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One of the important dynamic parameter characterizing the properties of polymer nanocomposite is viscosity. It is a quantity of interest on macroscopic scale also. A thorough study of viscosity in case of polymer nanocomposite has not been carried out in the existing literature. In this work we used atomic force microscope, force-distance spectroscopy to experimentally measure the viscosity of polymer and polymer nanocomposite thin films. In particular we try to tune viscosity by changing the nature of interface of polymer grafted nanoparticle and polymer melt. The interface nature in varied by changing the miscibility parameter ( f ), defined as the ratio of grafted chain length to the matrix chain length. Using coarse-grained molecular dynamic simulations, dynamics at the nanoparticle-matrix interface is explored by calculating slip length and mobility at the interface. Equilibrium molecular dynamic simulation is employed to calculate the viscosity of nanocomposite. Chapter 1 We introduce some basic models for polymer chain conformation and dynamics. The known facts about the structural and dynamics of polymer grafted nanoparticle are also described. Chapter 2 We present our experiment method and results for various nanocomposite systems for two different volume fractions of nanoparticles and for two different thicknesses. We show that introduction of nanoparticles causes reduction in viscosity of thin film with respect to the neat polymer films. Further for the low volume fraction system (0:5%) the extent of reduction decreases with increasing f -value and almost matching the neat system at the highest f . At high volume fraction (1%), for lower f we observe a reduction in viscosity and for highest f surprisingly there is an increase in viscosity of nanocomposite with respect to the neat system with a cross-over for intermediate f . We attribute the effects to possible slip at the nanoparticle-matrix interface. A rough estimation of slip length from the measured value of viscosity of nanocomposite and pure polymer is provided which strongly supports our idea of slip at the interface Chapter 3 Briefly discusses some basic aspects of molecular dynamic simulation. Chapter 4 Using MD simulation we calculate the slip-length at the grafted nanoparticle-matrix interface for various systems with different f values. A spherical core grafted with atoms same as the matrix is kept fixed at the canter of simulation box. The particle is rotated for calculating slip length. We also look at the mobility variation of matrix chains as a function of radial distance from the centre of nanoparticle. From both slip-length and mobility calculation we observe that slip length as well as mobility is higher for lower f systems as compared to higher f thus supporting our assertion of slip as the most likely cause for our experimental observations. Chapter 5 Now instead of single grafted nanoparticle we have multiple nanoparticles which are free to move in the matrix. Using Green-Kubo formalism we calculate the equilibrium viscosity for pure polymer and nanocomposite systems from MD simulations. We observe increase in viscosity for nanocomposite system as compared to the pure polymer system. We also look at various structural and dynamical changes, that occurs in the filled system with respect to neat system, that leads to such increase in viscosity.

Il est bien connu que la structuration de surface dans la nature est très importante et ses applications très répandues. Des modèles simples, comme les vagues de surface, sont indispensables dans certains processus naturels et peuvent avoir une application directe aux innovations technologiques. Dans cette thèse, j'étudie les nouvelles méthodes de structuration et de processus de formation de structures contrôlées dans des films minces de polymères, en particulier à des températures inférieures à leur transition vitreuse. J'ai trouvé que la surface de polystyrène vitreux peut être reconstruite à température ambiante, par application directe ou indirecte d'un champ électrique, suggérant fortement qu’une couche de mobilité accrue existe à la surface de ce polymère vitreux. De plus grâce à cette thèse, nous présentons une nouvelle méthode pour induire et contrôler des structures submicroniques sur des substrats hydrophobes en une seule étape de traitement simple, basée sur le traitement du substrat avec une solution aqueuse dégazée. Cette nanostructuration est le résultat d'adsorption des espèces chargées proches sur la surface hydrophobe des polymères créant un champ électrique élevé, ce qui, combiné avec la mobilité de la surface du polymère, induit la déformation du substrat polymère. Comme l'étude directe des propriétés spécifiques de cette région, proche de la surface libre de films minces de polymères, est très rare en raison de la limite des techniques expérimentales appropriées, j'ai réalisé une étude approfondie de la relaxation temporelle des surfaces polymères préalablement structurées par les méthodes décrites ci-dessus. / It is well known that the importance and the applications of surface structuration in Nature and in technology are widespread. Simple patterns, such as surface waves, are indispensable in some natural processes and may have direct application to technological innovations. In this thesis I investigate novel methods of structuring and control structure formation process in thin polymer films, particularly at temperatures lower than their glass transition. We have found that the surface of glassy polystyrene can be reconstructed at room temperature either by direct or indirect application of an electric field, strongly suggesting that a layer of enhanced mobility indeed exists at the surface of this glassy polymer. Additionally through this thesis we present a novel developed way to induce and control submicron structures on hydrophobic substrates by a single, simple treatment step based on treating the substrate with degassed aqueous solution. This nanostructuration is the result of close adsorption of charged species on the hydrophobic polymeric surface building a high electric field, which, combined with the mobility of the polymer surface, induces the deformation of the polymer substrate. Since, the direct study of properties of this specific near free surface region of thin polymer films is very rare due to the limited suitable experimental techniques; we have completed an extensive study of influence of supporting substrate and the temporal relaxation of previously polymer structured surfaces by above described methods.

