This study investigated the heat transfer within the anode material moving through and heated by an electric arc. The arc was a low current (< 16 A) atmospheric electric discharge between a carbon rod cathode, and a moving carbon felt anode. The carbon arc was a low current(<16 A) electric discharge between a cathode constructed of a carbon rod, and a moving carbon felt anode. The thermal profile within the anode material was predicted by a system of differential algebraic equations, adapted from the model developed by (Stark and Fricke, 1993). This set of equations was run using the software MATLAB R2011b, using a numerical integrator with consideration taken for sparsity. The change in degree of graphitisation was then predicted using the thermal profiles developed. This indicated that while the graphitisation of the surface of the felt exposed to the arc increased (from about 10% to about 99%) this effect did not penetrate far into the felt. At a depth of 0.3 mm there was very little increase in graphitisation (about 7% increase at slow movement rates, negligible at standard rates), indicating that this gaphitisation degree was unlikely to explain the improvement of battery cells produced using this material compared to non–arc treated material. Vaporisation of carbon due to the arc was then investigated as a possible explanation. With a similar activation energy to graphitisation a similar profile was obtained.

The first aim of this work was to develop copper modified carbon felt electrode for detection of amino acids, which are not electrochemically active on ordinary carbon electrodes. Phenylalanine solution at a concentration 1.0 mmol dm-3 was chosen as the testing solution. Electrode modified with electrochemical deposition of copper from mixture of copper(II) sulphate and sodium sulphate provided very low responses which were decreasing during first measurements, apparently because of insufficient amount of copper. Therefore, further experiments were performed using copper microparticles as a modifier. Copper microparticles activated in nitric acid at a concentration 80 mmol dm-3 were applied at carbon felt by several techniques and in different parts of the felt, i.e. by stirring the felt in microparticles suspension, by dripping of the suspension to the part of the felt in contact with capillary (proximal), between two parts of the carbon felt (sandwich) and at a part of the carbon felt in contact with electrolyte in a measuring cell (distal). Electrodes modified in the distal and in the sandwich arrangement were chosen as the best ones. In the last part, calibration dependences for phenylalanine in concentration range from 0.025 mmol dm-3 to 1.0 mmol dm-3 were measured on the last two electrodes....

Este trabalho descreve os resultados do estudo de materiais como óxido de manganês, nanotubos de carbono e feltro de carbono (puro e recoberto com nanotubos ou polianilina-Pani), assim como do desenvolvimento de dispositivos. Os dispositivos estudados estão relacionados a sensores de pH, utilizando esses materiais como membranas seletivas de H+ . Essas membranas funcionam como parte de dispositivos denominados EGFETs, cujo princípio de funcionamento é semelhante ao ISFET. Inicialmente utilizamos o óxido de manganês produzido através do método hidrotérmico com posterior fabricação de filmes finos desse material através da técnica de spray-pyrolysis. Esses filmes foram depositados variando a temperatura de deposição, a concentração da solução e o tipo de superfície do substrato de vidro, com o objetivo de investigar a resposta elétrica do EGFET em função da concentração de íons de H+ . As melhores sensibilidades foram de 50,1 mV/pH e 75 mV/pH no filmes produzidos no substrato de vidro rugoso e vidro liso, respectivamente, com 2g/l de concentração e temperatura de 80o C em ambos os filmes. Num segundo momento, trabalhamos com a produção de nanotubos de carbono e posterior fabricação de filmes finos também pela técnica de spray-pyrolysis, tendo como parâmetros, os mesmos utilizados na primeira parte. Os filmes finos que melhor responderam foram aqueles produzidos a 80o C no vidro rugoso e 100o C no vidro liso, com sensibilidades de 51,6 mV/pH e 53,1 mV/pH, respectivamente, ambos com 3g/l de concentração. Finalmente, utilizamos os feltros de carbono (FC) como membrana seletiva e também como substrato para os nanotubos de carbono (NTC) e a polianilina (Pani). Como membrana, os feltros