Avec les besoins croissants en enregistrement magnétique à haute densité, un effort important a été apporté à la fabrication et au contrôle des nanoalliages magnétiques. En effet les alliages magnétiques possèdent des propriétés beaucoup plus intéressantes que les métaux purs, en particulier les alliages chimiquement ordonnés (par exemple une forte anisotropie magnétique). Quand ces alliages se retrouvent à l'échelle du nanomètre, leurs propriétés peuvent de plus être exaltées ou fortement modifiées. Ces dix dernières années, une grande attention s'est tournée sur les remarquables propriétés magnétiques de l'alliage ordonné FeRh, d'un point de vue tant fondamental que technologique. En effet l'alliage FeRh présente, dans une étroite gamme de composition proche de l'équiatomique, une transition magnétique d'un état antiferromagnétique (AFM) vers un état ferromagnétique (FM). Cette transition est observée, dans l'alliage massif, à une température proche de 370K, soit au-dessus de la température ambiante. Cet alliage est de ce fait un excellent candidat pour l'enregistrement magnétique assisté thermiquement ainsi que pour la microélectronique. Le travail présenté est centré sur l'élaboration et l'étude de nanostructures de FeRh de différentes morphologies. Toutes les nanostructures ont été élaborées par voie physique dans un bâti ultra-vide de pulvérisation cathodique. Une attention particulière s'est portée sur l'évolution des caractéristiques structurales, et dans certains cas magnétiques, des nanostructures, en fonction de leur taille et des paramètres d'élaboration. Deux types de nanostructures ont été étudiés : des films minces épitaxiés sur un substrat cristallin de MgO (001) et des nanoparticules élaborées dans une matrice d'alumine amorphe. L'évolution des caractéristiques morphologique, chimique et structurale a été analysée par diffraction des rayons X et par microscopie électronique en transmission et spectroscopies associées. Les propriétés magnétiques ont été étudiées macroscopiquement par magnétométrie à échantillon vibrant (VSM) et in-situ dans un microscope par holographie électronique. / With the increasing demand for ultra-high density magnetic recording, an important effort was put on fabrication and control of magnetic nanoalloys. Indeed, magnetic alloys possess much more interesting properties than magnetic pure metals in particular chemically ordered alloys (higher magnetic anisotropy). When these alloys have a nanometer size, their properties may change significantly. In the last decade, much attention has been paid to the remarkable magnetic properties of the FeRh ordered alloy, for both fundamental and technological issues. Indeed, the FeRh alloy presents, in a very narrow range of composition close to the equiatomic one, a magnetic transition from antiferromagnetic (AFM) to ferromagnetic (FM) state. This transition takes place at a temperature close to 370K in the bulk, i.e. slightly higher than room temperature, which make with alloy particularly attractive for applications as heat-assisted magnetic recording or for microelectronics. The present work focuses on the fabrication and study of FeRh nanostructures with different morphologies. All the nanostructures were grown by dc magnetron sputtering in an ultra-high vacuum chamber. Particular attention was paid to the evolution of the structural, and eventually magnetic, characteristics of the nanostructures as the function of their size and the growth conditions. Two types of nanostructures were studied: thin films epitaxially grown on MgO (001) and nanoparticles embedded in an amorphous alumina matrix. The evolution of the morphological chemical and structural characteristics was analyzed by high-angle X-ray diffraction (XRD) and by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and associated spectroscopies. Magnetic properties were studied by vibrating sample magnetometer and in-situ in a microscope by electronic holography.

