Nanographene oxide particles (NGO) were produced via oxidative exfoliation of graphite. Three different sizes of NGO (300 nm, 200 nm and 100 nm) have been separated by using probe sonication and sucrose density gradient centrifugation. There is great interest in functionalized NGO as a nanocarrier for in vitro and in vivo drug delivery, in order to improve dispersibility and stability of the nanocarrier platforms in physiological media. In this study, the NGO particles were covalently functionalized with zero generation polyamidoamide (PAMAM-G0) and with gelatin via noncovalent interaction. Spectroscopic techniques have been used to discriminate the chemical states of NGO prior and after functionalization. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) revealed a clear change in the chemical state of NGO after functionalization, for both covalent and noncovalent approaches. Raman spectroscopy gave obvious insight after oxidation of graphite and functionalization of NGO particles depending on the variation of intensity ratios between D, G and 2D bands. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) exhibited the presence of oxygen containing functional groups distributed onto graphene sheets after oxidation of graphite. Furthermore, the FTIR is complementary with the XPS which performed a strong reduction in the oxygen contents after functionalization. UV visible spectroscopy was used to understand the binding capacity of gelatin coated NGO particles. The Microscopy tools, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) are used to estimate the dimensions of NGO particles (thickness and lateral width). The nanohybrid systems (NGO-PAMAM and Gelatin-NGO) loaded with carboplatin (CP) were sought for anticancer activity investigation in HeLa and neuroblastoma cancer cells respectively. Mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) were used as a model of normal cells. On HeLa cells, the pristine NGO particles with average widths of 200 nm and 300 nm showed a cytotoxic effect at low (50 g.ml−1) and high (100 g.ml−1) concentrations. While the pristine NGO sample with an average width of 100 nm revealed no significant cytotoxicity at 50 g.ml−1, and only recorded a 10% level at 100 g.ml−1. The mesenchymal stem cells showed less than 35% viability for all size distributions. After functionalization with PAMAM, the carrier was found to be able to deliver carboplatin to the cancer cells, by enhancing the drug anticancer efficiency. Moreover, the carboplatin loaded NGO carrier shows no significant effect on the viability of hMSCs even at high concentration (100 g.ml−1). On neuroblastoma cells, the cell viability assay validated gelatin-NGO nanohybrids as a useful nanocarrier for CP release and delivery, without obvious signs of toxicity. The nano-sized NGO (200 nm and 300 nm) did not enable CP to kill the cancer cells efficiently, whilst the CP loaded gelatin-NGO 100 nm resulted in a synergistic activity through increasing the local concentration of CP inside the cancer cells.

Nanoscience dominates almost all areas of science and technology in the 21st century. Nanoparticles are of fundamental interest since they possess unique size dependent properties (optical, electrical, mechanical, chemical, magnetic etc.), which are quite different from the bulk and the atomic state. The research work presented in the thesis is on the preparation, characterization and studies on Ir, Os and graphene oxide-based systems. Interconnected Ir and Os nanochains are prepared under environmentally friendly conditions in aqueous media and subsequently used as substrates for surface enhanced Raman scaterring studies and also as electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction and formaldehyde oxidation. Ir and IrOx nanostructures are prepared using borohydride at different temperatures. The nature of interaction of heme proteins with IrOx is studied using spectroscopic techniques. Electrochemical studies on reduced graphene oxide include sensing of biomolecules with high sensitivity and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in aqueous alkaline medium. rGO is also used as support for anchoring Ir nanoparticles and the catalyst is used for the oxidation of benzyl amines to corresponding imines. The thesis is divided in to seven chapters and details are given below. Chapter 1 gives an introduction about the synthetic strategies and properties of metal nanostructures. This is followed by literature survey on Ir, Os and graphene oxide-based systems relevant to the present study. Aim and scope of the present investigation is given at the end. Chapter 2 discusses the experimental procedures and characterization techniques used in the present study. Chapter 3 involves the preparation, characterization and studies on interconnected Ir nanochains. Assemblies of small sized nanoparticles forming network-like structures have attracted enormous interest and different metal nanoassemblies have been reported using different procedures. Ir3+ reduction is kinetically not a very favourable process and hence there are not many attempts to synthesize Ir-based nanostructures. Assemblies of interconnected Ir nanoparticles have