[pt] No ano de 2014, o Brasil ocupou o quinto lugar no ranking mundial de produção de leite. No entanto, a produtividade média foi baixa, comparada aos outros grandes produtores. A avaliação da qualidade do leite é importante para melhorar a produtividade, pois ela auxilia na identificação de fatores que prejudicam a produção. As quantidades de proteína e gordura no leite são utilizadas como critérios de qualidade e, geralmente, medidas por equipamentos baseados em técnicas de espectroscopia no infravermelho. Esses equipamentos possuem alto custo e são adequados somente para uso em laboratório. Este trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar o uso de fotodetectores baseados em nanoestruturas na quantificação da proteína do leite, visando um dispositivo portátil e de baixo custo. Para isso, técnicas de espectroscopia no infravermelho foram utilizadas no estudo do leite, da sua proteína e de algumas adulterações. A resposta dos fotodetectores (corrente) também foi analisada através da espectroscopia no infravermelho. Finalmente, uma simulação experimental do dispositivo completo foi feita e os resultados comparados com os estudos de espectroscopia. Com base nessas comparações, constatou-se a viabilidade de se utilizar os fotodetectores baseados em nanoestruturas na quantificação da proteína do leite. / [en] In 2014, Brazil occupied the fifth position in the world ranking of milk production. However, the average productivity was small compared to the other major producers. Quality evaluation is important for improving milk productivity, as it helps to identify factors that hinder production. The quantities of protein and fat in milk are used as quality standards, and they are usually measured with instruments based on infrared spectroscopy techniques. These devices are expensive and they are only suitable for laboratory use. This study intends to evaluate the application of photodetectors based on nanostructures in the quantification of milk protein, aiming at the production of a portable and inexpensive device. In order to accomplish this, infrared spectroscopy techniques were used in the study of milk, protein and milk adulteration. The photodetectors response (current) was also analyzed by infrared spectroscopy. Later, an experimental simulation of the final device was done and the results were compared with the spectroscopy studies. Given these relations, it was found that photodetectors based on nanostructures can be used in the quantification of milk protein.

Disponibiliza??o do conte?do parcial, conforme Termo de Autoriza??o no trabalho. / Submitted by Jos? Henrique Henrique (jose.neves@ufvjm.edu.br) on 2017-02-07T17:34:06Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) larissa_almeida_alves_parcial.pdf: 127946 bytes, checksum: d9a934a0580a850c74fd0e5efc19ebe6 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Rodrigo Martins Cruz (rodrigo.cruz@ufvjm.edu.br) on 2017-03-06T11:41:19Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) larissa_almeida_alves_parcial.pdf: 127946 bytes, checksum: d9a934a0580a850c74fd0e5efc19ebe6 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-03-06T11:41:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) larissa_almeida_alves_parcial.pdf: 127946 bytes, checksum: d9a934a0580a850c74fd0e5efc19ebe6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016 / Carbon Dots (CDs) sol?veis em ?gua preparados a partir da desidrata??o ?cida da celulose foram utilizados como fotossensibilizadores na polimeriza??o da acrilamida na presen?a do co-iniciador trietanolamina. Os materiais preparados foram caracterizados por diferentes t?cnicas, incluindo MET, IVFT, espectroscopia UV-Vis e fotoluminesc?ncia, voltametria c?clica, TG-MS, titula??o potenciom?trica, entre outras. Os Carbon Dots preparados apresentaram tamanho de part?culas de aproximadamente 2,7 ?0,5nm, com uma superf?cie altamente funcionalizada com grupos funcionais oxigenados (carbox?licos, fen?licos, pironas, etc.) dos quais 65% s?o carbox?licos. Uma vez que estes grupos apresentam pKa ao redor de 4, potenciais zeta negativos foram observados em pHs ?cidos maiores que 4. Por outro lado, as caracteriza??es das suas propriedades ?pticas mostraram que os Carbon Dots apresentam uma absortividade molar (?) de 20,1 Lg-1cm-1 em ?