Estudos foram conduzidos relativamente ao desempenho dos sistemas de análises em fluxo quando configurados como sistemas inteligentes, associados às técnicas de calibração multivariada ou empregando nanocristais como sensibilizadores. Ainda, melhorias relacionadas às modificações dos fluxos foram avaliadas, especialmente no que se refere à diálise em linha. Neste sentido, foi proposta uma nova estratégia para implementar determinações simultâneas de ferro e vanádio em ligas metálicas envolvendo cinética diferencial. O método baseava-se nas diferentes influências exercidas por Fe2+ e por V4+ na taxa de oxidação de íons iodeto por íons Cr6+ sob condições ácidas. Três diferentes alíquotas de amostra eram inseridas em um fluxo transportador / reagente de KI, confluindo posteriormente com um fluxo de K2Cr2O7. A sobreposição entre as três zonas de amostra estabelecidas resultava em uma zona de amostra complexa com diversos valores de absorbância. Medidas realizadas nos pontos de máximos e minímos do sinal registrado eram mais precisas e continham informações acerca dos diferentes estágios de desenvolvimento da reação e de diferentes condições de concentrações. Em outra estratégia, um sistema MPFS inteligente foi proposto para a determinação turbidimétrica sequencial de sulfato e cloreto em águas naturais. Ambos os métodos foram implementados no mesmo módulo de análises, proporcionando facilidades relativas ao: preparo de amostra em linha; adição de íons sulfato ou cloreto ao meio reacional para melhoria das condições de supersaturação; decisão em tempo real acerca da necessidade ou não da próxima análise. Inicialmente, determinava-se a concentração de cloreto presente na amostra, e este resultado era comparado com um valor pré-determinado. Se este fosse superior, a amostra era analisada novamente visando à determinação de sulfato. Caso contrário, uma nova amostra era analisada. A estratégia resultou em aumento da velocidade analítica e em boas figuras de mérito analítico. Estudos relativos à natureza do fluxo foram conduzidos avaliando-se o desempenho dos fluxos pulsados provenientes de bombas solenóide em relação à eficiência do transporte de massas, dispersão da zona de amostra relacionada com a mudança de sentido do fluxo e eficiência do processo de diálise quando comparados aos fluxos tipicamente laminares. Embora fosse observada a presença de vórtices, o número de Reynolds experimentalmente obtido demonstrou que o fluxo resultante não era turbulento. Porém seu perfil exibia características de mescla turbulenta, melhorando assim o desempenho relativo ao transporte de massas e redução da dispersão da zona de amostra. Entretanto, beneficios relativos a melhorias no processo de diálise foram ausentes devido provavelmente à alta pressão exercida dentre da câmara de diálise, com consequente deformação dos poros da membrana. Nestas situações, um sistema de análises híbrido (com fluxo laminar e mescla turbulenta) seria fortemente recomendado. Finalmente, a implementação de nanocristais quantum dots (QDs) como sensibilizadores em um sistema MPFS envolvendo reação quimioluminescente foi proposta para a determinação de glipizida e gliclazida em formulaçoes farmacêuticas. O método fundamentava-se na oxidação dos íons S2- por Ce4+ em meio ácido. Na presença dos analitos, a intensidade da radiação emitida era inibida. A influência do diâmetro médio dos nanocristais foi avaliada, e os critérios utilizados para o dimensionamento do sistema foram a repetibilidade, a reprodutibilidade e a sensibilidade analítica. Os analitos foram quantificados no mesmo módulo de análises, e boas figuras de mérito analítico foram verificadas. Os resultados obtidos se apresentaram concordantes com aqueles obtidos pela Farmacopéia Britânica / Studies focusing on performance of intelligent analytical flow systems, association with multivariate calibration or use of nanocrystals as sensitizers were carried out. Moreover, improvements related to modifications in flow pattern were evaluated with emphasis to in-line dialysis. To this end, a strategy for implementing simultaneous determinations of iron and vanadium in alloys relying on differential kinetics was proposed. The method was based on the influence of Fe2+ and V4+ on the rate of iodide oxidation by Cr6+ under acidic conditions. Three different plugs of the sample were sequentially inserted into an acidic KI reagent carrier stream, and a confluent K2Cr2O7 solution was added downstream. Overlap between the established plugs led to a complex sample zone with several regions of maximal and minimal absorbance values. Measurements performed on these regions were more precise and revealed the different degrees of reaction development. In another strategy, an intelligent MPFS was proposed for sequential turbidimetric determination of sulphate and chloride in natural waters. Both methods were implemented in the same manifold, providing facilities for: in-line sample cleanup; addition of low amounts of sulphate or chloride ions to the reaction medium for improving supersaturation conditions and real-time decision on the need for next assay. The sample was initially run for chloride determination, and the analytical signal was compared with a preset value. If higher, the sample was run again, now for sulphate determination. Otherwise, next sample was assayed. The strategy led to an increased sample throughput and good analytical figures of merit. Studies focusing on the flow pattern were carried out aiming at the evaluation of the influence of the pulsed flows delivered by solenoid pumps in relation to the efficiency of mass transfer, dispersion related to changes in flow direction of the sample zone and dialysis process as compared with typical laminar flow. Although the establishment of vortices were noted, the experimentally obtained Reynolds number showed that a turbulent flow was not established. Its pattern exhibited characteristics