been synthesized in the present studies using borohydride as reducing agent and ascorbic acid as capping agent, at high temperatures. Polyfunctional capping molecules such as ascorbic acid and vitamin P play important role for the formation of network- like Ir nanostructures. Optical properties of the networks are probed using UV-Vis spectroscopy and evolution of coupled plasmon of Ir nanochains at 418 nm (figure 1) is observed. The nanochains are used as substrates for SERS studies while the catalytic activity is followed for the reduction of nitroaromatics. Electrocatalytic activity of Ir nanochains is exemplified using oxygen reduction and formaldehyde oxidation. Ir nanochains show better electrocatalytic activities than nanoparticles as shown in figure 2. Figure 1. Time dependent UV-Vis absorption spectra of Ir nanoparticles recorded at various time intervals of (a) 5; (b) 15; (c) 30 and (d) 60 minutes of reduction of Ir3+ using borohydride and the corresponding TEM images. Figure 2. Polarization curves for oxygen reduction on (i) Ir nanochains and (ii) Ir nanoparticles in (A) 0.5 M H2SO4 and (B) 0.1 M KOH at a scan rate of 0.005 V/s. Rotation speed used is 1000 rpm. Chapter 4 discusses the preparation of Ir and IrOx using borohydride. The reaction temperature determines the product. Various physicochemical, microscopic and spectroscopic techniques have been used to understand the evolution of nanostructures. Borohydride reduces Ir3+ at high temperatures to form high surface area foams, while at 25oC, it results in an alkaline environment that helps in the hydrolysis of the Ir precursor to form IrOx nanoparticles. Porous IrOx is formed when Ir foams are annealed at high temperatures. Water oxidation has been demonstrated using IrOx nanoparticles and foams. Biocompatibility of IrOx is used to study the nature of interaction of heme proteins and the formation of bioconjugates using spectroscopic techniques. IrOx forms bioconjugates with substantial changes observed in secondary and tertiary structures of proteins. Chapter 5 explores the synthesis of interconnected ultrafine Os nanoclusters and the nanostructured materials are used as SERS substrates. Os nanochains are prepared under environmentally friendly conditions using polyfunctional molecules like ascorbic acid and vitamin P as both reducing agent and capping agent in aqueous media. Small sized (1-1.5 nm) Os nanoparticles spontaneously self-assemble to form clusters of few tens of nm that in turn self-organize to form branched nanochains of several microns in size. The as-formed nanochains show surface plasmon absorption in the visible region 540 nm which make them active substrates for surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) studies. High SERS activity is observed for fluorescent analyte, rhodamine 6G and non-fluorescent analyte, mercaptopyridine, with different laser excitation sources. Efficient energy transfer from fluorescent R6G dye to Os nanochains is observed based on steady state and time resolved fluorescence measurements.Figure 3. (I) Time dependent UV-Vis absorption spectra of Os nanochains recorded at different time intervals of (a) 5; (b) 7; (c) 15; (d) 30 and (e) 60 minutes. Inset shows the TEM images of Os nanochains after 60 minutes of reduction. (II) SERS spectra of 4-MPy adsorbed on Os nanochains from (a) 1 mM; (b) 10 µM and (c) 1 µM solutions using 514 nm laser excitation. Chapter 6 discusses the studies based on reduced graphene oxide. Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) is explored as electrodes for simultaneous determination of dopamine (DA), ascorbic acid (AA) and uric acid (UA) at low concentrations useful in medical diagnostics (figure 4A). It is also used as metal-free electrocatalyst for ORR (figure 4B). The use of rGO as a support for anchoring Ir nanoparticles is probed and subsequently the Ir/rGO is used as catalyst for direct aerobic oxidation of benzyl amine derivatives to corresponding imines. Chapter 7 describes the summary of the work and scope for further studies. Appendix 1 discusses the preparation of different Ir nanostructures using simple galvanic displacement reaction on copper foil while appendix 2 describes the preparation of different sized Ir nanoparticles and their electrocatalytic activity towards oxygen reduction reaction

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A adoção de políticas de incentivo ao desenvolvimento de novas tecnologias de geração de energia tem sido consenso entre especialistas de gestão ambiental. Nesta perspectiva, sistemas de conversão como células a combustível de baixa temperatura de operação (60120 °C) constituem alternativas propícias para fornecimento de energia com emissão reduzida de poluentes. Em adição, o etanol representa uma opção atrativa como combustível devido às vantagens relacionadas à característica renovável e à consolidação da indústria de bioetanol em países como Brasil e Estados Unidos. Contudo, a oxidação do etanol resulta em perdas de eficiência por causa da dificuldade de clivagem da ligação carbono-carbono. Tradicionalmente, platina tem sido usada como catalisador em decorrência das elevadas energia de adsorção e densidade de corrente