Zeolites have been widely used in many different fields including catalysis, adsorption and separation, ion exchange, or gas storage. Conventional zeolites have three- dimensional (3D) structures with microporous channel system; typical pore sizes are well below 1 nanometer, therefore, diffusion limitation plays important role in many process and bulkier reactants (or products) cannot enter (or leave) the zeolite channel system. Two-dimensional (2D) zeolites prepared in last years can lift all diffusion limitation and they thus offer a very attractive alternative to conventional 3D zeolites. 2D zeolites attracted considerable attention on the experimental side; however, understanding of 2D zeolites based on computational investigation or on a combination of experimental and computational investigation is limited. A motivation for the computational work presented here is to improve our understanding of properties of 2D zeolites based on computational investigation. The originality of the research presented herein is in the strategy: we carried out systematic investigation of properties of corresponding 2D and 3D zeolites and we focus on the identification of similarities and differences. The most important zeolite properties, i.e., presence of Brønsted and Lewis acid sites, are investigated. A number of...

O presente trabalho trata da preparação e caracterização de três tipos de materiais, todos envolvendo hidróxidos duplos lamelares (HDLs) contendo íons cobalto e alumínio na composição das lamelas. Primeiramente, avaliou-se a influência de parâmetros de síntese na obtenção de HDLs intercalados com os ânions inorgânicos carbonato, cloreto e nitrato. Segundo dados de espectroscopia eletrônica UV-VIS, ressonância paramagnética eletrônica (EPR) e espectroscopia de fotoelétrons excitados por raios X (XPS), ocorre a oxidação parcial do Co2+ em Co3+ na lamela de HDL e, no caso do material contendo íon carbonato, observa-se a presença de radical carbonato, demonstrando a reatividade redox das matrizes com íons cobalto. A segunda parte do trabalho consistiu na intercalação do ânion derivado do ácido 2- aminotereftálico (ATA) em HDL. A presença do cátion cobalto nas lamelas e do grupo amino na espécie orgânica promoveu alterações significativas nas propriedades eletrônicas e térmicas do material (abreviado Co2Al-ATA). Assim como na primeira parte desta tese, as transformações ocorridas com o íon ATA devem incluir a formação inicial de um radical orgânico (de modo similar à polimerização da anilina), para o qual o agente oxidante é o íon Co3+ lamelar. Os dados de espectroscopia vibracional (no infravermelho e Raman) e de XPS mostram a presença de segmentos reduzidos (benzenóide) e oxidados (quinóides) na espécie intercalada. A solubilização do HDL em meio ácido permitiu isolar um material orgânico de cor preta que possui segmentos semiquinóides (radical orgânico) em sua estrutura, além dos reduzidos. A última etapa da presente tese consistiu em pirolisar o material Co2Al-ATA mencionado acima. Verificou-se que a alteração no procedimento de pirólise, como a temperatura, o desenho do forno, a forma do cadinho (cilíndrico ou barca), o tempo de resfriamento do sistema ou a atmosfera dinâmica ou estática, por exemplo, afetam as propriedades do produto final de decomposição. Nos compósitos obtidos, as fases inorgânicas provenientes da decomposição do HDL foram uma mistura de óxidos mistos de cobalto e alumínio (Co(CoxAl1-x)2O4), óxido de cobalto (CoO) e cobalto metálico. A fase de carbono apresentou perfil espectral de carbono grafítico nanocristalino e foi obtida em valores de temperatura de pirólise superiores a 800°C. Os compósitos contendo nanopartículas de cobalto metálico são ferromagnéticos. A reatividade redox dos HDLs de cobalto e as propriedades de seus produtos de decomposição apresentam potencial para aplicação em dispositivos eletroquímicos. / The present work reports the preparation and characterization of three types of materials, all involving layered double hydroxides (LDHs) containing cobalt and aluminum ions in the layer composition. First, the influence of synthetic parameters on the production of LDHs intercalated with the inorganic anions carbonate, chloride and nitrate was evaluated. According to UV-VIS electronic spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) data, the partial oxidation of Co2+ to Co3+ occurs in the LDH layer and, in the case of the material containing carbonate ion, the presence of carbonate radical species demonstrates the redox reactivity of the matrices with cobalt ions. The second part