Neste trabalho apresenta-se o estudo do comportamento eletroquímico anódico - direto (oxidação na superfície do eletrodo) e indireto (oxidação através de um oxidante eletrogerado, ou mediador) de β-ceto-sulfetos e βhidróxi-sulfetos de estruturas variadas. Foram utilizadas as técnicas de voltametria cíclica (anodo:pérola de Pt; referência: Ag/AgI; solvente: MeCN anidra e NaClO4 0,1 M como eletrólito de suporte) e de oxidações anódicas preparativas (potencial controlado ou corrente constante; eletrodos de Pt polida 4 cm2; solvente:MeCN/H2O (9:1v/v); NaClO4 0,2 M). Foram sintetizadas e estudadas as seguintes cetonas α-sulfeniladas: 2-etiltio- (I.1), 2-etiltio-2-metil (I.2) e, 2-feniltio-(I.3)-ciclo-hexano-1-onas; 2-metiltio-(II.1) e 2-metiltio-2-metil-(II.2)-1-tetralonas; 1-fenil-2-metiltio-butano-1-ona (III.1); 2-etiltio-1,2-difenil-etano-1-ona (IV.1) e três derivados aril-substituídos [4.4-OMe (IV.2); 4-OMe (IV.3); 2.2-Cl (IV.3); 2,2-Cl (IV.4)]. Os mediadores preparados e eletroquimicamente investigados foram os derivados bromados da trifenilamina (V.1): tris(4-bromofenil)amina (V.2) e tris(2,4-dibromo-fenil)amina (V.3). Os álcoois correspondentes foram preparados por redução direta das cetonas. Os resultados dos estudos eletroquímicos das cetonas demonstraram que o diferente comportamento eletroquímico deve-se a fatores estereoeletrônicos. Somente (III.1) e (IV.1, 2 e 3) eram oxidados indiretamente. As oxidações anódicas diretas dos β-hidróxi-sulfetos mostraram-se mais seletivas que as das cetonas relativas. Além do mais, a comparação entre as oxidações direta e indireta destes álcoois revelou que enquanto diretamente obtem-se dois ou três produtos, indiretamente os sulfóxidos correspondentes são obtidos. Como único produto, de todos álcoois exceto daqueles relativos às cetonas (IV. 2, 3 e 4). Também foi observado que a estereoquimica cis entre os grupos hidroxila e alquiltio é fator determinante para as oxidações eletroquímicas indiretas. Os estereoisômeros trans não eram oxidados indiretamente. Um intermediário cíclico, formado durante o processo de oxidação, é sugerido como explicação para estes fatos. Também foi observado que ocorre clivagem da ligação carbono-carbono entre os grupos hidroxila e alquiltio na oxidação anódica, quando os carbonos substituídos são terciários (no caso de 2-etiltio-1,2-dimetil-ciclohexan-1-ol), ou estão ligados a grupos fenila (IV.1, 2, 3 e 4). São obtidos os compostos carbonílicos correspondentes em bons rendimentos. / In the present work a study of the electrochemical oxidation behaviour under direct (oxidation at the electrode) and indirect (oxidation by on in situ electrogenerated species, a mediator) conditions of several β-keto and β-hydroxysulphides is reported. Cyclic voltammetry (anode: Pt bead, reference: Ag/AgI, 0.1 M NaClO4) in anhydrous acetonitrile) and preparative scale electrolysis under controlled potential or at constant current (anode: Pt 2 x 2 cm, 0.2 M NaClO4 in acetonitrile - water (9:1 v/v) were employed. The studied mediators were tris-(4-bromophenyl) and tris-2,4-dibromophenyl)amines. The following α-sulphenylated ketones were synthesized: 2-ethylthio-(I.1), 2-ethylthio-2-methyl (I.2) and 2-phenylthio-(I.3)-cyclohexan-1-ones; 2-methylthio-(II.1) and 2-methylthio-2-methyl-(II.2)-1-tetralones; 1-phenyl-2-methylbutan-1-one (III.1); 2-ethylthio-1,2-diphenylethan-1-one (IV.1) and three aryl derivatives [4,4\'-OMe (IV.2), 4\'-Ome (IV.3), 2,2\'-Cl (IV.3)]. The corresponding alcohols were prepared by direct reduction of the ketones. The results of the electrochemical studies for the investigated ketones demonstrated that their different behaviour is due to stereoelectronic effects. Only (III.1, IV.1, IV.2 and IV.3) were indirectly oxidized. The direct anodic oxidations of the β-hydroxy-sulphides were more selective than those of the corresponding ketones. Moreover, a comparison between direct and indirect oxidations of such alcohols reveal that while the former can give two or three products, the latter yields the relatives sulphoxides as the only products with all the alcohols except the ones related to (IV.2, 3 and 4). It was also noticed that the cis stereochemistry between hydroxyl and alkylthio groups is the determining feature in the indirect electrochemical oxidation of cyclic alcohols. No oxidation was observed in the case of the trans stereoisomers. A cyclic intermediate, formed during the oxidation process, is suggested to explain these facts. In addition, a cleavage of the carbon-carbon bond between the hydroxyl and alkylthio groups was observed in the anodic oxidation, when the substituted carbons are tertiary (in the case of 2-ethylthio-1,2- dimethylciclohexan-1-ol), or linked to phenyl groups (IV.1, 2, 3 and 4). In these cases, the corresponding carbonyl compounds were obtained in good yields.

