La production de membranes échangeuses de protons (PEM) robustes et présentant une conductivité élevée est essentielle pour le développement à grande échelle de dispositifs de stockage et de conversion de l’énergie tels que les piles à combustible (PEMFC) et les électrolyseurs (PEMWE). Ces travaux de thèse portent sur la préparation et la caractérisation de membranes composites préparées à partir d’acide perfluorosulfonique, à chaine latérale courte (SSC-PFSA), de type Aquivion®, et de fibres de polymères obtenues par filage électrostatique. Cette dernière technique permet de préparer des matériaux fibreux à porosité élevée, caractérisés par la présence de fibres de diamètres sub-micrométriques, et pouvant être utilisés comme renfort mécanique des membranes ionomères. Le polysulfone a été retenu comme constituant des fibres étant donné ses stabilités mécanique et chimique élevées d’une part et pour la possibilité de modifier ses propriétés physico-chimiques par fonctionnalisation, d’autre part. Ces membranes comportant une distribution homogène des nanofibres dans toute leur épaisseur ont été préparées à partir d’un procédé d’imprégnation Des membranes renforcées, Aquivion®-PSU, basées sur un PFSA dont le poids équivalent (EW) varie entre 700 et 870 g.mol-1 et dont la concentration massique de fibres varie entre 5 et 18 %, ont été préparées. Les membranes renforcées sont caractérisées par des faibles gonflements volumique et surfacique et par une rigidité plus élevée en comparaison des membranes non renforcées de même EW. La perméabilité a l’hydrogène a engluement été réduite. Les améliorations en terme de propriétés mécaniques et dimensionnelles n’ont pas amené à une diminution significatif de la conductivité protonique, qui été maintenue aux mêmes valeurs des membranes non renforcée. Les assemblage membrane-électrode (AME) préparés à partir de ces membranes composites ont montré des caractéristiques i/V intéressantes et prometteuses (1.76 V à 2 A/cm²).Des Polysulfones fonctionnalisés avec le 1,2,3 triazole portant des groupements alkyle ou aryle ont été préparés par une voie de synthèse rapide et a haute rendement assistée par micro-ondes. Les nanofibres electrofilées de PSU fonctionnalisé avec le 4-ethyl-1,2,3-triazole (PSUT), avec un degré de fonctionnalisation en espèce triazole de 0.3 et 0.9 par unité répétitive de PSUT ont été intégrées à une matrice Aquivion®. L’objectif de ces travaux est d’améliorer la stabilité mécanique des membranes composites à partir des interactions acido-basiques PFSA-PSUT (réticulation ionique). Les membranes Aquivion®-PSUT sont caractérisées par une rigidité, une dureté et une ductilité plus élevées en comparaison des membranes Aquivion® renforcées par les fibres de PSU non fonctionnalisées. Une diminution du gonflement volumique et surfacique a également été observée sans perte de la conductivité jusqu’à une concentration massique de fibres de 12 %. Les AME préparés à partir de membranes renforcées Aquivion®-PSUT (12%) sont caractérisés par les mêmes propriétés courant/tension, en monocellule de pile à combustible fonctionnant à 80 °C et 100 % d’humidité relative, que ceux préparés à partir d’Aquivion®. / The preparation of highly proton conducting and durable proton exchange membranes (PEM) for low temperature fuel cells (PEMFC) and electrolysers (PEMWE) is crucial for the large scale application of these energy conversion/storage devices. This PhD thesis focuses on the preparation and characterisation of composite membranes based on highly conducting Aquivion® short side chain perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) and polymer fibres obtained by electrospinning. This technique allows the preparation of highly porous mats of fibres with sub-micrometric diameters that can act as an efficient mechanical reinforcement for ionomer membranes. The chosen polymer is the mechanically robust and chemically stable polysulfone (PSU), which can also been functionalised to modify its physico-chemical properties. Reinforced PEM with fibres homogeneously dispersed through the entire membrane cross-section have been realised by a fast and efficient impregnation process.Aquivion®-PSU reinforced membranes based on PFSA with equivalent weight (EW) ranging from 700 to 870 g mol-1 and fibre loading ranging from 5 to 18 wt% have been prepared. They