Crystalline polymer/salt complexes can conduct, in contrast to the view held for 30 years. The alpha-phase of the crystalline poly(ethylene oxide)₆:LiPF₆ is composed of tunnels formed from pairs of (CH₂-CH₂-O)ₓ chains, within which the Li⁺ ions reside and along which the latter migrate.¹ When a polydispersed polymer is used, the tunnels are composed of 2 strands, each built from a string of PEO chains of varying length. It has been suggested that the number and the arrangement of the chain ends within the tunnels affects the ionic conductivity.² Using polymers with uniform chain length is important if we are to understand the conduction mechanism since monodispersity results in the chain ends occurring at regular distances along the tunnels and imposes a coincidence of the chain ends between the two strands.² Since each Li⁺ is coordinated by 6 ether oxygens (3 oxygens from each of the two polymeric strands forming a tunnel), monodispersed PEOs with the number of ether oxygen being a multiple of 3 (NO = 3n) can form either “all-ideal” or “all-broken” coordination environments at the end of each tunnel, while for both NO = 3n-1 and NO = 3n+1 complexes, both “ideal” and “broken” coordinations must occur throughout the structure. A synthetic procedure has been developed and a series of 6 consecutive (increment of EO unit) monodispersed molecular weight PEOs have been synthesised. The synthesis involves one end protection of a high purity glycol, functionalisation of the other end, ether coupling reaction (Williamson's type ether synthesis³), deprotection and reiteration of ether coupling. The parameters of the process and purification methods have been strictly controlled to ensure unprecedented level of monodispersity for all synthesised samples. Thus obtained high purity polymers have been used to study the influence of the individual chain length on the structure and conductivity of the crystalline complexes with LiPF₆. The results support the previously suggested model of the chain-ends arrangement in the crystalline complexes prepared with monodispersed PEO² over a range of consecutive chain lengths. The synthesised complexes constitute a series of test samples for establishing detailed mechanism of ionic conductivity. Such series of monodispersed crystalline complexes have been studied and characterised here (PXRD, DSC, AC impedance) for the first time. References: 1. G. S. MacGlashan, Y. G. Andreev, P. G. Bruce, Structure of the polymer electrolyte poly(ethylene oxide)₆:LiAsF₆. Nature, 1999, 398(6730): p. 792-794. 2. E. Staunton, Y. G. Andreev, P. G. Bruce, Factors influencing the conductivity of crystalline polymer electrolytes. Faraday Discussions, 2007, 134: p. 143-156. 3. A. Williamson, Theory of Aetherification. Philosophical Magazine, 1850, 37: p. 350-356.

Les ionomères aromatiques sont considérés comme une alternative prometteuse à Nafion pour les PEMFCs en raison de leur bonne stabilité à l'oxydation, d'excellentes propriétés thermomécaniques et de faibles coûts, etc. La plupart des ionomères aromatiques sulfonés rapportés au cours des dernières décennies présentent cependant des performances inférieures à celles de Nafion. Avec une capacité d'échange ionique (CEI) similaire, d'une part, les ionomères aromatiques sont beaucoup moins conducteurs que Nafion, notamment à faible humidité relative. Les ionomères aromatiques ayant une CEI suffisante pour donner une conductivité équivalente à celle de Nafion, d'autre part, présentent un comportement excessivement gonflant dans l'eau. Les inconvénients des ionomères aromatiques sulfonés proviennent de (i) la répartition aléatoire de groupes acides sur un squelette de polymère rigide conduisant à une séparation hydrophile-hydrophobe faible, (ii) la proximité de fractions conductrices de protons à la chaîne principale de polymère conduisant à une nanostructure basse de composés ioniques, et (iii) la faible acidité de l'acide arylsulfonique. Dans le but de surmonter ces inconvénients, mon travail de doctorat se concentre sur le développement de nouveaux ionomères aromatiques avec une morphologie et des propriétés améliorées grâce à la conception de l'architecture moléculaire, en combinaison avec une condition optimisée de traitement de la membrane. A base de cet objectif, deux séries d'ionomères aromatiques à base de copoly (arylène éther sulfone) partiellement fluoré portant des chaînes latérales pendantes d'acide perfluorosulfonique (séries InX/Y) ou perfluorosulfonimide (SiX/Y) ont été développées et caractérisées. De plus, les PEM basés sur le mélange Nafion/InX/Y ont également été ciblés. Une grande attention a été portée à l'optimisation de l'état de traitement des membranes et à l'élucidation de la relation structure-morphologie-propriété des matériaux. / Aromatic ionomers are considered as a promising alternative to Nafion for PEMFCs due to their good oxidative stability, excellent thermomechanical properties, and low cost, etc. Most sulfonated aromatic ionomers reported over the past decades, however, show lower performance than that of Nafion. With similar ion-exchange capacity (IEC), on one hand, aromatic