>Magister Scientiae - MSc / Environmental pollution is a major threat to all life, which needs to be addressed. Heavy metals are well-known environmental pollutants due to their toxicity and, persistence in the environment toxicity for living organisms and having a bioaccumulative nature. Environmentally, the most common hazardous heavy metals are: Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Hg, and As. Remediation using conventional physical and chemical methods is uneconomical and generates waste chemicals in large quantities. This study focuses on the extraction and determination of heavy metals (Nickel, Copper and Cobalt) by chelating Schiff base ligands of the type [O,N,N,O] with these metal ions. Two Schiff base ligands [N,N’-ethylenebis(salicylimine)] (Salen) and ligand [1,3-bis(salicylideneamino)-2-propanol] (Sal-DAP) were synthesized and characterised using FTIR, 1H and 13C NMR spectrometry and GC-MS techniques. Electrochemical detection of heavy metal ions in this work was achieved via ligand-metal complexation via two approaches. The in-situ method in which the metal and ligands were added to the electrochemical cell and stirred to allow complexation to occur and monitored by square wave voltammetry. While the ex-situ approach involved modifying the electrode surface by depositing a thin film of Schiff base on the electrode surface and immersed into a heavy metal solution to allow the complexation. Three modified GCE were used viz. Salen coated GCE, reduced graphene oxide-Salen coated GCE and a nafion-Salen coated GCE. The two approaches used for the electrochemical detection were successful and effective. The ex-situ approach was selected for the modification of the electrode surface since it demonstrated a higher capacity for heavy metal ion extraction.

The application of polymers in robust engineering designs is on the rise due to their excellent mechanical properties such as high fracture toughness, specific strength, durability, as well as, thermal and chemical resistances. Implementation of some advanced polymeric solids is limited due to the lack of available mechanical properties. In order for these materials to endure strenuous engineering designs it is vital to investigate their response in multiple loading rates and conditions. In this thesis, the mechanical response of polyethermide (PEI) is characterized under quasi-static, high strain rate, and multiple impact conditions. Standard tension, torsion, and compression experiments are performed in order to distinguish the multi-regime response of PEI. The effects of physical ageing and rejuvenation on the quasi-static mechanical response are investigated. The strain softening regime resulting from strain localization is eliminated by thermal and mechanical rejuvenation, and the advantages of these processes are discussed. The dynamic fracture toughness of the material in response to notched impact via Charpy impact test is evaluated. The high strain-rate response of PEI to uniaxial compression is evaluated at rates exceeding 104/s via miniaturized Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (MSHPB), and compared to the quasi-static case to determine strain-rate sensitivity. The elastic response of the aged material to multiple loading conditions are correlated using the Ramberg-Osgood equation, while the elastoplastic response of rejuvenated PEI is correlated using a both the Ramberg-Osgood equation and a novel model. The strain-rate sensitivity of the strength is found to be nominally bilinear and transition strains are modeled using the Ree-Erying formulation. Finally, multiple impact experiments are performed on PEI using the MSHPB and a model is proposed to quantify damage as a result of collision.

