This work deals with the preparation and characterisation of poly(n-butyl-2-cyanacrylate) nanocapsules. The mean applications of these particles are their use as drug-carriers, in order to increase the efficiency and to reduce the side effects of pharmaceuticals. By coupling size exclusion chromatography with multi angle laser light scattering a procedure for size determination of nanocapsules is developed. In this connection the analysis of the light scattering data is discussed in detail. Concerning the optimization of the capsule preparation, the influences of different parameters (components concentration, type of stirrer and sample preparation) on the size and size distribution of the nanocapsules are determined. Regarding the characterisation of the polymer cover, the wall thickness as well as the molecular weight distribution of the polymer are analysed. Further, the capsule wall is simulated by a planar polymer film. Rheologic and H-NMR investigations on this film allow to observe the kinetics of wall formation. The rheologic measurements give additional information about the viscoelastic properties and the cross linkage of the polymer.

In the thesis the gelation of the system gelatin / water was investigated by use of rheological and optical methods. The rheological properties were taken to describe the gelation in terms of the percolation theory. In order to determine the gel point and the critical exponents a potential law found by Stauffer and de Gennes that describes the development of the storage and loss modulus was used to express normalized percolation approches. This normalized percolation ansatzes delivers a single very exact gelation time and the information which range should be taken for the evaluation. Combining the storage and the loss modulus symmetrically around the gel point novel so called combined percolation functions were formulated. From these combined functions the critical exponents could likewise be determined. The simultaneous measurements of the rheological and optical properties clearly show that close to the gel point the loss and the storage modulus as a function of time as well as a function of the optical rotation could be described in terms of the percolation theory. Furthermore an aggregation model was formulated that describes the development of the storage modulus close and far away from the gel point, respectively.

In order to obtain detailed information on the interaction of bivalent cations with alginates especially the effects of sequence and acetylation degree the several types of alginates were treated with different solutions of manganese(II)and analysed by 13C-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)spectroscopy. The usage of paramagnetic manganese(II) ions lead to a strong influence on the NMR signals of all adjacent nuclei which is based on the dipolar coupling with electron spins of the paramagnetic species. It was found that there are different carbons involved in the interaction of polymannurante and polyguluronate. In alternating sequences the GM/MG parts of the alginates show the strongest interaction with manganese. Additionally it was found that the acetylated parts of the chain show no interaction with the paramagnetic ion. The strong affinity of manganese to the GM/MG-pairs could be a reason for the founded preference of the bacteria to produce alternating alginates. That applies for the amount of the acetyl groups in the alginate. The acetylation degree is another tool to affect the stability of the alginate/cation complexes and therewith for the gelmatrix of alginate/cation gels

A novel direct solid-state emission spectroanalytical method based on the pulsed sliding spark source has been developed. The technique is characterised by a radiative transient discharge plasma propagating along the surface of a dielectric solid matrix enforced between a pair of electrodes in air at atmospheric pressure, where matrix excitation is driven by plasma-particle interaction based on geometry- and source opto-electric-modulated electron impact excitation. This dissertation embodies the results of the systematic theoretical and experimental study of the sliding spark which aimed at the analytical development of the technique for trace quantitative spectroscopy of the heavy elements embedded in the dielectric matrix surface layers. The optical emission spectrum, when detected and measured in the wavelength range 212511 nm at about 0.05 nm spectral resolution using optical fibre transmission in conjunction with a holographic blazed grating CCD spectrometer, was found to be suitable for simultaneous multi-elemental analysis. Investigation of the spectral characteristics of several heavy metals embedded in a variety of dielectric matrices (a boro-silicate simulate, borax, polyvinyl-alcohol, cellulose, teflon, Al-Zr simulate ceramic powder, simulate and River sediment samples) has led to the realisation of an empirical scheme for optimal identification and selection of the optically thin lines that are suitable for trace quantitative analysis. The utility of the lines depends on the element and sample matrix. Use of PVC as a matrix modifier results in increased sensitivity through formation of volatile halides. Comprehensive characterisation of the measured spectra provides empirical evidence to exploit the sliding spark at fast pulse frequency also as an atom source for combined emission, fluorescence, and absorption spectroscopy applicable to the elucidation of structural and molecular information by temporal gating, time-resolved techniques. Practical approaches found in the search for an appropriate calibration strategy for quantitative analysis include the use of internal standards based on Y and La (added) and Si and C (matrix-derived) spectral lines, which compensate for the differing ablation yield, signal drifts and matrix effects in and between complex matrices. Accurate analytical models have been derived for Mn, Ti, V, Ni, Co, Cu, Cd, Pb, Cr, Al, Fe, Zn, and Hg. A quantification methodology has been developed based on sediment and as model matrix, which combines high sensitivity and satisfactory reproducibility for Mn, Ti, V, Ni, Co, Cu, Cr, Al, Fe, and Zn. Trace quantitative analysis of dielectric solid matrices by sliding spark spectroscopy is realised in the concentration range from several hundred ppb to thousands of ppm depending on the analyte (and the spectral line utilized) and on the calibration strategy adopted for the quantification. The elemental limits of detection vary from several hundred ppb to few tens of ppm depending on the element, analysed matrix, spectral line, and calibration method. Qualitative speciation analysis is possible for Mn, V, Pb, Ti, Cu, and Co. Sliding spark spectroscopy has been validated as a new, simple but robust and versatile technique for the direct trace analysis of complex solid dielectric and refractory matrices with a reproducibility at 12 %, a precision characterised by a confidence interval of (0.510) %, and an accuracy by relative efficiency of 010 % by the successful analyses of Certified Reference Materials (Stream sediments), sewage sludge, a PVC polymer, an independent XRF laboratory analysis of River Rhine sediment, and by the results of comparative analyses made of the same elements using ICP and XRF (polarised radiation, 3-D Cartesian geometry) techniques.

