Nos últimos anos, têm-se notado o aumento do número de pesquisas relacionadas aos complexos de metais de transição com base de Schiff devido a suas interessantes estruturas e amplas aplicações, isso se deve em parte a formação de complexos estáveis, apresentando um papel importante na química de coordenação. A determinação estrutural dos átomos nas moléculas é necessária para que suas propriedades químicas, físicas e biológicas possam ser compreendidas. Para esta finalidade, existe uma grande variedade de técnicas químicas e físicas, na qual podemos citar a Difração de Raios X. Os avanços computacionais dos últimos anos e sua agregação na ciência, proporcionou um crescimento nas pesquisas que utilizam métodos teóricos, pois possibilitou sua aplicação em diversas áreas que dependiam de tão evolução para continuação de seus estudos. Vale ressaltar, que o uso de cálculo teórico têm apresentado um grande interesse pelos pesquisadores da área da Química, seja para a compreensão das suas estruturas ou para o estudo dos mecanismos de reações. Logo, o objetivo desse trabalho é a investigação estrutural de bases de Schiff, através da determinação das estruturas cristalinas por difração de raios-X. A partir dos dados cristalográficos foram avaliados parâmetros geométricos, interações intermoleculares, onde ambos os dados foram comparados com os da literatura obtendo resultados satisfatórios. A estrutura ASZ, apresentou estrutura semelhante com a esperada, obtendo-se índices de discordância R = 0,0774, wR2 = 0,2302, o que caracteriza um refinamento eficiente. A molécula possui um eixo cristalográfico de ordem 2 e grupo pontual 2/m. O complexo Zn(apy-epy), obteve bons índices de discordância R = 0,0621, wR2 = 0,2172, centrossimétrica, apresentando grupo pontual mmm com eixo de ordem 2. O átomo central de zinco tem geometria bipiramidal ligada a 6 átomos de nitrogênio. O ligante CW2-10A, foi a estrutura que obteve o melhor valor de discordância R = 0,0348, wR2 = 0,0902 e grupo pontual 2/m. A estrutura determinada, estava de acordo com o esperado. A estrutura final do complexo com sigla CuDenim, estava de acordo com o proposto, com um índice de discordância satisfatório R = 0,0746, wR2 = 0,2122, também apresentou uma interação do metal Cu com átomos de oxigênio do íon perclorato. O complexo CW1-53A, possui alguns átomos desordenados e foi preciso que fossem refinados isotropicamente, apresentou índices de discordância dentro do ideal R = 0,0436, wR2 = 0,1227. Os cálculos de frequência vibracional não identificaram frequências imaginárias para nenhuma das estruturas otimizadas. A estabilidade química foi explicada pelo gap HOMO-LUMO, bem como os locais de interações intermoleculares foram explicados através dos mapas de superfície Hirshfeld e pelo mapa de potencial eletrostático. / In recent years, has been an increase in studies related with Schiff-bases transition metal complexes due to their interesting structures and wide applications. One reason for this is the formation of stable complexes, presenting an important role in coordination chemistry. The structural determination of the atoms in the molecules is necessary in understanding in their chemical, physical and biological properties. For this purpose, there is a great variety of chemical and physical techniques, in which we can mention X-ray Diffraction. The computational advances of the last years and their aggregation in science, provided to growth in the researches that use theoretical methods, as it allowed its application in several areas that depended on so to continue their studies. It is worth mentioning that the use of theoretical calculus has shown a great interest by researchers in the field of Chemistry, either to understand their structures or to study the mechanisms of reactions. Therefore, the objective of this work is the structural investigation of Schiff bases, through the determination of the crystalline structures by X-ray diffraction. Where all the structures presented good indexes of disagreement and the obtained structures were within the expected one. From the crystallographic data, geometric parameters, intermolecular interactions were evaluated, and both data were compared with those of the literature, obtaining satisfactory results. The structure ASZ, presented similar to the one expected, with discordance indices R = 0,0774, wR2 = 0.2302, therefore characterizing the refinement. The molecule has a crystallographic axis of order 2 and a point group 2 / m. The complex Zn (apy-epy), obtained good discordance indices R = 0.0621, wR2 = 0.2172, centrossimetric, presenting a point group mmm with axis of order 2. The central zinc atom has bipyramidal geometry attached to 6 nitrogen atoms. The ligand CW2-10A was the structure that obtained the best discordance value R = 0.0348, wR2 = 0.0902 and 2/m point group. The structure determined was as expected. The final structure of the complex with CuDenim acronym, was in agreement with the with satisfactory discordance index R = 0.0746, wR2 = 0.2122, also presented a Cu metal interaction with oxygen atoms of the perchlorate ion. The complex CW1-53A, has some disordered atoms and had to be refined isotropically. It presented disagreement indices within the ideal R = 0.0436, wR2 = 0.1277. The vibrational frequency calculations did not identify imaginary frequencies for any of the optimized structures. The chemical stability was explained by the HOMO-LUMO gap, as well as the sites of intermolecular interactions were explained through the Hirshfeld surface maps and the electrostatic potential map.