tiveram uma sensibilidade de 65,47 mV/pH. NTC purificados e não purificados foram também depositados utilizando FC como substrato. NTC não purificados apresentaram pior resposta, enquanto que a parte que foi purificada teve um ligeiro aumento na sensibilidade, sendo de 67,7 mV/pH. Houve ainda o recobrimento dos FC e dos FC/NTC com a Pani. As membranas que contém Pani, são mais estáveis do que as outras amostras, sendo que a Pani no estado deprotonado tem melhor sensibilidade e estabilidade do a Pani no estado protonado. A melhor sensibilidade obtida com a participação da Pani foi de 46,4 mV/pH, que mesmo assim não supera a das demais amostras. Esses materiais se mostram como potenciais para uso de sensores de pH e posteriormente para uso como biossensores. / This work presents the results related to the study of materials such as manganese oxide, carbon nanotubes and carbon felt (pure and with deposition of nanotubes and polyaniline-Pani). The development of devices related to pH sensors is also presented. The materials are used as H+ selective membranes in sensors based on the EGFET configuration, almost similar to the ISFET. We produced manganese oxide by the hydrothermal method with subsequent deposition of thin films using spray pyrolysis. We varied the deposition temperature, concentration of solution and glass substrates surface with the aim of studying the electrical response of the EGFET as a function of the concentration of H+ ions. The best sensitivities were 50.1 mV/pH and 75 mV/pH for films grown on rough and flat substrates, respectively, with a concentration of 2g/l and substrate temperature of 80o C for both films. In the sequence, carbon nanotubes were investigated with the production of thin films also using the spray pyrolysis technique with the same deposition parameters. Films produced at 80o C on rough substrates and at 100o C on flat substrates presented sensitivities of 51.6 mV/pH and 53.1 mV/pH, respectively. Both were produced with a concentration of 3g/l. Finally, carbon felts (FC) were used as selective membranes and also as substrates for the deposition of NTC and Pani. As single membrane FC presented a sensitivity of 65.47 mV/pH. Purified and non-purified NTC were deposited on FC. Non-purified NTC presented the worst response, while purified NTC presented an increase in sensitivity to about 67.7 mV/pH. Pani was then deposited over FC and FC/NTC. Membranes that contain Pani were more stable than other samples. Pani was used either protonated or deprotonated. Deprotonated samples presented a better response. The best response with Pani was about 46.4 mV/pH, which is not as good as the one corresponding to other samples. These materials are promising candidates for a future use as H+ sensors, and also as biosensors.

Este trabalho descreve os resultados do estudo de materiais como óxido de manganês, nanotubos de carbono e feltro de carbono (puro e recoberto com nanotubos ou polianilina-Pani), assim como do desenvolvimento de dispositivos. Os dispositivos estudados estão relacionados a sensores de pH, utilizando esses materiais como membranas seletivas de H+ . Essas membranas funcionam como parte de dispositivos denominados EGFETs, cujo princípio de funcionamento é semelhante ao ISFET. Inicialmente utilizamos o óxido de manganês produzido através do método hidrotérmico com posterior fabricação de filmes finos desse material através da técnica de spray-pyrolysis. Esses filmes foram depositados variando a temperatura de deposição, a concentração da solução e o tipo de superfície do substrato de vidro, com o objetivo de investigar a resposta elétrica do EGFET em função da concentração de íons de H+ . As melhores sensibilidades foram de 50,1 mV/pH e 75 mV/pH no filmes produzidos no substrato de vidro rugoso e vidro liso, respectivamente, com 2g/l de concentração e temperatura de 80o C em ambos os filmes. Num segundo momento, trabalhamos com a produção de nanotubos de carbono e posterior fabricação de filmes finos também pela técnica de spray-pyrolysis, tendo como parâmetros, os mesmos utilizados na primeira parte. Os filmes finos que melhor responderam foram aqueles produzidos a 80o C no vidro rugoso e 100o C no vidro liso, com sensibilidades de 51,6 mV/pH e 53,1 mV/pH, respectivamente, ambos com 3g/l de concentração. Finalmente, utilizamos os feltros de carbono (FC) como membrana seletiva e também como substrato para os nanotubos de carbono (NTC) e a polianilina (Pani). Como