Esta Tese trata da investigação do efeito da nanoestruturação sobre algumas propriedades espectroscópicas de óxido de ferro(III), um dos mais importantes pigmentos vermelhos usados em bens culturais, o que foi conduzido por meio do estudo da cor de pigmentos de hematita (α-Fe2O3). A formação de eflorescências em duas pinturas (têmpera sobre tela e mural) foi também investigada visando compreender o papel da composição química e de fatores ambientais no desencadeamento de processos de degradação. Pigmentos naturais e sintéticos (cores de vermelho à púrpura) com morfologia definida foram caracterizados por espectroscopia de reflectância difusa (RD) no UVVIS-NIR, espectroscopia Raman (radiações excitantes em 532 nm, 632,8 nm, 785 nm e 1064 nm) e SEM-EDS. Alterações nas propriedades ópticas de hematitas com morfologias diferentes e após tratamento térmico foram correlacionadas com as alterações observadas nos espectros de RD no UV-VIS-NIR (principalmente abaixo de 500 nm e acima de 800 nm) e nos espectros Raman. Os resultados obtidos permitiram excluir o tamanho de partícula como fator determinante da cor de pigmentos de hematita, um argumento bastante usado na literatura ainda atualmente. Com o objetivo de avaliar o desempenho de equipamentos Raman miniaturizados, frequentemente empregados em investigações de bens culturais, espectros Raman de Fe2O3 amorfo obtidos em equipamento Raman portátil foram comparados com resultados obtidos em equipamentos de bancada. A necessidade do uso de maior potência de laser para compensar o pior desempenho desses equipamentos foi considerada como um fator importante para as alterações observadas nos espectros registrados. Esse fato é mais grave quando se emprega radiação de maior energia (532 nm), que pode afetar o espectro mesmo com potências mais baixas. A pintura Barco com bandeirinhas e pássaros (têmpera, 1955) de Alfredo Volpi, pertencente ao Museu de Arte Contemporânea da Universidade de São Paulo (MAC-USP), que apresentava sinais de eflorescências em sua superfície, foi analisada dentro do período de 3 anos em diferentes campanhas de amostragem. Os materiais coletados foram analisados por microscopia Raman, SEM-EDS e microscopia óptica. Os resultados indicaram que o material eflorescente apresentava natureza proteica, provavelmente proveniente da camada pictórica (têmpera), da camada de preparação (gelatina) ou de proteínas associadas a microorganismos (biodeterioração). Foi ainda considerada a hipótese da migração de aglutinante proteico da base de preparação da pintura para sua superfície como um fator inicial que poderia ter levado ao posterior surgimento de microorganismos na superfície da obra. As eflorescências salinas presentes na pintura mural da Sala do Trono do Palácio Nacional de Mafra, Portugal (séc. XVIII XIX) foram analisadas por microscopia Raman, µ-FTIR, µ-XRD, microscopia óptica, análise microbiológica, e identificadas como CaCO3, provavelmente formados devido à alta umidade verificada na região degradada da pintura. Fungos do gênero Cladosporium e Penicillium, usualmente associados à presença de fissuras e destacamentos, foram identificados nesta mesma região da pintura.Os resultados obtidos a partir dos estudos de casos das pinturas demonstraram a importância da parceria entre museus e órgãos públicos com laboratórios de pesquisa para a implementação de tecnologia dedicada ao monitoramento ambiental e detecção de processos de degradação em estágios iniciais. / This thesis presents the investigation of nanostructuration effects on some spectroscopic properties of iron oxides, one of the most important red pigments found in cultural heritage objects, which was conducted by studying the color of hematite pigments (α-Fe2O3). Two different paintings (tempera on canvas and mural painting) showing signs of efflorescence were investigated aiming to contribute to the understanding of the role played by microenvironment chemical composition and environment factors in triggering degradation processes. Natural and synthetic pigments (red to purple colors) with a defined morphology, were characterized by UV-VIS-NIR diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy (532 nm, 632.8 nm, 785 nm and 1064 nm) and SEM-EDS. Changes in the optical properties of hematite with different morphologies and after heat treatment were correlated with the changes observed in the diffuse reflectance spectra (observed below 500 nm and above 800 nm) and in the Raman spectra. This allowed the particle size to be excluded as the main factor to affect the color of hematite pigments. In order to evaluate the performance of miniaturized Raman equipment, frequently used in cultural property investigations, amorphous Fe2O3 Raman spectra obtained with portable Raman equipment were compared with results from benchtop equipment. The need to use higher laser power to