Reconnu par leur effet toxique, inhibiteur et corrosif, les sulfures (S2-, SH-, SH2) sont un sous-produit indésirable de la digestion anaérobie des boues de station de traitement des eaux domestiques de la ville de Marrakech, Maroc (STEP). Ils proviennent essentiellement de la réduction "dissimilatrice" des composés soufrés (SO4 2-, SO3 2-, S2O4 2- ..) contenus dans ces boues. Ce processus est réalisé par un groupe bactérien anaérobie appelé bactéries sulfatoréductrices (BSR). Une fois dans le biogaz, les sulfures sous forme gazeuse réduisent en plus la durée de vie des installations et des équipements de la STEP. Elle est ainsi dotée d’installations biologiques et physico-chimiques lui permettant d’éliminer ces sulfures avant la transformation du biogaz en énergie électrique. Cependant, ces procédés sont onéreuses et grandes consommatrices d’énergies. D’où l’idée de minimiser la production des sulfures au sein même des digesteurs anaérobies. Pour cela, il était nécessaire d’abord de connaître les microorganismes à l'origine de la production des sulfures (BSR), ceux potentiellement impliqués dans leur élimination (bactéries sulfo-oxydantes), et d’un groupe de microorganismes fermentaires (Synergistetes) intervenant dans le bon fonctionnement de la digestion anaérobie. Ces études ont été menées à la fois sur des d'approches moléculaires et culturales. Les résultats obtenus, ont permis de comprendre comment ces groupes bactériens, d’intérêts écologique et économique importants, interviennent dans la digestion anaérobie des boues de la STEP permettant à la fois d’accélérer les processus d’oxydation de la matière organique combinée à la réduction des composés soufrés et de minimiser la concentration des en sulfure dans le biogaz. / Recognized by their toxic, inhibitory and corrosive effect, sulfides (S2-, SH-, H2S) are an undesirable by-product of the anaerobic digestion of from domestic wastewater treatment plants sludge in the city of Marrakech, Morocco (WWTP). They produced mainly by the dissimilatory reduction of sulfur compounds (SO42-, SO32-, S2O42-) contained in these sludges. This process is performed by an anaerobic bacterial group called sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB). Once in the biogas, the sulfides in gaseous form shorten in addition the lifetime of the installations and equipments of the WWTP. It is thus equipped with biological and physicochemical installations allowing it to eliminate these sulfides before the transformation of biogas into electrical energy. However, these processes are expensive and consume large amounts of energy. Hence the idea of minimizing the production of sulfides within anaerobic digesters. For this, it was first necessary to know the microorganisms originating of the production of sulfides (SRB), those potentially involved in their elimination (sulfur oxidizing bacteria), and a group of fermentative microorganisms (Synergistetes) involved in the good functioning of the anaerobic digestion. These studies were conducted on both molecular and cultural approaches. The results obtained allowed to understand how these bacterial groups, of great ecological and economic interest, are involved in the anaerobic digestion of sludge from the WWTP, which both accelerates the oxidation processes of the organic matter combined with the reduction of sulfur compounds and to minimize the concentration of sulfide in biogas.

No description available.

