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The N-heterocyclic carbene (NHCs) based pincer ligands field is still in its infancy after decades. They are known for their applications in organocatalysis, coordinating with transition metals and p-block elements, catalysis, and material chemistry. Among all NHCs, CCC-NHC-based on late-transition metal complexes were first developed by our group in 2005 with a unique metalation/transmetalation strategy. Our group also designed the chiral version of these CCC-NHC ligands to synthesize its metal complexes. However, their asymmetric catalytic applications were unknown. Wanting to expand on this work, we first successfully synthesized achiral CCC-NHC pincer complexes and their new catalytic application, as it is economically cheaper than directly working on developing a chiral version for catalysis. Then, different chiral CCC-NHC salts were synthesized based on different chiral arms and N-substituents on NHCs to modify their steric hindrance and electronic structure properties. These precursors were used for their enantioselective application in nucleophilic catalysis. In Chapter II, we will discuss the synthesis of the CCC-NHC pincer Ir (III) dimer complex and its first catalytic application in C−H functionalization of N-methylindoles with alpha-aryl-alpha-diazoacetates at the C-3. The best reaction conditions involve a combination of catalysts and substrates in a specific order. It resulted in the activation of the C-H bond with the formation of a new C-C bond to generate alpha-aryl-alpha-indolyl acetates with more than 99% conversion at room temperature without requiring any additives. The substrate scope and limitations of N-methyl indoles and diazoacetates were also explored. Chapter III will focus on a new modified synthetic route to synthesize and characterize chiral CCC-NHC chloride salts in a shorter synthetic route than the known one. The metalation/transmetalation of chiral CCC-NHC ligands with late transition metals and the initial attempt in asymmetric catalysis will be discussed in Chapter IV. Chapter, V, demonstrated nucleophilic catalysis of CCC-NHC precursors in benzoin condensation of aldehyde. The study started with the evaluation of fifteen different achiral bis-CCC-NHC salts based on triazole, imidazole, and benzimidazole. Further studies with chiral CCC-NHC salts also resulted in more than 99% conversion and 99% ee in benzoin products. The substrate scope of benzaldehyde with different substituents was also explored

In der vorliegenden Dissertation geht es um die Synthese und Charakterisierung chiraler, redoxaktiver (Raumtemperatur-)Ionischer Flüssigkeiten basierend auf Ferrocen und der natürlich vorkommenden Aminosäure S-Prolin. Diese Baueinheiten sind entweder über eine Ether- oder über eine Esterverbrückung verknüpft. Auch der Anionenaustausch vom I– - zum CF3SO3– - sowie (CF3SO2)2N– -Salz (kurz NTf2–) wird dargelegt und der Einfluss des Anions auf den Schmelzpunkt der Verbindungen untersucht und diskutiert. Die Redoxaktivität wird durch das im Ferrocen enthaltene Fe II eingebracht, das reversibel zu Fe III oxidiert werden kann. Aufgrund des Pyrrolidin-Rings sind die dargestellten Verbindungen stets chiral und bilden nach der Quaternisierung mit Halogenalkanen Diastereomere, soweit die Alkylkette größer als Methyl ist. Das Diastereomerenverhältnis wurde mittels 1H-NMR-Spektroskopie und in einem Fall anhand von Röntgenpulverdiffraktogrammen durch Rietveld-Verfeinerung analysiert. Die Verbindungen wurden thermisch anhand simultaner thermischer Analysenund Tieftemperaturversuchen untersucht, die belegen, dass die Synthese von insgesamt sechs neuen Raumtemperatur-Ionischen Flüssigkeiten gelang. Davon basiert eine Verbindung, (1S2S)- und (1R2S)-2-[(Ferrocenylcarbonyl)oxy]methylen-N-methyl-N-pentylpyrrolidin-1-iumiodid, auf I– und fünf Verbindungen enthalten NTf2– als Gegenion. Das Diastereomerengemisch der Verbindungen (1S2S)- und (1R2S)-N-Butyl-2-[(ferrocenylcarbonyl)oxy]methylen-N-methylpyrrolidin-1-ium NTf2– besitzt den größten Flüssigkeitsbereich von -25 bis +263 °C und auch die höchste Zersetzungstemperatur aller hier dargestellten Verbindungen. Insgesamt werden in dieser Arbeit elf Einkristallstrukturanalysen vorgestellt, wobei es sich um drei Verbindungen des Typs FcCH2N(CH3)2(CnH2n+1)I (Fc = Ferrocenyl, n = 1,2,3), Ferrocenmonocarbonsäurechlorid, zwei ether- sowie fünf esterverbrückte Verbindungen handelt. Mikrokristalline Proben wurden mittels Röntgenpulverdiffraktometrie charakterisiert. Ergänzende Analysen wurden mittels UV-Vis- und IR-Spektroskopie sowie Massenspektrometrie und Elementaranalyse durchgeführt. Ein wichtiger Aspekt bei Ferrocenverbindungen ist das Redoxpotential, welches mittels Cyclovoltammetrie bestimmt wurde. Hierbei liegt das Formalpotential des Fe II /Fe III -Redoxpaars der etherverbrückten Verbindungen bei +0,05 V und bei den esterverbrückten Verbindungen unabhängig vom Anion bei +0,28 V vs. Ferrocen/Ferrocenium in Acetonitril. Bei den iodidhaltigen Verbindungen zeigt das I– -Ion ebenfalls eine Redoxaktivität bei E(0,f,Fc) = -0,18 V und 0,22V. Die Diffusionskoeffizienten der esterverbrückten Triflat- und NTf2– -Verbindungen liegen in der Größenordnung von 7·10−6 cm2/s und die heterogenen Geschwindigkeitskonstanten bei 0,01 cm/s. / The present dissertation deals with the synthesis and characterization of chiral, redoxactive room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) based on ferrocene and the naturally occurring amino acid S-proline. These building blocks are coupled either via an ether- or an ester-bridge. The anion exchange from I– to CF3SO3– and (CF3SO2)2N– salts (abbreviated as NTf2–) is presented. The influence of the anion on the melting point of the compound is investigated and discussed. The redox activity is introduced into the molecule via the Fe II -containing ferrocenyl groups, which can be oxidized reversibly to Fe III . The synthesized compounds based on the pyrrolidine ring are chiral. After quaternization with alkyl halides, they form diastereomers in case of alkyl chains longer than methyl. The ratio of the different diastereomers was analyzed by 1H NMR spectroscopy and, in one case, by Rietveld refinement of the X-ray powder diffraction pattern. The thermal behavior of the compounds was studied by simultaneous thermal analysis and low temperature experiments. The results show the successful synthesis of six new RTILs. One of them is based on iodide ((1S2S)- and (1R2S)-2-[(ferrocenylcarbonyl)oxy]methylene-N-methyl- N-pentylpyrrolidine-1-ium iodide) and six RTILs contain NTf2– as counter ion. The diastereomeric mixture of compounds (1S2S)- and (1R2S)-N-butyl-2-[(ferrocenylcarbonyl)oxy]methylene-N-methylpyrrolidine-1-ium NTf2– exhibits the widest liquid range from -25 to +263 °C and the highest decomposition temperature of all compounds presented herein. Eleven single crystal structure analyses are presented. Three of them belong to compounds FcCH2N(CH3)2(CnH2n+1)I (with Fc = ferrocenyl and n = 1,2,3), then ferrocene monocarboxylic acid chloride, two of ether- as well as five ester-bridged compounds. Microcrystalline samples were characterized by X-ray powder diffractometry. Supplementary analyses by UV/Vis and IR spectroscopy as well as mass spectrometry and elemental analyses have been carried out. An important feature of ferrocene containing compounds is their redox potential which is determined with cyclic voltammetry. The formal potential of the Fe II /Fe III redox couple in the ether-bridged compounds is at +0.05 V and in the ester-bridged compounds independent from the type of anion at +0.28 V vs. ferro- cene/ferrocenium in acetonitrile. The I– anion shows as well redox activity with formal potentials at E(0,f,Fc) = -0.18 V and 0.22 V. The diffusion coefficients of the ester-bridged triflate and NTf2– compounds are in the order of 7·10−6 cm2/s, the heterogeneous rate constants in the order of 0.01 cm/s.

