Magister Scientiae - MSc (Chemistry) / Although cadmium and lead chalcogenide quantum dot have excellent optical and photoluminescent properties that are highly favorable for biological applications, there still exists increasing concerns due to the toxicity of these metals. We, therefore, report the synthesis of new aqueous soluble IrSe quantum dot at room temperature utilizing a bottom-up wet chemistry approach. NaHSe and H2IrCl6 were utilized as the Se and Ir source, respectively. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy reveals that the synthesized 3MPA-IrSe Qd are 3 nm in diameter. The characteristics and properties of the IrSe Qd are investigated utilizing, Selected Area electron diffraction, ATR- Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy, Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Photoluminescence, Cyclic Voltammetry and chronocoulometry. A 3 fold increase in the optical band gap of IrSe quantum dot in comparison to reported bulk IrSe is observed consistent with the effective mass approximation theory for semiconductor materials of particles sizes < 10 nm. The PL emission of the IrSe quantum dot is at 519 nm. Their electro-activity is studied on gold electrodes and exhibit reduction and oxidation at - 107 mV and +641 mV, with lowered reductive potentials. The synthesized quantum dot are suitable for low energy requiring electrochemical applications such as biological sensors and candidates for further investigation as photoluminescent biological labels.

Le développement de nouveaux capteurs, transducteurs et de dispositifs intégrés optoélectroniques et piézo-électriques nécessite l'élaboration de nouveaux matériaux avec des propriétés mécaniques, optiques et électriques couplées. Dans cette perspective, les nanocomposites à base de nanocristaux inorganiques non centrosymétriques dispersés dans une matrice polymère peuvent donner à la fois des propriétés piézoélectriques et optiques non-linéaires. Cependant, la dispersion et l’orientation des nanocristaux dans la matrice sont primordiales si on souhaite un comportement collectif des nanocristaux individuels et des propriétés résultantes significatives. Dans ce travail, nous avons utilisé des cristaux d’iodate de fer (Fe(IO3)3) comme nano-charges inorganiques et le PMMA/ PTMPTA comme matrice polymère. La réponse optique non-linéaire du Fe(IO3)3 est comparable à celle des cristaux les plus efficaces tels que BaB2O4 et LiNbO3. Le comportement piézoélectrique du matériau massif n’étant pas référencé, sa structure cristalline laisse toutefois envisager des propriétés piézoélectriques intéressantes. Par ailleurs, la matrice polymère a été choisie pour sa simplicité d'utilisation et de production, son coût relativement faible, sa versatilité et sa facilité de mise en forme. Les nanocomposites peuvent être élaborés par deux voix différentes : la première consiste à disperser mécaniquement des nanocristaux fonctionnalisés dans un polymère ou dans un solvant de polymère approprié et la deuxième concerne la polymérisation in-situ de microémulsions composées du monomère liquide. Les synthèses en microémulsions inverses ont été privilégiées pour d’une part élaborer des nanocristaux d’iodate de fer de taille et de forme contrôlées puis, d’autre part, photo-polymériser des couches minces déposées à la tournette. Un aspect très original de ce travail consiste en l’utilisation de la Diffusion Hyper-Rayleigh pour étudier in-situ les cinétiques de cristallisation des particules d’iodate de fer en fonction des conditions expérimentales de synthèse à savoir, la température et la composition des microémulsions. Cette technique qui consiste à détecter les réponses optiques non-linéaires des suspensions de nanoparticules en microémulsions a été combinée avec d’autres méthodes expérimentales plus classiques comme la diffraction des rayons X, la diffusion dynamique de la lumière et la microscopie électronique en transmission. Cela a permis d’élucider les mécanismes de croissance des nanocristaux d’iodate de fer en microémulsions inverses. Par la suite, des couches minces nanocomposites ont été préparées après orientation sous champs électriques des nanocristaux polaires dispersés dans le MMA. Les caractérisations mécaniques, optiques non linaires et piézoélectriques de ces couches sont encourageantes. / The development of new sensors, transducers and integrated optoelectronic and piezoelectric devices requires the preparation of new materials that link mechanical, optical and electrical properties. In this perspective, it is expected that nanocomposite materials with inclusions of acentric inorganic nanocrystals in a polymer matrix will give rise to both piezoelectric and nonlinear optical (NLO) properties. Dispersion and orientation of nanocrystals in the polymer matrix are however crucial to obtain a collective response of individual nanocrystals and significant resultant properties. In this work, iron iodate (Fe(IO3)3) nanocrystals were used as nanofillers of a PMMA / PTMPTA polymer matrix. The