As restaurações monolíticas de Y-TZP (Zircônia Tetragonal Policristalina estabilizada por Itria) se apresentam como uma alternativa interessante devido a suas elevadas propriedades mecânicas, porém existe a preocupação quanto a Degradação em Baixa Temperatura (DBT). Os compósitos ZTA (Alumina reforçada por Zircônia) tem o potencial de atender a esta demanda, apesar do desafio estético uma vez que a passagem de luz pode ser limitada pela combinação de duas fases cristalinas. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo inovar na criação de um compósito ZTA sintetizado com Y-TZP translúcida, na procura de um material com alta resistência mecânica em relação à alumina, resistente à DBT quando comparada à YTZP e com propriedades ópticas melhoradas em relação ao ZTA sintetizado com Y-TZP convencional. Sessenta corpos de prova (discos de 12 mm de diâmetro por 1 mm de espessura) foram confeccionados e divididos em quatro grupos: zircônia convencional (3YSB-E), zircônia translucida (Zpex), compósito ZTA (Al2O3-70%v ZrO2-30%) sintetizado com 3YSB-E (ZTA-3YSB-E) e outro com zircônia translucida Zpex (ZTA-Zpex). Os corpos de prova foram obtidos mediante prensagem uniaxial e isostática dos pós cerâmicos. Após sinterização, o polimento das duas faces foi realizado com discos e suspensões diamantadas de até 1 m. A caracterização óptica foi realizada mediante testes de refletância sobre fundo branco e preto para determinar a razão de contraste (RC) e o parâmetro de translucidez (PT) mediante a diferença de cor (E). Difração de Raios-X (DRX) e Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV) foram realizadas para estudo da microestrutura do material. Análise de variância ANOVA e teste de Tukey com nível global de significância de 5% foram utilizados na análises dos dados de propriedades ópticas. A RC mostrou opacidade significativamente menor para o grupo Zpex (0.77; p=0.0001), o grupo 3YSB-E mostrou valores intermediários (0.84; p=0.0001), sendo que os dois compósitos ZTA apresentaram valores maiores de opacidade (ZTA-3YSB-E = 0.99 e ZTA-Zpex = 1) sem diferença significante entre eles (p=0.7433). Para o PT os compósitos ZTA mostraram um E baixo (ZTA-Zpex = 0.22 e ZTA-3YSB-E = 0.43), sem diferença significante entre os grupos (p=0.5). O grupo 3YSB-E apresentou valores intermediários e significativamente diferentes em relação aos outros grupos (E = 7.11 p<0.0001). Já o grupo Zpex apresentou a menor capacidade de mascaramento com E =10.19 (p<0.0001). A DRX mostrou similaridade das fases cristalinas dos grupos 3YSB-E e ZPEX evidenciando que as mesmas foram preservadas na mistura nos compósitos, sem mostrar alterações da estrutura cristalina. A analise no MEV em até 1.500x de aumento evidenciou pouca alteração morfológica entre as zircônias e entre os ZTAs. As propriedades ópticas do ZTA Zpex não foram estatisticamente diferentes do compósito sintetizado com 3YSB-E, sendo que as Y-TZPs apresentaram menor opacidade. As Y-TZPs mostraram estrutura cristalina regular sem a formação de aglomerados e os compósitos ZTAs apresentaram uma mistura uniforme, mantendo as características da estrutura cristalina tanto da Y-TZP quanto da Al2O3, sem formação de aglomerados nem segregação dos grãos dos compósitos. Novos estudos são necessários para avaliar a resistência a DBT e as propriedades mecânicas destes materiais experimentais. / Monolithic Yttria stabilized Tetragonal Zirconia Polycrystals (Y-TZP) prostheses are considered an interesting treatment alternative due to their high mechanical properties. Nevertheless there is concern about the Low Temperature Degradation (LTD) process. Zirconia-Toughened Alumina (ZTA) composites seem to be capable of meeting this demand, while facing the challenge of being aesthetically suitable, since the passage of light can be limited by the combination of two polycrystalline phases. The present work aimed to innovate in the synthesis of a ZTA composite with a translucent Y-TZP for dental applications, in the search for a material with high mechanical resistance when compared to alumina, resistant to LTD when compared to Y TZP, and with improved optical properties over ZTA synthesized with conventional Y-TZP. Sixty disc shaped specimens with 12 mm diameter and 1 mm thick, were prepared and divided in four groups: a