de troca. Entretanto, a melhora na cinética de reação requer maior utilização catalítica. Neste contexto, um processo de síntese de óxido de grafeno reduzido foi desenvolvido para estabilizar e suportar a fase metálica, aperfeiçoando a área eletroquimicamente ativa. Uma metodologia convencional de síntese química e processamento de óxido de grafeno, a partir de grafite, foi aprimorada visando à fabricação de materiais com características desejáveis aos processos eletrocatalíticos. As estratégias foram baseadas em princípios combinados para introdução controlada de defeitos, redução no estado de aglomeração com auxílio de funcionalização direcionada com surfactante brometo de cetiltrimetilamônio (CTAB) e manufatura de dispersões com aumentada estabilidade coloidal. A nova nanoestrutura forneceu elevada densidade de sítios ativos, que incorreu em valores de corrente mássica aumentados em torno de 2,5 e 5,4 vezes frente à platina suportada em negro de fumo e grafeno aglomerado, respectivamente. / In the last decade, the adoption of policies aimed at developing new technologies for clean energy production has been a broad consensus among environment experts. From this perspective, low-temperature fuel cells (60120 °C) would appear to be promising systems to provide continuous and low-carbon power supply. As an alternative fuel, ethanol would be an appealing option due to renewability and mass production scalability. Nevertheless, the sluggish kinetics of ethanol electro-oxidation represents a major roadblock for the development of direct ethanol fuel cells. Platinum has been the most commonly used catalyst because of the highest energy adsorption and exchange current density. Optimizing reaction kinetics by tuning catalyst utilization has been applied to achieve improved performance on platinum-based catalysts. In this context, reduced graphene oxide sheets were developed to stabilize and support platinum nanoparticles, as well as to enhance the electrochemically active surface area. A conventional wet chemical methodology for synthesizing and processing graphene oxide from graphite was improved for assembling bi and/or tridimensional nanostructures with relevant microstructural features to electrocatalysis. The approach for reducing mass-transport resistances was based on a three-step design strategy aimed at the controlled introduction of defects, in situ cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) surfactant functionalization/intercalation and a manufacturing perspective on graphene dispersions from a basic solution thermodynamics theory. The unique nanoarchitecture provided a high density of active sites, which incurred in a mass current value increased by about 2.5 and 5.4 times compared to platinum supported on state-of-the-art carbon black and restacked graphene, respectively.

A adoção de políticas de incentivo ao desenvolvimento de novas tecnologias de geração de energia tem sido consenso entre especialistas de gestão ambiental. Nesta perspectiva, sistemas de conversão como células a combustível de baixa temperatura de operação (60120 °C) constituem alternativas propícias para fornecimento de energia com emissão reduzida de poluentes. Em adição, o etanol representa uma opção atrativa como combustível devido às vantagens relacionadas à característica renovável e à consolidação da indústria de bioetanol em países como Brasil e Estados Unidos. Contudo, a oxidação do etanol resulta em perdas de eficiência por causa da dificuldade de clivagem da ligação carbono-carbono. Tradicionalmente, platina tem sido usada como catalisador em decorrência das elevadas energia de adsorção e densidade de corrente de troca. Entretanto, a melhora na cinética de reação requer maior utilização catalítica. Neste contexto, um processo de síntese de óxido de grafeno reduzido foi desenvolvido para estabilizar e suportar a fase metálica, aperfeiçoando a área eletroquimicamente ativa. Uma metodologia convencional de síntese química e processamento de óxido de grafeno, a partir de grafite, foi aprimorada visando à fabricação de materiais com características desejáveis aos processos eletrocatalíticos. As estratégias foram baseadas em princípios combinados para introdução controlada de defeitos, redução no estado de aglomeração com auxílio de funcionalização direcionada com surfactante brometo de cetiltrimetilamônio (CTAB) e manufatura de dispersões com aumentada estabilidade coloidal. A nova nanoestrutura forneceu elevada densidade de sítios ativos, que incorreu em valores de corrente mássica aumentados em torno de 2,5 e 5,4 vezes frente à platina suportada em negro de fumo e grafeno aglomerado, respectivamente. / In the last decade, the adoption of policies aimed at developing new technologies for clean energy production has been a broad consensus among environment experts. From this perspective, low-temperature fuel cells (60120 °C) would appear to be promising systems to provide continuous and low-carbon power supply. As an alternative fuel, ethanol would be an appealing option due to renewability and mass production scalability. Nevertheless, the sluggish kinetics of ethanol electro-oxidation represents a major roadblock for the development