nonlinear optical response of Fe(IO3)3 is comparable to the most effective NLO crystals such as LiNbO3 and BaB2O4. Good piezoelectric properties are also expected due to the material crystalline structure. Moreover, the polymer matrix was chosen for its ease of use and production, its relatively low cost, versatility and ease in shaping. Elaboration of nanocomposites is usually based on two different experimental procedures: mechanical dispersion of functionalized nanocrystals in a suitable polymer or polymer solvent is a first route whereas in-situ polymerization of reverse microemulsions for which a liquid monomer is the oil phase is the second one. Water-in-Oil (W/O) microemulsions were preferred in order to control the size and shape of as-obtained iron iodate nanocrystals and then to polymerize spin-coated thin films. A very original aspect of this work is the implementation of the Hyper-Rayleigh Scattering technique to probe in-situ the crystallization kinetics of iron iodate nanoparticles according to the experimental conditions (synthesis temperature and microemulsions composition). Detection of the second-harmonic scattered light combined with more conventional experimental techniques such as X-ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering and Transmission Electron Microscopy allowed us to understand the growth mechanisms of iron iodate naocrystals in W/O microemulsions. Nanocomposite thin films were then spin-coated after electric fields orientation of dispersed polar nanocrystals in MMA.

Les nanocristaux de cellulose (NCC), obtenus par hydrolyse acide des microfibrilles de cellulose native sous forme de suspensions colloïdales aqueuses, sont des nanoparticules biosourcées ayant des propriétés mécaniques et optiques particulièrement séduisantes pour la conception de nanomatériaux à haute performance. Pour éliminer certaines de leurs limitations comme la sensibilité au sel et l'absence de contrôle de leurs interactions, nous nous sommes attachés au cours de ce travail à modifier chimiquement ces NCC par greffage de chaînes de polymère thermosensible de la famille de polyétheramines Jeffamine® sur leur surface. La première méthode de greffage utilisée faisait appel à une oxydation TEMPO suivie d'un couplage peptidique. Après l'optimisation de la réaction de greffage, les nouveaux systèmes (NCC-g-Jeffamine) ont été caractérisés et de nouvelles propriétés ont été identifiées notamment leur insensibilité au sel, leur capacité de redispersion dans des solvants organiques, leur caractère tensioactif, leur stabilité thermique améliorée ainsi que leur thermoagrégation réversible. L'étude structurale par diffusion des neutrons aux petits angles a permis d'avoir des informations sur les épaisseurs des couches de polymère greffé ainsi que sur la conformation des chaînes. De nouvelles caractéristiques de l'auto-organisation en phase chirale-nématique de ces nouveaux systèmes ont été notées concernant leur diagramme de phase et leur pas cholestériques. La deuxième méthode de greffage explorée consistait en une oxydation aux ions métapériodate suivie d'une amination réductrice. Les résultats ont montré un détachement partiel des chaînes de cellulose suite à l'oxydation puis leur détachement complet après le greffage du polymère pour obtenir des copolymères cellulose-Jeffamine ayant éventuellement des propriétés intéressantes à étudier. / Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), obtained by acid hydrolysis of native cellulose microfibrils as colloidal aquous suspensions, are bioresourced nanoparticles that have great mechanical and optical properties well adapted for the conception of new nanomaterials with high performance. In order to eliminate some of their limitations like sensitivity to salt and absence of interactions control, we studied in this work the chemical modification of these CNC by grafting thermoresponsive polymer chains (polyetheramines Jeffamine®) on the their surface. A first grafting strategy used was a TEMPO oxidation followed by peptidic coupling. After the optimization of the grafting reaction, the new systems (CNC-g-Jeffamine) were characterized and new properties were identified particularly their insensitivity to salts, their ability to be redispersed in organic solvents, their surfactant character, their enhanced thermal stability and their reversible thermoagregation. The structural study using small angles neutrons scattering gave us information about thicknesses of the polymer corona and the chains conformation. New characteristics of their self-assembly into chiral-nematic phases were noticed more particularly concerning phase diagrams and cholesteric pitches. The second grafting strategy consisted in an oxidation using periodate ion followed by reductive amination. Results showed a partial detachment of cellulose chains after oxidation. A complete detachment was observed after grafting the polymer chains to finally obtain cellulose-Jeffamine copolymers which could have interesting properties to study.