Aluminum based reactive nanomaterials have extensive applications in many fields including solid propellants, pyrotechnics, and catalytic reactions. One recent example is the novel concept of using nanostructured energetic particles for energy storage where the controlled exothermic reaction is the key to control the energy release process. It is of primary interest to understand the thermodynamics, kinetics, morphological and structural properties of these particles during the exothermic reaction. While the physiochemical properties of the monometallic powders are determined only by their size, the properties of bimetallic nanoalloys can be also engineered by their constituent compositions. This thesis conducts a systematic experimental investigation of the oxidation, ignition, and combustion of nano aluminum particles (nAl) and nanoalloys such as nanoscale aluminium-copper (n-AlCu) and aluminium-zinc (n-AlZn). The oxidation experiments are conducted by a TGA/DSC system with detailed characterisation of particles before and after the experiments by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the Nanosizer, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and powder X-ray diffractionmetry (XRD). In the TGA/DSC analysis, nanomaterials are oxidized either at constant temperature or under different heating rates in the controlled atmosphere of air or nitrogen. A unique early ignition reaction is observed at the high heating rates for nAl and n-AlCu, which is associated with the effect of polymorphic phase transformation of the alumina shell and the early melting of the aluminum core. Different to the conventional shrink-core concept, hollow structures, i.e. nanoholes, in the central regions of nAl are observed and a phenomenal model is proposed. The comparison of the thermal-chemical characteristics of different nanomaterials reveals some unique 5 features related to nano-alloys such as increased reactivity. A preliminary combustion experiment on feeding nanoparticles in a methane stream is performed with a Bunsen burner setup, where the burning characteristics of different nanoparticles are analysed.

Nanoclusters a base de platina vêm sendo amplamente estudados devido à possibilidade de ajustar suas propriedades físicas e químicas através da manipulação de seu tamanho, forma e composição. No entanto, nossa compreensão em nível atomístico dos mecanismos que determinam a estabilidade desses sistemas está longe de ser ideal. Nesta dissertação de mestrado, utilizamos a teoria do funcional da densidade, empregando o método de projeção de onda aumentada com a aproximação do gradiente generalizado, para investigar as propriedades enérgicas, estruturais e eletrônicas de nanoligas PtnMT55-n (MT = Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn). Usando uma energia relativa (energia excedente) para medir a estabilidade de uma nanoliga, sendo obtidas as seguintes composições de menor energia: Pt35Fe20, Pt42Co13, Pt28Ni27, Pt20Cu35 e Pt20Zn35. Com exceção da estrutura do tipo caroço-casca Pt42Co13 icosaedrica (ICO), os demais sistemas possuem ambos os átomos Pt e MT expostos diretamente à região de vácuo, o que é interessante para reações químicas. Das análises estruturais, obtivemos a relação entre tamanho, ordem de ligação e tendência de segregação. Para Zn55 e Pt55, as estruturas de caroço reduzido (RCORE) são preferidas, enquanto para MTs como Fe, Co, Ni e Cu que são menores do que a Pt em 10.6, 11.3, 11.3 e 8,5%, a geometria icosaedrica é favorecida. Portanto, a combinação de Pt com átomos de MT em uma nanoliga (PtMT) favorece a configuração ICO para átomos de MT pequenos (Fe, Co, Ni e Cu), devido a grande liberação de tensão. Já PtnZn55-n que apresentam pequena diferença de tamanho (Zn é menor do que a Pt em apenas 2,1%), consequentemente, a estabilização de estrutura ICO não é possível e uma estrutura RCORE é obtida para todas as composições analisadas. A posição do centro de gravidade dos estados-d ocupados em relação ao nível de Fermi pode ser ajustada em função da composição de Pt. Assim, a energia de adsorção do adsorbato para o nanoligas pode ser alterada, o que afeta a reatividade das nanoligas PtnMT55-n. / Platinum-based nanoclusters have been widely studied due to the possibility to tune their physical and chemical properties through size, shape, and composition. However, our atom-level understanding of the mechanisms that determines the stability of those systems is far