La littérature actuellement disponible visant à explorer la physiologie du tube digestif des larves de la mouche soldat noire (Hermetia illucens) est incapable de caractériser l'ensemble du corps des larves. La méthodologie d'histologie utilisant soit de la paraffine soit de la résine époxy permet d'observer la morphologie cellulaire. De plus, elle ne préserve pas les aspects physiologiques des tissus comme les enzymes. La méthode de substitution par congélation est préconisée car elle minimise la dénaturation des protéines et préserve les enzymes dans leur état réactif après incorporation dans le méthacrylate de glycol. La cuticule des insectes présente généralement un obstacle pour les processus histologiques car les échanges de liquides à travers cette barrière sont limités. Ainsi, la perforation de cette membrane est essayée pour permettre l'inclusion. Différentes méthodes de pré-traitements et de déshydratation sont utilisées dans ce travail afin optimiser le protocole d'inclusion du glycol méthacrylate. Les coupes histologiques obtenues ont été soumises à une coloration enzymatique afin de localiser ces protéines dans le tube digestif des larves. La qualité des lames histologiques obtenues a été évaluée sur la base de la conservation, de la fragilité des tissues et de la quantité corps gras présent dans la larve. La perforation de la chitine ne présente aucun effet bénéfique sur la qualité des lames produites. En revanche, la substitution par congélation suivie de l'inclusion de méthacrylate s'est révélé être une méthode viable pour des applications histologiques sur les larves d'insectes. Les résultats montrent qu'une composante de la trypsine liée à la membrane est localisée dans la partie postérieure de l'intestin moyen, tandis que les composantes de l'α-galactosidase soluble et liée à la membrane sont localisées dans la partie antérieure de l'intestin moyen. La trehalase n'a pas pu être localisée dans le tube digestif des larves en raison d'un protocole défectueux. / The current literature aimed at exploring the digestive physiology of the larvae of the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) is unable to characterise the whole body of the larvae. These studies have either used paraffine or epoxy, which are sufficient for observing cell morphology, however these methods do not preserve certain aspects of the physiology such as enzymes. Freeze-substitution followed by subsequent embedding in glycol methacrylate is a preferable method as it minimizes protein denaturation and preserves enzymes in their reactive-state. The cuticle of insects commonly presents an obstacle for histological processes, as the sclerotized chitin prevents liquid exchange, the puncturing of the chitin is one way to circumvent this issue. Larvae were subjected to no pre-treatment, puncturing the chitin before or after freezing or the removal of the chitin and daily dehydrations to optimise the embedding protocol, upon optimising this protocol the sections were subjected to enzyme staining for localizing enzymes in the digestive tract, to localize the enzyme activity in the digestive tract. The slides were evaluated based on the preservation, brittleness of the tissue and on the relative amount of fat body present in the insect. The puncturing of the chitin was found to have no beneficial effect on the quality of the slides produced, freeze-substitution and methacrylate inclusion were shown to be a viable method for histological applications on these larvae. Furthermore, a membrane-bound version of trypsin was localized in the posterior part of the midgut, whereas both the solubilized and membrane-bound versions of α-galactosidase were localized within the anterior part of the midgut, trehalase was unable to be localized, most likely due to a faulty protocol.