L’automobile étant le premier moyen de déplacement en France, la présence de Composés Organiques Volatils (COVs) et de monoxyde de carbone à l’intérieur de l’habitacle, constitue un problème de santé publique. Plusieurs systèmes de dépollution, basés sur des méthodes d'adsorption, existent sur le marché, mais ne permettent qu'une simple rétention des COVs en surface. Parallèlement, des méthodes moins conventionnelles telle que la photocatalyse utilisant le dioxyde de titane, permettent d'oxyder les COVs sous irradiation, en présence d'humidité et à température ambiante. Cependant, la photocatalyse ne permet pas l’oxydation de certains polluants comme le monoxyde de carbone sans ajout de co-catalyseur. Pour éliminer le CO, la catalyse d’oxydation à froid sur dioxyde de manganèse a été étudiée.L’objectif de cette thèse est de développer une solution économique permettant la dépollution de l’habitacle automobile. Ce projet vise à allier à terme l’oxydation photocatalytique d’un COV modèle le n-pentane sur TiO2 P25 et l’oxydation catalytique du monoxyde de carbone à température ambiante sur des MnO2 synthétisés. En photocatalyse, les résultats mettent en évidence que la vitesse de dégradation diminue avec le taux d’humidité relative et augmente avec la puissance lumineuse et la concentration en n-pentane. Les concentrations des intermédiaires réactionnels sont de l’ordre du ppbv pour des ppmv de n-pentane injectés. L’operando DRIFTS a mis en évidence la présence de carbonates à la surface du photocatalyseur. Parallèlement, les expériences de PTR-MS-TOF-SRI et GC-MS ont permis d’identifier la présence de composés carbonylés parmi lesquels du formaldéhyde et la pentan-2-one. Ces intermédiaires ont permis de proposer un mécanisme de la dégradation du n-pentane sur TiO2 P25. Il a également été démontré que l’oxydation photocatalytique du n-pentane par TiO2 P25 permet une minéralisation pratiquement complète quelles que soient les conditions de travail. Pour le système catalytique, des oxydes de manganèse ont été synthétisés par co-précipitation puis calcinés sous oxygène à trois différentes températures : 100°C, 200°C et 300°C. Les performances catalytiques pour l’oxydation du CO ont été évaluées à température ambiante en l’absence d’humidité relative. Des méthodes en température programmée (TPD, TPO, TPR) ont permis de caractériser l’impact de la température de calcination sur la surface du dioxyde de manganèse. Les caractérisations DRX et BET ont mis en évidence la formation de la phase γ-MnO2 stable de 100°C à 300°C et de grande surface spécifique (178-197 m²/g). Les résultats montrent que les catalyseurs permettent une oxydation du monoxyde de carbone à température ambiante. Le catalyseur calciné à 100°C (MnO2-100) présente les meilleures performances avec un taux de conversion initiale de 60% à température ambiante pour 500 ppmv de CO à 10 L/h, 20%O2, (VVH = 25 000 h-1). Les catalyseurs, notamment MnO2-100, se désactivent au cours du temps à température ambiante. Cette désactivation pourrait être due à la capacité du catalyseur à renouveler ses oxygènes du réseau, impliquer dans le processus catalytique / The presence of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and carbon monoxide in indoor air is a major health issue. The vehicle cabin air is also affected by this problem, being the first mode of transportation. Most of the current depollution systems are based on trapping using adsorption methods, while photocatalytic processes offer the potential to fully degrade VOCs at room temperature in presence of relative humidity. However, carbon monoxide cannot be degraded by photocatalysis without a co-catalyst. Consequently, the room temperature oxidation catalysis of carbon monoxide has been studied. This thesis aims to develop an economical solution for cleaning the vehicle cabin air. This solution is based on crossing the photocatalytic oxidation of a target molecule the n-pentane over by TiO2 P25 and the room temperature oxidation of CO over synthesized MnO2. Results show that the n-pentane degradation rate decreases with the humidity level, and linearly increases with the irradiance power and the VOC concentration. Intermediates species are lowed concentrates (ppbv order) for ppmv of n-pentane used. Operando DRIFTS experiments highlighted the presence of formates surface species during the photocatalytic degradation of n-pentane. PTR-MS-TOF-SRI and GC-MS experiments highlighted the presence of carbonyl compounds as formaldehyde and pentan-2-one in gas phase during the degradation. Those intermediates species allowed us to propose a