La dégradation accélérée des membranes conductrices protoniques en pile est en partie due à une oxydation induite par la production d'H2O2. Cette étude présente une stratégie originale de stabilisation chimique d'une matrice de sPEEK par l'inclusion de nano-charges stabilisantes. Quatre nano-charges ont été préparées par fonctionnalisation de nanoparticules de silice avec des fonctions chimiques organosoufrées (disulfure, tétrasulfure et thiourée). Un protocole spécifique de mise en forme des membranes hybrides a permis d'obtenir des composites présentant des propriétés mécaniques et une conductivité protonique compatibles avec l'application pile. Les fonctions polysulfures permettent de ralentir la dégradation de la matrice de sPEEK durant l'étape de mise en œuvre et d'augmenter sa conductivité au cours d'un vieillissement ex-situ (H2O2). En présence de fonctions tétrasulfures, la membrane sPEEK ne se dégrade pas durant un test de 1200h en OCV à 70°C et 100%HR. / One of the origins of the accelerated aging of proton exchange membranes used in Fuel Cells is the oxidation induced by H2O2 formation. This work concerns the development of a new way to chemically stabilize a sPEEK membrane by the addition of stabilizing nano-fillers. Four fillers were synthesized by grafting organosulfur functions (disulfide, tetrasulfide and thiourea) onto silica nanoparticles. A specific protocol to prepare hybrid membranes led to materials with suitable mechanical properties and proton conductivity for fuel cells application. Polysulfides allow a significant decrease of the matrix degradation occurring during membrane processing and also a large increase of the proton conductivity of this matrix during ex-situ aging tests (H2O2). A membrane containing tetrasulfide nano-fillers could withstand 1200h in OCV condition at 70°C and 100%RH, without showing any sign of degradation.

La thèse est orientée à la production d'une membrane proton conductrice pour la pile à combustible à membrane proton électrolyte (PEMFC) comme un but principal. L'originalité et le challenge de l'élaboration de la membrane consistent en procédure multi-étape : commencer avec la synthèse de l'unité simple – un monomère ionique, continuer avec la polymérisation et l'estimation générale de performance en échelle de laboratoire de polymère ; et finir avec la production des matériaux en échelle industrielle et tester en conditions réelles. Toutes les étapes, sauf la dernière, sont étudiées en détail. Premièrement, beaucoup d'attention est portée à la description du protocole de production et purification de monomères ioniques. C'est à cause de la complexité des interactions ioniques dans un système ‘produit-solvant' et dû à l'exigence principale pour la haute pureté du monomère que la synthèse et traitement attentifs des monomères doivent être faits. En total, trois nouveaux monomères, portants les chaines acides perfluorosulfoniques, sont proposés. Ensuite, plusieurs réactions de polymérisation avec les différents monomères non-ioniques commerciaux sont décrites. Deux familles différentes des membranes proton conductrices sont décrites : poly(arylene ether)s (PAEs) statistiques et poly(arylene ether sulfone)s statistiques et en bloc. Elles sont synthétisées en séries de CEI différentes pour pouvoir suivre l'impact du groupe ionique sur les propriétés des matériaux. De plus, la nouvelle structure d'ionomère est proposée, où le copolymère à bloc contient le bloc hydrophile, synthétisé de deux monomères, portants les groupes perfluorosulfoniques (PFSA). Ça permet d'approcher au maximum les groupes latéraux superacides le long de la chaîne, ce qui, le plus probablement, contribue vers la meilleur organisation t interaction entre les sites ioniques. Pour la caractérisation suivante des nouveaux polymères ils sont coulés en membranes par la méthode de coulée-évaporation de ses solutions en dimethylacétamide (DMAc). Influence de la température du processus est décrite brièvement. Les membranes de différentes séries sont comparées entre eux-mêmes et à Nafion comme le matériau de référence. C'est connu que Nafion acquiert sa haute performance dû à : i) présence du groupe latéral superacide PFSA et ii) organisation des chaînes de polymère aux domaines bien séparés de conducteurs de protons (hydrophiles) et stables mécaniquement (hydrophobes). Par contre, la production de ce matériau contient les procédures dangereuses et chères de manipulation avec les gases fluorés, car cet ionomère contient une chaîne de base de Teflon. De plus, la température de transition de squelette perfluorée est plus basse que la température de fonctionnement de ionomère dans PEMFC. Les nouveaux ionomères sont ensuite caractérisés pour les propriétés thermo-mécaniques, stabilité, conductivité, morphologie. Ils montrent : i) hautes températures de transitions, ce qui permet l'utilisation de ces polymères