This thesis presents work based on the interactions of water soluble caboxylated zinc phthalocyanines (Pcs) and coreshell quantum dots (QDs). The Pcs are ZnPc(COOH)₈ and ZnPc(COOH)₄ and coreshell QDs are CdTe@ZnS-GSH. GSH = L-glutathione. Characterization and photophysical studies of conjugates were carried out. The approach of coordinating Pcs to QDs was achieved using an organic cross linker, N-N’-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) at pH 10 at room temperature. Employing atomic force microscopy (AFM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman, infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies, the formation of the conjugates was confirmed. Upon conjugation with Pc derivatives, the fluorescence quantum yield of CdTe@ZnS-GSH decreased due to energy transfer from the QDs to the Pc. The average fluorescence lifetime of the CdTe@ZnS-GSH QD also decreased upon conjugation. The föster resonance energy transfer (FRET) behaviour of CdTe@ZnS-GSH-ZnPc(COOH)₄ conjugates was compared to that of CdTe@ZnS-GSH-ZnPc(COOH)₈. Higher FRET efficiencies were observed for CdTe@ZnS-GSH-ZnPc(COOH)₄-mixed or CdTe@ZnS-GSH-ZnPc(COOH)₄-linked compared to the corresponding CdTe@ZnS-GSH-ZnPc(COOH)₈-mixed or CdTe@ZnS-GSH-ZnPc(COOH)₈-linked. Triplet quantum yield (ΦT) and lifetime (ΤT) of ZnPc(COOH)₈ were found to increase in the presence of coreshell QDs. Though the singlet quantum yield (ΦΔ) value of ZnPc(COOH)8 was lower than ΦT , there was a slight upsurge in the ΦT in the presence of QDs. / Microsoft� Word 2010 / Adobe Acrobat 9.53 Paper Capture Plug-in

Les nanofils de ZnO à puits quantiques et le dopage p par implantation ionique d'azote sont étudiés pour la fabrication de LED ultra-violettes. Des pyramides de polarité O et des nanofils de polarité Zn sur substrats de saphir et ZnO sont élaborés. La croissance organisée de nanofils sur ZnO de polarité Zn est démontrée. De même, des pyramides ou des nanofils de GaN sont obtenus sur GaN de polarité Ga ou N. Sur saphir, l'élimination des dislocations dans les pyramides sous-jacentes aux nanofils est analysée. Les nanofils sans défauts structuraux permettent l'élaboration de puits quantiques coeur-coquille ZnO/Zn(1-x)MgxO. La relaxation plastique dans les nanofils est étudiée, puis la composition en Mg est optimisée pour l'éviter et atteindre un rendement quantique interne de 54%. Concernant l'implantation, les défauts sont identifiés avant et après recuit. Ils disparaissent en surface, d'où une guérison facilitée des nanofils. Un matériau guéri avec des accepteurs activés n'est pas obtenu. / Quantum well ZnO nanowires and p-type doping by nitrogen ion implantation are studied to make ultraviolet light-emitting diodes. O-polar pyramids and Zn-polar nanowires on sapphire and ZnO substrates are grown. Organized growth of nanowires on a masked Zn-polar ZnO is demonstrated. Similarly, GaN pyramids and nanowires are grown on Ga and N-polar GaN respectively. On sapphire, the dislocation elimination in the underlying pyramids is analyzed. Nanowires with no structural defects allow the growth of ZnO / Zn (1-x) Mg x O core-shell quantum wells. Plastic relaxation is studied, and the Mg composition is optimized to avoid it and attain an internal quantum efficiency as high as 54%. Concerning ion implantation, the defects are identified before and after annealing. They disappear in the near-surface, which lead to an easier recovery of nanowires compared to bulk ZnO. However, a recovered material with activated acceptors is not obtained.

Nous avons étudié des catalyseurs de cobalt utilisés pour la synthèse Fischer-Tropsch des hydrocarbures en suivant les processus d’activation, de fonctionnement et de désactivation par microscopie électronique en transmission in-situ environnementale. Une méthodologie operando a été développée en couplant ces études structurales dans une cellule environnementale à la mesure de gaz résiduels par spectrométrie de masse. Utilisant des nano-objets de morphologie contrôlée, nous avons mis en évidence des mécanismes de désactivation des catalyseurs par frittage des particules, ré-oxydation, encapsulation et carburation. Pour les catalyseurs supportés, leur activation se distingue par une densification des particules. Nous avons démontré que la réduction des particules est plus facile sur silice que sur alumine ainsi qu’en présence des atomes de Pt. Durant leur fonctionnement sous gaz de synthèse, nous avons détecté la formation d’hydrocarbures. Cette méthodologie a donné accès aux propriétés physico-chimiques d’une série de catalyseurs de cobalt, ouvrant ainsi la voie à des études approfondies de catalyseurs hétérogènes par microscopie operando. / In this work, we studied cobalt catalysts used in producing hydrocarbons through the Fischer-Trospch synthesis process, in which their activation, operation and deactivation mechanisms are recorded using in-situ and environmental transmission electron microscopy. An operando methodology was developed by combining electron microscopy-based structural studies in an environmental cell and mass spectrometry analysis of the reacting gases. Using controlled-morphology nanocatalysts we have demonstrated that deactivation occurs through particles sintering, re-oxidation, encapsulation and carburization. The activation of supported catalysts arises due to particles densification. It was clearly established that the reduction of the nanoparticles is better enhanced on a silica support than on an alumina one. Also, Pt doping of the catalysts greatly increases their reduction. By analysing the hydrocarbons formed during the Fischer-Tropsch reactions of a series of cobalt catalysts, we could obtain a comprehensive physico-chemical characterization, thus opening the way to in-depth studies of heterogeneous catalysts by operando microscopy.

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abstract: As world energy demands increase, research into more efficient energy production methods has become imperative. Heterogeneous catalysis and nanoscience are used to promote chemical transformations important for energy production. These concepts are important in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) which have attracted attention because of their potential to provide an efficient and environmentally favorable power generation system. The SOFC is also fuel-flexible with the ability to run directly on many fuels other than hydrogen. Internal fuel reforming directly in the anode of the SOFC would greatly reduce the cost and complexity of the device. Methane is the simplest hydrocarbon and a main component in natural gas, making it useful when testing catalysts on the laboratory scale. Nickel (Ni) and gadolinium (Gd) doped ceria (CeO2) catalysts for potential use in the SOFC anode were synthesized with a spray drying method and tested for catalytic performance using partial oxidation of methane and steam reforming. The relationships between catalytic performance and structure were then investigated using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and environmental transmission electron microscopy. The possibility of solid solutions, segregated phases, and surface layers of Ni were explored. Results for a 10 at.% Ni in CeO2 catalyst reveal a poor catalytic behavior while a 20 at.% Ni in CeO2 catalyst is shown to have superior activity. The inclusion of both 10 at.% Gd and 10 at.% Ni in CeO2 enhances the catalytic performance. Analysis of the presence of Ni in all 3 samples reveals Ni heterogeneity and little evidence for extensive solid solution doping. Ni is found in small domains throughout CeO2 particles. In the 20 at.% Ni sample a segregated, catalytically active NiO phase is observed. Overall, it is found that significant interaction between Ni and CeO2 occurs that could affect the synthesis and functionality of the SOFC anode. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Materials Science and Engineering 2012