membrana, os feltros tiveram uma sensibilidade de 65,47 mV/pH. NTC purificados e não purificados foram também depositados utilizando FC como substrato. NTC não purificados apresentaram pior resposta, enquanto que a parte que foi purificada teve um ligeiro aumento na sensibilidade, sendo de 67,7 mV/pH. Houve ainda o recobrimento dos FC e dos FC/NTC com a Pani. As membranas que contém Pani, são mais estáveis do que as outras amostras, sendo que a Pani no estado deprotonado tem melhor sensibilidade e estabilidade do a Pani no estado protonado. A melhor sensibilidade obtida com a participação da Pani foi de 46,4 mV/pH, que mesmo assim não supera a das demais amostras. Esses materiais se mostram como potenciais para uso de sensores de pH e posteriormente para uso como biossensores. / This work presents the results related to the study of materials such as manganese oxide, carbon nanotubes and carbon felt (pure and with deposition of nanotubes and polyaniline-Pani). The development of devices related to pH sensors is also presented. The materials are used as H+ selective membranes in sensors based on the EGFET configuration, almost similar to the ISFET. We produced manganese oxide by the hydrothermal method with subsequent deposition of thin films using spray pyrolysis. We varied the deposition temperature, concentration of solution and glass substrates surface with the aim of studying the electrical response of the EGFET as a function of the concentration of H+ ions. The best sensitivities were 50.1 mV/pH and 75 mV/pH for films grown on rough and flat substrates, respectively, with a concentration of 2g/l and substrate temperature of 80o C for both films. In the sequence, carbon nanotubes were investigated with the production of thin films also using the spray pyrolysis technique with the same deposition parameters. Films produced at 80o C on rough substrates and at 100o C on flat substrates presented sensitivities of 51.6 mV/pH and 53.1 mV/pH, respectively. Both were produced with a concentration of 3g/l. Finally, carbon felts (FC) were used as selective membranes and also as substrates for the deposition of NTC and Pani. As single membrane FC presented a sensitivity of 65.47 mV/pH. Purified and non-purified NTC were deposited on FC. Non-purified NTC presented the worst response, while purified NTC presented an increase in sensitivity to about 67.7 mV/pH. Pani was then deposited over FC and FC/NTC. Membranes that contain Pani were more stable than other samples. Pani was used either protonated or deprotonated. Deprotonated samples presented a better response. The best response with Pani was about 46.4 mV/pH, which is not as good as the one corresponding to other samples. These materials are promising candidates for a future use as H+ sensors, and also as biosensors.

Ce manuscrit de thèse est consacré à la modification de feutres de carbone pour la préparation de matériaux d’électrodes hautement performants pour le procédé électro-Fenton (EF), appliqué aux traitements des eaux chargées en polluants bioréfractaires. Dans un premier temps, des feutres de carbone commerciaux (CF) ont été mis en œuvre pour optimiser l'élimination de colorants (Acide Orange) et de produits pharmaceutiques (Paracétamol). Les chemins réactionnels conduisant à la minéralisation de ces polluants bioréfractaires ont été élucidés et la toxicité des sous-produits identifiés a été déterminée à différents temps d’électrolyse. Dans la suite du travail, une nouvelle cathode a été préparée par dépôt électrochimique d'oxyde de graphène réduit (rGO) sur la surface des feutres de carbone commerciaux. Divers moyens de réduction ont été étudiés et les propriétés structurales et texturales de l'électrode modifiée ont été déterminées par microscope électronique à balayage, diffraction des rayons X, Spectrométrie photoélectronique X, BET et mesure d'angle de contact. La cathode élaborée présente une bonne stabilité et une grande efficacité de traitement lorsqu'elle est appliquée pour décomposer l’Acide Orange 7 (AO7), la molécule de colorant azoïque modèle choisie. Dans une dernière partie du travail, nous avons proposé un système original de traitement électrochimique de type EF à base d’une pile à glucose. Dans ce système, l’énergie nécessaire est fournie par l’oxydation du glucose à l’anode, sur feutre de carbone décoré de nanoparticules d’or alors que la cathode est constituée du feutre modifié par un carbone microporeux dopé