= 254nm e 7,6 Lg-1cm-1 em ?= 360 com fotoluminesc?ncia dependente do comprimento de onda de excita??o e rendimento qu?ntico de 0,6%. Devido ?s suas propriedades, os Carbon Dots foram usados como fotossensibilizadores na polimeriza??o da acrilamida. A cin?tica da rea??o de polimeriza??o foi realizada em pHs 3, 6, 8 e 10, sendo que em pH 8 foi verificada uma maior taxa de convers?o. Neste pH as nanoestruturas possuem um pequeno excesso de carga negativa e a estrutura da trietanolamina est? predominantemente desprotonada (pKa = 7,86) o que facilita a intera??o das duas esp?cies promovendo a forma??o de radicais iniciadores da rea??o. O material fotopolimerizado foi caracterizado e os resultados obtidos s?o t?picos de poliacrilamida. Em adi??o, o material polim?rico obtido foi sol?vel em ?gua sugerindo que o pol?mero seja linear (n?o apresenta reticula??es) com uma massa molar viscosim?trica de at? 3,1x106 Da. A partir dos resultados experimentais obtidos e c?lculos te?ricos da estrutura de ambos, fotossensibilizador e co-iniciador, foi sugerido que devido ? capacidade dos Carbon Dots em receber el?trons em sua estrutura de bandas, sua alta absortividade molar e fotoestabilidade, as nanoestruturas quando excitadas foram capazes de gerar radicais amino, respons?veis pela inicia??o da polimeriza??o, devido ao acoplamento entre seus orbitais de fronteira com os orbitais HOMO-LUMO da trietanolamina. Por fim, os resultados apresentados demonstram uma nova e promissora aplica??o para estas nanopart?culas, com um grande potencial para o desenvolvimento futuro das tecnologias relacionadas ? fotopolimeriza??o. / Disserta??o (Mestrado) ? Programa de P?s-Gradua??o em Qu?mica, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, 2016. / Water soluble Carbon Dots (CDs) prepared from the acid dehydration of cellulose were used as photosensitizers in the polymerization of the acrylamide in the presence of co-initiator triethanolamine. The prepared materials were characterized by different techniques, including TEM, FTIR, UV-Vis spectroscopy and photoluminescence, cyclic voltammetry, TG-MS, potentiometric titration, among others. The Carbon Dots prepared showed the particle size of approximately 2.7 ? 0.5nm and a highly functionalized surface with oxygenated functional groups (carboxylic, phenolic, pyrones, etc.) 65% of them carboxylic. Since these groups have pKa around 4, negative zeta potentials were observed uawes of pH hifher than 4. Furthermore, the characterization of their optical properties showed that Carbon Dots exhibit a molar absorptivity (?) de 20.1 Lg-1cm-1 in ?= 254nm e 7.6 Lg-1cm-1 in ?= 360 with photoluminescence dependent of the excitation wavelength and quantum efficiency of 0.6%. Because their properties, the carbon dots were used as photosensitizers in the polymerization of the acrylamide. The kinetics of the polymerization reaction was carried out at pH 3,6,8 and 10, whereas at pH 8 was observed a higher conversion rate. At this pH the nanostructures have a small excess of negative charge and the structure of triethanolamine are predominantly deprotonated ( pKa = 7.86) that facilitates the interaction of the two species promoting the formation of radical reaction initiators. The polymeric material was characterized and the obtained results are typical of polyacrylamide. In addition, the polymerized material was water soluble and suggests that the polymer is linear (no presents crosslinks) and has a molecular weight of approximately 3.1x106 Da. The experimental results and theoretical calculations of the band structure of both, photosensitizer and co-initiator, suggest that due to the ability of Carbon Dots to receive electrons in its band structure, their high molar absorptivity and photostability, these nanostructures when excited were able to generate amine radicals, responsible for initiating polymerization, due to the coupling between their frontier orbitals with the HOMO-LUMO of triethanolamine. Finally, the results show a promising new application for carbon nanostructures in all areas related to photopolymerization.

