The role of nanohybrid materials in the fields of polymer composites and electrochemical energy systems is significant since they affect the enhanced physical properties and improved electrochemical performance, respectively. As basic nanomaterials, carbon nanotubes and graphene were utilized due to their outstanding physical properties. With these materials, hybrid nanostructures were generated through a novel synthesis method, modified sol-gel process; namely, carbon nanotubes (CNTs)-maghemite and reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-maghemite nanohybrid materials were developed. In the study on polymer composities, developed CNTs-maghemite (magnetic carbon nanotbues (m-CNTs)) were readily aligned under an externally applied magnetic field, and due to the aligned features of m-CNTs in polymer matrices, it showed much enhanced anisotropic electrical and mechanical properties. In the study on electrochemical energy system (Li-ion batteries), rGO-maghemite were used as anode materials; as a result, they showed improved electrochemical performance for Li-ion batteries due to their specific morphology and characteristics.

Magnetite (Fe3O4) and Maghemite (&amp / #947 / -Fe2O3) are well-known iron oxide phases among magnetic nanoparticles due to their magnetic properties, chemical stability, and nontoxicity. They have gained acceptance in several fields of application of nanomaterials such as magnetic recording systems, magnetic refrigeration, magneto-optical devices, magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic separation techniques and separation and purification of biological molecules. Recently, there is a growing interest in the synthesis of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles in a polymeric, glassy or ceramic matrix since the preparation of pure phase iron oxide composite material involves, presently, some difficulties partially arising from different oxidation states of iron which can lead to the presence of various oxides. Matrix support, in principle, modifies the properties of nanomaterials, thus opening new possibilities for the control of their performance. In addition, the chosen matrix, polymer or sol-gel, provides binding of the functional groups and also prevents grain growth and agglomeration. Therefore, extensive research is conducted on this subject. Sonochemical technique is an effective method to synthesize magnetic nanoparticles with many unique properties due to extreme reaction conditions. Besides, a microscopic mixing in the synthesis procedure is obtained because of the microjet effect which comes from the collapse of the bubbles. This effect creates relatively uniform reaction conditions. Thus, well-dispersed and stable nanoparticles are obtained by using ultrasound. In this study, &amp / #947 / -Fe2O3, maghemite nanoparticles are accommodated in an inert, inorganic, transparent and temperature resistant sol gel matrix to achieve stabilization. The nature and concentration of the salt used, evaporation conditions of the sols, the following heat treatments had been investigated and shown that they had great influence on the particle size and the final iron oxide phase in the sol-gel. The Fe2O3/SiO2 nanocomposites were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) techniques. In addition, magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles were synthesized via co-precipitation in the presence of poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) in aqueous solution. PMAA, which was used as the coating material, prevents magnetite nanoparticles from oxidation towards a lower saturation magnetization iron oxide phases. In order to achieve small particle size and uniform size distribution of the magnetite nanoparticles in PMAA matrix, ultrasonic irradiation was applied during co-precipitation. The polymer coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), laser particle sizer, X-ray diffraction, (XRD) and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) techniques and zeta potential measurements.

The Savannah River Site (SRS) deposits in the Southeastern US between 30-45 m of depth are calcium carbonate-rich, marine-skeletal, Eocene-aged sediments with varying clastic content and extensive diagenetic alteration, including meter-sized caves that coexist with brittle and hard limestone. An experimental investigation including geotechnical (P- and S-wave velocities, tensile strength, porosity) and geochemical (EDS, XRD, SEM, N2-adsorption, stable isotopes, K-Ar age dating, ICP-assisted solubility, groundwater) studies highlighted the contrast between hard and brittle limestones, their relationship with cave formation, and allowed calculation of parameters for geochemical modeling. Results demonstrate that brittle and hard limestones bear distinct geochemical signatures whereby the latter exhibits higher crystallinity, lower clastic load, and freshwater-influenced composition. Results also reveal carbonate diagenesis pathways likely driven by geologic-time seawater/freshwater cycles, microorganism-driven micritization, and freshwater micrite lithification. The second section of this investigation dealt with SRS surface soils which are largely coarse-grained and rich in iron oxides with various degrees of maturity. These soils were simulated in the laboratory using Ottawa sands that were chemically coated with goethite and hematite. Surface (SEM, AFM, N2-adsorption) and geotechnical properties (fabric, small-strain stiffness, shear strength) were investigated on the resulting "soil analog". Results indicate that iron-oxide coated sands bear distinct inherent fabric and enhanced small-strain stiffness and critical state parameters when compared to uncoated sands. Contact mechanics analyses suggest that iron oxide coatings yield an increased number of grain-to-grain contacts, higher surface roughness, and interlocking, which are believed to be responsible for the observed properties.

