Introdução: As endoftalmites infecciosas apresentam prognóstico visual reservado, sendo essencial o diagnóstico rápido assegurando tratamento imediato. O diagnóstico etiológico precoce pode ser importante para adequação do antibiótico e definir a melhor conduta. A cultura de amostra de humor vítreo para isolamento e identificação do agente etiológico apresenta como principal desvantagem o tempo necessário de alguns dias para um resultado definitivo. Desta forma, a busca por técnicas que proporcionem a identificação rápida e precisa se faz necessária. Objetivos: avaliar a análise direta do humor vítreo, inoculado em frasco de hemocultura infantil, de pacientes com endoftalmite infecciosa utilizando a espectrometria de massas (EM) por ionização e dessorção a laser assistida por matriz por tempo de voo (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization, MALDI-TOF); comparar os resultados obtidos com o método convencional de cultura; analisar as características clínicas de acordo com os agentes etiológicos detectados; analisar os fatores que podem influenciar a positividade na identificação do agente etiológico. Métodos: estudo prospectivo, observacional com análise de amostras de humor vítreo, não diluído e diluído, de 96 pacientes com suspeita de endoftalmite infecciosa (critério de inclusão) diagnosticados no período entre outubro de 2015 e junho de 2017. O material foi inoculado em frasco de hemocultura e analisado pela cultura convencional e pela análise direta do humor vítreo pela EM MALDI-TOF. O tempo de identificação (turnaround time, TAT) pelos dois métodos foi comparado (teste de Wilcoxon pareado). Prognóstico visual após 3 meses do diagnóstico foi avaliado conforme o agente identificado. As variáveis avaliadas quanto à amostra foram: uso de antibiótico intravítreo prévio, amostra diluída ou não, obtida por biópsia vitrea ou por vitrectomia via pars plana e obtida do 1º ou 2º procedimento. Resultados: Dos 96 pacientes avaliados, foram excluídos dois casos por contaminação da amostra e sete casos por não preencherem os critérios de inclusão. Dentre os 87 pacientes incluídos, a cultura foi positiva em 60,9% (53 pacientes), sendo isoladas bactérias Gram-positivas em 46 casos (86,7%) e bactérias Gram-negativas em seis casos (11,3%); dois casos com cultura polimicrobiana. Não foi identificada nenhuma bactéria anaeróbia. Em três casos foram identificados Candida albicans. A mediana do TAT do agente etiológico foi 50,6 horas (variação entre 18,5 e 187,50 horas) e de 15 horas (variação entre 3,1 e 94,0 horas) pela cultura convencional e com EM MALDI-TOF, respectivamente (p < 0,001). A concordância da análise direta do frasco de hemocultura infantil com EM MALDI-TOF em relação à cultura convencional foi 81,1%, sendo 80,4% para bactérias Gram-positivas e 100% para bactérias Gram-negativas. Não houve significância na análise dos fatores que podem interferir nos resultados: uso de antibiótico ou não (positividade de 42,8% vs 64,3%, p=0,131); amostra de humor vítreo diluído ou não (TAT de 18,05 horas vs 17,03 horas, p=0,126); biópsia vítrea em relação à vitrectomia (positividade 93,1% vs 100%, p=0,531). Os agentes mais prevalentes foram Staphylococcus epidermidis (n=15; 28,3%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (n=9; 17%) e Staphylococcus aureus (n=6; 11,3%). Dentre os casos por Staphylococcus epidermidis, 60% e 86,7% apresentaram, no 3º mês pós-tratamento, acuidade visual melhor ou igual que 20/60 e 20/200, respectivamente. Nos demais casos, apenas 12,1% tiveram acuidade visual melhor ou igual a 20/200. Observou-se resistência a ciprofloxacino (93% a 100%), moxifloxacino (93% a 100%) e oxacilina (50% a 79%) pelos Staphylococcus epidermidis e Staphylococcus haemolyticus. Conclusão: O presente estudo aplicou a análise direta pela EM MALDI-TOF em amostras de humor vítreo inoculadas em frasco de hemocultura e demonstrou uma redução mediana de 67,6% no tempo para identificação do agente etiológico em relação ao método de cultura convencional. Este método mostrou-se viável na rotina de um laboratório de microbiologia. Observou-se que os casos de endoftalmite por Staphylococcus epidermidis apresentaram melhor prognóstico visual em relação aos outros agentes. Possíveis fatores que possam interferir na positividade das análises não foram significativos / Introduction: Infectious endophthalmitis presents a limited visual prognosis; rapid diagnosis is essential to assure prompt treatment. The early