Data de aprova??o retirada da vers?o impressa do trabalho. / Submitted by Jos? Henrique Henrique (jose.neves@ufvjm.edu.br) on 2018-01-04T19:50:32Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) edgard_ronny_delgado_huamani.pdf: 5898825 bytes, checksum: 78eee370de5fed297b3181e82d98f63d (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Rodrigo Martins Cruz (rodrigo.cruz@ufvjm.edu.br) on 2018-01-17T18:40:25Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) edgard_ronny_delgado_huamani.pdf: 5898825 bytes, checksum: 78eee370de5fed297b3181e82d98f63d (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-01-17T18:40:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) edgard_ronny_delgado_huamani.pdf: 5898825 bytes, checksum: 78eee370de5fed297b3181e82d98f63d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017 / Neste trabalho, Carbon Dots (CD) oxidados foram preparados a partir de rea??es de desidrata??o/oxida??o ?cida da celulose, e posteriormente desoxigenados em meio alcalino e rea??o com sulfato de hidrazina. As caracteriza??es dos CD foram feitas com Microscopia eletr?nica de Transmiss?o, FTIR, titula??o potenciom?trica, Resson?ncia Magn?tica Nuclear de 13C e espectroscopia UV-Vis e fluoresc?ncia. Os resultados obtidos com estas caracteriza??es mostraram que a amostra oxidada apresenta um tamanho m?dio aproximadamente de 2,7 nm com uma significativa quantidade de grupos funcionais oxigenados ?cidos, dos quais 63% s?o ?cidos carbox?licos. Ap?s as rea??es de modifica??o superficial foi verificado que em meio alcalino ocorre somente uma elimina??o de nanoestruturas mais oxidadas, enquanto que na rea??o com hidrazina ocorre a redu??o de alguns grupos carbox?licos e ep?xidos com forma??o de grupos funcionais hidrazonas. Como consequ?ncia da modifica??o superficial, as propriedades ?pticas dos CD s?o alteradas significativamente. Com a redu??o, o band gap diminui e a energia da emiss?o aumenta, deslocando-se para a regi?o azul do espectro eletromagn?tico. Uma vez caracterizados, a parti??o de todos os CD preparados foi investigada em diferentes Sistemas Aquosos Bif?sicos (SAB), nos quais foram avaliados os efeitos dos c?tions e ?nions dos sais, dos pol?meros e do pH inicial do sistema no coeficiente de parti??o (K). Em adi??o foi avaliado o efeito da modifica??o superficial das nanopart?culas. A rela??o do K com comprimento da linha de amarra??o (CLA), o par?metro termodin?mico dos SAB foi estudado para todos os sistemas. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que a melhor separa??o ocorreu com o sistema PEO1500+sulfato de l?tio+?gua em pH=3 e usando os Carbon Dots reduzidos com hidrazina. O valor do K para este sistema foi de 64,4. Por outro lado, o menor valor de K foi 0,79, foi obtido para o sistema PEG1500+tartarato de s?dio+?gua em pH=6 e usando Carbon Dots oxidados. As an?lises detalhadas das fases superior e inferior de alguns destes sistemas com espectroscopia de fluoresc?ncia mostraram que os SAB s?o capazes, al?m de particionar, separar as nanopart?culas com diferentes propriedades ?pticas, as quais est?o diretamente associadas ?s propriedades superficiais e tamanho de part?culas. Por fim, n?s avaliamos a atividade catal?tica foto-Fentom dos CD na degrada??o do corante ani?nico ?ndigo de carmim e os resultados mostraram que os CD apresentam atividade fotocatal?tica neste sistema. Devido ? alta parti??o verificada para o sistema PEG1500+ sulfato de l?tio+?gua, este foi usado para avaliar a potencialidade de seu uso em cat?lise de transfer?ncia de fase usando CD como fotocatalisador e o corante ?ndigo de carmim como mol?cula modelo. Apesar da complexidade e da dificuldade de caracteriza??o dos produtos da foto-oxida??o no SAB, os resultados obtidos indicam que o sistema testado pode ser usado em rea??es de transfer?ncia de fase fotocatalisadas. Como conclus?o final, acredita-se que os resultados apresentados, em especial, a parti??o/sele??o das nanopart?culas com distintas propriedades ?pticas s?o de extrema import?ncia para o desenvolvimento de novas e eficazes aplica??es dos CD. / Disserta??o (Mestrado) ? Programa de P?s-Gradua??o em Qu?mica, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, 2017. / In this work, oxidized Carbon Dots (CD) were prepared by a dehydration/oxidation reaction of cellulose and subsequently deoxygenated in alkaline medium and reaction with hydrazine sulfate. The CD characterizations were made with Transmission Electron Microscopy, FTIR, potentiometric titration. 13C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. The results obtained with these characterizations showed that the oxidized sample has an average size of 2.7 nm with a significant amount of acid oxygenated functional groups, of which 63% are carboxylic acids. After the superficial modification reactions, it was verified that in alkaline conditions only one elimination of more oxidized nanostructures occurs, whereas in the reaction with hydrazine the reduction of some carboxylic groups and epoxides with formation of hydrazones functional groups. As a consequence of the surface modification, the optical properties of the CD are significantly changed. The band gap decreases and the emission energy increases, shifting to the blue region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Once