In this thesis, carbon supported platinum nanoparticle catalysts were prepared using PtCl4 and H2PtCl6 as starting materials and 1-heptanethiol, tert-nonyl mercaptan, 1-hexadecanethiol, 1-octadecanethiol as surfactants. These new catalysts were employed for methanol oxidation reaction which are used for direct methanol fuel cells. Tert-nonyl mercaptane was used for the first time in this type of reaction and the other surfactants were used for comparison of the catalysts performance. Cyclic voltammetry (CV), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used in order to determine the nature of the catalysts. The average platinum crystallite particle sizes of all prepared catalysts were determined by both X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. It was found that platinum crystallizes in face-centered cubic structure and the surfactant play an important role on the size of platinum nanoparticles, branch surfactant, such as tert-nonyl mercaptane, causes an increase in the size of platinum nanoparticles, about 3 nm, compared to linear surfactant, such as 1-heptanethiol, about 2 nm. The oxidation states of platinum and their ratios were determined by XPS technique. These results indicated that platinum has two different oxidation states, zero and +4, and Pt(0) to Pt(IV) ratio is about 7.5 to 2.5. In addition to this, O 1s region of XPS was also examined and found that the surface of all of the catalysts covered by adsorbed hydroxide except the catalyst which was prepared by PtCl4 and tert-nonyl mercaptane (Catalyst IIa), where adsorption of water were observed and the catalyst which was prepared by H2PtCl6 and tert-nonyl mercaptane (Catalysts IIb), where adsorption of 65% of hydroxide and 35% of water were identified. Electrochemical studies indicated that Catalyst IIa has the maximum activity (&amp / #61566 / 342 A/gPt at 0.612 V) towards methanol oxidation reaction while Catalyst IIIb (H2PtCl6 and 1-hexanethiol were used to prepare this catalyst) has the minimum activity (&amp / #61566 / 91A/gPt at 0.580V). XRD, TEM and XPS results indicated that the optimum catalyst for methanol oxidation reaction contains about 3 nm of platinum nanoparticles, adsorbed hydroxide and water on the surface of catalyst, but sulphur. These results are in agreement with the proposed mechanism.

Submitted by Milena Rubi (milenarubi@ufscar.br) on 2017-08-16T16:46:54Z No. of bitstreams: 1 ANUNCIACAO_Eduardo_2017.pdf: 22889091 bytes, checksum: eaec97b1dbf9de44c126b87bb16c49c5 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Milena Rubi (milenarubi@ufscar.br) on 2017-08-16T16:47:02Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 ANUNCIACAO_Eduardo_2017.pdf: 22889091 bytes, checksum: eaec97b1dbf9de44c126b87bb16c49c5 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Milena Rubi (milenarubi@ufscar.br) on 2017-08-16T16:47:10Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 ANUNCIACAO_Eduardo_2017.pdf: 22889091 bytes, checksum: eaec97b1dbf9de44c126b87bb16c49c5 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-08-16T16:47:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ANUNCIACAO_Eduardo_2017.pdf: 22889091 bytes, checksum: eaec97b1dbf9de44c126b87bb16c49c5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-03-28 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Uric acid is an endogenous substance produced from the metabolism of purines. The concentration of serum uric acid in the human body considered normal is between 0.24 - 0.52 mmol.L-1 . High levels of uric acid in the body lead to a condition known as hyperuricemia. Therefore, the monitoring of uric acid in the body is of great importance. In this work we present amperometric