[en] Composite using poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) as electronic conducting polymer and nanocrystalline titanium dioxide (TiO₂) as host matrix were prepared by the template method. We applied an original in situ photopolymerization technique to synthesize PEDOT inside the TiO₂ pore and characterized the polymer and pore filling by different analysis (cyclic voltammetry, atomic force microscopy, spectroscopy and thermogravimetric measurements). Results were compared with those obtained on PEDOT films synthezised by monomer oxidization in the presence of FeCl₃. In situ generation of PEDOT by photopolymerization was observed to be higher and self-limiting after 22% filling of the mesoporous TiO₂ network. Hybrid materials were used to fabricate an indium-tin oxide/nano-crystalline TiO₂/PEDOT/Au device. The current-voltage characteristics indicate that a built-in electrical field has been created at the nano-crystalline TiO₂/PEDOT interface with energy conversion efficiency of 0.09% without dye.

No abstract available

[en] In recent years, numerous studies on electro-active polymer (EAP) actuators have been reported. One promising technology is the elaboration of electronic conducting polymer-based actuators with interpenetrating polymer network (IPNs) architecture. In this study, the synthesis and characterisation of conducting IPNs for actuator applications is described. The IPNs are synthesised from polyethylene oxide (PEO) and polytetrahydrofurane (PTHF) networks in which the conducting polymer (poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)) is incorporated. In a first step, PEO/PTHF IPNs were prepared via an 'in situ' process using poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate and dimethacrylate and hydroxytelechelic PTHF as starting materials. The IPN mechanical properties were examined by DMA and tensile strength tests. N-ethylmethylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (EMITFSI) swollen PEO/PTHF IPNs show ionic conductivities up to 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ at 30 °C. In a second step, the conducting IPN actuators were prepared by oxidative polymerisation of 3,4-ethylenedioxithiophene (EDOT) using FeCl₃ as an oxidising agent within the PEO/PTHF IPN host matrix. The frequency response performance of the bending conducting IPN actuator was then evaluated. The resulting actuator exhibits a mechanical resonance frequency of up to 125 Hz with 0.75% strain for an applied potential of ± 5 V

[en] In this study, we investigate the optical properties of lanthanide oxide nanoparticles dispersed in poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) network as thermally stable polymeric films. The aim of this work is both to keep a good optical transparency in the visible domain and to obtain luminescent materials after incorporation of nanoparticles. For this purpose, we develop luminescent nanocrystals of oxides containing terbium ion as a doping element in Gd₂O₃. These sub-5-nm lanthanide oxides nanoparticles have been prepared by direct oxide precipitation in high-boiling polyalcohol solutions and characterized by luminescence spectroscopy. PEO/lanthanide oxide nanohybrid films are prepared by radical polymerization of poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate after introduction of lanthanide oxide particles. As a first result; the obtained films present interesting luminescence properties with a very low lanthanide oxide content (up to 0.29 wt%). Furthermore, these films are still transparent and keep their original mechanical properties. Prior to describe the specific applications to optical use, we report here the dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and luminescent properties of. nanohybrid films

[en] Electroactive polypyrrole-Fe₂O₃ nanocomposite materials were prepared by chemical polymerization of pyrrole in aqueous Fe₂O₃ colloidal solution, using FeCl₃ as oxidant and tosylate anions (TS) as doping agent. The nanocomposite material named (PPyTSNC) was studied by X-ray diffraction analysis, Fourier Transform Infra-Red spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. Their electrochemical storage properties were investigated on composite electrodes using 80% in weight of active materials in different immidazolium and pyrrolidinium based room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) as electrolytes. Cyclic voltammetry and constant current charge discharge cycling showed high charge storage properties of the nanocomposite based electrodes in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis((trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl)imide (EMITFSI) and N-butyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (PYR₁₄TFSI) (respectively 72 mAh/g and 62 mAh/g at 1 mA/cm² discharge current) which are more than twice higher than the values obtained with pure PPy. These improvements in capacities have been attributed to the PPyTSNC morphology modification which ensures a large incorporation of the electrolyte inside the nanostructure. The specific capacitances of the nanocomposite electrodes reached 210 F/g and 190 F/g in EMITFSI and PYR₁₄TFSI and their cyclability has shown only 3-5% capacitance loss after one thousand cycles for both ionic liquids

[en] Microcrystalline solid dysprosium(III) hexacyanoferrate(II) was synthesized by co-precipitation in aqueous solution. The resulting solid has been studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray analysis and solid state electrochemistry. The use of a cavity microelectrode was necessary to explore a wide range of time scale and minimize the (undesired) capacitive currents. Cyclic voltametric experiments were very helpful to understand the kinetic of charge transfer in such microstructure. A structure-properties relationship has been established from the crystallographic and the electrochemical properties. A square-scheme is presented to explain the unique electrochemical behavior of hexacyanoferrate containing dysprosium since this compound exhibits a second redox system. The solid presents an open channel-like morphology in which the motion of charged species occurs during the redox processes. Precisely, the electronic transfer is accompanied by a cation diffusion inside the microcrystalline structure. The size of these channels strongly suggests that the kinetic of charge transfer is limited by the cation transport into these structures. - Graphical abstract: Dy and Fe polyhedra packing in the cell of KDyFe(China)₆.3.5H₂O shows occluded water molecules and potassium ions forming a pseudohexagonal 2D sub-lattice connected to each other by diffusion channels