showed reduced volume and area swelling and higher stiffness with respect to non-reinforced membranes with the same EW. The hydrogen crossover was also reduced. The improvement in mechanical and dimensional properties was not detrimental for the in-plane proton conductivity that was kept at the same value of non-reinforced membranes. Membrane-electrode assemblies (MEA) based on these composite PEM show promising i/V characteristics in PEMWE (1.76 V at 2 A cm-2).Polysulfones functionalised with 1,2,3-triazole bearing alkyl and aryl ring substituents have been synthesized by a fast and high-yield chemical route involving the azide-alkyne cycloaddition reaction assisted by microwaves as last step. Electrospun nanofibers of polysulfone functionalised with 4-epthyl-1,2,3-triazole (PSUT) with a degree of functionalisation of 0.3 and 0.9 triazole moiety per PSUT repeat unit have been embedded into the Aquivion® matrix. The aim of this study was to further improve the mechanical properties of the membrane by PFSA-PSUT acid-base interactions (ionic crosslinking). Aquivion®-PSUT membranes showed enhanced mechanical stiffness, toughness and ductility with respect to Aquivion® membranes reinforced with the non-functionalised polymer with the same EW and fibre loading. Reduced volume and area swelling have also been observed with no drop of proton conductivity until a fibre loading of (12 wt%). MEA based on Aquivion®-PSUT reinforced membrane with 12 wt% fibre loading showed identical fuel cell polarisation curve with respect to a MEA based on Aquivion® at 80 °C and 100 % of relative humidity (RH).

Neste trabalho, foram efetuados estudos sobre o comportamento eletroforético dos íons hidrônio (H3O+) e hidroxila (OH-) utilizando eletroforese capilar em zona em meio não-tamponado e detecção condutométrica sem contato. Alterações na composição do eletrólito de corrida devido à eletrólise foram evitadas empregando um sistema de eletrólise separada. A determinação de ácidos com pKas menores ou iguais ao pH do eletrólito de corrida foi possível. A possibilidade da análise em bases fortes também foi demonstrada. Eletrólitos de corrida com pH entre 4,5 e 7,0 (para o H3O+) e entre 7,0 e 9,0 (para o OH-) mostraram-se favoráveis para a análise. Ambas as espécies apresentaram interação com os grupos silanóis do capilar. Dificuldades na análise do íon OH- decorreram também de: reação da sílica com o analito e com o eletrólito de corrida e absorção de CO2 atmosférico. A mobilidade do íon H3O+ medida foi 8% abaixo da obtida por outras técnicas. A curva para determinação de OH- em base forte, com solução de trifluoracetato de lítio 10 mmol L-1 (pH 8,5) como eletrólito de corrida, mostrou boa linearidade na faixa de 0,5 a 7,0 mmol L-1. As curvas de quantificação de H3O+ titulável em amostras de ácidos fortes, fracos e suas misturas, com solução de LiCl (pH 5,5) como eletrólito de corrida, apresentaram ampla faixa de resposta linear, com boa linearidade, ao redor de 0,05 a 10 mmol L-1. / In this work, studies about the electrophoretic behavior of hydronium (H3O+) and hydroxyl (OH-) ions using capillary zone electrophoresis in unbuffered medium and contactless conductity detection were developed. Variations in running electrolyte composition due to electrolysis were avoided using an electrolysis separated system. The analysis of acids with the same or lower pKa than the running electrolyte pH was possible. The possibility of strong bases analysis was demonstrated as well. Good results were achieved using running electrolytes with pH between 4.5 and 7.0, for H3O+ analysis, and between 7.0 and 9.0, for OH- analysis. Both species interacted with the silanol groups of silica capillary. Other problems in the determination of OH- were: reaction of silica with the analyte as well as with the running electrolyte and absorption of atmospheric CO2. The H3O+ mobility calculated was 8% lower than values obtained in the literature. Analytical curve of OH- ion in strong base, using 10 mmol L-1 litium trifluoracetate (pH 8.5) as running electrolyte, resulted in good linearity in a range of 0.5 to 7.0 mmol L-1. Analytical curves of titrable hydronium ion in samples of strong and weak acids, as well in their mixture, using 10 mmol L-1 LiCl (pH 5.5) as running electrolyte, resulted in wide linear range (0.05 mmol L-1 to 10 mmol L-1).