compensate for the poorer performance of these devices was considered as an important factor for the changes observed in the recorded spectra. This fact is more significant when using higher energy radiation (532 nm), which can affect the spectrum even at lower powers. The painting \"Barco com banderinhas e pássaros\" (tempera, 1955) by Alfredo Volpi, belonging to the Museum of Contemporary Art of the University of São Paulo (MACUSP), which showed signs of efflorescence on its surface, was analyzed during 3 years in different campaigns to sampling efflorescent material. The collected materials were analyzed using Raman microscopy, SEM-EDS and optical microscopy. The results indicated that the efflorescent material had a protein nature, probably from the pictorial layer (tempering), the preparation layer (gelatin) or proteins associated with microorganisms (biodeterioration). Nevertheless the results suggest that protein binder migration from the paint preparation layer to the surface may have occurred, which could possibly have led to the subsequent proliferation of microorganisms. The saline efflorescence presented in the mural painting of the Throne Room of the National Palace of Mafra, Portugal (18th-19th century) was analyzed using Raman microscopy, µ-FTIR, µ-XRD, UV-VIS optical microscopy and microbiological analysis. Saline efflorescence was identified as calcium carbonate, which was probably formed due to the moisture in the microenvironment of the degraded region. Fungi of the genus Cladosporium and Penicillium, usually associated to the presence of fissures and detachments, were identified in the same region of the painting. The results obtained from the case studies of the paintings demonstrated the importance of collaborations between museums and public agencies with research laboratories for the implementation of technology dedicated to environmental monitoring and detection of early stages of degradation processes.

Neste estudo amostras coletadas de pinturas rupestres foram analisadas para identificação do material utilizado; análises da sua interação e de processos eventuais de degradação, além de atribuições quanto à sua origem, foram também feitas através da espectroscopia Raman. Pigmentos encontrados em pinturas rupestres em Minas Gerais foram identificados, junto a produtos de degradação microbiológica. A partir dos resultados, foi feita uma caracterização da transformação de desidratação do pigmento amarelo de goetita (α-FeOOH) a hematita (α-Fe2O3) por espectroscopia Raman na tentativa de contextualizá-la no problema da origem da hematita encontrada nas representações. Foram identificados os pigmentos calcita (CaCO3) para o branco, carvão vegetal para o preto, goetita (α-FeOOH) para o amarelo e hematita (α-Fe2O3) para o vermelho, que constituem basicamente a paleta de cores desse período. Produtos de degradação microbiológica foram identificados por espectroscopia Raman e no infravermelho por ATR como sendo whewellita (CaC2O4.H2O) e weddelita(CaC2O4.2H2O). A transformação topotática de goetita a hematita por aquecimento foi acompanhada por espectroscopia Raman in situ e ex-situ e infravermelho, na tentativa de caracterizar o processo quanto às fases formadas, possíveis marcadores, de maneira a complementar resultados da literatura que utilizaram outras técnicas, como difração de raio-X (XRD) e microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (TEM). Esse estudo foi realizado na tentativa de determinar a existência de possível manipulação térmica desses materiais como sugerido em trabalhos anteriores. Em particular, nos espectros Raman, o comportamento diferenciado da banda em torno de 660 cm-1 e a maior largura das bandas de uma maneira geral, presentes na chamada hematita desordenada, perfil que as amostras naturais coletadas apresentam, são marcadores do efeito de temperatura, uma vez que parecem estar ligados mais estreitamente ao deslocamento catiônico dos íons Fe do que ao rearranjo da gaiola octaédrica de oxigênios ao redor destes, durante a transição a partir de goetita. Esse comportamento dos espectros Raman é confirmado pelos padrões dos difratogramas de raio-X. Concluiu-se que esse desordenamento, entretanto, não é causado somente pela temperatura e, dessa forma, não pode ser usado para atestar inequivocamente como sendo resultado de processamento dos materiais (goetita). / This dissertation reports the investigation carried out on samples collected from rupestrian paintings, aiming at the identification of materials used, their interaction and degradation. The technique of choice was Raman microscopy as it is a non-destructive tool, which provides the spatial resolution necessary for the study of heterogeneous samples. Pigments were identified together with products of microbiological degradation. Thermal convertion of goethite (yellow) to hematite (red) was followed by Raman spectroscopy in a tentative to address the issue of the provenance of red pigments (natural hematite or heated goethite) found in the paintings. White pigments were identified as calcite (CaCO3), whereas charcoal was used as black, goethite (α-FeOOH) as yellow and hematite (α-Fe2O3) as red. These pigments are usually found in rock art palletes. Degradation products from microbiological activity were identified by Raman microscopy and ATR infrared spectroscopy as being whewellite (CaC2O4.H2O) and weddelite (CaC2O4.2H2O). The topotatic transition from goethite to hematite was followed by in situ and ex-situ Raman and infrared spectroscopy, regarding the characterization of the phases formed, possible markers, aiming to complement the previous results reported in the literature using other techniques such as X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and transmission eletron microscopy (TEM). The main goal of the study of temperature effect on the Raman spectrum of goethite was to determine whether hematite was used as found in nature or was obtained by goethite heating as suggested in previous investigations. Particularly, the behavior of the 660 cm-1 band and a larger linewidth for bands in the spectrum, present in the disordered hematite and in the red pigments analysed, are markers of the thermal processing. These features seem to be related to the movement of iron ions and to the rearrangment of the octahedrical cage formed by oxygen atoms around them. Such conclusions are in agreement with X-ray data. Unfortunately, temperature is not the only factor to cause such structural disorder and, hence, it cannot be used as an unequivocal marker of thermal processing.

Bentonite is the most preferred silicate-based binder in iron ore pelletizing. However, it is considered as an impurity due to its high SiO2 and Al2O3 content. The iron-making economy is adversely affected by the addition of bentonite or other silicate-based binders. In recent years, impurity-free alternative binders have been tested in order to replace bentonite or to lower the bentonite dosage. Organic binders yield good quality green and dry pellets. However, they fail to impart enough mechanical strength to the preheated and fired pellets as a result of insufficient slag bonding. Thus, they have not found widespread application in the industry. The addition of boron compounds into pellet mix is proposed as a potential solution to overcome the insufficient compressive strengths of preheated and fired pellets produced with organic binders. During the experiments, some organic binders and boron compounds were tested as alternative binders to bentonite either alone or in combination, for both magnetite and hematite pellets. The performances of the tested binders on pellet qualities: balling, wet pellet moisture content, drop number, pellet compressive strengths (wet - dry - preheated - fired), dustiness, porosity, mineralogy, morphology, chemical contents, reducibility and swelling index have been compared with the performances of reference bentonite binder. The results of the tests showed that, the quality of pellets are insufficient when organic binders or calcined colemanite used as binder alone. The former failed to provide sufficient preheated and fired pellet strengths, the latter failed in terms of wet and dry pellet quality. However, good quality wet, dry, preheated and fired pellets could be produced with combination of these two binders. Calcined colemanite addition into pellets made with organic binders was tested in different dosages (0.25-1.00%). Results showed that with increasing dosage of calcined colemanite both strengths of preheated and fired pellets increased linearly. It was found that as low as 0.50% calcined colemanite addition equally-performed on magnetite fired magnetite pellets at 1300oC when compared with the performance of the reference bentonite binder. However, its performance was better on hematite pellets in order to improve the pellet compressive strengths. In addition, stronger pellets could be produced at lower firing temperatures like 1100oC with the addition of calcined colemanite. The reason of the improved preheated and fired compressive strengths of pellets bonded with calcined colemanite was due to the physical melting of calcined colemanite at the contact point of iron oxide grains during thermal treatment. It was found that bentonite bonded pellets fired at 1300oC were more reducible than those of produced with calcined colemanite addition. Swelling indices of these pellets were determined in the industrially acceptable limits. The chemical and mineralogical analyses results showed that the combined binders did not contaminate the pellet composition since the organic binders burnt-out without residue and colemanite does not contain much impurity.

