A utilização de novas rotas de síntese de materiais nanoestruturados tem levado à obtenção de materiais apresentando novas propriedades e aplicações. O presente trabalho teve como principal objetivo realizar a síntese e a caracterização de nanopartículas de óxido de vanádio obtidas pelo método da decomposição de peróxido utilizando o tratamento hidrotermal. Por meio do controle do tempo e da temperatura de síntese, foi possível obter nanoestruturas de pentóxido de vanádio com diferentes fases cristalinas e morfologias. Os resultados de espectroscopia Raman e difração de raios X (DRX) mostraram que o tratamento hidrotermal da solução em temperaturas de até 180oC, durante 2 horas, leva à formação da fase V2O5nH2O monoclínica, apresentando uma orientação preferencial na direção 00l. A partir desta temperatura, o material obtido passou a ter a fase ortorrômbica perdendo sua orientação preferencial. Através das medidas de termogravimetria (TG) foi observado que, dependendo da condição de síntese, as amostras apresentam diferentes quantidades de moléculas de água (H2O) intercaladas em sua estrutura. Imagens de microscopia eletrônica mostraram que as nanoestruturas obtidas podem possuir a forma de fitas, fios ou bastões. Utilizando a técnica de espectroscopia de absorção de raios X (XAS), foi possível verificar a presença de íons de V4+ nas amostras de fase monoclínica, o que não foi observado naquelas que possuem estrutura ortorrômbica. Pela técnica de XAS também foi possível constatar que as amostras de estrutura ortorrômbica possuem menor grau de desordem ao redor do átomo de vanádio. O estudo do mecanismo de crescimento da nanoestrutura de V2O5nH2O mostrou que ocorre um crescimento lateral, o qual pode ser descrito pelo mecanismo denominado Coalescência Orientada ou Oriented attachment (OA). Finalmente, através da decomposição do peróxido de vanádio, foi possível obter compostos vanadatos contendo cátions de Na+ em sua estrutura. / The use of new routes for nanostructured materials synthesis has lead to materials with new properties and applications. This PhD project aimed to realize the synthesis and the characterization of vanadium pentoxide nanoparticles obtained by peroxide decomposition using the hydrothermal treatment. By controlling synthesis time and temperature it was possible to achieve vanadium pentoxide nanoparticles with different crystalline phases and orphologies. The results of Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed that the hydrothermal treatment of the solution at temperatures up to 180oC for two hours leads to formation of the V2O5nH2O monoclinic phase with a preferential orientation on 00l direction. From this temperature on the material obtained began to present the orthorhombic phase misleading its preferential orientation. Through thermogravimetry (TG) measurements it was seen that depending on the synthesis condition the samples contains different amounts of water molecules (H2O) interleaved in their structure. Images of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that the V2O5nH2O compound could have different morphologies such as ribbons, wires and rods. From X-Ray Absorption spectroscopy (XAS) measurements, it was observed the presence of V4+ ions in the monoclinic phase samples, which was not observed on orthorhombic structure samples. Through the XAS technique was also observed that the orthorhombic structure samples have a lower degree of disorder around the vanadium atom. Regarding the growth mechanism of these nanostructures, it was possible to verify that has been a wide growth which can be explained by the mechanism denominated Oriented Attachment (OA). Finally, through vanadium peroxide decomposition vanadates compounds containing Na+ cation in its structure were carried out.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been assessed for their use in electrochemical energy storage applications, namely Hydrogen Storage and Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries. Furthermore;fundamental electrochemical studies have been conducted on aligned arrays of carbon nanotubes, and for the first time electrochemistry on pure, defect free, single layer graphene is reported. CNTs have been assessed for their potential as an electrochemical hydrogen storage material,finding a maximum recorded capacity for a single walled nanotube sample (SWNT) that was comparable to literature gas phase adsorption values. In-situ Raman spectroelectrochemistry was used to probe structural changes of the SWNTs with applied potential: no chemical functionalisation of the tubes or intercalation of protons was observed. It was concluded, therefore, that CNTs present no unique electrochemical hydrogen storage ability, other than their role as an adsorbent for gaseous hydrogen, which was evolved electrochemically. CNTs were also assessed as a possible electrode material for the VO(2+)/VO2(+) reaction, used in the positive half cell of commercial vanadium redox flow batteries and widely reported to exhibit quasi-reversible kinetics on carbon electrodes. Initial investigations revealed apparently reversible kinetics using a SWNT, the first time such a response has been observed on Carbon, and in contradiction to published work using CNTs for this application. Analysis via a range of electrochemical techniques highlighted the difficulty in using cyclic voltammetry to assess reversibility, particularly for CNT modified electrodes. The system was subsequently found to be quasi-reversible, with the deceptively small peak separation inferred to arise from the pores of the CNT electrode, therefore thin layer cell behaviour was observed. The porous contribution was confirmed using an electrode exhibiting poor kinetics (very small, indistinct Faradaic peaks), increasing the electrode porosity (using an aligned array of CNT) had a remarkable effect, with large Faradaic peaks (low separation ˜ 0.02-0.04 V) observed for a sample that was chemically identical. This work highlights the fundamental error in a portion of CNT literature, where kinetic enhancement is quantified by voltammetric peak separation, which can be erroneous unless the inherent porosity of the electrodes is considered. In contrast to the complexity of CNTs, graphene represents an ideal electrode material, allowing for direct determination of the electrochemical response of the graphene basal plane, eliminating the contribution of edge sites. An initial investigation towards this goal is presented.

