A broadband coupling approach applied to a single mode, sol-gel, planar integrated optical waveguide (IOW) was used to create a multichannel attenuated total reflection (ATR) spectrometer. Initial attempts to create an achromatic coupling element for sol-gel waveguides, based upon previous work applied to vacuum deposited glass devices, did not lead to an easily achievable design. Instead a simplified, non-achromatic approach based upon impinging an incident light beam with a large numerical aperture onto an incoupling prism was used. This simplified broadband coupling approach was used to create a sol-gel IOW-ATR spectrometer that transmitted light down to at least 400 nm, and produced a measurable bandwidth of ~ 250 nm; both phenomena are marked improvements upon the capabilities of previously reported devices. An experimental demonstration of this device proved it capable of measuring the visible spectrum of a thin film of horse heart cytochrome c adsorbed to the sol-gel surface at a submonolayer coverage. The broadband spectral capabilities of this sol-gel device were also used to experimentally validate a new method for determining the angular orientation of molecules bound to an arbitrary waveguide surface. In addition to the sol-gel IOW work, the simplified broadband coupling approach was applied to a previously reported multilayered electroactive waveguide device, which was used to collect electrically modulated, broadband spectra for thin films of cytochrome c, as well as a dicarboxyferrocene moiety. Both of these IOW-ATR spectrometers represent improved tools for probing the near-surface chemical environments of molecular assemblies.

Mechanical properties of (woven carbon fiber / vinyl ester matrix) composites can be greatly improved if the interphase between the reinforcing high-strength low-weight fiber and the thermoset resin is made more compliant. In order to improve the adhesion of the vinyl ester matrix to the carbon fiber, a thermoplastic coating such as poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) can be used as an intermediate between the matrix and the fiber. The extent of mutual diffusion at the (sizing material / polymer matrix) interphase plays a critical role in determining the mechanical properties of the composite. In this research, the molecular interdiffusion across a poly(vinyl pyrrolidone))/vinyl ester monomer (PVP/VE) interface is being investigated by Fourier Transform Infrared Attenuated Total Reflectance (FTIR-ATR) spectroscopy. The ATR method which can be used to characterize the transport phenomena, offers several advantages, such as the ability to monitor the diffusion <I>in situ</I> or to observe chemical reactions. In order to separate the effects of the vinyl ester monomer diffusion and the crosslinking reaction, ATR experiments were carried out at temperatures below the normal curing temperature. Diffusion coefficients were determined by following variations in infrared bands as a function of time, and fitting this data to a Fickian model. The values of the diffusion coefficients calculated were consistent with values found in the literature for diffusion of small molecules in polymers. The dependence of diffusion coefficients on temperature followed the Arrhenius equation. Hydrogen bonding interactions were also characterized. The diffusion model used in this study, however, does not seem to be appropriate for the particular (PVP/VE) system. Because the glass transition temperature of the PVP changed as diffusion proceeded, one would expect that the mutual diffusion coefficient did not stay constant. In fact, it was shown that the Tg can drop by 140oC during the diffusion process. A more suitable model of the (PVP/VE) system should take into account plasticization, hydrogen bonding, and especially a concentration dependent diffusion coefficient. Further analysis is therefore needed. / Master of Science

Chemisorption of an organic monolayer to tune the surface properties of a transparent conductive oxide (TCO) electrode can improve the performance of organic electronic devices that rely on efficient charge transfer between an organic active layer and a TCO contact. Here, a series of perylene diimides (PDIs) was synthesized and used to study relationships between monolayer structure/properties and electron transfer kinetics at PDI-modified indium-tin oxide (ITO) electrodes. In these PDI molecules, one of the imide substituents is a benzene ring bearing a phosphonic acid (PA) and the other is a bulky aryl group that is twisted out of the plane of the PDI core. The size of the bulky aryl group and the substitution of the benzene ring bearing the PA were both varied, which altered the extent of aggregation when these molecules were absorbed as monolayer films (MLs) on ITO, as revealed by both attenuated total reflectance (ATR) and total internal reflection fluorescence spectra. Polarized ATR measurements indicate that, in these MLs, the long axis of the PDI core is tilted at an angle of 33-42 degrees relative to the surface normal; the tilt angle increased as the degree of bulky substitution increased. Rate constants for electron transfer (k(s,opt)) between these redox-active modifiers and ITO were determined by potential-modulated ATR spectroscopy. As the degree of PDI aggregation was reduced, k(s,opt) declined, which is attributed to a reduction in the lateral electron self-exchange rate between adsorbed PDI molecules, as well as the heterogeneous conductivity of the ITO electrode surface. Photoelectrochemical measurements using a dissolved aluminum phthalocyanine as an electron donor showed that ITO modified with any of these PDIs is a more effective electron-collecting electrode than bare ITO.