aux conditions de la fonctionnement de PEMFC ; ii) le phénomène de la séparation de phases, ce qui propose les matériaux d'avoir la morphologie avec les domaines bien définis pour la conduction des protons, iii) la structuration avec une organisation importante, ce qui est rare d'apercevoir pour les matériaux aromatiques ; iv) haute conductivité protonique même à l'humidité réduite pour plusieurs séries des polymères proposées. Par conséquent, les matériaux montrent la performance prometteuse, ce qui doit être vérifiée aux conditions réelles de la pile à combustible. De plus, ce travail est innovant par la procédure de production des ionomères, c'est pourquoi plus des différentes séries des polymères sont prévues à être synthètisées à partir des monomères ioniques proposés ici. La variation des monomères ioniques peut être élargie aussi par changement de PFSA groupes aux perfluorosulfonimides. / The current work is directed to production of a proton conducting membrane for a proton electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) as a main goal. The originality and the challenge of the membrane elaboration lie in the multi-step procedure: starting with the synthesis of a simple unit – an ionic monomer, continuing with polymerization and overall estimation of the polymer performance at laboratory scale, and ending with production of the required material of industrial quantity and testing in real conditions. All the steps, except the last one, are explicitly studied. Firstly, much attention in the dissertation is paid to description of a protocol for production and purification of the ionic monomers. It is due to complexity of ionic interactions in a system ‘product-solvent' and due to the main requirement of high purity for a monomer that attentive synthesis and treatment of the monomers must be provided. In total three new monomers, bearing perfluorosulfonic acid chains, are reported. Then, a number of polymerization reactions with different commercial non-ionic monomers are proposed. Two main families of proton conducting ionomers are described: random poly(arylene ether)s (PAEs) and poly(arylene ether sulfone)s (PAESs), both random and block-copolymers. They are synthesized in series of different IEC in order to follow the impact of the ionic group to the properties of the material. Additionally, a new structure of the ionomer is proposed, where the block-copolymer contains a hydrophilic block, synthesized from two monomers, bearing perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) groups. It allows maximally approximating the superacid lateral groups along the polymer chain that, most probably, contributes to better organization and interaction between the ionic sites. For further characterization of the novel polymers, they are cast to membranes by casting-evaporation method from their solutions in dimethylacetamide (DMAc). The influence of production temperature is described briefly. The membranes of different series are compared between each other and to Nafion as a reference material. It is known that Nafion acquires its high performance due to: i) presence of superacid PFSA lateral groups, and ii) organization of polymer chains into well-separated proton-conductive (hydrophilic) and mechanically stable (hydrophobic) domains. However, production of this material comprises dangerous and expensive procedures of manipulation with fluorinated gases, since this ionomer contains a Teflon-type backbone. Moreover, transition temperature of the perfluorinated main chain is lower, than the required temperature of the ionomer functioning in a PEMFC. The novel ionomers are further characterized in terms of thermo-mechanical properties, stability, conductivity, bulk morphology. They exhibit: i) high transition temperatures, which allows utilization of these polymers at conditions of a PEMFC functioning; ii) phase separation phenomenon, which suggests the materials to have morphology with distinct domains for proton conduction, iii) highly organized structuring, which is rare to clearly evidence on aromatic materials; iv) high proton conductivity for several polymer series, which over-perform Nafion even at reduced humidity. Based on these results, some of the synthesized materials are considered to be promising in a PEMFC, but further study in real conditions must be provided. Additionally, the current work is pioneering in the way of production of the ionomers, therefore, more different series of polymers are previewed to be synthesized out of the ionic monomers, proposed here. Variety of the ionic monomers may be enlarged as well by changing the PFSA groups to perfluorosulfonimide ones or by searching for other fluorinated commercial materials that might be modified into monomers with two functional groups for polycondensation. Thus, the main objectives, set for the current work, are fulfilled.