which improved the performance due to the enhanced radial mass transport inherent in turbulent mixing. Comparatively to laminar flow, beneficial aspects were noted in relation to sample dispersion and mass transfer. In relation to dialysis efficiency however process the benefits were not noted probably due to the high pressure inside the dialysis chamber, with consequent membrane pore deformation. In this situation, a hybrid flow analysis system (with laminar flow and turbulent mixing) might be recommended. Implementation of quantum dots nanocrystals (QDs NC) as sensitizers in a MPFS with chemiluminometric detection was proposed for the determinations of gliclazide and glipizide in pharmaceutical formulations. The method relied on the oxidation of sulphite by Ce4+ in acidic medium and, in the presence of the analytes, the emitted radiation of the Ce4+-SO3 2--CdTe QDs system was inhibited. Influence of crystal size was investigated, and the criteria for system optimization were the analytical repeatability, reproducibility and sensitivity. Both analytes were quantified in the same manifold, resulting in good analytical figures of merit. The results were in fairly good agreement with those obtained by the British Pharmacopoeia reference method

Submitted by Rosivalda Pereira (mrs.pereira@ufma.br) on 2017-10-02T19:59:47Z No. of bitstreams: 1 ThatyaraMonteiro.pdf: 3528798 bytes, checksum: 12d3da9115c45896b4f14c67dbe3d20e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-10-02T19:59:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ThatyaraMonteiro.pdf: 3528798 bytes, checksum: 12d3da9115c45896b4f14c67dbe3d20e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-09-01 / Two novel and pioneering photoelectrochemical sensors were developed for determination of tert-butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ) in biodiesel and edible oil samples. The former based on composite formed by TiO2 nanoparticles and lithium tetracyanethylene (LiTCNE), and the last based on the sensitization of CdSe/ZnS quantum dots with LiTCNE. In both cases, indium tin oxide (ITO) was used as the work electrode surface. The LiTCNE/TiO2/ITO sensor showed a TBHQ photocurrent about 28-fold higher than the TiO2 sensor. The same was observed for the CdSe/ZnS/LiTCNE/ITO sensor, which presented a photocurrent for TBHQ about 13-fold higher than that presented by the electrode modified with CdSe/ZnS. Both developed sensors showed lower resistance to charge transfer than their non-sensitized components. They also demonstrated high selectivity to TBHQ, with high photocurrent for this compound in comparison to photocurrent responses to other phenolic antioxidants. The experimental conditions optimized for both sensors were: 0.1 mol L-1 of phosphate buffer solution pH 7.0 and applied potential to the working electrode of 450 mV, for the LiTCNE/TiO2/ITO sensor, and 0.1 mol L-1 of phosphate buffer solution pH 6.0, and potential of 400 mV for the CdSe/ZnS/LiTCNE/ITO sensor. In these conditions, the sensors presented a linear range of TBHQ response between 0.4 and 500 μmol L-1 for LiTCNE/TiO2/ITO sensor and between 0.6 and 250 μmol L-1 for the CdSe/ZnS/LiTCNE/ITO sensor, with limits of detection of 0.10 and 0.21 μmol L-1, respectively. The LiTCNE/TiO2/ITO sensor was applied in biodiesel samples for determination of TBHQ using standard addition method, showing recovery values between 96.8 and 98.2%. The CdSe/ZnS/LiTCNE/ITO sensor was applied in edible oil samples to detect TBHQ using an external calibration method, with recovery values between 98.25 and 99.83%. The photoelectrochemical sensors were successfully used to determine the TBHQ antioxidant in real samples of biodiesel and vegetable oil. / Dois novos e pioneiros sensores fotoeletroquímicos foram desenvolvidos para determinação de tert-butil hidroquinona (TBHQ) em amostras de biodiesel e de óleo comestível. O primeiro baseado no compósito formado por nanopartículas de TiO2 e tetracianoetileneto de lítio (LiTCNE), e o segundo baseado na sensibilização de quantum dots CdSe/ZnS com o LiTCNE. Em ambos os casos utilizou-se como eletrodo de trabalho o óxido de índio e estanho (ITO) como superfície eletródica. O sensor à base de LiTCNE/TiO2/ITO apresentou uma fotocorrente para o TBHQ cerca de 28 vezes mais elevada que o sensor à base de TiO2. O mesmo foi observado para o sensor à base de CdSe/ZnS/LiTCNE/ITO, que apresentou fotocorrente para o TBHQ cerca de 13 vezes maior do que à apresentada pelo eletrodo modificado com CdSe/ZnS. Ambos os sensores desenvolvidos apresentaram baixa resistência à transferência de carga em comparação a seus componentes não sensibilizados. Também demonstraram grande seletividade ao TBHQ, com alta fotocorrente para esse composto em comparação às respostas de fotocorrente para outros antioxidantes fenólicos. As condições experimentais otimizadas para ambos os sensores desenvolvidos foram, respectivamente: 0,1 mol L-1 de solução tampão fosfato pH 7,0 e potencial aplicado ao eletrodo de trabalho de 450 mV, para o sensor LiTCNE/TiO2/ITO, e 0,1 mol L-1 de solução tampão fosfato pH 6,0, e potencial de 400 mV, para o sensor CdSe/ZnS/LiTCNE/ITO. Nessas condições, os sensores apresentaram faixa linear de resposta de TBHQ entre 0,4 a 500 µmol L-1 para sensor LiTCNE/TiO2/ITO e entre 0,6 a 250 µmol L-1 para o sensor CdSe/ZnS/LiTCNE/ITO, apresentando limites de detecção de 0,10 e 0,21 µmol L-1 , respectivamente. O sensor LiTCNE/TiO2/ITO foi aplicado em amostras de biodiesel para determinação de TBHQ usando método de adição de padrão, mostrando valores de recuperação entre 96,8 e 98,2%. Já o sensor CdSe/ZnS/LiTCNE/ITO foi aplicado em amostras de óleo comestível para detecção de TBHQ usando método de calibração externa, com valores de recuperação entre 98,25 e 99,83%. Os sensores fotoeletroquímicos foram empregados com sucesso para determinação de antioxidante TBHQ em amostras reais de biodiesel e óleo vegetal.

Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) have emerged as a new class of fluorescent probes and labeling agents for biological samples. QDs are bright, highly photostable and allow simultaneous excitation of multiple emissions. Owing to these properties, QDs hold exceptional promise in enabling intracellular biochemical studies and diagnosis with unprecedented sensitivity and accuracy. However, use of QD probes inside living cells remains a challenge due to difficulties in delivery of nanoparticles without causing aggregation and imaging single nanoparticles inside living cells. In this dissertation, a systematic approach to deliver, image and locate single QDs inside living cells is presented and the properties of molecular motor protein driven QD transport are studied. First, spectroscopic and imaging methods capable of differentiating single nanoparticles from the aggregates were developed. These technologies were validated by differentiating surface protein expression on viral particles and by enabling rapid counting of single biomolecules. Second, controlled delivery of single QDs into living cells is demonstrated. A surprising finding is that single QDs associate non-specifically with the dynein motor protein complex and are transported to the microtubule organizing center. Accurate localization and tracking of QDs inside cell cytoplasm revealed multiple dynein motor protein attachment resulting in increased velocity of the QDs. Further, spectrin molecule which is known to recruit dynein motor protein complex to phospholipid micelles was found to associate with the QDs. These results may serve as a benchmark for developing new QD surface coatings suitable for intracellular applications. Since, nanoparticles are similar in size to viral pathogens; better understanding of nanoparticle-cell interactions should also help engineer nanoparticle models to study virus-host cell interactions. (Contains AVI format multimedia files)

The present work is a theoretical ab initio study of silicon (mainly) and silicon-based or “silicon-like” Nanocrystals and nanostructures, such as core/shell quantum dots and ultra-thin nanowires of Si, Ge, and Sn. The main focus is on the quantum confinement of Si quantum dots and the description of their structural, cohesive, electronic, and optical properties in terms of size, growth pattern and surface conditions. An important outcome of such study, besides the very satisfactory agreement with experimental measurements for nanocrystals (up to 32 Å in diameter), is the judicious extrapolation of the nanoscale results all the way to infinite silicon crystal, and the successful comparison with experiment (for both the energy gap and the cohesive energy of crystalline silicon). This is an additional verification for the essential correctness of our approach. Our present results, which are based on earlier findings of prof. Zdetsis’ group for spherical Si quantum dots, are in full agreement with those results and predictions. We have expanded our study to selective cases of pure C, Ge, Sn and their mixed nanocrystals and nanowires. Thus, the classes of systems studied here include: a) Silicon quantum dots terminated by hydrogen of three different growth models (spherical, elongated, and reconstructed) without and with oxygen “contamination” of four different modes (double bonds, bridging single bonds, hydroxyl formation and mixed modes). b) Analogous quantum dots, pure and mixed (core/shell) of C, Si, Ge, and Sn. c) Ultrafine silicon and germanium nanowires of various growth patterns. The majority of this work is based in density functional theory (DFT), both ground state and time-depended, using in most cases the hybrid functional of Becke, Lee, Parr and Yang (B3LYP), and in several places the PBE and PBE0 functionals. A limited number of calculations was performed with post SCF methods, such as many-body perturbation theory (MP2) or Coupled cluster CCSD(T), for comparison. For the study of Si and Ge nanowires we have also used properly selected (and tested) semiempirical methods and calculations. These theoretical methods and techniques are reviewed in considerable detail in the first three chapters (Part I) of the present thesis. The results of the calculations are discussed in Part II, divided in three Chapters (4-6). Chapter 4 is devoted to the structural, electronic, cohesive and elastic properties of ultrafine hydrogenated silicon and germanium nanowires. Chapter 5 describes the influence of the growth patterns and surface conditions on structural, cohesive, and electronic properties of silicon nanocrystals, as well as their size dependence all the way to infinity. This (very successful) size dependence, in full accord with quantum confinement, is also compared with the (poor) predictions of the BOLS correlation scheme. Finally, Chapter 6 deals with carbon, silicon, germanium, tin and their mixed core/shell quantum dots. / --

