Les composés appartenant au système bore-carbone-azote présentent des liaisons fortement covalentes à l'origine de propriétes exceptionnelles. C'est le cas de BN-cubique pour lequel une nouvelle voie de synthèse mettant en oeuvre un fluide nitrurant a l'état supercritique a été développée. La première partie de ce travail porte sur l'étude de la nucléation et de la croissance de BN-c en présence d'hydrazine anhydre. La nature du précurseur de BN, celle de l'additif modifiant l'ionicite du milieu ainsi que la proportion de ces produits de départ ont été particulièrement étudiées. La seconde partie de ce travail est consacrée au nitrure de carbone (ou carbonitrure) C3N4 dont l'interet a été révelé par COHEN en 1989. Cet interêt fut, par la suite, confirmé par des calculs ab initio qui proposèrent cinq différentes structures. Diverses méthodes de synthèse impliquant la condensation de molécules organiques ont été mises en oeuvre. Ces travaux ont abouti a la préparation de la variété graphitique de C3N4 à l'état massique par traitement haute pression-haute température (2,5GPa, 800°C) de la mélamine en présence d'hydrazine. Des essais de synthèse d' une des variétés tridimensionnelles ont également été réalisés.

Lithium-ion batteries play a crucial role in portable electronics, but require further innovation for electric vehicle and grid storage applications. To meet this demand, significant emphasis has been placed on developing safe, inexpensive, high energy density cathode materials. LiFePO₄ is a candidate cathode material for electric vehicle and grid storage applications. Vanadium-doped LiFePO₄ cathodes of the form [chemical formula] (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.25) were synthesized here by a facile, low-temperature microwave-assisted solvothermal (MW-ST) method. Such an approach offers manufacturing-energy and cost savings compared to conventional synthesis. Additionally, although [chemical formula] has been synthesized previously by conventional methods, it is shown here that the MW-ST method allows much higher doping levels than can be achieved at conventional temperatures, indicating that metastable phases can be isolated through the low-temperature microwave-assisted synthesis. LiFePO₄ suffers from poor ionic conductivity, but this limitation can be minimized by microwave-assisted synthesis through a tuning of the particle size, allowing for decreased Li⁺ diffusion paths. LiVOPO₄ is another polyanion material with higher energy density than LiFePO₄, but similar ionic conductivity limitations. It has not been previously synthesized by MW-ST. Thus, a MW-ST method was developed here to prepare LiVOPO₄. By varying reaction conditions, three polymorphic modifications of LiVOPO₄ were accessed and the electrochemical performance was optimized. LiVOPO₄ can be further discharged to Li₂VOPO₄, which has been suggested in the literature, but the structural transformation that accompanies this process has not been detailed. To this end, the delithiation process was studied by ex situ XRD measurements to better understand how the second lithium is accommodated. Finally, MW-ST has also been exploited to grow thin films of anatase TiO₂ phase on indium tin oxide (ITO)-coated glass substrates. The microwave field is selectively absorbed by the conductive ITO layer on the glass substrates, leading to ohmic heating. The resulting heated ITO layer acts as a favorable site for nucleation and growth. TiO₂ thin films have widespread applications in the energy and electronics sectors. Such selective microwave-assisted ohmic heating of solid materials within a growth solution represents a promising new avenue for microwave synthesis, which has been minimally explored in the literature. / text

Dióxido de titânio com alta área superficial específica na fase anatase é considerado um material promissor para aplicações ambientais. Neste trabalho, TiO2 com boa aplicabilidade em processos fotocatalíticos e na produção de hidrogênio foi obtido pelo método com baixo consumo de energia baseado na rota dos peróxidos oxidantes combinado com tratamento solvotermal assistido por microondas. Para preparar o material, propóxido de titânio, peróxido de hidrogênio e álcool isopropílico foram utilizados. A influência do tempo, do pH e da temperatura durante a etapa solvotermal nas propriedades como morfologia, cristalinidade, composição de fase, área superficial específica e comportamento fotocatalítico foram investigados. As amostras foram caracterizadas por difração de raios X (DRX), microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (MET), análise termogravimétrica (ATG), teoria Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), reflectância difusa e espectroscopia por emissão fluorescente. A fotoatividade foi determinada usando o método de decomposição do corante alaranjado de metila em luz UV-A e a produção de hidrogênio foi realizada