characterized, the partitioning of all CD prepared was investigated in differente Aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS), in which the effects of the cations and anions of salts, of the polymers and the initial pH of the system in the partition coefficient (K) were evaluated. In addition, the surface modification effect of the nanoparticles was evaluated. The relationship of K with Tie Line Length (TLL), the thermodynamic parameter of the ATPS was studied for all systems. The results showed that the best separation occurred with the system PEO1500 + lithium sulfate + water at pH = 3 and using the reduced carbon dots with hydrazine. The K value for this system was 64,4. On the other hand, the lowest K value was 0,79, it was obtained for the system PEG1500 + sodium tartrate + water at pH = 6 and using oxidized carbon dots. The detailed analysis of the upper and lower phases of some of these systems with fluorescence spectroscopy showed that the ATPS are capable, in addition to partition, to separate the nanoparticles with different optical properties, which are associated directly to the surface properties and particle size. Finally, we evaluated the photo-Fentom catalytic activity of the CD in the degradation of the anionic anion dye indigo carmine and the results showed that the CD present photocatalytic activity in this system. Due to the high partition found for the PEG1500 + lithium + water sulfate system, it was used to evaluate the potentiality of its use in phase transfer catalysis using CD as a photocatalyst and the indigo carmine dye as a model molecule. Despite the complexity and difficulty of characterizing the photo-oxidation products in ATPS the results indicate that the system tested can be used in photocatalysed phase transfer reactions. As a final conclusion, we believe that the results presented, in particular, the partitioning / selection of nanoparticles with different optical properties are of extreme importance for the new and effective applications of CD.

Les nanomatériaux, grâce à leurs propriétés optiques et électroniques, peuvent être une opportunité pour le développement d'une nouvelle génération de cellules photovoltaïques à hauts rendements et bas coût. Les boîtes quantiques sous la forme de nanocristaux semi-conducteurs permettent de réaliser des matériaux à énergie de gap variable, propriété très recherchée pour un absorbeur solaire. Ce travail est consacré à l'élaboration et à la caractérisation de matériaux à base de nanocristaux de Ge dans différentes matrices. Une source à agrégats, procédé original de pulvérisation sous vide, a été étudiée pour synthétiser des nanoparticules de Ge. Cette technique de dépôt permet la formation de nanoparticules de Ge bien cristallisées (pour un substrat maintenu à température ambiante) et d'avoir un très bon contrôle de la taille de ces nanocristaux. Des caractérisations optiques de nanocristaux de Ge enfouis dans des matrices isolantes et semi-conductrices ont permis de démontrer la présence d’effet de confinement quantique dans ces cristaux et la possibilité de moduler leur énergie de gap sur une large gamme d'énergie entre 0,85 et 1,55 eV. Afin d’extraire et de collecter des charges photogénérées dans les nanocristaux, nous nous sommes intéressés au couple nanocristaux de Ge / matrice de ZnO:Al qui permet de séparer spatialement les photoporteurs (alignement en type II). La structure composée de nanocristaux de Ge recouverts d'une matrice de ZnO:Al sur un substrat de Si (p+), a permis de mettre en évidence un effet photovoltaïque pour lequel la génération de porteurs s'effectue uniquement dans les nanocristaux de Ge. / The particular properties of nanomaterials can be an opportunity for developing a new low cost and a high efficient generation of solar cells. Semiconducting nanocrystals can be used as quantum dots to realize band gap engineering by varying the nanocrystals size. The subject of research is to synthesize a composite material based on Ge nanocrystals embedded in various matrices and perform characterizations. A nanocluster source, under vacuum sputtering setup, was used to synthesize Ge nanoparticles. The vapor phase condensation leads to the formation of well crystallized nanoparticles, for a deposition performed at room temperature. This synthesis method allows a good control of the nanocrystals size and the nanocrystals quantity inserted in the material. Optical properties of Ge nanocrystals embedded in insulating and semiconducting matrices were studied. We have demonstrated the quantum dot behavior of Ge nanocrystals. We have also shown the ability to modulate the nanocrystals band gap from 0.85 to 1.55 eV by varying the nanocrystals size and the potential barriers. Optoelectronical characterizations were performed to estimate the ability to extract and collect the carriers photogenerated in the Ge nanocrystals by light absorption. Ge nanocrystals in ZnO:Al matrix forms type-II quantum dots. This heterostructure is very interesting because it allows the spatial separation of the carriers while keeping the quantum confinement properties. We have brought out a photovoltaic effect with the structure p+-Si wafer / Ge nanocrystals / ZnO:Al matrix. We have also demonstrated that the carrier generation only occurs in the Ge nanocrystals.