Synthétiser de l'éthylène glycol et du propylène glycol à partir de ressources renouvelables est un défi pour une chimie durable. L'hydrogénolyse des alditols (xylitol et sorbitol) issus de la biomasse lignocellulosique en glycols est une possibilité. Cette réaction a été effectuée en milieu aqueux dans des conditions opératoires sévères (200°C ; 60 bar H2) en présence d'un catalyseur hétérogène à base de ruthénium (3%Ru/C) et d'une base homogène (Ca(OH)2). Après avoir fait l'étude détaillée des différents mécanismes intervenant au cours de la réaction (épimérisation, décarbonylation, rétro-aldol, etc.), nous avons déterminé un ratio molaire permettant d'obtenir une activité de 93 h-1 et une forte sélectivité en glycols (55%) et en glycérol (15%). Au-delà de ce ratio, le lactate est produit majoritairement au détriment du propylène glycol. Des catalyseurs bifonctionnels (Ru/oxyde basique/C) ont été développés pour s'affranchir de la base homogène. Le catalyseur 3%Ru/MnO(19%)/C présente une forte activité (384 h-1) pour une sélectivité en glycols et en glycérol de 35% et 17%. Cependant une lixiviation du Mn se produit au cours de la réaction en raison de la production de faibles quantités de carboxylates. L'utilisation d'un solvant binaire H2O : ROH (ROH : MeOH ; EtOH ; 1-PrOH et 1-BuOH) en présence d'un catalyseur Ru/MnO/C, a permis d'augmenter les sélectivités en glycols et glycérol jusqu'à 70%. Cependant le dépôt de coke en surface désactive le catalyseur. Des catalyseurs d'oxydes mixtes à base de Mn (ex. : Ru-MnOX-Al) ont également permis d'augmenter la sélectivité en glycols et glycérol jusqu'à 60% pour une activité de 60 h-1 tout en limitant la lixiviation du Mn / The synthesis of ethylene and propylene glycols from renewables is a great challenge for a green chemistry. The hydrogenolysis of alditols (i.e. xylitol and sorbitol) from lignocellulosic biomass into glycols is an interesting process. This reaction was investigated in aqueous media under harsh operating conditions (200°C; 60 bar H2) over Ru-based heterogeneous catalyst (i.e. 3%Ru/C) and a homogeneous basic promotor (i.e. Ca(OH)2). The kinetic studies revealed that several reactions can occur such as epimerization, decarbonylation or retro-aldol. An optimal molar ratio Rmol(OH-/alditol) of 0.13 led to the highest selectivities to glycols (55%) and glycerol (15%) for an activity of 93 h-1. Beyond this ratio, lactate was principally produced to the detriment of propylene glycol. Bifunctional catalysts (Ru/basic oxide/C) were synthetized in order to perform this reaction in neutral conditions. 3%Ru/MnO(19%)/C showed a high activity (384 h-1) and high selectivities to glycols (37%) and glycerol (17%). However, Mn leaching occurred during the reaction (70%) due to the production of small amount of carboxylates. The use of binary solvent H2O: ROH with ROH: MeOH; EtOH; 1-PrOH and 1-BuOH, enhanced the Ru/MnO/C behavior with selectivities to glycols and glycerol up to 70% in spite of the coke formation on the catalysts. Mn-based mixed oxide catalysts in presence of Ru (i.e. Ru-MnOX-Al) were synthetized and led to high selectivities to glycols and glycerol (60%) with an average activity of 60 h-1. The stability of these catalysts was enhanced by decreasing the substrate concentration

Myelin and oligodendrocytes (OLGs) are the apparent targets of the immune-mediated injury that underlies the development of multiple sclerosis (M8). Recovery from M8 clinical relapses likely reflects remyelination attributed to recruitment and differentiation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs), rather than to new process formation by previously myelinating OLGs. Newly emerging M8-directed immuno-modulatory therapies (statins and FTY720) can readily cross the blood-brain barrier and have been shown to impact signaling pathways implicated in cytoskeletal regulation, differentiation, migration, and survival; these are cellular events presumably important for myelin integrity and remyelination. / Statins inhibit the production of cholesterol (concentrated in the myelin membrane) and isoprenoids (post-translational attachments regulating the functions of proteins such as the Rho GTPases). We showed that treatment of human and rodent-derived OPCs with lipophilic statins induced an initial process extension associated with enhanced differentiation and impaired spontaneous migration, whereas prolonged treatment induced process retraction and cell death. Rodent and human mature OLGs demonstrated similar cytoskeletal and survival responses. Chronic simvastatin therapy of mice inhibited remyelination following demyelination induced by the OLG toxin, cuprizone, attributed to a block in OPC differentiation and consequent decrease in mature OLGs. Even fully myelinated animals treated with simvastatin over the long-term demonstrated a decrease in myelin in the brain by maintaining oligodendroglial cells in the pre-OLG state and preventing continual replacement of mature OLGs. / FTY720 is an agonist of G-protein-coupled receptors S1P1, 3, 4, and 5, that are associated with distinct receptor isotype-selective activation of Rho GTPases. In human OPCs, FTY720 could induce initial S1P3/5-dependent process retraction associated with an inhibition of differentiation, and subsequent S1P1-dependent process extension. Mature OLGs showed a dose-dependent cyclic modulation of process extension and retraction was observed over time. Both human OPCs and OLGs were rescued by FTY720 under death-promoting environments. Both cell types also demonstrated a cyclic and reciprocal modulation of S1P1 and S1P5 mRNA levels, reflected in the recurring receptor isotype-dependent functional responses over time. Studies using organotypic cerebellar slice cultures demonstrated that FTY720 did not impact myelin integrity under basal conditions, yet accelerated remyelination following lysolecithin-induced demyelination. Both treatment regimens were associated with an extension of OPC and mature OLG processes. / Our observations demonstrate that drug concentrations used to modulate immune function can have differential dose and time-dependent effects on OPCs, OLGs, as well as on myelin and remyelination processes. Our findings indicate the need to monitor the effects of putative immuno-modulatory therapies on myelin-related processes in MS patients.