Cette thèse porte sur l’étude de nanocristaux semi-conducteurs ternaires, et leur application dansdes cellules solaires hybrides organiques/inorganiques. Les nanocristaux semi-conducteurs absorbentla lumière à des longueurs d’ondes déterminées par leur taille et leur composition, et conduisent lescharges électriques. Ils sont stables en solution, ce qui permet un dépôt de couches minces à bascout. Aujourd’hui les meilleurs rendements en cellules solaires hybrides sont obtenus à partir de nanocristauxbinaires contenant soit du plomb, soit du cadmium. Les nanocristaux ternaires conserventles propriétés particulières des nanocristaux binaires tout en permettant de s’affranchir des élémentstoxiques. Cependant, leur synthèse reste à optimiser pour contrôler de leur structure cristalline et leurcomposition.Nous avons réalisé, par voie chimique, la synthèse de nanocristaux de CuInS2 de taille et de compositioncontrôlées. En suivant in situ la synthèse de ces nanocristaux par diffraction des rayons X sous rayonnementsynchrotron nous avons trouvé que les précurseurs s’organisent avant nucléation sous forme deplans espacés par deux longueurs du ligand utilisé (ici dodécanethiol, DDT). Cela impacte nucléationet croissance des nanocristaux. Les ligands stabilisent les nanocristaux en solution colloïdale, maisleur caractère isolant peut inhiber le transfert et le transport de charges. Le remplacement du ligandd’origine (DDT) par un ligand plus court, l’éthylhexanethiol (EHT), modifie les niveaux d’énergie etpermet d’augmenter la conductivité des films de nanocristaux. Nous avons intégré des nanocristauxde CuInS2 entourés d’EHT dans des cellules hybrides constituées d’un polymère conjugué (P3HT) etd’un fullerène (PCBM). L’efficacité des cellules solaires contenant des nanocristaux entourés d’EHTest significativement améliorée par rapport à celle des cellules de P3HT :PCBM réalisées dans lesmêmes conditions. Le transfert et la mobilité des charges sont étudiés par RPE sous éclairement etphoto-CELIV respectivement. De ces études il ressort que l’amélioration des cellules provient d’unemeilleure génération et dissociation des charges. / This work is devoted to the study of ternary semiconductor nanocrystals, and their application inhybrid organic/inorganic solar cells. Semiconductor nanocrystals absorb light at controlled wavelength(depending on their size and composition) and are able to transport charges. They form a colloidalsolution in organic solvent compatible with low-cost deposition in thin films. Nowadays, the bestefficiency for such hybrid solar cells is obtained with binary nanocrystals containing lead or cadmium.Ternary nanocrystals preserve the opticla and electronic properties of binary nanocrystals withoutrelying on toxic elements, but it is still a challenge to control their composition and structure.In this thesis, CuInS2 nanocrystals of controlled size and composition were syntesized. A study ofnucleation and growth was carried out by following the synthesis in situ with X-ray radiation at thesynchrotron. This has shown that precursors’ organize themselves into plans of atoms separated by twotimes the length of the ligand (here dodecanethiol, DDT). Ligands stabilize the nanocrystals in colloidalsolution, but their insulating character inhibits efficient charge transfer and transport. Ligand exchangewith ethylhexanethiol (EHT) improves the conductivity of thin films and changethe energetic level ofthe nanocrystals.We studied an approach of hybrid solar cell design, consisting in a bulk heterojunctionof two semiconductor organic components (P3HT and PCBM) and CuInS2 nanocrystals. The efficencyof the cells where nanocrystals are added are better than the one with only P3HT:PCBM. The chargetransfer and mobility was studied by the mean of light induced ESR and CELIV respectively. It hasshown that the improvement of the solar cell efficiency is mainly related to an improvement of thecharge generation and dissociation in the ternary blend.

