Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / In this work the synthesis of MgCdS ternary semiconductor nanocrystal alloys has been carried out by aqueous route through a bottom-up approach, using conventional hydrothermal heating as well as in situ onto graphene matrices. In the synthesis of MgCdS nanocrystals, the effect of each reaction parameter on the spectroscopic properties was studied aiming to understand the possibilities to control the optical properties. Emission spectra of MgCdS samples obtained in the experiments designed to optimize reaction parameters exhibited a single emission band reflecting nanocrystal growth, with quantum yields as high as 85%. Based on the presence of two bands in absorption spectra as well as atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) data it was possible to propose that nanocrystals are composed of Cd and Mg. Concerning the structural architecture, it has been proposed that nanocrystals show a core-shell structure with a diffuse interface. Data from AAS also showed that the final composition of nanocrystals is generally different from the initial reaction Cd:Mg proportion, as the metal precursors have distinct reactivities. Morphological analyses by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of nanocrystals evidenced the predominance of spherical shapes and sizes below 4 nm. Studies of the formation of nanocrystal alloys with Mg1-xCdxS and Cd1-xMgxS composition, by ion exchange from the binary components MgS and CdS helped the discussion of spectroscopic behavior of the ternary system MgCdS. It was possible to confirm that the introduction of a second cation (Cd2+ or Mg2+) into each binary structure (MgS or CdS) is consistent with the observation of two absorption bands and only one emission band. The addition of graphene derivatives during the synthesis of MgCdS nanocrystals was carried out aiming to improve the properties of the materials, as well as providing a physical support to the nanocrystals, favoring future applications. The presence of graphene induced shifts in the emission bands to larger wavelengths concomitant with intensity reduction, which can be taken as evidence of interactions between the materials. The morphologies of composites were characterized by typical graphene sheets decorated with spherical nanocrystals. / Neste trabalho foram realizadas as sínteses de nanocristais (NCs) semicondutores ternários de MgCdS via síntese aquosa através da metodologia bottom-up, assistida por tratamento térmico hidrotermal convencional, além da síntese in situ de nanocompósitos de MgCdS em matrizes de grafeno. A síntese do nanocristal de MgCdS foi avaliada através do efeito da variação de cada parâmetro de síntese sobre as propriedades espectroscópicas do material, a fim de se compreender as possibilidades de controle das propriedades ópticas. Os espectros de emissão dos NCs de MgCdS, referente ao estudo de otimização dos parâmetros de síntese, apresentaram uma única banda de emissão intensa que reflete o crescimento do nanocristal, com rendimentos quânticos de fotoluminescência elevados, chegando a 85%. Com base na presença de duas bandas de absorção no espectro de UV-visível, bem como de dados de espectrofotometria de absorção atômica (AAS), pode-se inferir que os nanocristais são compostos pelos metais de Cd e Mg, propondo-se a hipótese de uma arquitetura caroço-casca com interface difusa. Os dados obtidos através de AAS mostraram também que, como os precursores tem reatividades distintas, a composição dos materiais formados tende a diferir da proporção Cd2+:Mg2+ utilizada na reação. As análises morfológicas realizadas por microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (TEM) permitiram verificar o contorno esférico e uniforme das nanoesferas e estimar o tamanho dos nanocristais, sendo abaixo de 4 nm. Estudos de formação de ligas do tipo Mg1-xCdxS e Cd1-xMgxS, por troca iônica a partir dos componentes binários MgS e CdS permitiram compreender melhor os dados espectroscópicos dos nanocristais formados introduzindo ambos precursores simultaneamente. Confirmou-se que a introdução do segundo cátion (Cd2+ ou Mg2+) em cada estrutura binária (MgS ou CdS) de fato causa a formação de duas bandas de absorção e somente uma de emissão. A implementação de derivados de grafeno na síntese do MgCdS foi realizada a fim de aprimorar as propriedades gerais do material, bem como de propiciar um suporte físico aos nanocristais de MgCdS, favorecendo aplicações. A presença do grafeno na síntese do nanocristal proporcionou deslocamento da banda de emissão para maiores comprimentos de onda com redução da intensidade luminescente, evidenciando interações entre os materiais. As morfologias dos compósitos apresentam folhas de grafeno decoradas com nanocristais esféricos. / São Cristóvão, SE

