Latex d’Hevea brasiliensis est composé principalement de particules de caoutchouc dont le noyau est constitué de cis-1,4-polyisoprène et la membrane de composés dit non-isoprène. Sa stabilité dans l'arbre est assurée par les charges négatives de la membrane en raison de la présence de protéines et de lipides. Le latex d’Hevea brasiliensis coagule après acidification pour former un gel colloïdal qui est la première étape de sa transformation en caoutchouc naturel.Dans cette thèse, nous avons étudié l’agrégation et la gélification induite par ajout d’un acide et les propriétés des gels obtenus. Pour cela, un latex de caoutchouc naturel commercial constitué par des particules de caoutchouc (1 µm de diamètre), a été utilisée. L'agrégation a été induite par l'hydrolyse d'un composé appelé glucano-delta-lactone (GDL). Cette agrégation a été suivie par différentes techniques basées sur la diffusion de la lumière (turbidimétrie, DWS, SLS). La gélification a été suivie in situ par la rhéologie. Ensuite, les propriétés rhéologiques de gels colloïdaux formés à pH 4 ont été caractérisées dans les régimes linéaires et non-linéaires.La dépendance à la fraction volumique et le pH de l'apparition de l'agrégation ont été observée. La non-redispersion des agrégats montre les interactions fortes entre les particules de caoutchouc. Trois comportements d’état différents (solution stable, la séparation de phase et gel) peuvent être prédits à partir d'un diagramme d’état fraction volumique-pH qui a été établi pendant 5 semaines. L'état de gel présente une structure fractale, caractérisé par une relation de loi de puissance entre le module élastique G' et la fraction volumique. Pour des fortes déformations, une réorganisation irréversible sous contrainte a abouti à un durcissement irréversible du matériau. Nous avons observé par rheo-ultrasound qu'au-dessus de 50% de déformation, une déstructuration homogène est produite dans le gel. / Natural rubber latex is mainly composed by rubber particles whose core is made of cis-1,4-polyisoprene and the shell of non-isoprene compounds. It stability in the tree is provided by the negative charge of the shell due to the presence of proteins and lipids. Natural rubber latex coagulates after acidification to form a colloidal gel that is the first step of its transformation into natural rubber.In this PhD thesis, we studied this acid-induced aggregation and gelation and the properties of the resulting gels. For this, a commercial natural rubber latex composed by rubber particles (1 µm in diameter), was used. Aggregation was induced by hydrolysis of a compound called glucano-delta-lactone (GDL). The aggregation was followed by different techniques based on light scattering (turbidimetry, DWS, SLS). Gelation was followed in situ by rheology. Then, the rheological properties of colloidal gels formed at pH 4 were characterized in the linear and non-linear regimes.Dependence to the volume fraction and the pH of the onset of aggregation was observed. The non-redispersion of aggregates proves the strong interactions between rubber particles. Three different state behaviors (stable solution, phase separation and gel) can be predicted from a state diagram pH-volume fraction that was established over 5 weeks. The gel state exhibits a fractal structure, characterized by a power law relationship between the elastic modulus G’ and the volume fraction. At high deformations, an irreversible reorganization under stress resulted in an irreversible strain hardening of the material. We observed by rheo-ultrasound that above 50% deformation, an homogenous destructuration occurred in the gel.