Development of nanostructures as MR contrast agent will significantly improve the field of disease diagnostics. Contrast agents such as iron oxide nanoparticles are less toxic compared to more commonly used gadolinium based agents. A subclass of iron based nano particles are super paramagnetic iron oxide nano particles, (SPIOs) which are widely studied MR contrast agents useful in both imaging and drug delivery applications. In this work, SPIOs were synthesized and characterized and used for cellular tracking and multi modal labeling. A new solvent exchange method was utilized to coat different core size iron oxide nano particles. SPIOs were characterized for in-vivo imaging using MR and they had a very uniform size distribution which was determine using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy. Furthermore, blood circulation half-life of 16nm SPIOs were determined through tail vein injection. SPIOs have many applications among which is the in vivo tracking of stem cells which is critical for determination of stem cells fate after injection. Magnetic Resonance (MR) as a non-invasive method can provide significant information about the fate of the cells as well as determination of the success rate of therapeutic cellular deliveries. Mesenchymal stem cells can be loaded with super paramagnetic iron oxide nano particles (SPIOs) and have their movements followed once planted in vivo. We present our findings on the effect of SPIO concentration and stem cell density on the MR signal and transverse relaxation time. Our preliminary results indicated that SPIOs do not cause mesenchymal stem cell cytotoxicity and do not affect proliferation ability up to 200 μg/ml concentration. The release of the nanoparticles was investigated 24 hours post internalization and the result showed that SPIOs will stay inside the cell. We also found that the contrast increases in a concentration dependent manner. Our results suggest that using MR with low concentration of SPIOs is a novel and promising method for tracking of mesenchymal stem cells. In this work SPIOs were also labeled with 64Cu to investigate their potential for multi modal positron emission tomography (PET) MR imaging. Dual modality PET MR SPIO contrast agent can be synthesized to image diseases such as cancer and atherosclerosis. The advantage is the non-invasive and early detection of disease at molecular lever before it has spread to late stages or in case of the atherosclerosis before the plaque has blocked the vessel. To develop a multi modal contrast agent, a positron emitter, 64Cu (half-life of 12.701 ± 0.002 hours), was used in labeling and synthesis was performed all in one step with the addition of 64Cu chelator, 14-PE DTPA followed by radiolabeling for both 6.5nm SPIO and 17nm SPIO. After labeling and purification with the desalting column, the amount of dissociated 64Cu in the solution was determined using radio thin layer chromotagraphy (TLC) and the particle was shown to have minimum amount of fee 64Cu. Serum stability of labeled SPIO was determined in vitro by incubating 64Cu-labeled SPIOs in mouse serum at 37 °C for 24 hr with constant shaking. Radio TLC result then revealed that 64Cu stays bounded to the SPIO after 24 hours in mouse serum. This means that 64Cu labeled SPIO has a great potential as a dual modality contrast agents and further in-vivo studies are required to verify the findings.

Gold mining by artisinal (small-medium scale) miners causes an immense amount of damage to the environment (i.e. soil erosion, mobilization of heavy metals, etc.).1, 2 One of the most popular gold mining techniques employed by artisinal miners in Guyana is mercury amalgamation. During the amalgamation process approximately 300 metric tons/yr 11, 12 of mercury is used. Mercury once in the environment can be transported through the air, soil, and water column. It is estimated that 90-99% of total mercury (THg) is associated with the sediment. An understanding of the geochemical conditions that affect the fate of mercury in soils, which can act as potential sinks or sources for mercury, can provide solutions for reduced environmental impacts of mercury contamination. Local Guyanese agencies have become concerned with the quality of the water, soil, biota, and human impact in remote locations in the interior of Guyana. Therefore, soil samples were collected from two local mines in Guyana's Arakaka-Mathew's Ridge area. Two soil samples (Pakera Creek and Philip's Mine) and a commercially available iron-oxide sorbent, Kemiron, underwent CVAAS, BET surface area analysis, electron dispersion spectroscopy, and x-ray diffractometry. THg concentrations for recovered soil samples were approximately 300 ng/kg. In addition, samples were subjected to batch equilibrium sorption studies as a function of pH and mercury species/concentration added as Hg(NO3)2 and HgCl2. All samples showed significant amounts of sorption between pH 3-9 for 100-1,000 ppb Hg added as Hg(NO3)2. When HgCl2.was added to the batch reactor containing Kemiron, an iron-oxide surface, the adsorption behavior of Hg2+ decreased. Philip's Mine solids, characterized as silicon dioxide by BET, had the lowest surface area (4 m2/g) and sorption when added as Hg(NO3)2 and HgCl2. On the other hand, Kemiron and Pakera Creek displayed similar sorption behaviors with high sorption across all pH ranges. This may be due to similar chemistry and larger surface areas. Surface loadings were 200 mg/kg and 2,000 mg/kg for experiments with 100 ppb Hg and 1,000 ppb Hg, respectively. Further analysis is required to identify the binding mechanisms between mercury and samples as well as the role of organic matter content on samples.

