Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:56:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2931.pdf: 6814472 bytes, checksum: 46c69cfcaa07e8f2ab4e1d803b03916a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-03-05 / Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais / Colloidal Nanoparticles of Platinum (Pt-NPs) were obtained by reducing hexacloroplatinic acid with ethylene glycol in the presence of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as protective agent of the particles. Two methods of synthesis were performed which differed by the ratio PVP / Pt used. The synthesis of nanoparticles was accompanied by measures in the UV-visible from of which it was possible to determine the end of the reaction. The Pt-NPs were characterized by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) that determined the average diameter of particles (~ 2.0 nm). After the synthesis, the Pt-NPs were incorporated into the supports of alumina and alumina promoted with cerium and cerium-zirconium which were prepared by sol-gel method. Supporters with nanoparticles incorporated were then subjected to heat treatment have sought the formation of stable catalysts and without the presence of protective polymer, as this could affect the activity of the catalyst by covering the active sites. Through X-ray diffraction and TEM images it was possible to monitor the stability of samples after heat treatment and the samples that were synthesized with higher PVP were more stable. Measures of X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy in situ allowed the characterization of the samples in the reaction atmosphere. Through the analysis of extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) was observed morphological changes in the particles caused by the increase in temperature showing that there is an increase in the number of atoms of low coordination when samples are heated which favors the reaction of steam reforming of methane. Through studies of X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) in the edges L2 and L3 of Pt was possible to monitor how the electron density of the catalysts varies in reaction conditions. Moreover, the catalysts were also tested catalysts. Measures of dispersion were obtained by the reaction of dehydrogenation of cyclohexane and catalysts made of alumina promoted with cerium and cerium-zirconium displayed less dispersion due to the coating caused by the support. The catalysts in which the particles were synthesized with a higher amount of PVP, because of its stability, were subjected to the reaction of steam reforming of methane and proved active. This reaction was used to calculate the value of the apparent activation energy. The catalysts containing promoters were more active than the catalyst only alumina thus showing the role of support in this reaction. Therefore, this system has proved very interesting to study the catalytic properties in reactions sensitive to the structure since the nanoparticles present are monodispersed and the catalyst is stable under reaction conditions allowing the study of structural and electronic properties. / Nanopartículas coloidais de platina (NPs-Pt) foram obtidas por meio da redução do ácido hexacloroplatínico por etilenoglicol na presença de polivinilpirrolidona (PVP) como agente protetor das partículas. Dois métodos de síntese foram realizados os quais se diferiram pela razão PVP/Pt empregada. As sínteses das NPs-Pt foram acompanhadas por medidas no UVvisível através das quais foi possível determinar o fim da reação. As NPs-Pt foram caracterizadas por microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (TEM) que determinou o diâmetro médio das partículas (~2,0 nm). Após a síntese as NPs-Pt foram incorporadas à suportes de alumina e alumina promovida com cério e cério-zircônio os quais foram preparados pelo método sol-gel. Os suportes com as nanopartículas incorporadas foram então submetidos a tratamentos térmicos com o objetivo de levar à formação de catalisadores estáveis e sem a presença do polímero protetor. Através de difração de raios X e imagens de TEM foi possível acompanhar a estabilidade das amostras após o tratamento térmico tendo sido as amostras sintetizadas com maior quantidade de PVP mais estáveis. Medidas de espectroscopia de estrutura fina de absorção de raios X (XAFS) in situ permitiram a caracterização da amostra em atmosfera de reação. Através da análise da região estendida após a borda, EXAFS, foi possível observar mudanças morfológicas nas partículas ocasionadas pelo aumento da temperatura mostrando que há um aumento no número de átomos de baixa coordenação quando as amostras são aquecidas o que favorece a reação de reforma a vapor do metano. Através de estudos da região próxima às bordas L2 e L3 da Pt (XANES) foi possível acompanhar como a densidade eletrônica dos catalisadores variou em condições de reação. Por fim, os catalisadores foram submetidos a ensaios catalíticos. Medidas de dispersão foram obtidas através da reação de desidrogenação do ciclohexano tendo os catalisadores preparados com alumina promovida com Ce e Ce-Zr apresentado uma menor dispersão devido ao recobrimento ocasionado pelo suporte. Devido à sua estabilidade, os catalisadores obtidos a partir das nanopartículas sintetizadas com maior razão PVP/Pt, foram submetidos à reação de reforma a vapor do metano e se mostraram ativos. Essa reação foi utilizada para calcular o valor da energia de ativação aparente. Os catalisadores contendo promotores foram mais ativos, mostrando assim o papel do suporte nessa reação. Portanto, essa abordagem se mostrou bastante interessante para o estudo das propriedades catalíticas em reações sensíveis à estrutura devido à estreita distribuição de tamanhos das nanopartículas e sua estabilidade em condições de reação permitindo o estudo detalhado de suas propriedades estruturais e eletrônicas