etiological diagnosis may be important to guide antibiotic therapy and to adjust treatment. The main disadvantage of using culture of vitreous humor for isolation and identification of the etiological agent is the required time of a few days for definitive results. Thus, the search for techniques that provide fast and accurate identification becomes necessary. Objectives: To evaluate direct analysis of vitreous humor in pediatric blood culture bottle of patients with infectious endophthalmitis using mass spectrometry (MS) with matrix-assisted laser desorption / ionization (MALDI-TOF); to compare the results obtained with the conventional culture method; to analyze the clinical characteristics according to the detected etiological agents; to analyze the factors that may influence positive identification of the etiologic agent. Methods: A prospective, observational study with undiluted and diluted vitreous humor samples of 96 patients with suspected infectious endophthalmitis (inclusion criterion), diagnosed from October 2015 to June 2017. The material was inoculated in a blood culture bottle and analyzed by conventional culture and by direct analysis of the vitreous humor by MALDI-TOF MS. The identification time (turnaround time, TAT) of the two methods was compared (Wilcoxon paired test). Visual prognosis three months after the diagnosis was assessed according to the identified agent. The variables evaluated in the sample were: the use of previous intravitreal antibiotics, diluted or not, obtained by vitreous biopsy or pars plana vitrectomy and obtained from the 1st or 2nd procedure. Results: Of the 96 patients evaluated, two cases were excluded due to contamination of the sample, while seven cases did not meet the inclusion criteria. Among the 87 patients that were included, the culture was positive in 60.9% (53 patients); Gram-positive bacteria were isolated in 46 cases (86.7%) and Gram-negative bacteria in six cases (11.3%); in two cases there was polymicrobial culture. No anaerobic bacteria were identified. In three cases Candida albicans were identified. The median TAT of the etiological agent was 50.6 hours (ranging from 18.5 to 187.50 hours), and 15 hours (ranging from 3.1 to 94.0 hours) in the conventional culture and with MALDI-TOF MS, respectively (p < 0.001). The agreement of results from direct analysis with MALDI-TOF MS in relation to the conventional culture was 81.1%, being 80.4% for Gram-positive bacteria and 100% for Gram-negative bacteria. There was no significance in the analysis of the factors that may interfere with the results: the use of antibiotic or not (positivity of 42.8% vs 64.3%, p = 0.131); diluted or non-diluted vitreous humor sample (TAT of 18.05 hours vs 17.03 hours, p = 0.126); vitreous biopsy in relation to vitrectomy (positivity 93.1% vs 100%, p = 0.531). The most prevalent agents were Staphylococcus epidermidis (n = 15; 28.3%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (n = 9; 17%) and Staphylococcus aureus (n = 6; 11.3%). Among the cases due to Staphylococcus epidermidis, 60% and 86.7% showed visual acuity better than or equal to 20/60 and 20/200, respectively, in the 3rd month after treatment. In other cases, only 12.1% had visual acuity better than or equal to 20/200. Resistance to ciprofloxacin (93 to 100%), moxifloxacin (93 to 100%) and oxacillin (50 to 79%) by Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus haemolyticus was observed. Conclusion: The present study applied direct analysis by MALDI-TOF MS in vitreous humor samples inoculated in a blood culture bottle, and it showed a median reduction of 67.6% in time to identify the etiological agent in relation to the conventional culture method. This method proved to be feasible in the routine of a microbiology laboratory. It was observed that cases of endophthalmitis caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis had a better visual prognosis than other ones individually. Possible factors that could interfere in the positivity of the analyses were not significant