from ideal. In this dissertation, we use the density functional theory, using the projected augmented wave method with the generalized gradient approximation, to investigate the energetic, structural, and electronic properties of the PtnTM55-n (TM = Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn) nanoclusters. Using a relative energy (excess energy) to measure the stability of a nanoalloy, we have obtained the lowest energy compositions Pt20Fe35, Pt42Co13, Pt28Ni27, Pt20Cu35, and Pt20Zn35. Except for the core-shell Pt42Co13 icosahedron (ICO) structure, the other systems have both Pt and TM atoms exposed directly to the vacuum region, which is interesting for chemical reactions. From structural analyses we have obtained an interplay of size mismatch, bond-order parameter, and the segregation tendency. For Zn55 and Pt55, the reduced-core (RCORE) structures are preferred, while for small size TMs, like Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu that are smaller than Pt by 10.6, 11.3, 11.3, and 8.5%, the icosahedral geometry is stabilized. The combination of Pt with TM atoms in a nanoalloy (PtTM) favors the ICO configuration for small TM atoms (Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu), because of the larger release of the strain energy. PtnZn55-n presents a small size mismatch (Zn is smaller than Pt by only 2.1%), consequently, the ICO stabilization is not possible and RCORE structure is obtained for all compositions. The position of the center of the gravity of the occupied d -states in relation to the Fermi level can be tuned as a function of the Pt composition. Thus, the adsorption energy of adsorbate to the nanoalloys can be changed, which can affect the reactivity of the PtnTM55-n nanoclusters.

Nanoligas bimetálicas têm atraído a atenção de pesquisadores nas últimas décadas devido a possibilidade de ajustar suas propriedades físico-químicas, tais como propriedades elétricas, ópticas, magnéticas e de reatividade, por meio da variação do número de átomos, da composição química e do formato geométrico. As nanoligas bimetálicas que combinam Pt com outros metais são especificamente interessantes na área de catálise heterogênea, devido a possibilidade de se obter materiais com propriedades distintas de seus respectivos sistemas unários no que se refere ao surgimento ou aumento da atividade catalítica, à seletividade e, muitas vezes, ao preço reduzido. Esse trabalho tem como objetivo investigar as propriedades estruturais, energéticas, eletrônicas e de estabilidade de nanoligas bimetálicas core-shell de 55 átomos que combinam Pt com metais de transição (MT) pertencentes às séries de transição 3d, 4d e 5d dos grupos de Fe a Zn. Esses sistemas foram estudados utilizando cálculos de primeiros princípios (ab initio) baseados na teoria do funcional da densidade, tal como implementada no código computacional VASP (Vienna Ab initio Simulation Package). As nanoligas putativas de mínimo global energético (pGMC) de composição Pt13MT42 e Pt42MT13 calculadas nesse estudo apresentaram características particulares quanto à geometria e ao arranjo das espécies metálicas na nanoliga. Ao que diz respeito aos arranjos core-shell, foram observados dois arranjos em que a fica Pt no caroço (Pt13Ag42 e Pt13 Au42) e sete arranjos em que a Pt fica na superfície (Pt42Fe13, Pt42Co13, Pt42Ni13, Pt42Cu13, Pt42Ru13, Pt42Rh13 e Pt42Os13). Os mecanismos que levam à formação destas e das demais nanoligas pGMC foram investigados com base em três fatores: raio atômico, energia de superfície e cargas de Bader. Verificou-se que raio e a energia de superfície competem como fator determinante pelas posições preferenciais de cada espécie metálica na nanoliga. Nos casos em que houve divergência, o raio apresentou-se como o fator de maior importância, entretanto, quando o raio das espécies são muitos próximos, a energia de superfície exerce um papel de maior importância. A partir da análise de cargas de Bader, observou-se ocorrência de transferência de carga da região do caroço para a região da superfície para a maioria das nanoligas. No mais, observou-se que as nanoligas core-shell contam com atração coulômbica de maior magnitude do que as demais nanoligas pGMC, como resultado de altas cargas de sinal oposto em cada uma das regiões. / Bimetallic nanoalloys have been attracting attention since the last decades due to the possibility of adjusting their physical-chemical properties, such as electrical, optical, magnetic