of the work comprised the intercalation of the anion derived from 2- aminoterephthalic acid (ATA) in to LDH. The presence of the cobalt cation in the layer and the amino group in the organic species promoted significant changes in the electronic and thermal properties of the material (abbreviated Co2Al-ATA). As in the first part of this thesis, transformations occurring with the ATA ion should include the initial formation of an organic radical (similar to aniline polymerization), for which the oxidizing agent is the Co3+ ion in the layer. The vibrational (infrared and Raman) spectroscopy and XPS data show the presence of reduced (benzenoid) and oxidized (quinoids) segments in the intercalated species. The solubilization of HDL in acid medium allowed the isolation of a black organic material that has semiquinoid (organic radical) segments in its structure besides the reduced one. The last stage of the present thesis consisted of pyrolysis of the Co2Al-ATA material mentioned above. It was observed that the change in pyrolysis procedure, such as temperature, furnace design, crucible shape (bark or cylinder), system cooling time or dynamic or static atmosphere, for example, affects the properties of the final product of decomposition. In the obtained composites, the inorganic phases from the HDL decomposition were a mixture of mixed oxides of cobalt and aluminum (Co(CoxAl1-x)2O4), cobalt oxide (CoO) and metallic cobalt. The carbon phase showed nanocrystalline graphite carbon spectral profile and was obtained at pyrolysis temperature values above 800 °C. The composites containing metallic cobalt nanoparticles are ferromagnetic. The redox reactivity of HDLs containing cobalt and the properties of their decomposition products present potential for application in electrochemical devices

Despite the plethora of information regarding cellular crowding and its importance on modulating protein function the effects of confinement on biological molecules are often overlooked when investigating their physiological function. Recently however, the encapsulation of biomolecules in solid state matrices (NafionTM, sol-gels, zirconium phosphate,etc.) has increased in importance as a method for examining protein conformation and dynamics in confined space as well as novel applications in biotechnology. Biotechnological applications include, but are not limited to, bioremediation, biosensors, biocatalysts, etc. In order to better utilize solid state materials as substrates for biological molecules an understanding of the effects of encapsulation on the detailed dynamics associated with physiological function is required as well as a complete characterization of the physical properties associated with the space in which the biological molecule is to be confined. The focus of this research is to probe the effects of confinement on the thermodynamics of ligand photo-release/rebinding to the prototypical heme protein, myoglobin, encapsulated within sol-gel glasses utilizing photoacoustic calorimetry (PAC) and photothermal beam deflection (PBD). Optical spectroscopies (including optical absorption and fluorescence) have also been employed to characterize the molecular environments of materials including Zr-phosphate and metal organic polyhedral (MOPs), thought to be good candidates for novel bio-hybrid materials. The assembly mechanisms associated with MOPs were also examined in order to develop a foundation through which new, bio-compatible MOPs can be designed. Overall the results presented here represent a technological breakthrough in the application of fast calorimetry to the study of proteins in confined space. This will allow for the first time the acquisition of detailed thermodynamic maps associated with the well-choreographed biomolecular dynamics in confined environments.

The overall focus of this thesis is on the development and understanding of nanoporous layered silicates and membranes, particularly for potential applications in gas separations. Nanoporous layered materials are a rapidly growing area of interest, and include materials such as layered zeolites, porous layered oxides, layered aluminophosphates, and porous graphenes. They possess unique transport properties that may be advantageous for membrane and thin film applications. These materials also have very different chemistry from 3-D porous materials due to the existence of a large, chemically active, external surface area. This feature also necessitates the development of innovative strategies to process these materials into membranes and thin films with high performance.