em água usando etanol como agente de sacrifício. Com o aumento da temperatura durante a etapa solvotermal, as propriedades fotocatalíticas foram melhoradas. As nanoestruturas de TiO2 sintetizadas a 200°C e 30 min a partir deste método mostraram atividade fotocatalítica comparável ao do TiO2 P25 comercial Aeroxide©. Isso pode ser atribuído ao fato de que a energia associada a esta temperatura tenha sido suficiente para converter a maioria dos precursores em produtos cristalinos e pouca fase amorfa está presente. Foi possível produzir, com sucesso, nanoestruturas de TiO2, via método dos peróxidos oxidantes e tratamento solvotermal assistido por microondas em diferentes pHs. O material tratado em pH 1 exibiu melhor comportamento fotocatalítico na degradação da solução contendo alaranjado de metila. Aparentemente, o pH do meio não afetou significativamente a microestrutura das amostras. Foi observado uma diminuição na intensidade fotoluminescente da amostra preparada em pH ácido. Isso ocorre provavelmente porque as modificações ácidas em TiO2 favorecem eficientemente a separação das cargas, que está também relacionada com o comportamento dessa amostra durante o processo de degradação. Em relação à produção de hidrogênio, foi possível observar que a razão aumentou com o aumento do pH da solução. Isso pode ser atribuído ao aumento da concentração de OH- fisisorvidos, os quais podem participar dos processos de trapeamento das lacunas e nas reações de transferência de cargas. Por último, esses resultados foram notáveis porque foi utilizado um método de preparação com baixo consumo de energia onde apenas precursores orgânicos e baixas temperaturas foram empregados. Além disso, calcinação ou dopagem não foram necessários para alcançar tal desempenho, uma vez que, os catalisadores assim preparados exibiram boa atividade fotocatalítica na remoção de poluentes da água como o alaranjado de metila e na produção de hidrogênio. / Titanium dioxide with high specific surface area in the crystalline anatase phase is a promising material for environmental applications. In this work, TiO2 with good applicability for photocatalytic processes and hydrogen production has been obtained using the low energy consumption synthesis based on oxidant peroxide method combined with microwave-assisted low temperature solvothermal treatment. To prepare the material, titanium propoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and isopropyl alcohol were used. The influence of time, pH and temperature during the solvothermal step on properties like, morphology, crystallinity, phase composition, specific surface area, and photocatalytic behavior were investigated. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), scanning electron transmission (TEM), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), Brunauer- Emmett-Teller theory (BET), UV–Vis diffuse reflectance and fluorescence emission spectroscopy. Photoactivity was determined using the methyl orange decomposition method in UV-A light and hydrogen production was performed in water using ethanol as sacrificial agent. Increasing temperature during solvothermal step, photocatalytic properties could be improved. The nanostructured TiO2 particles synthesized at 200ºC and 30 min with this method showed photocatalytic activity comparable to commercial Aeroxide® TiO2 P25. This can be attributed to the fact that the energy associated with this temperature has been sufficient to convert most of precursors into crystalline products and small amount of amorphous phase is present. We successfully produced nanostructured TiO2 via the oxidant peroxide method and microwave-assisted solvothermal treatment at different pHs. The material that we treated at pH 1 exhibited better photocatalytic performance on the degradation of methyl orange solutions. It appears that the pH of the medium does not significantly affect the microstructure of the samples. It was observed a decrease in the photoluminescence intensity of the sample prepared at acidic pH. This finding likely occurred because the acidic modification of TiO2 favors efficiently separating the charge carriers, which is also related to the behavior of this sample during the degradation process. Related to hydrogen production, it was possible to observe that the rate increases with increasing solution pH. This has been attributed to the increased concentrations of physisorbed OH− groups at basic solutions, which participate in hole trapping processes and charge transfer reactions. Lastly, these results are remarkable because of the low energy consumption preparation method: only organic-metalic compounds and low temperatures were employed. Furthermore, calcination or doping was not necessary to achieve such performance, since the asprepared catalysts exhibited good photocatalytic activity on removal of pollutants from water as the methyl orange and on hydrogen production.