and reactivity properties, by means of the variation of the number of atoms, chemical composition and geometry. Bimetallic nanoalloys that combine Pt with other metals are especially interesting for heterogeneous catalysis given the possibility of obtaining materials with properties that differ from their respective unary systems regarding the appearance or increase of catalytical activity, selectivity and, in many cases, reduced cost. The aim of this work is the evaluation of the stability and of structural, energetic and electronic properties of 55 atom core-shell bimetallic nanoalloys that combine Pt with transition metals (MT) from the 3d, 4d, and 5d transition periods from Fe to Zn groups. These systems were studied using first principle (ab initio) calculations based on density functional theory, as implemented in the VASP (Viena Ab initio Simulation Package) computer code. The nanoalloys with Pt13MT42 and Pt42MT13 compositions which were observed as putative global minimum configuration (pGMC) presented unique characteristics regarding their geommetry and the arrangement of the different metals within the nanoalloy. Considering the core-shell nanoalloys, two arrangements in which Pt is located in the core were observed (Pt13Ag42 e Pt13 Au42) as well as seven arrangements with Pt in the surface (Pt42Fe13, Pt42Co13, Pt42Ni13, Pt42Cu13, Pt42Ru13, Pt42Rh13 e Pt42Os13). The mechanisms that lead to the formation of these and of the remaining pGMC nanoalloys were investigated considering three factors: atomic radius, surface energy and Bader charges. It was verified that atomic radius and surface energy compete directly for the determination of preferential sites for the atoms in the nanoalloy. When these two factors diverge, the atomic radius is the most important factor. However, when the radii of the species involved are similar, the surface energy becomes the determining factor. In addition, Bader charges analysis showed that, for most nanoalloys, the core is positively charged and the shell accumulates negative charge, indicating that charge is transfered from the atoms in the core to the ones in the surface. Besides, the core-shell nanoalloys have a higher coulombic attraction in comparison with others pGMC, due to high quantities of charge with opposite sign in each region.

Clusters are aggregates of a finite number of atoms or molecules. In the present work, free clusters out of metallic parent materials have been created and studied by synchrotron radiation-based photoelectron spectroscopy. The clusters have been formed and studied in a beam and the electronic structure of the clusters has been investigated. Conclusions have been drawn about the spatial distribution of atoms of different elements in bi-component clusters, about the development of metallicity in small clusters, and about the excitation of plasmons. Bi-component alloy clusters of sodium and potassium and of copper and silver have been produced. The site-sensitivity of the photoelectron spectroscopy technique has allowed us to probe the geometric distribution of the atoms of the constituent elements by comparing the responses from the bulk and surface of the clusters. In both cases, we have found evidence for a surface-segregated structure, with the element with the largest atoms and lowest cohesive energy (potassium and silver, correspondingly) dominating the surface and with a mixed bulk. Small clusters of tin and lead have been probed to investigate the development of metallicity. The difference in screening efficiency between metals and non-metals has been utilized to determine in what size range an aggregate of atoms of these metallic parent materials stops to be metallic. For tin this has been found to occur below ~40 atoms while for lead it happened somewhere below 20-30 atoms. The excitation of bulk and surface plasmons has been studied in clusters of sodium, potassium, magnesium and aluminium, with radii in the nanometer range. The excitation energies have been found to be close to those of the corresponding macroscopic solids. We have also observed spectral features corresponding to multi-quantum plasmon excitation in clusters of Na and K. Such features have in macroscopic solids been interpreted as due to harmonic plasmon excitation. Our observations of features corresponding to the excitation of one bulk and one surface plasmon however suggest the presence of sequential excitation in clusters.