A espectrometria de massas baseada na tecnologia MALDI-TOF (do inglês, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight) (MALDI-TOF MS) tem sido cada vez mais incorporada à rotina de identificações microbiológicas nos laboratórios farmacêuticos de controle de qualidade, principalmente para as atividades do Programa de Monitoramento Ambiental de Salas Limpas. Isso porque o longo tempo necessário para a obtenção dos resultados por meio de métodos convencionais tem incentivado a procura por técnicas que permitam métodos rápidos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a adequação da técnica MALDI-TOF MS para a identificação de bactérias isoladas do ambiente de salas limpas utilizadas em algumas etapas da produção de uma vacina viral. Treze espécies bacterianas conhecidas, normalmente isoladas das salas limpas estudadas, e cinco cepas ATCC foram identificadas pela técnica MALDI-TOF MS e por uma técnica bioquímica (BBL Crystal®). O desempenho da técnica MALDI-TOF MS foi superior ao da técnica bioquímica na identificação correta das espécies bacterianas (88,89% e 38,89%, respectivamente) e produziu menos identificações não confiáveis (5,55% e 22,22%, respectivamente). Os resultados evidenciaram que a técnica MALDI-TOF MS pode ser implementada para identificação rotineira de bactérias em um laboratório de controle de qualidade farmacêutico. Entretanto, a dependência de bases de dados exige estudos adicionais de isolados não identificados e, se apropriado, a adição destes a uma base de dados interna. O aperfeiçoamento de métodos de identificação microbiana é muito relevante no contexto de salas limpas, pois permitem ações corretivas e proativas essenciais para garantir a segurança microbiológica do processamento asséptico. / Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has been increasingly introduced in routine microbiological identifications of pharmaceutical quality control laboratories, mainly for the activities of the Environmental Monitoring Program of Clean Rooms. The long time needed to obtain the results through conventional methods has stimulated the search for techniques that allow rapid methods, as MALDI-TOF MS. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the suitability of the MALDI-TOF MS technique for the identification of bacteria isolated from the environment of clean rooms used in some stages of the production of a viral vaccine. Thirteen bacterial species commonly isolated from clean rooms studied and five strains ATCC were identified by MALDI-TOF MS technique and by a biochemical technique (BBL Crystal® System). Performance of MALDI-TOF MS was better than biochemical technique for correct species identifications (88.89% and 38.89%, respectively) and produced fewer unreliable identifications (5.55% and 22.22%, respectively). MALDI-TOF MS can be implemented for routine identification of bacteria in a pharmaceutical quality control laboratory. However, as a database-dependent system, maybe some isolated not identified by this technique must be additionally studied and, if appropriate, added to an in-house database.

Diferentes estratégias foram projetadas e desenvolvidas para sistemas de análises em fluxo envolvendo reações químicas relativamente lentas. O aprisionamento da zona da amostra na bobina de reação permite melhorias de sensibilidade em métodos espectrofotométricos em fluxo envolvendo reações catalíticas. Uma característica inerente a esta estratégia é que, de acordo com as baixas concentrações do analito de interesse esperadas nas amostras, pode-se explorar tanto a variação do tempo quanto da temperatura de aquecimento para o desenvolvimento reacional. Esta estratégia evita a geração de bolhas de ar quando temperaturas elevadas são empregadas. O aprisionamento da zona da amostra na bobina de reação em sistema de análises por injeção em fluxo foi aplicado à reação de oxidação do reagente Tiron por peróxido de hidrogênio catalisada por Co(II) para determinação espectrofotométrica de cobalto em gramíneas. O sistema apresentou boas figuras de mérito, tais como repetibilidade [d.p.r. = 0,8% para 0,6 ?g L-1 Co(II), (n = 5)], limite de detecção [0,046 ?g L-1 Co(II)], frequência de amostragem (19 h-1) e consumo de reagente (330 ?g de Tiron por determinação). Os dados de recuperação nas amostras de gramíneas digeridas variaram entre 97% e 113%. O aquecimento explorando o aprisionamento da zona da amostra na cubeta de detecção mostrou-se promissor para implementação de reações relativamente lentas sem a geração de bolhas de ar, e não houve liberação de bolhas mesmo sob a temperatura de 95ºC. Esta estratégia foi aplicada à determinação espectrofotométrica de vanádio em águas minerais envolvendo a oxidação de p-anisidina por bromato catalisada por V(V) e ativada por Tiron. Sob temperatura de 95ºC, boas figuras de mérito foram obtidas, tais como limite de detecção (0,1 ?g L-1), repetibilidade [d.p.r. = 2,1 % para 5,0 ?g L-1 (n = 10)], frequência analítica [25 h-1] e consumo de reagente (3,0 mg de p-anisidina por determinação). Adicionalmente, foi desenvolvido um procedimento analítico em fluxo para monitoramento dos resíduos de ametrina e atrazina potencialmente lixiviáveis em solos, envolvendo também um processo relativamente lento. Um sistema de análises por injeção sequencial foi utilizado para as etapas de dessorção dos herbicidas com solução 0,01 mol L-1 CaCl2 e concentração em fase sólida em linha, seguida da eluição dessas espécies para a separação em uma coluna monolítica C18 conectada a um cromatógrafo líquido por meio de uma válvula de seis vias. Os eluatos eram injetados no cromatógrafo por meio de uma alça de amostragem de 300 ?L conectada à válvula. Boas figuras de mérito foram obtidas, tais como fatores de enriquecimento de 10,2 e 18,8 e limites de detecção de 0,016 e 0,015 mg L-1 para ametrina e atrazina, respectivamente, limite de quantificação de 0,05 mg L-1 para ambos os herbicidas e repetibilidade estimada como 6,3% e 5,1% para 0,05 mg L-1 (n = 10) para ametrina e atrazina, respecivamente. Os dados de adição e recuperação dos herbicidas nos extratos de solos em condições de equilíbrio se situaram na faixa de 85 a 99% / Different approaches to analytical flow systems involving relatively slow chemical reactions were developed. Zone trapping inside the reaction coil enables sensitivity improvements in flow-based spectrophotometric procedures relying on catalytic reactions. The reaction time and/or temperature can be increased for the determination of analytes present in the samples at low concentrations. Exploitation of the strategy avoids the liberation of air bubbles in the analytical path when high temperatures are involved. A flow injection system with zone trapping in the main reactor was developed for the spectrophotometric determination of cobalt in grass samples exploiting the oxidation of Tiron by bromate catalised by Co(II). Good figures of merit such as repeatability [r.s.d. = 0.8% for 0.6 ?g L-1 Co(II), (n = 5)], detection limit [0.046 ?g L-1 Co(II)], sampling frequency [19 h-1] and reagent consumption (330 ?g of Tiron for determination) were attained. Recovery data in grass sample digests varied within 97% e 113%. Zone trapping inside the flow-through cuvette for exploiting high temperatures was also promising for relatively slow reactions, as no liberation of air bubbles was noted even for temperatures as high as 95oC. The approach was applied to the spectrophotometric determination of vanadium in mineral water samples relying on the oxidation of p-anisidine by bromate catalised by V(V) at 95ºC. Good analytical figures of merit such as repeatability [r.s.d. = 2.1% for 5.0 µg L-1 V(V), n = 10], detection limit [0.1 µg L-1 V(V), sample frequency (25 h-1) and reagent consumption (3.0 mg of p-anisidine per determination) were attained. Additionally, an analytical procedure to monitor the potentially leachable ametryn and atrazine residues in soil samples was proposed. As leaching is relatively slow, a sequential injection system was used to perform the herbicide extractions with 0.01 mol L-1 CaCl2 and in-line solid phase extraction followed by elution towards a C18 monolithic column connected to a liquid chomatograph. To this end, the outlet of the column was connected to a 300-µL six-port valve. Regarding analytical performance, enrichment factors and detection limits were 10.2 and 18.8 and 0.016 e 0.015 mg L-1 for ametryn and atrazine, respectively, quantification limits were 0.05 mg L-1 for both herbicides and good repeatability (r.s.d. = 6.3 and 5.1 % for 0.05 mg L-1 of ametryn and atrazine, n = 10) were attained. Recovery data in the soil extracts under equilibrium conditions were within 85 and 99%

<p>Ambient ionization mass spectrometry enables rapid <i>in-situ</i> analysis of a plethora of analytes that are relevant to the forensic and defense communities. As the arsenal of ambient ionization techniques, aimed at solving specific targeted problems, continues to expand, the adoption of these techniques into non-academic settings has been relatively slow. At times, although the technique can provide answers in a more rapid and cheaper manner, the technique does not pass all of the required legal rules for a particular analysis when dealing with forensic evidence. This can be demonstrated with the rapid detection of drugs by paper spray ionization mass spectrometry. Paper