Halogeno(pentafluorophenyl)silanes (C6F5)nSiX4-n(X=F, Cl, Br;n=2,3) and halogno(methyl)pentafluorophenylsilanes C6F5SiMenX3-n(X=F, Cl, Br; n=1,2) were prepared in good yields from the corresponding phenylsilanes (C6F5)n SiPh4-n and C6F5SiMenPh3-n by reactions with the electrophiles aHf, HCl - AlCl3, Br2 - AlBr3 or AlX3 (X=Cl, Br) - halogenated hydrocarbons. Additionally, reactions of (C6F5)2SiMe2 with selected electrophiles are studied and new synthetic routes to C6F5SiF3 are described. The relative leaving ability of organyl groups bonded to silicon and the role of the electrophilic reagent are discussed

In this thesis chitosan and ß-cyclodextrin were used as candidates in medical textile applications. The antimicrobial activity of dissolved chitosan was evaluated quantitatively against both bacteria and fungi by different methods. The activity increased by increasing the concentration of chitosan. As a result, chitosan was applied as antimicrobial finishing agent to cotton by different anchor groups. Bacterial activity of chitosan-treated cotton was measured by tetrazolium/formazan test method. A water soluble chitosan derivative, namely carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCTS)was synthesized and characterized. CMCTS was applied to pre-cationized cotton forming ionically crosslinked cotton. The improvement in physical properties of cotton combined with a moderate antibacterial activity was achieved. In dentistry, chitosan films were applied to Molloplast® B, soft liner based material for dentures to treat the denture stomatitis. Also ß-cyclodextrin was used in pharmaceutical applications. Two antimycotic drugs were complexed by ß-cyclodextrin. The drug delivery and the solubility of the complexes were measured and evaluated by the laser nephelometry in microtiter plate in-vitro.

Different polymers were used as antimicrobial finishing agent in textile application. Different methods were used to functionalize polyvinylamine, chitosan and cylcodextrin onto fibres. The finished fabrics were chracterized by different analytical tools. In addition the antibacterial activity of the modified surfaces was evaluated by Tetrazolium-Formazan test. A surface test agent (Toluol) was complexed by ß-Cyclodextrin and its deliverey was evaluated by olfactometry.