Masters of Science / The electrochemical oxidation of ammonia has attracted much attention as an efficient green method for application in direct ammonia fuel cells (DAFCs) and the production of high purity hydrogen. However, the insufficient performance and high costs of platinum has hindered the large scale application of ammonia (NH₃) electro-oxidation technologies. Therefore, there is a need for the fabrication of efficient electrocatalysts for NH₃ electrooxidation with improved activity and lower Pt loading. Owing to their unique catalytic properties, nanoalloys of platinum group metals (PGMs) are being designated as possible electrocatalysts for NH₃ oxidation. This study presents for the first time a chemical synthesis of unsupported ternary PGM based nanoalloys such as Cu@Pt@Ir with multi-shell structures and Cu-Pt-Ir mixed nanoalloys for electro-catalysis of NH3 oxidation. The nanoalloys were stabilised with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as the capping agent. The structural properties of the nanoalloys were studied using ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) and fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopic techniques. The elemental composition, average particle size and morphology of the materials were evaluated by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) coupled to energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. High resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM) was used for morphological characterisation. Additionally, scanning auger nanoprobe microscopy (NanoSAM) was employed to provide high performance auger (AES) spectral analysis and auger imaging of complex multi-layered Cu@Pt@Ir nanoalloy surface. X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy was used to investigate the crystallinity of the nanoalloys. The electrochemistry of the nanoalloy materials was interrogated with cyclic voltammetry (CV) and square wave voltammetry (SWV). The electrocatalytic activity of novel Cu-Pt-Ir trimetallic nanoalloys for the oxidation of ammonia was tested using CV. UV-Vis spectroscopy confirmed the complete reduction of the metal precursors to the respective nanoparticles. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the presence of the PVP polymer as well as formation of a bond between the polymer (PVP) chains and the metal surface for all nanoparticles (NPs). Furthermore, HRTEM confirmed that the small irregular interconnected PVP stabilised Cu@Pt@Ir NPs were about 5 nm in size. The elemental composition of the alloy nanoparticles measured using EDX also confirmed the presence of Cu, Pt and Ir. Cyclic voltammetry indicated that both the GCE|Cu-Pt-Ir NPs and GCE|Cu@Pt@Ir NPs are active electrocatalysts for NH3 oxidation as witnessed by the formation of a well-defined anodic peak around -0.298 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). Thus the GCE|Cu-Pt-Ir NPs was found to be a suitable electrocatalyst that enhances the kinetics of oxidation of ammonia at reduced overpotential and high peak current in comparison with GCE|Cu@Pt@Ir NPs, GCE|Pt NPs, GCE|Ir NPs and GCE|Cu NPs electrocatalysts. The presence of the crystalline phases in each sample was confirmed by XRD analysis. The surface analysis of Cu@Pt@Ir nanoalloy with AES surveys revealed the presence of Pt, Ir and Cu elements in all probed spots suggesting some mixing between the layers of the nanoalloy. Yet, analysis of nanoalloys by CV and XRD confirmed the presence of Cu-Pt and Pt-Ir solid solutions in the Cu-Pt-Ir and Cu@Pt@Ir nanoalloys respectively.

Magister Scientiae - MSc (Chemistry) / Pulmonary Tuberculosis (TB) a disease second to HIV/AIDS is a global health problem that arises in two states; as an active state and as a latent state. Diagnosis of active TB is tedious and requires expensive procedures since there is no recognizable method for the sole detection of active TB. The current diagnosis consists of chest X-rays and multiple sputum cultures used for acid-fast bacilli detection. The TB diagnosis of children is particularly difficult which further complicates the diagnosis. Thus, rapid identification of this pathogen is important for the treatment and control of this infection to allow effective and timely therapy. In an effort to solve this issue, this study reports the development of immunosensors constructed with electroactive layers of amino groups functionalized graphene oxide (GO) doped respectively with green synthesized zinc oxide (ZnO NPs) nanoparticles and silver (Ag NPs) nanoparticles on glassy carbon electrodes. The surface morphology of GO, ZnO NPs, Ag NPs and their composites was revealed by employing High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HR-TEM) and High-Resolution Scanning Electron Microscopy (HR-SEM) while the composition and structure of these materials were studied using Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FTIR). The resultant graphene oxide-metallic composites were covalently attached with CFP-10 and/or ESAT-6 antibodies to achieve the electrochemical detection. The immunosensor was then used for the impedimetric and amperometric detection of anti-CFP-10 and/or anti-ESAT-6 antigens in standard solutions.

