Entender como se originou a vida é um dos desafios propostos pela astrobiologia. Este trabalho busca compreender como argilas aniônicas do tipo hidróxidos duplos lamelares (LDH) interagem com alguns aminoácidos quando submetido a condições presentes no passado do nosso planeta. Para tanto, foi estudada a interação dos aminoácidos cisteína (cys), cistina (cyss) e ácido glutâmico (glu) com duas variações de LDHs: hidrotalcita, que consistem em um LDH de Mg e Al (LDHal), e as piroauritas, um LDH de Mg e Fe III (LDHfe). Os LDHs foram sintetizados com cada um dos três aminoácidos por coprecipitação (cop) e reconstrução (rec). Todos os compostos produzidos foram submetidos a irradiação com UV-C (254 nm), longa exposição à temperatura de 70 °C e ciclos de hidratação e dessecação a 70 °C, tentando simular condições próximas à Terra primitiva. Os resultados obtidos indicam que os aminoácidos estão presentes no espaço interlamelar dos LDHs. Sendo que os LDHfe e os LDHal_glu se mostraram mais inertes, não sofrendo variações significativas com as simulações prebióticas. Para os LDHal_cys ocorreu a formação de ligações do tipo S-S durante a síntese; a irradiação UV-C afetou de maneira distinta os LDHs cop e rec, sendo que apenas nos reconstruídos ocorreu a formação de SO4-2. A simulação de temperatura causou o rompimento das ligações S-S e a formação de ligações S-H, enquanto os ciclos de hidratação, ao que tudo indicam, acarretam a liberação da cisteína do meio interlamelar. Essas características presentes no LDHal_cys estão, em partes, também presentes para os LDHal_cyss. De maneira geral, os LDHs são eficientes na intercalação de aminoácidos e estáveis quanto à temperatura e, em alguns casos, a radiação UV-C. Desta forma os LDHs se mostram como um mineral que pode ter tido a sua importância na Terra prebiótica, sendo aptos a atuar na retenção de aminoácidos, resistência a algumas das condições presentes e com a possibilidade de liberar estas biomoléculas novamente no ambiente, tornando-as disponíveis para o aumento de complexidade química / Understanding how life originated is one of the challenges proposed by astrobiology. This work aims to understand how layered double hydroxides (LDH), a type of anionic clay, may interact with amino acids when submitted to conditions present in prebiotic Earth. It was studied the interaction between amino acids cysteine (cys), cystine (cyss) and glutamic acid (glu) with two LDHs variations: hydrotalcite, LDH of Mg and Al (LDHal), and pyroaurite, a LDH of Mg and Fe III (LDHfe). LDHs were synthesized with each of the three amino acids by coprecipitation (cop) and reconstruction (rec). All the LDHs produced were submitted to UV-C irradiation (254 nm), long exposure to the temperature of 70 °C and cycles of hydration and desiccation at 70 °C, trying to simulated the conditions presents in primordial Earth. The results indicate that amino acids are present in the interlayer region of LDHs. Since LDHfe and LDHal_glu were shown to be more inert, they did not undergo significant variations with the prebiotic simulations. For LDHal_cys the formation of S-S type bonds occurred during the synthesis; the UV-C irradiation differently affected the LDHs cop and rec, being that only in the reconstructed the formation of SO4-2 occurred. The temperature simulation induced breakage of the S-S bonds and formation of S-H bonds, whereas the hydration cycles leaded to the release of cysteine from the interlamellar space. These features present in LDHal_cys are, partially, also present for the LDHal_cyss. In general, LDHs are efficient in the intercalation of amino acids, stable in temperature and, in some cases, to UV-C radiation. In this manner, the LDHs may have been important minerals in the prebiotic Earth, being able to act in the retention of amino acids, resisting to some of the prevailing conditions and possibly releasing these biomolecules back into the environment, making them available for increasing chemical complexity