La glycoprotéine P ou Pgp est une protéine de transport transmembranaire qui a pour rôle principal d'évacuer hors des cellules les xénobiotiques et les toxines. Elle agit comme une pompe à efflux et est surexprimée par certaines cellules cancéreuses. Ainsi, via ce mécanisme, les cellules tumorales peuvent devenir résistantes aux antitumoraux et conduire à l'échec des traitements lors de la chimiothérapie anticancéreuse. Aussi, la modulation de l'activité de cette protéine peut être un des moyens permettant l'amélioration des traitements anticancéreux. La Pgp possède plusieurs sites de fixation de substrats dont deux sont relativement proches spatialement : un site à stéroïdes et un site à ATP permettant d'hydrolyser l'ATP, source d'énergie nécessaire au fonctionnement de la Pgp. Notre objectif a été de synthétiser des modulateurs bivalents stéroïdes/bras/nucléosides. Pour cela, nous avons dans un premier temps préparé des analogues de bases puriques et plus particulièrement des didéazapurines, les 5- et 6-azaindoles et les trioxopyrrolopyridines correspondant puis effectué la glycosylation de ces derniers. Dans un second temps, des modulateurs stéroïdiens ont été synthétisés : plusieurs ont montré une bonne activité modulatrice de la Pgp. Enfin, des bras polyéthylènes glycols de longueurs variables ont été reliés à l'adénine pour être ensuite fixés aux stéroïdes via une fonction amide / P-glycoprotein Pgp is a transmembrane transporter protein that protects cells from potentially toxic exogenous compounds. This protein acts as a molecular pump and is overexpressed in cancer cells. So via that mechanism, tumor cells exhibit intrinsic or acquired cross-resistance to diverse chemotherapeutic agents, resulting in the failure of chemotherapy for some cancers. The modulation of the efflux activity of that protein can be one of the mean that could increase anticancer treatments efficiency. Pgp has different substrates sites, two of which are spatially close : the steroid site and the ATP site, the latter is in charge of ATP hydrolysis which give the required energy for the Pgp efflux activity. Our goal was to synthesize bivalent modulators steroids/linker/nucleosides. First we have obtained purine bases analogues and particularly didéazapurines such as 5- and 6-azaindoles and the corresponding trioxopyrrolopyridines, then we have carried out the glycosylation of those compounds. Then, steroids modulators have been synthesized : some of them have shown a good modulation activity toward Pgp. Finally, polyethylene glycols chains with different length have been grafted on adenine so that they could be attached to the steroids via an amide function

No description available.

No description available.