This habilitation thesis describes the syntheses and characterizations of mostly new metal-rich cluster compounds of early transition elements. It is devided into 4 parts. The first part describes the syntheses and solid-state X-ray structures of a total of 14 mixed-halide (iodide-chloride) zirconium cluster phases, which crystallize in 9 different (some novel) structure types. All these cluster phases contain octahedral Zr6Z-units that are centered by an interstitial atom Z. Phase widths and relations between the differend structure types are discussed. The second part deals with molecular (soluble) zirconium cluster phases which are excised from solid-state precursors. It is shown that liquid mixtures of 1,3-dialkylimidazolium bromide and AlBr3 as well as molten 18-crown-6 are useful solvents for molecular zirconium cluster compounds. The syntheses and single crystal X-ray structures of 3 new materials are detailed. Furthermore, from the reaction of an iron containing Zr-cluster phase with KSCN crystals have been obtained from which a single crystal X-ray structure analysis shows that they contain a high symmetry Fe-cubane cluster. The third part of this thesis is concerned with theoretical investigations (Extended-Hckel band structure calculations) of a series of monoclinic phases which contain double-octahedral chains of rare earth metal clusters of the general formula RE3I3Z (RE = rare-earth metal atoms). The results of the electronic band structure calculations show that the observed structural variations within this series depend largely on the difference of the orbital energies of the rare earth metals and the interstitials. In the last part the phase pure synthesis of Nb21S8 and measurements of physical properties (electrical conductivity and magnetical susceptibility) as well as results from electronic band structure calculations (LMTO) are described. The property measurements show that this metal rich sulfide becomes superconducting below 3.7(2) K. The results from the electronic band structure calculations indicate the existence of an arrangement of electronic levels ("fingerprint") which favors the formation of superconducting Cooper pairs.

The swelling behaviour of water sensible, chemically crosslinked polyurethanes has been examined in water and mesogenic solvents. The experimental swelling curves have been described with generally known network theories . The swelling curve in a polymer solution has been determined for the first time dependent on temperature. Additionally temperature dependent membrane-osmosis experiments on the system polyethyleneoxide/water have been performed.

Microorganisms in biofilms are kept together by extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). The EPS are key molecules for the structure, function and organization of biofilms. Chemical and / or physical isolation methods are being used for the quantitative separation of EPS from biofilms. The yield of EPS depends on the method of isolation. Four different methods of EPS isolation were used in this work (separation by stirring and centrifugation, use of a cation exchange resin, extraction with formaldehyde and extraction with formaldehyde and NaOH) on pure culture biofilms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and biofilms from sewage treatment systems. The isolation by stirring and centrifugation was suitable for pure culture biofilms. If calcium was present in the growth medium stirring and centrifugation alone was not sufficient. The isolation of EPS was successful with the cation exchange method. The method of choice for the isolation of EPS from environmental biofilms was the cation exchange method. EPS from pure culture biofilms of P. aeruginosa and P. fluorescens did not only consist of polysaccharides, but also of significant amounts of proteins. In environmental biofilms humic substances and DNA were found in addition to polysaccharides and proteins. Detailed studies of the EPS from P. aeruginosa showed, that the EPS consisted of 70 % (w/w) of alginate. Alginate showed a clear heterogeneity in relation to charge (acetylated and non-acetylated fraction) and molar mass. Neutral carbohydrates were not found in the EPS after total hydrolysis followed by thin layer chromatography. Proteins amounted to 28 % (w/w) of the EPS. It is assumable that this not only related to enzymes, but also structural proteins (e. g. lectins). Rhamnose lipids (mainly di-rhamno lipid) were also found in the EPS (small amount of 1 % (w/w)); these molecules may also play an important role in the development of the biofilm structure. By increasing the time of biofilm cultivation P. aeruginosa produced (related to cell number) more EPS (mainly alginate). The composition of the EPS was depending on the nutrient medium. In synthetic media high amounts of polysaccharides and almost no proteins (in contrast to rich media) were detected in the EPS. EPS of pure culture biofilms of P. fluorescens contained carbohydrates (57 % (w/w)) and proteins (28 % (w/w)). Acetyl groups (5 % (w/w)) and glucose and galactose after hydrolysis and thin layer chromatography were detected in the EPS. Possibly the exopolysaccharide of P. fluorescens is an acetylated galactoglucan. In the analyzed sludges of waste water treatment proteins followed by carbohydrates made up the main components of the EPS. Humic substances and small amounts of DNA were detected in these EPS. The EPS of aquatic biofilms contained large amounts of humic substances. Uronic acids were not detected in any analyzed environmental biofilm. Therefore acidic polysaccharides in these biofilms cannot play any role in the stabilization of biofilms by cross linking the EPS with multivalent cations. Instead of that, humic substances, nucleic acids and acidic proteins could be responsible for cross linking.