Hidróxidos Duplos Lamelares (HDLs), são materiais lamelares constituídos de camadas positivamente carregadas de um hidróxido misto de dois metais (um di e um trivalente), com ânions hidratados no domínio interlamelar. Apesar de serem potenciais adsorventes, o estudo da adsorção de aminoácidos sobre estes sólidos ainda não foi realizado. Este é importante, pois abre caminho para a aplicação de HDLs na remoção e recuperação de aminoácidos de soluções aquosas, provenientes de processos industriais. Este trabalho teve por objetivo estudar a adsorção e a sorção dos aminoácidos: Ácido Aspártico (Asp), Ácido Glutâmico (Glu) e Fenilalanina (Phe), a partir de soluções aquosas, em HDLs do sistema [Mg-Al-CO3], verificando o efeito de variáveis como temperatura, pH e força iônica (FI) do meio. O adsorvente foi preparado pelo método de coprecipitação a pH variável e caracterizado quanto à composição, organização estrutural, textura e morfologia. A adsorção de Asp, Glu e Phe no HDL não calcinado indicaram que não ocorre a substituição do ânion interlamelar (CO32-), mas sim a adsorção por interação do aminoácido com as cargas residuais na superfície do HDL. O processo mostrou uma grande dependência das variáveis estudadas. A adsorção de Asp e Glu tem comportamento semelhante, embora o aumento da força iônica, seja mais pronunciado em pH 7 para o Asp, e em pH 10 para o Glu. Sem aumento da força iônica, as isotermas atingem ou se aproximam do patamar de adsorção destes aminoácidos, e o aumento na temperatura diminui a quantidade máxima adsorvida. A adsorção de Phe apresentou comportamento similar aos anteriores, exceto pelo fato do aumento da força iônica causar uma diminuição na adsorção. Os resultados obtidos para a sorção no HDL calcinado mostraram que inicialmente o HDL é reconstituído contendo ânions OH- intercalados que são deslocados pelo aminoácido conforme a concentração deste aumenta. Neste caso, Asp e Glu também apresentaram comportamentos semelhantes: as isotermas atingem um patamar onde a sorção torna-se constante e o aumento da temperatura diminui a quantidade sorvida. Para a Phe, a quantidade sorvida é muito maior que para os demais e não se observa o patamar de sorção constante. A temperatura não causa alteração significativa na quantidade sorvida. Os resultados de remoção dos aminoácidos, obtidos para o HDL calcinado se mostraram mais eficientes do que àqueles observados no HDL não calcinado. / Layered Double Hydroxides (LDHs), are lamellar materials constituted of positively charged layers of two cations mixed hydroxide (a bi and a trivalent one), with hydrated anions in the interlayer domain. In spite of they being potential adsorbents, the study of the adsorption of amino acids on these solids has not been done yet. This is important, because it opens the perspective for the application of LDHs to remove and to recover amino acids from aqueous solutions, resultant from industrial processes. The aim of this work was to study the adsorption and the sorption of the amino acids: Aspartic Acid (Asp), Glutamic Acid (Glu) and Phenylalanine (Phe), from aqueous solutions, in [Mg-Al-CO3] LDHs, verifying the effect of the variables: temperature, pH and ionic strength of the medium. The adsorbent was prepared by the coprecipitation method and characterized with respect to their composition, structural organization, texture and morphology. The adsorption of Asp, Glu and Phe in LDH indicated that the substitution of the interlayer anion (CO32-) doesn\'t occur, but the adsorption process occurs by the interaction of the amino acid with the residual charges on the LDH surface. The process showed a dependence on the parameters studied. The adsorption of Asp and Glu presented similar behavior, although the ionic strength effect is more pronounced in pH 7 for Asp, and in pH 10 for Glu. Without the increase in ionic strength, the isotherms reach or approach a plateau, and the increasing in the temperature reduces the maximum amount adsorbed. The adsorption of Phe has similar behavior to the previous ones, except at higher ionic strength, in which a decrease in the adsorption was observed. The results for the sorption in calcined LDH showed that the LDH are reconstituted with the OH- anions intercalated at low amino acid concentrations. The intercalation of amino acid becomes important as their concentration increase. In this case, Asp and Glu also presented similar behaviors: the isotherms reach a plateau where the sorption becomes constant and the increase of the temperature reduces the amount of sorbed amino acid. For Phe, the amount sorbed is higher than those for the others amino acids and the plateau of constant sorption was not observed. The temperature doesn\'t cause any significant alteration in the sorbed amount. The results of removing the amino acids on calcined LDH showed to be more efficient than those observed for the adsorption in LDH.