O presente trabalho trata da preparação e caracterização de três tipos de materiais, todos envolvendo hidróxidos duplos lamelares (HDLs) contendo íons cobalto e alumínio na composição das lamelas. Primeiramente, avaliou-se a influência de parâmetros de síntese na obtenção de HDLs intercalados com os ânions inorgânicos carbonato, cloreto e nitrato. Segundo dados de espectroscopia eletrônica UV-VIS, ressonância paramagnética eletrônica (EPR) e espectroscopia de fotoelétrons excitados por raios X (XPS), ocorre a oxidação parcial do Co2+ em Co3+ na lamela de HDL e, no caso do material contendo íon carbonato, observa-se a presença de radical carbonato, demonstrando a reatividade redox das matrizes com íons cobalto. A segunda parte do trabalho consistiu na intercalação do ânion derivado do ácido 2- aminotereftálico (ATA) em HDL. A presença do cátion cobalto nas lamelas e do grupo amino na espécie orgânica promoveu alterações significativas nas propriedades eletrônicas e térmicas do material (abreviado Co2Al-ATA). Assim como na primeira parte desta tese, as transformações ocorridas com o íon ATA devem incluir a formação inicial de um radical orgânico (de modo similar à polimerização da anilina), para o qual o agente oxidante é o íon Co3+ lamelar. Os dados de espectroscopia vibracional (no infravermelho e Raman) e de XPS mostram a presença de segmentos reduzidos (benzenóide) e oxidados (quinóides) na espécie intercalada. A solubilização do HDL em meio ácido permitiu isolar um material orgânico de cor preta que possui segmentos semiquinóides (radical orgânico) em sua estrutura, além dos reduzidos. A última etapa da presente tese consistiu em pirolisar o material Co2Al-ATA mencionado acima. Verificou-se que a alteração no procedimento de pirólise, como a temperatura, o desenho do forno, a forma do cadinho (cilíndrico ou barca), o tempo de resfriamento do sistema ou a atmosfera dinâmica ou estática, por exemplo, afetam as propriedades do produto final de decomposição. Nos compósitos obtidos, as fases inorgânicas provenientes da decomposição do HDL foram uma mistura de óxidos mistos de cobalto e alumínio (Co(CoxAl1-x)2O4), óxido de cobalto (CoO) e cobalto metálico. A fase de carbono apresentou perfil espectral de carbono grafítico nanocristalino e foi obtida em valores de temperatura de pirólise superiores a 800°C. Os compósitos contendo nanopartículas de cobalto metálico são ferromagnéticos. A reatividade redox dos HDLs de cobalto e as propriedades de seus produtos de decomposição apresentam potencial para aplicação em dispositivos eletroquímicos. / The present work reports the preparation and characterization of three types of materials, all involving layered double hydroxides (LDHs) containing cobalt and aluminum ions in the layer composition. First, the influence of synthetic parameters on the production of LDHs intercalated with the inorganic anions carbonate, chloride and nitrate was evaluated. According to UV-VIS electronic spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) data, the partial oxidation of Co2+ to Co3+ occurs in the LDH layer and, in the case of the material containing carbonate ion, the presence of carbonate radical species demonstrates the redox reactivity of the matrices with cobalt ions. The second part of the work comprised the intercalation of the anion derived from 2- aminoterephthalic acid (ATA) in to LDH. The presence of the cobalt cation in the layer and the amino group in the organic species promoted significant changes in the electronic and thermal properties of the material (abbreviated Co2Al-ATA). As in the first part of this thesis, transformations occurring with the ATA ion should include the initial formation of an organic radical (similar to aniline polymerization), for which the oxidizing agent is the Co3+ ion in the layer. The vibrational (infrared and Raman) spectroscopy and XPS data show the presence of reduced (benzenoid) and oxidized (quinoids) segments in the intercalated species. The solubilization of HDL in acid medium allowed the isolation of a black organic material that has semiquinoid (organic radical) segments in its structure besides the reduced one. The last stage of the present thesis consisted of pyrolysis of the Co2Al-ATA material mentioned above. It was observed that the change in pyrolysis procedure, such as temperature, furnace design, crucible shape (bark or cylinder), system cooling time or dynamic or static atmosphere, for example, affects the properties of the final product of decomposition. In the obtained composites, the inorganic phases from the HDL decomposition were a mixture of mixed oxides of cobalt and aluminum (Co(CoxAl1-x)2O4), cobalt oxide (CoO) and metallic cobalt. The carbon phase showed nanocrystalline graphite carbon spectral profile and was obtained at pyrolysis temperature values above 800 °C. The composites containing metallic cobalt nanoparticles are ferromagnetic. The redox reactivity of HDLs containing cobalt and the properties of their decomposition products present potential for application in electrochemical devices