conventional zirconia (3YSB-E), a translucent zirconia (Zpex), a ZTA composite (Al2O3-70%v ZrO2-30%) synthetized with 3YSB-E (ZTA- 3YSB-E), and a ZTA composite synthetized with translucent zirconia (ZTA-Zpex). The specimens were obtained by uniaxial and isostatic pressing of the ceramic powders. After sintering, polishing of both sides was performed with diamond disks and suspensions up to 1 m. The optical characterization was performed by means of reflectance on a white and a black background to determine the contrast ratio (CR) and the translucency parameter (TP) of the experimental groups. XRD and SEM analyses were performed to study the crystalline structure. Analysis of variance ANOVA and Tukey test with a global significance level of 0.05% were used to analyze the data. CR showed significantly lower opacity for Zpex group (0.77, p = 0.0001), 3YSB-E showed intermediate values of opacity (0.84, p = 0.0001), and both ZTA composites presented higher opacity (ZTA-3YSB-E = 0.99 and ZTA-Zpex = 1) with no statistically significant difference between them (p = 0.7433). The TP showed a low E for ZTA composites (ZTA-Zpex = 0.22 and ZTA-3YSB-E = 0.43), with no statistically difference between the groups (p = 0.5). The 3YSB-E group presented intermediate and significantly different values of TP relative to the other groups (E = 7.11 p <0.0001). The Zpex group presented the lowest masking ability with E = 10.19, also significantly different from the other groups (p <0.0001). The XRD showed similarity of the crystalline phases of 3YSB-E and ZPEX, structure that were preserved in the blends in ZTA composites, without showing changes in the crystalline structure of the materials. SEM analysis (up to 1.500 x) showed low morphologic alteration between Y-TZP and ZTA composites. Optical properties of ZTA-Zpex showed no statistical difference when compared with ZTA-3YSB-E, whereas Y-TZP groups showed less opacity than other groups. The experimental Y-TZPs showed a regular crystalline structure without the formation of agglomerates, and the ZTA composites presented a uniform mixture of the phases, maintaining the characteristics of the polycrystalline structure of both Y-TZPs and Al2O3, without the formation of agglomerates or segregation of the grains in the composites. Future tests evaluating the resistance to LTD and mechanical properties of these experimental materials are warranted.

Second generation solar cells based on thin film semiconductors emerged as a result of the past ten years of intense research in the thin film preparation technology. Thin film solar cell technology can be cost effective as it uses comparatively cheap materials suitable for solar building integration. Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) is a well-known method for the deposition of high quality thin films. This thesis describes the synthesis of novel tin(II)dithiocarbamate [Sn(S2CNEt2)2] and bis(diphenylphosphinediselenoato) tin(II) [Sn(Ph2PSe2)2] and these complexes as single source precursor for the deposition of SnS and SnSe and by using the combination of [Sn(Ph2PSe2)2] with [Cu(acac)2], Cu2SnSe3 thin films were deposited by AACVD. By using suitable combinations of metal complexes ([nBu2Sn(S2CNEt2)2], [Cu(S2CNEt2)2] [Zn(S2CNEt2)2] [Zn(Se2CNEt2)2] [Zn(acac)2], [Sn(OAc)4], [Cu(PPh3){Ph2P(Se)NP(Se)Ph2}] thin films and nanocomposites of CZTS, CFTS, CZTSe, CFTSe, CZFTS, , CZFTSe, CZTSSE, CFTSSe and CZFTSSe were prepared. The effect of precursor concentration and deposition temperature on the structure, morphology and composition of the thin films were studied in detail using by powder X-ray diffraction (p-XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED) and elemental mapping. This thesis addressing the structural inhomogeneity, control of growth and material characterization is expected to yield closer performance parity between CZTS-Se and CIGS solar cells. A series of systematic experiments were carried out. Through AACVD and simple solvothermal methods CZFTS nanoparticles and thin films were prepared. The simple, potentially, low-cost nature of the CZTS nanoparticles and the enhancement of charge carrier mobility achieved suggest that these nanoparticles have potential in the improvement of OFETs and perhaps other organic electronic devices.