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T15:42:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 PauloHAH_DISSERT.pdf: 4112425 bytes, checksum: ab842493afe72a340f238b1cac2bc18f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-01-24 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cient?fico e Tecnol?gico / The Layered Double Hydroxides has become extremely promising materials due to its range of applications, easily obtained in the laboratory and reusability after calcination, so the knowledge regarding their properties is of utmost importance. In this study were synthesized layered double hydroxides of two systems, Mg-Al and Zn-Al, and such materials were analyzed with X-ray diffraction and, from these data, we determined the volume density, planar atomic density, size crystallite, lattice parameters, interplanar spacing and interlayer space available. Such materials were also subjected to thermogravimetric analysis reasons for heating 5, 10, 20 and 25 ? C / min to determine kinetic parameters for the formation of metaphases HTD and HTB based on theoretical models Ozawa, Flynn-Wall Starink and Model Free Kinetics. In addition, the layered double hydroxides synthesized in this working ratios were calcined heating 2.5 ? C / min and 20 ? C / min, and tested for adsorption of nitrate anion in aqueous solution batch system at time intervals 5 min, 15 min, 30 min, 1h, 2h and 4h. Such calcined materials were also subjected to exposure to the atmosphere and at intervals of 1 week, 2 weeks and 1 month were analyzed by infrared spectroscopy to study the kinetics of regeneration determining structural called "memory effect" / Os Hidr?xidos Duplos Lamelares tem se tornado materiais extremamente promissores devido a sua gama de aplica??es, f?cil obten??o em laborat?rio e a possibilidade de reutiliza??o ap?s calcina??o, portanto o conhecimento referente ? suas propriedades ? de extrema relev?ncia. Neste estudo foram sintetizados hidr?xidos duplos lamelares de dois sistemas, Mg-Al e Zn-Al, e tais materiais foram submetidos a an?lise com difra??o de raios X e, a partir de tais dados, foram determinados a densidade volum?trica, densidade at?mica planar, tamanho do cristalito, par?metros de rede cristalina, dist?ncia interplanar e espa?o interlamelar dispon?vel. Tais materiais tamb?m foram submetidos ? an?lise termogravim?trica em raz?es de aquecimento de 5, 10, 20 e 25 ?C/min para determina??o de par?metros cin?ticos durante a forma??o das metafases HTD e HTB com base nos modelos te?ricos de Ozawa, Flynn-Wall, Starink e Model Free Kinetics. Al?m disso, os hidr?xidos duplos lamelares sintetizados neste trabalhado foram calcinados em raz?es de aquecimento de 2,5 ?C/min e 20 ?C/min e submetidos a ensaios de adsor??o de ?nion nitrato em solu??o aquosa em sistema de batelada em intervalos de tempo de 5 min, 15 min, 30 min, 1h, 2h e 4h. Tais materiais calcinados tamb?m foram submetidos ? exposi??o com a atmosfera e em intervalos de tempo de 1 semana e 2 semanas foram analisados atrav?s de difra??o de raios X para estudo determina??o da cin?tica de regenera??o estrutural denominada efeito mem?ria