Model glassy polymers, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and polycarbonate (PC) are used to experimentally probe several aspects of polymer fracture. In Chapter 1, the method of pre-stress is employed as a means of improving the fracture properites of brittle PMMA. Samples are tested under equi-biaxial compression, simple shear and a combination of biaxial compression and shear. Equi-biaxial compression is shown to increase the threshold stress level for projectile penetration whereas shear pre-stress has a large effect on the overall energy absorbed during an impact. There is also an apparent interaction observed between compression and shear to dramatically increase the threshold stress. Pre-stressed laminates of PMMA and PC show an increase in damage area because of the unique formation of a secondary cone. In Chapter 2, the effect of stress state on stress relaxation in PMMA and PC is investigated. Direct comparisons are made between uniaxial and biaxial loading conditions. The experimental methods used highlight the effect of hydrostatic stress on the relaxation process. The data shows an increase in relaxation time and increase in the breadth of the relaxation spectrum with increases in hydrostatic stress. This suggests that the stress state can have a significant effect on the useful lifetime of pre-stressed articles. In Chapter 3, Mode I and II fracture studies are performed from quasi-static to low velocity impact rates on PMMA and PC. Mode II testing utilizes an angled double-edge notched specimen loaded in compression. The shear banding response of PMMA is shown to be highly sensitive to rate, with diffuse shear bands forming at low rates and sharp distinct shear bands forming at high rates. As the rate increases, shear deformation becomes more localized to the point where Mode II fracture occurs. PC is much less rate dependent and stable shear band propagation is observed over the range of rates studied with lesser amounts of localization. A new theory is formulated relating orientation in a shear band to intrinsic material properties obtained from true-stress true-strain tests. In a qualitative sense the theory predicts the high rate sensitivity of PMMA. A kinematic limit for orientation within a shear band is also derived based on entanglement network parameters. Mode II fracture in PMMA is shown to occur at this kinematic limit. For the case of PC, the maximum impact rates were not high enough to reach the kinematic limit. In Chapter 4, the deformation response, as observed in a shear band is interpreted through the characterization of the "intrinsic material properties" obtained from true stress - true strain 8compression tests. The relatively high rate sensitivity of PMMA deformed at room temperature is related to the proximity of the beta transition to the test temperature. This is also shown in corollary experiments on PC where deformation near the beta transition is accompanied by an increase in rate sensitivity. Physical aging results in a more narrow alpha transition and is shown to increase strain localization and decrease rate sensitivity at low strain rates.

No description available.

Antimony film electrode was studied for the use in a voltammetric analysis of organic compounds. The substance chosen as an analyte was trifluralin, which is used as a pesticide. The comparison of different substrate electrodes was carried out between five electrodes, which were gold, silver, copper, polished amalgam and glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Best performance was observed on antimony film glassy carbon electrode (SbFGCE). It provided higher sensitivity and lower limit of quantification in comparison with bare GCE. The antimony film was stable and it provided good reproducibility (RSD = 5.2 %). Parameters of an electrochemical preparation of SbFGCE were optimized. Conditions for determination of concentration of trifluralin were optimized on newly prepared SbFGCE. The best conditions were in a solution of methanol and 0.1 M hydrochloric acid in 1:1 ratio measured by differential pulse voltammetry. The limit of quantification was determined as 1.2·10-6 mol·l-1 . A direct voltammetric measurement on SbFGCE was carried out in a model river sample. Lower limits of quantification were achieved with solid phase extraction (SPE). Recovery values were 86 ± 8 % in deionized water with a preconcentration factor of 125. The limit of quantification was lowered to value 1.1·10-8 mol·l-1 . The extraction...