My PhD thesis work is to design, synthesize, and characterize inexpensive and reliable nanocomposites for the photovoltaic (PV) devices. Photovoltaic materials utilized in our studies were synthesized using simple and inexpensive methods. The material properties were tailored and optimized to improve the optical absorption and charge transport properties. The PV cells fabricated with these materials exhibited improved power conversion efficiencies (PCE). The origin of charge generation and charge transfer was studied using different photoactive materials such as CdSe quantum dots (QDs), perylene-3, 4, 9, 10-tetracarboxylic-3, 4, 9, 10-dianhydride (PTCDA), poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT), multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), multilayer graphene (MuLG), and [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM).

xi, 193 p. : ill. (some col.) A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. / State of the art semiconductor materials engineering provides the possibility to fabricate devices on the lower end of the mesoscopic scale and confine only a handful of electrons to a region of space. When the thermal energy is reduced below the energetic quantum level spacing, the confined electrons assume energy levels akin to the core-shell structure of natural atoms. Such "artificial atoms", also known as quantum dots, can be loaded with electrons, one-by-one, and subsequently unloaded using source and drain electrical contacts. As such, quantum dots are uniquely tunable platforms for performing quantum transport and quantum control experiments. Voltage-biased electron transport through quantum dots has been studied extensively. Far less attention has been given to thermoelectric effects in quantum dots, that is, electron transport induced by a temperature gradient. This dissertation focuses on the efficiency of direct thermal-to-electric energy conversion in InAs/InP quantum dots embedded in nanowires. The efficiency of thermoelectric heat engines is bounded by the same maximum efficiency as cyclic heat engines; namely, by Carnot efficiency. The efficiency of bulk thermoelectric materials suffers from their inability to transport charge carriers selectively based on energy. Owing to their three-dimensional momentum quantization, quantum dots operate as electron energy filters--a property which can be harnessed to minimize entropy production and therefore maximize efficiency. This research was motivated by the possibility to realize experimentally a thermodynamic heat engine operating with near-Carnot efficiency using the unique behavior of quantum dots. To this end, a microscopic heating scheme for the application of a temperature difference across a quantum dot was developed in conjunction with a novel quantum-dot thermometry technique used for quantifying the magnitude of the applied temperature difference. While pursuing high-efficiency thermoelectric performance, many mesoscopic thermoelectric effects were observed and studied, including Coulomb-blockade thermovoltage oscillations, thermoelectric power generation, and strong nonlinear behavior. In the end, a quantum-dot-based thermoelectric heat engine was achieved and demonstrated an electronic efficiency of up to 95% Carnot efficiency. / Committee in charge: Stephen Kevan, Chairperson, Physics; Heiner Linke, Member, Physics; Roger Haydock, Member, Physics; Stephen Hsu, Member, Physics; David Johnson, Outside Member, Chemistry

Research into renewable energy sources is crucially increasing to counteract the ever more concerning impact of non-renewable sources. Theoretically, Quantum Dot Solar Cells (QDSCs) can achieve much greater efficiencies than current, commercial solar cells, but its expansion is still in its very early stages of scientific study and development. In this project TiO2, one of the most efficient and cost-effective photocatalysts, is coupled with Cadmium Selenide (CdSe) Quantum Dots (QD) in a study of interfacial charge transfers. Thus far, in other studies, CdSe QDs have shown some of the most promising results of QDSCs. EPR spectroscopy has been used here to study charge transfer processes in CdSe quantum dot (QD) sensitised titania. Visible light excitation of QDs directly adsorbed onto titania surfaces causes electron transfer to the titania, producing characteristic EPR signals of trapped electrons in the titania. Under ultraviolet excitation the trapped electron signals seen in titania alone are suppressed in the presence of directly adsorbed quantum dots, as is the