Submitted by Cláudia Bueno (claudiamoura18@gmail.com) on 2016-02-04T13:32:20Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Regiane Lopes dos Santos - 2010.pdf: 2296508 bytes, checksum: 8c7da40e51ba04f72f1319279074de08 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2016-02-11T11:27:11Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Regiane Lopes dos Santos - 2010.pdf: 2296508 bytes, checksum: 8c7da40e51ba04f72f1319279074de08 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-02-11T11:27:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Regiane Lopes dos Santos - 2010.pdf: 2296508 bytes, checksum: 8c7da40e51ba04f72f1319279074de08 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-10-01 / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / Potassium tetratitanate (K2Ti4O9) and sodium trititanate (Na2Ti3O7) were synthesized by solid state reaction at 800°C and wet impregnated using Mg2+/La3+ or nanoparticles of MgO/La2O3 varying ion/oxide content in 1, 5 or 10% of matrix weight. MgO and La2O3 synthesized by precipitation method and their mean crystallite size calculated in 11 nm and 72 nm, respectively. Synthesized materials were characterized by X ray diffractometry, termogravimetry, N2 adsorption, mid-infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and they were applied on transesterification reactions using mixtures of methyl acetate/ethanol and ethyl acetate/methanol. Interlayer distance calculated for solids is about 8 Å. Impregnation of ion/oxide in matrices K2Ti4O9 and Na2Ti3O7 produced structural changes like loss of crystallinity for some of them including peak broadening or disappearing. All synthesized materials, after burning in an atmosphere of N2 (g), lost mass related to the exit of surface water and interlamellar water. Materials showed low surface area, with values below 5 m2/g. In general, powder utilized had conversion rates between 10 and 80%. Emphasis should be given to pure matrices which presented conversions rates equal or higher than impregnated powders, and the use of matrix K2Ti4O9 led to better results. Among the oxides chosen for impregnation, higher efficiency was observed for MgO. Some powders were reused for the same reactions and its activity decreased in each reaction cycle. Reaction mixture analysis after reuse tests to K2Ti4O9 revealed partial leaching of K+ ions, however XRD patterns profile analysis did not show structural changes occurrence. A proposal to explain layered titanate activity on transesterification reactions is made based on acid-base properties of layers and output of K+ from interlamellar area. / Tetratitanato de potássio (K2Ti4O9) e trititanato de sódio (Na2Ti3O7) foram sintetizados por meio de síntese no estado sólido a 800°C, impregnados por via úmida utilizando Mg2+/La3+ ou nanopartículas de MgO/La2O3 variando o teor do íon/óxido em 1, 5 ou 10% em relação à massa da matriz. MgO e La2O3 foram sintetizados por precipitação e tiveram seu diâmetro médio de cristalito calculados em 11 nm e 72 nm, respectivamente. Os materiais sintetizados foram caracterizados por difratometria de raios X, termogravimetria, fisissorção de N2(g), espectroscopia na região do infravermelho médio, microscopia eletrônica de transmissão e foram aplicados em reações de transesterificação utilizando misturas reacionais acetato de metila/etanol e acetato de etila/metanol. A distância interlamelar calculada para os sólidos é da ordem de 8 Å. A impregnação dos íons/óxidos nas matrizes K2Ti4O9 e Na2Ti3O7 produziu mudanças estruturais incluindo perda de cristalinidade para algumas delas incluindo alargamento ou desaparecimento de picos. Todos os materiais sintetizados, após queima sob atmosfera de N2(g), perderam massa relativa à saída de água superficial e água interlamelar. Os materiais apresentaram baixa área superficial, com valores abaixo de 5 m2/g. De um modo geral, os pós utilizados tiveram taxas de conversão entre 10 e 80%. Destaque deve ser dado às matrizes puras que apresentaram taxas de conversão iguais ou superiores aos pós impregnados, sendo que o uso da matriz K2Ti4O9 levou aos melhores resultados. Dentre os óxidos escolhidos para a impregnação, a eficiência maior foi observada para MgO. Alguns pós foram reutilizados para as mesmas reações e a atividade diminuiu a cada ciclo de reação. A análise da mistura reacional após os testes de reuso para a matriz K2Ti4O9 revelou lixiviação parcial de íons K+, entretanto a análise do perfil dos padrões de DRX dos pós após reuso não revelou a ocorrência de mudanças estruturais. Uma proposta para explicar a atividade dos titanatos lamelares nas reações de transesterificação é feita baseando-se nas propriedades ácido-base das lamelas e na saída de íons K+ da região interlamelar.