Ce travail de thèse a pour objectif la création d’indice optique local et contrôlé dans une matrice vitreuse à travers la mise au point et le développement de procédés de synthèse de nanoparticules (NPs) de sulfure de zinc (ZnS) dans un verre d’oxydes. Nous avons commencé par l’élaboration par voie de fusion d’un verre d’oxydes de composition initiale très simple. Nous avons ensuite examiné la problématique de la synthèse et du contrôle de croissance des NPs de ZnS dans nos échantillons dans trois matrices différentes et par trois traitements : recuit thermique, insolation UV ou par un traitement simultané (recuit thermique + insolation UV). Les propriétés optiques des verres dopés NPs ZnS fabriqués ont été caractérisées par diverses techniques (absorption UV visible, photoluminescence, FTIR, Raman, XPS, mesure d’indice). Il ressort de ces caractérisations que nous arrivons à fabriquer des NPs dans les trois matrices dont la taille peut aller de 1.8 à 7 nm. La dispersion sur les distributions de taille dépend de la matrice, du traitement post-fusion et de sa durée ainsi que de la concentration initiale en dopant. Nous avons également été amené à synthétiser et à étudier des nanopoudres de ZnS. Le procédé de sélection de taille révèle qu’il est possible d’obtenir au moins trois distributions étroites de tailles bien distinctes. Des filtres optiques UV à bande étroite peuvent ainsi être réalisés pour une longueur choisie en contrôlant la taille des NPs ZnS. Des applications prospectives des NPs ZnS pour le nano marquage et la photo dégradation de polluants modèles présents dans l’eau ont été illustrées / Our efforts have been devoted to the development of simple approach to synthesize ZnS nanoparticules (NPs) by melting process in a glassy matrix with the aim to create a controlled optical index variation. In this thesis, we present the formation of ZnS NPs in the glassy matrix and study of their optical properties. The nanocomposite incorporating ZnS in the host medium was prepared using the melting process from a mixture of the raw materials. We have prepared various glass samples with ZnS NPs size ranging from 1.8 à 7 nm. These samples were treated (heat treatment ± UV insulation with 244 nm laser) and characterized by UV-Vis absorption, FTIR, photoluminescence spectroscopy, Raman measurements and XPS. The refractive index measurements of these nanostructured composite glasses have been carried out and show an important increase with ZnS concentrations and treatments. We also present the elaboration of small and monodisperse ZnS nanopowder with size ranging from 3 to 100 nm by a simple, low-cost and mass production chemical method. The NPs were characterised by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), UV-vis absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of ZnS nanopowders was investigated by using different colorant water dispersed. ZnS NPs appear to be a good candidate for potential environmental applications such as water purification. We also present application of fluorescent ZnS nanoparticles as cellular biomarkers. Fluorescent microscopy images of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells revealed that the ZnS nanoparticles were biocompatible and were penetrated cells and nucleus regardless of their size. Hence, the ZnS NPs can be good candidates for drug delivery and bio-imaging applications

Na presente dissertação, o comportamento eletroquímico da nitrosamina aromática N-Nitrosodifenilamina (NDPhA) foi caracterizado em eletrodo de carbono vítreo (GCE) em meio aquoso através de técnicas eletroanalíticas e espectroscópicas. Para tal, propôs-se um mecanismo de oxidação em quatro etapas envolvendo quatro elétrons e quatro prótons, assim como de redução em três ou quatro etapas, dependendo do pH do meio, também envolvendo quatro elétrons e quatro prótons no total. Diferentes eletrodos de carbono (GCE e GPUE) foram comparados e caracterizados eletroquimicamente através de técnicas cronocoulométricas e voltamétricas, e microscopia de imagem (Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura e Microscopia de Força Atômica) com objetivo de aplicá-los na quantificação de NDPhA em amostras de urina. Após otimização das condições experimentais, o GPUE demonstrou-se ser mais sensível que o GCE apresentando uma faixa linear de 2,5 a 17,5 &mu;mol L-1, com sensibilidade igual a 5,50 &mu;A L &mu;mol-1 cm-2, coeficiente de correlação igual a 0,9998 e limite de detecção igual a 0,27 /&mu;mol L-1, apresentando sensibilidade cinco vezes maior e limite de detecção calculado cerca de 20 vezes menor. O preparo do eletrodo e a resposta do mesmo se mostraram reprodutível ao longo do tempo. Ademais, o método desenvolvido foi aplicado em uma amostra de urina sintética, utilizando o método de adição e recuperação, e foi possível concluir que esse processo pode ser aplicado a essa amostra com 95% de confiança. / In the present dissertation, the electrochemical behaviour of the aromatic nitrosamine N-Nitrosodiphenylamine (NDPhA) on the Glassy Carbon Electrode (GCE) in aqueous medium was characterized through electroanalytical and spectroscopic techniques. A four-step oxidation mechanism was proposed involving four electrons and four protons, as well as a reduction in three or four steps, depending on the pH of the medium, also involving four electrons and four protons in total. Different carbon electrodes (GCE and GPUE) were compared and characterized electrochemically by chronocoulometry and voltammetric techniques, and image microscopy (Scanning Electron Microscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy) with the objective of applying them to the quantification of NDPhA in urine samples. After optimization of the experimental conditions, the GPUE presented to be more sensitive than the CGE with a linear range of 2.5 to 17.5 &mu;mol L-1, with sensitivity equal to <br /> 5.50 &mu;A L &mu;mol-1 cm-2, correlation coefficient equal to 0.9998 and detection limit equal to 0.27 / &mu;mol L-1, with sensitivity five times higher and detection limit calculated about 20 times lower. The preparation of the electrode and its response proved to be reproducible over time. In addition, the developed method was applied in a synthetic urine sample, using the addition and recovery method, and it was possible to conclude that this process can be applied to this sample with 95% confidence.