Ce travail porte sur les propriétés des nanocristaux de cellulose, leur modification de surface et le développement de matériaux avancés. Diverses approches sont utilisées sur ces substrats nanométriques visant à modifier leurs propriétés de surface et étendre leur utilisation dans des applications très sophistiquées, telles que la postsulfation et la désulfatation, le greffage et l'adsorption de polymères, l’oxydation sélective, le greffage moléculaire et l'inclusion "hôte-invité". Sur la base de modifications de surface, l'analyse des propriétés (pour différents taux de groupements sulfates) et divers nanomatériaux dérivés des nanocristaux de cellulose sont étudiés et préparés, notamment des nanocristaux sulfatés à différents taux, des nanocomposites extrudés, des éponges biocomposites et des hydrogels supramoléculaires. L'effet d’un gradient de groupements sulfates sur la chimie de surface, la morphologie et les propriétés physiques des nanocristaux de cellulose est discuté et notamment quatre modèles de section transversale sont comparés pour la détermination de la mesure du degré de substitution surfacique des nanocristaux de cellulose. Une stratégie nouvelle de protection impliquant une double couche polymère et la compatibilisation physique et/ou chimique des nanocristaux de cellulose est proposée afin de promouvoir à la fois la stabilité thermique des nanoparticules et la compatibilité des nanocristaux avec des matrices polymères non polaires au cours de la mise en forme par extrusion. En participant àla réticulation pour la construction de matériaux avancés, des nanocristaux de cellulose sélectivement oxydés (et de la cellulose microfibrillée oxydée pour comparaison) sont introduits dans de l'alginate pour développer des éponges biocomposites présentant une meilleure stabilité mécanique et une meilleure stabilité structurelle. Grâce à la conception intelligente par inclusion 'hôte-invité' in situ entre des nanocristaux de cellulose chimiquement modifiés et la cyclodextrine,deux polysaccharides hydrophiles sont combinés dans des hydrogels supramoléculaires pour l'administration de médicaments. En un mot, cette thèse contribue à l’avancée des nanocristaux de cellulose dans les domaines de l'analyse des propriétés et le développement des applications. / The present work focuses on the properties of cellulose nanocrystals, their surface modification and development of advanced materials. Diverse approaches are employed on these nanoscaled substrates aiming to modify their surface properties and extend their use in highly sophisticated applications, such as postsulfation and desulfation, polymer grafting and adsorption, selective oxidation, molecular grafting, and ‘host-guest' inclusion. On the basis of surface modifications, properties analysis (for different sulfate group contents) and various nanomaterials derived from cellulose nanocrystals are investigated and prepared, including gradient sulfated nanocrystals, extruded nanocomposites, biocomposite sponges, and supramolecular hydrogels. The effect of gradient degrees of sulfate groups on cellulose nanocrystals to surface chemistry, morphology and physical properties are discussed, particularly four cross-section models are compared for the determination of the surface degree of substitution on cellulose nanocrystals. A novel strategy involving a double-polymer-layer shield and physical and/or chemical compatibilization of cellulose nanocrystals is proposed, in order to realize both improvement of thermal stability and promotion of compatibility for nanocrystals with non-polar polymeric matrices during processing by melt-extrusion. With the idea of participating as crosslinking aid for the construction of advanced materials, selectively oxidized cellulose nanocrystals (with oxidized microfibrillated cellulose as comparison) are introduced in alginate for the development of biocomposite sponges with improved mechanical stability or structural stability. Through the smart design of in situ ‘host−guest' inclusion between chemically modified cellulose nanocrystals and cyclodextrin, two hydrophilic polysaccharides are combined in supramolecular hydrogels for use as drug delivery. In a word, this dissertation contributes to the advances of cellulose nanocrystals in the topics of property analysis and application development.