This work addresses the growth of ultrathin magnetite (Fe3O4) and cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) films and their thorough structural, electronic, and magnetic characterization. In a first step, ultrathin Fe3O4 films are grown on SrTiO3(001) substrates by reactive molecular beam epitaxy (RMBE) and the substrate-induced anomalous strain behavior of the films is investigated by complementary high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and (grazing incidence) X-ray diffraction [(GI)XRD] measurements. Next, an additional CoO film is deposited on similar Fe3O4/SrTiO3(001) heterostructures to demonstrate an alternative route for the synthesis of cobalt ferrite films through the thermally mediated interdiffusion of both oxide films. The evolution from the initial bilayer stacks to completely reacted cobalt ferrite films is extensively monitored by soft and hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (soft XPS and HAXPES) and (GI)XRD. Complete intermixing and formation of single cobalt ferrite films is confirmed by angular-resolved HAXPES (AR-HAXPES) and X-ray reflectivity (XRR). The study of the cationic distribution resulting from this novel synthesis technique and its effects on the magnetic properties of the cobalt ferrite films is the subject of the subsequent part. Here, X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) and superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometry serve as key investigation techniques, which are further complemented by AR-HAXPES and atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements. In a final step, highly crystalline cobalt ferrite films with different cationic stoichiometries are grown on MgO substrates using RMBE while their growth behavior is captured in real-time using operando XRD. Further structural characterization of the films is carried out by low-energy electron diffraction and XRR, whereas HAXPES and SQUID provide fundamental information on the electronic, chemical, and magnetic properties of the films.

With the emerging interest in nanoscale materials, the fascinating field of surface science is rapidly growing and presenting challenges to the design of both experimental and theoretical studies. The primary aim of this dissertation is to shed some light on the physical and chemical properties of selected nanoscale materials at the interface. Furthermore, we will discuss the effective application of cutting edge theoretical and experimental techniques that are invaluable tools for understanding the systems at hand. To this effect, we use density functional theory (DFT) with the inclusion of van der Waals (vdW) interactions to study the effect of long-range interactions on the adsorption characteristics of various organic molecules (i.e. benzene, olympicene radical, and sexithiophene) on transition metal surfaces. Secondly, the detailed analysis of x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements will be presented. These investigations will be dedicated to the study of (i) the effect of pre-treatment on the coarsening behavior of Pt nanoparticles (NPs) supported on ?-Al2O3 and (ii) deconvoluting the intrinsic (size effects) and extrinsic (ligand effects) physical and electronic properties of Au NPs encapsulated by polystyrene 2-vinylpiridine ligands.

No description available.

<p>This thesis contains two parts. The first part concerns the research work on free molecules using synchrotron-radiation-related techniques. Auger electron spectra of two free open-shell molecules, O₂ and NO, were studied experimentally and theoretically. Photoionization experimental technique with tunable synchrotron radiation source was used to induce core-level electron ionization and obtain the <i>KVV</i> normal Auger electron spectra. A quantitative assignment of O₂ normal Auger spectrum was obtained by applying <i>ab initio</i> CI calculations and LVI Auger line shape simulations including the bond length dependence of Auger transition rates. The photon energy dependence of normal Auger electron spectra was focused on with photon energies in the vicinities of core-ionization threshold energies. Consequently, the MAPCI (Molecular Auger Post Collision Interaction) theory was developed. Taking the near-threshold O₂ normal Auger spectrum as an example, the two extreme cases of MAPCI effect, “atomic-like PCI” and “molecular PCI”, were discovered and discussed. The effect of shape resonance on near-threshold molecular normal Auger spectrum was discussed taking NO near threshold normal Auger spectra as example.</p><p>The second part deals with research work on the chemisorption of small epoxy organic molecules, ethylene oxide, methyl oxirane, on Si (100) surfaces. Synchrotron radiation related techniques, UPS, XPS and NEXAFS, were applied. Based on the valence photoemission spectra, C 1<i>s</i> and Si 2<i>p</i> XPS spectra, the epoxy ring opening reactions of these molecules in chemisorption process were proved. Further tentative search for the surface-adsorbate CDAD effect was performed, and no evident circular dichroism was confirmed.</p>