Entre os vários tipos de eletrodos de carbono, carbono polimérico vítreo obtido a partir de resina fenólica é particularmente atraente como material de eletrodo, devido à sua estabilidade térmica, robustez, resistência mecânica, condutividade elétrica e grande variedade potencial. Neste contexto, as propriedades eletroquímicas poliméricas de monolitos de carbono vítreo foram investigados em função de diferentes temperaturas de síntese (750 ° C, 950 ° C, 1100 ° C, 1300 ° C e 1650 ° C). Os sólidos foram obtidos utilizando resina fenólica previamente sintetizada, e depois da etapa de reticulação inicial a 60ºC foram submetidos a um aquecimento de até 1650 ºC em atmosfera de nitrogênio. Posteriormente foram confeccionados eletrodos utilizando para isto um molde de teflon e para o contato elétrico feltro de carbono. A influência do tratamento térmico (750, 950, 1100, 1300 e 1650 ºC) na estrutura do carbono polimérico vítreo foi investigada e correlacionada com os parâmetros eletroquímicos obtidos pela técnica de voltametria cíclica. Além disso, foi investigado como os grupos de superfície afetam os parâmetros cinéticos, tais como os coeficientes de massa e de transferência eletrônica, como também o coeficiente de difusão. De um ponto de vista geral, defeitos são removidos com o aumento da temperatura, como é verificado pela microscopia de força atômica, bem como a condutividade elétrica aumenta com o tratamento térmico. Em adição a isto, o comportamento eletroquímico usando tanto o sistema FeCN63-/4- quanto o Ferroceno é bastante similar ao eletrodo comercial de carbono vítreo. Para aplicações voltamétricas, amostras de carbono vítreo tratadas termicamente a 1300 e 1650ºC são os mais apropriados, pois as correntes de fundo dos eletrólitos são os mais baixos em toda a faixa potencial. Num conjunto de experiências exploratórias, é descrita a síntese e as propriedades magnéticas de um novo compósito óxido de ferro / carbono vítreo polimérico formado por meio de um aquecimento cuidadoso de uma matriz de resina polimérica de fenol-formaldeído pré-moldada com íon ferro disperso em resina - ácido cítrico - polietileno-glicol em atmosfera de nitrogênio. / Among several kinds of carbon electrodes, phenolic resin based polymeric glassy carbon is particularly attractive as electrode material due to its thermal stability, robustness, mechanical strength, electrical conductivity and large potential range. In this context, electrochemical properties of polymeric glassy carbon monoliths were investigated in function of different synthesis temperatures (750 °C, 950 °C, 1100 °C, 1300 °C, and 1650 °C). The solids were obtained using phenolic resin previously synthesized and, after initial curing step at 60 oC, the samples were thermally treated up to 1650 oC in nitrogen atmosphere. Afterwards, homemade electrodes were confectioned with Teflon mold, and felt carbon was used for electric contact. The influence of high temperature treatment (750 oC, 950 oC, 1100 oC, 1300 oC, and 1650 oC) on polymeric glassy carbon structure was investigated and correlated to electrochemical parameters obtained from cyclic voltammetry technique. Besides, it was investigated how the surface organic groups affect the kinetic parameters such as both electronic and mass transfer coefficients as well as diffusion coefficient. From a general point of view, defects are removed with temperature increase as verified by atomic force microscopy, as well as the electrical conductivity rises with thermal treatment. In addition to that, the electrochemical behavior by using both FeCN63-/4- and ferrocene systems is quite similar to commercial glassy carbon. For voltammetric application, glassy carbon samples heat-treated to 1300 oC and 1650 oC are the most appropriate due to the electrolyte background currents are lower over potential range. In a set of exploratory experiments, it is described the synthesis and magnetic properties of a new iron oxide/polymeric glassy carbon composite formed by means of a carefully heating of a premodelled polymeric phenol-formaldehyde resin matrix with iron ion dispersed in a citric acid-polyethylene glycol resin in a nitrogen atmosphere.