La synthèse par voie chimique en solution permet d’obtenir des nanoparticules de caractéristiques structurales bien contrôlées. Elle offre ainsi la possibilité d’exploiter les propriétés spécifiques qui sont associées aux caractéristiques de ces nano-objets (taille, forme, structure cristalline …), dans des domaines applicatifs très diverses. Parmi eux, la catalyse, a un rôle important à jouer au cœur de la transition écologique/énergétique. En effet, pour de nombreuses réactions, l’utilisation de nanoparticules permet de réduire les quantités de métaux employés. De plus, certains métaux révèlent de nouvelles propriétés à cette échelle. Phénomène de surface, la catalyse implique ainsi de plus en plus l’utilisation de nanocristaux de tailles et formes contrôlées. La littérature démontre qu’il est possible de moduler la sélectivité et l’activité des catalyseurs en fonction de l’orientation cristallographique présentée par les facettes des nanocristaux. Dans la première partie de cette thèse, des nanoparticules de platine ont été synthétisées en utilisant comme précurseur principal un simple sel de Pt(II). En fonction des paramètres de la réaction, des formes très variées ont été obtenues. Nous avons essayé de comprendre le mécanisme de formation des différentes morphologies de nanoparticules de platine auxquelles nous avons pu accéder : cubes concaves exposant des facettes (110), multipodes exposant un mélange de facettes (111) et (001), ainsi que des cubes exposant des facettes (001). La deuxième partie vise à étudier l’impact de la forme de nano-objets de platine dans une réaction catalytique modèle. Des cubes concaves et des multipodes ont été testés dans l’hydrogénation d’un aldéhyde α,β-insaturé, le cinnamaldéhyde, réaction modèle permettant de sonder la chimiosélectivité. Des nano-objets libres en solution ainsi que des nano-objets immobilisés sur deux types de supports différents, la silice et le graphène ont été utilisés. Enfin, l’extension d’une méthode de synthèse de nanocristaux épitaxiés sur films minces, nous a permis de produire, par croissance directe en solution, des nano-objets de platine, cristallographiquement orientés, de morphologies originales (cubes concaves, fils) sur différents types de couches minces, de nature et d’orientations cristallographique spécifiques. / Solution chemistry allows obtaining nanoparticles with well-controlled structural characteristics. It offers therefore the possibility to exploit the specific properties associated to the nano-objects characteristics (size, shape, crystal phase …), in diverse applications. Among them, catalysis plays an important role for the ecologic/energetic transition. Indeed, for numerous reactions, the use of nanoparticles allows to reduce the amount of metals employed. Moreover, some metals present new properties at this scale. As a surface phenomenon, catalysis thus implies more and more the use of size and shape controlled nanocrystals. Indeed, literature has shown that it is possible to modulate catalyst activity and selectivity depending on the crystallographic orientation of the nanocrystal facets.In the first part of this thesis, platinum nanoparticles have been produced using a simple Pt(II) salt as a principal precursor. Depending on the parameters employed, various shapes have been obtained. We have tried to understand the formation mechanism of the different platinum nanoparticle morphologies obtained: concave cubes enclosed by (110) facets, multipods enclosed by a mix of (111) and (100) and cubes enclosed by (100) facets. The second chapter aims at studying the impact of the nano-object shape in a model catalytic reaction. Concaves cubes and multipods have been tested in the hydrogenation of an α,β-unsaturated aldehyde, the cinnamaldéhyde, as a model reaction to probe chemoselectivity. Free nanoparticles in solution and nanoparticles supported on silica and graphène have been used. Finally, the extension of a method for the epitaxial growth of nanocrystals on thin films, allowed the elaboration of, crystallographically oriented, shape controlled platinum nano-objects (concave cubes, wires) by a direct solution-growth, over different thin films of specific nature and crystalline orientation.

Submitted by Alison Vanceto (alison-vanceto@hotmail.com) on 2017-06-02T14:05:02Z No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseDDSP.pdf: 5654501 bytes, checksum: 314e8dafc9e9b26a7437132de9501321 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ronildo Prado (ronisp@ufscar.br) on 2017-06-05T17:01:18Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseDDSP.pdf: 5654501 bytes, checksum: 314e8dafc9e9b26a7437132de9501321 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ronildo Prado (ronisp@ufscar.br) on 2017-06-05T17:01:24Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseDDSP.pdf: 5654501 bytes, checksum: 314e8dafc9e9b26a7437132de9501321 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-05T17:07:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseDDSP.pdf: 5654501 bytes, checksum: 314e8dafc9e9b26a7437132de9501321 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-07-15 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Solution blow spinning is a technique to produce micro- and nano-scale fibers, forming films with high porosity and surface area. Chemical