The framework of this thesis aims to fabricate materials, which change surface characteristics in response to environmental conditions. This response may be employed to improve material characteristics as adhesion, wettability, interaction with cells etc. The mixed brushes introduce adaptive and switching behavior in different surrounding media. Two main approaches were employed to fabricate mixed polymer brushes: "grafting to" and "grafting from". Mixed PS/PVP polymer brushes were synthesized via step-by-step grafting of these two polymers from polyamide (PA) surfaces. NH3 plasma was used for the introduction of amino and OH functionalities on PA surfaces with following attachment of azo initiator of radical polymerizaton. The mixed brushes prepared on the surface of PA textiles combine both the switching effect and effect of composite surface (i.e. micrometer scale roughness) which substantially amplifies the switching range. Mixed polymer brushes prepared from P(S-b-2VP-b-EO) and P(S-b-4VP) block copolymers were grafted to both the flat surface of Si wafers and to the surface of silica nanoparticles via quaternization reaction of the pyridine nitrogen. This one step grafting technique has a substantial advantage over the multistep grafting of mixed polymer brushes. We have demonstrated that combination of the two level hierarchical organization of polymer films at macroscopic and nanoscopic levels resulted in the formation of self adaptive surfaces switchable in controlled environment from ultra-hydrophobic to hydrophilic energetic states. The PFS/PVP mixed brush was grafted onto the pre-treated PTFE surface (plasma etching) with the needle like topography. The size of vertical needles was at micron scale. If the brush is switched to the hydrophobic state the layer has shown a unique ultra-hydrophobic behavior (complete non-wetting) with the contact angle approaching value of 160o. If the mixed brush was switched into the hydrophilic state the surface became completely wetted due to the capillary forces in the pores formed by the needle like structure. Thus, the surface can be either highly wettable or completely non-wettable with the self cleaning properties.