Les matériaux hybrides organiques-inorganiques forment une classe de systèmes dans lesquels plusieurs types de molécules organiques peuvent être insérées au sein d'une structure dite d’accueil, souvent de nature inorganique. C'est dans ce contexte que s'inscrit notre étude théorique de ces matériaux, utilisant les méthodes de la théorie de la fonctionnelle de la densité (DFT), jointes aux techniques de dynamique moléculaire (MD) dans l'approche dite de dynamique moléculaire ab initio. Nous avons développé un protocole permettant d'étudier l'évolution des propriétés de matériaux hybrides spécifiques sous l'effet de stimuli extérieurs comme la pression ou la température. Nous effectuons une étude théorique d’un matériau de référence dans la chimie des matériaux hybrides lamellaires: l'hydroxyde acétate de cuivre Cu2 (OH)3 (CH3 COO). Nous avons obtenu une transition d’un état antiferromagnétique à un état ferromagnétique sous l’effet d’une pression proche de 2 GPa, en bon accord avec la valeur expérimentale (1,2 GPa). Ensuite, nous appliquons ces méthodes à l’étude de nouveaux matériaux hybrides lamellaires simples contenant des molécules de fluorènes mono- et di- phosphoniques. / Ab-initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) refers to a set of state-of-the-art computational methods combining molecular dynamics with density functional theory. It is the basis of what could be called a «Virtual laboratory approach». In this work, we use the Car-Parrinello Molecular Dynamics (CPMD) scheme for investigating the properties of Copper Hydroxide Acetate system, a typical organic-inorganic hybrid material. We determine the corresponding atomic structure as well as several of its chemical and magnetic properties. Recent experimental achievements provide accurate XRD measurements enabling the study of magneto-structural properties of Cu2 (OH)3 (CH3 COO). compound. The pressure-induced magnetic transition, observed experimentally (at 1,2 GPa) in this material has been successfully reproduced (close to 2 GPa), thereby, highlighting the role of structural optimizations in theoretical treatments of such materials. Our aim is to elucidate the complex interplay between structural properties, interfacial inte r facial chemistry and magnetic behaviors of various nanoscale structured materials both at the local (atomic) and bulk (crystal) levels. We focus on copper hydroxide-based hybrid materials spanning through different organic components (such as fluorene mono- or di-phosphonic molecules) considered prototypical and very promising in the field of hybrid multifunctional materials.

No description available.

Os hidróxidos duplos lamelares (HDLs) compreendem uma extensa classe de materiais naturais e sintéticos, cujas estruturas e propriedades são frequentemente comparadas com as do mineral hidrotalcita. O estudo da intercalação de espécies de interesse farmacológico em HDLs tem ganhado a atenção da comunidade científica. O objetivo desta Dissertação foi o estudo da intercalação e liberação da espécie antioxidante N-acetil-L-cisteína (NAC) em HDLs de zinco-alumínio (Zn2Al-NAC) e magnésio-alumínio (Mg2Al-NAC). Espécies antioxidantes de modo geral apresentam características como baixa estabilidade química frente à luz e ao calor, sensibilidade ao valor do pH do meio e, algumas, baixa solubilidade. HDLs podem ser utilizados como carregadores de espécies antioxidantes para contornar as características indesejadas supracitadas. Os HDLs foram sintetizados através do método de coprecipitação, utilizando diferentes condições experimentais. Os materiais obtidos foram caracterizados por técnicas estruturais, espectroscópicas, térmicas, texturais e de análise química elementar. A liberação foi estudada através de experimentos in vitro de NAC intercalada ou imobilizada em HDL, empregando meio biológico simulado, nos métodos dinâmico e estático. Os difratrogramas de raios X das amostras de HDL de zinco mostram que a síntese realizada a 55°C conduz à formação de