A number of MIR sensing platforms and methods were developed in this research work demonstrating potential applicability of MIR spectroscopy for studying hydrocarbon systems in extreme environments. First of all, the quantitative determination of the diamondoid compound adamantane in organic media utilizing IR-ATR spectroscopy at waveguide surfaces was established. The developed analytical strategy further enabled the successful detection of adamantane in real world crude oil samples. These reported efforts provide a promising outlook for detection and monitoring of diamondoid constituents in naturally occurring crudes and petroleum samples. IR-ATR spectroscopy was further utilized for evaluating and characterizing distribution, variations, and origin of carbonate minerals within sediment formations surrounding a hydrocarbon seep site - MC 118 in the Gulf of Mexico. An analytical model for direct detection of 13C-depleted authigenic carbonates associated with cold seep ecosystems was constructed. Potential applicability of IR-ATR spectroscopy as direct on-ship - and in future in situ - analytical tool for characterizing hydrocarbon seep sites was demonstrated. MIR evanescent field absorption spectroscopy was also utilized to expand the understanding on the role of surfactants during gas hydrate formation at surfaces. This experimental method allowed detailed spectroscopic observations of detergent-related surface processes during SDS mediated gas hydrate formation. The obtained IR data enabled proposing a mechanism by which SDS decreases the induction time for hydrate nucleation, and promotes hydrate formation. Potential of MIR fiberoptic evanescent field spectroscopy for studying surface effects during gas hydrate nucleation and growth was demonstrated. Next, quantifying trace amounts of water content in hexane using MIR evanescent field absorption spectroscopy is presented. The improvement in sensitivity and of limit of detection was obtained by coating an optical fiber with layer of a hydrophilic polymer. The application of the polymer layer has enabled the on-line MIR detection of water in hexane at low ppm levels. These results indicate that the MIR evanescent filed spectroscopy method shows potential for in-situ detection and monitoring of water in industrial oils and petroleum products. Finally, quantification of trace amounts of oil content in water using MIR evanescent field absorption spectroscopy is reported. Unmodified and modified with grafted hydrophobic polymer layer silver halide optical fibers were employed for the measurements. The surface modification of the fiber has enabled the on-line MIR analysis of crude oil in water at the low ppb level. Potential application of MIR fiber-optic evanescent field spectroscopy using polymer modified waveguides toward in-situ low level detection of crude oil in open waters was demonstrated.

No description available.

O conhecimento da composição do petróleo e seus produtos é uma necessidade imprescindível numa refinaria para o ajuste das condições do processo. A espectroscopia de infravermelho próximo (NIR) apresenta-se como uma ferramenta útil para atender esta necessidade, por sua grande potencialidade e aplicações. Neste contexto, foi desenvolvida a metodologia experimental da espectroscopia NIR, através de dois tipos de sensores: transmissão (Sistema de transmitância) e refletância total atenuada ATR (Sistema ATR). Foram analisadas 63 amostras de petróleo no Sistema de transmitância e 41 amostras no Sistema ATR. O API das amostras oscila entre 29,8 e 35,6. Na primeira etapa do trabalho foram obtidos os espectros NIR e cromatografias SIMDIS (Destilação Simulada) das amostras de petróleo, e dos dados obtidos foram eliminadas algumas amostras por apresentar pontos discrepantes. Na segunda fase foi realizada a análise dos espectros no esquema OFF-LINE, em ambos sistemas, escolhendo como faixa espectral a região de 5600 a 6000 cm-1 que corresponde a regiões de sobretons do NIR para os hidrocarbonetos. Também foram realizados testes de repetibilidade dos espectros e testes sobre a influência do comprimento das fibras ópticas utilizadas. Foi realizado um pré-tratamento dos espectros, com a finalidade de fazer as informações contidas neles mais sensíveis às diferenças. Assim mesmo, foi desenvolvida a análise dos espectros no esquema ON-LINE, com um LOOP fechado, para o sistema de transmitância, com óleo Diesel e petróleo bruto, para testar as variações de temperatura e velocidade de escoamento nos espectros. Nesta etapa também foram realizados testes de repetibilidade a diferentes temperaturas. A fase seguinte foi o desenvolvimento do modelo da rede neural (RN). As variáveis de entrada do processo são os espectros de absorção pré-tratados, arbitrariamente representados em 20 comprimentos de onda e o grau API do petróleo. As variáveis de saída da rede são as porcentagens em peso da SIMDIS. / The knowledge of the petroleum composition and its products is an indispensable tool in a refinery for the process conditions settlement. The Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR) presents-itself as a helpful tool that attends to this need, because of its high potential and applications. In this context, it was developed the experimental methodology for NIR spectroscopy using two kinds of sensors: Transmission (Transmission system) and Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR system). There were analyzed 63 petroleum samples by transmission system and 41 samples by the ATR system. The API degree of the samples ranges from 29,8 to 35,6. In the first step of this work, NIR spectra and SIMDIS chromatography data (Simulated Distillation) of the petroleum samples were obtained. From these data some samples were eliminated due to the presence of inconsistent points. In the second step, the analysis of the spectra OFF-LINE was carried out. In both systems, by choosing the region of 5600 to 6000 cm-1 as the spectral range which corresponds to the NIR overtone region for the hydrocarbons. Moreover, repeatability tests for the spectra were carried out and tests about the influence of the optical fibers on them. A pre spectrum treatment was carried out in order to become their information more sensible to the differences. Besides, the ON-LINE spectrum analysis by a closed LOOP were developed for the transmission system, with oil diesel and petroleum, in order to test the effect of the temperature and flow rate variations on the spectra. In this step, tests of repeatability at different temperatures were also carried out. In the following step, it was developed the Neural Network (RN) model. The entry variables of the data input are the random absorption spectra represented in 20 wavelengths with pre processing and the petroleum API degree. The net output variables are the weight percentages of the SIMDIS.