From the Proceedings of the 1973 Meetings of the Arizona Section - American Water Resources Assn. and the Hydrology Section - Arizona Academy of Science - May 4-5, 1973, Tucson, Arizona / Measurements of penetrability and hydraulic conductivity in calcareous soils treated with a dilute sulfuric acid solution showed a severe decrease in conductivity with increasing concentrations over 1000 ppm. A slight decrease in penetrability was observed. Carbon dioxide evolution appeared to be responsible for flow reduction and temporary cessation at 10,000 ppm and 20,000 ppm. In sodic soils penetrability and conductivity increased markedly with sulfuric acid concentrations between 1,000 and 10,000 ppm. For a neutral soil, penetrability decreased with increasing sulfuric acid concentrations, and the stable conductivity for 500 to 5,000 ppm was higher than for water alone. The findings suggest that disposal of sulfuric acid concentrations greater than 1,000 ppm will result in plugging by carbon dioxide. In sodic soils the possibility exists of using sulfuric acid solutions for reclaiming salt and sodium-affected soils.

In this paper we present a study of the energy position and splitting of the 7F1 and 5D1 mutiplets of the Eu3+ ion in the TR2O2S (TR = La, Gd, Y and Lu) compounds. Three models were used, namely, the point charge electrostatic model, the simple overlap model and the method of equivalent nearest neighbours. Using the coordinates of the luminescent- site, predictions of the crystal field parameters and the crystal field strength parameter and position and splitting of energy levels were performed. The electrostatic model presented good predictions only from a qualitative point of view, as expected. The same behaviour was observed when using the simple overlay model, if the charge factors entered are equal to the valence of the nearest neighbours. Using the method and a phenomenological fitting of the charge factors, in addition to satisfactorily reproduction of the data in the literature, it was observed that the dependency charge factor versus distance follows the model of Malta et al 2000, and shows increase or decrease according to the signal of the BB02parameter. / Os elementos terras raras vêm ganhando notoriedade nas mais diversas áreas de interesse tecnológico e cientifico, principalmente em função das suas características luminescentes. Nesse trabalho foi realizado um estudo do desdobramento dos mutiplitos de energia 7F1 e 5D1 dos compostos Eu:TR2O2S (TR = La, Gd, Y e Lu). Foram utilizados três modelos: o eletrostático de cargas pontuais (PCEM), de recobrimento simples (SOM) e o método dos vizinhos equivalentes (MENN). Utilizando os dados das coordenadas da estrutura do sítio luminescente. Foram realizadas previsões utilizando os modelos citados, dos parâmetros de força e campo cristalino, fatores de carga e recobrimento, intensidades dos níveis de energia e desdobramento para ambos os multipletos. O PCEM apresentou para todas estruturas resultados discrepantes em relação aos valores desejados, o mesmo comportamento observamos quando utilizado o SOM. O MENN, usando dados fenomenológico, para todos os compostos, foi o modelo que reproduziu satisfatoriamente os valores encontrados na literatura.

Neste trabalho apresenta-se o estudo do comportamento eletroquímico anódico - direto (oxidação na superfície do eletrodo) e indireto (oxidação através de um oxidante eletrogerado, ou mediador) de β-ceto-sulfetos e βhidróxi-sulfetos de estruturas variadas. Foram utilizadas as técnicas de voltametria cíclica (anodo:pérola de Pt; referência: Ag/AgI; solvente: MeCN anidra e NaClO4 0,1 M como eletrólito de suporte) e de oxidações anódicas preparativas (potencial controlado ou corrente constante; eletrodos de Pt polida 4 cm2; solvente:MeCN/H2O (9:1v/v); NaClO4 0,2 M). Foram sintetizadas e estudadas as seguintes cetonas α-sulfeniladas: 2-etiltio- (I.1), 2-etiltio-2-metil (I.2) e, 2-feniltio-(I.3)-ciclo-hexano-1-onas; 2-metiltio-(II.1) e 2-metiltio-2-metil-(II.2)-1-tetralonas; 