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Polymers and polymer-based composite materials with electro-conductive properties, respectively, are materials with several potential applications. New materials are being offered in every area and novel products are constantly being introduced. Among these new materials, composites made of electro-conductive monofilaments and insulating polymers are nowadays being used as antistatic materials in the carpets and textiles industries. One promising approach for the manufacture of this kind of material is to generate the electrically conductive fibres in-situ, that is, during the actual forming process of the component. The main objective of this project was to establish the feasibility of producing electrically conductive polyaniline (PANI) fibres within a suitable polymer matrix by means of the development of a suitable processing strategy, which allows the fabrication of an anisotropically conducting composite. It is remarkable, however, that layered structures of the conducting filler were also formed within the matrix material. The latter morphology, particularly observed in compression moulded specimens of a specific polymer system, was also in good agreement with that inferred by means of a mathematical model. Experimentation was carried out with three different PANI conductive complexes (PANIPOLTM). They were initially characterised, which assisted in the identification of the most suitable material to be deformed into fibres. Preliminary processing was carried out with the selected PANIPOLTM complex, which was blended with polystyrene-polybutadiene-polystyrene (SBS), low density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP), respectively. The resultant blends were formed by ram extrusion, using a capillary die, to induce the deformation of the conducting phase into fibres. The morphological analysis performed on the extrudates suggested that the most suitable polymer matrix was SBS. Further experimentation was carried out with the polymer system selected. The relationships between the content of conductive complex in the composites and their electrical conductivity and microstructure were established. The blends were compression moulded and they displayed a morphology of layered domains of the conducting phase within the SBS matrix. The behaviour of the conductivity with respect to the PANIPOLTM complex in the compression moulded blends was found to be characteristic of a percolating system with a threshold as low as 5 weight percent of the conducting filler in the blends. The morphological analysis performed on the extruded blends suggested that the conducting phase was deformed into elongated domains, aligned parallel to the extrusion direction, which in some cases displayed a considerable degree of continuity and uniformity. The level of electrical conductivity in the extrudates was considerably lower than that of their corresponding non-extruded blends. This was attributed to a lack of continuity in the conducting elongated domains produced in-situ within the SBS matrix. Percolation theory and a generalisation of effective media theories were used to model the behaviour of the conductivity with respect to the content of PANIPOLTM in the compression moulded blends. Both approaches yielded similar values for the critical parameters, which were also in good agreement with the percolation threshold experimentally observed. The results of the modelling suggested that, at the percolation threshold, the morphology of the composite may consists of aggregates of flattened polyaniline particles forming very long layered structures within the SBS matrix, which is in agreement with the results of the morphological analysis.

The electrical conductivity of transparent conducting oxides is well exploited in front surface electrodes for solar cells where high transmission is also important. Fluorine doped tin oxide (SnO2: F) is the most popular choice of front contacts for CdTe solar cells. In this thesis, Cd2SnO4 and Zn2SnO4 thin films are investigated focusing on their electrical and optical properties and used them in solar cells. Processing for these materials is optimized for optimum solar cell performance. Cd2SnO4 thin films are deposited by co-sputtering of CdO and SnO2 targets in Ar ambient at room temperature. Then films are subjected to high temperature annealing in He ambient. The films crystallize in inverse spinel structure. The average transmission of a Cd2SnO4 thin film with a thickness of 2500[angstrom] obtained in this study is 92%. The lowest resistivity obtained in this work for a Cd2SnO4 film with a thickness of 2500[angstrom] is 5.4 X10-4 cm. The effect of stoichiometry on structure, optical and electrical properties of Cd2SnO4 is studied by varying the amount of CdO and SnO2 in the Cd2SnO4 film. Zinc stannate thin films are deposited by co-sputtering of ZnO and SnO2 targets in Ar ambient at both room temperature and elevated temperatures. As deposited and high temperature annealed Zn2SnO4 thin films are highly resistive. The average transmission of a Zn2SnO4 thin film with a thickness of 2000[angstrom] and annealed at 600ʻC in He has been 94%. Zn2SnO4 thin films are incorporated as a buffer layers into CdTe solar cells. SnO2: F is used as a front contact in CdTe solar cells in conjunction with high resistive Zn2SnO4 buffer layer.The best SnO2:F /zinc stannate cell device performance for room temperature deposited zinc stannate film resulted for the device with Zn/Sn =2.1. It has an efficiency of 12.43% with VOC = 810mV, FF = 66.6% and JSC = 23.1 mA.