Cette thèse a pour but d'étudier la structure électronique à proximité du niveau de Fermi et de discuter l'influence des corrélations dans deux matériaux fortement corrélés présentant des transitions métal-isolant en température, en dopage et en pression : les oxydes de vanadium (V(1-x)Crx)2O3 et VO2. Pour cela, nous avons combiné différentes méthodes spectroscopiques utilisant le rayonnement synchrotron : la photoémission, l'absorption X et la diffusion inélastique. Ces techniques complémentaires, qui donnent une vue d'ensemble de la structure électronique, sont sensibles aux perturbations intervenant dans la structure électronique au passage de la transition. La comparaison directe de ces résultats aux prédictions théoriques permet de clarifier le rôle des corrélations électroniques dans les mécanismes de transition. Dans VO2, nos résultats semblent vérifier le modèle de transition de Peierls assistée par les corrélations. Dans (V(1-x)Crx)2O3, c'est l'hypothèse d'une augmentation du champ cristallin effectif induite par les corrélations qui est privilégiée pour la transition en dopage et en température. L'analyse de l'influence des différents paramètres thermodynamiques a mis en lumière l'existence d'un mécanisme de transition différent sous l'effet de la pression, suggérant un couplage des degrés de liberté électroniques et structuraux. L'étude du comportement de la quasiparticule au voisinage de la surface dans ces deux systèmes a également permis de révéler la présence d'une couche morte à la surface sur laquelle les états cohérents sont perturbés et dont la longueur est une caractéristique intrinsèque aux propriétés de volume du matériau.

Cette thèse présente une étude expérimentale de la transition de Mott dans V2O3 dopé au chrome par deux différentes techniques expérimentales entre la température ambiante à 500 K et sous pressions jusqu'à 6 kbar. La technique ultrasonore fournit une mesure directe de la compressibilité et a été utilisé pour estimer les effets de la réseau sur la transition de Mott. Nous avons été en mesure de mener la première étude systématique de l'influence des degrés de liberté du réseau sur la transition de Mott dans V2O3. On a vérifiée l'existence d'une température électronique critique Tel c qui diffère de l'ordre de 3% ou 4% par rapport à la température de transition effectivement observée Tc. L'observation du comportement du mode transverse de la vitesse du son a permis de conclure que la transition de Mott à haute température a lieu sans brisure de symétrie et le paramètre d'ordre est un scalaire. Dans la deuxième partie de la thèse l'évolution de coefficient du Seebeck a été étudiée dans les mêmes conditions expérimentales. Les études autour du point critique nous ont permis d'établir un diagramme de phase expérimentale. Nous avons montré que le changement de S à la transition est dominé par le changement de la résistivité plutôt que par le changement de la symétrie particule-trou. En conséquence, nous avons pu relier les lois d'échelle pour les paramètres critiques relatifs à la conductivité à nos données. Dans le voisinage de la transition nos données sont assez bien reproduites par les exposants de champ moyen observés dans les mesures de conductivité.