1-fenil-2-metiltio-butano-1-ona (III.1); 2-etiltio-1,2-difenil-etano-1-ona (IV.1) e três derivados aril-substituídos [4.4-OMe (IV.2); 4-OMe (IV.3); 2.2-Cl (IV.3); 2,2-Cl (IV.4)]. Os mediadores preparados e eletroquimicamente investigados foram os derivados bromados da trifenilamina (V.1): tris(4-bromofenil)amina (V.2) e tris(2,4-dibromo-fenil)amina (V.3). Os álcoois correspondentes foram preparados por redução direta das cetonas. Os resultados dos estudos eletroquímicos das cetonas demonstraram que o diferente comportamento eletroquímico deve-se a fatores estereoeletrônicos. Somente (III.1) e (IV.1, 2 e 3) eram oxidados indiretamente. As oxidações anódicas diretas dos β-hidróxi-sulfetos mostraram-se mais seletivas que as das cetonas relativas. Além do mais, a comparação entre as oxidações direta e indireta destes álcoois revelou que enquanto diretamente obtem-se dois ou três produtos, indiretamente os sulfóxidos correspondentes são obtidos. Como único produto, de todos álcoois exceto daqueles relativos às cetonas (IV. 2, 3 e 4). Também foi observado que a estereoquimica cis entre os grupos hidroxila e alquiltio é fator determinante para as oxidações eletroquímicas indiretas. Os estereoisômeros trans não eram oxidados indiretamente. Um intermediário cíclico, formado durante o processo de oxidação, é sugerido como explicação para estes fatos. Também foi observado que ocorre clivagem da ligação carbono-carbono entre os grupos hidroxila e alquiltio na oxidação anódica, quando os carbonos substituídos são terciários (no caso de 2-etiltio-1,2-dimetil-ciclohexan-1-ol), ou estão ligados a grupos fenila (IV.1, 2, 3 e 4). São obtidos os compostos carbonílicos correspondentes em bons rendimentos. / In the present work a study of the electrochemical oxidation behaviour under direct (oxidation at the electrode) and indirect (oxidation by on in situ electrogenerated species, a mediator) conditions of several β-keto and β-hydroxysulphides is reported. Cyclic voltammetry (anode: Pt bead, reference: Ag/AgI, 0.1 M NaClO4) in anhydrous acetonitrile) and preparative scale electrolysis under controlled potential or at constant current (anode: Pt 2 x 2 cm, 0.2 M NaClO4 in acetonitrile - water (9:1 v/v) were employed. The studied mediators were tris-(4-bromophenyl) and tris-2,4-dibromophenyl)amines. The following α-sulphenylated ketones were synthesized: 2-ethylthio-(I.1), 2-ethylthio-2-methyl (I.2) and 2-phenylthio-(I.3)-cyclohexan-1-ones; 2-methylthio-(II.1) and 2-methylthio-2-methyl-(II.2)-1-tetralones; 1-phenyl-2-methylbutan-1-one (III.1); 2-ethylthio-1,2-diphenylethan-1-one (IV.1) and three aryl derivatives [4,4\'-OMe (IV.2), 4\'-Ome (IV.3), 2,2\'-Cl (IV.3)]. The corresponding alcohols were prepared by direct reduction of the ketones. The results of the electrochemical studies for the investigated ketones demonstrated that their different behaviour is due to stereoelectronic effects. Only (III.1, IV.1, IV.2 and IV.3) were indirectly oxidized. The direct anodic oxidations of the β-hydroxy-sulphides were more selective than those of the corresponding ketones. Moreover, a comparison between direct and indirect oxidations of such alcohols reveal that while the former can give two or three products, the latter yields the relatives sulphoxides as the only products with all the alcohols except the ones related to (IV.2, 3 and 4). It was also noticed that the cis stereochemistry between hydroxyl and alkylthio groups is the determining feature in the indirect electrochemical oxidation of cyclic alcohols. No oxidation was observed in the case of the trans stereoisomers. A cyclic intermediate, formed during the oxidation process, is suggested to explain these facts. In addition, a cleavage of the carbon-carbon bond between the hydroxyl and alkylthio groups was observed in the anodic oxidation, when the substituted carbons are tertiary (in the case of 2-ethylthio-1,2- dimethylciclohexan-1-ol), or linked to phenyl groups (IV.1, 2, 3 and 4). In these cases, the corresponding carbonyl compounds were obtained in good yields.