Lors de ce travail de thèse nous nous sommes intéressés à deux thèmes principaux dans le but de fabriquer des matériaux conducteurs chiraux : la synthèse de TTF-hélicènes présentant une chiralité hélicoïdale moléculaire, ainsi que l’obtention de molécules de symétrie 3 à base de TTF ayant la capacité à former des auto-assemblages supramoléculaires hélicoïdaux. Dans la partie TTF-hélicène, plusieurs tailles d’hélicènes ont été envisagées avec pour objectif d’obtenir des énantiomères stables et séparables. Ils ont été caractérisés par diffraction de rayons X, de même que les sels obtenus par électrocristallisation. De plus, une étude théorique de la réaction de photocyclisation des stilbènes en hélicènes a été menée pour comprendre sa régiosélectivité. Les molécules de symétrie 3 sont composées d’un coeur BTA-DABP sur lequel sont fixés des TTF avec leurs substituants chiraux. L’assemblage colonnaire des molécules est étudié par CD et les fibres formées sont observées par microscopie ce qui permet de déterminer leur hélicité. On varie le cœur ainsi que les groupements fixés dessus. / In this work, we have been interested in two different topics to make chiral conducting materials: the synthesis of TTF-helicenes, with molecular helical chirality, as well as the formation of three-fold symmetry molecules based on TTF units able to self-assemble into supramolecular helical aggregates. For the TTF-helicenes, several lengths of helicenes are considered in order to form stable and separable enantiomers. They are characterized by X-ray diffraction just as the salts that are obtained by electrocrystallization. Moreover, a theoretical study of the photocyclisation reaction of stilbenes into helicenes was performed to understand its regioselectivity. The three-fold symmetry molecules are composed of a BTA-DABP core on which TTF with chiral substituents are fixed. The assembly into columnar aggregates is followed by CD and the fibers formed are observed by microscopy in order to determine their helicity. Variation of the core and the substituents are made.

Proton exchange membrane fuels cells (PEMFCs) are one of the primary alternatives to internal combustion engines. The key component is the proton exchange membrane, or PEM, which should meet a number of requirements, including good proton conductivity under partially humidified conditions. A number of alternative PEMs have been synthesized by copolymerizing various aromatic comonomers, but the smaller ion channels prohibit rapid proton transport under partially hydrated conditions. One solution has been to synthesize multiblock copolymers from hydrophilic and hydrophobic oligomers to ensure sufficient ion channel size. Four multiblock systems were synthesized from hydrophobic and hydrophilic oligomers and were characterized in this thesis. The first multiblock system incorporated a partially fluorinated monomer into the hydrophobic block, to improve phase separation and performance under partially humidified conditions. The second study was focused on phase separation and structure-property relationships as a function of casting conditions of a biphenol-based multiblock series. The third study featured a novel hydroquinone-based hydrophilic oligomer in the multiblock copolymer, which showed the promise of a higher ionic density, degree of phase separation and proton conductivity values. The fourth study in this thesis entailed the comparison of a block copolymer produced with two distinct synthetic routes: the multiblock synthesis from separate oligomers as previously published in the literature, and a segmented route seeking to achieve comparable structure-property relationships with the same monomers, but using a simpler synthetic route. The two block copolymer series were found to be comparable in their structure-property relationships. / Master of Science