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Orientador: Ana Maria Frattini Fileti / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Quimica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-13T14:31:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Lopreato_LuizGuilhermeRoquette_M.pdf: 1170459 bytes, checksum: af98261941e40b4030182bcc609c0fa6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009 / Resumo: A aplicação de redes neurais artificiais (RNA) na solução de problemas de equilíbrio líquido-vapor de misturas multicomponentes apresenta resultados consistentes com valores experimentais observados. Sua principal vantagem, frente às abordagens tradicionais, reside na capacidade de modelar o sistema em equilíbrio sem a necessidade da definição prévia de um modelo específico, tarefa muitas vezes árdua. No presente trabalho utilizam-se dados de três sistemas binários para o treinamento de modelo neural com o objetivo de predizer o equilíbrio de sistema ternário em condições isobáricas. O algoritmo de treinamento utilizado foi o de Levenberg-Marquardt com Regularização Bayesiana, implementado por meio do software MATLAB. A estrutura de rede que apresentou os melhores resultados contém as frações molares dos três componentes na fase líquida, como parâmetros de entrada, e as frações molares dos três componentes na fase vapor e a temperatura como parâmetros de saída. O escalonamento dos dados foi realizado entre 0 e 1, sendo utilizada a função de ativação sigmoidal na camada oculta da rede e a função linear na camada de saída. O desempenho dos modelos foi analisado a partir dos coeficientes de correlação, coeficientes regressão linear, resíduos entre os valores experimentais e preditos, além da raiz dos desvios quadráticos médios (RMSD). O principal sistema estudado foi Acetona-Metanol-Água, sendo os conceitos desenvolvidos extrapolados para os sistemas polares Metanol-Etanol-Água, Metanol-2-Propanol-Água e para o sistema apolar Benzeno-Ciclohexano-Hexano. Os resultados obtidos indicam que a predição de equilíbrio através do modelo neural se mostra consistente com os dados experimentais e as predições realizadas via modelo UNIQUAC. Destaca-se que a construção do modelo neural baseia-se no uso de dados de sistemas binários para a predição de sistemas ternários, enquanto que o modelo UNIQUAC utiliza parâmetros regredidos a partir de dados experimentais para o equilíbrio ternário. Dessa forma, os conceitos utilizados nas duas modelagens são bastante distinto sendo, à priori, favoráveis ao modelo termodinâmico, fato não condizente com os resultados obtidos no presente estudo. / Abstract: Modeling multicomponent vapor-liquid equilibrium (VLE) by means of Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) showed to be able to successfully reproduce observed experimental points. The main advantage of this approach, regards to the traditional approaches, resides in the capacity to modeling the equilibrium condition without the necessity of the prior definition of a specific model, which is a task very often strenuous. In the present work data of three binary systems were used to training a neural network model with the objective to predict the equilibrium of a ternary system at isobaric conditions. The training algorithm used was Levenberg-Marquardt with Bayesian Regularization, implemented through the software MATLAB. The best network structure contains the molar fractions of three components in the liquid phase, as input parameters, and the molar fractions of three components at vapor phase besides the temperature as the output parameters. The data normalization was carried out in the interval between 0 and 1. The sigmoid activation function was used in the hidden layer and linear function was used in the calculations of the exit layer. The performance of the models was analyzed from the coefficients of correlation, linear regression coefficients, residues between the experimental and predicted values, besides the root of the quadratic middle diversions (RMSD). The principal system studied was Methanol-Acetone-Water, being the developed concepts extrapolated to the polar systems Ethanol-Methanol-Water, Methanol-2-propanol-Water and to the nonpolar system Benzene-Cyclohexane-Hexane. Results presented indicate that vapor-liquid equilibrium prediction through neural network is consistent with experimental data and UNIQUAC model predictions. Moreover, when comparing the ANN model with the thermodynamic model it is important to notice that the first model uses binary systems to predict ternary system equilibrium, whereas the thermodynamic model uses parameters obtained from experimental ternary data regressions. Thus, the concepts used in both models are quite different, being favorable to the thermodynamic model. Even so the ANN model showed to be very reliable, in the present study. / Mestrado / Sistemas de Processos Quimicos e Informatica / Mestre em Engenharia Química