Les ligands multidentes montrent généralement de très bonnes activités dans la catalyse organométallique au palladium à faibles charges. Parmi ces ligands, l'utilisation des ligands polyphosphines ferrocéniques mènent à des résultats intéressants. Des systèmes catalytiques palladium/triphosphine ferrocénique robustes ont permis d'obtenir d'une part des diarylamines et d'autre part des éthers d'aryle et d'hétéroaryle avec de faibles charges catalytiques. Des calculs théoriques de DFT sur le cycle catalytique lors de la formation d'éthers d'aryle et d'hétéroaryle ont été réalisés. La présence d’un troisième groupement phosphino permettrait de stabiliser les états de transition et accélèrerait l’élimination réductrice. Les triarylamines ont pu être obtenues à l'aide d'une diphosphine ferrocénique avec une charge de 2 mol% de palladium. Des résultats modérés à excellents ont été obtenus. Enfin, les thioéthers d'aryle et d'hétéroaryle ont été obtenus avec d'excellents résultats à l'aide d'une tétraphosphine ferrocénique en présence de 0,2 mol% de palladium / Multidentate ligands usually show great activities in low loading organometallic catalysis in palladium. Among these ligands, the use of ferrocenyl polyphosphane ligands give interesting results. Robust palladium-ferrocenyl triphosphane catalytic systems have permitted to obtain biarylamines and aryl-heteroaryl ethers in the presence of low catalytic loadings. DFT studies on catalytic cycle during formation of aryl-heteroaryl ethers were carried out. The presence of third phosphino group stabilizes a transition state which enhances the rate of the reductive elimination. Triarylamines were obtained with ferrocenyl diphosphane in the presence of 2 mol% of palladium loading. Moderate to excellent results were obtained. Finally, aryl-heteroaryl sulfides were obtained with excellent results with ferrocenyl tetraphosphane ligand in the presence of 0.2 mol% of palladium.

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest on renewable energy sources as substitute to fossil fuels. Among various processes of energy generation, electrochemical methods such as storage and conversion systems, electrolysis of water (production of H2 and O2), fuel cells, batteries, supercapacitors and solar cells have received great attention. The core of these energy technologies is a series of electrochemical processes, which directly depend on the nature of ‘electro catalyst’. The design and preparation of an electro catalyst is based on new concepts such as controlled surface roughness, atomic topographic profiles, defined catalytic sites, atomic rearrangements, and phase transitions during electrochemical reactions. Good electro catalysts should possess low over potential, high exchange current density, high stability, low cost and high abundance. The most fundamental reactions in the area of electrochemistry are hydrogen evolution (HER) and oxygen reduction (ORR) reactions. They are important in different energy systems such as fuel cells and batteries. Platinum has been a favoured electro catalyst due to its high activity, favourable density of states at Fermi level and chemical inertness. The low abundance, however, limits its large scale applications. Alternate materials with high catalytic activities are always required. In this particular direction, metal chalcogenides such as sulphides and selenides have attracted attention in recent years. The present thesis describes the synthesis of different phases of palladium and nickel chalcogenides and their applicability in various electrochemical reactions, both in aqueous and organic media. First part includes the synthesis of highly crystalline palladium selenide phases namely Pd17Se15, Pd7Se4 and Pd4Se by employing facile single source molecular precursor method. Pure palladium selenide phases are prepared by thrombolysis of highly processable intermediate complexes formed from metal and selenium precursors. Continuous films of different dimensions on various substrates (glass, ITO, FTO etc.) could be prepared (figure 1). This is one of the requirements for processing any new material. Thickness of the films could be altered by changing the volume of precursor complex coated on the substrate. All the phases are found to be metallic in nature with resistivity values in the range of 30 to 180 µΩ.cm. Figure 1. (a) Scanning electron micrograph and (b) photographic image of Pd17Se15 prepared on different substrates glass (1), Si (2), fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) (3) and DSSC solar cell fabricated using FTO coated Pd17Se15 as the counter electrode (4). Other components of DSSC are given in the experimental section. All the palladium selenides phases are shown to be catalytically active towards electrochemical reactions such as HER and ORR. It is observed that the activities of the phases depend on the stoichiometric ratio of palladium to selenium. Higher the palladium content in the phase, higher is