Hypersaline tidal flats (HTFs) are transitional ecosystems commonly occurring in arid and semiarid coastal areas. (e.g. Australia and New Caledonia), Africa (e.g. Senegal, Gambia, and Madagascar), Central America (e.g. Nicaragua), South America (e.g. Ecuador and on the north, northeast, and southeast Brazilian coasts). Due to their location, HTFs might exert biogeochemical control over cycling of nutrients (e.g. Fe and Si) across the land to ocean transition, accelerating or retarding the nutrient export to the ocean and other adjacent ecosystems. This biogeochemical control is governed by soil physicochemical conditions (e.g. pH and salinity) and pedogenesis (e.g. redox processes). Thus, study of the soil coloidal fraction, the pedogenic processes, and the distribution of Si in the different soil components can provide a detailed characterization of HTF soils and give insights into the Si dynamics in these environments. In view of this, two HTFs on the Brazilian coast were studied on the Brazilian coast and the data are presented here. The first chapter aims to investigate the pedogenesis in HTF soils based on detailed morphological descriptions and Fe and Mn sequential extractions. The second chapter discusses silicon geochemistry in HTF soils based on sequential extractions, SEM, and XRD modeling of the fine clay fraction. And lastly, the third one reports the characteristics, distribution, and genesis of clay minerals in HTF soils on the basis of XRD modeling, TEM-EDS, FTIR, and XRF analysis. Redox reactions control the pedogenic evolution in HTF soils. These processes lead to a mobilization of Fe2+ and Mn2+ upward in the soils profiles, followed by oxidation and precipitation of Fe and Mn oxyhydroxides. These reactions, along with pyrite oxidation, lead to a transformation of the deeper soil horizons. Formation of Fe oxyhydroxides in the uppermost soil horizons exerts control on Si dynamics by co-precipitation and adsorption reactions. Together, Si associated with Fe oxyhydroxides and amorphous silicates are the main components of the readily soluble Si pool in HTF soils. The environmental conditions are conducive to clay transformations in the soils. Our data indicate that kaolinite is progressively altered to Mg-rich smectite through mixed-layering, withdrawing Si from the soil porewater. / Planícies hipersalinas costeiras (PHCs) são ecossistemas transicionais comumente encontrados em regiões áridas e semiárias. Estes ambientes são encontrados em várias regiões do mundo, tais como Oceania (e.g. Austrália e Nova Caledónia), África (e.g. Senegal, Gambia e Madagascar), América Central (e.g. Nicarágua), América do Sul (e.g. Equador e as costas norte, nordeste e sudeste do Brasil). Por estarem posicionados na transição entre os ecossistemas marinhos e de terras altas, os solos de PHCs devem exercer um controle biogeoquímico na ciclagem de nutrientes (e.g. Si e Fe), afetando o fluxo dos mesmo para o oceano e ecossitemas adjacentes. Este controle biogeoquímico é governado pelas condições fisico-químicas do meio (e.g. pH e salinidade) e pelos processos pedogenéticos atuantes nos solos (e.g. processos redox). Desta forma, o estudo da fração coloidal, da pedogênese e da distribuição do Si nos diferentes componentes do solo possibilita caracterizar detalhadamente os solos de PHCs e desvendar os processos que controlam a dinâmica de Si no ambiente. Portanto, duas PHCs localizadas na costa brasileira foram estudadas e os resultados estão apresentados em três capítulos nesta tese. O primeiro capítulo teve por objetivo investigar a pedogênese em PHCs com base em estudos morfológicos e extrações sequenciais de Fe e Mn. O segundo discute a geoquímica de silício nos solos com base em extrações sequenciais, MEV e modelagem de raios-X da fração argila fina. O terceiro capítulo discorre sobre as características, distribuição e gênese de argilominerais nos solos com base em modelagem de raios-X, MET-EDS, FTIR e FRX. As reações redox parecem controlar a evolução pedogenética nestes solos, as quais levam à mobilização ascendente de Fe2+ e Mn2+ nos perfis, oxidação da pirita e, consequentemente, transformação dos horizontes mais profundos. Estes processos também são responsáveis pela formação de oxihidróxidos de Fe e Mn nos horizontes superiores dos perfis de solo, levando à um controle do Si por reações de co-precipitação e adsorção envolvendo oxihidróxidos de Fe. O Si associado aos oxihidróxidos de Fe e silicatos amorfos são os principais componentes da fração mais solúvel de Si nos solos estudados. As condições ambientais nas PHCs são favoráveis às transformações minerais. Os dados indicam que a caulinita é alterada para esmectitas magnesianas por processos de interestratificação, removendo Si da solução do solo.