biosensors based on the association of the enzyme UOx with platinum nanoparticles to detect uric acid. The technique used to assemble the films that compose the biosensor was the Layer-by-Layer (LbL). Two techniques were used for the synthesis of nanoparticles for the construction of two different film architectures. In the first architecture, the nanoparticles were deposited in situ on a polyethyleneimine (PEI) and sodium polyvinyl sulfate (PVS) film - by reducing hexachloroplatinic acid hexahydrate with sodium borohydride. The bilayers composed of (PEI/UOx)n were deposited on a film containing platinum nanoparticles deposited in situ. In the second architecture, the nanoparticles were synthesized by mixing PEI solution with hexachloroplatinic acid solution and sodium borohydride solution. This solution was deposited alternating with enzymatic solution. The amperometric analyses were performed at +0.347 V potential, with successive additions of 2 mmol.L-1 of uric acid in an electrochemical cell containing phosphate buffered saline (PBS) pH 7.4. For the first architecture, the limit of detection found by the amperometric method was 5.17 µmol.L-1 with the linear detection range comprised in the range between 3.92 - 11.3 µmol.L-1 . For the second architecture, the limit of detection found by the amperometric method was 4.68 µmol.L-1 with a linear detection range between 14.18 - 55.56 µmol.L-1 . For the same architecture an using the differential pulse voltammetry method the values of limit of detection and linear detection range were 0.11 µmol.L-1 and particles / mL, respectively. The biosensors presented limits of detection close to the values found in the literature for other biosensor proving to be efficient for the detection of uric acid. / O ácido úrico é uma substância endógena produzida a partir do metabolismo das purinas. A concentração de ácido úrico sérico no organismo humano considerado normal é entre 0,24 - 0,52 mmol.L-1 . Altos níveis de ácido úrico no organismo levam a um quadro conhecido como hiperuricemia. Portanto, o monitoramento de ácido úrico no organismo é de grande importância. Neste trabalho apresentamos biossensores amperométricos baseados na associação da enzima UOx com nanopartículas de platina para detecção de ácido úrico. A técnica utilizada para a fabricação dos filmes que compõem o biossensor foi a Layer-by-Layer (LbL). Duas técnicas foram utilizadas para a síntese de nanopartículas para a construção de duas arquiteturas diferentes na construção dos filmes. Na primeira arquitetura, as nanopartículas foram depositadas in situ sobre um colchão de polieletrólitos – polietilenoimina (PEI) e polivinil sulfato de sódio (PVS) – pela redução do ácido hexacloroplatínico hexaidratado com boroidreto de sódio. As bicamadas compostas por (PEI/UOx)n foram depositadas sobre colchão contendo nanopartículas de platina depositadas in situ. Na segunda arquitetura, as nanopartículas foram sintetizadas misturando-se solução de PEI com solução de ácido hexacloroplatínico e solução de borohidreto de sódio. Esta solução foi depositada alternando-se com solução enzimática. As análises amperométricas foram realizadas em potencial +0,347 V, com adições sucessivas de ácido úrico de concentração 2 mmol.L-1 em uma célula eletroquímica contendo tampão fosfato salino (PBS) pH 7,4. Para a primeira arquitetura, o limite de detecção encontrado pelo método amperométrico foi de 5,17 µmol.L-1 com a faixa linear de detecção compreendido no intervalo entre 3,92 - 11,3 µmol.L-1 . Para a segunda arquitetura, o limite de detecção encontrado pelo método amperométrico foi de 4,68 µmol.L-1 com a faixa linear de detecção compreendido no intervalo entre 14,18 – 55,56 µmol.L-1 , e para o método DPV os valores de LD e faixa linear de detecção encontrados foram 0,11 µmol.L-1 e 1,8×10& ± 0,2×10& partículas/mL, respectivamente. Os biossensores apresentaram limites de detecção próximos aos valores encontrados na literatura, mostrando-se eficientes para detecção de ácido úrico.