Les réactions d'oxydoréduction de l'antimoine (V) et (III) avec la mackinawite (FeS) et du plutonium (III) et (V) avec plusieurs minéraux à fer(II) et des oxydes de fer(III) ont été étudiées dans des conditions d'anoxie. La spectroscopie d'absorption des rayons X fut utilisée pour l'analyse de l'état d'oxydation et de la structure locale du Sb et Pu associés à la phase solide. Après réaction avec la mackinawite, la chukanovite et la magnétite, PuO2, Pu(III) ou des mixtures des deux états d'oxydation ont été observé. A la surface de la magnétite un complexe tridenté du Pu(III) a pu être mis en évidence à l'aide des spectres EXAFS couplé à une simulation de Monte-Carlo utilisant le code de calcul Feff. La quantité relative de Pu(III) est fonction de l'espèce minérale, du ratio solide/liquide, des valeurs pe et pH du système et, potentiellement, de la taille de particule et de la cristallinité de la phase solide de PuO2 en présence de laquelle le Pu(III) existe. Avec la mackinawite à pH 6,2 et à une occupation de surface de 67 nmol/m2 et avec la magnétite jusqu'à pH 8.4 et 56 nmol/m2 de Pu, uniquement du Pu(III) fut trouvé associé à la phase solide. Avec la maghémite contenant du fer(II) résiduel à pH6 Pu(III) et Pu(IV) était, probablement, présents dans des complexes de surfaces similaire à celui formé par le Pu(III) sur la magnétite. Dans les conditions expérimentales (couverture de surface ≤ 77 nmol/m2), aucune formation de PuO2 ne fut observé. Après réaction avec l'hématite et la goethite Pu(IV) était l'état d'oxydation prédominant associé à la phase solide. La sorption et la réduction du Sb(V) avec la mackinawite était fortement fonction du pH. A pH acide la sorption était rapide et Sb(V) fut complètement réduit en Sb(III), formant un complexe Sb(III)-S3 probablement associé à la surface de la mackinawite. La réduction du Sb(V) était couplée à l'oxydation de la mackinawite et la greigite (Fe3S4) fut détectée par XRD. A pH basique, la sorption du Sb(V) est lente et la réduction vers le Sb(III) n'était complète qu'à des ratios de Sb/FeS très bas. Pour des valeurs plus élevé de Sb/FeS la sorption de Sb se faisait en partie par la réduction envers le complexe de Sb(III)-S3 et en partie par une co-précipitation avec le Fe(III). Il a pu être démontré que les minéraux à fer(II) peuvent effectivement contribuer à la réduction et à l'immobilisation de l'antimoine et du plutonium qui sont des contaminants environnementaux d'importance croissante. / Redox reactions of Sb(V) and Sb(III) with mackinawite (FeS) and of aqueous Pu(III) and Pu(V) with various Fe(II)-bearing minerals and Fe(III)-oxides have been investigated under anoxic conditions. X-ray absorption spectroscopy was used to analyze oxidation state and local coordination environment of Sb and Pu associated with the solid phase. After reaction with mackinawite, chukanovite and magnetite, PuO2, Pu(III) or mixtures of the two oxidation states were observed. On magnetite, a tridentate Pu(III) surface complex could be identified from EXAFS combined with Feff-Monte-Carlo simulation. The relative amount of Pu(III) depends on the type of mineral, the solid/solution ratio, the system pe and pH, and, potentially, the particle size and crystallinity of the formed PuO2 solid phase. With mackinawite at pH 6.2 and a surface loading of 67 nmol/m2 and with magnetite up to pH 8.4 and a surface loading of 56 nmol/m2, only Pu(III) was identified associated with the solid phase. With maghemite containing residual Fe(II) at pH6, Pu(III) and Pu(IV) were present in, probably, inner-sphere surface complexes similar to the one formed by Pu(III) on magnetite. Under the given conditions (surface loadings ≤ 77 nmol/m2) formation of PuO2 was not observed. After reaction with hematite and goethite, Pu(IV) was the predominant oxidation state associated with the solid phase. Sorption and reduction of Sb(V) on mackinawite were strongly pH dependent. At acidic pH, sorption was fast and Sb(V) was completely reduced to an Sb(III)-sulfide complex associated with the solid phase. Reduction of Sb(V) was coupled to oxidation of mackinawite and formation of a greigite (Fe3S4) phase could be observed by XRD. At basic pH, Sb(V) was slowly removed from solution and reduction to Sb(III) was complete only at very small Sb/FeS ratios. At higher Sb/FeS, Sb(V) removal occurred partly through reduction to solid phase associated Sb(III)-S3 and partly through co-precipitation with Fe(III). In conclusion, it could be shown that Fe(II) bearing minerals can effectively contribute to the reduction and immobilization of antimony and plutonium, two contaminants of growing environmental importance.