of direct ethanol fuel cells. Platinum has been the most commonly used catalyst because of the highest energy adsorption and exchange current density. Optimizing reaction kinetics by tuning catalyst utilization has been applied to achieve improved performance on platinum-based catalysts. In this context, reduced graphene oxide sheets were developed to stabilize and support platinum nanoparticles, as well as to enhance the electrochemically active surface area. A conventional wet chemical methodology for synthesizing and processing graphene oxide from graphite was improved for assembling bi and/or tridimensional nanostructures with relevant microstructural features to electrocatalysis. The approach for reducing mass-transport resistances was based on a three-step design strategy aimed at the controlled introduction of defects, in situ cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) surfactant functionalization/intercalation and a manufacturing perspective on graphene dispersions from a basic solution thermodynamics theory. The unique nanoarchitecture provided a high density of active sites, which incurred in a mass current value increased by about 2.5 and 5.4 times compared to platinum supported on state-of-the-art carbon black and restacked graphene, respectively.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-15T19:36:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2015-08-18 / Fundo Mackenzie de Pesquisa / A two-dimensional structure with a thickness of one atom in a Bravais lattice in a "honeycomb". So it is known graphene, with interesting property both in basal plane as the edges of the material. Consisting of carbon atoms in its sp2 hybridization, graphene has applications to mechanical areas, electrical, optical, chemistry, biology. This requires mastered the techniques of obtaining graphene. This paper presents the study of obtaining exfoliated material, seeking to control the process as well as obtain graphene by electrochemical. The process of obtaining exfoliation is important because through it can obtain more control over the exfoliated material. The material obtained was analyzed by Raman spectroscopy. Our results show that it is possible to obtain exfoliated material, and as the spectra material by analyzing the intensity of the peaks. / Uma estrutura bidimensional com a espessura de um átomo, em uma rede de bravais em forma de favos de mel . Assim é conhecido o grafeno, com propriedade interessante tanto no plano basal como nas bordas do material. Constituído de átomos de carbono em sua hibridização sp2, o grafeno possui aplicações às áreas de mecânica, elétrica, ótica, química, biologia. Para isso é necessário dominar as técnicas de obtenção de grafeno. Este trabalho apresenta o estudo da obtenção de material esfoliado, buscando controle no processo, além de se obter grafeno por via eletroquímica. O processo de obtenção por esfoliação eletroquímica é importante, pois por meio dele pode-se adquirir mais controle sobre o material esfoliado. O material obtido foi analisado através da técnica de Espectroscopia Raman. Os resultados mostraram que é possível obter material esfoliado e a análise deste material através da intensidade das bandas de seu espectro Raman.

The uniform dispersion of the nano fillers without agglomeration in a polymeric matrix is widely adapted for the purpose of mechanical properties enhancement. In the context to biomedical applications, the type and amount of nanoparticles can potentially influence the biocompatibility. In order to address these issues, High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) based composites reinforced with graphene oxide (GO) were prepared by melt mixing followed by compression moulding. In an attempt to tailor the dispersion and to improve the interfacial adhesion, polyethylene (PE) was immobilized onto GO sheets by nucleophilic addition-elimination reaction. A good combination of yield strength (ca. 20 MPa), elastic modulus (ca. 600 MPa) and an outstanding elongation at failure (ca. 70 %) were recorded with 3 wt % polyethylene grafted graphene oxide (PE-g-GO) reinforced HDPE composites. Considering the relevance of protein adsorption as a biophysical precursor to cell adhesion, the protein adsorption isotherms of bovine serum albumin (BSA) were determined to realize three times higher equilibrium constant (Keq) for PE-g-GO reinforced HDPE composites as compared to GO reinforced composites. In order to assess the cytocompatibility, osteoblast cells (MC3T3) were grown on HDPE/GO and HDPE/PE-g-GO composites, in vitro. The statistically significant increase in metabolically active cell was observed, irrespective of the substrate composition. Such observation indicated that HDPE with GO or PE-g-GO addition (upto 3 wt %) can be used as cell growth substrate. The extensive proliferation of cells with oriented growth pattern also supported the fact that tailored GO addition can support cellular functionality, in vitro. Taken together, the experimental results suggest that the PE-g-GO in HDPE can effectively be utilized to enhance both mechanical and cytocompatibility properties and can further be explored for potential biomedical applications.