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-20T12:37:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Vagner dos Santos1.pdf: 3358133 bytes, checksum: 5d65fc2649ed2010f554ec6574971249 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-06-20 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / This thesis describes the use of the chloride of 3-n-propyl-pyridinium-silsesquioxane polymer (SiPy+Cl-) as an efficient stabilizer for the synthesis of platinum nanoparticles (NPs-Pt). Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and measurements of dynamic light scattering (DLS) showed good distribution of NPs-Pt (3-40 nm) in the cavities of the SiPy+Cl-. The nanohybrid (Pt-SiPy+Cl-) obtained was used as polycation in the preparation of thin films by the Layer-by-Layer (LbL) technique. In order to investigate the electrocatalytic properties, films were obtained by the alternated deposition of the polyanions poly-2,5-metoxipropiloxisulfonated-phenylenevinylene (PPV-SO3) and acid (polyvinylsulfonic) (PVS) with Pt-SiPy+Cl- polycation in the architectures (PPV/Pt-SiPy+Cl-)n, (Pt-SiPy+Cl-/PPV)n, (PVS/Pt-SiPy+Cl-)n and (Pt-SiPy+Cl-/PVS)n, respectively. The deposition of the films was monitored by UV-Vis spectroscopy, which showed a linear growth in each bilayer deposited. In addition, it was observed by UV-Vis spectra that the deposition sequence initiated by polyanions (PPV-SO3 or PVS) showed higher absorbance, indicating that the architectures (PPV/Pt-SiPy+Cl-)n and (PVS/Pt-SiPy+Cl-)n contain more species of NPs-Pt available on the surface of the films. The presence of polyelectrolytes in the films and the interaction between them were verified by Infrared spectroscopic (FTIR) and Raman. Electrochemical measurements for the detection of DA, with the LbL films from PVS e Pt-SiPy+Cl-, showed that the oxidation currents for the (PVS/Pt-SiPy+Cl-)3 in presence of its interferent the ascorbic acid (AA) were more intense, with a difference between the oxidation potential equal to 550 mV at pH 7. For the films containing PPV-SO3 and Pt-SiPy+Cl- it was found that the presence of PPV-SO3 is crucial to help the NPs-Pt in the process of electron transfer. The (PPV/Pt-SiPy+Cl-)3 LbL film detected simultaneously the DA and the interferents AA and uric acid (UA) (ΔE = 640 mV) with an oxidation potential difference of 90 mV higher than the observed with the (PVS/Pt-SiPy+Cl-)3 LbL film containing PVS (ΔE =550 mV). In addition, the better values of sensitivity (2,7 μmol L-1), detection limit (LD = 3,19 x 10-7 mol L-1), quantification limit ( LQ = 2,07 x 10-6 mol L-1) were observed in the studies with the LbL films (PPV/Pt-SiPy+Cl-)3 instead of PVS. In order to mimic a biological system, the LbL film (PPV/Pt-SiPy+Cl-)3 was selected to DA detection confined into liposomes from dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC). This film provided a difference of oxidation potential of 350 mV of the encapsulated DA, in the presence of AA and UA interfering. In vitro measurements for the detection of DA in striatal rat brain were performed successfully with drop-coated film of polyelectrolyte PPV and Pt-SiPy+Cl-, immobilized on screen-printed carbon electrode. Besides this analyte, the architectures of LbL films (PPV/Pt-SiPy+Cl-)n and (Pt-SiPy+Cl-/PPV)n were used in the detection of H2O2 and glucose. After immobilization of glucose oxidase (GOx) on the