formation of superoxide in the presence of oxygen. These observations suggest that reverse electron transfer from the titania to the QDs can also occur. No visible light excited electron transfer occurs in the case of QDs attached to the titania surface via bi-linker molecules, but under ultraviolet excitation a similar suppression of electron trapping in the titania phase is seen. These results show that the nature of the interface between the QDs and the titania phase is crucially important in the electron transfer processes in both directions. The study also looks at the pitfalls of synthesis techniques used for making the CdSe QDs as well as the method of attaching it to the TiO2. Ionic deposition, which generally resulted in the best photocurrents in other studies, was discovered early on this project produced very impure samples. Direct Adsorption produces low titania surface coverage, which can potentially be improved. Whereas the lack of discussion in literature of clear purification methods in synthesis techniques for attaching QDs via a bi-linker molecule, through ligand exchange, causes a significant drawback in the study of such systems.

Este trabalho foi desenvolvido em duas etapas: i) síntese, caracterização e aplicação de pontos quânticos de CdS, CdSe e CdTe em células solares. ii) modificação da superfície dos pontos quânticos de CdSe através de troca de ligante, seguida de caracterização e aplicação em células solares. Os pontos quânticos foram sintetizados utilizando acetatos de cádmio, selênio, telúrio e enxofre como precursores e ácido oleico como agente de estabilização. Na segunda etapa o ácido oleico foi substituído por ligantes com maior afinidade eletrônica pelos sítios de Cd2+: ácido 3-mercaptopropiônico, 4-ácido-mercaptobenzóico e ácido 11-mercaptoundecanóico. As amostras foram caracterizadas por UV-Vis, fluorescência, microscopia eletrônica de transmissão, difratometria de raios-X e voltametria cíclica. Adicionalmente, testes de solubilidade, análises de TGA e de RMN foram realizadas para confirmar a troca de ligante. Através dos resultados, verificou-se que todos os pontos quânticos sintetizados são adequados para sensibilização de TiO2 em dispositivos fotovoltaicos. No entanto, os pontos quânticos de CdSe e CdTe apresentaram fatores que evidenciam maior confinamento quântico, sendo que a maior estabilidade do éxciton foi obtida para o CdSe. Através das análises de RMN foi possível verificar que não existe apenas uma confirguração espacial preferencial para a adsorção do ligante sobre a superfície deste ponto quântico enquanto que curvas de corrente versus potencial e de eficiência de conversão de fóton incidente mostraram que a eficiência do dispositivo é fracamente dependente do ligante. Contudo, a troca de ligantes favorece a solubilidade em solventes com diferentes polaridades, inclusive água, o que amplia as possibilidades de aplicação dos pontos quânticos sintetizados neste trabalho. / This work was developed in two stages: i) synthesis, characterization and application of CdS, CdSe and CdTe quantum dots to assemble solar cells, ii) surface modification, characterization and application of CdSe quantum dots to assemble solar cells. The quantum dots were synthesized by using cadmium acetate, Se, S or Te as precursors and oleic acid as stabilizing agent. In the second stage the oleic acid capping layer was replaced by other ligands with higher electron affinity to Cd2+: 3-mercaptopropionic acid, 4-mercaptobenzoic acid and 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid. The samples were characterized by UV-Vis, fluorescence, transmission electron microscopy, x-ray diffractometry and cyclic voltammetry. Additionally, solubility tests, TGA analysis and NMR were performed to evaluate the CdSe surface modification. The results showed that all quantum dots synthesized are adequate to sensitize TiO2 in photovoltaic devices. However, CdSe and CdTe quantum dots presented better quantum confinement and the exciton generated in CdSe presented the higher stability. NMR analysis provided information about the non-preferential orientation for adsorption of the ligands on the CdSe surface, meanwhile measurements of current vs. potential and incident photon current efficiency showed a weak dependence of photovoltaic device efficiency with the nature of the ligand. On the other side, the surface modification favors the solubility in solvents with different polarizabilities, including water, widening the range for applications of the quantum dots synthesized in this work.