A knowledge of thermophysical properties is necessary for the design of all process units. Reliable property prediction methods are essential because reliable experimental data are often not available due to concerns about measurement difficulty, cost, scarcity, safety, or environment. In particular, there is a lack of prediction methods for solid properties. Predicted property values can also be used to fill holes in property databases to understand more fully compound characteristics. This work is a comprehensive analysis of the prediction methods available for five commonly needed solid properties. Where satisfactory methods are available, recommendations are made; where methods are unsatisfactory in scope or accuracy, improvements have been made or new methods have been developed. In the latter case, the following general scheme has been used to develop correlations: extraction of a training set of experimental data of a specific accuracy from the DIPPR 801 database, selection of a class of equations to use in the correlation, refinement of the form of the equation through least squares regression, selection of the chemical groups and/or molecular descriptors to be used as independent variables, calculation of coefficient values using the training set, addition of groups where refinement is needed, and a final testing of the resultant correlation against an independent test set of experimental data. Two new methods for predicting crystalline heat capacity were created. The first is a simple power law method (PL) that uses first-order functional groups. The second is derived as a modification of the Einstein-Debye canonical partition function (PF) that uses the same groups as the PL method with other descriptors to account for molecule size and multiple halogens. The PL method is intended for the temperature range of 50 to 250 K; the PF method is intended for temperatures above 250 K. Both the PL and PF methods have been assigned an uncertainty of 13% in their preferred temperature ranges based on comparisons to experimental data. A method for estimating heat of sublimation at the triple point was created using the same groups as used in the heat capacity PF method (estimated to have an error of 13%). This method can be used in conjunction with the Clausius-Clapeyron equation to predict solid vapor pressure. Errors in predicted solid vapor pressures averaged about 44.9%. As most solid vapor pressures are extremely small, on the order of one Pascal, this error is small on an absolute scale. An improvement was developed for an existing DIPPR correlation between solid and liquid densities at the triple point. The new correlation improves the prediction of solid density at the triple point and permits calculation of solid densities over a wide range of temperatures with an uncertainty of 6.3%. Based on the analysis of melting points performed in this study, Marrero and Gani's method is recommended as the primary method of predicting melting points for organic compounds (deviation from experimental values of 12.5%). This method can be unwieldy due to the large number of groups it employs, so the method of Yalkowsky et al. (13.9% deviation) is given a secondary recommendation due to its broad applicability with few input requirements.

<p>Reliable ways of storing energy are crucial to support our modern way of life; lithium-ion batteries provide an attractive solution. The constant demand for higher energy density, thinner, lighter and even more mechanically flexible batteries has motivated research into new battery materials. Some of these will be explored in this thesis.</p><p>The main focus is placed on the development of new anode materials for lithium-ion batteries and the assessment of their electrochemical and structural characteristics. The materials investigated are: natural Swedish graphite, SnB₂O₄ glass and intermetallics such as: Cu₆Sn₅, InSb, Cu₂Sb, MnSb and Mn₂Sb. Their performances are investigated by a combination of electrochemical, <i>in si</i>tu X-ray diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy techniques, with an emphasis on the structural transformations that occur during lithiation.</p><p>The intermetallic materials exhibit a lithium insertion/metal extrusion mechanism. The reversibility of these reactions is facilitated by the strong structural relationships between the parent compounds and their lithiated counterparts. Lithiation of a majority of the intermetallics in this work proceeds via an intermediate ternary phase. The intermetallic electrodes provide high volumetric capacities and operate at slightly higher voltages vs. Li/Li⁺ than graphite. This latter feature forms the basis for a safer system.</p><p>Jet-milling of natural Swedish graphite results in decreased particle and crystallite size, leading to improved performance; the capacity is close to the theoretical capacity of graphite. Jet-milled graphite also shows an enhanced ability to withstand high charging rates.</p>

Reliable ways of storing energy are crucial to support our modern way of life; lithium-ion batteries provide an attractive solution. The constant demand for higher energy density, thinner, lighter and even more mechanically flexible batteries has motivated research into new battery materials. Some of these will be explored in this thesis. The main focus is placed on the development of new anode materials for lithium-ion batteries and the assessment of their electrochemical and structural characteristics. The materials investigated are: natural Swedish graphite, SnB2O4 glass and intermetallics such as: Cu6Sn5, InSb, Cu2Sb, MnSb and Mn2Sb. Their performances are investigated by a combination of electrochemical, in situ X-ray diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy techniques, with an emphasis on the structural transformations that occur during lithiation. The intermetallic materials exhibit a lithium insertion/metal extrusion mechanism. The reversibility of these reactions is facilitated by the strong structural relationships between the parent compounds and their lithiated counterparts. Lithiation of a majority of the intermetallics in this work proceeds via an intermediate ternary phase. The intermetallic electrodes provide high volumetric capacities and operate at slightly higher voltages vs. Li/Li+ than graphite. This latter feature forms the basis for a safer system. Jet-milling of natural Swedish graphite results in decreased particle and crystallite size, leading to improved performance; the capacity is close to the theoretical capacity of graphite. Jet-milled graphite also shows an enhanced ability to withstand high charging rates.