Interferentes endócrinos são substâncias que podem causar danos ao meio ambiente e à saúde humana. Estes compostos são usados na produção de vários produtos de uso diário, porém não são completamente eliminados dos efluentes industriais, contribuindo para a contaminação de diversas matrizes ambientais. Nesse contexto, os processos eletroquímicos se destacam com boas eficácias no tratamento de diversos tipos de efluentes. No entanto, uma melhor compreensão do processo é importante para estabelecer tratamentos de efluentes que possam ser mais amplamente aplicados. Esta tese aborda a degradação do metil parabeno (MeP), em diferentes efluentes sintéticos, via eletrólise com ânodos de misturas de óxidos metálicos comercial (MOM-Cl2) e diamante dopado com boro (DDB). Ainda mais importante, o MeP é utilizado como uma molécula modelo para o compreender os efeitos da irradiação de luz UV e de ultrassom (US) durante a eletrólise. É importante lembrar que a composição da matriz deve afetar a eficiência do processo e, assim, também se utiliza o MeP como modelo para entender os possíveis efeitos interferentes de outros compostos orgânicos na sua oxidação. Finalmente, se estuda um efluente simulado da indústria cosmética para melhor compreender os efeitos da eletrólise e da irradiação de US em uma matriz complexa. Foram observadas grandes diferenças entre as eficiências dos tratamentos com MOM-Cl2 e DDB, principalmente com relação ao mecanismo de degradação do MeP. Nos estudos com MOM-Cl2, muitas vezes o efluente final era mais complexo que o inicial, devido à formação de produto sólido, reações de polimerização e alto efeito de interferência quando dois compostos são tratados simultaneamente. Com o DDB, o processo de mineralização é muito mais favorecido, independentemente da complexidade do efluente. O efeito de interferência ganha significância na presença de altas concentrações de um segundo composto orgânico, mas a completa mineralização ainda foi atingida. A irradiação de UV e US representou melhoras no processo de remoção de matéria orgânica, principalmente com relação aos produtos do MeP. Foi observado que surfactantes podem interferir negativamente na degradação de compostos orgânicos devido a formação de micelas. Diante de alto conteúdo micelar a eficiência do processo diminui, porém 90% de mineralização do efluente foi alcançada. A irradiação de US ajuda significativamente no aspecto físico do efluente tratado, sendo possível obter a transformação de emulsões, com alta turbidez e material particulado, em soluções completamente límpidas e mineralizadas. / Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are responsible for causing adverse effects on the environment and on human health. Those substances are extensively used in several costumer products, such as pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. However, several EDCs are not completely removed from industrial wastewaters by the most common treatments, contributing on the environmental contamination. In this context, electrochemical processes can be highlighted due to its efficacy presented on the treatment of numerous types of wastewater. Nevertheless, better understanding of the process is important in order to design wastewater treatments that can be widely applied. Hence, this thesis focus on the degradation of methyl paraben (MeP), in different synthetic wastewater, by electrolysis with mixed metal oxides commercial (MMO-Cl2) and boron-doped anode (BDD) anodes. More importantly, MeP is used as a model molecule to understand the effects of the irradiation of UV light and of ultrasound (US) during the electrolysis. It is important to consider that matrix composition must affect the process efficiency. Hence, MeP is also used as model to shed a light on the possible interfering effects of other organics on its oxidation. Finally, a simulated wastewater from cosmetic industry is studied in order to better comprehend the effects of electrolysis and of ultrasound on complex matrix. Great differences were observed on the efficiency of treatments using MMO-Cl2 and BDD, mostly regarding the mechanism of MeP oxidation. With MMO-Cl2, the treated wastewater was often more complex than the initial one, due to the formation of solid product, polymerization reaction and great interfering effect when two compounds are simultaneously treated. Conversely, using BDD, the mineralization process is favored, regardless the complexity of the matrix. Interfering effect on MeP oxidation is relevant under the presence of huge concentrations of a second organic compound, though the complete mineralization is attained. Irradiation of UV and of US resulted in better removals of organic matter, mainly with respect to MeP products. It was observed that surfactants may interfere on the degradation of organic compounds due to the formation of micelles. The efficiency of the process decreases under high micelles content, however 90% of mineralization was achieved. Irradiation of ultrasound notably improves the physical aspect of the treated wastewater, assisting on the transformation of emulsions, with great turbidity and amount of particles, in clear non-organic solutions.