Este trabalho teve como principal objetivo o estudo sistemático da obtenção da fase beta-BaB204 (beta-BBO) a partir de uma fase vítrea do sistema BaO-B2O3-TiO2. Foram estudadas amostras contendo entre 4 e 16% de TiO2. A avaliação das propriedades térmicas, estruturais e microestruturais das amostras foi realizada empregando as técnicas de Analise Térmica Diferencial (DTA), Difração de Raios-X (DRX), Microscopia óptica (MO), Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV), Espectroscopia Raman, Absorção e Transmissão óptica no Infravermelho, Espectroscopia de Absorção de Raios-X (XAS) e Ressonância Magnética Nuclear (RMN). O coeficiente de Geração de Segundo Harmônico (GSH) foi obtido através das medidas do loci de casamento de fase e da Franja de Maker. O estudo do processo de cristalização revelou que em todas as amostras prevaleceu o mecanismo de cristalização superficial. Nas amostras contendo 4 e 8% de TiO2 foi observada a cristalização da fase beta-BBO enquanto que nas amostras contendo 15 e 16% de TiO2, foi observado que o processo de cristalização se inicia pela fase BaTi(BO3)2 e que somente após longos tempos de tratamento, a fase beta-BBO se toma a fase predominante. A identificação da fase BaTi(BO3) somente foi possível com a utilização da técnica de Espectroscopia Raman. O estudo da estrutura local através das técnicas de XAS e RMN mostrou que a estrutura local ao redor dos átomos de titânio, bário e boro nas amostras cristalizadas é pouco afetada quando a quantidade de TiO2 passa de 4 para 16%. A análise dos resultados da medida de geração de segundo harmônico mostrou que nas amostras contendo uma camada da superfície cristalizada, o valor do coeficiente de geração de segundo harmônico (deff) é equivalente ao do quartzo monocristalino e na amostra contendo 16% de TiO2, corresponde a 70% do valor observado na fase beta-BBO em sua forma monocristalina / This work consists of a systematic study of the beta-BaB2O4 (beta-BBO) crystalline phase obtained from the BaO-B2O3-TiO2 glass system containing amounts of titanium varying from 4 to 16 mol%. The thermal, structural and microstructural properties of the samples were evaluated by the following techniques: Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Optical Microscopy (OM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Raman Spectroscopy, Infrared Optical Absorption Spectroscopy, X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). The Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) coefficient (def) was obtained from the phase matching Loci and Maker fringe curves. A study of the crystallization process revealed that the surface crystallization mechanism predominated in each of the samples. Only the beta-BBO phase was observed in the samples containing 4 and 8 mol% of TiO2. However, in the samples containing 15 and 16 mol% of TiO2, crystallization of the BaTi(BO3)2 occurred first and was followed by crystallization of the P-BBO phase, which subsequently became the main phase as the period of heat treatment increased. The identification of the BaTi(BO3)2 phase in the early stage of the crystallization process was only possible by using the Raman spectroscopy technique. Based on the results obtained from the XAS and NMR techniques, it was found that the increasing the titanium concentration does not affect significantly the short-range order around Ti, Ba and B atoms. An analysis of the SHG data obtained from the crystallized surface of the glassy samples indicated that the SHG coefficient, def, was comparable to that of the z-quartz monocrystalline sample and, in the sample containing 16 mol% of TiO2, it corresponded to 70% of the value observed for the monocrystalline beta-BBO sample