mechanism for the photocatalytic oxidation of n-pentane over TiO2 P25. Moreover, the efficiency of the photocatalytic degradation of n-pentane over TiO2 has been proved given that an almost complete mineralization is obtained whatever the working conditions. In catalysis, manganese oxides were synthesized by a co-precipitation method then calcined under oxygen at three different temperature: 100°C, 200°C and 300°C. The catalyst performances were evaluated for CO oxidation at room temperature in dry conditions. Temperature programmed methods were used for probing the impact of the calcination temperature on the catalyst surface. DRX and BET characterizations confirmed the formation of the phase γ-MnO2 stable between 100°C and 300°C, and a large surface area (178-197 m²/g). Results highlighted that the synthesized catalysts can oxide the CO at room temperature. The catalyst calcined at 100°C (MnO2-100) show the best performances with an initial conversion rate of 60% for 500 ppmv CO, at 10 L/h at 20% O2 (VVH = 25 000 h-1). However, a deactivation over the time of all the catalysts was observed, especially for MnO2-100. This deactivation could be related to the capacity of the catalyst to renew the oxygen bulk implied in the catalytic process

[pt] Os derivados da camptotecina (CPT), irinotecana (CPT-11) e topotecana (TPT) são usados para o tratamento do câncer, sendo a CPT um potencial contaminante em medicamentos anticâncer a base de CPT-11 ou TPT. Neste trabalho, a fosforimetria na temperatura ambiente em substrato sólido (SSRTP) foi proposta como técnica analítica para a determinação do princípio ativo do anticâncer injetável a base de CPT-11 e de traços do contaminante CPT em formulações farmacêuticas anticâncer. As características fosforescentes dos dois analitos foram estudadas de modo univariado em função de diversos parâmetros experimentais, como o tipo e a quantidade de sal de átomo pesado indutor de fosforescência, influência do valor do pH do tampão usado na solução do analito e quantidade de surfactante modificador de superfície da celulose. Uma vez definidos os fatores relevantes, o planejamento fatorial do tipo composto central foi realizado para a determinação de traços do contaminante (CPT) com o intuito de estudar os efeitos principais e as possíveis interações entre os fatores de resposta visando à escolha da melhor condição experimental. As melhores condições foram obtidas usando substratos de celulose contendo 332 microgramas de TlNO3 (indutor da fosforescência) em solução carreadora contendo tampão Britton-Robinson (pH 10,5). Para a CPT-11 a otimização foi realizada apenas pela abordagem univariada, com as seguintes condições escolhidas: 662 microgramas de Pb(NO3)2 em substratos de celulose contendo 577 microgramas de SDS. A CPT pôde ser determinada seletivamente em matrizes contendo 40 vezes mais TPT, em concentração, usando a determinação no ponto isodiferencial (367 nm) da derivada de segunda ordem do espectro de excitação. Para matrizes contendo CPT-11, esse desempenho foi mais limitado, pois a CPT só foi determinada seletivamente em misturas contendo até 5 vezes mais CPT-11. Para cada uma das condições selecionadas foram realizados estudos para obtenção dos parâmetros de desempenho. Em ambos os casos, a resposta analítica teve comportamento linear (homocedático) em função da massa de CPT ou de CPT-11 presentes no substrato de celulose. Os limites de detecção e de quantificação absolutos ficaram na ordem do ng. Um estudo detalhado da estimativa da incerteza de medição também foi realizado e a incerteza combinada associada à medição de fosforescência da CPT foi de até 16 por cento. O método foi aplicado na quantificação de CPT-11 em soluções injetáveis com 97,5 mais ou menos 5,5 por cento de recuperação e na determinação de CPT em medicamentos a base de TPT (101,5 mais ou menos 3,5 por cento de recuperação medindo em 367 nm do espectro de excitação após derivação de segunda ordem) e nas matrizes urina (102,5 mais ou menos 3,5 por cento de recuperação) e saliva (102,5 mais ou menos 4,5 por cento de recuperação), ambas fortificadas com CPT e usando-se detecção em 570 nm do espectro de emissão de varredura normal. Testes comparativos entre a SSRTP e a HPLC-DF foram realizados e os resultados foram satisfatórios para um nível de 95 por cento de confiança. Uma comparação entre diferentes substratos foi também realizada para avaliar requisitos práticos, variabilidade de sinal do analito e do branco, o que indicou vantagens do substrato de nylon sobre o de celulose. / [en] Irinotecan (CPT-11) and topotecan (TPT) are employed