ionomers are much less conductive than Nafion, notably at low relative humidity. Aromatic ionomers with sufficient IEC to give equivalent conduction to that of Nafion, on the other hand, exhibit excessively swelling behavior in water. The shortcomings of sulfonated aromatic ionomers derive from (i) the random distribution of acidic groups on rigid polymer backbone leading to poor hydrophilic-hydrophobic separation, (ii) the proximity of proton-conducting moieties to the polymer main chain resulting in low nanostructure of ionic clusters, and (iii) the low acidity of aryl sulfonic acid. With the aim of overcoming these drawbacks, my PhD work focuses on developing new aromatic ionomers with improved morphology and properties via molecular architecture design, in combination with optimized membrane processing condition. Based on this objective, two series of aromatic ionomers based on partially-fluorinated multi-block copoly(arylene ether sulfone)s bearing pendant perfluorosulfonic acid (InX/Y series) or perfluorosulfonimide (SiX/Y series) side chains have been developed and characterized. Moreover, PEMs based on Nafion/InX/Y blend have also been focused. Much attention has been paid to optimizing the membrane processing condition and elucidating the structure-morphology-property relation in these materials.

Esta tese apresenta os resultados do estudo de eletrólitos poliméricos protônicos obtidos a base de gelatina e quitosana, modificadas através da adição de glicerol e formaldeído - ácidos acético ou clorídrico foram adicionados para promover a condutividade iônica dos filmes. Foram também preparadas blendas a partir de gelatina com quitosana, assim como filmes a base de gelatina e nanopartículas. Com exceção dos filmes com nanopartículas, todos eles possuem boa transparência, estabilidade térmica, maleabilidade, aderência ao vidro e apresentam uma superfície homogênea, sem trincas ou rachaduras. As temperaturas de transição vítrea (Tg) dos eletrólitos foram obtidas do estreitamento de linha de RMN. A taxa de relaxação spin-rede do \'ANTPOT. 1 H\' em função da temperatura mostrou um máximo bem definido cuja posição depende da concentração de ácido no caso da gelatina e da quantidade de glicerol no caso da quitosana, refletindo a alta mobilidade do próton nestes eletrólitos. As técnicas de RPE, onda contínua e pulsada, foram utilizadas para o estudo de eletrólitos dopados com \'CU\'CL\'O IND.4\'. Os valores de condutividade iônica dos eletrólitos são da ordem de \'10 POT.-5\' S/cm para os filmes de gelatina (com ácido acético ou clorídrico), quitosana e blendas e entre \'10 POT.-6\' a \'10 POT.-8\' para os eletrólitos de gelatina com nanopartículas. Estes estudos revelaram que a concentração de ácido acético ou clorídrico (na gelatina), influencia a condutividade iônica dos eletrólitos, mas, para o caso das blendas esta influência é pequena. No caso dos filmes de gelatina com nanopartículas, a condutividade diminui de forma significativa. Em relação aos eletrólitos de quitosana a condutividade iônica é influenciada pela quantidade de glicerol adicionado. Verificou-se que o aumento da temperatura até 80°C promove o aumento da condutividade iônica para todos os filmes estudados. / This thesis shows the results from the study of protonic polymer electrolytes obtained from gelatin and chitosan, modified by the addition of glycerol and formaldehyde - acetic and hydrochloric acids are added to promote the ionic conductivity of the films. Blends based on chitosan and gelatin were also prepared, as well as films based on gelatin and nanoparticles. With the exception of the films with nanoparticles, all samples presented good transparency, thermal stability, flexibility, adhesion to glass and homogeneous surface without cracks. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of the electrolytes were obtained from the NMR line narrowing. The spin-lattice relaxation rate of the \'ANTPOT. 1 H\' spin-network as a function of temperature showed a well-defined maximum whose position depends on the concentration of acid in the case of gelatin and on the glycerol content in the case of chitosan, reflecting the high mobility of the protons in the electrolytes. Continuous wave and pulsed EPR techniques were used to study the electrolytes doped with \'CU\'CL\'O IND.4\'. The values of the ionic conductivity of the electrolytes are of the order of \'10 POT.-5\' S/cm for the films of gelatin (with acetic or hydrochloric acids), chitosan and blends and from \'10 POT.-6\' to \'10 POT.-8\' for the electrolytes of gelatin with nanoparticles. These studies revealed that the concentration of acetic or hydrochloric acids (in gelatin), influences the ionic conductivity of the electrolytes but, in the case of blends, this influence is small. In the case of the films based on gelatin with nanoparticles, the ionic conductivity decreases significantly. In relation to the electrolyte based on chitosan, the ionic conductivity is influenced by the amount of glycerol added. It was found that increasing the temperature to 80°C promotes the increase of ionic conductivity for all films studied.