A reação de redução de oxigênio (RRO) foi estudada em eletrocatalisadores com estruturas do tipo core-shell formadas por monocamadas de Pt depositadas sobre nanopartículas a base de Au e Pd, e estruturas hollow formadas de Pt. As nanopartículas core-shell foram sintetizadas por deposição em regime de subtensão utilizando-se substratos de Au e Pd. As estruturas hollow foram preparadas a partir de nanopartículas core-shell de Pt sobre Ni ou Co, seguido por ciclagem eletroquímica em eletrólito ácido. Os eletrocatalisadores foram caracterizados utilizando-se as técnicas de Energia Dispersiva, Difração e Espectroscopia de Absorção de Raios X e Microscopia Eletrônica de Transmissão. Os testes eletroquímicos foram feitos voltametria cíclica e curvas de polarização em eletrodo rotatório. Os catalisadores do tipo core-shell mostraram uma alta atividade para a RRO, o que foi associado a mudanças nas propriedades eletrônicas e geométricas da Pt, causadas pela presença dos átomos de Au e Pd, que conduzem a uma menor força de adsorção Pt-O. Neste caso, temos um melhor balanço de reatividade para as tendências opostas de quebra e formação de ligações nos intermediários reacionais adsorvidos na superficie do eletrocatalisador. As nanopartículas de Pt hollow apresentaram maior atividade que o electrocalisador de Pt/C. Isto foi atribuído aos fenômenos de contração da rede cristalina e abaixamento do centro de banda d da Pt devido à ligação da Pt com Ni ou Co remanescente na partícula. Estas estruturas mostraram que é possível o desenvolvimento de eletrocalisadores com baixa carga de platina, mas com atividade superior ao do material no estado-da-arte de Pt/C, através de modificações na estrutura e composição da nanopartícula. / The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) was studied on eletrocatalysts with core-shell structures formed by Pt monolayers deposited on Au and Pd, and by hollow strutures of Pt. The core-shell nanoparticles were synthesized by the Under Potention Deposition technique, using Au and Pd as substrates. The hollow structures were prepared starting foram core-shell nanoparticles of Pt deposited on Ni or Co, followed by electrochemical cycling in acid media. The eletrocatalysts were characterized using techniques of X Ray Diffration, Energy Dispersive X Ray Spectroscopy, X Ray Absorpion Spectroscopy, and Transmission Electron Microscopy. The electrochemical tests were cyclic voltammetry, and polarization curves with rotating disk electrode. The core-shell electrocatalysts howed high activity for the ORR, this increase being associated with changes in the geometric and electronic properties of Pt, caused by the presence of Au and Pd atoms, leading to a lower adsorpion strength of Pt-O. This effect conducts to a better balance of reactivity for the two opposing tendencies of breaking and bond formation in the reaction intermediates adsorbed on the catalyst surface. The Pt hollow nanoparticles showed higher activity in relation to that of Pt/C, which was attributed to the effects of contraction of the Pt lattice and the Pt electronic strutucture modification, which results ind down-shift of the Pt d-band center, leading to a lower Pt-O adsorption strength. This work has demonstrated that it is possible to design electrocatalyst structures with low Pt loading, but with higher electrocatalytic activity compared to that of the state-of-the-art Pt/C material, using changes in the nanoparticle structure and composition.