Long lived radioactive species such as ¹²⁹I⁻ and ⁹⁹TcO₄⁻ are formed as by-products of nuclear fission. These species have extremely long half-lives (1.5 million and 211,000 years respectively), are biologically assimilating and due to their anionic nature, can move freely within a geosphere. Historical disposal methods for active species are no longer considered acceptable to the general public and other ways in which to treat the waste are being explored. One remove and concentrate method to remove radioactive species from the biosphere is using alkaline-resistant materials which trap active species that can be encapsulated in a high pH concrete matrix. Layered hydroxides and layered double salts which consist of positively charged layers between which exchangeable anions and water molecules lie are good candidates for these materials due to the basic conditions in which they form. The synthesis, anion exchange properties and stability of copper, lanthanum, nickel and zinc hydroxysalts have been investigated. The structures consist of layers of edge-sharing metal hydroxide octahedra together with an interlayer space containing the anion and in some cases water molecules. Products were characterised by powder X-ray diffraction and vibrational spectroscopy to confirm the identity of structure of the material formed and the anion incorporated. Only Cu2(OH)3(NO3), Cu2(OH)3(OAc).H2O, Ni2(OH)3(NO3) and Zn5(OH)3(NO3).2H2O consistently exhibited exchange capabilities with iodide as the target anion. In terms of exchange rate and efficiency, copper hydroxyacetate is a more suitable precursor as equilibrium is achieved in 10 mins; whereas other LHS containing nitrate as the occupying require longer than 1 day to reach equilibrium. Cu2(OH)3(Ac).H2O has been shown to easily exchange acetate for monovalent anions X- (X = Ha-, NO3-, ClO4-, IO4-, SbO3-, OH-). Exchange reactions with ReO4- (used as a surrogate to TcO4-) and trigonal pyramidal monovalent anions (such as IO3-) were unsuccessful. Exposure to divalent anions (CO32-, Cr2O42-, SeO3-) resulted in no interaction whereas exposure to trivalent PO43- forms Cu3(PO4)2. Quantitative analysis has shown that, contrary to XRPD and FTIR data, full exchange of acetate for an equimolar amount of iodide within a Cu2(OH)3+ framework does not occur with 100% efficiency. Activity counting, gravimetric analysis and ion specific probe analysis suggested that only ~92-93% exchange occurs. The stability of TcO4- and I- analogues with respect to pH has been investigated. Activity counting has shown that even in pH 9.5 solution, 57-73% of 125I- and 99TcO4- immobilised with a Cu2(OH)3+ framework is leached into solution after 16 days. Exposure of Cu2(OH)3I to high carbonate, nitrate and chloride environments shows a progressive loss of iodide into solution as the anionic radius of the incoming anion decreases and the concentration of the incoming anion increases. In the case of chloride and nitrate incoming anions, only a 2:1 chloride to iodide ratio is need for full exchange whereas a ratio of 10:1 nitrate to iodide is required. In situ ion exchange experiments at Diamond allowed the exchange of the hydroxyacetate material to be investigated in flow experiments showing similar facile exchange as demonstrated under batch conditions. Rietveld refinements on deuterated samples of halide analogues of the materials have allowed accurate structure determinations for the first time (Cu2(OD)3Cl - a = 5.726Å, b = 6.125 Å, c = 5.634 Å, β = 93.100°, Cu2(OD)3Br - a = 6.085 Å, b = 6.144 Å, c = 5.650 Å, β = 93.593°, Cu2(OD)3I - a = 6.587 Å, b = 6.179 Å, c = 5.680 Å, β = 95.044°). As the size of the halide increases, the hydroxide coordination alters reflecting to changing sigma/pi donor capability of the halide.