for cancer treatment and camptothecin (CPT) is a potential contaminant in anti-cancer drugs based on CPT-11 or TPT. In this work, solid substrate room-temperature phosphorimetry (SSRTP) was proposed as analytical technique for the quantification of CPT-11 in anti-cancer drugs and for the determination of traces of CPT in CPT-11 and TPT based anti-cancer pharmaceutical formulations. The phosphorescence characteristics of the analytes have been studied and experimental conditions (type and amount of the heavy atom salts used to induce phosphorescence, influence of the pH of the analyte carrier solution and the amount of surface modifier) were optimized in an univariate way. For the method aiming the determination of CPT, a further optimization using a central composite design was made in order to identify the main effects and possible interactions among factors. The best conditions had been achieved using cellulose substrate containing 332 micrograms of TlNO3 (phosphorescence inducer) and analyte carrier solution containing Britton-Robinson buffer (pH 10.5). For the CPT-11, best conditions were achieved in cellulose substrates containing 577 micrograms of SDS and 662 micrograms of Pb(NO3)2 The selective determination of CPT could be performed in samples containing a higher amount of TPT (40 times) if the signal measurement is made at the isodifferential wavelength (367 nm) of the second derivative excitation spectra. For samples containing CPT-11, selective determination of CPT could be made in samples containing CPT-11/CPT molar proportion no higher than 5. Parameters of merit have been obtained for both methods. Analytical responses presented linear behavior in the in working range from the limit of quantification up to at least 348.0 ng of CPT or 440.2 ng of CPT-11 (deposited in the center of the substrate). Absolute limits of detection and quantification were 26.8 and 42.3 ng for CPT and 79.6 and 99.9 ng for CPT-11. A detailed metrological study was performed for the measurement of CPT and the combined uncertainty associated to the phosphorescence measurement was 16 percent. The method was applied for the quantification of CPT-11 in injectable solutions with recovery of 97.5 more or less 5.5 percent. For CPT, recovery in TPT based pharmaceutical formulation, previously fortified with the analyte, was 101.5 more or less 3.5 percent (measurement made at 367 nm of the second derivative excitation spectra). In analyte fortified urine and saliva, recoveries were respectively 102.5 more or less 3.5 percent and 102.5 more or less 4.5 percent (using non-derived spectra and detention at 570 nm of the emission band). Comparative tests between the SSRTP and HPLC-DF have been made and the results agreed (at a 95 percent confidence level). A comparison using different substrates (nylon and cellulose) was also performed in order to evaluate practical aspects, analyte signal intensity and the variability of the analyte and blank signals. The result indicated advantages in using nylon substrates for the phosphorimetric determination of CPT.

Na primeira parte do trabalho, foram investigados materiais ativos para eletro-oxidar etanol e acetaldeído seletivos para a rota C2 (Carbono 2) e, também, ativos para eletro-oxidar hidrogênio molecular, visando a aplicação em células a combustível de hidrogênio indireto. Neste tipo de célula, um processador de combustível externo desidrogena o etanol e os produtos desta reação, contendo H2, acetaldeído e, possivelmente, etanol residual, são direcionados para alimentar o ânodo. Neste sentido, o eletrocatalisador anódico pode ser ativo para a eletro-oxidação de etanol residual, bem como acetaldeído, mas este deve catalisar a reação via C2 com o objetivo de evitar a formação de espécies que envenenam a superfície catalítica (CO ou CHx), ou seja, a ligação C-C deve permanecer intacta. Os eletrocatalisadores bimetálicos foram formados por M/Pt/C (onde M = W, Ru ou Sn) e os produtos reacionais foram analisados por DEMS On-line. Os resultados mostraram que Ru/Pt/C e Sn/Pt/C apresentaram maiores taxas de reação global, no entanto, eles não foram seletivos. Por outro lado, W2/Pt3/C foi mais seletivo para a rota C2, dada a não formação de CH4 e CO2. Além disso, este material também foi ativo e estável para a eletro-oxidação de H2, mesmo na presença de acetaldeído, o que o torna um potencial catalisador para aplicação no ânodo de células a combustível de hidrogênio indireto. Na segunda parte do trabalho, o objetivo foi relacionado com o estudo de eletrocatalisadores seletivos para a rota C1 (Carbono 1). A oxidação eletroquímica do