Dióxido de titânio com alta área superficial específica na fase anatase é considerado um material promissor para aplicações ambientais. Neste trabalho, TiO2 com boa aplicabilidade em processos fotocatalíticos e na produção de hidrogênio foi obtido pelo método com baixo consumo de energia baseado na rota dos peróxidos oxidantes combinado com tratamento solvotermal assistido por microondas. Para preparar o material, propóxido de titânio, peróxido de hidrogênio e álcool isopropílico foram utilizados. A influência do tempo, do pH e da temperatura durante a etapa solvotermal nas propriedades como morfologia, cristalinidade, composição de fase, área superficial específica e comportamento fotocatalítico foram investigados. As amostras foram caracterizadas por difração de raios X (DRX), microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (MET), análise termogravimétrica (ATG), teoria Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), reflectância difusa e espectroscopia por emissão fluorescente. A fotoatividade foi determinada usando o método de decomposição do corante alaranjado de metila em luz UV-A e a produção de hidrogênio foi realizada em água usando etanol como agente de sacrifício. Com o aumento da temperatura durante a etapa solvotermal, as propriedades fotocatalíticas foram melhoradas. As nanoestruturas de TiO2 sintetizadas a 200°C e 30 min a partir deste método mostraram atividade fotocatalítica comparável ao do TiO2 P25 comercial Aeroxide©. Isso pode ser atribuído ao fato de que a energia associada a esta temperatura tenha sido suficiente para converter a maioria dos precursores em produtos cristalinos e pouca fase amorfa está presente. Foi possível produzir, com sucesso, nanoestruturas de TiO2, via método dos peróxidos oxidantes e tratamento solvotermal assistido por microondas em diferentes pHs. O material tratado em pH 1 exibiu melhor comportamento fotocatalítico na degradação da solução contendo alaranjado de metila. Aparentemente, o pH do meio não afetou significativamente a microestrutura das amostras. Foi observado uma diminuição na intensidade fotoluminescente da amostra preparada em pH ácido. Isso ocorre provavelmente porque as modificações ácidas em TiO2 favorecem eficientemente a separação das cargas, que está também relacionada com o comportamento dessa amostra durante o processo de degradação. Em relação à produção de hidrogênio, foi possível observar que a razão aumentou com o aumento do pH da solução. Isso pode ser atribuído ao aumento da concentração de OH- fisisorvidos, os quais podem participar dos processos de trapeamento das lacunas e nas reações de transferência de cargas. Por último, esses resultados foram notáveis porque foi utilizado um método de preparação com baixo consumo de energia onde apenas precursores orgânicos e baixas temperaturas foram empregados. Além disso, calcinação ou dopagem não foram necessários para alcançar tal desempenho, uma vez que, os catalisadores assim preparados exibiram boa atividade fotocatalítica na remoção de poluentes da água como o alaranjado de metila e na produção de hidrogênio. / Titanium dioxide with high specific surface area in the crystalline anatase phase is a promising material for environmental applications. In this work, TiO2 with good applicability for photocatalytic processes and hydrogen production has been obtained using the low energy consumption synthesis based on oxidant peroxide method combined with microwave-assisted low temperature solvothermal treatment. To prepare the material, titanium propoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and isopropyl alcohol were used. The influence of time, pH and temperature during the solvothermal step on properties like, morphology, crystallinity, phase composition, specific surface area, and photocatalytic behavior were investigated. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), scanning electron transmission (TEM), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), Brunauer- Emmett-Teller theory (BET), UV–Vis diffuse reflectance and fluorescence emission spectroscopy. Photoactivity was determined using the methyl orange decomposition method in UV-A light and hydrogen production was performed in water using ethanol as sacrificial agent. Increasing temperature during solvothermal step, photocatalytic properties could be improved. The nanostructured TiO2 particles synthesized at 200ºC and 30 min with this method showed photocatalytic activity comparable to commercial Aeroxide® TiO2 P25. This can be attributed to the fact that the energy associated with this temperature has been sufficient to convert most of precursors into crystalline products and small amount of amorphous phase is present. We successfully produced nanostructured TiO2 via the oxidant peroxide method and microwave-assisted solvothermal treatment at different pHs. The material that we treated at pH 1 exhibited better photocatalytic performance on the degradation of methyl orange solutions. It appears that the pH of the medium does not significantly affect the microstructure of the samples. It was observed a decrease in the photoluminescence intensity of the sample prepared at acidic pH. This finding likely occurred because the acidic modification of TiO2 favors efficiently separating the charge carriers, which is also related to the behavior of this sample during the degradation process. Related to hydrogen production, it was possible to observe that the rate increases with increasing solution pH. This has been attributed to the increased concentrations of physisorbed OH− groups at basic solutions, which participate in hole trapping processes and charge transfer reactions. Lastly, these results are remarkable because of the low energy consumption preparation method: only organic-metalic compounds and low temperatures were employed. Furthermore, calcination or doping was not necessary to achieve such performance, since the asprepared catalysts exhibited good photocatalytic activity on removal of pollutants from water as the methyl orange and on hydrogen production.

No description available.

The ability to encapsulate linear nanoparticle (NP) chains in scrolled nanosheets is an important advance in the formation of nanocomposites.These nanopeapods (NPPs) exhibit interesting properties that may not be achieved by individual entities. Consequently, to fully exploit the potential of NPPs, the fabrication of NPPs must focus on producing composites with unique combinations of morphologically uniform nanomaterials. Various methods can produce NPPs, but expanding these methods to a wide variety of material combinations can be difficult. Recent work in our group has resulted in the in situ formation of peapod-like structures based on chains of cobalt NPs. Building on this initial success, a more versatile approach has been developed that allows for the capture of a series of preformed NPs in NPP composites. In the following chapters, various synthetic approaches for NPPs of various material combinations will be presented and the key roles of various reaction parameters will be discussed. Also, uniform hexaniobate nanoscrolls were fabricated via a solvothermal method induced by heating up a mixture of TBAOH, hexaniobate crystallites, and oleylamine in toluene. The interlayer spacing of the nanoscrolls was easily tuned by varying the relative amount and chain lengths of the primary alkylamines. To fabricate NPPs, as-synthesized NPs were treated with hexaniobate crystallite in organic mixtures via solvothermal method. During solvothermal treatment, exfoliated hexaniobate nanosheets scroll around highly ordered chains of NPs to produce the target NPP structures in high yield. Reaction mixtures were held at an aging temperature for a few hours to fabricate various new NPPs (Fe3O4@hexaniobate, Ag@hexaniobate, Au@hexaniobate, Au-Fe3O4@hexaniobate, TiO2@hexaniobate, CdS@hexaniobate, CdSe@hexaniobate, and ZnS@hexaniobate). This versatile method was first developed for the fabrication of magnetic peapod nanocomposites with preformed nanoparticles (NPs). This approach is effectively demonstrated on a series of ferrite NPs (≤ 14 nm) where Fe3O4@hexaniobate NPPs are rapidly (~ 6 h) generated in high yield. When NP samples with different sizes are reacted, clear evidence for size selectivity is seen. Magnetic dipolar interactions between ferrite NPs within the Fe3O4@hexaniobate samples leads to a significant rise in coercivity, increasing almost four-fold relative to free particles. Other magnetic ferrites NPPs, MFe2O4@hexaniobate (M = Mn, Co, Ni), can also be prepared. This synthetic approach to nanopeapods is quite versatile and should be readily extendable to other, non-ferrite NPs or NP combinations so that cooperative properties can be exploited