Este trabalho apresenta os resultados do preparo e caracterização de dispositivos eletrocrômicos (ECD - electrochromic devices) contendo filmes finos de azul da Prússia (PB) como camada eletrocrômica, CeO2-TiO2 como contra-eletrodo e eletrólitos à base de polímeros contendo glicerol, formaldeído e γ-butirolactona. Os filmes finos de azul da Prússia foram preparados pelo método de eletrodeposição galvanostática e usados para montagem de dispositivos eletrocrômicos com eletrólitos de composição polimérica variada. Os filmes finos foram caracterizados através de medidas de densidade de carga, voltametria cíclica e transmitância no UV-Vis, além de análises morfológicas por microscopia de força atômica (AFM) e microscopia de varredura eletrônica (MEV), elipsometria, medidas de espessura, ângulo de contato e eficiência de coloração. O filme eletrodepositado por 300 s apresentou densidade de carga de 1,62 mC.cm-2 e 0,98 de reversibilidade com rugosidade de 17,7 nm, espessura de 315 nm via elipsometria e 216 nm via perfilometria. A eficiência de coloração calculada foi de 131,4 cm2.C-1 e os valores de ângulo de contato e energia livre de superfície também foram calculadas. As análises voltamétricas dos filmes finos revelaram picos característicos dos processos de oxidação e redução e as análises espectroscópicas apresentaram variação de transmitância de 71,6 % em 686 nm em solução eletrolítica de KCL 1 mol.L-1. Foram preparados e caracterizados dispositivos com eletrólitos a base de gelatina comercial com sal LiClO4; poli(vinil butirato) (PVB) com par iônico LiI/I2; PVB com LiClO4; PVB com par iônico LiI/I2+disperse red; ágar com LiClO4; ágar com sal Eu(CF3SO3)3; DNA com LiClO4; DNA com sal Er(CF3SO3)3; pectina com LiClO4; HPC com ácido acético; HPC com LiClO4 e PVDF com LiClO4. Dentre os resultados obtidos, os melhores resultados de densidade de carga de 10,1 e 8,5 mC.cm-2 foram obtidos para os dispositivos com eletrólitos de HPC e pectina, ambas com sal LiClO4. Voltamogramas cíclicos das amostras estudadas revelaram picos anódicos e catódicos referentes à extração e inserção de íons de lítio e/ou prótons, e elétrons no filme de PB. As análises de transmitância em 686 nm entre o estado colorido e descolorido dos dispositivos mostraram os valores de 40,2% para a janela contendo eletrólito à base de gelatina com LiClO4 e 35,2 % para a janela com ágar e sal Eu(CF3SO3). Além disso, também foi verificada a estabilidade dos dispositivos revelando a duração entre 400 a 2200 ciclos cronoamperométricos, dependendo do eletrólito usado. Os resultados obtidos mostram que os dispositivos estudados neste trabalho são potenciais candidatos para aplicações práticas em dispositivos eletrocrômicos. / This work presents the results of the preparation and characterization of electrochromic devices (ECDs) containing a thin film of Prussian blue (PB) as electrochromic layer, CeO2-TiO2 as a counter electrode and electrolytes based on polymers containing glycerol, formaldehyde, and γ-butyrolactone. Thin films of Prussian blue were prepared by galvanostatic electrodeposition method and used for the assembly of electrochromic devices with varying polymer composition of electrolytes. The thin films were characterized by charge density measurements, cyclic voltammetry, transmittance in the UV-Vis, and morphological analyzes such as atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Moreover, there were subjected to ellipsometry, thickness, contact angle, and coloring efficiency measurements. The electrodeposited film of 300 s had charge density of 1.62 mC.cm-2 and 0.98 of reversibility with roughness of 17.7 nm and thickness of 315 nm via ellipsometry and 216 nm via profilometry. The calculated color efficiency was 131.4 cm2.C-1 and the contact angle values and surface free energy were calculated. The