Η παρούσα εργασία περιλαμβάνει την μελέτη της μη γραμμικής οπτικής απόκρισης διμεταλλικών κραμάτων ευγενών μετάλλων και άλλων μεταλλικών συστημάτων νανοσωματιδίων, είτε περιβεβλημένα με πολυμερή, είτε εγκιβωτισμένα σε μικυλιακά συστήματα συμπολυμερών κατά συστάδες. Τα μέταλλα τα οποία επιλέχθηκαν για την παρασκευή των νανοσωματιδίων ήταν ο χρυσός (Au), ο άργυρος (Ag) και το παλλάδιο (Pd). Τα δύο πρώτα έχουν αποτελέσει τα τελευταία χρόνια αντικείμενο έρευνας σε μορφή κυρίως κολλοειδών διαλυμάτων ή μέσα σε άμορφες μήτρες (π.χ. υάλους) και πολυμερικές μήτρες, καθώς λόγω των εξαιρετικών μη γραμμικοτήτων τους βρίσκουν εφαρμογή σε πληθώρα εφαρμογών της φωτονικής και της οπτο-ηλεκτρονικής. Όσον αφορά τα νανοσωματίδια Pd, οι μη-γραμμικές οπτικές ιδιότητες τους έχουν μελετηθεί ελάχιστα (μόλις μερικές εργασίες στη διεθνή βιβλιογραφία), ενώ είναι η πρώτη φορά που μελετώνται εγκιβωτισμένα σε αμφι-φιλικά συμπολυμερή κατά συστάδες. Στα πλαίσια της παρούσας εργασίας, διερευνήθηκε ο ρόλος του επιφανειακού πλασμονίου στην γραμμική και μη-γραμμική οπτική απόκριση νανοσωματιδίων Au, Ag και Pd, όταν αυτά διεγείρονται με ακτινοβολίες λέιζερ γύρω από την συχνότητα συντονισμού του πλασμονίου, καθώς αναμένεται σημαντική ενίσχυση. Στη συνέχεια αυτής της εργασίας, παρουσιάζονται οι μη γραμμικές οπτικές ιδιότητες άλλων χαμηλοδιάστατων νανοδομών, όπως κβαντικών και ανθρακικών ψηφίδων. Στη περίπτωση αυτών, οι μη γραμμικοί μηχανισμοί που προκαλούν την ενίσχυση της απόκρισης τους είναι διαφορετικοί από αυτούς των μεταλλικών νανοδομών. Η δομή της εργασίας έχει ως ακολούθως: Στα δυο πρώτα κεφάλαια αναφέρονται οι βασικές έννοιες της μη γραμμικής οπτικής και φυσικές διεργασίες που σχετίζονται με αυτή, καθώς και οι πειραματικές τεχνικές Z-scan και Οπτικού Φαινομένου Kerr, που χρησιμοποιήθηκαν για τον χαρακτηρισμό των μη γραμμικών οπτικών ιδιοτήτων των νανοσυστημάτων. Τα επόμενα κεφάλαια είναι αφιερωμένα στα πειραματικά αποτελέσματα που προέκυψαν από την μελέτη των μεταλλικών, ημιαγώγιμων και ανθρακικών νανοϋλικών. Συγκεκριμένα, στο κεφάλαιο 3 γίνεται αναφορά στα πειραματικά αποτελέσματα των νανοσωματιδίων μεταλλικών κραμάτων, τα οποία παρασκευάσθηκαν στο Πανεπιστήμιο του Μόντρεαλ από την ερευνητική ομάδα του καθηγητή κ. Μ. Μeunier. Τα νανοσωματίδια χρυσού-αργύρου είχαν διαφορετικές περιεκτικότητες των δύο μετάλλων (δηλ. ΑuxAg(1-x)), ενώ ανάλογα με τη σύσταση τους παρουσίασαν μεταβλητές οπτικές ιδιότητες, συμπεριλαμβανομένου και της θέση του επιφανειακού πλασμονίου. Η μελέτη των διαλυμάτων πραγματοποιήθηκε για μήκος κύματος διέγερσης στην ορατή φασματική περιοχή (δηλ. 532 nm), πολύ κοντά στο επιφανειακό πλασμόνιο του χρυσού. Η επίδραση του επιφανειακού πλασμονίου στην απόκριση των δυο μετάλλων αλλά και των διαφόρων κραμάτων που μελετήθηκαν ήταν εμφανής, προκαλώντας ενίσχυση με αύξηση της περιεκτικότητας σε χρυσό, ενώ ιδιαίτερο ενδιαφέρον παρουσίασε η συμπεριφορά των κραμάτων υπό διέγερση ns παλμών, καθώς βρέθηκαν να έχουν θεμελιωδώς διαφορετικές ιδιότητες από αυτές του χρυσού και του αργύρου. Στο κεφάλαιο 4, παρουσιάζονται οι μη γραμμικές οπτικές ιδιότητες συστημάτων πολυμερών/παλλαδίου. Μελετήθηκαν δυο ειδών συστήματα, τα υβριδικά μικυλιακά CbzEMAx-b-AEMAy/Pd και τα PVP/Pd, τα οποία παρασκευάσθηκαν στο τμήμα Μηχανολικών Μηχανολογίας και Κατασκευαστικής του Πανεπιστημίου Κύπρου υπό την επίβλεψη της Επ. καθηγήτριας κ. Κρασιά-Χριστοφόρου. Όπως αποδείχθηκε από τα αποτελέσματα της μελέτης, η απόκριση των συστημάτων δεν επηρεάζεται από το πολυμερικό περιβάλλον, ενώ καθορίζεται αποκλειστικά από το μέταλλο. Τέλος, σημαντικό ρόλο φάνηκε να παίζει το μέγεθος των σωματιδίων ή του μεταλλικού πυρήνα αντίστοιχα. Έπειτα, στο κεφάλαιο 5 μελετώνται χαμηλοδιάστατα υβριδικά συστήματα ιωδιούχου μολύβδου. Η σύνθεση των δειγμάτων πραγματοποιήθηκε στο εργαστήριο του Επ. καθηγητή του τμήματος Επιστήμης των Υλικών του Πανεπιστημίου της Πάτρας, κ. Κούτσελα. Η μελέτη πραγματοποιήθηκε για διαλύματα μονοδιάστατων κβαντικών ψηφίδων των οκταεδρικών νανοδομών PbI6 και για αιωρήματα της διδιάστατης δομής (FpAH)2PbI4, η οποία απαρτίζεται από μονοστρωματικά φύλλα των δομικών μονάδων (PbI6)4-. Σε όλες τις πειραματικές συνθήκες, το διδιάστατο σύστημα παρουσίασε μια γιγαντιαία ενίσχυση της μη γραμμικότητας συγκριτικά με το μονοδιάστατο, φτάνοντας τις πέντε τάξεις μεγέθους. Τέλος, στο κεφάλαιο 6 παρουσιάζεται η μη γραμμική οπτική απόκριση και ο οπτικός περιορισμός διαφόρων συστημάτων ανθρακικών ψηφίδων, φέροντας διαφορετικές οργανικές αλυσίδες στην επιφάνεια τους. Η σύνθεση των συστημάτων πραγματοποιήθηκε στο τμήμα Φυσικής του Πανεπιστημίου Ιωαννίνων από τον Επ. Καθηγητή κ. Μπουρλίνο. Οι διαφορές που