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi obter complexos binários e ternários de sinvastatina (SNV) e ciclodextrinas (CDs) utilizando diferentes tipos de CDs, métodos de secagem e polímeros para selecionar aquele que proporcionam um maior aumento da solubilidade aquosa do fármaco. Inicialmente complexos com diferentes CDs, a α, β, γ, e hidroxi-propil-β (HPβCD) foram obtidos através da secagem em estufa. Foram empregados os seguintes ensaios para sua caracterização: solubilidade, DSC, TG e difração de raios X. Adicionalmente, foi realizada a modelagem molecular com simulações de dinâmica molecular. O complexo com γCD parece ser o mais adequado para a complexação com a SNV, pois, foi o mais estável (menor energia) na modelagem molecular, além de ter apresentado uma nova fase sólida na difração de raios X. Complexos de SNV, γCD ou HPβCD foram obtidos por diferentes métodos de secagem (estufa com circulação forçada de ar, coevaporação, liofilização e estufa a vácuo) e a caracterização foi realizada através da solubilidade, DSC, TG e difração de raios X. Todos os complexos melhoraram a solubilidade da SNV, mas quando comparados às respectivas misturas físicas, o ganho foi baixo. As curvas DSC e a difração de raios X indicam que, no máximo, pode ter ocorrido uma complexação parcial em alguns casos. O que se verifica é que mesmo o complexo que apresentou maior ganho de solubilidade (HPβCD obtido pela coevaporação), a complexação do não foi total. Complexos ternários de SNV, βCD e diferentes polímeros (polietilenoglicol 1500, polietilenoglicol 4000, povidona, copovidona, crospovidona, maltodextrina e hidroxipropil-metilcelulose) foram preparados utilizando-se a coevaporação. A caracterização dos complexos foi realizada através da solubilidade, DSC e TG. Para todos os complexos houve ganho de solubilidade, mas apenas quando foi utilizado a crospovidona e a maltodextrina, existe diferença significativa entre a solubilidade observada para a mistura física e aquela registrada para o complexo. As curvas DSC indicam que ainda existe fármaco na forma livre até mesmo nos complexos que apresentaram maior solubilidade, dessa forma, nenhum dos polímeros utilizados foi capaz de promover um complexação total da SNV. / The purpose of this study was to obtain binary and ternary complexes of simvastatin (SV) and cyclodextrins (CDs) using different types of CDs, drying methods and polymers, to select those that offer greater increase in aqueous solubility of the drug. Initially, different complexes with CDs, α, β, γ, and hydroxy-propyl-β (HPβCD), were obtained using oven drying. The following tests were performed for complexes´s characterization: solubility, DSC, TG and X-ray diffraction. Additionally, molecular modeling was performed with molecular dynamics simulations. The complex with γCD seems to be the most suitable for complexation with the SV, since it has been the most stable (lowest energy) in molecular modeling, and has presented a new solid phase in X-ray diffraction. Complex of SV, γCD or HPβCD were obtained by different drying methods (forced air circulation oven, co-evaporation, freeze drying and vacuum oven) and the characterization was performed by solubility, DSC, TG and X-ray diffraction. All the complexes improved the solubility of SV, but when compared to their physical mixtures, the gain is low. The DSC curves and X-ray diffraction indicates that, at most, a partial complexation may have happened in some cases. It was verified that even the complex that had greater increase in solubility (HPβCD obtained by co-evaporation), the complexation was not total. Ternary complexes of SV, βCD and different polymers (polyethyleneglycol 1500, polyethyleneglycol 4000, povidone, copovidone, crospovidone, maltodextrin and hydroxypropyl-methyl-cellulose) were prepared using the co-evaporation. The characterization of the complexes was performed by solubility, DSC and TG. For all complexes there was a gain of solubility, but only when crospovidone and maltodextrin were used, there was a significant difference between the solubility observed for the physical mixture and the complex. The DSC curves indicate that non comlexed drug is still present, even in the complexes that had higher solubility. Thus, none of the polymers was able to promote a total complexation of SV.