Layered lithium transition-metal oxides (LMOs) are used as the positive electrode material in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. Because transition metals undergo redox reactions when lithium ions intercalate in and disintercalate from the lattice, the selection and composition of transition metals largely influence the electrochemical performance of LMOs. Recently, a Ni-rich compound, LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 (NCM811), has drawn much attention. It is expected to replace its state-of-the-art cousins, LiCoO2 (LCO) and LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 (NCM111), because of its higher capacity, lower cost, and reduced toxicity. However, the excess Ni, as a transition-metal element in NCM811, can cause structural and cycling instability. Starting from NCM811, I modified the composition of transition metals by two approaches: 1) introducing cobalt deficiency and 2) substituting Ni, Co, and Mn with Zr. Their influences on the phase, structure, cycling performance, rate capability, and ionic transport were investigated by a variety of characterization techniques. I found that cobalt non-stoichiometry can suppress Ni2+/Li+ cation mixing, but simultaneously promotes the formation of oxygen vacancies, leading to rapid capacity fade and inferior rate capability compared to pristine NCM811. On the other hand, Zr can reside on and expand the lattice of NCM811, and form Li-rich lithium zirconates on their surfaces. In particular, 1% Zr substitution can increase the stability of NCM811 and facilitate Li-ion transport, resulting in enhanced cycling durability and high-rate performance. My studies help improve the understanding of the effects of transition metals on the degradation of the Ni-rich layered positive electrode material and provide modification strategies to enhance its performance and durability for Li-ion battery applications.

Encapsulation of nanoparticles within hexaniobate nanoscrolls presents interesting advances in the formation of nanocomposites exhibiting unique multi-dimensional properties. Building upon previous successes, facile yet versatile wet-chemical and microwave-irradiation synthetic protocols for the fabrication of a series of hexaniobate composites are presented herein. Solvothermal and, more recently, microwave-assisted methods have been developed that allow for the fabrication of peapod-like structures. During solvothermal treatment, exfoliated hexaniobate nanosheets scroll around highly ordered chains of preformed nanoparticles (NPs) to produce nanopeapods (NPPs). This approach offers versatility and high yields, in addition to the potential for advanced functional device fabrication. For the characterization of these materials, advanced techniques in atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used for investigating the surface of materials at the nanometer scale. Extensive physical, dynamic, and force modulation studies were performed on novel oxide nanocomposites by implementing particular scanning techniques to determine information such as topology, stress-induced behavior at the nanoscale, magnetic behavior, and frictional forces of the nanoscale materials. These composites were then analyzed by topological intermittent contact studies in tapping and contact mode, as well as with derivative techniques of these commonly used scanning probe approaches. In addition to studying surfaces using conventional modes of AFM, the mechanical properties of these nanocomposites were measured via dynamic lateral force modulation (DLFM) and magnetic properties of functionalized magnetic nanosheets were mapped via magnetic sampling modulation (MSM). By utilizing the capabilities of the DLFM imaging mode, elastic properties such as Young’s Modulus were measured from force-distance curves. In addition to this modulation mode, MSM was used to selectively map the vibrating magnetic nanomaterials from a modulated electromagnetic field. The information obtained from these AFM techniques can be helpful in determining the relative structural behavior of these nanocomposites and gauge their use in various applications such as structural engineering of nanoarchitectures as well as studying magnetic characteristics of metal oxide nanocomposites that exhibit characteristics different from their bulk counterparts.