In this work we have studied the influence of chelating agents on the growth of Ñ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles obtained by coprecipitation method. The nanoparticles were characterized by structural and magnetization techniques. The nanoparticles were obtained from precursors prepared with different concentrations of chelating agents: sucrose and glycerin. To obtain nanoparticles, the precursors were submitted at temperatures between 200 and 400 -XC. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), small angles X-ray scattering (SAXS) and magnetization measurements. The XRD results allied to the Rietveld refinement confirm the formation of Ñ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles with average sizes from 4 to 70 nm. The TEM and XRD results indicate a preferential growth pronounced for the crystallographic plane (110) for the samples prepared with addition of 10 mmol/l of sucrose and glycerin. Furthermore, a more careful analysis performed on the data of XRD, SEM, TEM, SAXS and magnetization curves on the mode Zero-Field-Cooling and Field-Cooling (ZFC-FC) clearly show the dependence of the size, size distribution and shape nanoparticles as a function of the concentration of chelating agent. Preliminary results of TEM show that it was possible to grow iron oxide nanoparticles coated with carbon structures similar to the structures of onion-type fullerenes to depend on the synthesis conditions (type and concentration of chelating agent, and synthesis temperature). / Neste trabalho nos estudamos a influencia de agentes quelantes sobre o processo de crescimento de nanoparticulas de Ñ-Fe2O3 obtidas pelo metodo de co-precipitacao. Para tais estudos foram aplicadas tecnicas de caracterizacao estruturais e de magnetizacao. As nanoparticulas foram obtidas a partir de precursores preparados com diferentes concentracoes dos agentes quelantes: sacarose e glicerina. Para obtencao das nanoparticulas, estes precursores foram aquecidos em temperaturas entre 200 e 400-XC. As amostras foram caracterizadas atraves de difracao de raios X (DRX), microscopia eletronica de varredura (MEV), microscopia eletronica de transmissao (MET), espalhamento de raios X a baixos angulos (SAXS) e medidas de magnetizacao. Resultados de DRX aliados ao refinamento Rietveld confirmam a formacao das nanoparticulas de Ñ-Fe2O3 com tamanhos medios de 4 a 70nm. Esses resultados mostram tambem um aumento nos tamanhos das particulas com o aumento da temperatura de sintese e reducao na concentracao do agente quelante. Resultados de DRX e MET indicam um crescimento preferencial acentuado para o plano cristalografico (110) para as amostras de preparadas com a adicao de 10 mmol/l de sacarose e glicerina. Alem disso, uma analise mais cuidadosa realizada em DRX, MEV, MET, SAXS e dados de magnetizacao de curvas no modo Zero-Field-Cooling e Field-Cooling (ZFC-FC) mostram claramente a dependencia do tamanho, distribuicao do tamanho e a forma das nanoparticulas em funcao da concentracao do agente quelante. Resultados preliminares de MET mostram que foi possivel crescer nanoparticulas de oxido de ferro recobertas com estruturas de carbonos similares a estruturas de fulerenos do tipo casca de cebola, a depender das condicoes de sintese (tipo e concentracao de agente quelante, e a temperatura de sintese).