Foi preparada uma série de quatro betalaínas com o objetivo de determinar o efeito da metilação do nitrogênio imínico e da presença de uma hidroxila fenólica na posição 3 do anel aromático sobre a estabilidade e propriedades antirradicalares, fotofísicas e redox desta classe de pigmentos vegetais. O estudo destes compostos, chamados de m-betalainofenol, N-metil-m-betalainofenol, fenilbetalaína e N-metil-fenilbetalaína, revelou que os derivados metilados apresentam um deslocamento hipsocrômico sutil dos máximos de absorção e fluorescência em relação aos compostos não metilados. Os deslocamentos de Stokes são maiores em cerca de 4 kJ mol-1 para os derivados metilados e os rendimentos quânticos de fluorescência cerca de três vezes menores. A hidrólise destas betalaínas foi investigada na faixa de pH entre 3 e 7. Todas as betalaínas são mais persistentes em pH = 6 e a metilação da porção imínica aumenta significativamente a estabilidade da betalaína em meio aquoso. A presença da porção fenólica, em comparação a um grupo fenila, não afeta as propriedades fotofísicas dos compostos e tem um efeito menos pronunciado do que o da metilação sobre a estabilidade destes em meio aquoso. O comportamento eletroquímico dos compostos foi estudado por voltametria cíclica, nas mesmas condições de pH. A N-metilação foi novamente mais significativa do que a hidroxilação, provocando aumento de até 200 mV no potencial de pico anódico. O aumento do pH diminuiu o potencial de pico anódico dos quatro compostos, com uma razão entre prótons e elétrons igual a 1 para a maioria dos picos. A capacidade antirradicalar foi quantificada pelo ensaio colorimétrico TEAC baseado na redução de ABTS&#8226;+. Os dois derivados N-metilados apresentaram, em média, o mesmo valor de TEAC, apesar de um ser fenólico e o outro não. Já entre os não metilados, que têm TEAC de 2 a 3 unidades inferior à dos outros, a presença do fenol provoca elevação da capacidade antirradicalar. Os resultados sugerem a participação dos elétrons do anel 1,2,3,4-tetraidropiridínico, acoplados ao próton do nitrogênio imínico na ação antirradicalar de betalaínas. / A series of four artificial betalains was prepared in order to determine the effect of imine nitrogen methylation and phenyl hydroxylation (position 3) over stability and antiradical, photophysical and redox properties of this class of natural pigments. The study of m-betalainophenol, N-methyl-m-betalainophenol, phenylbetalain and N-methylbetalain, revealed that the methylated compounds present a small hypsochromic shift of both absorption and fluorescence maxima when compared to the others. The Stokes shifts are around 4 kJ mol-1 higher for methylated betalains, whereas the quantum yields are approximately three times lower. Their hydrolysis was investigated between pH 3 and 7. All compounds are more persistent in pH = 6, and imine methylation increases the overall stability in aqueous medium. The presence of a phenol group, in comparison with a phenyl substituent, has a minor effect on the photophysical properties of betalains and has a less pronounced effect over stability than that of methylation. The electrochemical behavior was studied by cyclic voltammetry, in the same pH range, and is also more significantly affected by methylation, rather than by hydroxylation. Methylation increases anodic peak potential up to 200 mV, and the potential is also much higher in more acidic media for all compounds. The number of protons involved in the electrochemical oxidation is the same as the number of electrons for most peaks The antiradical capacity was quantified using the TEAC assay, and ABTS&#8226;+ as radical. The methylated betalains presented, in average, the same TEAC value, although only one of them is phenolic. Among the non methylated, which are 2 to 3 units more efficient than the others, the phenolic one has a greater TEAC. These results suggest a participation of the 1,2,3,4-tetraidropiridinic ring electrons in the oxidation by ABTS&#8226;+, coupled to the imine nitrogen proton.