Os lubrificantes a base de óleo vegetal surgem como uma alternativa ao uso de lubrificantes minerais, em virtude da crescente busca pela preservação do meio ambiente. O presente trabalho avaliou o desempenho tribológico de óleos vegetais misturados a Polialquilenoglicóis (PAG) e os comparou com óleos minerais, sendo ambos, as misturas e os óleos minerais, classificados nos graus ISO 150 e 220. Foram testadas formulações de óleo de mamona + PAG (ISO 68), óleo de mamona + PAG (ISO 150), óleo de soja + PAG (ISO 680) e óleo de soja + PAG (ISO 680), nas proporções 65/32, 80/17, 50/47, 38/59, respectivamente, aditivadas com 3% de ZDDP, aditivo Extrema Pressão. Tais formulações foram previamente determinadas com base na viscosidade das misturas a 40°C. Foi traçado o perfil de viscosidade de todas as misturas e foram feitas análises de Ressonância Magnética Nuclear (RMN) e Calorimetria Diferencial Exploratória (DSC), para caracterização das mesmas. Além destas formulações, para efeito de comparação, foram testados óleos minerais ISO 150 e ISO 220, óleo de mamona puro e óleo de soja puro. O desempenho das formulações em relação ao atrito e ao desgaste foi avaliado por meio de ensaios de HFRR (High Frequency Reciprocating Rig), com carga de 10 N, frequência de 20 Hz e 60 minutos de duração, todos em duplicata. A temperatura do banho de óleo foi mantida em 50 ± 5°C. Os corpos-de-prova, de aço AISI 52100, foram analisados em Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV) após cada ensaio. A formulação de óleo de mamona + PAG (150) + ZDDP apresentou os melhores desempenhos em termos de atrito e desgaste quando comparadas com o óleo mineral 220. / The biobased lubricants from vegetable oils arise as an alternative to the petroleum-based ones because of increasing search for the environment preservation. In this work, the tribological performance of vegetable oils with polyalkyleneglycols (PAG) was evaluated and compared with mineral oils. The vegetable oil and petroleum-based formulation are classified as ISO grades 150 and 220. Formulations were tested of castor oil + PAG (ISO 68), castor oil + PAG (ISO 150), soybean oils + PAG (ISO 680) and soybean oils + PAG (ISO 680), in the proportions 65/32/3, 80/17/3, 50 / 47/3, 38/59/3, respectively, and with 3% of ZDDP, an additive of extreme pressure. Such formulations were previously defined on the viscosity of the mixtures at 40° C. It was obtained the viscosity profile of the formulations and analysis were performed using 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (1H NMR) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Besides these formulations, petroleum-based formulations, ISO 150 and ISO 220, castor and soybean oil without any additive were analyzed to be compared with the biobased formulations. The performance of the formulations related to the friction and wear was evaluated through HFRR (High Frequency Reciprocating Rig) tests, with load of 10 N, frequency of 20 Hz and 60 minutes duration. Every test was made in duplicate. The oil bath temperature was maintained at 50 ± 5°C. The AISI 52100 steel specimens were analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) after every test. The formulation of castor oil and PAG (150) + ZDDP showed the best performances in terms of friction and wear properties, when compared with the mineral oil ISO 220.

Os substitutos valvares possuem grande importância pela freqüência da sua utilização e porque de seu bom desempenho depende o sucesso do procedimento cirúrgico realizado. Vários substitutos valvares têm sido empregados, todos com complicações inerentes ao material utilizado, como trombose, calcificação, degeneração, dificuldade de esterilização, custo, complexidade de produção, etc. Buscando disponibilizar homoenxertos preservados de maneira mais simples e econômica, avaliamos uma nova forma de preservação utilizando o polietileno-glicol, método L-Hydro. Este método consiste na extração controlada de substâncias antigênicas e de incorporação de um agente antinflamatório e anti-trombótico. Em dez carneiros jovens substituímos o Tronco Pulmonar, em sete por homoenxertos pulmonares tratados pelo processo L-Hydro e em três por homoenxertos pulmonares a fresco, implantados ortotopicamente e seguidos por 320 dias. Os carneiros foram avaliados por exames laboratoriais e ecocardiográficos. Ao cabo dos 320 dias foram sacrificados, quando se procedeu à avaliação hemodinâmica, radiológica, macroscópica e por microscopia óptica e eletrônica, de varredura e transmissão. Os resultados foram analisados pelo teste t de Student de amostras independentes para os dados contínuos, pela análise de variância para as medidas repetidas e pelo teste exato de Fischer para os dados categóricos. Na evolução clínica e nos exames laboratoriais não conseguimos estabelecer diferenças significativas entre os dois grupos. O ecocardiograma revelou diferença quanto ao gradiente médio pulmonar, significativa aos 10 meses de seguimento, maior no grupo controle do que no grupo L-Hydro. A avaliação radiológica e macroscópica não estabeleceu diferenças. Na avaliação microscópica, óptica e eletrônica, células de revestimento e intersticiais foram encontradas nos dois grupos igualmente. O porcentual de revestimento celular calculado nos dois grupos foi semelhante. Nódulos