Neste estudo amostras coletadas de pinturas rupestres foram analisadas para identificação do material utilizado; análises da sua interação e de processos eventuais de degradação, além de atribuições quanto à sua origem, foram também feitas através da espectroscopia Raman. Pigmentos encontrados em pinturas rupestres em Minas Gerais foram identificados, junto a produtos de degradação microbiológica. A partir dos resultados, foi feita uma caracterização da transformação de desidratação do pigmento amarelo de goetita (α-FeOOH) a hematita (α-Fe2O3) por espectroscopia Raman na tentativa de contextualizá-la no problema da origem da hematita encontrada nas representações. Foram identificados os pigmentos calcita (CaCO3) para o branco, carvão vegetal para o preto, goetita (α-FeOOH) para o amarelo e hematita (α-Fe2O3) para o vermelho, que constituem basicamente a paleta de cores desse período. Produtos de degradação microbiológica foram identificados por espectroscopia Raman e no infravermelho por ATR como sendo whewellita (CaC2O4.H2O) e weddelita(CaC2O4.2H2O). A transformação topotática de goetita a hematita por aquecimento foi acompanhada por espectroscopia Raman in situ e ex-situ e infravermelho, na tentativa de caracterizar o processo quanto às fases formadas, possíveis marcadores, de maneira a complementar resultados da literatura que utilizaram outras técnicas, como difração de raio-X (XRD) e microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (TEM). Esse estudo foi realizado na tentativa de determinar a existência de possível manipulação térmica desses materiais como sugerido em trabalhos anteriores. Em particular, nos espectros Raman, o comportamento diferenciado da banda em torno de 660 cm-1 e a maior largura das bandas de uma maneira geral, presentes na chamada hematita desordenada, perfil que as amostras naturais coletadas apresentam, são marcadores do efeito de temperatura, uma vez que parecem estar ligados mais estreitamente ao deslocamento catiônico dos íons Fe do que ao rearranjo da gaiola octaédrica de oxigênios ao redor destes, durante a transição a partir de goetita. Esse comportamento dos espectros Raman é confirmado pelos padrões dos difratogramas de raio-X. Concluiu-se que esse desordenamento, entretanto, não é causado somente pela temperatura e, dessa forma, não pode ser usado para atestar inequivocamente como sendo resultado de processamento dos materiais (goetita). / This dissertation reports the investigation carried out on samples collected from rupestrian paintings, aiming at the identification of materials used, their interaction and degradation. The technique of choice was Raman microscopy as it is a non-destructive tool, which provides the spatial resolution necessary for the study of heterogeneous samples. Pigments were identified together with products of microbiological degradation. Thermal convertion of goethite (yellow) to hematite (red) was followed by Raman spectroscopy in a tentative to address the issue of the provenance of red pigments (natural hematite or heated goethite) found in the paintings. White pigments were identified as calcite (CaCO3), whereas charcoal was used as black, goethite (α-FeOOH) as yellow and hematite (α-Fe2O3) as red. These pigments are usually found in rock art palletes. Degradation products from microbiological activity were identified by Raman microscopy and ATR infrared spectroscopy as being whewellite (CaC2O4.H2O) and weddelite (CaC2O4.2H2O). The topotatic transition from goethite to hematite was followed by in situ and ex-situ Raman and infrared spectroscopy, regarding the characterization of the phases formed, possible markers, aiming to complement the previous results reported in the literature using other techniques such as X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and transmission eletron microscopy (TEM). The main goal of the study of temperature effect on the Raman spectrum of goethite was to determine whether hematite was used as found in nature or was obtained by goethite heating as suggested in previous investigations. Particularly, the behavior of the 660 cm-1 band and a larger linewidth for bands in the spectrum, present in the disordered hematite and in the red pigments analysed, are markers of the thermal processing. These features seem to be related to the movement of iron ions and to the rearrangment of the octahedrical cage formed by oxygen atoms around them. Such conclusions are in agreement with X-ray data. Unfortunately, temperature is not the only factor to cause such structural disorder and, hence, it cannot be used as an unequivocal marker of thermal processing.