material de alta cristalinidade e reflexão (003) igual a 16,3 Å. O material possui partículas planas e com baixo grau de agregação. Os resultados de espectroscopia vibracional e 13C-RMN confirmam a manutenção da integridade estrutural da NAC após intercalação e, ainda, sugerem que ocorreu a desprotonação dos grupos carboxílico e tiol. As lamelas possuem sítios distintos de alumínio hexacordenado, segundo o espectro de 27Al-RMN. O conjunto de técnicas de caracterização indicam a substituição de parte dos íons hidroxila das lamelas pelo oxigênio do grupo carboxilato da NAC. Os ensaios de liberação in vitro sugerem um processo modificado (prolongado) da NAC, visto que no método dinâmico foi liberado 35% dessa espécie em 96 horas, enquanto no método estático ocorreu a liberação de 20%. As análises estratigráficas após o ensaio comprovam que ocorreu a liberação apenas das regiões mais externas do comprimido. Os resultados das sínteses do HDL de magnésio não indicam a intercalação da NAC para essa matriz, mesmo empregando diferentes parâmetros experimentais. A espectroscopia Raman sugere que ocorreu a oxidação parcial dos ânions de NAC devido ao aparecimento da banda de estiramento νS-S (508 cm-1). O espectro de 13C-RMN concorda com o resultado da espectroscopia Raman. Os dados de liberação in vitro corroboram a proposta de que a NAC está apenas imobilizada na superfície do HDL, visto que no método estático levou-se 12 horas para liberar 90% da NAC, sugerindo uma liberação rápida. As análises estratigráficas dos materiais após os testes de liberação dos dois métodos comprovam liberação total da NAC. / Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) comprise an extensive class of natural and synthetic materials, which structures and properties are often compared to those of hydrotalcite mineral. The study about intercalation of species of pharmacological interest into LDHs has gained the attention of the scientific community. The aim of this Dissertation was to investigate the intercalation and release of the antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) into LDHs of zinc-aluminum (Zn2Al-NAC) and magnesium-aluminum (Mg2Al-NAC) composition. Antioxidant species generally exhibit characteristics such as low chemical stability towards light and heat, sensitivity to the pH value of the medium and, some of them, low solubility. LDHs can be used as carriers of antioxidant species to circumvent the undesirable properties. LDHs were synthesized using the coprecipitation method and exploiting different experimental conditions. The obtained materials were characterized by structural, spectroscopic, thermal, textural and elemental chemical analysis techniques. The release of intercalated or immobilized NAC was studied by in vitro experiments in simulated biological medium, using the dynamic and static methods. The X-ray diffractograms of LDH samples of zinc show that the synthesis performed at 55°C leads to a high crystalline material and the (003) reflection equal to 16.3 Å. The material has flat particles and a low degree of aggregation. The results of vibrational spectroscopy and 13C-NMR confirm the structural integrity of NAC after intercalation, and also suggest that the deprotonation of the carboxylic and thiol groups occurred. The LDH layer has distinct sites of hexacoordinate aluminum, according to the 27Al-NMR spectroscopy. The set of characterization techniques indicates the partial substitution of hydroxide ions in the layers by the oxygen of NAC carboxylate group. The in vitro assays of NAC release suggest a modified (prolonged) process, since 35% of this species was released in 96 h in the dynamic method while occurred 20% of release in the static method. Stratigraphic analyzes of the LDH-NAC tablet after the release test demonstrate that only the species of the outermost regions of the tablet were delivered. The results of magnesium-LDH syntheses do not indicate the intercalation of NAC into the matrix, even using different experimental parameters. Raman spectroscopy suggests that partial oxidation of NAC anions occurred due to the appearance of the band assigned to νS-S (508 cm-1). The 13C-NMR spectrum of Mg2Al-NAC agrees with the result of Raman spectroscopy. In vitro release data corroborate the proposition that NAC is only immobilized on the LDH surface, since it took 12 h to release 90% of NAC in the static method, suggesting a rapid process. The stratigraphic analyzes of the material after the release tests by the two methods confirm the total release of NAC.