etanol e de seus produtos reacionais foram investigados por DEMS on-line em temperatura ambiente e intermediária (245oC). Para temperatura ambiente, utilizou-se solução aquosa de ácido sulfúrico (H2SO4) e, para temperatura intermediária, utilizou-se ácido sólido (CsH2PO4) como eletrólito. Os eletrocatalisadores investigados foram formados por SnOxRuOx-Pt/C e Pt/C. Em temperatura ambiente, os resultados de polarização potenciodinâmica mostraram uma maior atividade eletrocatalítica para o material SnOxRuOx-Pt/C, com eficiência de corrente para formação de CO2 de 15,6% contra 15,2% para Pt/C, sob condições estagnantes, sem controle por transporte de massa. O stripping de resíduos reacionais, após a eletro-oxidação de etanol bulk, sob condições de fluxo, mostraram o acúmulo de espécies com 1 átomo de carbono (CO e CHx) que causam o bloqueio dos sítios ativos e são oxidadas eletroquimicamente somente em mais altos potenciais (ca. 1,0 V). Por outro lado, as curvas de polarização a 245oC mostraram maiores valores de eficiências de correntes para formação de CO2 (45% para Pt/C em ambos potenciais 0,5 V e 0,8 V contra 36% e 50% para SnOxRuOx-Pt/C em 0,5 V e 0,8 V respectivamente) quando comparado com os valores obtidos em temperatura ambiente, mas com atividades similares para SnOxRuOx-Pt/C e Pt/C. Para ambos os eletrocatalisadores, os estudos de espectrometria de massas a 245oC evidenciaram que as rotas eletroquímicas ocorrem em paralelo com rotas puramente químicas, envolvendo catálise heterogênea, de decomposição do etanol, produzindo H2 e CO2 como produtos majoritários. / In the first part of this study were investigated active materials to electro-oxidize ethanol and acetaldehyde selective for the C2 route (Carbon 2), besides active to electro-oxidize molecular hydrogen, in order to apply into indirect hydrogen fuel cells. In this type of cell, ethanol can be dehydrogenated in the external fuel processor and the products generated in this reaction, containing H2, acetaldehyde and, possibly, unreacted ethanol are used to feed the fuel cell anode. Therefore, the anode electrocatalyst has to be active to electro-oxidize residual ethanol and acetaldehyde, however, it has to catalyze the reaction via C2 route aiming to avoid the species formation that poison the catalyst surface (CO and CHx), in the other words, the C-C bond should remain intact. The bimetallic electrocatalysts were formed by W, Ru and Sn-modified Pt nanoparticles. The reaction products were followed by on-line differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS) experiments. The results showed that Ru/Pt/C and Sn/Pt/C presented higher overall reaction rate when compared to the other studied materials, however, they were non-selective. On the other hand, W/Pt/C with high W content was more selective to the C2 route, evidenced by the absence of the DEMS signals for molecules with one carbon atom such as CH4 and CO2. Additionally, this material was active and stable for H2 electro-oxidation even in the acetaldehyde presence, what turns it into a potential electrocatalyst for application in the anode of indirect hydrogen fuel cells. In the second part of this work, we investigated conditions and electrocatalysts selective to the C1 route. The ethanol electro-oxidation and its reaction products were investigated by on-line DEMS at room and intermediate temperature. At room, and intermediate temperature (245oC), the electrolytes were aqueous sulfuric acid and solid-state acid (CsH2PO4), respectively. The catalysts investigated were SnOxRuOx-Pt/C and Pt/C. The results of potentiodynamic polarizations at room temperature showed much higher electrocatalytic activity for the SnOxRuOx-Pt/C material, with current efficiency for CO2 formation of 15.6% against 15.2% for Pt/C under stagnant conditions. The reaction residues stripping after the ethanol electro-oxidation, under continuous flow conditions, showed the accumulation of species containing 1 carbon atom (CO and CHx), which are oxidized just at high potentials (ca. 1.0 V) and they cause the obstruction of the active sites. On the other hand, the polarization curves at 245oC showed higher values of current efficiencies (45% for Pt/C for both potentials 0.5 V and 0.8 V against 36% and 50% to SnOxRuOx-Pt/C at 0.5 V and 0.8 V respectively) for the CO2 formation than at ambient condition, however, with similar activities for SnOxRuOx-Pt/C and Pt/C. For both electrocatalysts, in parallel with the electrochemical pathways, heterogeneous chemical catalysis of ethanol decomposition also takes place, producing H2 and CO2, as major products.