voltammetric analyzes of thin films showed characteristic peaks of oxidation and reduction processes and spectroscopic analysis showed 71.6% transmittance variation at 686 nm in 1 mol.L-1 KCL electrolyte solution. ECD were prepared and characterized, using electrolytes such as commercial gelatin with LiClO4 salt; poly (vinyl butyrate) (PVB) with ion pair LiI/I2; PVB with LiClO4; PVB with ion pair LiI/I2 + disperse red; agar with LiClO4; agar with Eu(CF3SO3)3 salt; DNA with LiClO4; DNA with Er(CF3SO3)3 salt; pectin with LiClO4; HPC with acetic acid; HPC with LiClO4 and PVDF LiClO4. The best results of charge density of 8.5 and 10.1 mC.cm-2 were obtained for devices with HPC electrolytes and pectin, both with LiClO4 salt. Cyclic voltammetry of the studied samples revealed anodic and cathodic peaks relating to the extraction and insertion of lithium ions and/or protons and electrons in the PB film. The transmittance at 686 nm analysis between the colored state and discolored windows showed values of 40.2% for the window containing electrolyte of gelatin with LiClO4 and 35.2% for the window with agar and Eu(CF3SO3) salt. Furthermore, the stability of the devices was also recorded revealing the duration between 400-2200 chronoamperometric cycles, depending on the used electrolyte. The results show that the windows studied in this work are potential candidates for electrochromic devices applications.

Esta tese apresenta os resultados do estudo de eletrólitos poliméricos protônicos obtidos a base de gelatina e quitosana, modificadas através da adição de glicerol e formaldeído - ácidos acético ou clorídrico foram adicionados para promover a condutividade iônica dos filmes. Foram também preparadas blendas a partir de gelatina com quitosana, assim como filmes a base de gelatina e nanopartículas. Com exceção dos filmes com nanopartículas, todos eles possuem boa transparência, estabilidade térmica, maleabilidade, aderência ao vidro e apresentam uma superfície homogênea, sem trincas ou rachaduras. As temperaturas de transição vítrea (Tg) dos eletrólitos foram obtidas do estreitamento de linha de RMN. A taxa de relaxação spin-rede do \'ANTPOT. 1 H\' em função da temperatura mostrou um máximo bem definido cuja posição depende da concentração de ácido no caso da gelatina e da quantidade de glicerol no caso da quitosana, refletindo a alta mobilidade do próton nestes eletrólitos. As técnicas de RPE, onda contínua e pulsada, foram utilizadas para o estudo de eletrólitos dopados com \'CU\'CL\'O IND.4\'. Os valores de condutividade iônica dos eletrólitos são da ordem de \'10 POT.-5\' S/cm para os filmes de gelatina (com ácido acético ou clorídrico), quitosana e blendas e entre \'10 POT.-6\' a \'10 POT.-8\' para os eletrólitos de gelatina com nanopartículas. Estes estudos revelaram que a concentração de ácido acético ou clorídrico (na gelatina), influencia a condutividade iônica dos eletrólitos, mas, para o caso das blendas esta influência é pequena. No caso dos filmes de gelatina com nanopartículas, a condutividade diminui de forma significativa. Em relação aos eletrólitos de quitosana a condutividade iônica é influenciada pela quantidade de glicerol adicionado. Verificou-se que o aumento da temperatura até 80°C promove o aumento da condutividade iônica para todos os filmes estudados. / This thesis shows the results from the study of protonic polymer electrolytes obtained from gelatin and chitosan, modified by the addition of glycerol and formaldehyde - acetic and hydrochloric acids are added to promote the ionic conductivity of the films. Blends based on chitosan and gelatin were also prepared, as well as films based on gelatin and nanoparticles. With the exception of the films with nanoparticles, all samples presented good transparency, thermal stability, flexibility, adhesion to glass and homogeneous surface without cracks. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of the electrolytes were obtained from the NMR line narrowing. The spin-lattice relaxation rate of the \'ANTPOT. 1 H\' spin-network as a function of temperature showed a well-defined maximum whose position depends on the concentration of acid in the case of gelatin and on the glycerol content in the case of chitosan, reflecting the high mobility of the protons in the electrolytes. Continuous wave and pulsed EPR techniques were used to study the electrolytes doped with \'CU\'CL\'O IND.4\'. The values of the ionic conductivity of the electrolytes are of the order of \'10 POT.-5\' S/cm for the films of gelatin (with acetic or hydrochloric acids), chitosan and blends and from \'10 POT.-6\' to \'10 POT.-8\' for the electrolytes of gelatin with nanoparticles. These studies revealed that the concentration of acetic or hydrochloric acids (in gelatin), influences the ionic conductivity of the electrolytes but, in the case of blends, this influence is small. In the case of the films based on gelatin with nanoparticles, the ionic conductivity decreases significantly. In relation to the electrolyte based on chitosan, the ionic conductivity is influenced by the amount of glycerol added. It was found that increasing the temperature to 80°C promotes the increase of ionic conductivity for all films studied.

The subject of this thesis relates to the design of new polymer electrolytes for battery and fuel cell applications. Classical Molecular Dynamics (MD) modelling studies are reported of the nano-structure and the local structure and dynamics for two types of polymer electrolyte host: poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) for lithium batteries and perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) for polymer-based fuel cells. Both polymers have been modified by side-chain substitution, and the effect of this on charge-carrier transport has been investigated. The PEO system contains a 89-343 EO-unit backbone with 3-15 EO-unit side-chains, separated by 5-50 EO backbone units, for LiPF6 salt concentrations corresponding to Li:EO ratios of 1:10 and 1:30; the PFSA systems correspond to commercial Nafion®, Hyflon® (Dow®) and Aciplex® fuel-cell membranes, where the major differences again lie in the side-chain lengths. The PEO mobility is clearly enhanced by the introduction of side-chains, but is decreased on insertion of Li salts; mobilities differ by a factor of 2-3. At the higher Li concentration, many short side-chains (3-5 EO-units) give the highest ion mobility, while the mobility was greatest for side-chain lengths of 7-9 EO units at the lower concentration. A picture emerges of optimal Li+-ion mobility correlating with an optimal number of Li+ ions in the vicinity of mobile polymer segments, yet not involved in significant cross-linkages within the polymer host. Mobility in the PFSA-systems is promoted by higher water content. The influence of different side-chain lengths on local structure was minor, with Hyflon® displaying a somewhat lower degree of phase separation than Nafion®. Furthermore, the velocities of the water molecules and hydronium ions increase steadily from the polymer backbone/water interface towards the centre of the proton-conducting water channels. Because of its shorter side-chain length, the number of hydronium ions in the water channels is ~50% higher in Hyflon® than in Nafion® beyond the sulphonate end-groups; their hydronium-ion velocities are also ~10% higher. MD simulation has thus been shown to be a valuable tool to achieve better understanding of how to promote charge-carrier transport in polymer electrolyte hosts. Side-chains are shown to play a fundamental rôle in promoting local dynamics and influencing the nano-structure of these materials.