εντοπίστηκαν μεταξύ των διαφόρων νανοϋλικών ήταν ουσιώδεις, υποδηλώνοντας τη δυνατότητα προσαρμογής και ελέγχου των μη γραμμικών οπτικών ιδιοτήτων, με κατάλληλη τροποποίηση της επιφάνειας των σωματιδίων. / In the present thesis, the third-order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of metallic nanoparticles, either encapsulated in polymers or in block copolymers, as well as bimetallic nanoparticles are investigated. Among the purposes of this work is to examine metallic nanostructures based on palladium (Pd), which is one of the least studied metals regarding their nonlinear optical response. In this view, single Pd nanoparticles are compared with another class of recently synthesized Pd-based nanomaterials, i.e., Pd micellar nanohybrids. In addition, gold-silver alloyed nanoparticles are examined and compared with their monometallic counterparts, exhibiting substantial differences and potential application in optoelectronic devices and photonic applications. In all cases, the main motivation of this work is to take advantage of the surface plasmon resonance (SPR), located in the ultraviolet or visible spectral area, to enhance/tailor the NLO properties of the metallic/hybrid nanostructures. As a continuation of the low dimensional metallic structures, the NLO response of some carbon-dots and quantum-dots are investigated, aiming to examine the correlation of their optical nonlinearities with their structure and the origin of the NLO enhancement. Therefore, the structure of this thesis is as follows: Initially the basic concepts of nonlinear optics, the physical processes related with it, as well as the physical mechanisms related to the nonlinear refractive index will be presented. Moreover the equations, which describe the nonlinear optical susceptibilities (linear and nonlinear) will be derived. Then, reference will be made to the optical parameters related to the third order optical nonlinearity and to the experimental techniques which were employed for the determination of the nonlinearity, as well as to the procedure followed to derive the nonlinear optical parameters from the acquired experimental data. Moreover, in the beginning of chapter 3 the theory of SPR in metals will be explicitly presented, followed by the experimental results obtained by the Au-Ag nanoalloys. More in detail, AuxAg(1-x) nanoparticles with varying metallic content and optical properties (i.e., SPR) were excited with resonant irradiation conditions (i.e., close to the SPR maximum) both of ps and ns pulse duration. The results demonstrate a straightforward dependence of the NLO response on the gold molar fraction of the alloys, this being attributed to the different band structures of the systems, thus suggesting a mean of tailoring the NLO properties of bimetallic nanostructures. Also, it is shown that under ns laser excitation the nano-alloys exhibit fundamentally different behavior than pure Au and Ag nanoparticles. The samples were produced by fs laser ablation in the University of Montreal by the research group of Prof. Michel Meunier. In chapter 4, the NLO properties of various polymer/Pd systems will be presented. Two different type of materials were investigated: the hybrid micellar CbzeMAx-bAEMAy/Pd and PVP/Pd, which were synthesized in University of Cyprus under the supervision of Prof. Theodora Krasia-Christoforou. As shown, the polymeric environment does not affect the total NLO response, however it can be effectively used to define the size, shape and SPR properties of the nanohybrids. On the contrary, the size of Pd nanoparticles or the micellar core size was found to be determinative for the NLO behavior of the systems. Then, in chapter 5, some low-dimensional hybrid lead-iodide systems are investigated. Specifically, the PbI6 octahedral quantum dots and the two-dimensional (FpAH)2PbI4 structure, consisting of monolayers of (PbI6)4- corner sharing structural units are synthesized in University of Patras, by Prof. Ioannis Koutselas. Under all excitation conditions, the quantum wells were found to exhibit gigantic NLO response in comparison with the quantum dots, reaching even 5 orders of magnitude. Finally, in the last chapter, the NLO response and optical limiting action of a series of carbon-dots, bearing various organic chains attached on their surfaces, will be presented. The carbon-based materials were prepared in the University of Ioannina, by Prof. Athanasios Bourlinos. By comparing the various studied systems, it is shown that the surface passivation is the key to control the NLO behavior of these nanostructures. In this case, of great importance is the sp2/sp3 ratio and consequently the modification of the band structure of carbon-dots, since it can significantly affect their NLO properties.