the catalytic activity observed. Therefore, the activities of the chalcogenides can be easily tuned by varying the ratio of metal to chalcogen. Tafel slopes of 50–60 mV/decade are observed for all three phases towards HER indicating that Volmer- Heyrovsky mechanism is operative. The exchange current densities are in the range of 2.3 x 10-4 A cm-2 to 6.6 x 10-6 A cm-2 (figure 2a). Figure 2. (a) Linear sweep voltammograms of Pd17Se15, Pd7Se4 and Pd4Se in 0.5 M H2SO4 (HER) and (b) 0.1 M KOH (ORR) at a scan rate of 2 mVs-1. These phases are found to be highly robust and stable under different pH conditions. Stability of the phases is confirmed by characterizing the catalysts post-HER process, using various techniques such as XPS, XRD and SEM. High activities observed for Pd4Se is explained based on electrochemically active surface area values determined from under potential deposition studies and also based on DFT calculations. Computational studies reveal the presence of different charge distribution on palladium in all the three phases which is likely to be another reason for varied activities. Palladium selenides are also explored as catalysts towards ORR in alkaline medium. Kinetic parameters and reaction mechanism are determined using RDE studies. All the three phases are found to be active and Pd4Se shows the highest activity, following a direct 4 electron reduction pathway (figure 2b). Other two phases follow 2 electron pathway terminating at hydrogen peroxide stage. Catalytic activity of Pd17Se15 is further improved by Nano structuring of the material and by synthesizing the material on active supports such as rGO, acetylene black and today carbon. ORR plays an important role in metal-air batteries. The palladium chalcogenides are used as electrodes in metal-air batteries. Specific energy density observed in the case of Mg-air primary batteries is higher for Pd4Se than the other two phases (figure 3a). Figure 3. (a) Discharge curves of Mg-O2 battery with different phases of palladium selenides as cathodes. Constant current density of 0.5 mA cm-2 is used for discharge. (b) Characteristic J–V curves of DSSCs with Pd17Se15, Pd7Se4 and Pt as counter electrodes. Versatility of these phases is further studied towards redox reaction in non-aqueous medium (I3-/I-). This reaction plays a crucial role in the regeneration of the dye in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC). Palladium selenide phases prepared on FTO plates are employed as counter electrodes in DSSC. The solar light conversion efficiencies are found to be 7.45 and 6.8% for Pd17Se15 and Pd7Se4 respectively and are comparable to that of platinum (figure 3b). The reason for high activities may be attributed to high electronic conductivity and low work function of the phases. The following chapter deals with the synthesis of palladium sulphide phases (Pd4S and Pd16S7) using both hydrothermal and single source precursor methods. Electro catalytic activities of the phases are shown towards HER and ORR and Pd4S exhibits better catalytic activities than that of Pd16S7 phase. Direct electrochemistry of cytochrome c is achieved on Pd4S with ∆E of ~64 mV (figure 4a). Electrochemical oxidation of ethanol, ethylene glycol (EG) and glycerol are also studied on the Pd4S phase and the activity is found to follow the order, glycerol > ethylene glycol > ethanol (figure 4b). Figure 4. (a) Cyclic voltammograms of Pd4S in (1) 0.1 M phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.0) and (2) in presence of 0.2 mM cytochrome c at a scan rate of 50 mVs-1 and (b) Voltammograms of Pd4S in presence of different alcohols (ethanol, EG and glycerol) in 1 M KOH solution at sweep rate of 50 mVs-1. Concentration of alcohols used is 0.1 M. The effect of dimensionality on the electro catalytic activity of nickel selenide phases forms part of the next chapter. Nickel selenide (NiSe) nanostructures possessing different morphologies of wires, spheres and hexagons are synthesized by varying the selenium precursors namely, selenourea, selenium dioxide (SeO2) and potassium selenocyanate (KSeCN), respectively using hydrothermal method. The different selenium precursors result in morphologies that are probably dictated by the by-products as well as relative rates of amorphous selenium formation and dissolution. The three different morphologies are used as catalysts for HER, ORR and glucose oxidation reactions. The wire morphology is found to be better than that of spheres and hexagons for all the reactions. Among the reactions studied, NiSe is found to be good for HER and glucose oxidation while ORR seems to terminate at the peroxide stage. In alkaline medium, nickel forms hydroxides and oxy-hydroxides and these oxyhydroxides are catalytically active towards the oxidation of glucose. Therefore, nickel selenides are employed as highly selective non-enzymatic glucose sensors and detection limit of 5 µM is observed. Electrical measurements on a single nanowire and a