Part I: Successful transition of polymer coated, ATR-FTIR sensor devices from a laboratory environment to real world field applications for detecting and quantifying VOCs in water is shown. Simultaneous, quantitative detection of BTX mixtures in water during enrichment into polymer coated ZnSe ATR elements has been performed. The obtained results showed accurate detection and quantification to the low ppb concentration region. Fiber-optic evanescent field measurement campaigns have been conducted at simulated field conditions during which concentration gradients of various VOCs in the mg/L range have been monitored successfully. The first test of an ATR based, polymer coated sensor system under real world field conditions, the chlorobenzene concentration in groundwater at mg/L levels was determined. An interesting aspect of these measurements was the experimental proof for the dependence of analyte extraction dynamics on the flow conditions of the sample matrix surrounding the extractive polymer membrane. The obtained results demonstrate that MIR evanescent field sensors are suitable for in-situ analysis at real world field conditions for environmental monitoring applications. PART II: Recently, measurements of disturbed soils have shown different spectral contrast in comparison to undisturbed soils. In this work first measurements at controlled laboratory conditions have been performed to investigate individual minerals of the soil matrix and their spectral characteristics under various environmental conditions. ATR spectroscopy has been applied to investigate multi-disperse quartz sand and mono-disperse soda lime glass spheres samples. For the investigation of spectral differences between pristine and disturbed quartz sand, a wetting/drying procedure with subsequent sample aerating has been developed. In addition to established differences in spectral contrast of disturbed and undisturbed soil, a strong spectral shift of absorption features was observed. When probed with s- or p-polarized light, both samples showed strong LO-TO mode splitting. The studies also reveal that the main reason for spectral differences of pristine and disturbed soils is caused by water facilitated changes of the particle size distribution in the probed volume. The presented results advance the variety of spectral characteristics useful for the detection of disturbed soils (i.e. possible landmine sites) with MIR imaging systems.

Substantial amounts of methane are sequestered in naturally occurring ice-like formations known as gas hydrates. In particular, oceanic gas hydrates are globally distributed in complex heterogeneous ecosystems that typically occur at depths exceeding 300 m. Gas hydrates have received attention for their potential as an alternative energy resource, as marine geohazards, and their role in cycling of greenhouse gases. In addition, chemosynthetic communities often play a vital role in the cycling and sequestration of carbon emanating from cold hydrocarbon seeps surrounding hydrate sites. Research efforts are presently striving to better understand the significance and complexity of these ecosystems through the establishment of seafloor observatories capable of long-term monitoring with integrated sensor networks. In this thesis, infrared (IR) spectroscopy has been implemented for the investigation of molecular-specific signatures to monitor gas hydrate growth dynamics and evaluate carbonate minerals, which are intimately connected with complex chemosynthetic processes occurring in these harsh environments. The first fundamental principles and data evaluation strategies for monitoring and quantifying gas hydrate growth dynamics utilizing mid-infrared (MIR) fiber-optic evanescent field spectroscopy have been established by exploiting the state-responsive IR absorption behavior of water. This has been achieved by peak area evaluation of the O-H stretch, H-O-H bend, and libration modes and assessing peak shifts in the 3rd libration overtone and libration bands during the formation and dissociation of simple clathrate hydrates of methane, ethane, and propane formed from aqueous solution. Hydrate growth and monitoring was facilitated with a customized pressure cell enabling operation up to ~5.9 MPa with spectroscopic, temperature, pressure, and video monitoring capabilities. Furthermore, the initial feasibility for extending the developed IR spectroscopic hydrate monitoring strategies into oceanic gas hydrate ecosystems has been demonstrated through the evaluation of potential spectroscopic interferences from sediment matrices in samples collected from two hydrate sites in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM). With exception of the libration band, the primary IR absorption features of water are readily accessed within hydrated sediment samples. Additional consideration for potential long-term hydrate monitoring applications revealed that the collection of approx. 2 IR spectra per day should enable direct insight into the temporal dynamics of hydrates...