In this licentiate thesis, organic molecules, namely Cobalt Phthalocyanine (CoPc) and Biphenylene, have been studied by means of synchrotron radiation-based spectroscopic methods (Photoemission Spectroscopy (PES) and X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) in combination with Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations. Paper I is a combined experimental and theoretical investigation of electronic structure of CoPc. addressing the atomic character of the Highest Occupied Molecular Orbital (HOMO) and the electronic configuration of the molecular ground state. Both these aspects are still under discussion since different experimental and theoretical studies have given controversial results. Previous works have indicated the CoPc ground state to either be described by the 2A1g or 2Eg, or by a mix of the two electronic configurations. Regrading the debated the atomic character of the HOMO of CoPc, it has been suggested to be either metal 3d-like and localized on the central Co atom or originating in the organic ligand of the molecule. In this thesis the valence photoemission results for CoPc in gas phase and as adsorbed films on Au(111) together with the DFT simulations, consistently indicate that the HOMO is derived only by the organic ligand, with mainly contribution from the carbon atoms with no metal character. Moreover, the good agreement between the experimental and theoretical results, confirms that the ground state of CoPc is correctly described by the 2A1g configuration. In Paper II, PES and XAS have been used to investigate the occupied and empty density of states of biphenylene films of different thicknesses, deposited onto a Cu(111) crystal. The results have been compared to previous gas phase spectra and single molecule Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations to get insights into the possible modification of the molecular electronic structure in the film induced by the adsorption on a surface. Furthermore, XAS measurements allowed the characterizion of the variation of the molecular arrangement with the film thickness and helped to clarify the substrate-molecule interaction.

The photocatalytic water splitting reaction showed to be a promising process to obtain renewable and clean energy, but the efficiency reached in this process is still low and must be improved to be viable. Considering this, the research on improving the efficiency of photocatalysts has attracted a strong interest in the past last years. Cerium oxide (CeO2−, 0 < x < 0.5) is a material recently investigated as a possible photocatalyst to obtain H2 from H2O. In this work, cerium oxide nanoparticles with high surface area (104 < S < 201 m2/g), high pore volume (32 < V < 132 mm3/g) values, wide range of diameter (2 < d < 90 nm) and O vacancies population (0.05 < x < 0.46) were applied to the H2 production photocatalytic reaction. The nanoparticles presented activity of up to 10 times higher than the commercial cerium oxide standard. UV-Vis, X-ray Diffraction, X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, Ultraviolet Photoelectron Spectroscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared measurements were performed aiming to elucidate these results and to determine the main structural and electronic properties that can improve the H2 production photocatalytic reaction. It was obtained that the band gap energy depends on the nanoparticle synthesized and can be as low as 2.73 eV. The Ce 4f orbital occupation and the structural disorder presented by the nanoparticles is directly related with the band gap energies obtained. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations were performed to obtain the relation between the band structure (DOS) and the O vacancy population in order to explain the dependence of the band gap energy with the Ce 4f orbital occupation. Moreover, the O vacancies population at the surface have a very different effect depending on the presence or absence of mesopores, where a lower O vacancy population at the surface is better (worse) to the photocatalytic activity in the presence (absence) of mesopores. Furthermore O vacancies population at the surface plays a more fundamental role on the photocatalytic activity than the band gap energies for the samples presenting mesopores. The results allowed shedding light on the improvement of the properties of cerium oxide nanoparticles applied to optimize the H2 production photocatalytic activity.