while the integrity of the NP assemblies is maintained. Further, this approach demonstrated selectivity by encapsulating NPs according to their size. The use of polydispersed NP systems is also possible and in this case, evidence for size and shape selectivity was observed. This behavior is significant in that it could be exploited in the purification of inhomogeneous NP samples. Other composite materials containing silver and gold NPs are accessible. Partially filled Fe3O4@hexaniobate NPPs were used as templates for the in situ growth of gold to produce the bi-functional Au- Fe3O4@hexaniobate NPPs. Encapsulation of Ag and Au NP chains with a hexaniobate nanoscroll was shifted the surface plasmon resonance to higher wavelengths. In these composites NPs can be incorporated to form NPP structures, decorated on nanosheets before scrolling, or attached to the surfaces of the nanoscrolls. The importance of this advancement is the promise it holds for the design and assembly of active nanocomposites. One can create important combinations of nanomaterials for potential applications in a variety of areas including catalysis, solar conversion, thermoelectrics, and multiferroics.

Encapsulation of nanoparticles within hexaniobate nanoscrolls presents interesting advances in the formation of nanocomposites exhibiting unique multi-dimensional properties. Building upon previous successes, facile yet versatile wet-chemical and microwave-irradiation synthetic protocols for the fabrication of a series of hexaniobate composites are presented herein. Solvothermal and, more recently, microwave-assisted methods have been developed that allow for the fabrication of peapod-like structures. During solvothermal treatment, exfoliated hexaniobate nanosheets scroll around highly ordered chains of preformed nanoparticles (NPs) to produce nanopeapods (NPPs). This approach offers versatility and high yields, in addition to the potential for advanced functional device fabrication. For the characterization of these materials, advanced techniques in atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used for investigating the surface of materials at the nanometer scale. Extensive physical, dynamic, and force modulation studies were performed on novel oxide nanocomposites by implementing particular scanning techniques to determine information such as topology, stress-induced behavior at the nanoscale, magnetic behavior, and frictional forces of the nanoscale materials. These composites were then analyzed by topological intermittent contact studies in tapping and contact mode, as well as with derivative techniques of these commonly used scanning probe approaches. In addition to studying surfaces using conventional modes of AFM, the mechanical properties of these nanocomposites were measured via dynamic lateral force modulation (DLFM) and magnetic properties of functionalized magnetic nanosheets were mapped via magnetic sampling modulation (MSM). By utilizing the capabilities of the DLFM imaging mode, elastic properties such as Young’s Modulus were measured from force-distance curves. In addition to this modulation mode, MSM was used to selectively map the vibrating magnetic nanomaterials from a modulated electromagnetic field. The information obtained from these AFM techniques can be helpful in determining the relative structural behavior of these nanocomposites and gauge their use in various applications such as structural engineering of nanoarchitectures as well as studying magnetic characteristics of metal oxide nanocomposites that exhibit characteristics different from their bulk counterparts.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / In this work, zinc ferrite oxide was performed (ZnFe2O4) was synthesized by the solvothermal conventional method and the microwave-assisted solvothermal route. The influence of different synthesis as well as their variables on the physical properties of the material were investigated. The powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nitrogen adsorption/desorption measurements by the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller method (BET), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The produced ferrite was used as catalyst and its activity was investigated in the photo-Fenton reaction for the degradation of textile organic dye (Procion Red H-E7b) under visible light irradiation. In