surface of the films, the biosensor (PPV/Pt-SiPy+Cl-)6GOx exhibited sensitivity = 1.17 μmol L-1, LD = 27.4 μmol L-1, LQ = 91.4 μmol L-1 e app m k = 2.64 mmol L-1, values greater than more complex films reported in the literature, demonstrating the importance of NPsPt for these films. / Esta tese descreve o uso do polímero cloreto de 3-n-propil-piridínio-silsesquioxano (SiPy+Cl-) como um eficiente estabilizante para síntese de nanopartículas de platina (NPs-Pt). Imagens de Microscopia Eletrônica de Transmissão e medidas de espalhamento dinâmico de luz indicaram boa distribuição das NPs-Pt (3-40 nm) nas cavidades do SiPy+Cl-. O nanohíbrido Pt-SiPy+Cl- obtido foi utilizado como policátion na preparação de filmes finos pela técnica Layer-by-Layer (LbL). Para investigação das propriedades eletrocatalíticas das NPs-Pt incorporadas ao SiPy+Cl-, obteve-se filmes pela deposição alternada dos poliânions poli-2,5-metoxipropiloxi-sulfonado fenilenovinileno (PPV-SO3) e ácido-polivinilsulfônico (PVS) com o policátion Pt-SiPy+Cl-, nas arquiteturas (PPV/Pt-SiPy+Cl-)n e (Pt-SiPy+Cl-/PPV)n, (PVS/Pt-SiPy+Cl-)n e (Pt-SiPy+Cl-/PVS)n, respectivamente. A deposição nos filmes LbL foi monitorada por espectroscopia de absorção na região do UV-Vis, a qual revelou um crescimento linear dos filmes a cada bicamada depositada. Além disso, nos espectros UV-Vis foi constatado que a sequência de deposição iniciada pelos poliânions (PPV-SO3 ou PVS) apresentou maior absorbância, indicando que nas arquiteturas (PPV/Pt-SiPy+Cl-)n e (PVS/Pt-SiPy+Cl-)n há mais espécies disponíveis de NPs-Pt na superfície dos filmes. A presença dos polieletrólitos nos filmes e a interação entre estes foram constatadas por medidas espectroscópicas de infravermelho (FTIR) e Raman. Nas medidas eletroquímicas para detecção de DA, com os filmes formados por PVS e Pt-SiPy+Cl-, verificou-se que o (PVS/Pt-SiPy+Cl-)3 apresentou correntes de oxidação para a DA mais intensas em meio ao interferente ácido ascórbico (AA), com uma diferença entre os potenciais de oxidação igual a 550 mV, em pH 7. Nos filmes contendo PPV-SO3 e Pt-SiPy+Cl- verificou-se que a presença do PPV-SO3 é fundamental para auxiliar as NPs-Pt no processo de transferência de elétrons. O filme LbL (PPV/Pt-SiPy+Cl-)3 detectou simultaneamente a DA em meio aos interferentes AA e ácido úrico (AU) (ΔE = 640 mV), com uma diferença de potenciais de oxidação 90 mV maior do que a observada com o filme contendo PVS (550 mV). Além disto, melhores valores de sensibilidade (2,7 μmol L-1), limite de detecção (LD = 3,19 x 10-7 mol L-1) e limite de quantificação (LQ = 2,07 x 10-6 mol L-1) foram observados nos estudos com o filme LbL (PPV/Pt-SiPy+Cl-)3 em relação ao PVS. A fim de mimetizar um sistema biológico, escolheu-se o filme LbL (PPV/Pt-SiPy+Cl-)3 para detecção de DA confinada nos lipossomos de dipalmitoilfosfatidil colina (DPPC). Este filme possibilitou uma diferença de potencial de oxidação de 350 mV da DA encapsulada, na presença dos interferentes AA e AU. A partir desta constatação, medidas in vitro para a detecção de DA em estriados cerebrais de ratos foram realizadas com sucesso com o filme drop-coated dos polieletrólitos PPV e Pt-SiPy+Cl-, imobilizados sobre eletrodo de carbono impresso. Além deste analito, as arquiteturas dos filmes LbL (PPV/Pt-SiPy+Cl-)n e (Pt-SiPy+Cl-/PPV)n foram utilizadas na detecção de H2O2 e glicose. Após imobilização de glicose oxidase (GOx) na superfície dos filmes, o biossensor (PPV/Pt-SiPy+Cl-)6GOx exibiu sensibilidade = 1,17 μmol L-1, LD = 27,4 μmol L-1, LQ = 91,4 μmol L-1 e appmk = 2,64 mmol L-1, valores estes superiores a filmes mais complexos relatados na literatura, demonstrando a importância das NPsPt para estes filmes.