Les matériaux conjugués ont fait l’objet de beaucoup de recherches durant les dernières années. Les nouveaux matériaux présentent des propriétés intéressantes que ce soit au niveau optique, électrique, mécanique ou même les trois en même temps. La synthèse reste la difficulté principale dans la fabrication de dispositifs électroniques. Les méthodes utilisées pour y parvenir sont l’électropolymérisation, le couplage de Suzuki ou de Wittig. Ces techniques comportent encore de nombreuses contraintes et s’avèrent difficilement réalisables à grande échelle. Les thiophènes, les pyrroles et les furanes ont démontré une bonne conductibilité et une bande de conduction basse due à une conjugaison accrue. L’objectif ici est de synthétiser des oligomères principalement composés de thiophènes dans le but d’en caractériser les propriétés spectroscopiques, électrochimiques et de conduction. La synthèse est souvent l’étape délicate de la fabrication de matériaux conjugués. Nous présentons ici une méthode de synthèse simple par modules avec des unités hétérocycliques. Les modules complémentaires sont attachés par condensation entre un aldéhyde et une amine menant à la formation d’un lien robuste, l’azomethine. Les résultats des propriétés photophysiques et électrochimiques de ces matériaux conjugués seront présentés. En ayant recours à différents groupes électrodonneurs et électroaccepteurs, en variant le degré de conjugaison ou en utilisant différents hétérocycles, les propriétés spectroscopiques, électrochimiques et de bande de conduction peuvent être adaptées à volonté, ce qui en fait des matériaux aux propriétés modelables. Ces nouvelles molécules seront analysées pour en déceler les propriétés recherchées dans la fabrication d’OLED. Nous explorerons les domaines de l’oxidation electrochimique réversible et de la polymérisation menant à la fabrication de quelques prototypes simples. / Conjugated materials have received much attention recently as they show promise for industrial applications. These materials are interesting because of the many new possibilities for devices combining unique optical, electrical and mechanical properties. The synthesis is the major difficulty in the fabrication of electronic devices. Usual methods to do so are electropolymerisation, Suzuki or Wittig coupling. Those techniques are full of constraints and are difficult to scale-up. Thiophenes, pyrroles and furans demonstrated good conductibility and low band-gap due to increased conjugation. Our main goal is to synthesize oligomers made principally of thiophene to characterize their spectroscopic, electrochemical and conduction properties. Synthesis is the most important step in the making of conjugated material. A synthetically simple and modular route to novel conjugated material consisting of heterocyclic units is presented. These complementary modules are linked by condensing aldehydes and amines leading to robust azomethine bonds. The resulting photophysical and electrochemical properties of these conjugated materials will be presented. Through the use of different electron donor and acceptor groups, degree of conjugation or by using different heterocycles, the spectroscopic, electrochemical and band-gap properties can be tailored leading to materials with tunable properties. Those new molecules will be analysed to detect properties suitable for OLED fabrication. This presentation will also address the electrochemical reversible oxidation and polymerization of these compounds leading to the making of simple devices.

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The work in this thesis mainly focuses on the preparation and characterization of several phosphates and solid oxide systems with the aim of developing new proton conducting materials for intermediate temperature fuel cells (ITFCs). Soft chemical methods such as sol-gel methods and conventional solid state methods were applied for the synthesis of these materials. Aluminum phosphate obtained by a solution method is single phase and belongs to one of the Al(H₂PO₄)₃ allotropies with hexagonal symmetry. The material is stable up to 200°C and decomposes into Al(PO₃)₃ at a higher temperature. The electrical conductivity of pure Al(H₂PO₄)₃ is on the order of 10⁻⁶-10⁻⁷ S/cm, very close to the value for the known proton conductors AlH₃(PO₄)₂•3H₂O and AlH₂P₃O₁₀•2H₂O. Much higher conductivity is observed for samples containing even a trace amount of excess H₃PO₄. It is likely that the conduction path gradually changes from grain interior to the surface as the acid content increases. The conductivity of Al(H₂PO₄)₃-0.5H₃PO₄ exhibited a good stability over the measured 110 hours. Although tin pyrophosphate (SnP₂O₇) has been reported to show a significantly high conductivity (~10⁻² S/cm) at 250°C in various atmospheres, we observed large discrepancies in the electrical properties of SnP₂O₇ prepared by different methods. Using an excess amount of phosphorous in the synthetic procedure generally produces SnP₂O₇ with much higher conductivity (several orders of magnitude higher) than samples with stoichiometric Sn:P ratios in their synthetic procedure. Solid state ³¹P NMR confirmed the presence of residual phosphoric acid for samples with excess starting phosphorous. Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) confirmed an amorphous layer covered the SnP₂O₇ granules which was probably phosphoric acid or condensed phases. Thereby, it is quite likely that the high conductivity of SnP₂O₇ results mainly from the contribution of the residual acid. The conductivity of these samples exhibited a good stability over the measured 80 hours. Based on the observations for SnP₂O₇, we developed a nano core-shell structure based on BPO₄ and P₂O₅ synthesised by solid state methods. The particle size of BPO₄ using this method varied between 10-20 nm depending on the content of P₂O₅. TEM confirmed the existence of an amorphous layer that is homogeneously distributed. The composite exhibits the highest conductivity of 8.8×10⁻² S/cm at 300°C in air for 20% extra P₂O₅ and demonstrates a good stability during the whole measured 110 hours. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) was introduced into the composites in order to increase malleability for fabrication. The conductivity and mechanical strength were optimized by adjusting the PTFE and P₂O₅ content. These organic-inorganic composites demonstrate much better stability at elevated temperature (250°C) over conventional SiC-H₃PO₄-PTFE composites which are common electrolytes for phosphoric acid fuel cells (PAFCs). Fuel cells based on BPO₄-H₃PO₄-PTFE composite as the electrolyte were investigated using pure H₂ and methanol as fuels. A maximum power density of 320 mW/cm² at a voltage of 0.31 V and a maximum current density of 1.9 A/cm² at 200°C were observed for H₂/O₂ fuel cells. A maximum power density of 40 mW/cm² and maximum current of 300 mA/cm² 275°C were observed when 3M methanol was used in the cell. Phosphoric acid was also introduced into materials with internal open structures such as phosphotungstic acid (H₃PW₁₂O₄₀) and heteropolyacid salt ((NH₄)₃PW₁₂O₄₀), for the purpose of acquiring additional connections. The hybrids obtained have a cubic symmetry with enlarged unit cell volume, probably due to the incorporation of phosphoric acid into the internal structures. Solid state ³¹P NMR performed on H₃PW₁₂O₄₀-xH₃PO₄ (x = 0-3) showed additional peaks at high acid content which could not assigned to phosphorus from the starting materials, suggesting a strong interaction between H₃PW₁₂O₄₀ and H₃PO₄. The conductivity of hybrids was improved significantly compared with samples without phosphoric acid. Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR) suggest the existence of large amount of hydrogen bonds (OH••••O) that may responsible for the high conductivity. A H₂/O₂ fuel cell based on H₃PW₁₂O₄₀-H₃PO₄-PTFE exhibited a peak power density of 2.7 mW/cm² at 0.3 V in ambient temperature. Solid oxide proton conductors based on yttrium doped BaZrO₃ were investigated by introducing potassium or lanthanum at the A-sites. The materials were prepared by different methods and were obtained as a single phase with space group Pm-3m (221). The unit cell of these samples is slightly smaller than the undoped one. The upper limit of solid solution formation on the A-sites for potassium is between 5 ~ 10% as introducing more K results in the occurrence of a second phase or impurities such as YSZ (yttrium stabilized zirconium). K doped Barium zirconates showed an improved water uptake capability even with 5% K doping, whereas for La doped ones, water uptake is strongly dependent on particle size and synthetic history. The conductivity of K doped BaZrO₃ was improved by a factor of two (2×10⁻³ S/cm) at 600°C compared with undoped material. Fuel cells based on Pt/Ba₀₋₉₅K₀₋₀₅Zr₀₋₈₅Y₀₋₁₁Zn₀₋₀₄O[subscript(3-δ)]/Pt under humidified 5% H₂/air conditions gave a maximum power density 7.7 mWcm⁻² at 718°C and an interfacial resistance 4 Ωcm⁻². While for La doped samples, the conductivity was comparable with undoped ones; the benefits of introducing lanthanum at A-sites may not be so obvious as deficiency of barium is one factor that leads to the diminishing conductivity.