This dissertation presents a comprehensive study of the intrinsic room temperature ferromagnetism, RTFM, in technologically important thin films of ZnO, MgO, Mg@ZnO, the so-called d0–magnets that do not contain any intrinsic magnetic elements. We also present the first report on magnetism in Mn doped MgO films fabricated by dc magnetron sputtering. We have just published (April 2013 ‘on-line’) a state of the art review entitled ‘p-type ZnO Theory, growth, properties, and devices’ in the prestigious journal ‘Progress in Materials Science’, summarizing the recent advances of the studies on p-type ZnO thin films and pointing out the major challenges that remain in the field. The experimental work then focuses on the magnetic properties of band gap engineered Mg@ZnO films exploiting the fact that by substitutional doping of Mg for Zn in ZnO it is possible to tailor new materials with bandgap energy in the range 3.3 eV to 7.2 eV, thus extending the possibilities for new magnetic and optical device applications. In addition, we show that by doping Mn in MgO its magnetic properties can be enhanced to saturation values as high as 38.5 emu/cm3 in a 92 nm thick film. These studies involve extensive characterization of the high quality films in the thickness range of nanometers, using SQUID magnetometer for magnetic properties, XRD for structural analysis, Dual beam HRSEM/FIB and AFM for accurate film cross-sectioning and surface morphology, EDXS for elemental analysis, UV-VIS NIR for measuring the band gap of MgxZn(1-x)O films, Mg K-edge NEXAFS experiment in order to understand electronic structure of specific cations present in the thin films The origin of the observed room temperature feerromaganetism is attributed to cation vacancies and its consequences on the polarization about these vacancies in the oxides... ZnO films are promising materials for optoelectronic device applications, and the fabrications of high quality p-type ZnO and p–n junction are the key steps to realize these applications. However, reliable p-type doping of the material remains a major challenge because of the self-compensation from native donor defects (VO and Zni) and/or hydrogen incorporation. Considerable efforts to obtain p-type ZnO by doping different elements with various techniques have resulted in remarkable progress in the field both from theoretical and experimental point of view. In our paper, we discuss p-type ZnO materials: theory, growth, properties and devices, comprehensively. We first discuss the native defects in ZnO. Among the native defects in ZnO, VZn and Oi act as acceptors. We then present the theory of p-type doping in ZnO, and summarize the growth techniques for p-type ZnO and the properties of p-type ZnO materials. Experimentally, besides the intrinsic p-type ZnO grown at O-rich ambient, p-type ZnO (MgZnO) materials have been prepared by various techniques using Group-I, IV and V elements. We pay a special attention to the band gap of p-type ZnO by band gap engineering and room temperature ferro magnetism observed in p-type ZnO. Finally, we summarize the devices based on p-type ZnO materials. In presenting the current studies, we first focus on the sputtering process in order to produce high quality films. From a comparative study of RTFM, in MgO films deposited by sputtering from 99.999% pure metallic Mg, Vs MgO targets respectively on glass/Si substrates under identical ambience during deposition it is found that the metallic targets give the best magnetic properties (e.g: with maximum Ms values of ~13.75 emu/g vs ~ 4.2 emu/g respectively on Si substrates.(supplement 2). Furthermore, the Ms values are strongly film thickness dependent with Mg target while it is weakly so for films from MgO target. Also, the as deposited MgO films using metallic Mg target are found to be amorphous, while it is nanocrystalline when the films are sputtered off MgO targets. The overall Ms values are found to be dependent on the oxygen content in the atmosphere during deposition, increasing to 2.69 emu/g at a oxygen partial pressure of 40% of the total working gas pressure. On annealing to nanocrystallize these films in the temperature range 600 to 8000C strong XRD peaks corresponding to (200) orientation are observed, and Ms values decrease proportionately. (supplement 3). With the above information on studies