the experiments, different process variables such as dye and hydrogen peroxide concentrations, pH and reaction time were analyzed. The rate constants for the photo-Fenton reactions were determined for both materials prepared by different routes. The synthesis results demonstrated the formation of particles with different physical properties such as surface area, pore volume and size. The experiments of photo-Fenton reaction indicated that the materials prepared in this work present satisfactory activity for the degradation of organic pollutant, 97% de decolorization and 60% de mineralization, in aqueous solution. All studied variables of the reaction process significantly influenced on the catalytic process. / Neste trabalho, foi realizada a síntese do óxido ferrita de zinco (ZnFe2O4) pelo método solvotérmico convencional e pela rota solvotérmica assistida por microondas. A influência das diferentes rotas de síntese, bem como de suas variáveis de síntese sobre as propriedades físicas do material foi investigada. Os pós obtidos foram caracterizados por difração de raios-X (DRX), espectroscopia no infravermelho (FTIR), medições de adsorção-dessorção de nitrogênio pelo método Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), e microscopia de força atômica (MFA). A ferrita produzida foi usada como catalisador e sua atividade foi investigada na reação de foto-Fenton para a degradação de um corante orgânico têxtil (Vermelho Procion H-E7B) sob irradiação de luz visível. Nos experimentos, foram analisadas diferentes variáveis de processo, tais como concentrações de corante e peróxido de hidrogênio, pH e tempo. As constantes de velocidade das reações de foto-Fenton foram determinadas para ambos os materiais preparados pelas diferentes rotas. Os resultados das sínteses demonstraram a obtenção de partículas com diferentes propriedades físicas, tais como área superficial, volume e tamanho de poros. Os testes da reação foto-Fenton indicaram que o material preparado neste trabalho apresenta satisfatória atividade para a degradação do poluente orgânico, até 97% de remoção de cor e 60% de mineralização, em solução aquosa. Todas as variáveis do processo reacional estudadas influenciaram significativamente no processo catalítico.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-14T13:21:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ArquivoTotal.pdf: 4033083 bytes, checksum: 6a05100e863d9679efe9792a62865701 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-08-22 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / The present work consists in two steps the synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles and its evaluation in the photodegradation of textile dyes. The first step involves the synthesis of TiO2 by the microwave assisted solvothermal method, using templates in order to obtain new properties for the materials, due to changes in the surface area, morphology variations and control of the crystalline phase. An usual way to produce these materials is by the use of surfactants and polymers. In the present work, four templates were used, polyethylene glycol (PEG 2000), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), cetiltrimetylamonium bromate (CTAB) and carboxymethylcelulose (CMC). Synthesis were done using na ethanolic route with titanium isopropoxide (1 mol/L), containing the templates or not. Solutions were solvothermalized in the microwave reactor for different times of synthesis (1, 30 and 60 min), in order to evaluate the behavior of the material with different periods of irradiation. Materials with high surface areas and different morphologies were obtained with average particle sizes in the range of 10-30 nm. Powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), BET surface area, infrared spectroscopy (IR), Raman spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis) and field emission scanning electronic microscopy (FE-SEM). The second step consists in the application of the photocatalysts in the photodegradation of the remazol golden yellow dye (RNL), when the photocatalytic efficiency of the TiO2 was observed with a meaningful influence of the properties as surface area and morphology in the photodegradation activity, with about 81 % of discoloration using TiCMC. Reactions were done using a photoreactor at room temperature, with periods of 1, 2 and 4 h with characterization