A eletrooxidação de etanol foi investigada sobre catalisadores bi e trimetálicos constituídos de Pt-M1 e Pt-M-M1 M = Sn, Mo, W, Ru, Os e Ir). Os eletrodos foram preparados em três diferentes configurações: eletrodos lisos (preparados em forno a arco voltaico), filmes depositados em placas de Ti (Pt-M/Ti) e nanopartículas metálicas dispersas em carbono (Pt-M-M1/C), ambos preparados pelo método Pechini. Os resultados eletroquímicos mostraram que a adição dos diferentes metais à platina aumentou a atividade catalítica dos eletrodos. Este efeito se mostrou dependente da composição do eletrodo e para os eletrodos lisos apresentou resultados mais acentuados nas composições Pt-Os e Pt-Sn-W. Os intermediários e produtos de reação da oxidação de etanol os eletrodos lisos foram determinados pelas técnicas de FTIR in situ de SPAIRS e SNIFTIRS. Os resultados sugerem que a presença dos elementos modificadores da platina aumentam a velocidade da reação de oxidação de etanol pela dessorção de intemediários com dois átomos de carbono (como CH3CHOads) a potenciais mais baixos do que a Pt levando conseqüentemente a liberação dos sítios ativos para nova adsorção de etanol. Constatou-se contudo, que a presença desses elementos não favorece a quebra da ligação C-C para formação de CO2 em quantidades apreciáveis. As composições de catalisadores Pt-M/Ti (M = Sn, Ru, Ir e Mo) preparados pelo método Pechini que apresentaram os melhores resultados em densidades de corrente foram os eletrodos de Pt-Sn/Ti. As análise por HPLC mostraram o produto majoritariamente formado foi o acetaldeído independente da composição do catalisador, mas os catalisadores Pt-Sn/Ti tiveram a maior seletividade na formação de ácido acético. Os testes em célula unitária foram realizados para os catalisadores trimetálicos Pt-Sn-W/C em diferentes composições. A presença de Sn e W aumentou significativamente o desempenho da célula com relação à Pt pura. O melhor catalisador testado (Pt-Sn-W/C (85:8:7)) apresentou OCV de 777 mV contra 345 mV da Pt a 90oC. A densidade de potência máxima alcançada para essa composição foi de 33 mW cm-2. A análise de produtos ao final de 5 horas de reação a 90oC aplicando 30 mA cm-2 de corrente mostrou que os produtos principalmente formados foram ácido acético e acetaldeído. / Ethanol oxidation on Pt-M1 e Pt/M/M1 (M = Sn, Mo, W, Ru, Os e Ir) catalysts prepared by arc melting furnace process and Pechini method was investigated. The electrochemical data showed that the addition of these elements to Pt gives a highest current densities at lower potentials. The best composition of electrodes prepared by arc melting process based on current densities values was Pt-Os and Pt-Sn-W. The intemediates and reaction products for ethanol oxidation were detected by SPAIRS and SNIFTIRS. The results sugest that adding a foreign metal to Pt leads an increase of the reaction rate for ethanol oxidation because desorption of two carbon atoms intermediates (as CH3 CHOads) at lower potentials comparing to pure Pt. The active site become then available for the new ethanol adsorption. However, the presence of these metals doesn\'t increase the selectivity to CO2 generation. Pt-M/Ti (M = Sn, Ru, Ir e Mo) catalysts were prepared by Pechini method. The products of the ethanol oxidation on these electrodes were evaluated by HPLC. The results showed that acetaldehyde was the main product obtained for all compositions. DEFCs tests were carry on with Pt-Sn-W/C ternary catalysts in different compositions. It was obtained particles size about 3.9 to 11 nm, depending on the catalyst composition. The addition of Sn and W increased significantly the DEFC performance. The best result was obtained by Pt-Sn-W/C (85:8:7) catalyst. It presents OCV about 777 mV against 345 mV to Pt at 90oC. The maximum of power density for this catalyst was 33 mW cm-2. Acetaldehyde was the major product formed when applying a fixed current of 30 mA cm-2 at 90oC.