Parmi les procédés avancés d'oxydation (AOPs), les procédés de type Fenton (réactif de Fenton: Fe2+/H2O2) et les procédés d'oxydation par le persulfate, sont décrits comme des procédés très performants. Le procédé Fenton est une voie prometteuse et attractive pour le traitement d'une large variété de composés organiques polluants, difficiles à traiter par les voies classiques de dépollution. Au cours du procédé Fenton, des radicaux hydroxyles, molécules à fort pouvoir oxydant capable de réagir avec pratiquement tous types de composés organiques et inorganiques, sont générés. De même, du fait de la structure similaire entre H2O2 et les ions peroxydisulfate, ces derniers peuvent se décomposer en radicaux sulfates (SO4-•), un autre type d'oxydant hautement réactif pouvant réagir avec les composés organiques. Cependant, les procédés Fenton et d'activation du peroxydisulfate classiques présentent plusieurs inconvénients. En effet, la solution doit être acidifiée avant la réaction, et des procédés complexes de purification / séparation sont nécessaires après réaction. Afin de contourner ces inconvénients, le développement de procédés de traitement hétérogènes est proposé pour le traitement de l'eau. Dans cette optique de développement de procédés économes, les oxydes de fer comme la magnétite sont proposés comme remplaçants des sels solubles de fer. Une utilisation de tels matériaux, à l'état solide, présente des avantages indéniables, dont la séparation aisée de l'espèce active après réaction par sédimentation ou filtration. Dans le cadre de ce travail de doctorat, différents types d'oxydes de fer, hématite ou magnétite, ont été synthétisés en milieu liquide ionique. La morphologie, les propriétés structurales, les rapports de surface FeII/FeIII, les surfaces spécifiques, les tailles de domaine cristallin, etc. ont été évaluées. Deux molécules différentes, la tétracycline (TC) et le phenol, couramment utilisées dans l'industrie chimique, ont été sélectionnées comme polluants modèles afin d'évaluer les performances des matériaux préparés pour leur élimination. Une partie importante du travail de doctorat a donc été l'étude des propriétés des matériaux pour l'élimination de polluants organiques par le procédé Fenton hétérogène. Les résultats montrent clairement que les principaux facteurs affectant les performances du procédé sont reliés aux propriétés de la phase active, du fait du caractère surfacique des réactions. La stabilité des systèmes catalytiques préparés est néanmoins une propriété cruciale également étudiée. Le manuscrit de doctorat met donc l'accent sur la conception de matériaux originaux destinés à une utilisation dans les procédés avancés d'oxydation dans l'eau. / Fenton reaction (Fenton reagent: (Fe2+/H2O2)) and persulfate oxidation process, as advanced oxidation processes, are powerful oxidations used world around. Fenton reaction has been evidenced to be a promising and attractive treatment method for the degradation of a wide variety of hazardous organic pollutants, which are difficult to be treated using traditional soft treatment technologies. During Fenton process, free hydroxyl radicals (HO•), strong oxidant molecules capable of reacting with practically all types of organic and inorganic compounds, are generated. In the meanwhile, due to the similar structure between H2O2 and peroxydisulfate ions, peroxydisulfate ions can be decomposed to sulfate radicals (SO4-•), another kind of highly active oxidant that can react with organic compounds. However, the classical Fenton or peroxydisulfate activation processes present some disadvantages. Indeed, the solution needed acidification before carrying out the reaction and complex separation processes have to be applied after reaction. To overcome these drawbacks, heterogeneous catalytic oxidation processes were introduced for wastewater treatment. In this line, magnetite was evidenced as potential substituent to soluble iron ions, and it offers significant advantages such as an easy separation after reaction since the active material can be easily recovered by sedimentation or filtration for further used. In this PhD work, iron oxides, hematite and magnetite, were synthesized using an ionic liquid mediated process. The morphology, structural properties, FeII/FeIII surface ratios, specific surface areas (SSA), mean particle diameters, site densities, etc. were evaluated. Two different model pollutants (tetracycline (TC) and phenol), which are widely used chemicals all over the world, were selected to evaluate the performance of the prepared active materials. A significant part of the PhD study was then on the study of heterogeneous Fenton-like reaction for phenol and TC degradation. Experiments showed that the main factors affecting the heterogeneous Fenton-like system are related to the heterogeneous active phase properties, due to the surface reaction nature occurring over iron oxide surface. However, stability of this active phase, with progressive dissolution under reaction, is also a real challenge. This PhD manuscript, focusing on the design of highly active materials for advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), is constituted of five experiment result parts.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The aim of the present work is to classify co-registered pixels of stacks of polarized light images of iron ore into their respective crystalline grains or pores, thus producing grain segmented images that can be analyzed by their size, shape and orientation distributions, as well as their porosity and the size and morphology of the pores. Polished sections of samples of hematite-rich ore are digitally imaged in a rotating polarizer microscope at varying planepolarization angles. An image stack is produced for every field of view, where each image corresponds to a polarizer position. Any point in the sample is registered to the same pixel coordinates at all images in the stack. The resulting set of intensities for each pixel is directly related to the orientation of the crystal sampled at the corresponding position. Multivariate analysis of the sets of intensities leads to the classification of the pixels into their respective crystalline grains. Individual hematite grains of iron ore, as well as their pores, are segmented. The results are compared to those obtained by visual point counting methods. / O objetivo do presente trabalho é classificar pixels co-registrados de pilhas de imagens de luz polarizada de minério de ferro nos seus respectivos grãos cristalinos ou poros, produzindo assim imagens segmentadas por grãos que podem ser analisados quanto às suas distribuições de tamanho, forma e orientação, bem como sua porosidade, tamanho e forma dos poros. Seções polidas de amostras de minério de ferro rico em hematita foram imageadas difratalmente em um microscópio com polarizador giratório em ângulos variados de polarização. Uma pilha de imagens foi produzida para cada campo na qual cada imagem corresponde a uma orientação do polarizador. Cada ponto na amostra foi registrado nas mesmas coordenadas em todas as imagens da pilha. O conjunto resultante de intensidades de cada pixel está diretamente relacionado com a orientação do cristal amostrado na posição correspondente. A análise multivariada dos conjuntos de intensidades leva à classificação dos pixels nos seus respectivos grãos cristalinos. Grãos individuais de hematita do minério de ferro, bem como os seus poros foram segmentados. Os resultados foram comparados com aqueles obtidos pelo método de contagem dos pontos, ou seja, por inspeção visual.