The ability to convert photons into mechanical motion is of significant importance for many energy conversion and reconfigurable technologies. Establishing an optical-mechanical interface has been attempted since 1881; nevertheless, only few materials exist that can convert photons of different wavelengths into mechanical motion that is large enough for practical import. Recently, various nanomaterials including nanoparticles, nanowires, carbon nanotubes, and graphene have been used as photo-thermal agents in different polymer systems and triggered using near infrared (NIR) light for photo-thermal actuation. In general, most photomechanical actuators based on sp bonded carbon namely nanotube and graphene are triggered mainly using near infra-red light and they do not exhibit wavelength selectivity. Layered transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) provide intriguing opportunities to develop low cost, light and wavelength tunable stimuli responsive systems that are not possible with their conventional macroscopic counterparts. Compared to graphene, which is just a layer of carbon atoms and has no bandgap, TMDs are stacks of triple layers with transition metal layer between two chalcogen layers and they also possess an intrinsic bandgap. While the atoms within the layers are chemically bonded using covalent bonds, the triple layers can be mechanically/chemically exfoliated due to weak van der Waals bonding between the layers. Due to the large optical absorption in these materials, they are already being exploited for photocatalytic, photoluminescence, photo-transistors, and solar cell applications. The large breaking strength together with large band gap and strong light- matter interaction in these materials have resulted in plethora of investigation on electronic, optical and magnetic properties of such layered ultra-thin semiconductors. This dissertation will go in depth in the synthesis, characterization, development, and application of two- dimensional (2D) nanomaterials, with an emphasis on TMDs and molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), when used as photo-thermal agents in photoactuation technologies. It will present a new class of photo-thermal actuators based on TMDs and hyperelastic elastomers with large opto-mechanical energy conversion, and investigate the layer-dependent optoelectronics and light-matter interaction in these nanomaterials and nanocomposites. Different attributes of semiconductive nanoparticles will be studied through different applications, and the possibility of globally/locally engineering the bandgap of such nanomaterials, along with its consequent effect on optomechanical properties of photo thermal actuators will be investigated. Using liquid phase exfoliation in deionized water, inks based on 2D- materials will be developed, and inkjet printing of 2D materials will be utilized as an efficient method for fast fabrication of functional devices based on nanomaterials, such as paper-graphene-based photo actuators. The scalability, simplicity, biocompatibility, and fast fabrication characteristics of the inkjet printing of 2D materials along with its applicability to a variety of substrates such as plastics and papers can potentially be implemented to fabricate high-performance devices with countless applications in soft robotics, wearable technologies, flexible electronics and optoelectronics, bio- sensing, photovoltaics, artificial skins/muscles, transparent displays and photo-detectors.

O presente trabalho de Doutorado tem como objetivo investigar a influência de materiais lamelares prístinos e modificados e a influência de diferentes rotas sintéticas nas propriedades físico-químicas do amido termoplástico, utilizando glicerol como plastificante. Para tanto, empregou-se para a produção dos materiais híbridos uma argila sintética da família das hectoritas (Laponita RD) na forma prístina e também modificada com íons berberine e carnosina, além de um hidróxido duplo lamelar (HDL) constituído por íons Zn2+/Al3+ intercalado com carboximetilcelulose (CMC). O amido e o material lamelar foram combinados, utilizando as metodologias de casting e extrusão, nas concentrações de 2,5 e 5,0 % (m/m) de argila ou HDL com relação ao polissacarídeo. Já quantidade de plastificante empregada foi variável, dependendo da rota de preparação empregada, sendo de aproximadamente 20 % (m/m) via casting e 30 % (m/m) via extrusão com relação ao amido. Conforme mostram os difratogramas de raios X dos filmes obtidos pelo método casting, todos os filmes contendo argila em sua composição exibem um sinal largo de difração na região de baixo ângulo de 2θ, embora pouco intenso, indica a existência de certa quantidade de nanocompósito do tipo intercalado. Já para os materiais obtidos via extrusão, os sinais de difração em baixo ângulo são consideravelmente alargados e muito pouco intensos. A propriedade térmica do amido termoplástico foi piorada em