Os nitretos do grupo III (BN, AIN,Gan e InN) e suas ligas ternárias Al-GaN e InGaN proporcionam, recentemente, um extraordinário avanço na fabricação de dispositivos opto-eletrônicos operando na região do espectro correspondente ao verde-azul-UV e na produção de dispositivos eletrônicos de alta frequência, alta temperatura e alta potência. Estes materiais semicondutores de gap largo atraíram enorme atenção dos pesquisadores nos últimos anos. O objetivo desta tese é o estudo das propriedades vibracionais dos nitretos do grupo III referente tanto ao cristal perfeito, quanto ao cristal com defeito. Utilizamos como base a Teoria Clássica do Crital Harmônico e o Método das Funções de Green. Com a Teoria Clássica do Cristal Harmônico, juntamente com o Método do Valence Force Filed e o Método da Soma de Ewald, que permitem gerar a matriz dinâmica do sistema, determinamos o comportamento vibracional dos nitretos binários e das ligas ternárias. A utilização destes métodos permitiu a obtenção do espectro de fônons dos nitretos binários, e o estudo do comportamento dos modos ópticos em para as ligas ternárias. A partir da Função de Green do cristal perfeito e da Função de Green do cristal com defeito, obtivemos as frequências e os modos vibracionais localizados e ressonantes introduzidos pela impureza de C e As em GaN. A partir das densidades de estados do cristal perfeito e do cristal com defeito, calculamos a entropia de formação da vacância de N em GaN. Os resultados obtidos foram usados na interpretação de dados experimentais disponíveis na literatura, relativos às propriedades vibracionais dos nitretos na estrutura wurtzita, e na predição e análise de dados experimentais obtidos pelo grupo do Laboratório de Novos Materiais Semicondutores do Instituto de Física da USP para os nitretos zincblende. / The group-III nitrides (BN, AIN, GaN and InN) and their ternary alloys AlGaN and InGaN generated recently an extraordirlary progress in the production of optoelectronic devices operating in the green-blue-UV region of the spectrum, and in the production of electronic devices of high frequency, high temperature and high power. These wide gap semiconductor materials attracted enormous attention in the last years. The objective of this Thesis was to study the vibrational properties of the bulk III nitrides, without and with defects. To accomplish this study we used the Classic Theory of the Harmonic Crystal and the Method of the Green\'s Functions. With the Classic Theory of the Harmonic Crystal, together with the Valence Force Field Method and the Method of the Ewald\'s Sum, that allow to generate the dynamic matrix of the system, we determined the vibrational behavior of the binary nitrides and of the ternary alloys. The use of these methods allowed us to obtain the phonon spectra of the binary nitrides and to study the behavior of the optical modes at of the ternary alloys. Starting from the Green\'s Function of the perfect crystal and the Green\'s Function of the crystal with defect, we obtained the frequencies and the localized and resonant vibrational modes introduced by the C and As impurities in GaN. Starting from the densities of states of the perfect crystal and of the crystal with defect, we calculated the formation entropy of the N vacancy in GaN. The obtained results were used in the interpretation of experimental data related to the vibrational properties of the wurtzite nitrides available in the literature, and in the prediction and analysis of experimental results obtained for zincblende nitrides by the group of the New Semiconductors Materials Laboratory of t11c Physics Institute at USP.