L'eau est partout et joue un rôle déterminant dans une multitude deprocessus. Cependant, on la trouve souvent au sein de minusculescellules, pores, ou canaux. En de tels cas, les proprietés“macroscopiques” de l'eau sont modifiées par les restrictions spatialeset les interactions entre les molécules d'eau et le matériau confinant.Elucider les propriétés de l'eau en confinement est crucial, et unecompréhension générale peut seulement être obtenue à traversl'utilisation de modèles. Alors que l'eau confinée dans des matériauxdurs tels que les nanotubes de carbone est bien documentée, nous n'avonspas trouvé de modèle général pour l'étude de l'eau confinée a desmatériaux mous, et ce en dépit de décénies de recherches sur de nombreuxmodèles spécifiques à une biomolécule ou un polymère en particulier.Dans cette thèse, nous présentons un modèle numérique d'eau confinéedans des géométries molles, générées par auto-assemblage. Nouscomprenons la manière dont les interactions réciproques entre l'eau etla matrice confinante déterminent la structure des assemblages et lespropriétés de transport de l'eau. Nous avons choisi un modèle desurfactant ioniques, matériaux très versatiles qui sont capables des'auto-assembler en diverses géométries confinantes.Nous nous concentrons sur l'effet des interfaces sur la formation de lananostructure et sur les propriétés de transport à l'échelle de lananoseconde. Nous nous distancons de l'approche traditionnelle auproblème du transport de l'eau dans des nanomatériaux. Nous montrons quel'hypothèse habituelle du transport diffusif est invalide car la matriceconfinante piège les molécules d'eau à l'interface. Nous proposons deremplacer cette hypothèse par celle du transport sous-diffusif, et nousmettons en évidence le rôle de l'échelle de taille et des propriétéstopologiques du confinement. Nous montrons que cette approche expliquedes résultats expérimentaux pour léau confinée dans des matériaux desynthèse, et qu'elle est compatible avec les développements récents liésà l'eau biologique. / Water is omnipresent and plays a decisive role in a myriad of processes.However, it is often found hidden in tiny cells, pores, or channels. Insuch cases, the usual “bulk” features of water are modified by thelimited available space and the interactions of individual moleculeswith the confining material. Elucidating the properties of water in suchconfined states is critical and general understanding can only beachieved through models. While water confined in model hard materialssuch as carbon nanotubes is well documented, we found that there existno general model to study water confined in soft materials, althoughthis has been an active research topic for decades and despite thenumerous models specific to one biomolecule or polymer that have beendeveloped. In this thesis, we present a numerical model of waterconfined in soft self-assembled environments, and we provide anunderstanding of how the interplay between water and the confiningmatrix affects the structure of the assemblies and transport propertiesof water. Our model confining matrix is composed of ionic surfactants.This versatile model is able to self-assemble to a wide variety ofconfining geometries.We focus on the role of interfaces in shaping the nanometer scalestructure, and nanosecond scale transport properties. This work is adeparture from the traditional approach to the problem of transport ofwater confined in soft nanomaterials. We show that the usual hypothesisof diffusive water transport does not hold due to trapping of moleculesat the interface with the confining matrix. Instead, we support apicture where transport is sub-diffusive, and we highlight the role ofthe length-scale of the confinement and of its topological features. Wefind that this rationale explains experimental results for waterconfined in synthetic materials, and that it is compatible with recentadvances in the understanding of biological water.

Les membranes à base de liquides ioniques à conduction protonique (PCIL) sont très prometteuses comme électrolytes des piles à combustible haute température (HT- PEMFC) du fait de leur forte conductivité et stabilité à des températures supérieures à 100°C. L'objectif de cette thèse est de réaliser une étude approfondie sur l'évolution de la morphologie et des propriétés fonctionnelles, des membranes à base de liquides ioniques, avec i) la concentration en PCIL, ii) la méthode d’élaboration et iii) la structure chimique du PCIL. Afin de prouver la potentialité de ces membranes dans le HT-PEMFC, des tests préliminaires en pile sont réalisés et les phénomènes de dégradation des PCIL et des membranes en présence de peroxyde d'hydrogène sont étudiés. La première partie de ce travail est focalisée sur la caractérisation des membranes de Nafion® neutralisées avec le triéthylamine (Nafion-TEA) et gonflées avec triflate de triéthylammonium (TFTEA). Il a été montré que dans le Nafion-TEA