Hydrothermally treated biomass could not only be used as a fuel or a fertilizer but it can also be refined into high-value products. Activated carbons are one of those. In the studies of this thesis, four different hydrothermally carbonized (HTC) biomasses, including horse manure, grass cuttings, beer waste and biosludge, have been successfully made into activated carbons. The activated carbon materials were in the forms of powdered activated carbons, powdered composites of activated carbon and iron oxide nano-crystals, and activated carbon discs. The HTC biomasses and the activated carbons were characterized and analyzed using several methods. The biomasses were carbonized to different extent during the hydrothermal treatment, which depended on the different natures of the biomasses. The HTC biomasses were activated into powdered activated carbons by both physical activation, using CO2, and by chemical activation, using H3PO4. Full factorial design matrices were applied to design experiments and study the influence of different parameters used during both physical and chemical activation. Activated carbons with embedded iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesized through hydrothermal carbonization followed by CO2 activation. These composites had high surface areas and showed a strong magnetism, and the powders could be separated from liquid phase by applying a magnetic field. Strong and dense activated carbon discs were also prepared from powdered HTC beer waste by pulsed current processing (PCP) and a subsequent CO2 activation procedure. The potential for carbon dioxide separation from nitrogen, and methylene blue adsorption in aqueous solution, were assessed for the powdered activated carbons produced from HTC biomasses. They showed good performance in both applications. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following paper was unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 1: In press.</p>

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) hold great promise in the fields of biology and medicine. The synthesis of functional MNPs with precisely controlled crystallographic, physicochemical, and magnetic properties on a large scale still remains the challenge today. This thesis reports the exploration of liquid-fed flame spray pyrolysis (FSP) in the synthesis of functional MNPs, their surface modifications, and potential bio-applications. Superparamagnetic and ferromagnetic maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) nanoparticles, and silica-coated maghemite (SiO2/γ-Fe2O3) nanocomposites were synthesised using FSP. The size of γ-Fe2O3 was controllable from 6 to 53 nm, with morphology evolving from a disordered near-spherical shape to fully ordered 2-D hexagonal/octagonal platelet. The saturation magnetisation (Ms) increased from 21 to 74 emu/g with increasing particle size, up to 13 nm when Ms approached the bulk γ-Fe2O3 characteristics. In the case of SiO2/γ-Fe2O3, three distinct morphologies, namely the single segregated γ-Fe2O3 core- SiO2 shell, transitional mixed morphologies, and multi γ-Fe2O3 cores embedded in submicron SiO2 shell, were obtained. The core size, composite size, and morphology of γ- Fe2O3 were tunable by varying %SiO2 loading and the use of a quartz tube enclosure during flame synthesis. The magnetic behaviour correlated well with the crystal microstructure. Following the core particle design, protein adsorption-desorption behaviour on FSP-madeMNPs was studied. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) adsorption was found to follow the Langmuir isotherm, with high binding capacities (150−348 mg BSA/g particle) and fast association constants. Electrostatically governed BSA orientations were proposed for different particle-buffer systems. The adsorbed BSA was effectively recovered by pH-shift using K2HPO4. Subsequently, terminal amine, aldehyde, carboxylic, epoxy, mercapto and maleimide functionality were anchored onto the FSP-made γ-Fe2O3 particles. These versatile functional groups led to conjugation of active trypsin. The immobilised trypsin exhibited superior durability with >60% residual activity after one week, and excellent reusability for >5 cycles. The trypsin-conjugated MNPs are promising carriers in proteomics, demonstrating good substrate specificity with equivalent or better sequence coverage compared to free trypsin in insulin and BSA digestion. In another application, a refined silanisation procedure simultaneously reduced γ-Fe2O3 to Fe3O4, and generated thiol enriched surface for matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) conjugation. The highly active MMP-2-conjugated MNPs could potentially enhance the interstitial transport of macromolecule/nanoparticles in drug delivery.