No description available.

In this study three different 3-ester substituted thiophene monomers were synthesized via esterification reaction of 3-thiophene ethanol with adipoyl chloride or sebacoyl chloride or octanoyl chloride in the presence of triethylamine at 00C. Characterizations of the monomers were performed by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, FTIR, DSC, TGA techniques. Electrochemical behavior of the monomers both in presence or absence of BFEE were studied by cyclic voltammetry. Results showed the astonishing effect of BFEE on the polymerization, where free standing films of the homopolymers could be synthesized. Copolymers of the monomers with thiophene or 3-methyl thiophene were synthesized at constant potential electrolysis and the resultant polymers were characterized by FTIR, DSC, TGA, SEM and conductivity measurements. Second part of the study was devoted to investigate the one of most interesting property of conducting polymers, the ability to switch reversibly between the two states of different optical properties, &lsquo / electrochromism&rsquo / . In recent years there has been a growing interest in application of conducting polymers in electrochromic devices. Thus, electrochromic properties of the synthesized conducting polymers were investigated by several methods like spectroelectrochemistry, kinetic and colorimetry studies. Spectroelectrochemistry experiments were performed in order to investigate key properties of conjugated polymers such as band gap, maximum absorption wavelength, the intergap states that appear upon doping and evolution of polaron and bipolaron bands. Switching time and optical contrast of the homopolymers and copolymers were evaluated via kinetic studies. Results implied the possible use of these materials in electrochromic devices due to their satisfactory electrochromic properties like short switching time and stability. Generally the homopolymers displayed color changes between yellow, green and blue colors upon variation of applied potentials. Fine tuning of the colors of the polymers were accomplished by techniques like copolymerization and lamination. These studies were supported with experiments like spectroelectrochemistry and FTIR. Results showed the possible control of the color of the electrochromic material in a predictable, controlled and reproducible manner. Yet, it was possible to achieve different tones of yellow, green, orange color in neutral state of these materials. As the last part of the study, dual type electrochromic devices based on polymers of 3-ester substituted thiophenes with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) were constructed, where the former and the later functioned as anodically and cathodically coloring layers respectively. Spectroelectrochemistry, switching ability, stability, open circuit memory and color of the devices were investigated and the results revealed that these devices have satisfactory electrochromic parameters.

A new neutral state green polymer, poly (2,3-bis(4-tert-butylphenyl)-5,8-di(1H-pyrrol-2-yl) quinoxaline) (PTBPPQ) was synthesized and its copolymer with bis(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (BiEDOT) and 4,7-bis(2,3-dihydrothieno[3,4-b][1,4]dioxin-5-yl)-2-dodecyl-2H-benzo [1,2,3] triazole (BEBT) were produced. Finally polymers&rsquo / potential use as an electrochromic material was investigated. Electrochromic properties of the polymers were investigated by several methods including spectroelectrochemistry, kinetic and colorimetry studies. Key properties of conjugated polymers such as band gap, maximum absorption wavelength, the intergap states that appear upon doping and evolution of polaron and bipolaron bands were investigated via spectroelectrochemistry experiments. Switching times and optical contrasts of the homopolymer and the copolymer were evaluated via kinetic studies. Copolymer of TBPPQ with BiEDOT and BEBT were electrochemically synthesized and characterized. Resulting copolymer films have distinct electrochromic properties and revealed multichromism through the entire visible region. Although BiEDOT and BEBT have different oxidation potentials, the resulting copolymers have very similar redox behaviors. In a monomer free solution, both copolymers show four colors from purple, gray, light green to transmissive blue with the variation of the applied potential. Copolymerization with BiEDOT and BEBT not only decreases the band gap, Eg, but also enhances the electrochromic and optical properties. Hence, electrochemical copolymerization is considered to be a powerful tool to improve the electrochromic properties of quinoxaline derivatives. It should be noted that PTBPPQ is one of the few examples of neutral state green polymeric materials with superior switching properties. Hence, PTBPPQ can be used as a green polymeric material for display technologies.