O envelhecimento dos eletrocatalisadores utilizados em cátodos de células a combustível de eletrólito polimérico (PEMFCs) é um dos principais fatores que restringem sua aplicação como conversores de energia em larga escala. Esse trabalho visa contribuir para o aprimoramento da estabilidade de nanopartículas de platina (NPs de Pt) por meio da modificação do suporte catalítico aos quais encontram-se impregnadas. Desse modo, foram realizadas sínteses de suportes catalíticos baseados em óxidos de molibdênio (MoO3 e MoO2) ancorados em carbono Vulcan® XC72-R, sendo os materiais produzidos caracterizados física, estrutural e eletroquimicamente antes e após a impregnação de NPs de Pt. Para investigar a estabilidade dos eletrocatalisadores, foi realizado um teste de degradação eletroquímico acelerado, o qual consistiu em aplicar os ciclos de potenciais entre 0,6 e 1,0 V vs. ERH por curto período de tempo. Os resultados mostraram que os métodos de síntese utilizados foram satisfatórios, levando a formação dos catalisadores com as proporções bem próximas das requeridas. O catalisador Pt/MoO3-C apresentou a maior atividade específica frente a reação de redução de oxigênio (RRO), atribuída a efeitos sinérgicos metal/suporte. Quando investigada a estabilidade dos materiais frente ao teste de degradação eletroquímico acelerado, observou-se que, a princípio, nenhum dos óxidos de molibdênio diminui a extensão da degradação da platina. Analisando-se as atividades específicas frente à RRO para cada catalisador antes e após o envelhecimento eletroquímico, foi observado que Pt/MoO2-C apresentou-se como o material mais estável dentre os demais. / The aging of Pt based electrocatalysts used in the polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEMFC) cathodes is one of the main issues that restrict its wide application as energy converters. This work aims to contribute to the improvement of the stability of platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs) by modification of the catalyst support at which they are impregnated. Thus, syntheses of catalyst supports based on molybdenum oxide (MoO3 and MoO2) anchored on Vulcan® XC72-R carbon were carried out and the produced materials were characterized physically, structurally and electrochemically prior and after impregnation of the Pt NPs. To investigate their stability, an electrochemical accelerated degradation test was performed, which consisted of applying a large number of short duration potential cycling steps between 0.6 and 1.0 V vs. RHE. The results showed that the synthetic methods used here were satisfactory, leading to the formation of catalysts with compositions near to those expected. The Pt/MoO3-C catalyst showed the highest specific activity toward the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), and this was attributed to metal/support synergistic effects. When the stability against electrochemical accelerated degradation test of the materials was investigated, it was observed that, in principle, none of the molybdenum oxides really decreases the extent of platinum degradation. However, comparing the specific activities towards the ORR for each catalyst, before and after electrochemical aging, it is concluded that Pt/MoO2-C is the most stable material among all others.

Orientadores: Marco-Aurelio De Paoli, Claudia Longo / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Quimica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-04T15:23:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Nogueira_VivianeCarvalho_M.pdf: 7956042 bytes, checksum: 3497431ee35a85b9d6ad28d95b6055c0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005 / Resumo: As células solares de TiO2 sensibilizadas por corante, DSSC, são constituídas por um filme nanoporoso de TiO2 modificado por um corante fotosensibilizador, um eletrólito no qual está presente o par redox I¨/I3¨, e um contra-eletrodo de platina. Desde 1996 o Laboratório de Polímeros Condutores e Reciclagem (LPCR) do Instituto de Química da Unicamp vem se dedicando ao desenvolvimento de células solares de TiO2/corante de estado sólido, através do emprego de eletrólitos poliméricos. A substituição do eletrólito líquido por um eletrólito polimérico visa minimizar os problemas decorrentes de vazamento ou evaporação do solvente, além de facilitar a montagem dos dispositivos. Estudos anteriores mostraram que as DSSC com eletrólito polimérico apresentam uma baixa estabilidade. Como a durabilidade de um dispositivo é um fator fundamental visando sua produção e uso em larga escala, o objetivo desta dissertação foi investigar as possíveis causas da baixa estabilidade das DSSC e otimizar a composição do eletrólito polimérico baseado em poli(epicloridrina-co-óxido de etileno), P(EO-EPI)84:16, NaI e l2, visando obter células solares com maior eficiência e estabilidade. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que a baixa estabilidade destas células está relacionada com a elevada quantidade de solvente residual presente no dispositivo após o término de sua montagem. A primeira parte do trabalho consistiu em eliminar esta interferência. O eletrólito polimérico foi otimizado através da adição do plastificante poli(etileno glicol) metil éter, P(EGME), que levou a uma redução significativa da temperatura de transição vítrea (Tg) do material polimérico, aumentando a flexibilidade das cadeias poliméricas e também participando na coordenação dos cátions Na, levando ao aumento da condutividade do eletrólito polimérico (s = 1,7 x 10 S cm, para 13 % m/m NaI). O coeficiente de difusão estimado para os íons no eletrólito polimérico com plastificante foi de 2 x 10 cms, aproximadamente 5 vezes maior do que para o eletrólito sem plastificante. A adição do plastificante não comprometeu as estabilidades térmicas, eletroquímicas e dimensionais dos filmes de eletrólito polimérico. A DSSC preparada com o eletrólito de P(EO-EPI) : P(EGME) (1:1) e 13 % (m/m) de NaI/I2 apresentou uma corrente de curto-circuito (ISC) de 1,88 mA cm e eficiência de conversão de energia (h) de 0,52 % (100 mW cm). Sob 10 mW cm, ISC = 0,60 mA cm e h = 1,75 %. Estes resultados mostram que a adição do plastificante contribuiu para melhorar o desempenho da célula solar e o estudo de estabilidade desta DSSC mostrou uma redução de menos de 15 % na eficiência de conversão de energia após 30 dias de irradiação. / Abstract: Dye sensitized solar cells, DSSC, consist of a nanoporous TiO2 electrode modified by a Ru-complex dye, an electrolyte containing the redox couple I¨/I3¨and a Pt counter electrode. Since 1996 the Conductive Polymers and Recycling Laboratory (LPCR) of the Chemistry Institute at Unicamp is developing solid state dye sensitized solar cells through the use of polymer electrolytes. The substitution of the liquid electrolyte by a polymeric one, eliminates the need of perfect sealing and avoids many problems caused by leakage or evaporation of the solvent, besides making the assembly of the cells much easier. Previous works showed that the DSSC assembled with polymer electrolytes present a poor stability. The durability of a device is a very important parameter when considering practical interests for application of DSSC, so the aim of this dissertation was to investigate the major causes of the poor stability ofthe DSSC and to optimize the composition of the polymer electrolyte based on poly(epichlorohydrin-co-ethylene oxide), P(EO-EPI)84:16, NaI and I2, in order to obtain solar cells with improved efficiency and stability. The results showed that the poor stability of the solar cells could be assigned to the presence of a large amounts of residual solvent in the assembled devices. The first step of the work consisted in eliminating this interference. The polymer electrolyte was optimized through the addition of the plasticizer, poly(ethylene glycol methyl ether), P(EGME), leading to a significant reduction of the copolymer glass transition temperature (Tg), increasing the chains flexibility, and also coordinating the Nacations, enhancing the ionic conductivity of the polymer electrolyte (s = 1.7 X 10 S cm, with 13 wt. % NaI). The diffusion coefficient estimated for the polymer electrolyte with the plasticizer was 2 x 10 cm s, about 5 times larger than for the electrolyte without plasticizer. The plasticizer did not affeet the thermal, electrochemical and dimensional stabilities of the polymer electrolyte films. The DSSC assembled with the polymer electrolyte based on P(EO-EPI) : P(EGME) (1:1) and 13 wt. % of NaI/I2 showed short circuit current (ISC) of 1.88 mA cm and overall conversion efficiency (h) of 0.52 % (100 mW cm). At 10 mW cm, ISC = 0.60 mA cm and h = 1.75 %. These results show that the plasticizer enhanced the performance of the solar cell. The stability test showed a reduction of less than 15 % in the efficiency of energy conversion after irradiating the DSSC for 30 days. / Mestrado / Quimica Inorganica / Mestre em Química

No description available.

No description available.

