Guilhem PIGNOL PhD defense

Condensed Matter and Electroactive Systems team

Abstract:
A better understanding of electron transfer mechanisms is important for the biomedical, energy and environmental fields. This thesis focuses on two main areas of study. The first concerns the study of the reactivity of electrochemical species on carbon fiber, the main component of electrode materials for flow batteries. Electrochemical experiments coupled with numerical simulations have highlighted the differences in reactivities of different couples between the inner and outer spheres. The importance of the oxidation state of the fiber was also highlighted for couples exchanging electrons with an inner sphere mechanism.The second line of study focused on electron transfer in gold nanoparticles carrying electro-active ligands, through an insulating layer. Using cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical microscopy, electrochemical studies on macroscopic and microscopic modified carbon surfaces enabled us to investigate the behavior of these nanoparticles. Precise characterization of these nanoparticles, followed by their use for electrochemical microscopy, revealed their ability to catalyze electron transfer through different types of insulating layer.

Jury:

• Jean-Marc Noël, Chargé de recherche CNRS, ITODYS, Université Paris Cité
• Tony Breton, Professeur, Laboratoire MOLTECH Anjou, Université d’Angers
• Corinne Lagrost, Directeur de recherche CNRS, ISCR, Université de Rennes
• Alexander Kuhn, Professeur, ENSMAC, Bordeaux INP, Université de Bordeaux
• Fabien Miomandre, Professeur, PPSM, Ecole Normale Supérieur Paris Saclay
• Nicolas Lepoul, Directeur de recherche CNRS, CEMCA, Université de Bretagne Occidentale
• Philippe Hapiot, Directeur de recherche CNRS, ISCR, Université de Rennes / Directeur de thèse

Contact : Philippe Hapiot (3 59 39) - philippe.hapiot@univ-rennes.fr