Rich tomography is becoming increasingly popular since we have seen a substantial increase in computational power and storage. Instead of measuring one scalar for each ray, multiple measurements are needed per ray for various imaging modalities. This advancement has allowed the design of experiments and equipment which facilitate a broad spectrum of applications. We present new reconstruction results and methods for several imaging modalities including x-ray diffraction strain tomography, Photoelastic tomography and Polarimet- ric Neutron Magnetic Field Tomography (PNMFT). We begin with a survey of the Radon and x-ray transforms discussing several procedures for inversion. Furthermore we highlight the Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) of the Radon transform and consider some stability results for reconstruction in Sobolev spaces. We then move onto define the Non-Abelian Ray Transform (NART), Longitudinal Ray Transform (LRT), Transverse Ray Transform (TRT) and the Truncated Trans- verse Ray Transform (TTRT) where we highlight some results on the complete inver- sion procedure, SVD and mention stability results in Sobolev spaces. Thereafter we derive some relations between these transforms. Next we discuss the imaging modali- ties in mind and relate the transforms to their specific inverse problems, primarily being linear. Specifically, NART arises in the formulation of PNMFT where we want to im- age magnetic structures within magnetic materials with the use of polarized neutrons. After some initial numerical studies we extend the known Radon inversion presented by experimentalists, reconstructing fairly weak magnetic fields, to reconstruct PNMFT data up to phase wrapping. We can recover the strain field tomographically for a polycrystalline material using diffraction data and deduce that a certain moment of that data corresponds to the TRT. Quite naturally the whole strain tensor can be reconstructed from diffraction data measured using rotations about six axes. We develop an innovative explicit plane-by-plane filtered back-projection reconstruction algorithm for the TRT, using data from rotations about three orthogonal axes and state the reasoning why two- axis data is insufficient. For the first time we give the first published results of TRT reconstruction. To complete our discussion we present Photoelastic tomography which relates to the TTRT and implement the algorithm discussing the difficulties that arise in reconstructing data. Ultimately we return to PNMFT highlighting the nonlinear inverse problem due to phase wrapping. We propose an iterative reconstruction algorithm, namely the Modified Newton Kantarovich method (MNK) where we keep the Jacobian (Fréchet derivative) fixed at the first step. However, this is shown to fail for large angles suggesting to develop the Newton Kantarovich (NK) method where we update the Jacobian at each step of the iteration process.

This PhD project is focused on three lead-free ferroelectric solid solutions, which are specifically Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3-KNbO3(NBT-KN), Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3-NaNbO3(NBT-NN) and Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3-BaTiO3(NBT-BT), to evaluate the effects of composition, electric field and temperature on structural and electrical properties. Novel observations of both reversible and irreversible electric field-induced phase switching were made in both NBT-KN and NBT-NN ceramics. The NBT-KN solid solution is the primary focus of this thesis. All compositions were observed to be cubic in the as-sintered, unpoled state. However, a well-defined ferroelectric hysteresis P-E loop was obtained for compositions with low KN contents, indicating that an irreversible phase transition from a weak-polar relaxor ferroelectric (RF) to a long-range ordered metastable ferroelectric (FE) state had occurred during the measurement procedure. Both the unpoled and poled ceramic powders were examined using high resolution synchrotron XRD. For the poled state, a rhombohedral R3c structure was identified for compositions with low KN content, confirming the occurrence of the irreversible electric field-induced structural transformation from cubic to rhombohedral. In contrast, a cubic structure was retained for high KN contents, giving rise to reversible phase switching evidenced by constricted P-E hysteresis loops. Similar behaviour was observed for NBT-NN system. An 'in-situ' electric field poling experiment was conducted using high energy synchrotron XRD. In certain NBT-KN compositions the structural transformation, from cubic to mixed phase cubic+rhombohedral and finally single phase rhombohedral, occurred progressively with increasing cycles of a bipolar electric field. Similar behaviour was observed for NBT-NN compositions having low NN contents. Furthermore, the distributions of domain orientation and lattice strain over a range of orientations relative to the poling direction were determined for NBT-KN, NBT-NN and NBT-BT ceramics exhibiting the rhombohedral phase. By combining the structural information with the results of dielectric and ferroelectric measurements, a phase diagram was constructed to illustrate the influence of temperature and composition on the stability of the metastable ferroelectric and relaxor ferroelectric states for the NBT-KN system. Furthermore, the phase transition temperatures obtained from dielectric measurements were correlated with the ferroelectric and thermal depolarisation characteristics for each of the NBT-KN, NBT-NN and NBT-BT systems.