of the azo dye by UV-vis spectroscopy. Photodegradation efficiency was compared to the TiO2 made by Degussa, the P25 one. / O presente trabalho consiste em duas etapas a síntese de nanopartículas de TiO2 e a sua avaliação na fotodegradação de corantes têxteis. A primeira etapa envolve a síntese dos fotocatalisadores de TiO2 pelo método solvotermal assistido por micro-ondas utilizando direcionadores com o intuito de promover novas propriedades nos materiais, acarretando em mudanças na área superficial, variações morfológicas e controle da fase cristalina. Uma maneira muito usual de produção destes materiais é o uso de surfactantes e polímeros, sendo que no presente trabalho foram utilizados quatro direcionadores, polietileno glicol (PEG 2000), sulfato de sódio dodecil (SDS), brometo de cetiltrimetilamônio (CTAB) e carboximetilcelulose (CMC). As sínteses foram preparadas utilizando uma solução etanólica de isopropóxido de titânio (1 mol/L), contendo ou não os direcionadores supracitados. As soluções foram solvotermalizadas no reator de micro-ondas em diferentes tempos de síntese (1, 30 e 60 min.), visando estudar o comportamento do material com o tempo de radiação. Foi obtidos materiais com altas áreas superficiais e diferentes morfologias com tamanho médio de partículas da ordem de 10-30 nm, os pós foram caracterizados por difratometria de raios-X (DRX), análise superficial de BET, espectroscopia na região do infravermelho (IV), espectroscopia Raman, espectroscopia na região do ultravioleta visível (UV-Vis) e microscopia eletrônica de varredura com emissão de campo (FE-MEV). A segunda etapa consiste na aplicação desses fotocatalisadores na fotodegradação do corante remazol amarelo ouro (RNL), onde observamos alta eficiência fotocatalítica do TiO2 e grande influência de propriedades como área superficial e morfológica na atividade de fotodegradação, obtendo cerca de 81% de descoloração usando o TiCMC, as reações foram realizadas utilizando um fotoreator a temperatura ambiente, com tempos de 1, 2 e 4 h sendo o corante caracterizado por espectroscopia na região do ultravioleta visível. A capacidade de fotodegradação foi comparada com a atividade fotocatalítica do TiO2 degussa P25.

As existing energy sources have been depleting at a fast pace, thermoelectric (TE) materials have received much attention in recent years because of their role in clean energy generation and conversion. Thermoelectric materials hold promise in terrestrial applications such as waste heat recovery. Bismuth selenide (Bi2Se3), lead telluride (PbTe), skutterudites CoSb3, and Bi-Sb alloys are among the widely investigated thermoelectric materials. Synthesis of above mentioned thermoelectric materials in nanostructured form and their characterization were investigated. Highly crystalline Bi2Se3, undoped and indium (In) doped PbTe, unfilled and ytterbium (Yb) filled CoSb3 nanomaterials were synthesized using hydrothermal/solvothermal technique and Ca-doped Bi-Sb alloy was synthesized using ball milling method. The mechanism of indium doping to the PbTe matrix was investigated using X-ray diffraction, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and a first principle calculation. It was found that indium doping, at a level below 2%, is substitution on Pb site. The effects of the amount of sodium borohydride (NaBH4) as the reducing agent and the annealing treatment on the phase transition of CoSb3 were investigated. It was found that a sufficient amount of NaBH4 along with the specific annealing condition was needed for the formation of pure phase CoSb3. Thermoelectric properties of Bi2Se3 and Ca-doped Bi85Sb15 were also investigated. A lower thermal conductivity and a higher Seebeck coefficient were achieved for a Bi2Se3 sample prepared in dimethyl formamide (DMF) at 200ºC for 24 h as compared to bulk Bi2Se3. The decrease in thermal conductivity can be attributed to the increased phonon scattering at the interfaces of the nanostructures and at the grain boundaries in the bulk nanocomposite. The increase in the Seebeck coefficient of Bi2Se3 nanostructures is likely the result of the quantum confinement of the carriers in nanostructures. The effect of calcium doping on Bi85Sb15 nanostructures were investigated. It was found that 2% calcium doped Bi-Sb alloy showed the best TE efficiency due to the enhanced power factor and reduced thermal conductivity.