Cette étude a pour but de quantifier le rôle de la phase fluide et vapeur dans le comportement de Zn et de Cd dans les processus hydrothermaux/volcaniques, en combinant mesures expérimentales en laboratoire (solubilité, potentiométrie, coefficients de partage) et spectroscopie d'absorption de rayons X in situ (XAS) avec modélisations physico-chimiques et analyses de gaz volcaniques naturels. Nos résultats mettent en évidence la formation de complexes chlorurés en phase fluide et vapeur de stoechiométrie CdClm(H2O)n2-m ayant des géométries octaédrique ou tétraédrique selon T et mCl. Les paramètres thermodynamiques générés pour ces complexes démontrent qu'ils sont les espèces majeures responsables du transport de Cd par les fluides naturels. Ces complexes chlorurés de Cd sont beaucoup plus stables que leurs analogues de Zn et jouent un rôle clé dans le fractionnement des deux métaux. L'ensemble des données expérimentales, thermodynamiques et analytiques obtenu permet de proposer un nouveau traceur géochimique des processus hydrothermaux basé sur le rapport Cd/Zn

<p>Water is one of the most common compounds on earth and is essential for all biological activities. Water has, however, been a mystery for many years due to the large number of unusual chemical and physical properties, e.g. decreased volume during melting and maximum density at 4 °C. The origin of the anomalies behavior is the nature of the hydrogen bond. This thesis will presented an x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) study to reveal the hydrogen bond structure in liquid water.</p><p>The x-ray absorption process is faster than a femtosecond and thereby reflects the molecular orbital structure in a frozen geometry locally around the probed water molecules. The results indicate that the electronic structure of liquid water is significantly different from that of the solid and gaseous forms. The molecular arrangement in the first coordination shell of liquid water is actually very similar as the two-hydrogen-bonded configurations at the surface of ice. This discovery suggests that most molecules in liquid water have two-hydrogen-bonded configurations with one donor and one acceptor hydrogen bond compared to the four-hydrogen-bonded tetrahedral structure in ice. This result is controversial since the general picture is that the structure of liquid water is very similar to the structure of ice. The results are, however, consistent with x-ray and neutron diffraction data but reveals serious discrepancies with structures based on current molecular dynamics simulations. The two-hydrogen-bond configuration in liquid water is rigid and heating from 25 °C to 90 °C introduce a minor change in the hydrogen-bonded configurations. Furthermore, XAS studies of water in aqueous solutions show that ion hydration does not affect the hydrogen bond configuration of the bulk. Only water molecules in the close vicinity to the ions show changes in the hydrogen bond formation. XAS data obtained with fluorescence yield are sensitive enough to resolved electronic structure of water molecules in the first hydration sphere and to distinguish between different protonated species. Hence, XAS is a useful tool to provide insight into the local electronic structure of a hydrogen-bonded liquid and it is applied for the first time on water revealing unique information of high importance.</p>

Les catalyseurs hétérogènes sont des matériaux complexes dont les structures peuvent être modifiées en cours de fonctionnement. Une meilleure compréhension des relations entre propriétés catalytiques et propriétés structurales est nécessaire pour répondre à de nouveaux enjeux environnementaux et économiques. Seules les caractérisations in situ résolues dans le temps i.e. dans des conditions réelles, permettent d'apporter ces informations. Dans ce travail, nous nous sommes intéressés à la caractérisation operando par spectroscopie d'absorption des rayons X (XAS) résolue dans le temps de deux types de catalyseurs hétérogènes : les catalyseurs Fischer-Tropsch et les catalyseurs d'hydrodésulfuration. Si ces catalyseurs sont connus depuis de nombreuses années, peu de caractérisations sont réalisées in situ ou operando au cours de la réaction.Etant données leurs conditions réactionnelles (haute température et haute pression), la mise en œuvre de ces caractérisations a nécessité tout d'abord la construction des outils nécessaires à la caractérisation in situ de catalyseurs hétérogènes sous haute pression de gaz. Ensuite, nous avons réuni un ensemble cohérent de techniques de caractérisation autour du catalyseur Fischer-Tropsch afin de permettre son étude structurale à différentes échelles : l'ordre local avec le Quick-EXAFS et l'ordre à grande distance avec la diffraction des rayons X. Afin d'observer l'effet de la forme cristalline de la phase active sur les propriétés catalytiques, nous avons pour un même catalyseur, activé selon deux voies d'activation, quantifié son activité au moyen de la spectroscopie Raman et la spectrométrie de masse. D'autre part, la caractérisation simultanée de deux centres métalliques, accessible par le dispositif QEXAFS installé sur la ligne de lumière SAMBA, a permis d'obtenir une description fine des processus d'activation des catalyseurs bimétalliques d'hydrodésulfuration. Notre étude s'est portée, sur la comparaison de catalyseurs de même formulation avec des prétraitements différents (séché/calciné) et de deux catalyseurs promus par des métaux différents : le cobalt et le nickel.