La2Mo2O9, premier composé de la famille LAMOX, est intéressant pour des applications comme électrolyte dans des piles à combustible car il présente une conductivité ionique élevée. Il a été découvert durant l'investigation du diagramme de phases de La2O3 -MoO3. Cela montre bien le rôle important de l'étude de diagrammes de phase dans la découverte de nouveaux matériaux qui est devenue un objectif majeur de nombreux chimistes du solide. Selon ce concept, les deux diagrammes de phases ternaires La2O3-Nb2O5-WO3 et La2O3-Nb2O5-MoO3 ont été explorés et analysés pour la première fois en utilisant la synthèse par voie solide. Les structures des échantillons obtenus ont été caractérisées par diffraction des rayons X et des neutrons sur poudre et par microscopie électronique en transmission tandis que leurs propriétés électriques ont été testées par spectroscopie d'impédance complexe sur des pastilles frittées.La majorité des zones mono-, bi- et tri-phasées de ces deux diagrammes ont été définies. Plus particulièrement, les structures de deux nouvelles phases La3NbWO10 et La5NbMo2O16 ont été résolues ab-initio. La connaissance des structures des 2 nouveaux composés a permis une meilleure approche du diagramme de phase ternaire. D'une part, la mailleLa3NbWO10 est une sur structure de la maille fluorine(2aF*2aF*2aF) avec un axe c allongé. En considérant la formulation La18Nb6W62O604 (Z = 6), on constate aisément que la structure présente 2 types de défauts:des lacunes anioniques et cationiques sur les sites des atomes d'oxygène et de lanthane. D'autre part, la phaseLa5NbMo2O16 est un isotype du composé Pr5Mo3O16. Sa maille correspond aussi à une surstructure fluorine. Elle cristallise dans un système cubique (a = 11.22 Å) avec le groupe d'espace rare Pn n. Ce composé est prometteur puisqu'il présente une conductivité par les ions oxyde proche de celle de La2Mo2O9 à basse température. / La2Mo2O9, the first compound in the LAMOX family, is interesting for its applications as electrolytes in fuel cells because it presents a high ionic conductivity. It was discovered during the investigation of La2O3 - MoO3phase diagram. That shows the important role of phase diagram study in the discovery of new materials which has become a major objective of many solid chemists.In this concept, two ternary phase diagrams of La2O3-Nb2O5-WO3 and La2O3-Nb2O5-MoO3 were explored and analyzed for the first time using the solid-state synthesis. The structures of the obtained samples were characterized by the powder X-ray and neutron diffraction and by the transmission electronic microscopy. Besides, their electric properties were tested by the complex impedance spectroscopy onsintered pellets.As results, most of the mono-, bi-, tri-phase zones in the title phase diagrams have been defined. Particularly, during the phase-diagram investigation, the structures of two new phases La3NbWO10 and La5NbMo2O16 were ab-initio resolved. Firstly, the La3NbWO10 cell is asuperstructure of a fluorine (2aF*2aF*2aF) with the lengthened c axis. Considering the La18Nb6W62O604(Z = 6) formulation, we can easily note that the structure presents 2 types of defaults: cationic and anionic vacancies. Secondly, the La5NbMo2O16 phase is isotype of Pr5Mo3O16 compound. Its cell is also a fluorine superstruture. It crystallized in a cubic system (a = 11.22Å) with the space group Pn n. The compound is promising because it presents an oxygen conductivity comparable to that of La2Mo2O9 at low temperature.