hexagon morphology of NiSe are carried out on devices fabricated by focused ion beam (FIB) technique (figure 5). The semiconducting nature of NiSe is revealed in the I-v measurements. The band gap of the material is found to be 1.9 eV and hence the single nanowire and hexagon are shown to act as visible light photodetector. Figure 5. SEM images of (a) single NiSe nanowire and (b) single NiSe hexagon with Pt contacts fabricated by FIB technique. Figure 6. Cyclic voltammograms of NiSe nanowires in 0.5 M aqueous NaOH in the (i) absence and (ii) the presence of 0.5 mM glucose, at a scan rate of 20 mVs-1 and (b) Galvanostatic discharge performance of Ni3Se2 with different morphologies (A, B and C represent Ni3Se2 prepared from SeO2, selenourea and KSeCN respectively). The next chapter includes the synthesis of different morphologies of Ni3Se2 using three different selenium precursors (SeO2, KSeCN and selenourea) and the study of their activities towards electrochemical reactions such as HER and glucose oxidation (figure 6a). Electrical measurements demonstrated the metallic behaviour of the material. These are also shown to be efficient electrode materials in energy storage devices such as supercapacitors with high specific capacitance of 2200 F/g (figure 6b). The studies are summarized in the last chapter with scope for further work. The appendixes show preliminary studies on electrooxidation of glycerol and propanol on Pd supported on TiN, synthesis of other selenides of Ni, Cu, Ag and Ti, and electro synthesis of metal-organic frameworks. (For figures pl refer the abstract pdf file)

Afin de lutter contre les phénomènes de drainage minier acide DMA, nous avons étudié la possibilité de passivation/inertage de rejets miniers sulfurés. L'inhibition de l'oxydation superficielle de phases pyriteuses a été effectuée par adsorption de molécules: acide humique HA, thymol et silicate de sodium. L'étude fondamentale réalisée sur une pyrite pure (masse 1-5g) a ensuite été conduite à des rejets miniers (masse 2 kg). L’adsorption de molécules passivantes a été réalisée dans des conditions dynamiques (colonne chromatographique) et statiques (batch). L’ordre d’efficacité est: acide humique> thymol>silicate de sodium. Les essais dynamiques ont montré que l’adsorption d'HA sur la pyrite est irréversible. L’étude par voltamétrie cyclique a montré que de faibles concentrations en HA adsorbée (de 0,15 à 0,3mg/g–[thêta]<1) sont suffisantes pour bloquer plus de 90% de l’activité électrochimique initiale. L’analyse de la surface par la spectroscopie IR en mode réflexion diffuse a mis en évidence l’importance des phases oxydées superficielles dans le processus d’adsorption. La description des fronts chromatographiques a été possible à partir du modèle trimodal dynamique basé sur l’existence de trois sites d’adsorption dont la nature chimique, le nombre et l’accessibilité évoluent pendant l’adsorption. D'autres expériences conduites en cellules humides simulant le comportement d’un stérile minier d'Abitibi-Témiscamingue en conditions naturels de stockage, ont montré que le traitement à l’HA est efficace pendant plus de 30 équivalent-années. Aussi, un stérile traité avec HA ne génère plus de DMA alors que celui non traité est générateur d’acide pendant les 6 premières années / To fight against the phenomena of acid mine drainage DMA, we studied the possibility of passivation/inertage of sulphurized mining discharges. The inhibition of the superficial oxidation of pyriteuses phases was made by adsorption of molecules: acid humique HA, thymol and silicate of sodium. The fundamental study realized on a pure pyrite (mass 1-5g) was then driven to mining refusals (masse 2 kg). The adsorption of passivantes molecules was realized in dynamic conditions (chromatographic column) and statics (batch) . The order of efficiency is: acid humique > thymol > silicate of sodium. The dynamic experiments showed that the adsorption of HA on the pyrite is irreversible. The study by cyclic voltammetry showed that weak concentrations in adsorbed HA (of 0,15 in 0,3mg/g–[thêta]<1) are sufficient to block more than 90 % of the initial electrochemical activity. The analysis of the surface by the spectroscopy IR in mode diffuse reflection put in evidence the importance of the superficial oxidized phases in the process of adsorption. The description of chromatographic fronts was possible from the model dynamic trimodal based on the existence of three sites of adsorption among which the chemical nature, the number and the accessibility evolve during the adsorption. Other experiments led in wet cells feigning the behavior of sterile one mining of natural Abitibi-Témiscamingue in conditions of storage, showed that the treatment in the HA is effective counterpart more than 30 equivalents-years. So, sterile one treated with HA generate no more DMA while that untreated is generative of acid during the first 6 years