The framework of this thesis aims to fabricate materials, which change surface characteristics in response to environmental conditions. This response may be employed to improve material characteristics as adhesion, wettability, interaction with cells etc. The mixed brushes introduce adaptive and switching behavior in different surrounding media. Two main approaches were employed to fabricate mixed polymer brushes: "grafting to" and "grafting from". Mixed PS/PVP polymer brushes were synthesized via step-by-step grafting of these two polymers from polyamide (PA) surfaces. NH3 plasma was used for the introduction of amino and OH functionalities on PA surfaces with following attachment of azo initiator of radical polymerizaton. The mixed brushes prepared on the surface of PA textiles combine both the switching effect and effect of composite surface (i.e. micrometer scale roughness) which substantially amplifies the switching range. Mixed polymer brushes prepared from P(S-b-2VP-b-EO) and P(S-b-4VP) block copolymers were grafted to both the flat surface of Si wafers and to the surface of silica nanoparticles via quaternization reaction of the pyridine nitrogen. This one step grafting technique has a substantial advantage over the multistep grafting of mixed polymer brushes. We have demonstrated that combination of the two level hierarchical organization of polymer films at macroscopic and nanoscopic levels resulted in the formation of self adaptive surfaces switchable in controlled environment from ultra-hydrophobic to hydrophilic energetic states. The PFS/PVP mixed brush was grafted onto the pre-treated PTFE surface (plasma etching) with the needle like topography. The size of vertical needles was at micron scale. If the brush is switched to the hydrophobic state the layer has shown a unique ultra-hydrophobic behavior (complete non-wetting) with the contact angle approaching value of 160o. If the mixed brush was switched into the hydrophilic state the surface became completely wetted due to the capillary forces in the pores formed by the needle like structure. Thus, the surface can be either highly wettable or completely non-wettable with the self cleaning properties.

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La technologie Lithium-air développée par EDF utilise une électrode à air qui fonctionne avec un électrolyte aqueux ce qui empêche l’utilisation de lithium métal non protégé comme électrode négative. Une membrane céramique (LATP:Li1+xAlxTi2-x(PO4)3) conductrice d’ion Li+ est utilisée pour séparer le milieu aqueux de l’électrode négative. Cependant, cette céramique n'est pas stable au contact du lithium, il est donc nécessaire d'intercaler entre le lithium et la céramique un matériau conducteur des ions Li+. Celui-ci devant être stable au contact du lithium et empêcher ou fortement limiter la croissance dendritique. Ainsi, ce projet s'est intéressé à l'étude d'électrolytes copolymères à blocs (BCE).Tout d'abord, l'étude des propriétés physico-chimiques spécifiques de ces BCEs en cellule lithium-lithium symétrique a été réalisée notamment les propriétés de transport (conductivités, nombre de transport), et la résistance à la croissance dendritique du lithium. Puis dans un second temps, l'étude des composites BCE-céramique a été mise en place. Nous nous sommes en particulier focalisés sur l'analyse du transfert ionique polymère-céramique.Plusieurs techniques de caractérisation ont été utilisées telles que la spectroscopie d'impédance électrochimique (transport et interface), le SAXS (morphologies des BCEs), la micro-tomographie par rayons X (morphologies des interfaces et des dendrites).Pour des électrolytes possédant un nombre de transport unitaire (single-ion), nous avons obtenus des résultats remarquables concernant la limitation à la croissance dendritique. La micro-tomographie des rayons X a permis de montrer que le mécanisme de croissance hétérogène dans le cas des single-ion est très différent de celui des BCEs neutres (t+ < 0.2). / The lithium-air (Li-air) technology developed by EDF uses an air electrode which works with an aqueous electrolyte, which prevents the use of unprotected lithium metal electrode as a negative electrode. A Li+ ionic conductor glass ceramic (LATP:Li1+xAlxTi2-x(PO4)3) has been used to separate the aqueous electrolyte compartment from the negative electrode. However, this glass-ceramic is not stable in contact with lithium, it is thus necessary to add between the lithium and the ceramic a buffer layer. In another hand, this protection should ideally resist to lithium dendritic growth. Thus, this project has been focused on the study of block copolymer electrolytes (BCE).In a first part, the study of the physical and chemical properties of these BCEs in lithium symmetric cells has been realized especially transport properties (ionic conductivities, transference number), and resistance to dendritic growth. Then, in a second part, the composites BCE-ceramic have been studied.Several characterization techniques have been employed and especially the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (for the transport and the interface properties), the small angle X-ray scattering (for the BCE morphologies) and the hard X-ray micro-tomography (for the interfaces and the dendrites morphologies). For single-ion BCE, we have obtained interesting results concerning the mitigation of the dendritic growth. The hard X-ray micro-tomography has permitted to show that the mechanism involved in the heterogeneous lithium growth in the case of the single-ion is very different from the one involved for the neutral BCEs (t+ < 0.2).

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