Functional nanomaterials are gaining attention due to their excellent shape and size dependent optical, electrical and catalytic properties. Synthesizing nanoparticles is no longer novel with the availability of a host of synthesis protocols for a variety of shapes and sizes of particles. What is currently needed is an understanding the fundamentals of shape and size controlled synthesis to produce functional nanomaterials that is simple and general. In addition to simple metallic nanostructures, synthesizing bimetallic and hybrid nanostructures are important for applications. Instead of trying to add functionality to the preformed nanomaterials, it is advantageous to look for cost effective and general synthetic protocols that can yield bimetallic, hybrid nanostructures along with the shape and size control. In this dissertation, a novel synthetic protocol for the synthesis of ultrfine single crystalline nanowires, metallic and bimetallic nanostructures and hybrid nanostructures has been investigated. The key point of the synthesis is that all different functional nanostructures are achieved by the use of noble metal intermediates in organic medium without phase transfer reagents. The roles of capping agents, oriented attachment and aggregation phenomenon have been studied in order to understand the formation mechanisms. Along with the synthesis, formation mechanisms, the optical and catalytic properties of the functional, noble metal, bimetallic and hybrid nanostructures have been studied. The entire thesis based on the results and findings obtained from the present investigation is organized as follows: Chapter I provides a general introduction to functional nanomaterials, their properties and some general applications, along with a brief description of conventional methods for size and shape-controlled synthesis. Chapter II deals with the materials and methods which essentially gives the information about the materials used for the synthesis and the techniques utilized to characterize the materials chosen for the investigation. Chapter III presents a novel method of for synthesizing noble metals nanostructures starting from an intermediate solid phase. The method involves the direct synthesis of noble metal intermediates in organic medium without the use of any phase transfer reagent. Controlled reduction of these intermediates leads to the formation of ultrafine nanocrystallite building blocks. Controlled aggregation of the nanocrystallites under different conditions leads to the formation of different nanostructures ranging from single crystalline nanowires to porous metallic clusters. In this chapter, the details of synthesis of the intermediate phase of gold are presented. This intermediate phase is the rocksalt phase of AuCl that has been experimentally realized for the first time. Manipulation of the AuCl nanocubes leads to the formation of a variety of nanostructures of Au starting from hollow cubes to extended porous structures. Mechanistic details of the formation of the intermediate and the nanostructures are presented in this chapter. Chapter IV deals with the symmetry breaking of an FCC metal (gold) by oriented attachment of metal nanoparticles by the preferential removal of capping agent from certain facets and followed by the attachment of gold nanoparticles along those bare facets. This kind of oriented attachment leads to the formation of 1D nanostructures with high aspect ratios. In this chapter, the synthesis, characterisation, formation mechanism and optical properties of high aspect ratio, molecular scale single crystalline gold nanowires has been described. This represent the first ever successful method to produce ultrafine 1D metallic nanostructures approaching molecular dimensions. Chapter V deals with the formation of hybrid nanostructures by attaching the cubic intermediate phase to a substrate like carbon nanotubes followed by the reduction of the attached intermediates on the tubes. The Pt intermediates have been synthesized and attached on the wall of functionalized CNTs and reduced. The PtCNT nanocomposites been characterized by several spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. The electrocatalytic activity of these nanocomposites towards the methanol oxidation has also been investigated. The composites exhibit high catalytic activity and good long term performance. The presence of functional groups on the CNT surface overcomes some of the limitations of current single metal catalysts that suffer from CO poisoning. Chapter VI deals with the formation of palladium nanostructures ranging from nanoparticles to hierarchical aggregates by controlled aggregation of nanoparticles in an organic medium that is tuned by the dielectric constant of the system. A crystalline intermediate of palladium salt has been synthesized and this intermediate of palladium has been used as the precursor solution for the synthesis of palladium nanostructures. The formation mechanism of the nanoporous Pd cluster is investigated using the modified DLVO approach. The catalytic efficiency of the Pd nanostructures has been investigated using the reduction of pnitrophenol and electrocatalytic hydrogen storage as model reactions. Chapter VII discusses the possibility of achieving functional bimetallic alloys by simultaneous reduction of the cubic intermediate of two different metals with experimental evidences. The synergistic effect of the two different metals gives rise to better catalytic activity. This chapter mainly deals with the synthesis of bimetallic porous nanoclusters of goldpalladium and goldplatinum in an organic medium. Detailed microstructural and spectroscopic characterisation of the bimetallic nanoclusters has been carried out and their electrocatalytic performance, morphological stability also investigated.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD (Chemistry) / Supercapacitors, also known as ultracapacitors or electrochemical capacitors, are considered one of the most important subjects concerning electricity or energy storage which has proven to be problematic for South Africa. In this work, graphene oxide (GO) was supported with platinum, silver and copper nanoparticles anchored with dodecylbenzenesulphonic acid (DBSA) doped polyaniline (PANI) to form nanocomposites. Their properties were investigated with different characterization techniques. The high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) revealed GO's nanosheets to be light, flat, transparent and appeared to be larger than 1.5 ?m in thickness. This was also confirmed by high resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM) with smooth surfaces and wrinkled edges observed with the energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) confirming the presence of the functional groups such as carbon and oxygen. The HRTEM analysis of decorated GO with platinum, silver and copper nanoparticles (NPs) revealed small and uniformly dispersed NPs on the surface of GO with mean particle sizes of 2.3 ± 0.2 nm, 2.6 ± 0.3 nm and 3.5 ± 0.5 nm respectively and the surface of GO showed increasing roughness as observed in HRSEM micrographs. The X-ray fluorescence microscopy (XRF) and EDX confirmed the presence of the nanoparticles on the surface of GO as platinum, silver and copper which appeared in abundance in each spectra. Anchoring the GO with DBSA doped PANI revealed that single GO sheets were embedded into the polymer latex, which caused the DBSA-PANI particles to become adsorbed on their surfaces. This process then appeared as dark regions in the HRTEM images. Morphological studies by HRSEM also supported that single GO sheets were embedded into the polymer latex as composite formation appeared aggregated and as bounded particles with smooth and toothed edges.