Nanoligas bimetálicas têm atraído a atenção de pesquisadores nas últimas décadas devido a possibilidade de ajustar suas propriedades físico-químicas, tais como propriedades elétricas, ópticas, magnéticas e de reatividade, por meio da variação do número de átomos, da composição química e do formato geométrico. As nanoligas bimetálicas que combinam Pt com outros metais são especificamente interessantes na área de catálise heterogênea, devido a possibilidade de se obter materiais com propriedades distintas de seus respectivos sistemas unários no que se refere ao surgimento ou aumento da atividade catalítica, à seletividade e, muitas vezes, ao preço reduzido. Esse trabalho tem como objetivo investigar as propriedades estruturais, energéticas, eletrônicas e de estabilidade de nanoligas bimetálicas core-shell de 55 átomos que combinam Pt com metais de transição (MT) pertencentes às séries de transição 3d, 4d e 5d dos grupos de Fe a Zn. Esses sistemas foram estudados utilizando cálculos de primeiros princípios (ab initio) baseados na teoria do funcional da densidade, tal como implementada no código computacional VASP (Vienna Ab initio Simulation Package). As nanoligas putativas de mínimo global energético (pGMC) de composição Pt13MT42 e Pt42MT13 calculadas nesse estudo apresentaram características particulares quanto à geometria e ao arranjo das espécies metálicas na nanoliga. Ao que diz respeito aos arranjos core-shell, foram observados dois arranjos em que a fica Pt no caroço (Pt13Ag42 e Pt13 Au42) e sete arranjos em que a Pt fica na superfície (Pt42Fe13, Pt42Co13, Pt42Ni13, Pt42Cu13, Pt42Ru13, Pt42Rh13 e Pt42Os13). Os mecanismos que levam à formação destas e das demais nanoligas pGMC foram investigados com base em três fatores: raio atômico, energia de superfície e cargas de Bader. Verificou-se que raio e a energia de superfície competem como fator determinante pelas posições preferenciais de cada espécie metálica na nanoliga. Nos casos em que houve divergência, o raio apresentou-se como o fator de maior importância, entretanto, quando o raio das espécies são muitos próximos, a energia de superfície exerce um papel de maior importância. A partir da análise de cargas de Bader, observou-se ocorrência de transferência de carga da região do caroço para a região da superfície para a maioria das nanoligas. No mais, observou-se que as nanoligas core-shell contam com atração coulômbica de maior magnitude do que as demais nanoligas pGMC, como resultado de altas cargas de sinal oposto em cada uma das regiões. / Bimetallic nanoalloys have been attracting attention since the last decades due to the possibility of adjusting their physical-chemical properties, such as electrical, optical, magnetic and reactivity properties, by means of the variation of the number of atoms, chemical composition and geometry. Bimetallic nanoalloys that combine Pt with other metals are especially interesting for heterogeneous catalysis given the possibility of obtaining materials with properties that differ from their respective unary systems regarding the appearance or increase of catalytical activity, selectivity and, in many cases, reduced cost. The aim of this work is the evaluation of the stability and of structural, energetic and electronic properties of 55 atom core-shell bimetallic nanoalloys that combine Pt with transition metals (MT) from the 3d, 4d, and 5d transition periods from Fe to Zn groups. These systems were studied using first principle (ab initio) calculations based on density functional theory, as implemented in the VASP (Viena Ab initio Simulation Package) computer code. The nanoalloys with Pt13MT42 and Pt42MT13 compositions which were observed as putative global minimum configuration (pGMC) presented unique characteristics regarding their geommetry and the arrangement of the different metals within the nanoalloy. Considering the core-shell nanoalloys, two arrangements in which Pt is located in the core were observed (Pt13Ag42 e Pt13 Au42) as well as seven arrangements with Pt in the surface (Pt42Fe13, Pt42Co13, Pt42Ni13, Pt42Cu13, Pt42Ru13, Pt42Rh13 e Pt42Os13). The mechanisms that lead to the formation of these and of the remaining pGMC nanoalloys were investigated considering three factors: atomic radius, surface energy and Bader charges. It was verified that atomic radius and surface energy compete directly for the determination of preferential sites for the atoms in the nanoalloy. When these two factors diverge, the atomic radius is the most important factor. However, when the radii of the species involved are similar, the surface energy becomes the determining factor. In addition, Bader charges analysis showed that, for most nanoalloys, the core is positively charged and the shell accumulates negative charge, indicating that charge is transfered from the atoms in the core to the ones in the surface. Besides, the core-shell nanoalloys have a higher coulombic attraction in comparison with others pGMC, due to high quantities of charge with opposite sign in each region.