modifications or the incorporation of nanostructures in these fibers can improve the performance of these films for various applications, such as membranes, tissue engineering and sensors. Therefore, the aim of this work was to study poly(lactic acid) (PLA) films obtained by solution blow spinning reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals (CNC). First, different solvents were evaluated in order to determine the best processing conditions and the feasibility of using the solvent dimethyl carbonate (DMC) in the production of PLA films by solution blow spinning. Polymer concentration showed to be the most significant parameter affecting fiber diameter and DMC presented advantages over 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFP) and chloroform due its less toxicity, and therefore, is an alternative solvent with an affordable price, using a more environmentally-friendly process. Subsequently, the CNCs were extracted from bleached eucalyptus kraft pulp by sulfuric acid hydrolysis, which were chemically modified with maleic anhydride (CNCMA). Then, composite films of PLA/CNC and PLA/CNCMA were obtained by solution blow spinning and the results indicated that the addition of nanocrystals did not significantly affected fiber diameters, although the fiber diameters tended to decrease with the increase of the nanocrystals concentration. The results also indicated that the nanocrystals may have increased the degree of PLA polymer chains orientation and that the composite films presented a more hydrophilic behavior when compared to the pure PLA film. It suggests that some of the nanocrystals may be on the surface of the fibers, indicating that these composite films are promising for filter and adsorbents membranes application. / A técnica de fiação por sopro em solução produz fibras em escala micro e nanométrica, formando filmes com elevada porosidade e área superficial. Modificações químicas ou a incorporação de nanoestruturas nestas fibras podem melhorar o desempenho destes filmes para diversas aplicações, como por exemplo, membranas, engenharia de tecidos e sensores. Portanto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar filmes de poli(ácido lático) (PLA) obtidos por fiação por sopro em solução reforçados com nanocristais de celulose (CNC). Primeiramente, avaliou-se diferentes solventes a fim de determinar as melhores condições de processamento e a viabilidade de uso do solvente dimetilcarbonato (DMC) na obtenção de filmes de PLA por fiação por sopro em solução. A concentração de polímero mostrou ser o parâmetro mais significativo que afeta o diâmetro das fibras e que o DMC possui vantagens sobre o 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP) e o clorofórmio por ser menos tóxico, sendo, portanto, um solvente alternativo com preço acessível, utilizando um processo ambientalmente mais correto. Em seguida, foram extraídos os CNC a partir da polpa branqueada de eucalipto via hidrólise com ácido sulfúrico, os quais foram modificados quimicamente com anidrido maleico (CNCMA). Então, foram obtidos filmes compósitos de PLA/CNC e PLA/CNCMA por fiação por sopro em solução e os resultados indicaram que a adição dos nanocristais não alterou significativamente o diâmetro das fibras, embora observou-se uma tendência de redução nos diâmetros com o aumento da concentração dos nanocristais. Os resultados também indicaram que os nanocristais podem ter aumentado o grau de orientação das cadeias poliméricas do PLA e que os filmes compósitos apresentaram caráter mais hidrofílico quando comparados ao filme de PLA puro. Isto sugere que parte dos nanocristais possam estar na superfície das fibras, indicando que estes filmes compósitos são promissores para aplicação em membranas filtrantes e adsorventes. / CNPQ: 202445/2014-3

The pineapple leaf (PL) is an agricultural waste with annual output and available in abundance, whereas in 2011 were produced about three million tons, being rarely used and currently has a low commercial value. Therefore, this agro-waste deserves to be better and/or properly used. The aim of this study was to explore PL as a source of raw material for the production of cellulose nanocrystals (CN). The CN were extracted by acid hydrolysis at 45°C for 5, 30 and 60 minutes, using 20 mL of H2SO4 (9.17 M) for each gram of material. The resulting CN were characterized by crystallinity index, morphology (shape and size) and thermal stability. Among the hydrolysis conditions carried out, the best extraction time was 30 minutes, with yield of 65%. At this extraction time, the CN presented a needle-shaped nature, high thermal stability (225 °C) when compared to the thermoplastic processing temperature (about 200 °C), high crystallinity (87.3%) relative to other sources CN cellulosic derived from agricultural residues (e.g., soy hull 73.5%), an average length of 249.7 ± 51.5 nm and a diameter of 4.45 ±1.41 nm, giving an aspect ratio (L/D) of around 60. Therefore, CN obtained from PL has great potential as reinforcement in the manufacture of nanocomposites. The production of CN from this underutilized agro-waste has commercial application potential that can add value to the pineapple cultivation, generate extra income for farmers and also help in agribusiness diversification. In addition, the reuse of these residues allows a significant