The cell is the basic unit of all living organisms. It is an amazing machine capable of self-replicating, growing, and synthesizing and shuttling thousands of compounds. To perform all of these activities the cell needs energy. The original source of energy for all living beings is the Sun. The energy of the sun is collected by the autotrophs (mostly plants) through photosynthesis and stored in the chemical bonds of carbohydrates and lipids through carboxylic acid intermediates; animals use these compounds to obtain the energy for their cells. Most of the energy extracted by the cell comes from the citric acid cycle. Therefore, two crucial energy transfer checkpoints are photosynthesis and citric acid cycle. With growing need for energy, the limited supply of fossil fuel, and the search for a cleaner environment, scientists have turned to the Sun (directly or indirectly through wind, tides, biomass, etc.) to satisfy the needs of modern society trying to reach the dual Holy Grail of energy: harvesting energy through Artificial Photosynthesis and Low Temperature Biomass Oxidation. This work represents one more step toward reaching these Holy Grails. The core reagent used in our technique is ferritin. Ferritin recapitulates some of the essential features of a plant cell: it contains a semiconductor capable of charge separation, like chlorophyll, acts as a membrane to isolate compartments, and has an enzymatic activity that prevents charge build up and oxidative damage. The energy absorbed by ferritin from the artificial “solar” radiation is used to extract reducing equivalents from stable and partially oxidized compounds, mainly carboxylic acids. The energized electrons produced are then used for a number of technical applications, from synthesis of catalytically active nanoparticles, to reductive precipitation of contaminant heavy metals (i.e.: mercury), to hydrogen evolution.

Porous, conductive metallic nanostructures are required in several fields, such as energy conversion, low-cost sensors etc. This thesis reports on the development of an electrocatalytically active and conductive membrane for use in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs) and fabrication of low-cost substrates for Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS). One of the main challenges facing large-scale deployment of PEMFCs currently is to fabricate a catalyst layer that minimizes platinum loading, maximizes eletrocatalytically active area, and maximizes tolerance to CO in the feed stream. Modeling the kinetics of platinum catalyzed half cell reactions occurring in a PEMFC using the kinetic theory of gases and incorporating appropriate sticking coefficients provides a revealing insight that there is scope for an order of magnitude increase in maximum current density achievable from PEMFCs. To accomplish this, losses due to concentration polarization in gas diffusion layers, which occur at high current densities, need to be eliminated. A novel catalyst design, based on a porous metallic nanostructure, which aims to overcome the limitations of concentration polarization as well as minimize the amount of platinum loading in PEMFCs is proposed. Fabrication steps involving controlled in-plane fusion of self-assembled arrays of core-shell gold-platinum nanoparticles (Au@Pt) is envisioned. The key steps involved being the development of a facile synthesis route to form Au@Pt nanoparticles with tunable platinum shell thicknesses in the 5 nm size range, the formation of large-scale 2D arrays of Au@Pt nanoparticles using guided self-assembly, and optimization of an RF plasma process to promote in-plane fusion of the nanoparticles to form porous, electrocatalytically active and electrically conductive membranes. This thesis consists of seven chapters. The first chapter provides an introduction into the topic of PEMFCs, some perspective on the current status of research and development of PEMFCs, and an outline of the thesis. The second chapter provides an overview on the methods used, characterization techniques employed and protocols followed for sample preparation. The third chapter describes the modelling of a PEMFC using the Kinetic theory of gases to arrive at an estimate of the maximum feasible current density, based on the kinetics of the electrocatalytic reactions. The fourth chapter presents the development of a simple protocol for synthesizing Au@Pt nanoparticles with control over platinum shell thicknesses from the sub monolayer coverage onwards. The results of spectroscopic and microscopic characterization establish the uniformity of coating and the absence of secondary nucleation. Chapter five describes the formation of a nanoporous, electrocatalytically active membrane by self-assembly to form bilayers of 2D arrays of Au@Pt nanoparticles and subsequent fusion using an RF plasma based process. The evolution of the electrocatalytic activity and electrical conductivity as a function of the duration of RF