Nos últimos anos, têm-se notado o aumento do número de pesquisas relacionadas aos complexos de metais de transição com base de Schiff devido a suas interessantes estruturas e amplas aplicações, isso se deve em parte a formação de complexos estáveis, apresentando um papel importante na química de coordenação. A determinação estrutural dos átomos nas moléculas é necessária para que suas propriedades químicas, físicas e biológicas possam ser compreendidas. Para esta finalidade, existe uma grande variedade de técnicas químicas e físicas, na qual podemos citar a Difração de Raios X. Os avanços computacionais dos últimos anos e sua agregação na ciência, proporcionou um crescimento nas pesquisas que utilizam métodos teóricos, pois possibilitou sua aplicação em diversas áreas que dependiam de tão evolução para continuação de seus estudos. Vale ressaltar, que o uso de cálculo teórico têm apresentado um grande interesse pelos pesquisadores da área da Química, seja para a compreensão das suas estruturas ou para o estudo dos mecanismos de reações. Logo, o objetivo desse trabalho é a investigação estrutural de bases de Schiff, através da determinação das estruturas cristalinas por difração de raios-X. A partir dos dados cristalográficos foram avaliados parâmetros geométricos, interações intermoleculares, onde ambos os dados foram comparados com os da literatura obtendo resultados satisfatórios. A estrutura ASZ, apresentou estrutura semelhante com a esperada, obtendo-se índices de discordância R = 0,0774, wR2 = 0,2302, o que caracteriza um refinamento eficiente. A molécula possui um eixo cristalográfico de ordem 2 e grupo pontual 2/m. O complexo Zn(apy-epy), obteve bons índices de discordância R = 0,0621, wR2 = 0,2172, centrossimétrica, apresentando grupo pontual mmm com eixo de ordem 2. O átomo central de zinco tem geometria bipiramidal ligada a 6 átomos de nitrogênio. O ligante CW2-10A, foi a estrutura que obteve o melhor valor de discordância R = 0,0348, wR2 = 0,0902 e grupo pontual 2/m. A estrutura determinada, estava de acordo com o esperado. A estrutura final do complexo com sigla CuDenim, estava de acordo com o proposto, com um índice de discordância satisfatório R = 0,0746, wR2 = 0,2122, também apresentou uma interação do metal Cu com átomos de oxigênio do íon perclorato. O complexo CW1-53A, possui alguns átomos desordenados e foi preciso que fossem refinados isotropicamente, apresentou índices de discordância dentro do ideal R = 0,0436, wR2 = 0,1227. Os cálculos de frequência vibracional não identificaram frequências imaginárias para nenhuma das estruturas otimizadas. A estabilidade química foi explicada pelo gap HOMO-LUMO, bem como os locais de interações intermoleculares foram explicados através dos mapas de superfície Hirshfeld e pelo mapa de potencial eletrostático. / In recent years, has been an increase in studies related with Schiff-bases transition metal complexes due to their interesting structures and wide applications. One reason for this is the formation of stable complexes, presenting an important role in coordination chemistry. The structural determination of the atoms in the molecules is necessary in understanding in their chemical, physical and biological properties. For this purpose, there is a great variety of chemical and physical techniques, in which we can mention X-ray Diffraction. The computational advances of the last years and their aggregation in science, provided to growth in the researches that use theoretical methods, as it allowed its application in several areas that depended on so to continue their studies. It is worth mentioning that the use of theoretical calculus has shown a great interest by researchers in the field of Chemistry, either to understand their structures or to study the mechanisms of reactions. Therefore, the objective of this work is the structural investigation of Schiff bases, through the determination of the crystalline structures by X-ray diffraction. Where all the structures presented good indexes of disagreement and the obtained structures were within the expected one. From the crystallographic data, geometric parameters, intermolecular interactions were evaluated, and both data were compared with those of the literature, obtaining satisfactory results. The structure ASZ, presented similar to the one expected, with discordance indices R = 0,0774, wR2 = 0.2302, therefore characterizing the refinement. The molecule has a crystallographic axis of order 2 and a point group 2 / m. The complex Zn (apy-epy), obtained good discordance indices R = 0.0621, wR2 = 0.2172, centrossimetric, presenting a point group mmm with axis of order 2. The central zinc atom has bipyramidal geometry attached to 6 nitrogen atoms. The ligand CW2-10A was the structure that obtained the best discordance value R = 0.0348, wR2 = 0.0902 and 2/m point group. The structure determined was as expected. The final structure of the complex with CuDenim acronym, was in agreement with the with satisfactory discordance index R = 0.0746, wR2 = 0.2122, also presented a Cu metal interaction with oxygen atoms of the perchlorate ion. The complex CW1-53A, has some disordered atoms and had to be refined isotropically. It presented disagreement indices within the ideal R = 0.0436, wR2 = 0.1277. The vibrational frequency calculations did not identify imaginary frequencies for any of the optimized structures. The chemical stability was explained by the HOMO-LUMO gap, as well as the sites of intermolecular interactions were explained through the Hirshfeld surface maps and the electrostatic potential map.