Le complexe mafique–ultramafique lité Yacouba est intrusif au sein des granulites gneissiques du domaine archéen de Man (3,6-2,78 Ga) dans la région de Biankouma-Sipilou (ouest de la Côte d'Ivoire). Dans le secteur de Samapleu, il est composé de trois entités ; dépôt principal de Samapleu (SM), l’Extension 1 de Samapleu (E1) et l’occurrence de Yorodougou (Yo). Il comprend des horizons de webstérites, péridotites, chromitites, norites, gabbro-norites. Ces horizons (épaisseur cumulée de 80 à 200 m) sont inclinés de 70 à 80° vers le SE ; présentent une zonation concentrique, qui sont autant de caractéristiques d’un dyke ; un enracinement à plus de 600 m à partir de la surface avec une jonction des intrusions (SM, E1) plus en profondeur. Les contacts avec l’encaissant gneissique (localement site E1) sont marqués par une zone hybride (condition P = 7,5±1Kbar et T = 850°C ± 100°C) interprétées comme le résultat d'un métamorphisme de contact lors de la mise en place de l’intrusion en base de croûte à environ 22 km de profondeur. Les gneiss et granulites du socle, tout comme les faciès de la zone hybride, préservent des âges archéens (~2,78 Ga, U-Pb sur zircon). Des cristaux de rutile observés dans la zone hybride révèlent un âge U-Pb de 2,09 Ga interprété comme l'âge du métamorphisme de contact et donc de la mise en place de l'intrusion.La minéralisation en Ni-Cu (essentiellement disséminée avec des veines sulfurées subverticales semi-massives à massives) est composée de pentlandite, chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite, rarement pyrite. La texture des sulfures varie de matricielle, en filets, en gouttelettes, ou brèchique. Les réserves estimées des dépôts de Samapleu (SM et E1) font plus de 40 millions de tonnes à une teneur moyenne de 0,25% Ni et 0,22% Cu dans la partie supérieure des intrusions (Sama Nickel-CI, Août 2013). Des MGP riches en palladium (Pd) sont associés aux sulfures et plusieurs bandelettes de chromite sont également présentes. Ces observations suggèrent un liquide sulfuré immiscible formé à partir du liquide silicaté initial consécutivement à la saturation en soufre du système. Ces sulfures d’origine essentiellement mantellique ont été probablement formés par injection de plusieurs magmas. Cependant une partie de ces sulfures aurait pu se former par l’assimilation des roches granulitiques encaissantes.La composition du liquide parent révèle une composition de basalte à forte teneur en MgO et faible teneur en Ti et suggère que les intrusions de Samapleu se sont formées par fusion du manteau supérieur sous l’influence d'un panache mantellique. Ainsi, lors de leurs remontées, le magma a assimilé les roches granulites encaissantes environnantes. / The Yacouba layered complex intrudes the archean (3.6-2.78 Ga) Man field in the Biankouma-Sipilou area, western Ivory Coast. In Samapleu area, the complex is composed of three entities; Samapleu Main (SM); Samapleu Extension 1 (E1) and Yorodougou (Yo). It includes websterites, peridotites, chromitites, norites, gabbro-norites horizons. These horizons (total thickness of 80 to 200 m) inclined at 70-80° to the SE; arranged symmetrically with mafic layers at the center and ultramafic layers at both margins, are features of a dyke ; show a root more than 600 m from the surface with a junction intrusion (SM, E1) in more depth.At the E1 site, contacts of intrusions with the country rock gneiss are characterized by a hybrid zone (condition P = 7.5±1Kbar and T = 850°C ± 100°C) attributed to contact metamorphism during intrusion of the complex in the lower crust at a depth of about 22 km. Zircons in country rock gneisses and granulites, as well as in the hybrid facies, yield archean ages of ~ 2.78 Ga. Rutiles in the hybrid zone give a U-Pb age of 2.09 Ga, which is interpreted as the age of contact metamorphism and emplacement of the intrusion.The Ni-Cu mineralization (disseminated mainly with subvertical and semi-massive to massive sulfide veins) is composed of pentlandite, chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite and rare pyrite. The SM and E1 sites contain Ni and Cu sulfide deposit with reserves estimated as more than 40 million tons grading 0.25% Ni and 0.22% Cu in the upper portion (Sama Nickel-CI, August 2013). The sulfide textures range from matrix ore, net-textured, droplets or breccia textures. Zones enriched in PGM, particularly Pd, are associated with the sulfides and several chromite bands are also present. These observations suggest that an immiscible sulfide liquid formed from a parental silicate liquid and percolated through the crystal pile. These sulfides mainly mantle origin were probably formed by injecting several magmas. However few of these sulfides may have formed by the assimilation of country rocks.The parental melt composition has a basalt rich MgO and low Ti and suggest Samapleu intrusions were formed by melting of the upper mantle under the influence of a mantle plume. Thus, during its ascent, magma has assimilated the granulites country rocks.