en azote présentant des propriétés d’électrocatalyse compatibles à la réduction de l’oxygène en peroxyde d’hydrogène dans la cellule de type pile à combustible. Le manuscrit présente la synthèse et la caractérisation de ces deux électrodes. L’originalité du travail réside en la quantité particulièrement faible d’or nécessaire à l’anode et au potentiel de réduction de l’oxygène particulièrement haut obtenus sur les carbones microporeux dopés à l’azote. Les propriétés catalytiques de l'anode et de la cathode ont induit une densité de courant de sortie stable (360,3 ± 51,5 mA.m-2 à 400 ± 50 mV) et maintenue à long terme. En conséquence, 90% de la concentration initiale du polluant (AO7) a été éliminée après une dégradation prolongée de 10 h. La puissance de la cellule est faible (170 mW.m-2) mais constante au moins pendant deux mois. Cette première preuve de concept d'un système abiotique de type pile à combustible - Fenton a démontré une efficacité élevée vis-à-vis de la dégradation des polluants bioréfractaires avec un énorme potentiel dans les domaines liés à l'énergie et la protection de l’environnement. / This thesis manuscript presented the modification and application of carbon felt material for wastewater treatment accommodating biorefractory pollutants by electro-Fenton (EF) process. First of all, the optimal condition of EF treatment for dye/pharmaceuticals removal using commercial carbon felt (CF) was investigated. From that, the degradation pathways in the relationship with the toxicity of their by-products were built and proposed. Concerning the modification for commercial CF, a new cathode was set up by electrochemical deposition of reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO) on the surface of CF via various reduction ways. The structure property of modified electrode was investigated by SEM, XRD, XPS, BET and contact angle measurement. The new cathode exhibited good stability and high treatment efficiency when it was applied to decompose Acid Orange 7 (AO7), a model azo dye molecule. The EF treatment was also developed further by contributing a new Fuel-cell Fenton system without any external power supply. In this approach, AO7 was continuously chosen to degrade by electro-Fenton process at a designed cathode (Carbon Felt (CF)/porous Carbon (pC)) supplied by direct clean electrical energy from abiotic glucose oxidation at a CF/gold anode (CF@Au). The catalytic properties of both anode and cathode induced a stable output current density of 360.3 ± 51.5 mA m−2 at 400 ± 50 mV, maintained for long-term period. As a consequence, 90 % of the initial concentration of the pollutant, identified by HPLC analysis, was eliminated upon extended EF degradation for 10 h, and the cell power output of 170 mW m-2 was stable at least for two months. Hence, this first proof of concept of an abiotic Fuel cell – Fenton system demonstrated a high efficiency towards pollutant degradation with a huge potential in both energy-related areas and environmental protection.

AbstractLes polluants émergents que sont les résidus de produits pharmaceutiques sont devenus une problématique majeure de par leur persistance et leur accumulation continue dans les différents compartiments de l’environnement. Leur élimination est un des challenges majeurs de ce siècle. Les procédés électrochimiques d’oxydation avancée (PEOA) tel que l’oxydation anodique (AO) et l’électro-Fenton (EF) ont démontré leur efficacité pour la dégradation et la minéralisation complète de cette classe de polluant. Un oxyde de titane sous-stœchiométrique déposé par plasma sur un alliage de titane a été étudié comme anode alternative peu coûteuse, stable et efficace au cours des procédés d’OA et d’EF pour la dégradation et la minéralisation de deux pharmaceutiques, l’amoxicilline (AMX) et le propanolol (PPN). Une excellente minéralisation de ces deux composés a été atteinte avec l’anode Ti4O7 comparé à l’utilisation d’une anode dimensionnellement stable (ADS) et d’une anode de platine (Pt) avec des conditions expérimentales similaires, mais une plus faible efficacité a été observé par comparaison à une anode de diamant dopé au bore (DDB) au cours du procédé d’OA. Une quasi-total minéralisation (96%) du PPN a été atteinte avec l’anode Ti4O7 au cours du procédé EF après 8 h d’électrolyse à 120 mA. Plusieurs intermédiaires aromatiques, bicycliques et autres ont été identifiés et quantifiés au cours du traitement électrochimique des deux