sec, les cations présentent une organisation de type « string like » à l'interface hydrophobe-hydrophile. L’introduction du TFTEA dans la membrane Nafion-TEA ne détruit pas sa nano-structuration, mais augmente de manière significative la conductivité ionique du système. La deuxième partie de ce travail nous a permis d'établir que les membranes dopées élaborées par coulée-évaporation présentent une meilleure organisation et une meilleure tenue thermomécanique par rapport à celles obtenues par gonflement. La troisième partie de ce travail est focalisée sur l’étude de l'impact de la nature chimique du PCIL sur la morphologie et les propriétés fonctionnelles des membranes de Nafion-TEA. Il a été démontré que les PCILs avec longues chaînes perfluorées ne modifient pas la nano-structuration du Nafion-TEA. Ceci a un impact fort sur les propriétés de conductivité, de sorption d’eau et sur les propriétés thermomécaniques de la membrane. Dans la dernière partie, des Ionomères aromatiques ont été synthétisés afin de remplacer le Nafion-TEA. Malgré la structure similaire de la chaîne latérale des Ionomères aromatiques et du Nafion®, les membranes à base d’Ionomères aromatiques et TFTEA ne présentent aucune nano-structuration. De plus l’effet plastifiant du TFTEA est plus notable dans le cas des Ionomères aromatiques probablement du fait d’une distribution aléatoire des fonctions ioniques dans la membrane polymère. / The polymer electrolyte membranes based on Proton Conducting Ionic liquids (PCIL) are very promising systems for the high temperature-PEMFC technology owing to their good ionic conductivity and stability at temperatures above 100oC. The objective of this thesis work is to achieve a profound study on the evolution of morphology and consequent functional properties of the PCIL based polymer electrolyte membranes in function of: i). concentration of the PCIL, ii). the method of elaboration and iii). chemical structure of the PCIL. To demonstrate the potential of these membranes in HT-PEMFC, preliminary tests have been carried out in the fuel cell stack and degradation phenomena associated with PCILs and membranes in the presence of hydrogen peroxide have been studied. The first part of this work is focused on the characterization of Nafion® membranes neutralized with triethylamine (Nafion-TEA) and swollen with triethylammonium Triflate (TFTEA). It has been shown that Nafion-TEA exhibits a single layer string-like organization of inter-digited Triethylammonium cations at the hydrophobic-hydrophilic interface when in anhydrous state. The introduction of TFTEA into Nafion-TEA membrane does not destroy its nano-structuration but significantly boosts the anhydrous ionic conductivity and hydrophilicity of the system. The second part of this work has permitted us to establish the fact that doped membranes prepared by casting method have better organization and better thermo-mechanical properties compared to those obtained by swelling method. Third part of this work focuses on the impact of the chemical nature of the PCIL on the morphology and functional properties of Nafion-TEA membranes. It has been demonstrated that the PCILs with long perfluorinated chain length do not modify the nano-structuration of Nafion-TEA membranes at all. This has a strong impact on the ion-conducting, water-sorption and thermo-mechanical properties of the membrane. In the last part, aromatic ionomers were synthesized in order to replace Nafion-TEA in such PCIL based system. Despite the similar structure of the side chain of the synthesized aromatic ionomers and Nafion®, the membranes based on aromatic ionomers and TFTEA do not present any nano-structuration. Moreover, the plasticizing effect of TFTEA is more noticeable in the case of aromatic ionomers probably due to a random distribution functions in the ionic polymer membrane.

Este trabalho apresenta os resultados do preparo e caracterização de dispositivos eletrocrômicos (ECD - electrochromic devices) contendo filmes finos de azul da Prússia (PB) como camada eletrocrômica, CeO2-TiO2 como contra-eletrodo e eletrólitos à base de polímeros contendo glicerol, formaldeído e γ-butirolactona. Os filmes finos de azul da Prússia foram preparados pelo método de eletrodeposição galvanostática e usados para montagem de dispositivos eletrocrômicos com eletrólitos de composição polimérica variada. Os filmes finos foram caracterizados através de medidas de densidade de carga, voltametria cíclica e transmitância no UV-Vis, além de análises morfológicas por microscopia de força atômica (AFM) e microscopia de varredura eletrônica (MEV), elipsometria, medidas de espessura, ângulo de contato e eficiência de coloração. O filme eletrodepositado por 300 s apresentou densidade de carga de 1,62 mC.cm-2 e 0,98 de reversibilidade com rugosidade de 17,7 nm, espessura de 315 nm via elipsometria e 216 nm via perfilometria. A eficiência de coloração calculada