Dans un contexte de développement durable, des matériaux thermoplastiques multiphasés biosourcés issus de dimères d’acides gras ont été élaborés pour développer une « eco-membrane » durable pour le bâtiment. Différentes formulations intégrant des polymères thermoplastiques biosourcés, polyuréthane thermoplastique (TPU) et polyamide (DAPA), des micro-charges minérales et des renforts cellulosiques ont été élaborées et analysées. Les relations « structures-propriétés » de ces systèmes multiphasés ont été étudiées. Les architectures macromoléculaires proches ont permis d’obtenir un certain degré de compatibilité entre les polymères. Les viscosités à l’état fondu du TPU et DAPA sont comparables, ce qui permet une bonne dispersion des phases du mélange lors de la mise en œuvre. Les propriétés mécaniques et la stabilité dimensionnelle des mélanges sont améliorées par ajout de micro-charges minérales. L’impact du facteur de forme des charges sur le module d’Young a été analysé et modélisé avec un modèle micro-mécanique. Des essais du type charge-décharge ont également été menés afin d’étudier le comportement à la fatigue des biocomposites. Enfin, les interactions et les affinités entre les renforts et polymères ont été approchées. Des modifications chimiques ont été développées à la surface des fibres afin de diminuer leurs caractères hydrophiles et d’améliorer la compatibilisation avec la matrice. L’impact de ces modifications sur l’interface fibres-matrice a ensuite été analysé. Les différentes études réalisées ont permis de sélectionner pas à pas les différents constituants de l’éco-membrane pour réaliser in fine un prototype prometteur. / In the context of sustainable development, renewable multiphase systems from thermoplastics based on dimers of fatty acids were prepared to develop a renewable waterproofing material for building applications. Formulations based on thermoplastics, i.e. thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and polyamide (DAPA), mineral micro-fillers and cellulosic fibers were prepared with a special focus on the morphology-property relationships of the multiphase systems obtained thereof. The close macromolecular architectures promote a certain degree of compatibility between the polymers. Comparable viscosities in the melt state ensure a good dispersion of the matrices within each other during processing. The mechanical properties and dimensional stability were improved with micro-fillers. The effect of the aspect ratio of the fillers on the elastic properties was investigated and micro-mechanical modelling of the Young’s Modulus was performed. The fatigue behavior of the biocomposites was also examined through loading and unloading tests. Finally, interactions and affinities between the fibers and polymers were characterized. Chemical modifications were carried out on the surface of the fibers to decrease their hydrophilic nature and improve the fiber-matrix adhesion. The effect of the chemical modification was then investigated. Step-by-step, the studies carried out ensured the selection of the optimal components for a renewable waterproofing material enabling the production of a promising prototype.

In this study, we quantified the Chemistry-Process-Structure-Property (CPSP) relations of a Ti-6Al-4V/TiB functionally graded material to assess its ability to withstand large deformations in a high throughput manner. The functionally graded Ti-6Al-4V/TiB alloy was created by using a Laser Engineered Net Shaping (LENS) process. A complex thermal history arose during the LENS process and thus induced a multiscale hierarchy of structures that in turn affected the mechanical properties. Here, we quantified the functionally graded chemical composition; functionally graded TiB particle size, number density, nearest neighbor distance, and particle fraction; grain size gradient; porosity gradient. In concert with these multiscale structures, we quantified the associated functionally graded elastic moduli and overall stress-strain behavior of eight materials with differing amounts of titanium, vanadium, aluminum, and boron with just one experiment under compression using digital image correlation techniques. We then corroborated our experimental stress behavior with independent hardening experiments. This paper joins not only the Process-Structure-Property (PSP) relations, but couples the different chemistries in an efficient manner to effectively create the CPSP relationships for analyzing titanium, aluminum, vanadium, and boron together. Since this methodology admits the CPSP coupling, the development of new alloys can be solved by using an inverse method. Finally, this experimental data now lays down the gauntlet for modeling the sequential CPSP relationships.

This research is focused on the investigation of phase morphology and blend stability within ionomeric perfluorocyclobutane (PFCB)/poly(vinylidene difluoride) (PVDF) copolymer blend membranes. The morphologies of these unique materials, designed as proton exchange membranes (PEMs) for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), have been examined not only in the as-cast/as-received state, but also as a function of exposure to various ex-situ aging environments. The morphological investigations used to probe the response of these ionomer blends have been designed to mimic the environment within a PEMFC and will therefore enhance our understanding of the implications of morphological changes which may occur during fuel cell operation. Thermal annealing of the membranes has been conducted to determine the materials' morphological response to various temperatures in the absence of hydration. The results of these thermal annealing studies have facilitated the isolation of morphological contributions stemming from thermal exposure. Immersion of the blend membranes in liquid water has allowed for singular identification of the role of hydration in the blend membranes' morphological rearrangement and phase stability. However, as the typical fuel cell environment to which these membranes will be exposed is complicated by the presence of both temperature and humidity, our ex-situ investigations have also included the exposure of PFCB/PVDF copolymer blend membranes to simultaneous thermal annealing and hydration conditions – a treatment we refer to as "hygrothermal aging." This unique procedure serves as a simplified method whereby the complex fuel cell environment may be simulated, and the resultant morphological response researched. While the work presented herein has enhanced our understanding of the blend stability of the specific membranes investigated, we have also advanced the fundamental knowledge of the role of morphology with respect to the fuel cell performance of blend materials and the corresponding implications of morphological rearrangements. Such an understanding is essential in the development of morphology-property relationships and eventual optimization of membrane materials designed for use in fuel cells. / Ph. D.