composés pharmaceutiques, ainsi que des acides carboxyliques à chaîne courte et des ions inorganique comme produits finaux de dégradation. Des voies plausibles de dégradation ont été proposées à partir des intermédiaires identifiés, des ions inorganiques libérés ainsi que des données obtenues sur les acides carboxyliques et le COT. La solution initiale d’AMX a mené à une relativement forte inhibition de la bactérie V. fisheri, qui a ensuite augmenté au cours des premiers stades de l’électro-oxydation de par la formation d’intermédiaires cycliques plus toxiques que la molécule mère, avant de diminuer nettement au cours des étapes suivantes de l’électrolyse. Puisque le Ti4O7 est produit principalement à partir du TiO2, un matériau bon marché et abondant, ce matériau d’anode pourrait être une alternative intéressante pour le traitement des eaux usées industrielles par oxydation électrochimique. Par ailleurs, une cathode de feutre de carbone modifiée par des composés hydroxydes à double couche CoFe (CoFe-LDH/CF) et synthétisée par un procédé solvothermique a été étudiée come catalyseur/électrode pour la dégradation du polluant organique Acide Orange II (AO7) par le procédé EF sur une gamme large de pH. Une excellente minéralisation de ce colorant a été atteinte pour des pH allant de 2 à 7.1, avec une élimination du COT largement supérieure à celle atteinte en utilisant le procédé EF avec une cathode de feutre de carbone brut, quel que soit le pH étudié. La cathode préparée a montré une bonne capacité de réutilisation et peut constituer une alternative pour le traitement des eaux usées à des valeurs de pH naturel / Pharmaceuticals residues as emerging pollutants have become a major concern due to their persistence and continuous accumulation in various environmental compartments and their removal is one the major challenges of this century. Electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (EAOPs) such as anodic oxidation (AO) and electro-Fenton (EF) have shown to be efficient techniques for complete degradation and mineralization of this class of pollutants. A substoichiometric titanium oxide (Ti4O7) deposited on titanium alloy by plasma elaboration was investigated as an alternative stable and efficient low cost anode materials for application in AO and EF for degradation of pharmaceuticals amoxicillin (AMX) and propranolol (PPN) and mineralization of their aqueous solutions. Excellent mineralization of both pharmaceuticals was achieved with Ti4O7 anode compared to dimensional stable anode (DSA) and platinum (Pt) anodes at similar experimental conditions, but less efficient when compared with boron doped diamond (BDD) anode during AO treatment. Almost complete mineralization (96%) was attained with Ti4O7 anode in EF degradation of PPN at 120 mA after 8 h of electrolysis. Several aromatic, bicyclic and other intermediate byproducts were identified and quantified during the electrochemical treatment of both pharmaceuticals, with the final end products in the treated solutions being short-chain carboxylic acids and inorganic ions. Plausible mineralization pathways for both pharmaceuticals were proposed based on the identified intermediates, released inorganic ions and carboxylic acids as well as TOC data. Initial AMX solution shows relatively high inhibition to V. fischeri bacteria, which further increased at the early stage of electrooxidation due to formation of cyclic intermediates more toxic than mother molecules but sharply decreased at the later stage of electrolysis. Since the Ti4O7 is produced mainly from TiO2 which is very cheap and highly abundant material, this anode material could be an interesting alternative electrode in industrial wastewater treatment by electrochemical oxidation. On the other hand, CoFe-layer double hydroxide modified carbon-felt (CoFe-LDH/CF) cathode synthesized by solvothermal process was studied as a heterogeneous catalyst/electrode for degradation of organic pollutant Acid Orange II (AO7) over a wide pH range. Excellent mineralization of this azo dye solution was achieved in pH range 2 – 7.1, with TOC removal much higher than corresponding homogeneous EF with raw carbon-felt (CF) at all pH studied. The prepared cathode exhibited good reusability and can constitute an alternative for the treatment wastewater effluents at neutral pH values