Deposition of noble metal and semiconductor nanocrystalline thin films has received much attention. CdS and CdSe are important semiconductors used in optical devices. A wet chemical route which uses the interface of two immiscible liquids to control the growth and deposition of nanocrystalline thin films forms the basis of the current study. In this method, a metal precursor dissolved in toluene or decane is held in contact with a water layer containing a reducing or sulphiding agent. The reaction proceeds at the interface of the liquids and results in deposits adhering to the interfacial region. The products of such reactions typically consist of nanocrystals forming a thin film. Stable sols of Au, Ag were found to metathesize on contact with alkylamine in oil to form monolayer films that spread across large areas at the water/oil interface. The nature and properties of interfacial thin films depend on the alkylamine. Nanocrystalline thin films consisting of CdS adhering to the interface starting with a polydispersed aqueous sol of crystallites and alkylamine were obtained. The optical band gaps of the films formed are dependent on the alkylamine chain length, with the shortest chain yielding the largest gap. A systematic increase in particle diameters following adsorption is responsible for changes in the electronic structure of films. The formation of nanocrystalline films of CdS adhering at the interface using a toluene solution of cadmium diethyldithiocarbamate and aqueous Na2S solution, in the presence of tetraoctylammonium bromide (TOAB) in the aqueous phase, was investigated under various reaction parameters, while CdSe was obtained using Na2SeSO3 solution and the influences of deposition temperature and solution concentration were studied. A ternary water/decane/2-butoxyethanol /salt system was used to grow deposits of CdSe and CdS. Nanostructured thin films were obtained at the upper interface of the ternary system, between the emulsive middle layer and oil rich top phase. The influence of deposition conditions such as precursor concentrations and temperature, as well as the nature of the medium on the properties of the deposits was studied. Deposits grown using the ternary system were compared with those obtained using water/decane and water/toluene systems. Reaction parameters such as temperature, solution concentration and the size of CdS and CdSe were controlled. A thin film of CdS and CdSe nanocrystals was formed at the interface. The grain size was found to be dependent on reaction temperature and solution concentration, with higher temperatures and solution concentration resulting in larger grains. The nature of thin films obtained at the interface of two immiscible liquids and of a water/decane/2-butoxyethanol/salt ternary system were studied using Scanning and Transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and UV-visible spectroscopy.

No description available.

The thesis introduces a novel alloy system based on submicron distributions of intermetallic phases realised through eutectic solidification in the ternary system Ni-Al-Zr. Various compositions in this system comprising of intermetallic phases distributed in different eutectic structures show ultra-high strength at temperatures upto 700°C combined with reasonable tensile plasticity, exceptional oxidation resistance and high temperature structural stability. Intermetallics have long been used in high temperature alloys systems such as in the classical Ni-base superalloys that derive their strength from nanoscale dispersions of the aluminide, Ni3Al(γ’) in a matrix of disordered fcc Ni (γ), alloyed with expensive, high density refractory elements such as Re and Ru. The high temperature applications of intermetallics derive from their strength retention to high temperatures, creep resistance enabled by low diffusion rates, and attractive oxidation resistance based on high concentration of elements such as Al that forms stable oxides. Several decades of effort on the development of new generation of intermetallic alloys through the 80’s and 90’s have gone unrewarded, with the exception of TiAl based alloys that are now used in recent generation aircraft engines. The promise of intermetallics as high temperature candidate materials is limited by their poor ductility or toughness arising from several intrinsic properties such as low grain boundary cohesive strength (in the case of Ni3Al) or an insufficient number of slip systems (as in NiAl) or extrinsic effects such as embrittlement by hydrogen (Fe3Al) that derive fundamentally from the existence of directionality in bonding. However, low ductility or toughness can often be alleviated by limiting the length scale for slip. We have therefore examined the possibility of combining intermetallics in the form of eutectic structures, potentially limiting slip lengths within each intermetallic constituent. Eutectic structures in binary systems