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar a influência da variação da concentração micelar crítica do surfactante cetiltrimetil brometo de amônio (CTAB) na síntese, pelo método de coprecipitação, do composto Zn0,25Mn0,75Fe2O4 (Frankilinita) e ainda a influência do processamento das amostras por reação hidrotermal. Foram utilizadas concentrações de 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 e 10 vezes a concentração micelar crítica de CTAB, resultando em 12 amostras: seis com e seis sem tratamento hidrotermal. As amostras foram caracterizadas por difração de raios X, espectrometria de infravermelho (FTIR) e medidas magnéticas. A análise magnética foi realizada por um susceptometria AC, sendo possível obter a susceptibilidade magnética e a densidade de energia magnética. Foram realizadas análises dos espectros de absorção por FTIR, identificando duas fases, Frankilinita e Akaganéita. A estrutura e morfologia das nanoferritas foram analisadas por difração de raios X, mostrando que na síntese por coprecipitação existiu uma tendência no aumento do tamanho médio de cristalitos da fase Akaganéita e diminuição do tamanho médio de cristalitos da fase Frankilinite. As amostras submetidas a tratamento hidrotermal apresentaram tendência à diminuição do tamanho médio de cristalitos de ambas as fases, bem como o aumento da porcentagem da fase Frankilinite, comparativamente às amostras sintetizadas apenas por coprecipitação, sugerindo que o tratamento hidrotermal foi efetivo na obtenção de materiais nanoestruturados de partículas menores. / The objective of this work was to investigate the influence of the critical micelle concentration of the CTAB surfactant on the synthesis of the compound Zn0.25Mn0.75Fe2O4 (Frankilinite) by the coprecipitation method and then processing fractions of the synthesized material by hydrothermal treatment. The magnetic characterization was performed by AC susceptometry, being possible to determine the magnetic susceptibility and the dissipated energy. The FTIR analysis identified two phases, Frankilinite and Akaganéite. The structure and morphology of the nanoferrites were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and it was shown that the samples synthesized by coprecipitation only presented the tendency to increasing of crystallite sizes of the akaganéita phase and decreasing of crystallite sizes of the Frankilinite phase as a function of CTAB concentration. The samples submitted to subsequent hydrothermal treatment presented a tendency to decreasing the crystallite sizes of both phases and increasing in Frankilinite phase fraction, compared to the samples synthesized only by coprecipitation, suggesting that the hydrothermal treatment was effective in obtaining nanostructured materials of smaller particles.

No presente trabalho foram estudados alguns efeitos causados pelo jateamento por granalhas no aço Cr-Si-V, processo que tem por objetivo aumentar a resistência à fadiga. Para este estudo a variação de parâmetros no processo são ferramentas para melhor compreender os mecanismos que influenciam esta propriedade. Os parâmetros utilizados neste trabalho foram a variação da granalha e o pré tensionamento das amostras aplicados em lâminas utilizadas em feixe de molas automobilísticas de aço de liga cromo silício vanádio (SAE 9254+V). Inicialmente foi realizada a avaliação do perfil de tensão residual, efetuada por difração de raios-x pelo método do sen2 ao longo da espessura na região onde a tensão é compressiva. Nos resultados nota-se um efeito anômalo em relação ao perfil característico da distribuição de tensão residual com a perda de compressão nas camadas iniciais em relação à superfície jateada. Com o uso da microscopia eletrônica de varredura foi observado a região afetada pelo jateamento por granalhas notando que as regiões plasticamente deformadas se encontram nas mesmas regiões onde ocorre a diminuição da tensão residual compressiva. O perfil obtido pela difração de raios-x fornece as informações necessárias com o propósito de conjugar os efeitos que a microtensão (microdeformação) influenciam na macrotensão (tensão residual). Esta relação foi comprovada pela sobreposição dos resultados encontrados na distribuição da microdeformação da rede cristalina com a tensão residual ao longo da espessura na região plasticamente deformada. Os resultados dos perfis das difrações de raios-x mostraram a existência de anisotropia de tensões entre os planos, geradas por defeitos de empilhamento e pela densidade de discordâncias. Assim sendo, para obter os valores das microtensões devem ser considerados os fatores das constantes elásticas (conforme o módulo das direções) e dos planos cristalográficos. O método aplicado foi o Williamson-Hall modificado. Além deste método outros também foram utilizados, tais como: método de Warren-Averbach e o método Single Line, este aplicando a série de Fourier, porém, ao observar os resultados, nota-se a diferença entre os valores obtidos nas deformações, tanto aos métodos quanto aos planos cristalográficos, porém a ênfase deste trabalho foi dada às características dos perfis da distribuição e não aos valores absolutos. Somando a isto, foi proporcionado o estudo da distribuição do tamanho médio de cristalito ao longo da espessura no perfil das difrações de raios-x e os resultados mostraram que esta distribuição varia de forma inversa a microdeformação. A relação entre o tamanho médio de cristalito e a variação das distâncias interplanares corresponde diretamente a alterações das densidades de discordâncias ocorridas no material que por sua vez estão ligadas às microdeformações da rede cristalina. Como complemento ao trabalho foram analisados o fator de concentração de tensão e ensaios de fadiga do material. O fator de concentração de tensão não variou conforme a utilização das granalhas S330 e S390, ambas sendo aplicadas no mesmo regime de jateamento. Os ensaios de fadiga indicaram que o pré tensionamento aumenta a vida útil nas tensões cíclicas