Des nanotubes de dioxyde de titane (TiO2nts) sont étudiés comme électrodes négatives potentielles pour des microbatteries Li-ion 3D. Ces TiO2nts lisses et hautement auto-organisés sont élaborés par anodisation du Ti dans des électrolytes organiques à base de glycérol ou d'éthylène glycol contenant des ions fluor et de l'eau en faible quantité. Les structures présentant un diamètre de 100 nm et une longueur variant de 1,5 à 14 µm sont particulièrement appropriés pour l'application visée. Les TiO2nts ont été tapissés de manière conforme par un électrolyte polymère (PMA-PEG) comportant un sel de lithium (LiTFSI) grâce à la technique d'électropolymérisation. Les études morphologiques menées par SEM et TEM ont montré que les nanotubes sont entièrement recouverts d'un film mince polymère de 10 nm d'épaisseur, ce qui permet de préserver la structure 3D de l'électrode. Les tests électrochimiques portant sur les nanotubes seuls ainsi que sur les TiO2nts tapissés d'électrolyte polymère ont été effectués en demi-cellule et en cellule complète en utilisant un électrolyte polymère à base de MA-PEG contenant du LiTFSI. En demi-cellule, les TiO2nts de 1,5 µm de long delivrent une capacité surfacique de 22 µAh cm-2 relativement stable sur 100 cycles. La performance de la demi-cellule est améliorée de 45% à une cinétique de 1C lorsque les TiO2nts sont tapissés de manière conforme par un electrolyte polymère (PMA-PEG). Cet effet résulte d'un meilleur transport de charges lié à l'augmentation de la surface de contact entre l'électrode et l'électrolyte. / Titania nanotubes (TiO2nts) as potential negative electrode for 3D lithium-ion microbatteries have been reported. Smooth and highly-organized TiO2nts are fabricated by electrochemical anodization of Ti foil in glycerol or ethylene glycol electrolyte containing fluoride ions and small amount of water. As-formed TiO2nts shows the open tube diameter of 100 nm and the length from 1.5 to 14 µm which are suitable for the fabrication of the 3D microcbatteries. The deposition of PMA-PEG polymer electrolyte carrying LiTFSI salt into TiO2nts has been achieved by the electropolymerization reaction. The morphology studies by SEM and TEM reveal that the nanotubes are conformally coated with 10 nm of the polymer layer at the inner and outer walls from the bottom to the top without closing the tube opening. 1H NMR and SEC show that the electropolymerization leads to PMA-PEG that mainly consists of trimers. XPS confirms the presence of LiTFSI salt in the oligomers.The electrochemical studies of the as-formed TiO2nts and polymer-coated TiO2nts have been performed in the half-cells and full cells using MA-PEG gel electrolyte containing LiTFSI in Whatman paper as separator. The half-cell of TiO2nts (1.5 µm long) delivers a stable capacity of 22 µAh cm-2 over 100 cycles. The performance of the half-cell is improved by 45% at 1C when TiO2nts are conformally coated with the polymer electrolyte. The better performance results from the increased contact area between electrode and electrolyte, thereby improving the charge transport.

Orientador: Ana Flávia Nogueira / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Química / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-24T11:57:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 SantosJunior_GarbasAnacleto_M.pdf: 5163839 bytes, checksum: 6d357533b5e3fc16413a4febf8f9d075 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: Neste trabalho são apresentados os resultados da preparação e caracterização de eletrólitos poliméricos usando matriz polimérica de um copolímero derivado de PEO - poli (óxido de etileno-co-2-(2-metoxietoxi) etil glicidil éter) - P(EO-EM) - visando à substituição do par redox, I/I3 , usualmente mais comum em células solares do tipo DSSC, por pares de íons de metais de transição, como Fe e Co . Os eletrólitos foram preparados utilizando razões mássicas fixas de P(EO-EM):GBL de 30-70%. Para os eletrólitos de ferro foram utilizados os sais de FeCl2 + FeCl3·6H2O e para os eletrólitos de cobalto CoCl2 · 6H2O + CoF3. Em ambos os casos foram estudados razões molares entre os cátions de valência II:III de 1:1 e 10:1. Diferentes razões mássicas foram estudadas, sendo estas de 2, 5, 8 e 16% para os eletrólitos de ferro e de 1, 2, 3 e 5% para os eletrólitos de cobalto. Valores máximos de condutividade para os eletrólitos contendo sais de ferro foram de 1,88 x 10 e 1,40 x 10 S cm-1, para concentrações de 16% de sal e