limit the choice of intermetallic combinations so that finding such combinations with engineering potential is difficult. On the other hand combinations of three elements or more would enable a significantly larger set of permutations of eutectic intermetallics, provided the constituent binary phase diagrams contain either eutectic or peritectic reactions involving intermetallic phases, as well as intermediate intermetallic phases. The ternary Ni-Al-Zr system met our criterion in several ways. The Ni-Al binary phase diagram shows a peritectic reaction from liquid and NiAl (Pm 3m, B2 with a lattice parameter of 0.288nm) to form Ni3Al (Pm 3m, L12 with a lattice parameter of 0.356 nm), intermetallics that have been extensively investigated in earlier literature. The Ni-Zr system shows a peritectic reaction between liquid and the Ni7Zr2 (C12/m1 with a lattice parameters a=0.469nm, b=0.823nm, c=1.219nm) phase to form the intermetallic Ni5Zr (F 43m with a lattice parameter of 0.670nm). Further the NiAl and Ni7Zr2 are both intermediate phases and should therefore form a mono-variant eutectic on the composition line joining these two phases in the ternary system. We note that Zr participates in many glass forming systems. In the Ni-Zr system, for example, glass forming ability has been associated with the structure of the liquid phase and associated low diffusivity. As a consequence, a fine scale eutectic structure may be expected. Zr has also been reported to strengthen and ductilise Ni3Al and NiAl. Finally, both Al and Zr form stable oxides and might promote oxidation resistance. After introducing the thesis in Chapter 1, the experimental details are outlined in the Chapter 2. The experimental results and subsequent discussions are presented in three subsequent chapters. Chapter 3 reports the microstructural aspects of as cast alloys in this ternary system Previous literature and our analysis of phase equilibria in the Ni-Al-Zr system based on Thermo-Calc, suggested that solidification from the liquid to form the Ni3Al + Ni5Zr, Ni3Al + Ni7Zr2 and NiAl+ Ni7Zr2 eutectics is possible. We obtained eutectic structures involving combinations of these intermetallic phases along a constant zirconium section at 11 at. %. The alloy A (Ni-77 at.%, Zr-11at.% and rest Al) contains eutectic structures containing the Ni3Al and Ni5Zr phases in two morphologies, a planar, lamellar structure and a more irregular form. The alloys B (Ni-74 at.%, Zr-11at.% and rest Al) and C (Ni-71 at.%, Zr-11at.% and rest Al) contain two different eutectic structures that combine the Ni3Al and Ni7Zr2 phases, and the NiAl and Ni7Zr2 phases. These phases were identified by a combination of X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy and electron probe microanalysis. The volume fraction of each eutectic constituent is different in the two compositions in that alloy B(Ni-74 at.%, Zr-11at.% and rest Al) contains significantly higher volume fractions of the eutectic containing the Ni3Al and Ni7Zr2 phases than the alloy C (Ni-71 at.%, Zr¬11at.% and rest Al). In order to understand effect of individual phases we have melted several other alloys (alloy D to I) bounding these eutectic alloys (7-25 at.% Al, 5-15 at.% Zr and rest Ni) that form primary solidification phases of the intermetallic structures that constitute the eutectics. Chapter 4 discusses the mechanical behaviour of the fully eutectic alloys alloys as well as alloys with a combination of primary phases along with a eutectic. Mechanical behaviour was assessed in vacuum arc melted and suction cast material. The compressive strength of eutectic and off-eutectic compositions has been evaluated as a function of temperature. Very high strength levels of around 2 GPa could be achieved accompanied by reasonable room temperature tensile plasticity in the range 3-4%. The introduction of the respective primary phases of NiAl, Ni3Al, Ni5Zr and Ni7Zr2 results in decrease of strength. We have explored the origins of strength and tensile plasticity in alloys through micro and pico indentation (hardness) measurements and an examination of slip lines and crack initiation on pre-polished surface of the tensile tested samples as well as by transmission electron microscopy. Chapter 5 explores the oxidation resistance of these alloys in isothermal tests. The oxidation resistance of alloys compares well with recently developed cast single crystal alloys. Clearly, the oxide scale is extremely adherent and no spalling occurs. Electron microprobe analysis shows the presence of a fine scale, layered oxide structures and reaction zones within the substrate. The oxidation behaviour has been characterized using TGA, XRD and EPMA. We have attempted to understand the mechanism of oxidation through analysis of rate constants and activation energy coupled with microstructural observations. Chapter 6 presents a summary of the current work and present the scope for further work.