Pontos quânticos de carbono (C-dots) luminescentes na região do azul-verde aprisionados em matriz de sílica foram produzidos por um processo novo, baseado na pirólise de grupos contendo carbono dispersos nas bordas dos grãos de dimensões nanométricas de sílica (AEROSIL) previamente sinterizados a frio sob alta pressão, onde nenhuma técnica de passivação foi exigida. A análise de difração de elétrons de área selecionada (SAED – Selected Area Electron Diffraction) e espectroscopia de perda de energia de elétrons (EELS – Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy) confirmaram a formação de C-dots contendo átomos de carbono com ligações do tipo sp2. Foram investigados diferentes valores de pressão (2,5, 4 e 7,7 GPa) para sinterização a frio e diferentes temperaturas de pirólise, a partir de 500 até 900°C. Resultados de análise térmica revelaram pequena perda de massa durante a pirólise das amostras, praticamente independente da pressão utilizada na sinterização. Espectroscopia na faixa do infravermelho revelou alterações nas bandas de aborção na faixa correspondente aos modos de vibração de CH2 e CH3, dependentes da temperatura e da pressão utilizadas. Os espectros de fotoluminescência (FL) foram fortemente dependentes do comprimento de onda de excitação e observou-se uma intensidade de emissão mais elevada no intervalo entre 500-550 nm para a amostra sinterizada a frio em 7,7 GPa e tratada termicamente a 800°C para excitação em 460 nm. Também foi investigado a contribuição da matriz de silica após a sinterização. / Quantum dots in the blue-green region embedded in a silica matrix were produced by a new process based on the pyrolysis of groups containing carbon dispersed on the edges of the grain of nanosized silica (AEROSIL) previously sintered under high pressure, where no passivation technique was required. The Selected Area Electron Diffraction (SAED) and Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (EELS) confirmed the formation of Cdots containing carbon atoms with sp2 bonds. Different pressure values (2,5, 4 and 7,7 GPa) were investigated for cold sintering and the pyrolsys was in the temperature range from 500 to 900°C. Results of thermal analysis revealed a small loss of mass during the pyrolysis of the samples, practically independent of the sintering pressure. Infrared spectroscopy revealed changes in the absorption bands in the range corresponding to the CH2 and CH3 vibration modes, depending on the temperature and pressure conditions. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra were strongly dependent on the excitation wavelength and a higher emission intensity was observed in the range 500-550 nm for the sample sintered at 7.7 GPa and pyrolysed at 800°C for excitation at 460 nm. The contribution of the silica matrix after sintering was also investigated.

Prion diseases are fatal transmisible neurodegenerative and infectious disorders (TSEs) of humans and animals, characterized by structural transition of the host-encoded cellular prion protein (PrPC) into the aberrantly folded pathologic isoform PrPSc. The main aim of this work is to summarize present information about prion diseases and their possibilities of determination pointed to electrochemical techniques. For this purpose cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry Brdicka reaction and chronopotentiometric stripping analysis (CPSA) were used. The estimated detection limits were 32 ug/ml by CV, 16 ug/ml by DPV, 16 ug/ml by DPV -- Brdicka reaction and 8 ug/ml by CPSA. Subsequently, the influence of heat denaturation was observed. It clearly follows from the obtained results that signals of prion decreased linearly depending on the duration of the heat treatment at 99°C for various time intervals 0, 15, 30, 45, and 60 min. Moreover, we aimed our attention on studying of prion protein interaction with CdTe quantum dots (QDs) using electrochemistry. Primarily, we characterized electrochemical properties of QDs and the detection limit at 100 fg/ml was estimated. Further, electrochemical study of prion and QD interactions was carried out to find the most suitable conditions for sensitive detection of prion proteins. Detection limit (3 S/N) was estimated as 1 fg in 5 ul. This makes labeling of proteins with QDs of great importance due to easy applicability and possibility to use in miniaturized devices, which can be used in situ. This should open new possibilities how to determine the presence of these proteins on surgical equipment and other types of materials, which could be contagious.