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:22:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 3661.pdf: 3457379 bytes, checksum: b8065e93e77882df9787154074c2cd19 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-12-17 / Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos / The fast development of the nanotechnology, and the use of this technology to develop new products to help in diagnosis diseases, drugs and treatments for many diseases is increasing. Some authors have been warning about the nanoparticles use, because the real affect, toxic or not, still unknown. Iron oxide nanoparticles have been used in contrast liquid for magnetic resonance imaging, cancer treatment, among others. The aim of this work was to analyze the possible effects of chronic treatment with these nanoparticles in adults rats. The animals were distributed in 3 groups: Control (saline 0.9% - 0.1 mL/100 of body weight), nFe 0.3 (magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles 0.3 mg/kg BW) and nFe 0.6 (magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles 0.6 mg/kg BW). The animals were treated by gastric gavage during 8 weeks, 5 days per week. The body weight of the animals from the nFe 0.6 group decreased when compared to animals from the control group, and the BW of the animals from nFe 0.3 group was not different from the control group. The animals from the nFe 0.6 group showed the higher blood levels of cholesterol, although the levels of glucose, urea, creatinine, AST, ALT and alkaline phosphatase, plus hematology were not different from the animals of control group. Moreover, the seminal gland and ventral prostate of the animals of nFe 0.6 were atrophied. All those parameters of animals from nFe 0.3 group were not different compared to control group. The bone (femur and vertebra) biometric, biomechanical and biophysical parameters were similar in the animals from the different experimental groups. These results showed that high concentrations of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles could be toxic and dangerous to the rats when take daily, but in low concentration it could be safe. / Com o rápido desenvolvimento da nanotecnologia, o homem vem utilizando cada vez mais essa nova tecnologia para auxiliá-lo no desenvolvimento de novos produtos que auxiliem no diagnóstico de doenças, fármacos e tratamentos de inúmeras enfermidades. Alguns autores vêm chamando a atenção para o uso de nanopartículas em vários produtos comerciais, pois pouco se sabe sobre sua toxicidade. Especificamente as nanopartículas de óxido de ferro magnético vêm sendo utilizadas em líquidos de contraste de ressonância magnética, tratamento de câncer, entre outros. Com isso, o objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar os possíveis efeitos tóxicos dessas nanopartículas administradas cronicamente em ratos adultos jovens. Ratos Wistar machos foram distribuídos em 3 grupos experimentais: Controle (salina 0,9% - 0,1mL/100g MC), nFe 0,3 (nanopartículas de óxido de ferro - 0,3 mg/kg MC) e nFe 0,6 (nanopartículas de óxido de ferro - 0,6 mg/kg MC). O tratamento foi realizado por gavagem gástrica, 5 dias por semana, durante 8 semanas. As análises de massa corporal (MC) dos animais indicou que a concentração de 0,6 mg/kg MC de nanopartículas de óxido de ferro magnético levou à uma diminuição da MC dos animais em relação aos animais tratados com 0,3 mg/kg MC e aos animais tratados solução salina 0,9%. Os animais do grupo nFe 0,6 apresentaram aumento de colesterol sanguíneo, entretanto as concentrações de glicose, ferro, uréia, creatinina, AST, ALT e fosfatase alcalina, além da análise hematológica não foram diferentes dos animais do grupo controle. Além disso, as glândulas seminais e próstatas ventrais dos animais tratados com nFe 0,6 mg/kg MC atrofiaram, sendo que as dos animais do grupo nFe 0,3 não apresentaram diferença em relação as do grupo controle. Os parâmetros biométricos, biomecânicos e biofísicos dos ossos (fêmur e vértebra) foram semelhantes nos 3 grupos experimentais. Portanto, o tratamento crônico com nanopartículas na concentração de 0,6 mg/kg MC foi prejudicial à saúde dos animais, exceto no tecido ósseo, sendo que tal efeito não foi observado com a concentração mais baixa.