L’un des enjeux majeurs en nanomédecine est de développer des systèmes capables à la fois de permettre un diagnostic efficace et également de servir de plateforme thérapeutique pour combattre les infections et les neuro-dégénérescences. Dans cette optique, et afin d’améliorer la détection de tumeurs, des agents de contraste ont été développés dans le but d’augmenter le rapport signal sur bruit. Parmi ces agents, les nanoparticules (NPs) d’oxyde de fer superparamagnétiques (SPIOs) et les quantum dots (QDs) sont des candidats idéaux et ont reçu une grande attention depuis une vingtaine d’années. De surcroit, leurs propriétés spécifiques dues à leurs dimensions nanométriques et leurs formes permettent de moduler leur bio-distribution dans l’organisme. L’opportunité de revêtir ces NPs biocompatibles par des couches de polymères devraient permettre d’améliorer la stabilité de ces nanomatériaux dans l’organisme. Et par conséquent, favoriser leur biodistribution et également leur conférer de nouvelles applications en l’occurrence des applications biomédicales. Dans ce travail de thèse, nous avons développé de nouveaux systèmes thermo-répondant basés sur un cœur SPIOs ou QDs qui sont capables, à la fois, de transporter un principe actif anticancéreux, i.e. la doxorubicine (DOX) et de le relarguer dans le milieu physiologique à une température contrôlée. Deux familles de NPs ont été synthétisées. La première concerne des NPs de Fe3O4 SPIO qui ont été modifiées en surface par un copolymère thermorépondant biocompatible à base de 2-(2-methoxy) méthacrylate d’éthyle (MEO2MA), oligo (éthylène glycol) méthacrylate (OEGMA). La seconde famille, consiste en des NPs de ZnO recouverte du même copolymère. Pour la première fois, le copolymère de type P(MEO2MAX-OEGMA100-X) a été polymérisé par activateur-régénéré par transfert d’électron-polymérisation radicalaire par transfert d’atome (ARGET-ATRP). La polymérisation et copolymérisation ont été initiées à partir de la surface. Les NPs cœur/coquilles ont été caractérisées par microscopie électronique à transmission (TEM), analyse thermogravimétrique (TGA), etc. Nous avons montré que l’efficacité du procédé ARGET-ATRP pour modifier les surfaces des NPs de SiO2, Fe3O4 et de ZnO. L’influence de la configuration de la chaîne de copolymère et des propriétés interfaciales avec le solvant ou le milieu biologique en fonction de la température a été étudiée. Nous avons montré que les propriétés magnétiques des systèmes coeur/coquilles à base de Fe3O4 ne sont influencées que par la quantité de polymère greffée contrairement au QDs qui vient leur propriété optique réduire au-delà de la température de transition. Ce procédé simple et rapide que nous avons développé est efficace pour le greffage de nombreux copolymères à partir de surfaces de chimie différentes. Les expériences de largage et relarguage d’un molécule modèle telle que la DOX ont montré que ces nanosystèmes sont capables de relarguer la DOX à une température bien contrôlée, à la fois dans l’eau que dans des milieux complexes tels que les milieux biologique. De plus, les tests de cytocompatibilité ont montré que les NPs coeur/coquilles ne sont pas cytotoxiques en fonction de leur concentration dans le milieu biologique. A partir de nos résultats, il apparaît que ces nouveaux nanomatériaux pourront être envisagés comme une plateforme prometteuse pour le traitement du cancer / One of the major challenges in nanomedicine is to develop nanoparticulate systems able to serve as efficient diagnostic and/or therapeutic tools against sever diseases, such as infectious or neurodegenerative disorders. To enhance the detection and interpretation contrast agents were developed to increase the signal/noise ratio. Among them, Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide (SPIO) and Quantum Dots (QDs) nanoparticles (NPs) have received a great attention since their development as a liver contrasting agent 20 years ago for the SPIO. Furthermore, their properties, originating from the nanosized dimension and shape, allow different bio-distribution and opportunities beyond the conventional chemical imaging agents. The opportunity to coat those biocompatible NPs by a polymer shell that can ensure a better stability of the materials in the body, enhance their bio-distribution and give them new functionalities. It has appeared then that they are very challenging for medicinal applications. In this work, we have developed new responsive SPIO and QDs based NPs that are able to carry the anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) and release it in physiological media and at the physiological temperature. Two families of NPs were synthesized, the first one consist in superparamagnetic Fe3O4 NPs that were functionalized by a biocompatible responsive copolymer based on 2-(2-methoxy) ethyl methacrylate (MEO2MA), oligo (ethylene glycol) methacrylate (OEGMA). The second family consists in the ZnO