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-24T19:37:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dhesmon Lima.pdf: 3726533 bytes, checksum: d3be37b6257d9747cd2404bc48091086 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-26 / In this work, glassy carbon paste electrodes (GCPE) were modified with porphyran- capped gold nanoparticles (GCPE/AuNps-PFR) and applied for the determination of an anticancer drug, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), by using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The PFR polysaccharide was isolated from commercial Nori seaweed, and its characterization was carried out by FTIR and 13C-NMR as well as by determining its total sugar and sulfate contents, which resulted in 82.8% and 11.9%, respectively. These experiments confirmed the chemical identity and purity of the extracted polysaccharide, which was used as reducing and capping agent to the synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNps-PFR). The temperature and the concentrations of AuCl4- and PFR for the AuNps-PFR synthesis were optimized by a 23 full factorial design including a central point assayed in triplicate. The smallest particles were produced with 128.7 nm by employing a temperature of 70 °C and concentrations of 2.5 mmol L-1 for AuCl4- and 0.25 mg mL-1 for PFR. The characterization of the AuNps-PFR nanocomposite was performed by UV-VIS, FTIR and DLS spectroscopies, FESEM, zeta potential and XRD. The UV-VIS spectrum showed an absorption at 524 nm (plasmon band), with no significant changes in its shape and absorption frequency for 90 days. This observation suggests that the AuNps-PFR are stable in suspension, which is in good agreement with the zeta potential of -30.5 mV obtained for the sample. The FTIR spectrum revealed that interactions between the AuNps and the PFR may exist, as a consequence of displacements in the frequency of the bands in the AuNps-PFR spectrum compared to that obtained for the PFR individually. The electrochemical characterization of the porphyran modified GCPE (GCPE/PFR) was carried out by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in the presence of the Fe(CN)63-/4- probe, revealing that the polysaccharide had a positive effect on the electrode response, since higher current values and a lower charge transfer resistance for the electrochemical probe redox process were achieved compared to the unmodified GCPE. Even better responses were obtained after the modification of the GCPE with the synthetized AuNps-PFR, as a consequence of the high electrical conductivity and large surface area displayed by the nanocomposite. The 5-FU was oxidized on the GCPE/AuNps-PFR surface according to an irreversible, pH dependent and diffusion controlled mechanism, showing an anodic wave at +1,1 V in BR buffer solution 0.04 mol L-1. The highest current value for 5-FU determination was achieved in BR buffer with pH 8.0, by DPV; therefore, this value was chosen for the further analysis. A linear relationship was observed between the anodic peak potential and the pH of the medium with a slope of -69 mV pH-1, demonstrating that the same number of protons an electrons participate in the 5-FU oxidation mechanism. The GCPE/AuNps-PFR exhibited a linear relationship between the peak current and 5-FU concentration over the range of 29.9 to 234.0 μmol L-1, with low detection (0.66 μmol L-1) and quantification limits (2.22 μmol L-1). Besides the good sensitivity for detecting 5-FU, the modified electrode showed reproducibility, and its response was not influenced by interfering compounds such as glucose, urea, albumin, ascorbic acid, Na+ and K+, suggesting its potential application to determine 5-FU in biologic matrices. The practical utility of the developed sensor was demonstrated for the quantification of 5-FU in pharmaceutical injection sample. A good average recovery percentage of 104.0% was achieved, with an acceptable relative standard deviation of 2.25%. So, these results could confirm the promising analytical