plasma treatment is monitored for Au@Pt nanoparticles with various extent of platinum coating. Spectroscopic, microscopic, electrical and cyclic voltammetry characterization of the samples at various stages were used to understand the structural evolution with RF plasma treatment duration and discussed. Next durability studies were carried out on the nanoporous, Au@Pt bilayer nanoparticle array with an optimum composition of Pt/Au atomic ratio of 0.88 treated to 16 minutes of argon plasma exposure. After this the novel catalyst membrane design of PEM fuel cell is revisited. Two different techniques are proposed so that the thin, nanoporous, metallic catalyst membrane achieves horizontal electronic resistance equivalent to that of the conventional gas diffusion layer with catalyst layer. The first technique proposes the introduction of gold coated polymeric mesh in between the thin, nanoporous, metallic catalyst membrane and bipolar plate and discusses the advantages. Later the gold coated polymeric mesh is introduced in a conventional membrane electrode assembly and efficiency of the polarization curves probed with and without the introduction of gold coated polymeric mesh. The second technique describes the results of fabrication of a nanoporous metallic membrane using multiple layers of 2D Au@Pt nanoparticle arrays at an optimum composition of Pt/Au atomic ratio of 0.88 to reduce the horizontal electronic resistance. Preliminary studies on the permeability of water through such membranes supported on a porous polycarbonate filter membrane are also presented. In chapter six, a simple reactive inkjet printing process for fabricating SERS active silver nanostructures on paper is presented. The process adapts a simple room temperature protocol, using tannic acid as the reducing agent, developed earlier in our group to fabricate porous silver nanostructures on paper using a commercial office inkjet printer. The results of SERS characterization, spectroscopic and microscopic characterizations of the samples and the comparison of the substrate’s long-term performance with respect to a substrate fabricated using sodium borohydride as the reducing agent is discussed. Preliminary findings on attempts to fabricate a conductive silver network using RF plasma induced fusion area also presented. Chapter seven provides a summary of the results, draws conclusions and a perspective on work required to accomplish the goals of incorporating the porous metallic nanostructures into PEMFCs.

Ces travaux de recherche s'inscrivent dans le développement de nouveaux catalyseurs pour les piles à combustible de type PEMFC. L'objectif est d'améliorer le transfert de charges et de matières au sein des électrodes afin d'améliorer la durabilité des matériaux. Nous avons développé des catalyseurs qui permettent la transposition de la phénoménologie du point triple à l'échelle moléculaire. Le greffage de polymères conducteurs protoniques à la surface de nanoparticules de platine a été réalisé afin d'obtenir des complexes catalytiques nano-composites, comportant le catalyseur au platine, un conducteur protonique et un conducteur électronique. L'ensemble des matériaux issus de cette première étape ont été caractérisé en demi-cellule électrochimique afin de déterminer les catalyseurs les plus actifs et les plus sélectifs. Les matériaux les plus prometteurs ont enfin été testés en mono-cellule PEMFC de 5 cm² et 25 cm² afin de déterminer d'une part les performances in situ et d'autre part la durabilité des matériaux. Les électrodes nano-composites, formulées sans Nafion®, ont des caractéristiques équivalentes aux systèmes commerciaux. En effet, elles fournissent une densité de puissance maximale de 1 W.cm-2 et une durabilité de 20 µV.h-1 sur 300 h. Ces électrodes formulées sans composé fluoré permettent le recyclage du platine par pyrolyse. / This research work is within the scope of new catalysts for PEM fuel cells. The objective is to decrease the platinum amount in the electrode and to promote mass and electronic transfers, in order to improve the durability of the systems. We developed catalysts that enable the implementation of the phenomenology of the triple phase boundary at the molecular scale. The fieldwork concerns the grafting of proton conducting polymers (PSS) on the platinum nanoparticles surface in order to obtain nanocomposite catalysts. All synthetized materials are characterized in electrochemical half-cell, in order to determine the most active and the most selective catalyst. Then, the best catalytic complexes are tested in PEMFC 5 cm² and 25 cm² single-cell to determine in situ performance and materials durability. The properties of the nanocomposites electrodes formulated without Nafion®, are equivalent to commercial systems. Indeed, they provide a maximum power density of 1 W.cm-2 and a durability of 20 µV.h-1 during 300 h. These electrodes formulated without fluorinated compound allow platinum recycling by pyrolysis.