The diploma thesis deals with the possibility of using the addition of nanoparticles to improve the properties of cement composites. The theoretical part summarizes the findings of research in this area with a focus on methods of dispersion of nanoparticles and their treatment for use in cement composites. The experimental part focuses on the comparison of methods of dispersion and plasma treatment of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanoparticle solutions from the point of view of the agglomeration process. During this work, a method of systematic optical/visual monitoring of sedimentation/agglomeration was developed to complement sophisticated methods such as spectrophotometry (UV/Vis) and electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, the effect of the addition of rGO on the properties of cement mortar, in the form of aqueous solutions prepared by the dispersion methods determined in the previous section, was investigated.

This diploma thesis deals with the influence of addition of carbon nanoparticles on cement composites. The theoretical part of the diploma thesis is focused on the research of information about carbon nanoparticles, more precisely about carbon nanotubes and graphene oxide. There are summarized methods of dispersing carbon nanotubes and their effects on cement composites. The practical part follows the theoretical part of the research. In the first phase, the correct technique of graphene oxide dispersion was verified. Subsequently, the effects of graphene oxide on the mechanical properties of cement mortars were verified. In the final phase of the diploma thesis, the knowledge gained from the previous part was verified on concrete samples.

A fully oxidized state of graphene behaves as a pure insulating while a pristine graphene behaves as a pure conducting. The in-between oxide state in graphene which is the controlled state of oxide behaves as a semiconducting. This is the key condition for tuning optical band gap for the better light emitting property. The controlling method of oxide in graphene structure is known as reduction which is the mixed state of sp2 and sp3 hybrid state in graphene structure. sp2 hybridized domains correspond to pure carbon-carbon bond i.e. pristine graphene while sp3 hybridized domains correspond to the oxide bond with carbon i.e. defect in graphene structure. This is the uniqueness of the graphene-base material. Graphene is a gapless material i.e. having no bandgap energy and this property prevents it from switching device applications and also from the optoelectronic devices applications. The main challenge for this material is to tune as a semiconducting which can open the optical characteristics and emit light of desired color. There may be several possibilities for the modification of graphene-base material that can tune a band gap. One way is to find semiconducting property by doping the defects into pristine graphene structure. Other way is oxides functional groups in graphene structure behaves as defects. The physical properties of graphene depend on the amount of oxides present in graphene structure. So if there are more oxides in graphene structure then this material behaves as a insulating. By any means if it can be reduced then oxides amount to achieve specific proportion of sp2 and sp3 that can emit light of desired color. Further, after achieving light emission from graphene base material, there is more possibility for the study of non-linear optical property. In this work, plasmonic effect in graphene oxide has been focused. Mainly there are two kinds of plasmon effects have been studied, one is long range (surface) and short range (localized) plasmon. For long range plasmon gold thin film was deposited on partially reduced graphene oxide and for short range plasmon silver nanoparticles have used. Results show that there are 10-fold enhancement in light emission from partial graphene oxide coated with gold thin film while 4-fold enhancement from reduced graphene oxide solution with silver nanoparticles. Chemical method and photocatalytic method have been employed for the reduction of graphene oxide for the study of surface plasmon and localized plasmon. For the characterization UV-Vis spectrometer for absorption, spectrofluorophotometer for fluorescent emission, Raman spectrometer for material characterization, photoluminescence and time resolved photoluminescence have been utilized. Silver and gold nanoparticles are spherical of average size of 80 nm and 40 nm have been used as plasmons.