spray ionization mass spectrometry can have drugs deposited onto the paper substrate, the paper can wipe a surface for trace analytes, and there are commercial and automated ionization sources for this process. While analysis by paper spray is rapid, the Scientific Working Group for the Analysis of Seized Drugs (SWGDRUG) states that a minimum of two instrumental techniques need to be utilized. Utilizing paper substrates that have nanoparticles embedded for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy, that can also be utilized for paper spray ionization mass spectrometry, makes ambient ionization more appealing as it completes that first legal requirement. </p> <p>Other times, the slow adoption of these new ambient ionization techniques is due to specific communities not being aware of ambient ionization, and specific applications have not yet been demonstrated. Swab touch spray ionization mass spectrometry follows similar processes as paper spray ionization, as the swab acts both as the sampling substrate and the ionization source and can swab for analytes in a manner where the paper substrate may be damaged and unable to perform the ionization for analysis. This can be seen for the swabbing of organic gunshot residues and explosives, both of which current methods already use a swab for sampling but then need lengthy extraction techniques. The applicability of paper spray ionization and swab touch spray ionization for these forensic and defense analyses is only furthered by the fact that they both couple extremely well with portable mass spectrometers for analysis in the field.</p> <p>There are also many fields that ambient ionization is just starting to take its place in the analytical toolbox. Two such defense fields that are just beginning to expand into ambient ionization are the analysis of pyrotechnics and microelectronics. Pyrolysis gas-chromatography mass spectrometry methods have been developed and utilized for environmental tests for pyrotechnic formulation, but they are slow and there is an abundance of cleaning steps between analyses to prevent carry over and contamination. Using paper and swabs as the collection device and ionization source for environmental analysis of these pyrotechnics allow for them to be functioned at ambient conditions at the scale at which will be utilized in the field by the Warfighter. Similarly, authenticating microelectronics by desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry removes the subjectivity of the current methods, while rendering the integrated circuit intact enabling future use if deemed as a genuine part. By taking slower or more subjective tests, in a field that has not utilized ambient ionization heavily in the past and adding these new capabilities to their tool chest expands the acceptance and future applications of the technique.</p> <p>As acceptance and utilization of ambient ionization grows, the next generation of scientists need to have hands on training in these techniques. Through the development of new teaching laboratories that couple both the fundamentals of the technique at hand, while also examining an interesting application to better engage the students, a number of laboratory exercises have been developed. The creation of new laboratory exercise utilizing the next generation of instrumentation and analytical techniques is vital for the future and rapid application of these techniques. The work discussed herein chronicles the utilization and demonstration of ambient ionization mass spectrometry in monitoring clandestine activities, supporting the Warfighter, and redeveloping chemical laboratory education. </p>

De nos jours environ 200 molécules ont été observées dans le milieu interstellaire, environ 75% d'entre elles sont carbonées et 25% sont des hydrocarbures. Les grains de poussières contiennent également du carbone en grande quantité. La présence du carbone dans la majorité des molécules et dans les grains de poussières s'explique par son abondance et sa capacité à former des liaisons. Il est donc crucial de les étudier d'un point de vue astrochimique. Dans une première partie, ce travail présente les mesures des rapports de branchement et des énergies dissipées sous forme d'énergie cinétique dans les fragments neutres lors d'une collision à haute vitesse, des molécules carbonées suivantes : SiC, AlC, AlCH, C ₂ O, CN, CH ₂ et CH. Ces mesures ont été obtenues grâce au dispositif expérimental AGAT. Ce dernier est