foi de 131,4 cm2.C-1 e os valores de ângulo de contato e energia livre de superfície também foram calculadas. As análises voltamétricas dos filmes finos revelaram picos característicos dos processos de oxidação e redução e as análises espectroscópicas apresentaram variação de transmitância de 71,6 % em 686 nm em solução eletrolítica de KCL 1 mol.L-1. Foram preparados e caracterizados dispositivos com eletrólitos a base de gelatina comercial com sal LiClO4; poli(vinil butirato) (PVB) com par iônico LiI/I2; PVB com LiClO4; PVB com par iônico LiI/I2+disperse red; ágar com LiClO4; ágar com sal Eu(CF3SO3)3; DNA com LiClO4; DNA com sal Er(CF3SO3)3; pectina com LiClO4; HPC com ácido acético; HPC com LiClO4 e PVDF com LiClO4. Dentre os resultados obtidos, os melhores resultados de densidade de carga de 10,1 e 8,5 mC.cm-2 foram obtidos para os dispositivos com eletrólitos de HPC e pectina, ambas com sal LiClO4. Voltamogramas cíclicos das amostras estudadas revelaram picos anódicos e catódicos referentes à extração e inserção de íons de lítio e/ou prótons, e elétrons no filme de PB. As análises de transmitância em 686 nm entre o estado colorido e descolorido dos dispositivos mostraram os valores de 40,2% para a janela contendo eletrólito à base de gelatina com LiClO4 e 35,2 % para a janela com ágar e sal Eu(CF3SO3). Além disso, também foi verificada a estabilidade dos dispositivos revelando a duração entre 400 a 2200 ciclos cronoamperométricos, dependendo do eletrólito usado. Os resultados obtidos mostram que os dispositivos estudados neste trabalho são potenciais candidatos para aplicações práticas em dispositivos eletrocrômicos. / This work presents the results of the preparation and characterization of electrochromic devices (ECDs) containing a thin film of Prussian blue (PB) as electrochromic layer, CeO2-TiO2 as a counter electrode and electrolytes based on polymers containing glycerol, formaldehyde, and γ-butyrolactone. Thin films of Prussian blue were prepared by galvanostatic electrodeposition method and used for the assembly of electrochromic devices with varying polymer composition of electrolytes. The thin films were characterized by charge density measurements, cyclic voltammetry, transmittance in the UV-Vis, and morphological analyzes such as atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Moreover, there were subjected to ellipsometry, thickness, contact angle, and coloring efficiency measurements. The electrodeposited film of 300 s had charge density of 1.62 mC.cm-2 and 0.98 of reversibility with roughness of 17.7 nm and thickness of 315 nm via ellipsometry and 216 nm via profilometry. The calculated color efficiency was 131.4 cm2.C-1 and the contact angle values and surface free energy were calculated. The voltammetric analyzes of thin films showed characteristic peaks of oxidation and reduction processes and spectroscopic analysis showed 71.6% transmittance variation at 686 nm in 1 mol.L-1 KCL electrolyte solution. ECD were prepared and characterized, using electrolytes such as commercial gelatin with LiClO4 salt; poly (vinyl butyrate) (PVB) with ion pair LiI/I2; PVB with LiClO4; PVB with ion pair LiI/I2 + disperse red; agar with LiClO4; agar with Eu(CF3SO3)3 salt; DNA with LiClO4; DNA with Er(CF3SO3)3 salt; pectin with LiClO4; HPC with acetic acid; HPC with LiClO4 and PVDF LiClO4. The best results of charge density of 8.5 and 10.1 mC.cm-2 were obtained for devices with HPC electrolytes and pectin, both with LiClO4 salt. Cyclic voltammetry of the studied samples revealed anodic and cathodic peaks relating to the extraction and insertion of lithium ions and/or protons and electrons in the PB film. The transmittance at 686 nm analysis between the colored state and discolored windows showed values of 40.2% for the window containing electrolyte of gelatin with LiClO4 and 35.2% for the window with agar and Eu(CF3SO3) salt. Furthermore, the stability of the devices was also recorded revealing the duration between 400-2200 chronoamperometric cycles, depending on the used electrolyte. The results show that the windows studied in this work are potential candidates for electrochromic devices applications.

This graduate work deals with the study and preparation of gel polymer electrolytes with flame retardants for lithium-ion batteries. The theoretical part describes the types of electrolytes, their features, benefits, how they differ and where they are used in detail. The basis of this section is gel electrolytes with flame retardants, to measure their electrical and electrochemical properties. The experimental part deals with the preparation of samples of gel electrolytes with different percentages of flame retardant, where varied species of flame retardants and measuring their electrical conductivity and potential windows. Impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and dynamic-analytical thermal analysis were selected as measuring methods.