Design of a monomer is a viable route for adjusting the properties of its corresponding polymer. The main goal of this study is to design and synthesize novel soluble polymers having various colors of color palette and amenable for use in electrochromic device applications. In designing the monomers, the factors affecting the properties of the polymers are also considered. For this purpose, each part of the monomers is chosen properly for each desirable properties and the effect of them is investigated separetely. Thus, this study is based on the investigation of the effect of three major parts on the polymer properties: Donor groups, acceptor groups and the length of alkyl chain. For this aim, nine D-A-D type monomers, TSeT, ESeE, PSeP-C10, PSP-C10, PNP-C10, POP-C10, PSeP-C4, PSP-C4 and PSP-C6, and their corresponding polymers, P(TSeT), P(ESeE), P(PSeP-C10), P(PSP-C10), P(PNP-C10), P(POP-C10), P(PSeP-C4), P(PSP-C4) and P(PSP-C6), based on thiophene, 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT), and 3,3-dialkyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-thieno[3,4-b]-[1,4]dioxepine (ProDOT-Cn) as D units and 2,1,3-benzoselenadiazole, 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole, 2-decyl-2H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazole, and 2,1,3-benzooxadiazole as A units were synthesized. The obtained polymers have somewhat low band gap between 1.13 eV and 1.80 eV, they show electrochromic behaviors. Among them P(POP-C10), P(PSP-C10) and P(PSP-C6) have cyan color which is one leg of CMY (Cyan-Magenta-Yellow) color spaces. Since there have been scant studies on cyan colored polymers in the literature, these polymers are so precious. Via copolymerization of PNP-C10 and PSeP-C10, the first electrochemically synthesized neutral state black polymer was obtained.

Materials and device concepts for renewable solar hydrogen production, and size dependent properties of ZnO quantum dots are the two main themes of this thesis. ZnO particles with diameters less than 10 nm, which are small enough for electronic quantum confinement, were synthesized by hydrolysis in alkaline zinc acetate solutions. Properties investigated include: the band gap - particle size relation, phonon quantum confinement, visible and UV-fluorescence as well as photocatalytic performance. In order to determine the absolute energetic position of the band edges and the position of trap levels involved in the visible fluorescence, methods based on combining linear sweep voltammetry and optical measurements were developed. The large band gap of ZnO prevents absorption of visible light, and in order to construct devices capable of utilizing a larger part of the solar spectrum, other materials were also investigated, like hematite , Fe2O3, and CIGS, CuIn1-xGaxSe2. The optical properties of hematite were investigated as a function of film thickness on films deposited by ALD. For films thinner than 20 nm, a blue shift was observed for both the absorption maximum, the indirect band gap as well as for the direct transitions. The probability for the indirect transition decreased substantially for thinner films due to a suppressed photon/phonon coupling. These effects decrease the visible absorption for films thin enough for effective charge transport in photocatalytic applications. CIGS was demonstrated to be a highly interesting material for solar hydrogen production. CIGS based photocathodes demonstrated high photocurrents for the hydrogen evolution half reaction. The electrode stability was problematic, but was solved by introducing a modular approach based on spatial separation of the basic functionalities in the device. To construct devices capable of driving the full reaction, the possibility to use cells interconnected in series as an alternative to tandem devices were investigated. A stable, monolithic device based on three CIGS cells interconnected in series, reaching beyond 10 % STH-efficiency, was finally demonstrated. With experimental support from the CIGS-devices, the entire process of solar hydrogen production was reviewed with respect to the underlying physical processes, with special focus on the similarities and differences between various device concepts.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:27:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T13:56:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Tese (Doutoramento) / IPEN/T / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP

Un procédé innovant de production de fer par électrolyse d’une suspension d’oxydes de fer en milieu alcalin concentré est développé au centre de recherche d’ArcelorMittal de Maizières-lès-Metz. Ce procédé s’il atteignait la maturité industrielle permettrait de réduire significativement les émissions de dioxyde de carbone associées à l’industrie sidérurgique, en remplaçant le carbone utilisé comme agent réducteur dans les hauts-fourneaux par de l’électricité. Bien que ce procédé permette la production de fer à partir d’hématite commerciale (Fe2O3) à une densité de courant de l’ordre de 1000 A.m-2 avec une efficacité faradique supérieure à 80%, une dégradation des performances est systématiquement constatée lors de l’électrolyse de minerais de fer. Les impuretés majoritaires de ces minerais sont les oxydes et hydroxydes d’aluminium et de silicium, des composés solubles dans la soude concentrée. Ces composés pourraient donc être à l’origine de la baisse de réactivité observée lors de l’alimentation du procédé par des minerais de fer. Ainsi afin de tenter d’améliorer les performances de l’électrolyse alcaline à partir de minerais, des traitements de lixiviation alcaline sur un minerai défini ont été effectués dans cette thèse. La réactivité des minerais avant et après traitement a été comparée par chronoampérométrie. Bien que suite à l’élimination de ses composés alumineux, le minerai traité ait vu son rendement faradique réhaussé à environ 80% pour une valeur avant pré-traitement de 65%, sa densité de courant est restée deux fois moins élevée que celle de l’hématite pour une même tension électrique appliquée. Des expériences d’ajout d’ions aluminates et d’ions silicates lors de l’électrolyse d’hématite pure n’ont de plus eu pratiquement aucun effet indésirable sur son électrolyse. Les diverses expériences conduites dans cette thèse laissent supposer que les impuretés traitées n’ont que peu d’influence sur la réactivité des minerais. Le procédé est en revanche très sensible à la granulométrie des particules de minerais. Par ailleurs de forts phénomènes d’agglomération, qui n’ont pas lieu avec les oxydes de fer purs, ont été constatés lors de mesure de granulométrie du minerai étudié. Ainsi les expériences réalisées laissent supposer qu’un autre phénomène, probablement lié à la granulométrie secondaire des minerais en milieu alcalin concentré, soit à l’origine de la baisse de réactivité observée lors de leur électrolyse. Parallèlement une analyse thermodynamique avancée a été menée afin de déterminer les meilleures conditions théoriques de pression, de température et de concentration en NaOH pour effectuer l’électrolyse de l’hématite. La solubilité des composés de la gangue a été représentée avec des équations de Pitzer, et de nouveaux paramètres ont été calculés pour les interactions Na-SiO3-Al(OH)4. Cette étude thermodynamique a permis la conception et le pré-dimensionnement d’une étape de traitement des minerais par lixiviation alcaline / An innovative ironmaking process by alkaline electrolysis of suspended iron oxides is being developed at ArcelorMittal Global R&D Maizières-lès-Metz. Were it to achieve industrial maturity, this process would permit a significant reduction of steelmaking CO2 emissions. Indeed, the use of carbon as a reducing agent in blast furnace would be replaced by electricity. Although this process enables iron production from commercial hematite (Fe2O3) at current density of 1000 A.m-2 with faradaic efficiency higher than 80%, these performances are systematically lower when using iron ore instead. The main impurities in these ores are aluminium and silicon oxides and hydroxides, these compounds are soluble in concentrated sodium hydroxide solutions. These compounds could be the source of the decrease in reactivity observed when feeding the process with iron ores. To raise the electrolysis performance with iron ores, alkaline leaching treatments were conducted on a defined iron ore. Reactivity of iron ores before and after treatment was compared by chronoamperometry. Although the elimination of aluminous compounds resulted in the ore gaining a faradaic yield increase to a value of 80%, compared with 65% before treatment, its current density remained twice as low as the one of hematite for a same applied voltage. Furthermore, complementary experiments of aluminate and silicate ions addition during pure hematite electrolysis did not have any deleterious effect on its electrolysis. Based on all the experiments undertaken in this PhD, it seems unlikely that siliceous and aluminous impurities hold an important effect on iron ore reactivity in alkaline electrolysis. The process is nonetheless very sensitive to iron ores granulometry. On this subject, strong agglomeration phenomena were witnessed when measuring iron ores granulometry but did not occur with pure iron oxides. Therefore, it would seem that other phenomena may be the main cause of reactivity loss, these phenomena may well be linked to secondary granulometry of iron ores in concentrated alkaline media. In parallel, an advanced thermodynamic analysis was carried out to describe the best theoretical conditions for pressure, temperature and NaOH concentration to realize hematite electrolysis. Gangue compounds solubility was represented with Pitzer equations, and new parameters were calculated for Na-SiO3-Al(OH)4 interactions. This thermodynamic study enabled the design and pre-sizing of a treatment step for iron ores by alkaline leaching