installé à demeure auprès de l'accélérateur Tandem d'Orsay. Il permet la collision molécule-atome en cinématique inverse et la détection 100% efficace de tous les fragments émis, y compris les neutres. Dans une seconde partie, l'effet de l'ajout ou la correction de nouveaux rapports de branchement d'hydrocarbures est discuté, sur la modélisation de la chimie de deux objets célèbres : la région de photo-dissociation de la nébuleuse de la Tête de Cheval et le nuage moléculaire TMC-1. Ces deux objets sont bien connus pour leur richesse en molécules observées. Ces nouveaux rapports de branchement diminuent les abondances calculées des espèces de la phase gazeuse, déjà trop basses par rapport aux observations. Une hypothèse stipule que des hydrocarbures sont dégagés dans la phase gazeuse via les grains de poussières carbonés. Suite à cette hypothèse, pour la première fois, les effets de l'incorporation de réactions de photo-production d'hydrocarbures par les grains de carbone amorphes hydrogénés ont été étudiés, sur la chimie de la phase gazeuse de la nébuleuse de la Tête de Cheval. L'ajout de ces réactions resserre l'écart entre la modélisation et les observations. / Nowadays, about 200 molecules have been observed in the interstellar medium, about 75% are carbon molecules and 25% hydrocarbons. Dust grains also contain carbon in large quantities. The presence of carbon in the majority of molecules of the gaseous phase and in the dust is due to its abundance and its ability to form bonds. So, it is crucial to study the carbon in an astrochemical point of view.In the first part, this work presents measurements of branching ratios and energy dissipated as kinetic energy in neutral fragments which are emitted in a high speed collision, of the following carbon molecules: SiC, AlC, AlCH, C ₂ O, CN, CH ₂ and CH. These measurements were obtained from the experimental setup AGAT. This setup is permanently installed at the Tandem Orsay facility. It allows molecule-atom collisions and 100% effective detection of all the transmitted fragments, including neutral ones.In the second part, the effect of the addition or correction of new hydrocarbon branching ratios is discussed, by modeling of chemistry of two famous objects: the photo-dissociation region of the Horsehead nebula and the molecular cloud TMC-1. Both objects are well known for their numerous observed molecules. These new branching ratios reduce the calculated abundances of species in the gas phase, even though these abundances were already too low compared to the observations. A hypothesis states that hydrocarbons are released into the gas phase via the carbonaceous interstellar dust. Following this assumption, for the first time, the effects of the incorporation of photo-production reactions of hydrocarbons from the hydrogenated amorphous carbons were studied on the chemistry of the gaseous phase of the Horsehead nebula. The addition of these reactions narrows the gap between modeling and observations.

Différentes techniques de chromatographie liquide des polymères ont été étudiées selon leur principe d’élution et le comportement conformationnel des polymères suscité au sein de la phase stationnaire. De part leur capacité à caractériser des copolymères à blocs, la Chromatographie Liquide aux Conditions Critiques (LC CC) et la Chromatographie Liquide aux Conditions Limites de Désorption (LC LCD) ont été utilisées pour déterminer la composition chimique de copolymères à blocs à base de poly(oxyde d’éthylène) et de polystyrène. La LC LCD s’est distinguée par sa capacité à séparer de manière efficace les copolymères à blocs de leurs homopolymères parents. Cette méthode chromatographique a ensuite été optimisée afin d’être appliquée à une plus large gamme de masses molaires. / Several advanced techniques of liquid chromatography of polymers were studied according to their elution principle and the conformational behaviour of polymers along the stationary phase. Because of their potential to characterize block copolymers, Liquid Chromatography under Critical Conditions (LC CC) and Liquid Chromatography under Limiting Conditions of Desorption (LC LCD) were employed to determine the chemical composition of Poly(ethylene oxide) and Polystyrene based block copolymers. Interestingly, LC LCD was proved to be particularly efficiently to separate block copolymers from both their parent homopolymers. LC LCD method was then optimized to extend the applicable molar masses ranges.