Deux types de catalyseurs à base d'oxyde de molybdène ou de vanadium supporté sur silice, actuellement les plus performants en oxydation sélective du méthane en formaldéhyde, ont été étudiés et développés dans l'optique d'une application industrielle. Une évaluation économique a permis de déterminer les performances catalytiques à atteindre pour que ce procédé de conversion directe devienne économiquement attractif par rapport au procédé industriel actuel de production du formaldéhyde en trois étapes. <br />Les catalyseurs ont été préparés et testés. Plusieurs voies d'amélioration de leurs performances catalytiques ont été étudiées. Différentes techniques (TRP, RPE, spectroscopies Raman, IR, XANES ...) et une étude spectroscopique en conditions operando ont été mises en œuvre pour caractériser la structure du catalyseur et la nature des sites catalytiques. Un mécanisme réactionnel a été proposé pour le catalyseur VOx/SiO2, faisant intervenir des espèces vanadium avec une activation du méthane sur des ions O- résultant d'un transfert électronique avec le vanadium.

<p>Nanomaterials have attracted great interest in recent years, and are now also being considered for battery applications. Reducing the particle size of some electrode materials can increase battery performance considerably, especially with regard to capacity, power and rate capability. This thesis presents a study focused on the performance of such a material, vanadium oxide nanotubes, as cathode material for rechargeable lithium batteries.</p><p>These nanotubes were synthesized by a sol-gel process followed by hydrothermal treatment. They consist of vanadium oxide layers separated by structure-directing agents, normally amines or metal ions, e.g., Na⁺, Ca²⁺, Mn²⁺ and Cu²⁺. The layers are arranged in a scroll-like manner, allowing the interlayer structure to expand and contract, depending on the size of the embedded guest. This tubular form of vanadium oxide was able to insert lithium ions reversibly, making it a candidate cathode material. The structural and electrochemical response to lithium ion insertion was carefully studied to define optimal performance criteria and probe the lithium insertion mechanism. This was done using several characterization techniques, including X-ray diffraction, a variety of spectroscopic methods and electrochemical testing. Galvanostatic measurements show that the material can be charged and discharged reversibly for >100 cycles with a capacity of 150-200 mAh/g. The electrochemical performance is, however, dependent on the electrode film preparation technique, the choice of salt in the electrolyte and the nature of the embedded guest. Results from photoelectron spectroscopy, and soft X-ray emission and absorption spectroscopy confirm that vanadium is reduced during lithium insertion and that three oxidation states (V⁵⁺, V⁴⁺and V³⁺) co-exist at potentials below 2.0 V. <i>In situ</i> X-ray diffraction, performed during potential stepping, identifies two separate processes during lithium insertion: a fast decrease of the interlayer distance followed by a slow two-dimensional relaxation of the vanadium oxide layers. </p>

<p>The fascinating optical properties of metallic nanostructures, dominated by collective oscillations of free electrons known as plasmons, open new opportunities for the development of devices fabrication based on noble metal nanoparticle composite materials. This thesis demonstrates a low-cost and versatile technique to produce stimuli-responsive ultrafast plasmonic nanostructures with reversible tunable optical properties. Albeit challenging, further control using thermal external stimuli to tune the local environment of gold nanoparticles embedded in VO2 host matrix would be ideal for the design of responsive functional nanocomposites. We prepared Au-VO2 nanocomposite thin films by the inverted cylindrical reactive magnetron sputtering (ICMS) known as hollow cathode magnetron sputtering for the first time and report the reversible tuning of surface plasmon resonance of Au nanoparticles by only adjusting the external temperature stimuli. The structural, morphological, interfacial analysis and optical properties of the optimized nanostructures have been studied. ICMS has been attracting much attention for its enclosed geometry and its ability to deposit on large area, uniform coating of smart nanocomposites at high deposition rate. Before achieving the aforementioned goals, a systematic study and optimization process of VO2 host matrix has been done by studying the influence of deposition parameters on the structural, morphological and optical switching properties of VO2 thin films. A reversible thermal tunability of the optical/dielectric constants of VO2 thin films by spectroscopic ellipsometry has been intensively also studied in order to bring more insights about the shift of the plasmon of gold nanoparticles imbedded in VO2 host matrix.</p>