O conhecimento da composição do petróleo e seus produtos é uma necessidade imprescindível numa refinaria para o ajuste das condições do processo. A espectroscopia de infravermelho próximo (NIR) apresenta-se como uma ferramenta útil para atender esta necessidade, por sua grande potencialidade e aplicações. Neste contexto, foi desenvolvida a metodologia experimental da espectroscopia NIR, através de dois tipos de sensores: transmissão (Sistema de transmitância) e refletância total atenuada ATR (Sistema ATR). Foram analisadas 63 amostras de petróleo no Sistema de transmitância e 41 amostras no Sistema ATR. O API das amostras oscila entre 29,8 e 35,6. Na primeira etapa do trabalho foram obtidos os espectros NIR e cromatografias SIMDIS (Destilação Simulada) das amostras de petróleo, e dos dados obtidos foram eliminadas algumas amostras por apresentar pontos discrepantes. Na segunda fase foi realizada a análise dos espectros no esquema OFF-LINE, em ambos sistemas, escolhendo como faixa espectral a região de 5600 a 6000 cm-1 que corresponde a regiões de sobretons do NIR para os hidrocarbonetos. Também foram realizados testes de repetibilidade dos espectros e testes sobre a influência do comprimento das fibras ópticas utilizadas. Foi realizado um pré-tratamento dos espectros, com a finalidade de fazer as informações contidas neles mais sensíveis às diferenças. Assim mesmo, foi desenvolvida a análise dos espectros no esquema ON-LINE, com um LOOP fechado, para o sistema de transmitância, com óleo Diesel e petróleo bruto, para testar as variações de temperatura e velocidade de escoamento nos espectros. Nesta etapa também foram realizados testes de repetibilidade a diferentes temperaturas. A fase seguinte foi o desenvolvimento do modelo da rede neural (RN). As variáveis de entrada do processo são os espectros de absorção pré-tratados, arbitrariamente representados em 20 comprimentos de onda e o grau API do petróleo. As variáveis de saída da rede são as porcentagens em peso da SIMDIS. / The knowledge of the petroleum composition and its products is an indispensable tool in a refinery for the process conditions settlement. The Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR) presents-itself as a helpful tool that attends to this need, because of its high potential and applications. In this context, it was developed the experimental methodology for NIR spectroscopy using two kinds of sensors: Transmission (Transmission system) and Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR system). There were analyzed 63 petroleum samples by transmission system and 41 samples by the ATR system. The API degree of the samples ranges from 29,8 to 35,6. In the first step of this work, NIR spectra and SIMDIS chromatography data (Simulated Distillation) of the petroleum samples were obtained. From these data some samples were eliminated due to the presence of inconsistent points. In the second step, the analysis of the spectra OFF-LINE was carried out. In both systems, by choosing the region of 5600 to 6000 cm-1 as the spectral range which corresponds to the NIR overtone region for the hydrocarbons. Moreover, repeatability tests for the spectra were carried out and tests about the influence of the optical fibers on them. A pre spectrum treatment was carried out in order to become their information more sensible to the differences. Besides, the ON-LINE spectrum analysis by a closed LOOP were developed for the transmission system, with oil diesel and petroleum, in order to test the effect of the temperature and flow rate variations on the spectra. In this step, tests of repeatability at different temperatures were also carried out. In the following step, it was developed the Neural Network (RN) model. The entry variables of the data input are the random absorption spectra represented in 20 wavelengths with pre processing and the petroleum API degree. The net output variables are the weight percentages of the SIMDIS.

No description available.