NPs coated by the same copolymer. For the first time, P(MEO2MAX-OEGMA100-X) was grown by activator regenerated by electron transfer–atom radical polymerization (ARGET-ATRP) from the NPs surfaces by surface-initiated polymerization. The core/shell NPs were fully characterized by the combination of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and by the physical properties of the nanostructures studied. We demonstrate the efficiency of the ARGET-ATRP process to graft polymers and copolymers at the surface of Fe3O4 and ZnO NPs. The influence of the polymer chain configuration (which leads to the aggregation of the NPs above the collapse temperature of the copolymer (LCST)) was studied. We have demonstrated that the magnetic properties of the core/shell Fe3O4-based nanostructures were only influenced by the amount of the grafted polymer and no influence of the aggregation was evidenced. This simple and fast developed process is efficient for the grafting of various co-polymers from any surfaces and the derived nanostructured materials display the combination of the physical properties of the core and the macromolecular behavior of the shell. The drug release experiments confirmed that DOX was largely released above the co-polymer LCST. Moreover, the cytocompatibility test showed that those developed NPs do not display any cytotoxicity depending on their concentration in physiological media. From the results obtained, it can be concluded that the new nanomaterials developed can be considered for further use as multi-modal cancer therapy tools

Les récepteurs glutamatergiques de type N-Méthyl-D-Aspartate (RNMDA) jouent un rôle majeur dans de nombreux processus physiologiques, et leur implication dans la physiopathologie de certains troubles neuropsychiatriques tels que la schizophrénie est suggérée par un robuste faisceau de données cliniques et précliniques. Cependant, les mécanismes cellulaires et moléculaires conduisant à une telle dérégulation des RNMDA restent inexpliqués. La diffusion membranaire, mécanisme de contrôle spatial et temporel de la distribution des RNMDA à la surface des neurones, constitue un puissant régulateur de la transmission synaptique. Mon projet de thèse repose ainsi sur l’hypothèse originale qu’une altération de la diffusion de surface des RNMDA jouerait un rôle central dans l’émergence de troubles psychotiques. Afin d‘explorer cette piste, j’ai étudié l’impact de molécules aux propriétés psychomimétiques (i.e induisant un état psychotique) sur la diffusion de surface des RNMDA. Les résultats obtenus au cours de ma thèse démontrent que des molécules psychomimétiques, aux modes d’action distincts (antagonistes du RNMDA et autoanticorps anti-RNMDA), perturbent la diffusion membranaire ainsi que la localisation synaptique des RNMDA, conduisant à terme à des défauts de transmission glutamatergique. Mon travail de thèse propose donc qu’un défaut de diffusion membranaire des RNMDA conduirait à des altérations fonctionnelles pouvant contribuer à l’émergence de troubles psychotiques. L’ensemble de mon travail apporte ainsi un regard nouveau sur la mécanistique des troubles psychotiques et ouvre la voie à de nouvelles pistes thérapeutiques. / Glutamatergic N-Methyl-D-Aspartate receptors (NMDAR) play a key role in many physiological processes, and their implication in the pathophysiology of several neuropsychiatric disorders is now well established. Multiple lines of evidence converge towards a dysregulation of the NMDAR in psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia (SCZ). However, the molecular and cellular deficits underlying NMDAR dysfunction remain misunderstood. By tightly controlling NMDAR synaptic localization, surface trafficking represents a powerful regulator of synaptic transmission. Could an alteration of NMDAR surface trafficking underlie NMDAR dysfunction and contribute to the emergence of psychotic disorders? To tackle this question, my PhD project aimed at investigating the impact of different psychotomimetic molecules on NMDAR surface trafficking. In the first part of my project, I explored the impact of NMDAR autoantibodies (NMDAR-Ab) from SCZ and healthy subjects. My results revealed that NMDAR-Ab from SCZ patients rapidly disturb NMDAR synaptic trafficking and distribution, through a loss of NMDAR-EphrinB2 receptor interaction, eventually preventing the induction of synaptic plasticity. In the second part of my PhD project, I showed that psychotomimetic NMDAR antagonists also alter NMDAR synaptic mobility and localization. Downregulation of PSD proteins expression prevented NMDAR antagonists-induced deficits, suggesting that such alterations ensue from modifications of NMDAR intracellular interactions. Taken together, these results demonstrate that psychotomimetic molecules profoundly impact NMDAR surface trafficking, supporting a pathogenic role of this unsuspected process in the emergence of psychotic symptoms.