reduction in both the volume of waste accumulated in the environment and in the extraction of raw materials, which is against the concept of sustainable development. / A folha do abacaxi (PL) é um resíduo agrícola com produção anual e disponível em abundância, visto que em 2011 foram produzidas aproximadamente três milhões de toneladas, sendo utilizado muito raramente, tem atualmente um baixo valor comercial. Portanto, este resíduo agrícola merece ser melhor e/ou usado corretamente. O objetivo deste estudo foi o de explorar a PL, como fonte de matéria prima para a produção de nanocristais de celulose (CN). Os CN foram extraídos por meio de hidrólise ácida, a 45 °C durante 5, 30 e 60 minutos, utilizando-se 20 mL de H2SO4 (9,17 M) para cada grama de fibra de celulose purificada obtida da PL. Os CN resultantes foram caracterizados por índice de cristalinidade, morfologia (forma e tamanho), e estabilidade térmica. Entre as condições de hidrólise realizadas, o melhor tempo de extração foi de 30 minutos, com rendimento de 65%. Neste tempo de extração, os CN apresentaram-se em forma de agulha, estabilidade térmica elevada (225 °C) quando comparada a temperatura de processamento dos termoplásticos (cerca de 200 °C), elevada cristalinidade (87,3%) em relação à NC de outras fontes celulósicas oriunda de resíduos agrícolas (por exemplo, a casca de soja 73,5%), um comprimento médio (L) de 249,7 ± 51,5 nm e um diâmetro (D) de 4,45 ± 1,41 nm, dando um razão de aspecto (L/D) de cerca de 60. Por conseguinte, os CN obtidos a partir da PL têm um grande potencial como reforço na produção de nanocompósitos. A produção dos CN a partir deste resíduo agrícola subutilizado tem potencial para aplicação comercial que pode agregar valor ao cultivo de abacaxi, gerar renda extra para os agricultores e também ajudar na diversificação do agronegócio. Além disso, a reutilização desses resíduos permite uma redução significativa, tanto no volume de resíduos acumulados no meio ambiente como na extração de matérias-primas, o que vem de encontro com o conceito de desenvolvimento sustentável. / Mestre em Química

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Currently there are many studies involving Nanocrystals (NC) incorporated into different types of matrices, including, matrices with porous surface. However, little information is known about the incorporation of NC in Diatomite matrix, and there is a lack of studies on the use of this material. In this context, zinc oxide (ZnO) semiconductor nanoparticles were prepared using two sol-gel methods, microwave and autoclave, at 100 ºC and 180 ºC, respectively. The nanocrystals of ZnO obtained by microwaves were incorporated into a matrix of diatomite (DE) in natura and modified. The modifiers used were APTES (3- aminopropyltriethoxysilane) and MPTS (3-Mercaptopropyltrimetoxysilane) for the study. The material DE/ ZnO, in which ZnO was synthesized with mercaptoethanol (ZnO: ME), was applied for the degradation of Methylene Blue (AM) dye, while ZnO, synthesized with diethyleneglycol (ZnO: DEG), was used for degradation of Rhodamine 6G dye (R6G) by photocatalysis. The results of UV-vis and FTIR spectra show that synthesis carried out by heating under adsorption method is more efficient for the incorporation of ZnO in Diatomite matrix. The FTIR spectra showed that the use of modifiers had no significant influence on the structure. According to the UV-Vis spectra, the DE / ZnO material was successful for application to AM photocatalysis and follows a pseudo-first order kinetics. The ZnO:DEG material used for degradation of R6G obtained higher efficiency due to the wide absorption in the UV-Vis of the photocatalyst material. / Atualmente existem diversos estudos envolvendo Nanocristais (NC) incorporados em matrizes de diferentes tipos, incluindo matrizes com uma superfície porosa. Entretanto, pouco se conhece sobre a incorporação de NC em matriz de Diatomita, além de ser limitado a presença de estudos sobre aplicação desse material. Neste contexto, foram preparadas nanopartículas semicondutoras de óxido de Zinco (ZnO) utilizando dois métodos sol-gel, por micro-ondas e autoclave, numa temperatura de 100 ºC e 180 ºC, respectivamente. Os nanocristais de ZnO obtidos por micro-ondas foram incorporados em matriz de Diatomita (DE) in natura e modificada. Foram utilizados os modificadores APTES (3-Aminopropiltrietoxissilano) e MPTS (3- Mercaptopropiltrimetoxissilano) para o estudo. O material de DE/ZnO, no qual o ZnO foi sintetizado com mercaptoetanol (ZnO:ME), foi aplicado para a degradação do corante Azul de Metileno (AM), enquanto o ZnO, sintetizado com dietilenoglicol (ZnO:DEG), não incorporado foi utilizado para degradação do corante Rodamina 6G (R6G) por fotocatálise. Os resultados de UV-Vis e FTIR mostram que a síntese realizada pelo método de adsorção sob aquecimento é mais eficiente para a incorporação de ZnO na matriz de Diatomita. Os espectros de FTIR mostraram que a utilização de modificadores não exerceu influência significativa na estrutura da DE. Segundo os espectros de UV-Vis, o material de DE/ZnO foi bem-sucedido para aplicação em fotocatálise de AM e segue uma cinética de pseudo-primeira ordem. O material de ZnO:DEG utilizado para degradação de R6G obteve maior eficiência devido a ampla absorção no UV-Vis do material fotocatalisador.