de celularidade foram observados somente no grupo de homoenxertos a fresco. Em conclusão, estes dados indicam que os dois grupos apresentaram desempenho clínico e hemodinâmico semelhante. Ao ecocardiograma o grupo L-Hydro apresentou melhor desempenho; apresentou também evidências histológicas de repopulação celular intersticial e endotelial. Na análise macro e microscópica, óptica e eletrônica, o grupo L-Hydro apresentou macroscopia, estrutura histológica e ultraestrutural semelhante ao homoenxerto afresco, à exceção de nódulos de maior celularidade intersticial, presentes apenas no homoenxerto a fresco / Valve substitutes are highly important in account of their frequent use and since the success of a surgical procedure depends on their good performance. A variety of valve substitutes have been used, all presenting complications pertaining to their materials, such as thrombosis, calcification, degeneration, sterilization difficulties, cost, production complexity, etc. In an effort to make available homografts preserved in a simpler and less costly way, we evaluated a new preservation form using polyethyleneglycol, the LHydro method. This method consists in the controlled extraction of antigenic substances and the incorporation of an anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic agent. We substituted the pulmonary trunk in ten ovines, seven received LHydro treated pulmonary homografts and three received pulmonary homografts fresco, orthotopically implanted and followed-up for 320 days. Ovines where evaluated by means of laboratory tests and echocardiographic exams. At the end of the 320 days, they were euthanized, and hemodynamic, radiology, macroscopic, optic and electronic microscopic, scanning and transmission evaluations were performed. Results were analyzed by Student t test of independent samples for continuous data, by variance analysis of repeated measures, and by Fischer exact test for categorical data. We couldnt establish relevant differences in clinical evolution and laboratory tests between both groups. Echocardiogram revealed a difference in the pulmonary medium gradient, which was significant at the 10 months followup, higher in the control group than in the L-Hydro group. Radiologic and macroscopic evaluations didnt established differences. In the optic and electronic microscopic evaluation, liner and interstitial cells were equally found in both groups. The cell liner percent calculated in both groups was similar. Cellularity nodules were observed only in the homograft fresco group. In conclusion, these data indicate that both groups presented similar clinical and hemodynamic performances. The L-Hydro groups echocardiogram presented a better performance. It also presented histological evidences of interstitial and endothelial cell repopulation. In the macro and optic and electronic microscopic analysis, group L-Hydro presented macroscopy, histological structure and ultra-structural similar to the homograft fresco group, with the exception of nodules with higher interstitial cellularity, present only in the homograft fresco group.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Neste trabalho, foi realizado um estudo sistematizado da funcionalização de NTs de múltiplas paredes (MWNT) com polietilenoglicóis (PEGs) de 2 e 5 kDa, objetivando à obtenção de amostras adequadas para futuras aplicações biológicas. Para a introdução das cadeias poliméricas, foi explorada a rota de acoplamento via carbodiimida, utilizando-se MWNTs carboxilados e PEGs contendo grupos aminas terminais. Para a ativação das carbonilas, empregaram-se os agentes de acoplamento N-etil-N-(dimetilaminopropil) carbodiimida (EDC) e N-hidroxisuccinimida (NHS), produzindo os intermediários EDC/NHS. Antes de estudar a funcionalização dos NT com os dois tipos de PEG-NH2, o acoplamento via carbodiimida foi testado usando a octadecilamina (ODA) como amina modelo, visando estabelecer as melhores condições reacionais. Partindo de uma amostra comercial de MWNTs já carboxilados (Nanocyl NC 3101), foi realizada uma etapa inicial de oxidação e de purificação do material empregando refluxos em soluções de peróxido de hidrogênio (H2O2) e hidróxido de sódio (NaOH) com o objetivo de garantir o acoplamento da molécula desejada aos NT e não nos resíduos a eles adsorvidos. Os materiais de partida, pré-tratados e funcionalizados, foram amplamente caracterizados por TG/DTG, análise titulométrica, potencial zeta, EDS, espectroscopia Raman, FTIR e microscopia eletrônica de transmissão. Essas caracterizações mostraram que embora a rota de oxidação/purificação empregada tenha sido efetiva para oxidar os defeitos e para remover os fragmentos poliaromáticos e carbono amorfo, ela provocou grandes danos à estrutura dos NT. Estes defeitos foram considerados como os principais fatores para o impedimento de uma reação de amidação bem sucedida. No estudo de funcionalização empregando a ODA, foi demonstrado que o tempo de formação do intermediário é um fator importante, tendo sido observado um aumento no número de grupos carboxílicos ativados com EDC/NHS com o aumento do tempo. A presença de mais sítios convertidos em ésteres reativos, entretanto, não implicou em um aumento na quantidade de ODA fixada, fato atribuído ao impedimento estérico causado pelos grupos