razões de 1:1 e 10:1 (Fe:Fe), respectivamente. Enquanto que no caso dos eletrólitos contendo cátions de cobalto foram de 1,41 x 10 e 1,16 x 10 S cm, para concentrações de 5% de sal e razões de 1:1 e 10:1 (Co:Co), respectivamente. Testes de PIA- Photoinduced Absorption Spectroscopy mostraram a eficiência do par redox Fe para regeneração dos corantes L0, N719, D35 e Z907. Entretanto, os mesmos testes mostraram a eficiência do par redox Co para regeneração somente do corante L0. A confecção de dispositivos do tipo DSSC com eletrólitos contendo sais de Fe e Co apresentaram resultados insatisfatórios, possivelmente relacionado com a alta taxa de recombinação do elétron ejetado no TiO2 com os mediadores redox / Abstract: This work presents the results of the preparation and characterization of polymer electrolytes using polymeric matrix of a PEO copolymer-poly (ethylene oxide-co-2-(2-methoxyethoxy) ethyl glycidyl ether) - P (EO-EM) - in order to substitute the redox couple , I-/I3-, usually most common mediators in DSSC solar cells, by transition metal ions pairs, such as Fe and Co . The electrolytes were prepared using fixed P(EO-EM) : GBL weight ratios of 30-70 % . The iron electrolytes were prepared using FeCl2 + FeCl3 o 6H2O salts and CoCl2 o 6H2O + CoF3 were used for the cobalt electrolytes. In both cases, it was studied the molar ratios between cations with valence of II: III of 1:1 to 10:1. Different weight ratios were studied, 2 , 5, 8 and 16% for iron electrolytes and 1 , 2, 3 and 5% for the cobalt electrolytes . Maximum conductivity values for the electrolyte containing iron salts were 1.88 x 10 and 1.40 x 10 S cm at salts concentrations of 16 % and ratios from 1:1 to 10:1 (Fe:Fe), respectively. While in the case of electrolyte containing cobalt cations the conductivity values were 1.41 x 10 and 1.16 x 10 S cm -1 at salts concentrations of 5 % and ratios from 1:1 to 10:1 ( Co:Co), respectively . PIA tests - Photoinduced Absorption Spectroscopy- showed the efficiency of the FeII/III redox couple for the regeneration of L0 , N719 , Z907 and D35 dyes. However, the same tests have shown that the CoI redox couple were only able to regenerate the L0 dye. The DSSC devices with electrolytes containing Fe and Co salts showed unsatisfactory results, possibly related to the high rate of recombination of the electron ejected in TiO2 with the redox mediators / Mestrado / Quimica Inorganica / Mestre em Química

This work explores the blending of e-textile technology with the porous electrode of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) and with smart wound patches to allow monitoring and in-situ diagnostics. This work includes contributions to understanding water transport and conductivity in the carbon cloth gas diffusion layer (GDL), and further developing thread-based relative humidity (RH) and temperature sensors, which can be sewn on a cloth GDL in PEMFCs. We also explore the application of the developed RH and temperature sensors in wearable biomonitoring. First, an experimental prototype is developed for evaluating water transport, thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity of carbon cloth GDLs under different hydrophobic coatings and compressions. Second, we demonstrate the addition of external threads to the carbon cloth GDL to (1) facilitate water transport and (2) measure local RH and temperature with a minimal impact on the physical, microstructural and transport properties of the GDL. We illustrate the roll-to-roll process for fabricating RH and temperature sensors by dip-coating commodity threads into a carbon nanotubes (CNTs) suspension. The thread-based sensors response to RH and temperature in the working environment of PEMFCs is investigated. As a proof-of-concept, the local temperature of carbon cloth GDL is monitored in an ex-situ experiment. Finally, we optimized the coating parameters (e.g. CNTs concentration, surfactant concentration and a number of dipping) for the thread-based sensors. The response of the thread-based sensors in room conditions is evaluated and shows a linear resistance decrease to temperature and a quadratic resistance increase to RH. We also evaluated the biocompatibility of the sensors by performing cell cytotoxicity and studying wound healing in an animal model. The novel thread-based sensors are not only applicable for textile electrochemical devices but also, show a promising future in wearable biomonitoring applications. / Graduate