L’usage des élastomères en tant que matériau ne peut se concevoir sans l’utilisation de certaines charges dites renforçantes. Bien qu’une variété plutôt large de minéraux en poudre puisse être associée aux élastomères, deux charges sont très majoritairement utilisées de par leur haute capacité renforçante, les noirs de carbone et les silices actives et hautement structurées. L’utilisation de la silice n’a été envisagée, à partir des années 1980, que grâce à un contrôle fin de sa chimie de surface, de ses silanols hydrophiles et de son traitement par silanes spécifiquement dessinés pour satisfaire une application précise. La preuve expérimentale quantifiant les interactions charge – polymère est grandement souhaitée. C’est précisément le premier but que cette thèse tente d’approcher. Pour tenter d’atteindre cet objectif, nous proposons d’étudier dans ce travail l’évaluation de l’adsorption d'un polymère, une série de HNBR, sur des charges, noir de carbone et silice traitée ou non par des silanes spécifiquement désignés, d’un point de vue énergétique et moléculaire au moyen de la microcalorimétrie à écoulement (FMC). L'application de cet outil, relativement connu dans le cadre des interactions petite molécule – charge est plutôt original dans l’étude des couples polymère – charge. Notre deuxième but est donc, et grâce à une connaissance fine de la chimie des surface d'une silice, de ses traitements par des silanes, et de l'adsorption du polymère sur sa surface, d'explorer la corrélation entre le traitement et les propriétés macroscopiques dans le but d'établir une relation de cause à effet. / Most actual uses of elastomers are not even conceivable without the assistance of reinforcing filler. In this field, "silane-technology" brought into evidence the necessity of monitoring the competition that routinely rises between two determinant factors: polymer-filler interactions and filler-filler interactions. As a result, an important database founded essentially on the characterization of the surfaces chemistry and surface energy of the two antagonist elements had to be gathered. However, the determination of the consequence of such characters on the factual polymer-filler interactions remains rudimentary, such as bound rubber gravimetric measurements. Experimental prove which is able to quantify such interactions is badly needed. This is, actually, the first objective that we tried to achieve. In order to do so, we propose in this work to study, from the energy point of view using flow micro calorimeter (FMC), the evolution of the adsorption of a series of HNBR on the surface of carbon black (CB) and silicas unmodified and modified by selected silanes. If the goal of the silane technology is to design coupling agents that are able to satisfy a specific application, especially those related to the energy dissipation, the mechanism through which such a process is achieved is not fully understood. Thus, and based on a fine knowledge of surface chemistry, surface treatments and polymer adsorption, our second objective is to explore the cause-to-effect links that ought to exist between filler surface treatments and blends macroscopic properties.

This thesis has the dual purpose of raising awareness of the importance of the mixing protocol on the end products of polyelectrolyte-oppositely charged surfactant systems, and to contribute to a better understanding of the properties of bottle-brush polyelectrolytes when adsorbed onto interfaces. In the first part of this thesis work, the effects of the mixing protocol and the mixing procedure on formed polyelectrolyte-oppositely charged surfactant aggregates were investigated. It was shown that the initial properties of the aggregates were highly dependent on the mixing parameters, and that the difference between the resulting aggregates persisted for long periods of time. The second part of the studies was devoted to the surface properties of a series of bottle-brush polyelectrolytes made of charged segments and segments bearing poly(ethylene oxide) side chains; particular attention was paid to the effect of side chain to charge density ratio of the polyelectrolytes. It was shown that the adsorbed mass of the polyelectrolytes, and the corresponding number of poly(ethylene oxide) bearing segments at the interface, went through a maximum as the charge density of the polyelectrolyte was increased. Also, it was found that bottle-brush polyelectrolyte layers were desorbed quite easily when subjected to salt solutions. This observation was rationalized by the unfavourable excluded volume interactions between the side chains and the entropic penalty of confining them at an interface, which weaken the strength of the binding of the polyelectrolytes to the interface. However, it was shown that the same side chains effectively protect the adsorbed layer against desorption when the layer is exposed to solutions containing an oppositely charged surfactant. Investigation of the lubrication properties of the bottle-brush polyelectrolytes in an asymmetric (mica-silica) system also related the observed favourable frictional properties to the protective nature of the side chains. The decisive factor for achieving very low coefficients of friction was found to be the concentration of the side chains in the gap between the surfaces. Interestingly, it was shown that a brush-like conformation of the bottle-brush polyelectrolyte at the interface has little effect on achieving favourable lubrication properties. However, a brush-like conformation is vital for the resilience of the adsorbed layer against the competitive adsorption of species with a higher surface affinity. / QC 20100830

The results of this study show that novel mesoporous carbons were obtained as inverse replica of SBA-15, HMS and MCM-41 silica templates, with a large pore diameter (2-4 nm), a BET surface area of 1867, 874 and 910 m2g –1 respectively for CA_SBA-15_LPG_105, CA_HMS_LPG_80 and CA_MCM- 41_LPG_80 with bimodal pore size distribution (PSD) in the mesopores range. The results obtained show that mesoporous carbon with graphitic structures can be synthesized via the LPG route.