[en] Interpenetrating polymer networks (IPN) based on carbazole derivatives and diacrylate perylene are synthesized in two steps via an in-situ process. From a spin-coated thin film of a mixture of the two precursors, the diacrylate perylene is first photopolymerized to form a network in the presence of the carbazole derivative which is then electropolymerized to elaborate the IPN. Electrochemical characterizations show that the carbazole and perylene are electroactive inside the film which confirm the p and n dopable properties of the IPN. AFM images of the IPNs show a homogenous and smooth surface, compared to single network, which indicate a high quality of association of each network which should allow an efficient p/n bulk heterojunction

[en] Biscarbazole and terthiophene based molecular glasses with hydrazone functional goups (named respectively 2CzMPH and 3TDPH) have been synthesized and the thermal, optical and electrochemical properties have been studied. Differential scanning calorimetry characterizations confirm the metastable amorphous properties of these molecules with glass transition temperatures at 80 deg. C for the 3TDPH and 93 deg. C for the 2CzMPH. Their electrochemical properties have been studied and showed the effect of the conjugated hydrazone groups on the electronic delocalization of the structures. The concept of solid state dye-sensitized solar cells using hydrazone based molecular glasses has been verified with the elaboration of a SnO₂: F/nc-TiO₂/Ru-dye/2CzMPH /Au devices. Under full sunlight (98 mW/cm², air mass 1.5) the I-V characterization of the device give a short circuit photocurrents I_sc = 0.42 mA/cm², open circuit voltage V_oc = 500 mV with a fill factor of 0.35

[en] Supercapacitors are new storage elements for electrical energy. They have an instantaneous power more significant than that of the batteries and an energy larger than that of the conventional capacitors. Their lifespan are higher than that of the batteries (approximately 10 years). They have a structure anode-cathode containing activated carbon, which leads to obtain very high capacitance values (up to 5000 F). So supercapacitors will be new potential storage elements for energy, ideally complementary to the batteries or the fuel cell in the field of transport for example. Other applications as in the field of stationary or telecommunication were carried out in the world, or are in phase of study and of evaluation. Many studies are carried out to increase the cross capacity-voltage of these components. However due to their recent technology, some significant points remain in order to know how to improve the reliability of the component and the system in which they are used. The objective of this congress is to bring together in Europe the specialists who work in the field of the supercapacitors, to present the state of the art and to discuss the evolution of the technologies for supercapacitors, as well as theirs use in various fields. This congress will have to specify the problems concerning reliability, the diagnosis and the safety of their use as well as the development of devices for balancing and power electronics related to the use of the supercapacitors. Content: 1 - Ultracapacitors: today's achievements and tomorrow's perspectives; 2 - Energy Storage on board of railway vehicles; 3 - Nanostructured transition metal oxides for aqueous hybrid electrochemical supercapacitors; 4 - Development and fabrication of a 1.5F-5V Solid electrolyte supercapacitor; 5 - Study of surface treatment of Al current collector foil and influence of carbon nanotubes in Carbon/Carbon supercapacitors in organic electrolyte; 6 - Calculation of diffusion coefficients of TEABF4 in acetonitrile by means of the single particle microelectrode technique; 7 - Fe₂O₃ polypyrrole hybrid nanocomposite supercapacitors; 8 - Manganese oxide nanocomposites as supercapacitor electrode materials: Preparation and electrochemical performances; 9 - Fabrication of Birnessite-type Layered Manganese Oxide Films for Supercapacitors; 10 - Electro-thermal analysis of hybrid electrochemical Supercapacitors; 11 - Development and characterization of Ni-C supercapacitor; 12 - Electrical and thermal behaviour of a supercapacitor module: on-line characterization; 13 - Ultracapacitor electrical modeling using temperature dependent parameters; 14 - Modeling of the supercapacitors and influence of the temperature during a self-discharge; 15 - Supercapacitor modeling with Artificial Neural Network (ANN); 16 - First accelerated ageing cycling test on supercapacitors for transportation applications: methodology, first results; 17 - Impedance measurement and modeling of supercapacitors for railway applications; 18 - Capacitance and series resistance determination in high power ultracapacitors; 19 - Contribution to dimensioning a pack of supercapacitors for 12/42 V application; 20 - Using supercapacitors in combination with bi-directional DC/DC converters for active load management in residential fuel cell applications; 21 - The use of a combined battery/supercapacitor storage to provide voltage ride-through capability and transient stabilizing properties by wind turbines; 22 - Power-energy management in lift drive system with super capacitors compensator; 23 - A solution for increasing the efficiency of Diesel-electric locomotives with supercapacitive energy storage; 24 - System variants for operation of trams without a catenary; 25 - Supercapacitors as an energy storage for fuel cell automotive hybrid electrical system; 26 - Supercapacitors for embarked systems as a storage energy device solution; 27 - Small Hybrid Bus TOHYCO-Rider with Supercaps and inductive power transfer; 28 - Fostering the commercialization of Ultracapacitors