Nanoclusters a base de platina vêm sendo amplamente estudados devido à possibilidade de ajustar suas propriedades físicas e químicas através da manipulação de seu tamanho, forma e composição. No entanto, nossa compreensão em nível atomístico dos mecanismos que determinam a estabilidade desses sistemas está longe de ser ideal. Nesta dissertação de mestrado, utilizamos a teoria do funcional da densidade, empregando o método de projeção de onda aumentada com a aproximação do gradiente generalizado, para investigar as propriedades enérgicas, estruturais e eletrônicas de nanoligas PtnMT55-n (MT = Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn). Usando uma energia relativa (energia excedente) para medir a estabilidade de uma nanoliga, sendo obtidas as seguintes composições de menor energia: Pt35Fe20, Pt42Co13, Pt28Ni27, Pt20Cu35 e Pt20Zn35. Com exceção da estrutura do tipo caroço-casca Pt42Co13 icosaedrica (ICO), os demais sistemas possuem ambos os átomos Pt e MT expostos diretamente à região de vácuo, o que é interessante para reações químicas. Das análises estruturais, obtivemos a relação entre tamanho, ordem de ligação e tendência de segregação. Para Zn55 e Pt55, as estruturas de caroço reduzido (RCORE) são preferidas, enquanto para MTs como Fe, Co, Ni e Cu que são menores do que a Pt em 10.6, 11.3, 11.3 e 8,5%, a geometria icosaedrica é favorecida. Portanto, a combinação de Pt com átomos de MT em uma nanoliga (PtMT) favorece a configuração ICO para átomos de MT pequenos (Fe, Co, Ni e Cu), devido a grande liberação de tensão. Já PtnZn55-n que apresentam pequena diferença de tamanho (Zn é menor do que a Pt em apenas 2,1%), consequentemente, a estabilização de estrutura ICO não é possível e uma estrutura RCORE é obtida para todas as composições analisadas. A posição do centro de gravidade dos estados-d ocupados em relação ao nível de Fermi pode ser ajustada em função da composição de Pt. Assim, a energia de adsorção do adsorbato para o nanoligas pode ser alterada, o que afeta a reatividade das nanoligas PtnMT55-n. / Platinum-based nanoclusters have been widely studied due to the possibility to tune their physical and chemical properties through size, shape, and composition. However, our atom-level understanding of the mechanisms that determines the stability of those systems is far from ideal. In this dissertation, we use the density functional theory, using the projected augmented wave method with the generalized gradient approximation, to investigate the energetic, structural, and electronic properties of the PtnTM55-n (TM = Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn) nanoclusters. Using a relative energy (excess energy) to measure the stability of a nanoalloy, we have obtained the lowest energy compositions Pt20Fe35, Pt42Co13, Pt28Ni27, Pt20Cu35, and Pt20Zn35. Except for the core-shell Pt42Co13 icosahedron (ICO) structure, the other systems have both Pt and TM atoms exposed directly to the vacuum region, which is interesting for chemical reactions. From structural analyses we have obtained an interplay of size mismatch, bond-order parameter, and the segregation tendency. For Zn55 and Pt55, the reduced-core (RCORE) structures are preferred, while for small size TMs, like Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu that are smaller than Pt by 10.6, 11.3, 11.3, and 8.5%, the icosahedral geometry is stabilized. The combination of Pt with TM atoms in a nanoalloy (PtTM) favors the ICO configuration for small TM atoms (Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu), because of the larger release of the strain energy. PtnZn55-n presents a small size mismatch (Zn is smaller than Pt by only 2.1%), consequently, the ICO stabilization is not possible and RCORE structure is obtained for all compositions. The position of the center of the gravity of the occupied d -states in relation to the Fermi level can be tuned as a function of the Pt composition. Thus, the adsorption energy of adsorbate to the nanoalloys can be changed, which can affect the reactivity of the PtnTM55-n nanoclusters.