In India, the expansion of industries and two-fold increase in motor vehicles over the last decade are posing a serious environmental crisis in the form of urban air pollution. Common pollutants include carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), and nitrogen oxides produced by industry and motor vehicles. Air pollution results from a variety of sources. The natural sources include volcanoes, forest fire, scattering soil, biological decay, lightning strikes, dust storms etc. and man-made sources include thermal power plants, vehicular exhausts, incinerators and various other industrial emissions. More than 60% of the air pollution is contributed by these man-made sources. Amongst the gaseous pollutants, the major concern and a challenging task is to control oxides of nitrogen, commonly referred to as NOx. In case of diesel engines, despite the modification in engine design and improvement in after treatment technologies, large amount of NOx continues is get emitted and attempts to develop new catalyst to reduce NOx have so far been less successful. Further, with the emission standards becoming more stringent, estimates are that NOx and particulate matter emission must be reduced by as much as 90%. In this context, the emergence of electrical discharge plasma technique in combination with the few existing technologies is providing to be economically viable and efficient technology. In this thesis emphasis has been laid on the discharge based non-thermal plasma for NOx removal. NOx from simulated gas mixture and actual diesel engine exhaust has been treated. The thesis mainly addresses the following issues. . • Performance evaluation of pipe-cylinder and wire-cylinder reactor for NOx removal . • Study of effect of plasma assisted adsorbent reactor on NOx removal . • Study of effect of adsorption and plasma based desorption using different adsorbent material and electrode configuration The first chapter provides introduction about the air pollutants and the existing NOx control technologies, a brief history of electric discharge plasma, a detailed literature survey and scope of the work. A detailed experimental setup consisting of voltage sources, gas system (simulated flue gas and diesel exhaust), gas analyzers, adsorbent materials are discussed in the second chapter. In the third chapter, NOx is treated by three different methods and are described in separate parts. In first part we have done a comparative study of NO/NOx removal using two different types of dielectric barrier discharge electrodes: a) wire-cylinder reactor, b) pipe-cylinder reactor. Investigations were first carried out with synthetic gases to obtain the baseline information on the NO/NOx removal with respect to the two geometries studied. Further, experiments were carried out with raw diesel exhaust under loaded condition. A high NOx removal efficiency 90% was observed for pipe-cylinder reactor when compared to that with wire-cylinder reactor, where it was 53.4%. In second part an analysis has been made on discharge plasma coupled with an adsorbent system. The cascaded plasma-adsorbent system may be perceived as a better alternative for the existing adsorbent based abatement system in the industry. During this study the exhaust is sourced from a diesel generator set. It was observed that better NO removal in a plasma reactor can be made possible by achieving higher average fields and subsequent NO2 removal can be improved using an adsorbent system connected in cascade with the plasma system. This part describes the various findings pertaining to these comparative analyses. The third and last part of chapter 3 consists of gas desorption from an adsorbent by non-thermal plasma, which is an alternative to conventional thermal desorption, has been studied in relation to diesel engine exhaust. In this process saturated adsorbent material is regenerated using high energetic electrons and excited molecules produced by non thermal plasma. The last Chapter lists out the major inferences drawn from this study.