Submitted by Nadir Basilio (nadirsb@uninove.br) on 2018-06-18T19:03:08Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Fernando Gredinare Foster.pdf: 984670 bytes, checksum: afea175c4e00ac9803bd6bdda1570d7d (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-06-18T19:03:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Fernando Gredinare Foster.pdf: 984670 bytes, checksum: afea175c4e00ac9803bd6bdda1570d7d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-12-17 / The bone defects are caused by several factors and the repair process can be slow, where inflammatory and proliferative phases of remodeling of this tissue are extremely important for the quality of the repair. There are several therapies where the main is the surgery and in this case, the use of bone substitutes can be indicated. However the repair process may require assistance. Thus, the use of activated charcoal as bone substitute when the implementation of low-power laser to aid bone repair can be an alternative to these problems. The aim of this study was to verify the use of activated carbon felt as bone substitute and the interaction with the laser in the process of bone repair in rat tibias, assessing biochemical, histological and biomechanical changes. Material and methods: male wistar rats, 35 were used between 150 g to 200 g, with 3 months of age. The animals were anesthetized with ketamine hydrochloride and Association (90mg/Kg and 10mg/Kg, IP). Once anesthetized, the animals were put on surgical table, the skin was dissected and were made monocortical bone defects in the central region of the right tibia of mice. Immediately after surgery the rats were randomized and divided into the following groups: control (CTL), untreated Injury (NT), Lesion treated with activated carbon felt (AF), Lesion treated with lasertherapy (L6J) and Lesion treated with association of activated carbon felt and laser 830nm, 6J-100mW (AF+L). After 28 days the animals were euthanized with overdose of the same anesthetic, blood was collected and the tibia was taken for biochemical, histological and biomechanical analysis. Committee of ethics: AN00462014-UNINOVE. Results: the NT group reduction in bending forces and histological changes related to disorganization of the tissue. The group showed no L improve mechanical properties, whereas AF increase the strain in compare to CTL. AF+L group presented better flexion forces, related with improvement of histological aspects, however increased the alkaline phosphatase levels. Conclusion: the use of activated carbon felt seems to improve the bone repair induced in this study. The laser association with activated carbon felt showed improvement of biomechanical properties and still the histological results have a better aspect. / Lesões ósseas são difíceis de serem tratadas e dependendo do grau da lesão, a intervenção cirúrgica é um dos tratamentos utilizados. Neste caso, o uso de substitutos ósseos pode ser necessário. A terapia com laser de baixa potência tqmbém é indicada como terapia auxiliar, pela sua importante ação analgésica e de reparo. Porém, pouco se sabe a respeito da interação entre biomateriais e laserterapia. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar o uso do feltro ativado como substituto ósseo e a interação com a laserterapia de baixa potência no processo de reparo ósseo em tíbias de ratos, analisando aspectos histológicos, bioquímicos e biomecânicos. Material e Métodos: Foram utilizados 35 ratos wistar, entre 150g à 200g, com 3 meses de idade. Depois de anestesiados, os animais foram colocados em mesa cirúrgica, a pele foi dissecada e o defeito ósseo monocortical foi confeccionado na região central da tíbia direita dos animais. Imediatamente após a cirurgia os ratos foram randomizados e organizados nos seguintes grupos: Controle (CTL), Lesão não tratado (NT), Lesão tratado com feltro ativado (AF), Lesão tratado com Laser (L6J) e Lesão tratado com associação do feltro ativado e laser 830nm, 6J – 100mW (AF+L). Após 28 dias os animais foram eutanasiados, o sangue foi coletado e a tíbia removida para análises histológicas e biomecânicas. Resultados: O grupo NT apresentou redução do reparo ósseo traduzido pela baixa organização histológica e redução da resistência mecânica. O grupo AF apresentou aumento da capacidade de deformação enquanto que o grupo L apresentou melhor organização histológica. O grupo AF+L apresentou melhora na resistência mecânica. Concluímos que o laser associado ao uso do feltro de carbono ativado auxiliou o reparo ósseo no modelo de lesão em tíbia de ratos.