todos os casos estudados nos materiais contendo argila ou HDL em sua composição. A presença de carga inorgânica na formulação dos materiais híbridos preparados não retardou o processo de decomposição não-oxidativo do amido. A presença de uma maior quantidade de glicerol nos materiais obtidos por extrusão resultou em uma antecipação ainda maior no principal evento de perda de massa, em comparação com os mesmos materiais obtidos via casting. Devido à alta característica hidrofílica do amido, materiais lamelares intercalados com espécies que possuem maior caráter hidrofílico, como a Laponita prístina (contendo apenas íons Na+) e a carnosina mostraram uma melhor dispersão pela matriz polimérica, através da análise por técnicas de microscopia. Adicionalmente, observou-se uma melhor homogeneidade de distribuição da fase lamelar na fase polimérica nos filmes obtidos por casting em comparação com os materiais obtidos por extrusão. Os resultados mecânicos de todos os materiais híbridos analisados mostram tendências pouco conclusivas com relação ao amido termoplástico. Em geral, observa-se uma melhora muito sutil na máxima resistência a tração com a presença de material lamelar na composição dos materiais testados, além de uma diminuição na elongação máxima. Da mesma forma, a permeabilidade a gases dos filmes contendo argila ou HDL em sua composição mostrou resultados pouco conclusivos com relação ao amido termoplástico, geralmente exibindo uma redução modesta na permeabilidade. A investigação do perfil de biodegradação dos materiais contendo fase lamelar em sua composição mostrou que apenas a amostra contendo Laponita modificada com carnosina obtida por extrusão foi capaz de retardar significativamente a conversão do carbono das cadeias poliméricas em CO2, com relação ao amido termoplástico. / This present Thesis aimed to investigate the influence of pristine and modified layered materials and the influence of different preparation routes on the physicochemical properties of thermoplastic starch, using glycerol as plasticizer. To reach this goal, it was used to produce hybrid materials a synthetic clay belonging to the hectorite family (Laponite RD) in both pristine form and modified with berberine and carnosine ions and also a layered double hydroxide (LDH) comprised of Zn2+/Al3+ ions intercalated with carboxymethylcellulose (CMC). Both starch and the layered material were combined using casting and extrusion methodologies, using concentrations of 2.5 and 5.0 % (w/w) of clay or LDH relative to starch. The amount of plasticizer utilized was variable, depending on the preparation route employed. It was used approximately 20 % (w/w) of glycerol on casting route and 30 % (w/w) on extrusion route relative to starch. According to X ray diffractograms of the films obtained by casting route, all hybrid films that contain clay in their composition exhibit a large diffraction signal at low 2θ angle values, albeit its low intensity, indicates the existence of a certain contribuition of a intercalated nanocomposite. On the other hand, the hybrid materials obtained through extrusion method, these low angle diffraction signals are very broad and possess very low intensity. The thermal properties of thermoplastic starch were worsened in all studied cases after combined with clay or LDH. The presence of inorganic filler on the formulation of hybrid materials does not postpone the beginning of the non-oxidative decomposition process of starch. A higher amount of glycerol on the final materials obtained through extrusion resulted in an even greater anticipation on the main mass loss event in comparison to the analogous materials obtained using casting technique. Due to the high hydrophilic nature of starch, layered materials intercalated with ionic species that show higher hydrophilicity such as pristine Laponite (containing solely Na+ ions) and carnosine exhibited better dispersion through the polymer matrix, after being analyzed with microscopic techniques. Additionaly, it was observed a higher homogeneity of distribution of the layered phase over the polymer phase on the films obtained through casting in comparison to the materials obtained through extrusion. The tensile tests of all analyzed hybrid materials show a poorly conclusive trend in comparison to thermoplastic starch. In general, it was observed a subtle improvement on the maximum tensile strength of the materials containing layered material in their composition and also a decrease in the maximum elongation. In a same trend, gas permeability of the films was poorly conclusive in comparison to thermoplastic starch, generally resulting in a subtle reduction of permeability values. The investigation of biodegradation profile of the materials containing inorganic filler show that only Laponite modified with carnosine ions was able to postpone significatively the conversion of carbon from the polymer chains to CO2 in comparison to thermoplastic starch.