for optimizing the effect of sputtering gas, film thickness, and oxygen partial pressure, PO2, comprehensive investigations on band gap engineering and magnetism in MgxZn(1-x)O co-sputtered thin films from Mg and Zn targets are then closely examined. The optical band gap calculated from absorption spectra shows that the band gaps of Mg-doped ZnO thin films increased linearly from 3.33 to 4.074 eV. Our studies indicate that both the magnetic properties and the band gap of the film can be tailored by tuning the film thickness and PO2 in the working gas. In summary, RTFM ordering in the thin films originates from cation vacancies which couple ferromagnetically and establish long range magnetic order. The ferromagnetic ordering in these materials is shown to arise from defects situated at the cation sites. Electronic structure studies of some selected films disclose that the unoccupied O 2p states exist and this unoccupied state results from cation vacancy (VMg). / <p>QC 20130524</p>

La r eduction (\scaling") continue des dimensions des transistors MOS- FET nous a conduits a l' ere de la nano electronique. Le transistor a ef- fet de champ multi-grilles (MultiGate FET, MuGFET) avec l'architecture \nano l canal" est consid er e comme un candidat possible pour le scaling des MOSFET jusqu' a la n de la roadmap. Parall element au scaling des CMOS classiques ou scaling suivant la loi de Moore, de nombreuses propo- sitions de nouveaux dispositifs, exploitant des ph enom enes nanom etriques, ont et e faites. Ainsi, le transistor mono electronique (SET), utilisant le ph enom ene de \blocage de Coulomb", et le transistor a atome unique (SAT), en tant que transistors de dimensions ultimes, sont les premiers disposi- tifs nano electroniques visant de nouvelles applications comme la logique a valeurs multiples ou l'informatique quantique. Bien que le SET a et e ini- tialement propos e comme un substitut au CMOS (\Au-del a du dispositif CMOS"), il est maintenant largement consid er e comme un compl ement a la technologie CMOS permettant de nouveaux circuits fonctionnels. Toutefois, la faible temp erature de fonctionnement et la fabrication incompatible avec le proc ed e CMOS ont et e des contraintes majeures pour l'int egration SET avec la technologie FET industrielle. Cette th ese r epond a ce probl eme en combinant les technologies CMOS de dimensions r eduites, SET et SAT par le biais d'un sch ema d'int egration unique a n de fabriquer des transistors \Trigate" nano l. Dans ce travail, pour la premi ere fois, un SET fonction- nant a temp erature ambiante et fabriqu es a partir de technologies CMOS SOI a l' etat de l'art (incluant high-k/grille m etallique) est d emontr e. Le fonctionnement a temp erature ambiante du SET n ecessite une le (ou canal) de dimensions inf erieures a 5 nm. Ce r esultat est obtenu grce a la r eduction du canal nano l "trigate" a environ 5 nm de largeur. Une etude plus ap- profondie des m ecanismes de transport mis en jeu dans le dispositif est r ealis ee au moyen de mesures cryog eniques de conductance. Des simula- tions NEGF tridimensionnelles sont egalement utilis ees pour optimiser la conception du SET. De plus, la coint egration sur la m^eme puce de MOS- FET FDSOI et SET est r ealis ee. Des circuits hybrides SET-FET fonction- nant a temp erature ambiante et permettant l'ampli cation du courant SET jusque dans la gamme des milliamp eres (appel e \dispositif SETMOS" dans la litt erature) sont d emontr es de m^eme que de la r esistance di erentielle n egative (NDR) et de la logique a valeurs multiples. Parall element, sur la m^eme technologie, un transistor a atome unique fonc- tionnant a temp erature cryog enique est egalement d emontr e. Ceci est obtenu par la r eduction de la longueur de canal MOSFET a environ 10 nm, si bien qu'il ne comporte plus qu'un seul atome de dopant dans le canal (dif- fus ee a partir de la source ou de drain). A basse temp erature, le trans- port d' electrons a travers l' etat d' energie de ce dopant unique est etudi e. Ces dispositifs fonctionnent egalement comme MOSFET a temp erature am- biante. Par cons equent, une nouvelle m ethode d'analyse est d evelopp ee en corr elation avec des caract eristiques a 300K et des mesures cryog eniques pour comprendre l'impact du dopant unique sur les caracteristiques du MOSFET a temp erature ambiante.