carbon contamination. Finally, the mode of action of LiF, used as sintering aid to increase optical transmittance, was studied in order to establish reaction mechanisms allowing an optimization of the SPS cycle. This approach helps to reach Er3+:YAG transparent polycrystalline ceramics (Ø = 30 mm, thk = 3 mm) with an optical transmittance of 80 at 400 nm and 84 % at 1100 nm. On the basis of these results and with the help of numerical simulation, an up-scaling of ceramics (Ø = 50 mm, thk = 5 mm) was undertaken in order to evaluate their laser performances through laser cavity tests.

Cette thèse concerne la réalisation des films minces d’oxydes et l’étude de leurs propriétés physiques pour les cellules photovoltaïques (PV) et les modules thermoélectriques. Dans une première partie, les propriétés de l’oxyde de titane TiOx (1,45<x<2) sont mises en évidence pour une utilisation en tant qu’oxyde transparent conducteur optiquement actif à disposer en face avant des cellules PV ou, comme couche de couplage optique à intercaler entre le métal réflecteur et la couche absorbante d’une cellule PV. Les couches sont déposées par ablation laser pulse (PLD). Cette méthode permet d’obtenir des couches stoechiométriques ou déficitaires en oxygène grâce au contrôle de la pression d’oxygène pendant le dépôt. Les couches sont dopées par Nb pour un gain en conductivité électrique et/ou par Nd pour la conversion des photons UV en photons du Proche IR. Les films d’une part, isolants, transparents et luminescents ou d’autre part, conducteurs et absorbants ont été obtenus. La présence de polarons et/ou de bipolarons dans les couches TiO₁,₄₅₋₁,₆₀ explique la discontinuité observée sur leurs courbes de thermoconductivité. Une seconde partie du manuscrit concerne la thermoelectricité ou il est question de modifier les propriétés des cobaltites de calcium pour la conversion en énergie électrique des gradients de température faibles, centres autour de 300-365 K. Le contrôle de la concentration en oxygène des films a permis d’obtenir les phases polymorphes CaxCoO₂, Ca₃Co₄O₉, et Ca₃Co₄O₆,₄₋₆,₈ présentant des comportements semiconducteurs ou métalliques en fonction de la température de dépôt. Les films Ca₃Co₄O₆,₄₋₆,₈ montrent de faibles résistivités (3,8-6 mΩ.cm) et des coefficients de Seebeck élevés (S) ≥ 1000 μV/K qui doivent être confirmes pour que de tels films soient utilisés dans les thermogénérateurs. / This thesis concerns the realization of oxide thin films and the study of their properties for photovoltaic or thermoelectric devices. In the first part, the TiOx properties are studied for use as an optically active transparent conductive oxide to put in front of the PV cells or, as optical coupling layer to interpose between the metal reflector and the absorbent layer of a PV cell. The layers are deposited by pulsed laser deposition (PLD). This method allows to get stoichiometric or oxygen deficient layers by controlling the oxygen partial pressure during the growth. The layers are doped with Nb to enhance electrical conductivity and/or with Nd for the conversion of Ultra-Violet photons to Near Infra-Red photons. Insulating and transparent layers, luminescent layers or conducting and absorbent layers are obtained. The TiO₁,₄₅₋₁,₆₀ films show polaronic or bipolaronic conductivity and exhibited the jump of electrical conductivity with jump height and temperature depending on the nature of the dopants. A second part of the manuscript concerns thermoelectricity in which the properties of cobalt calcium oxide are modulated for an efficient conversion of low temperature gradients centered at 300-365K. The control of the oxygen concentration of films allows to obtain the polymorphic phases CaxCoO₂,Ca₃Co₄O₉ and Ca₃Co₄O₆,₄₋₆,₈ having metallic or semiconducting behavior depending on the deposition temperature. The Ca₃Co₄O₆,₄₋₆,₈ films show high Seebeck coefficients (S) ≥ 1 000 μV/K and low electrical resistivity (3.8 to 6 mΩ.cm). Such interesting values have to be confirmed by additional experiments in order to be used as thermoelectric films.