Orientador: Prof. Dr. Alejandro Andrés Zúñiga Páez / Coorientador: Prof. Dr. Roberto Gomes de Aguiar Veiga / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do ABC, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência e Engenharia de Materiais, Santo André, 2018. / Vidros metálicos (VM) apresentam propriedades mecânicas únicas devido a sua estrutura desordenada (amorfa). Adicionalmente, compósitos de matriz de vidro metálico com nanocristais (fase dispersa) podem apresentar um mecanismo de deformação plástica diferente em relação à dos vidros metálicos monolíticos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar o comportamento mecânico em compressão de compósitos de matriz de VM de Cu¿Zr¿Al contendo nanocristais de diferentes composições e tamanhos usando simulação de dinâmica molecular. Primeiramente, uma caixa de simulação de VM com 6.750.000 átomos, de composição Cu45Zr45Al10 foi produzida pelo método de têmpera. Posteriormente, esta caixa foi usada como matriz para produzir compósitos com as seguintes populações de nanocristais: a) 75 nanocristais de CuZr de 4 nm de diâmetro, b) 1 nanocristal de CuZr de 17 nm de diâmetro, e c) 1 nanocristal de Cu de 17 nm de diâmetro (fração volumétrica ?xada em 2%). Finalmente, todas as amostras (com e sem nanocristais) foram deformadas em compressão com uma taxa de deformação de 108 s-1. As curvas de tensão-deformação mostraram que todas as amostras atingiram a tensão máxima em ~5% de deformação; porém com valores variando entre 2,15 e 2,8 GPa. Observou-se que a variação da tensão máxima atingida dependeu principalmente de dois fatores: da existência de mecanismos de deformação plástica no interior da partícula e do processo de nucleação de bandas de cisalhamento na interfase matriz/nanocristal. Também foi verifcado que uma maior área de interfase matriz/nanocristal gerou uma maior quantidade de bandas de cisalhamento. Adicionalmente, observou-se que a concentração do poliedro icosaédrico (0,0,12,0,0) centrado no átomo de Cu diminuiu em função da deformação e que a região da banda de cisalhamento possuía uma menor concentração de poliedros icosaédricos em relação às demais regiões do vidro metálico. Já as análises do campo de deslocamento atômico mostraram que as regiões centrais das bandas de cisalhamento estavam formadas por vórtices, e que as margens das bandas estavam caracterizadas por movimentações atômicas lineares. Finalmente, a presença de nanocristais in?uenciou o padrão do ?uxo plástico e a estrutura dos vórtices no material. / Metallic glasses exhibit unique mechanical properties due their disordered structure (amorphous). Moreover, glassy-matrix composites with embedded nanocrystals can modify the dynamics of shear banding (plastic deformation mechanism) in relation to the one observed in monolithic metallic glasses. The objective of this work was to study the mechanical behavior in compression of amorphous Cu¿Zr¿Al composites containing nanocrystals of diferent compositions and sizes using molecular dynamics simulation. First, a metallic glass simulation box with 6,750,000 atoms and composition Cu45Zr45Al10 was produced by the quenching method. Afterwards, this box was used as matrix to produce composites with the following populations of nanocrystals: a) 75 CuZr nanocrystals of 4 nm in diameter, b) 1 CuZr nanocrystal of 17 nm in diameter, and c) 1 Cu nanocrystal of 17 nm in diameter (volume fraction set at 2%). Finally, all samples (with and without nanocrystals) were deformed in compression at a strain rate of 108 s-1. The stress-strain curves showed that all samples reached a maximum stress at ~5% strain; but with values varying between 2.15 to 2.8 GPa. It was observed that the maximum stress reached depended mainly on two factors: the existence of plastic deformation inside the nanoparticles and the nucleation of shear bands at the matrix/nanocrystal interface. It was also verifed that a larger area of matrix-nanocrystal interface generated a larger number of shear bands. In addition, it was observed that the concentration of icosahedral polyhedra (0,0,12,0,0) centered in Cu atoms decreased as a function of strain, and that the shear band had a lower concentration of icosahedral polyhedra in relation to other regions of the metallic glass. The analysis of the atomic feld displacement showed that the central regions of the shear bands were formed by vortices, and the margins of the bands were characterized by linear atomic movements. Finally, the presence of nanocrystals infuenced the plastic fow pattern and the structure of the vortices in the material.