Nanomaterials have attracted great interest in recent years, and are now also being considered for battery applications. Reducing the particle size of some electrode materials can increase battery performance considerably, especially with regard to capacity, power and rate capability. This thesis presents a study focused on the performance of such a material, vanadium oxide nanotubes, as cathode material for rechargeable lithium batteries. These nanotubes were synthesized by a sol-gel process followed by hydrothermal treatment. They consist of vanadium oxide layers separated by structure-directing agents, normally amines or metal ions, e.g., Na+, Ca2+, Mn2+ and Cu2+. The layers are arranged in a scroll-like manner, allowing the interlayer structure to expand and contract, depending on the size of the embedded guest. This tubular form of vanadium oxide was able to insert lithium ions reversibly, making it a candidate cathode material. The structural and electrochemical response to lithium ion insertion was carefully studied to define optimal performance criteria and probe the lithium insertion mechanism. This was done using several characterization techniques, including X-ray diffraction, a variety of spectroscopic methods and electrochemical testing. Galvanostatic measurements show that the material can be charged and discharged reversibly for &gt;100 cycles with a capacity of 150-200 mAh/g. The electrochemical performance is, however, dependent on the electrode film preparation technique, the choice of salt in the electrolyte and the nature of the embedded guest. Results from photoelectron spectroscopy, and soft X-ray emission and absorption spectroscopy confirm that vanadium is reduced during lithium insertion and that three oxidation states (V5+, V4+ and V3+) co-exist at potentials below 2.0 V. In situ X-ray diffraction, performed during potential stepping, identifies two separate processes during lithium insertion: a fast decrease of the interlayer distance followed by a slow two-dimensional relaxation of the vanadium oxide layers.

Ces dernières années, les recherches industrielles et académiques ont connu des bouleversements sans précédents liés à la notion de Développement Durable. Les exigences en matière de santé et d'environnement ont poussé les chimistes à concevoir des produits et procédés chimiques qui permettent de réduire ou d'éliminer les substances dangereuses. Les travaux de recherche décrits dans cette thèse s'inscrivent dans ce contexte et concernent la mise au point de nouveaux systèmes réducteurs utilisant des hydrosiloxanes comme substituts des hydrures d'aluminium et de bore. Dans cet objectif, des systèmes associant le 1,1,3,3-tétraméthyldisiloxane (TMDS) ou le polyméthylhydrosiloxane (PMHS) avec des complexes de titane ou de vanadium ont été développés pour la réduction des fonctions amides et nitriles. La nature de l'association hydrosiloxane - métal et du substrat étudié a joué un rôle important sur la performance et la sélectivité des réactions misent en oeuvre. D'une part, les réductions sélectives d'amides (tertiaires et secondaires) et de nitriles en aldéhydes ont été réalisées respectivement en présence du tétraisopropylate de titane(IV) et du triisopropylate d'oxyde de vanadium(V). D'autre part, les réductions d'amides primaires et de nitriles ont conduit aux amines primaires en présence de tétraisopropylate de titane(IV). Enfin, ces systèmes réducteurs ont été utilisés pour la synthèse d'hétérocycles azotés saturés. La réduction de composés dinitriles donne lieu à une réaction d'alkylation réductrice intramoléculaire qui conduit à la formation de dérivés de la pipéridine, de la pyrrolidine et de l'azétidine en une étape

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