Le contrôle de l'organisation bidimensionnel de nanoparticules est primordial dans le défi que représentent l'enregistrement magnétique et l'augmentation de la capacité de stockage. Plus particulièrement, c'est ici la diminution de la taille des bits d'informations qui est ciblée. La conséquence serait alors une augmentation de la capacité de stockage de deux à trois ordres de grandeurs. Mais pour ce faire, il est nécessaire d'avoir une organisation bidimensionnelle de nanoparticules magnétiques de taille, forme et composition contrôlée. Via deux méthodes de synthèse, des nanoalliages de CoPt et Co33Pt67 de l'ordre de 2 nm ont été synthétisées. Ces derniers ont présenté alors des températures de blocage et des champs coercitifs ne permettant pas leurs utilisations dans des applications dans l'enregistrement magnétique. Cela s'explique par le fait qu'après synthèse, ces nanoparticules sont désordonnées chimiquement. Afin d'améliorer l'ordre chimique et donc les propriétés magnétiques, des recuits thermiques ont été effectués. Il a été montré que la mise en ordre a lieu vers 400°C et que, dans le cas de nanocristaux de Co33Pt67, la forme et la taille restent inchangées. Ces derniers pourraient être utilisés dans l'enregistrement magnétique à condition de pouvoir contrôler la distance interparticulaire. C'est pourquoi nous avons utilisé des molécules organiques capables de s'auto-assembler sur surface sur de longues distances et formant des réseaux nanoporeux aptes à servir de systèmes hôte et à capter les nanoparticules. Nous avons alors montré que des nanoparticules de platine possèdent une organisation quasi-hexagonale et monoclinique à moyenne distance. / The fine control of nanoparticles bi-dimensional organization remains a main challenge for magnetic recording applications. Although the current size for a data bit is around a few tens of nanometers, it could be reduced to the nanometer scale simply through using magnetic nanoparticles. Nonetheless, intrinsic parameters of the nanoparticles such as their sizes, shapes and chemical compositions have a direct incidence on their periodic arrangement. Two different chemical routes were used to synthesize 2 nm CoPt and Co33Pt67 nanoalloys. Due to the high chemical disordering of these nanocrystals, the blocking temperature and coercive fields were lower than wished for data storage applications. In order to exhibit a higher chemical ordering, in situ annealing of these nanocrystals was carried out. It has been shown that ordering occurred around 400°C. Plus, size and shape for Co33Pt67 were kept after annealing but not for equiatomic composition. Nevertheless, only poor mesoscopic ordering between nanoparticles is observed, as reported elsewhere. This hurdle could be overcome in using organic molecules able to self-assemble on graphite and forming a porous two-dimensional supramolecular template. Thus, such template was designed and used to demonstrate that 2 nm Pt nanoparticles can locally organize in quasi-hexagonal or monoclinic lattices.