do material estudado. / In the present work, some effects caused by jateamento por granalhas on Cr-Si-V steel have been studied, a process that aims to increase fatigue resistance. For this study the variation of parameters in the process are tools to better understand the mechanisms that influence this property. The parameters used in this work were the variation of the grit and the pre-tensioning of the samples applied in leafs used in automotive springs of chrome silicon vanadium alloy steel (SAE 9254 + V). Initially the evaluation of the residual stress profile was performed by x-ray diffraction using the sen2 method along the thickness in the region where the stress is compressive. The results show an anomalous effect in relation to the characteristic profile of the residual stress distribution with the decrease of compression in the initial layers in relation to the blasted surface. With the use of scanning electron microscopy, the region affected by grit blasting was observed, noting that the plastically deformed regions are located in the same regions where the compressive residual stress decrease. The profile obtained by X-ray diffraction provides necessary information with the aim of combining the effects of microstress (microstrain) on macrostress (residual stress). This relationship was confirmed by the overlap of the results found in the distribution of the microstrain of the crystalline lattice with the residual stress along the thickness in the plastically deformed region. The results of the x-ray diffraction tests show an existence of tensile anisotropy between the planes generated by stacking faults and the dislocations density. Therefore, to obtain the values of the microstress must be considered the factors of the elastic constants and the crystallographic planes. The method applied was the modified Williamson-Hall. Beyound this method, others were also used, such as: Warren-Averbach method and the Single Line method, this applying the Fourier series, however, when observing the results, we can notice the difference between the values obtained in the deformations, however, the emphasis of this work was on the characteristics of the distribution profiles and not on the absolute values. In addition, the study of the distribution of the mean crystallite size along the thickness of the X-ray diffraction profile was provided and the results showed that this distribution varies inversely with microstrain. The relationship between the mean crystallite size and the variation of the interplanar distances corresponds directly to changes in the densities of dislocations occurring in the material, which in turn are linked to the microstrain of the crystalline lattice. As a complement to the work, the stress concentration factor and fatigue tests of the material were analyzed. The stress concentration factor did not change according to the use of the S330 and S390 grit, both being applied in the same blasting regime. Fatigue tests indicated that pretensioning increases the useful life of the cyclic stresses of the material studied.

There is a current requirement for technologies that store heat for both domestic and industrial applications. Phase-change materials (PCMs) represent an important class of materials that offer potential for heat storage. Heat-storage systems are required to undergo multiple melt/freeze cycles without any change in melting-crystallisation point and heat output. Salt hydrates are attractive candidates on account of their high energy densities, but there are issues associated with potential crystallisation of lower-hydrates, long-term stability, and reliable nucleation. An extensive review of the PCMs in the literature, combined with an evaluation of commercially available PCMs led to the conclusion that many of the reported PCMs, lack at least one of the key requirements required for use as a heat-storage medium. The focus of this research was therefore to identify and characterise new PCM compositions with tailored properties. New PCM compositions based of sodium acetate trihydrate were developed, which showed improved properties through the use of selective polymers that retard the nucleation of undesirable anhydrous sodium acetate. Furthermore, the mechanism of nucleation of sodium acetate trihydrate by heterogeneous additives has been investigated using variable-temperature powder X-ray diffraction. This study showed that when anhydrous Na2HPO4 was introduced to molten sodium acetate trihydrate at 58°C the hydrogenphosphate salt is present as the dihydrate. On heating to temperatures in the range 75-90°C the dihydrate was observed to dehydrate to form anhydrous Na₂HPO4. This result explains the prior observation that the nucleator is deactivated on heating. The depression of melting point of sodium acetate trihydrate caused by the addition of lithium acetate dihydrate has also been investigated using differential scanning calorimetry and powder X-ray diffraction. It has been possible to tune the melting point of sodium acetate trihydrate thereby modifying its thermal properties. Studies of the nucleation of sodium thiosulfate pentahydrate, a potential PCM, led to the structural characterisation of six new hydrates using single crystal Xray diffraction. All of these hydrates can exist in samples with the pentahydrate composition at temperatures ranging from 20°C to 45°C. These hydrates are: α-Na₂S₂O₃·2H₂O, which formed during the melting of α-Na₂S₂O₃·5H₂O; two new pentahydrates, β-Na₂S₂O₃·5H₂O and γ-Na₂S₂O₃·5H₂O; Na₂S₂O₃·1.33 H₂O, β-Na₂S₂O₃·2H₂O and Na₂S₂O₃·3.67 H₂O, which formed during the melting of β- Na₂S₂O₃·5H₂O. Furthermore, new PCMs in the 75-90°C range were identified. The commercial impact and route to market of several of the PCMs are discussed in the final chapter.