Ce travail a consisté en la synthèse de nouveaux copolymères d’acétate de cellulose greffés par du poly(méthyl diéthylène glycol méthacrylate) avec un nombre et une longueur de greffons variables par une méthode de polymérisation radicalaire contrôlée : l’Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP). Deux familles de matériaux ont été obtenues ayant mêmes compositions (entre 20 et 50% en masse de greffons) mais des architectures différentes : de nombreux greffons courts ou peu de greffons longs. Ces matériaux ont ensuite été étudiés pour la séparation par pervaporation de mélanges azéotropiques de type aprotique/protique : carbonate de diméthyle/méthanol et éthyl tert-butyl éther/éthanol. Pour la séparation du premier mélange, la réticulation des copolymères s’est avérée nécessaire, conduisant à des matériaux qui restent fragiles sous contrainte et qui présentent des flux élevés au détriment d’une très faible sélectivité. Pour cette séparation, ces matériaux permettent cependant de dépasser la limite thermodynamique imposée par l’azéotrope. Pour le mélange éthyl tert-butyl éther/éthanol, les copolymères montrent d’excellentes performances en extrayant l’éthanol de manière très sélective. L’introduction de greffons permet d’augmenter le flux de pervaporat tout en ne diminuant que faiblement la sélectivité par rapport à l’acétate de cellulose précurseur. L’analyse de la microstructure des copolymères montre que les copolymères avec peu de greffons longs sont beaucoup plus ségrégés que ceux avec de nombreux greffons courts. Les résultats de perméabilité montrent des comportements différents selon l’architecture du copolymère cohérents avec leur microstructure / This work deals with the synthesis of new copolymers of cellulose acetate grafted with poly(methyl diethylene glycol methacrylate) with different numbers and lengths of grafted chains by controlled radical polymerization (Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization ATRP). Two families of materials were obtained with the same compositions (between 20 and 50% in mass of grafted chains) but different architectures : a lot of short chains or a few long chains. These materials were then studied for the pervaporation separation of two aprotic/protic azeotropic mixtures : dimethyl carbonate/methanol and ethyl tert-butyl ether/ethanol. For the separation of the first mixture, copolymers had to be cross-linked but their mechanical withstanding was poor under stress and they showed high fluxes but very low selectivity. Nevertheless, the materials allowed to go over the thermodynamical azeotropic limit. For ethyl tert-butyl ether/ethanol separation, copolymers showed excellent performances with a very selective extraction of ethanol. The presence of grafted chains increased flux along with a slight decrease in selectivity compared with the cellulose acetate precursor. The analysis of the copolymer microstructure showed that copolymers with long grafted chains were more segregated than those with short grafted chains. The results of permeability showed different behaviours according to the copolymer architecture in good agreement with their microstructure

Electrically conductive polymer composites are suitable for use in the manufacture of antistatic products and components for electronic interconnects, fuel cells and electromagnetic shielding. The most widely used processing techniques for producing electrically conductive polymer composites place an inherent constraint on the geometry and architecture of the part that can be fabricated. Hence, this thesis investigates selective laser sintering (SLS), a rapid prototyping technique, to fabricate and characterize electrically conductive nanocomposites of Nylon-12 filled with 4% by weight of carbon black. The objective of the dissertation was to study the effects of the SLS process on the microstructure and properties of the nanocomposite. The effect of laser power and the scan speed on the flexural modulus and part density of the nanocomposite was studied. The set of parameters that yielded the maximum flexural modulus and part density were used to fabricate specimens to study the tensile, impact, rheological and viscoelastic properties. The electrical conductivity of the nanocomposite was also investigated. The thermo-mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of the nanocomposites produced by SLS were compared with those produced by extrusion-injection molding. The structure and morphology of the SLS-processed and extrusion-injection molded nanocomposites were characterized using gas pycnometry, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, electron microscopy, polarized light microscopy and x-ray diffraction. Physical models were developed to explain the effects of the processing technique on the structure and properties of the nanocomposites. Finally, a one-dimensional heat transfer model of the SLS process that accounted for sintering-induced densification and thermal degradation of the polymer was implemented in order to study the variation in part density with respect to the energy density of the laser beam. This dissertation demonstrated that SLS can be successfully used to fabricate electrically conductive polymer nanocomposites with a relatively low percolation threshold. This capability combined with the ability of SLS to fabricate complicated three-dimensional objects without part-specific tooling could open up several new opportunities.