This thesis reports a passive method for Fermi level regulation in quantum dot assemblies through ground state transfer between QDs. Here, ZnTe/CdS, and PbSe/CdSe core/shell QDs were used as valence band electron donors, while Cu containing CdS or ZnSe acts as electron acceptor QDs. Prior to study of ground state charge transfer process, this report discusses the synthesis of ZnTe/CdS, and PbSe/CdSe core shell QDs, which are later used to study charge transfer. Since ZnTe QDs are unstable and prone to oxidation, a CdS coated ZnTe QDs were used. Growing a CdS shell on ZnTe core is difficult because high reduction potential of Te. To overcome this problem, partially reduced sulphur is used for the synthesis of ZnTe/CdS. The peculiar optical properties exhibited by ZnTe/CdS also have been discussed. Even though the synthesis of Lead chalcogenide nanoparticles has been investigated previously, certain inconsistencies between the behavior expected from known mechanisms and empirical observations. An anion exchange mechanism is proposed and demonstrated to be involved in PbSe formation. Both ZnTe and PbSe based QDs are extensively used to study hole injection and copper containing QDs were used as acceptors. The charge transfer has been studied using optical spectroscopy. The structure and composition of the assemblies was identified using powder crystallography, electron-microscopy and composition analysis. The unique physical and chemical properties of these materials are exciting both fundamentally as well as from the point of view of applications.

Tuberkulos (tbc) är en luftburen droppsmitta orsakad av mykobakterium tuberkulosis. Tbc är den sjukdom som efter AIDS orsakar flest dödsfall, trots att botande behandling finns. Behandlingen är krävande för den tbc-smittade att genomgå och bygger på en kombination av en rad antibiotika som måste intas under minst sex månader. Ett avvikande i behandlingen kan resultera i att mykobakterium tuberkulosis blir resistent mot de ordinerade antibiotika. Följsamhet av långtidsbehandlingar som tbc-behandling graderas till 50 %. Syftet med litteraturstudien var att ur ett globalt perspektiv beskriva hur sjuksköterskan kan påverka följsamhet vid tbc-behandling i syfte att minska resistensutvecklingen av mykobakterium tuberkulosis. Studien genomfördes som en litteraturstudie där 12 vetenskapliga artiklar granskades och analyserades. Resultatet visar tydligt att specifika faktorer påverkar följsamhet och därigenom resistensutvecklingen. Faktorerna innefattar patientundervisning, behandlingsstrategier, omgivningens påverkan och stöd.  Undervisningen resulterar i att patienten får ökad förståelse för behandlingen. För att minska stigmatiseringen och det lidande den innebär för den tbc-smittade är även omgivningen i behov av ökad kunskap och information om tbc. Ett flertal studier visar att DOTS-strategin är betydelsefull för ökad följsamhet vid antituberkulos behandling. Litteraturstudien medför ett förslag om att sjuksköterskeprogrammet ska öka fokuseringen på följsamhet vid läkemedelsanvändning. Sjuksköterskan är i behov av att redan under grundutbildningen få kunskap om ansvarsfull antibiotikahantering som leder till en följsamhetsomtanke. / Tuberculosis (TB) is an airborne droplet infection caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis. TB is the disease after AIDS that is most deadly, even though curative treatment exists. The treatment is demanding for the TB-infected to undergo and consists of a combination of a number of antibiotics that must be administered for at least six months. A dissenting in anti-tuberculosis treatment might result in mycobacterium tuberculosis strains that are resistant to antibiotics. As adherence to long-term treatment is graded at a low percentage (50 %) the aim of the literature study was from a global perspective to develop a working-strategy for nurses that promote compliance in TB-treatment in order to reduce resistance development of mycobacterium tuberculosis. The study was conducted as a literature study where 12 research articles were reviewed and analyzed. The results describe specific factors that are essential to compliance. These factors comprise patient education, treatment strategies, social influences and support. As knowledge gives the patient a better understanding for the treatment it provokes compliance. The social environment of the TB-infected patient demands increased knowledge in order to reduce stigma. Several studies show that the DOTS strategy is important for increasing compliance in anti-tuberculosis treatment. The literature study results in a proposal for the nursing program to focus more on compliance in taking medication. The nursing program’s attendants need to gain knowledge about prudent antibiotic treatment that leads to a compliance concern.

A size-selected series of water-soluble luminescent Ag–In–S (AIS) and core/shell AIS/ZnS QDs were produced by a precipitation technique. Up to 10–11 fractions of size-selected AIS (AIS/ZnS) QDs emitting in a broad color range from deep-red to bluish-green were isolated with the photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield reaching 47% for intermediate fractions. The size of the isolated AIS (AIS/ZnS) QDs varied from ~2 nm to ~3.5 nm at a roughly constant chemical compo- sition of the particles throughout the fractions as shown by the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The decrease of the mean AIS QD size in consecutive fractions was accompanied by an increase of the structural QD imperfection/disorder as deduced from a notable Urbach absorption “tail” below the fundamental absorption edge. The Urbach increased from 90–100 meV for the largest QDs up to 350 meV for the smallest QDs, indicating a broadening of the distribution of sub-bandgap states. Both the Urbach energy and the PL bandwidth of the size-selected AIS QDs increased with QD size reduction from 3–4 nm to ~2 nm and a distinct correlation was observed between these parameters. A study of size-selected AIS and AIS/ZnS QDs by UV photoelectron spectroscopy on Au and FTO substrates revealed their valence band level EVB at ~6.6 eV (on Au) and ~7 eV (on FTO) and pinned to the Fermi level of conductive substrates resulting in a masking of any possible size- dependence of the valence band edge position.