A “Value-Added” definition of school effectiveness calls for the evaluation of schools based on the unique contribution of schools to individual student academic growth. The estimates of value-added school effectiveness are usually used for ranking and classifying schools. The current simulation study examined and compared the validity of school effectiveness estimates in four statistical models for school ranking and classification. The simulation study was conducted under two sample size conditions and the situations typical in school effectiveness research. The Conditional Cross-Classified Model (CCCM) was used to simulate data. The findings indicated that the gain score model adjusting for students’ test scores at the end of kindergarten (i. e., prior entering to an elementary school) (Gain_kindergarten) could validly rank and classify schools. Other models, including the gain score model adjusting for students’ test scores at the end of Grade 4 (i. e., one year before estimating the school effectiveness in Grade 5) (Gain_grade4), the Unconditional Cross-Classified Model (UCCM), and the Layered Mixed Effect Model (LMEM), could not validly rank or classify schools. The failure of the UCCM model in school ranking and classification indicated that ignoring covariates would distort school rankings and classifications if no other analytical remedies were applied. The failure of the LMEM model in school ranking and classification indicated that estimation of correlations among repeated measures could not alleviate the damage caused by the omitted covariates. The failure of the Gain_grade4 model cautioned against adjustment using the test scores of the previous year. The success of the Gain_kindergarten model indicated that under some circumstances, it was possible to achieve valid school rankings and classifications with only two time points of data.

Layered crystals with magnetic elements as Co and Fe have been studied. In TlCo2Se2, where Co atoms in one sheet are separated by Tl and Se from the next Co sheet, magnetic interaction within and between the sheets have been studied. Samples doped with 4% 57Fe replaced Co, show a magnetic spiral character with hyperfine fields in a flower shape in the ab-plane. The magnetic moment of 0.46 μB per Co atom derived from the average field is in good agreement with the result from neutron diffraction. In TlCu1.73Fe0.27Se2 the easy axis of magnetisation is the c-axis. The magnetic moment calculated from the Mössbauer data and SQUID magnetrometry is 0.97 μB per Fe atom with TC = 55(5) K. Multilayers of different elements have been studied. The effect of vanadium atoms on iron atoms at the interface of FeNi/V multilayers has been determined and the intermixing at the interface has been calculated to be 2-3 monolayers. For FeNi/Co 1/1 monolayer the magnetic hyperfine field (Bhf) is 45° out-of-plane, while for superlattices containing 2 to 5 monolayers it is in the plane. An study on Fe/Co superlattice were done by experimental, theoretical and simulational methods. The Bhf is highest for the Fe at the second layer next to the interface and gets the bulk value in the centre of thicker Fe layers. Studied magnetic nanoparticles coated with a lipid bilayer (magnetoliposomes) are found to have the magnetite structure but being non-stoichiometric as a result of the manufacturing process. The composition was approximately 32% γ-Fe2O3 and 68% Fe3O4. The oxidation evolution and its effect on magnetic properties of Fe clusters were also studied by means of different techniques. The extraction and insertion mechanism of lithium in the cathode material Li2FeSiO4 has been monitored by in situ x-ray diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy during the first two cycles. The relative amount of Fe+3/ Fe+2 at each end state was in good agreement with the results obtained from electrochemical measurements. A possible explanation to the observed lowering of the potential plateau from 3.10 to 2.80 V occurring during the first cycle, involves a structural rearrangement process in which some of the Li ions and the Fe ions are interchanged. The behaviour of small amounts of Fe in brass is investigated using Mössbauer spectroscopy. It was shown that a heat treatment can increase the amount of the precipitates of γ-Fe and ~650° C is the optimal treatment for having the highest amount of this phase.