Chimie organométallique résonne avec catalyse homogène, et chimie des surfaces avec catalyse hétérogène. Mais la frontière établie entre ces deux domaines est en réalité très mince. Leur rapprochement aboutit dans les années 1990 au développement d’une nouvelle science : la chimie organométallique de surface, qui souligne leur complémentarité. L’objectif de cette science, dans laquelle s’inscrit ce travail de thèse, est de créer des catalyseurs hétérogènes à partir de composés organométalliques. Notre objectif est d’apporter une contribution à la compréhension de la formation de nanoparticules de platine - métal incontournable en catalyse hétérogène - sur des supports de silice amorphe, et ce grâce à la chimie organométallique. Au cours de ce travail, une palette de catalyseurs Pt/SiO2 a été préparée à partir de trois précurseurs de platine : le composé classique H2PtIVCl6.xH2O et deux composés organométalliques PtII(η 4-C8H12)Cl2 et Pt0(η 2-C7H10)3 , et de trois supports : une silice commerciale (Davison), une silice mésoporeuse SBA-15 synthétisée au laboratoire et unesilice naturelle, la diatomite. De plus, l’étude du catalyseur de référence au platine « EuroPt-1 » a permis de développer une méthodologie de suivi operando par Spectroscopie Infrarouge à Transformée de Fourier par Réflexion Diffuse (DRIFTS) de l’adsorption du monoxyde de carbone (CO) sur les différents sites d’une nanoparticule de platine. En conclusion, les catalyseurs préparés à partir de Pt0(η 2-C7H10)3 s’avèrent être plus actifs qu’EuroPt-1 pour la réaction d’oxydation du CO, ce qui démontre le potentiel d’utilisation des composés organométalliques dans le domaine de la catalyse hétérogène. / Organometallic chemistry resonates with homogeneous catalysis, and surface chemistry with heterogeneous catalysis. But the frontier between these two fields is very thin. In the 90’s, these fields approached each other and led to the development of a new science: organometallic surface chemistry, which underlines their complementarity. The goal of this science, with which this work is associated, is to create heterogeneous catalysts from organometallic compounds. Our goal is to contribute to the understanding of platinum nanoparticle formation - platinum being an important metal in heterogeneous catalysis - onto amorphous silica supports, thanks to organometallic chemistry. During this work, various Pt/SiO2 catalysts were prepared fromthree platinum precursors: the classical one, H2PtIVCl6.xH2O and two organometallic compounds PtII(η 4-C8H12)Cl2 et Pt0(η2-C7H10)3, and involved three supports: a commercial silica (Davison), a mesoporous silica SBA-15 synthesized in the laboratory, and a natural silica, the diatomite. Moreover, the study of the standard platinum reference catalyst “EuroPt-1” lead to the development of a methodology of operando Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy (DRIFTS) of carbon monoxide (CO) adsorption on the different sites of a platinum nanoparticle. Catalysts prepared from Pt0(η 2-C7H10)3 are more active than EuroPt-1 for the CO oxidation reaction, and this work shows the potential of organometallic precursors in the domain of heterogeneous catalysis.