O método de Rietveld (MR) de refinamento de estruturas de amostras policristalinas, com dados de difração de raios X foi implantado. Foram realizados testes com amostras de NaCl, NaCl:KCl (1:1 em massa) e PbTiO3. Nos testes com NaCl, foram refinados a escala e os parâmetros de rede, vibrações térmicas e perfil com várias funções para o ajuste do perfil e &#916 2 &#952 = 0.01, 0.02 e 0.04&#176. A análise quantitativa com as amostras de NaCl:KCl (1:1 em massa) preparadas para esse fim mostraram que o MR fornece bons resultados. Foi observado que a proporção de NaCl aumentou ligeiramente com a relação à de KCl em cada conjunto de dados sucessivamente medido. Nos testes com PbTiO3, os resultados mostraram uma boa concordância com os resultados obtidos com difração de nêutrons. A seguir, o método foi aplicado no estudo das cerâmicas piezoelétricas (Pb1-3/2yLay)TiO3 (PLT) e Pb(Zr1-xTix)O3 (PZT). Para o PLT o MR foi aplicado para a determinação precisa do deslocamento dos cátions relativamente ao centro dos respectivos poliedros de coordenação (CQPb para o Pb/La e CQTi para o Ti) tendo sido encontrado: Pb/La - CQPb = 0.68(2)&#197 (y=0.025), 0.43(2)&#197 (y=0.10), 0.25(2)&#197 (y=0.20) e Ti - CQTi = 0.66(2)&#197 (y=0.025), 0.36(4)&#197 (y=0.10) e 0.18(7)&#197 (y= 0.20). No caso do PZT duas amostras foram estudadas. Com a primeira, preparada pela técnica de co-precipitação, o MR foi aplicado para a determinação da fórmula química, tendo sido encontrado PbZr0.30Ti0.70O3. Com a segunda, preparada por mistura convencional de óxidos, o MR foi aplicado para a determinação da proporção das fases tetragonal e romboédrica coexistentes na amostra, fornecendo 79% de tetragonal e 21% de romboédrica / The Rietveld method (RM) of structura refinement of polycrystalline samples with X-ray diffraction data was implemented. Tests were performed with samples of NaCl, NaCl:KCl (1:1 in weight) and PbTiO3. for NaCl, the scale factor, lattice, thermal vibrations and profile parameters were refined with several profile functions and step lenght of 0.01, 0.02 and 0.04&#176. The quantitative alanysis test with the NaCl:KCl (1:1 in weight) sample prepared for this purpose, showed that the RM gives good results. It was observed that the relative proportion of NaCl had a slight increase for each successive data collection. In the tests with PbTiO3, the results showed good agreement with that of nêutron diffraction. The method was applied in the analysis of the piezoelectrics ceramics (Pb1-3/2yLay)TiO3 (PLT) and Pb(Zr1-xTix)O3 (PZT). In the PLT cases the RM was applied for the precise determination of the cátions shifts from their coordination polyedra centre (CQPb for Pb/La and CQTi for Ti) and it was found that Pb/La - CQPb = 0.68(2)&#197 (y=0.025), 0.43(2)&#197 (y=0.10), 0.25(2)&#197 (y=0.20) and Ti - CQTi = 0.66(2)&#197 (y=0.025), 0.36(4)&#197 (y=0.10) and 0.18(7)&#197 (y= 0.20). For the PZT two samples were studied. With the first, prepared by co-precipitation technique, the RM was applied for the determination of the chemical formula, and it was found to be PbZr0.30Ti0.70O3. For the second, prepared by conventional technique of mixture of oxides, the RM was applied for the quantitative analysis of the coexisting phases in the sample, and it was found to be 79% tetragonal and 21% rhombohedra