performance of the modified electrode for the electroanalysis of 5-FU in real samples. / Neste trabalho, eletrodos de pasta de carbono vítreo (EPCV) foram modificados com nanopartículas de ouro estabilizadas no polissacarídeo sulfatado porfirana (PFR) e aplicados para a determinação do agente antitumoral 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), utilizando voltametria de pulso diferencial (VPD). A PFR foi extraída a partir de alga Nori comercial, e sua caracterização foi realizada por FTIR, RMN-13C e pela determinação dos teores de carboidratos totais e de grupos SO42-, os quais resultaram em 82,8% e 11,9%, respectivamente. Tais experimentos confirmaram a pureza e a identidade química do polissacarídeo extraído, que foi empregado como agente redutor e estabilizante para a síntese de nanopartículas de ouro (AuNps-PFR). A temperatura, a concentração do precursor AuCl4- e a concentração de PFR empregadas para a síntese das AuNps-PFR foram otimizadas por meio de um planejamento fatorial 23 com triplicata no ponto central. Um menor tamanho de partícula (128,7 nm) foi alcançado ao se empregar uma temperatura de 70 °C e concentrações de AuCl4- e PFR iguais a 2,5 mmol L-1 e 0,25 mg mL-1, respectivamente. As AuNps-PFR obtidas foram caracterizadas pelas espectroscopias UV-VIS, FTIR e DLS, MEV-FEG, potencial zeta e DRX. O espectro de UV-VIS mostrou uma banda em 524 nm (banda plasmon), que não apresentou variações significativas na forma e frequência de absorção durante 90 dias. Tais observações sugeriram que as AuNps-PFR são estáveis em suspensão, o que corrobora com o potencial zeta de -30,5 mV obtido para a mesma. O espectro de FTIR evidenciou a existência de interações entre as AuNps e a PFR, devido a deslocamentos das bandas apresentadas no espectro das AuNps-PFR em relação ao obtido para a PFR. A caracterização eletroquímica do EPCV/PFR, realizada por voltametria cíclica (VC) e espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica em meio da sonda Fe(CN)63-/4-, evidenciou que o polissacarídeo conferiu aos eletrodos maiores valores de corrente e menor resistência à transferência de carga para o processo redox da sonda eletroquímica em comparação aos eletrodos não modificados. Respostas de corrente ainda maiores foram obtidas ao se empregar o EPCV/AuNps-PFR, como uma consequência da elevada condutividade e alta área superficial apresentada pelas nanopartículas. Por VC, verificou-se que o 5-FU foi oxidado irreversivelmente na superfície do EPCV/AuNps-PFR segundo um mecanismo dependente do pH e controlado por difusão, apresentando um processo anódico em +1,1 V em tampão BR 0,04 mol L-1. O pH do tampão BR para a determinação de 5-FU foi otimizado por VPD, tendo-se observado um máximo de corrente em pH 8,0, valor empregado para a obtenção das curvas analíticas. A relação linear observada entre o potencial de pico e o pH do meio com inclinação de -69,0 mV pH-1 evidenciou que o mesmo número de prótons e elétrons estão envolvidos no processo de oxidação. O EPCV/AuNps-PFR apresentou linearidade de resposta na faixa de 29,9 a 234,0 μmol L-1 de 5-FU, com limites de detecção e de quantificação iguais a 0,66 e 2,22 μmol L-1, respectivamente. Além da boa sensibilidade ao 5-FU, o EPCV/AuNps-PFR apresentou reprodutibilidade de resposta, e não sofreu interferência significativa de compostos como glicose, ácido ascórbico, ureia, albumina e íons Na+ e K+, sugerindo sua potencial aplicação para a determinação de 5-FU em matrizes biológicas. O eletrodo modificado foi aplicado para a quantificação do 5-FU em formulação farmacêutica comercial injetável, tendo-se obtido uma porcentagem média de recuperação igual a 104,0, com desvio padrão relativo dentro dos limites aceitáveis (2,25%). Confirma-se, deste modo, o bom desempenho analítico do sensor e da metodologia voltamétrica desenvolvida para a eletroanálise do 5-FU em amostras reais.