ésteres de NHS, que dificultam a aproximação das moléculas da ODA. No estudo de funcionalização com o PEG foi evidenciado que o tamanho da cadeia de PEG altera a forma de fixação do polímero aos NT. Acredita-se que a adsorção aconteça por quimissorção (entre as carboxilas dos NT e grupos amina do PEG), quanto por fisissorção (interação da cadeia éter e dos grupos aminas terminais com a superfície dos NT). Para o PEG de menor tamanho de cadeia (2 kDa), o aumento do tempo de reação de 2 h para 18 h provoca alterações significativas, tais como o aumento da organização das macromoléculas dentro da estrutura dos NT, a maximização das interações entre NT e PEG e grande aumento na quantidade de fixação de PEG livre. Estas alterações não ocorrem para o PEG com cadeia mais extensa (5 kDa), a qual provavelmente requer um tempo bem maior para se organizar dentro da estrutura dos NT. Para ambos os casos, entretanto, foi constatado que o aumento no tempo de reação não leva a um aumento de PEG fixado por interações químicas, sendo a adsorção dominada pelas interações de van der Waals entre a superfície dos NT e as cadeias de PEG. Em todas as reações de funcionalização realizadas neste estudo, ocorreu um processo paralelo de purificação das nanopartículas metálicas, resultando em amostras com purezas superiores a 98% em termos de teor metálico. Os resultados deste estudo revelam que a PEGuilação de nanotubos de carbono pode ser realizada pela rota da carbodiimida, entretanto, o sucesso da funcionalização depende sobretudo da etapa de introdução dos sítios carboxilas na superfície dos NT. A carboxilação usando agentes oxidantes provoca a introdução desorganizada dos sítios reacionais, além de defeitos estruturais, que dificultam a funcionalização covalente. / This work reports on a systematic investigation of functionalization of multi-walled nanotubes (MWNT) with 2 and 5 kDa polyethylene glycols (PEGs) in an attempt to obtain samples suitable for future biological applications. The polymer chains were introduced by coupling via carbodiimide using carboxylated MWNT and PEG containing terminal amine groups. The carbonyl groups were activated using coupling agents N-ethyl-N-(dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS), which produced intermediates EDC/NHS. Before investigating the functionalization of MWNTs with the two types of PEGNH2, the carbodiimide coupling was tested using octadecylamine (ODA) as a model amine seeking to establish the best reaction conditions. A pre-carboxylated commercial sample of MWNTs (Nanocyl NC3101) was oxidized and purified under reflux of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solutions to ensure the coupling of the desired molecule to the MWNTs rather than to the residues adsorbed on them. The pre-treated and functionalized start materials were fully characterized by TG/DTG, acid-base titration, zeta potential, EDS, Raman spectroscopy, FTIR and transmission electron microscopy. The results demonstrated that despite the successful oxidation of the defects and removal of polyaromatic and amorphous carbon fragments, through the oxidation/purification route, the MWNT structure was greatly affected. The defects were the main hindrance to the successful amidation reaction. In the ODA functionalization, the time required for the formation of intermediates is a major factor. The number of carboxylic groups activated by EDC/NHS increased with the reaction activation time. However, the presence of sites converted into reactive esters did not lead to an increase in the amount of chemically bonded ODA due to steric hindrance by NHS ester groups. In the PEG functionalization study, it was evident that the length of the PEG chain affects its binding to MWNTs. Adsorption is thought to occur both by chemisorption between the MWNT carboxyl and the PEG amine groups and physisorption through the interaction of the ether chain and the terminal amines with the MWNT surface. In the case of the short-chain PEG (2 kDa), increasing the reaction time from 2 to 18 h produced significant changes, such as a greater macromolecule organization within the MWNT structure, maximization of the MWNT-PEG interactions and a great increase in the quantity of adsorbed free PEG, which were not observed for the long-chain PEG (5 kDa) since it probably requires a much longer time to get organized within the MWNT structure. However, the increase in the reaction time did not lead to an increase in the amount of chemically adsorbed PEG, van der Waals interactions between the MWNT surface and the PEG chains prevailing in both cases. The removal of metallic nanoparticles took place simultaneously with MWNT functionalization reactions in all the studied functionalization reactions, yielding samples with metal content purity higher than 98%. This study showed that the PEG functionalization of MWCT can be achieved through the carbodiimide route, however, the result depends mainly on the way the carboxyl sites are introduced onto the MWNT surface. Carboxylation with strong oxidizing agents leads to uncontrolled introduction of reactive sites, in addition to structural defects, which makes the covalent functionalization difficult.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2005. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.