Comme les propriétés physiques d'un matériau à l’échelle nanométrique sont largement dépendantes de la taille et de la forme des nanostructures, il est inutile de synthétiser de nouvelles compositions et morphologies. L’étude avancée de leur structure par les techniques de caractérisation usuelles (MET, MEB, DRX, Raman…) permettra de collecter toutes les informations nécessaires à la compréhension de leurs propriétés physiques (magnétiques, optiques, électriques). Dans ce manuscrit, nous décrirons plusieurs approches d’élaboration de nanostructures 0D, 1D et 2D multifonctionnelles afin de mieux connaître les paramètres qui contrôlent leur composition chimique et leur structure. De plus, ce travail de recherche a abouti à la synthèse de nouveaux matériaux à base d’oxyde et de carbure de fer. Des nanofibres magnétiques ayant des morphologies originales « Ruban » et « tube » ont été élaborées par la technique d’électrospinning en modifiant plusieurs paramètres expérimentaux : concentration de la solution, atmosphères de traitement thermique, température de recuit… De plus, des couches minces guidantes dopées par des nanostructures magnétiques ont été préparées par la technique dip-coating. Nous avons mené une étude complexe et détaillée sur les propriétés structurales de ces matériaux afin de définir les paramètres expérimentaux qui permettront d’obtenir des nano objets de bonne qualité. Dans un but ultime, nous souhaiterons explorer les possibilités d’application de ces matériaux qui présentent à la fois des caractéristiques électriques et magnétiques. / The physical properties of a nanomaterial strongly depend on the size and the shape of the nanostructure. As a consequence, it is interesting to elaborate new materials with different compositions and morphologies. The advanced study on the structure using common characterization techniques (TEM, MEB, XRD, Raman…) allows us to collect all the important information on their physical properties (magnetic, optical and electrical properties). In this thesis, we describe multiple ways to elaborate multifunctional nanostructures with 0D, 1D and 2D in order to study the parameters that control their chemical composition and structure. Besides, this research lead to the elaboration of new nanomaterials based on the oxide and the carbide forms of iron. Magnetic nanofibers with different morphologies (belts, tubes) were prepared using the electrospinning technique while controlling several experimental parameters : solution concentration, pyrolysis atmosphere, thermal treatment temperature… Moreover, thin layers doped with magnetic nanostructures were deposited on a pyrex substrate using the dip-coating technique. A full and detailed study on their structural properties was performed in order to reach the experimental parameters that allow us to obtain high quality products. Finally, we wish to explore the possible applications of these materials that present interesting electrical and magnetic characteristics.

The presence of deposits leading to corrosion of the steam generator (SG) systems is a major contributor to operation and maintenance cost of pressurized water reactor (PWR) plants. Formation and transport of corrosion products formed due to the presence of impurities, metallic oxides and cations in the secondary side of the SG units result in formation of deposits. This research deals with the characterization of deposit samples collected from the two SG units (unit 1 and unit 2) at Comanche Peak Steam Electric Station (CPSES). X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) techniques have been used for studying the compositional and structural properties of iron oxides formed in the secondary side of unit 1 and unit 2. Magnetite (Fe3O4) was found to be predominant in samples from unit 1 and maghemite (g-Fe2O3) was found to be the dominant phase in case of unit 2. An attempt has been made to customize FTIR technique for analyzing different iron oxide phases present in the deposits of PWR-SG systems.