Cette thèse présente une nouvelle méthode d’assemblage de nanoparticules (NPs) magnétiques par une approche de chimie « click » sur des surfaces fonctionnalisées par des molécules organiques (self-assembled monolayers, SAMs). Le contrôle précis de la nanostructure des assemblages permet d’étudier les propriétés magnétiques collectives des NPs modulées par les interactions dipolaires. Un état de l’art des travaux décrits dans la littérature est présenté sur la synthèse de NPs d’oxydes métalliques, les enjeux et méthodes d’assemblage de NPs magnétiques ainsi que les propriétés magnétiques des NPs. Plusieurs types de NPs d’oxydes de fer présentant différentes tailles, morphologies (sphère, cube, tétrapode) et structures internes (coeur-coquille) sont synthétisés par la méthode de décomposition thermique La méthode développée d’assemblage des NPs consiste en une réaction dite « Copper (I) catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition » (CuAAC), basée sur les interactions spécifiques entre des groupes alcyne et azoture présents à la surface des NPs et des SAMs. La fonctionnalisation des NPs et la préparation des SAMs sont également décrites. En modulant les conditions opératoires lors de la réaction d’assemblage, différentes nanostructures (films denses, NPs spatialement isolées ou chaînes de NPs) sont obtenues dans le but d’étudier les propriétés magnétiques collectives des NPs dans les assemblages. Un effet de la distance interparticule et de la mise en forme des NPs en 2D sur les interactions dipolaires sont mis en évidence. La réaction de click pour l’assemblage de NPs est ensuite perfectionnée, d’une part, la diminution du temps de la réaction d’assemblage en présence de radiations microondes, et d’autre part la préparation de films multicouches de NPs « one-pot » en contrôlant la réaction de click par électrochimie. Enfin des dispositifs magnéto-résistifs sont élaborés en déposant des assemblages denses de nanoparticules entre deux électrodes distantes d’une centaine de nanomètres. / This thesis aims to develop a new method to control the assembling of iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) by “click” chemistry onto surfaces functionalized by organic molecules (self-assembled monolayers, SAMs). The high control on the nanostructure of NP assemblies results in the study of the collective magnetic properties. The state of the art, on the NPs synthesis, on the issues and methods of the assembling of magnetic NPs and on the magnetic properties of NPs films is established. The NPs of different sizes, morphologies and inner structures are synthesised by thermal decomposition. Self assembled monolayers (SAMs) are deposited on the substrates to address their surface for the NPs assembling. This assembling is achieved by specific interactions between alkyne and azide groups worn by the NPs and the SAM by theCopper Catalyzed Alkyne-Azide Cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction which leads to covalent and irreversible anchoring of the NPs onto the substrate’s surface. Various nanostructures of NP assemblies (spatially isolated NPs, dense films, NPs chains) are obtained in order to study their magnetic properties. The interparticule distance and the dimensionality of the assembly (2D, 1D) are shown to strongly modulate dipolar interactions. The assembling by click chemistry is then improved by two means: (i) microwave activation to shorten the reaction time and (ii) control of the reaction by electrochemistry and 3D films preparation. This method is suitable for the elaboration of magnetoresitive devices by deposition of dense films of NPs between electrodes remote from a hundred of nanometers.

L’objectif de notre travail consiste à caractériser des nanoparticules d’oxyde de fer (Fe3O4) et étudier leur toxicité aiguë chez le rat Wistar. Nos résultats ont montré que l’administration orale aiguë des Fe3O4, entraîne une altération dose- et temps-dépendante des paramètres du stress oxydant ainsi qu’une atteinte hépatique. En ce qui concerne l’étude in vitro sur des mitochondries isolées, nos résultats ont montré que ces nanoparticules n’altèrent ni les différents complexes de la chaîne respiratoire mitochondriale ni le couplage mitochondrial, et ceci dans aucun des organes étudiés (cerveau, cœur, poumon, foie et reins) et quelle que soit la concentration utilisée (100, 200, 300 et 500 μg/ml), alors que les mitochondries hépatiques isolées des rats âgés (18 mois), une altération est observée au niveau de tous les complexes de la chaîne respiratoire mitochondriale hépatique ainsi que pour le couplage mitochondrial quelle que soit la concentration utilisée (250, 300 et 350 μg/ml) alors que pour les rats jeunes (3mois) on n’observe aucune altération. / The objective of our work is to characterize iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4) and study their acute toxicity in Wistar rats. Our results showed that acute oral administration of Fe3O4, results in a dose and time-dependent alteration of oxidative stress parameters as well as liver damage. Regarding the in vitro study on isolated mitochondria, our results showed that these nanoparticles do not adversely affect the various complexes of the mitochondrial respiratory chain or mitochondrial coupling in any of the organs studied (brain, heart, lung, liverand kidneys) and regardless of the concentration used (100, 200, 300 and 500 μg/ml) while the isolated liver mitochondria from aged rats (18 months), an alteration is observed at all the complexes of the liver mitochondrial respiratory chain as well as the mitochondrial coupling regardless of the concentration used (250, 300 and 350 μg/ml), whereas for the young rats (3 months) no change is observed.