Die vorliegende Arbeit befasst sich mit magnetischen Tunnelkontakten (magnetic tunnel junctions, MTJs) auf Basis des Oxids Zinkferrit (ZnxFe3-xO4). Dabei soll das Potential dieses Materials durch die Demonstration des Tunnelmagnetowiderstandes (tunnel magnetoresistance, TMR) in zinkferritbasierten Tunnelkontakten gezeigt werden. Dazu wurde ein Probendesign für MTJs auf Basis der „pseudo spin valve“-Geometrie entwickelt. Die Basis für dieseStrukturen ist ein Dünnfilmstapel aus MgO (Substrat) / TiN / ZnxFe3-xO4 / MgO / Co. Dieser ist mittels gepulster Laserabscheidung (pulsed laser deposition, PLD) hergestellt. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit wurden die strukturellen, elektrischen und magnetischen Eigenschaften der Dünnfilme untersucht. Des weiteren wurden die fertig prozessierten MTJ-Bauelemente an einem im Rahmen dieser Arbeit entwickeltem und aufgebautem TMR-Messplatz vermessen. Dabei ist es gelungen einen TMR-Effekt von 0.5% in ZnxFe3-xO4-basierten MTJs nachzuweisen. Das erste Kapitel der Arbeit gibt eine Einführung in die spintronischen Effekte Riesenmagnetowiderstand (giant magnetoresistance, GMR) und Tunnelmagnetowiderstand (TMR). Deren technologische Anwendungen sowie die grundlegenden physikalischen Effekte und Modelle werden diskutiert. Das zweite Kapitel gibt eine Übersicht über die Materialklasse der spinellartigen Ferrite. Der Fokus liegt auf den Materialien Magnetit (Fe3O4) sowie Zinkferrit (ZnxFe3-xO4). Die physikalischen Modelle zur Beschreibung der strukturellen, magnetischen und elektrischen Eigenschaften dieser Materialien werden dargelegt sowie ein Literaturüberblick über experimentelle und theoretische Arbeiten gegeben. Im dritten Kapitel werden die im Rahmen dieser Arbeit verwendeten Probenpräparations- und Charakterisierungsmethoden vorgestellt und technische Details sowie physikalische Grundlagen erläutert. Die Entwicklung eines neuen Probendesigns zum Nachweis des TMR-Effekts in ZnxFe3-xO4-basierten MTJs ist Gegenstand des vierten Kapitels. Die Entwicklung des Probenaufbaus sowie die daraus resultierende Probenprozessierung werden beschrieben. Die beiden letzten Kapitel befassen sich mit der strukturellen, elektrischen und magnetischen Charakterisierung der mittels PLD abgeschiedenen Dünnfilme sowie der Tunnelkontaktstrukturen.

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PhD (Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences), Vaal University of Technology. / Water is a basic resource to mankind. The environment is deteriorating daily due to industrial pollution of water resources. Industrial effluents containing organic pollutants such as dyes are undesirable even at low concentrations in the environment. Natural biomaterials have been applied as adsorbents for dye removal from water systems, however, their application has been limited by their low adsorption capacity. Much attention has been focused on the chemical modification of natural biomass via grafting processes. The modification of natural polymers by graft copolymerization is a promising technique since it functionalizes a biopolymer thus imparting desirable properties. The purpose of the study was to prepare and optimize the working conditions for the pine-magnetite bionanocomposites (PMC) as adsorbents and as photocatalysts modifiers. First, this work focuses on the synthesis and optimization of reaction variables in the preparation of PMC for the removal of methylene blue (MB). The thesis also explores the synthesis of acrylamide and acrylic acid-grafted PMC, resulting in the formation of acrylamide-grafted PMC (GACA) and acrylic acid-grafted pine-magnetite bionanocomposites (GAA), respectively. The grafting of functional groups such as –CO, –NH2 onto cellulose from acrylamides is also explored in detail. The adsorption conditions optimized were used to investigate the adsorption efficiency of GAA and GACA on MB. Finally, the application of PMC and GAA as modifiers for amorphous TiO2 and N-doped TiO2was carried out. The photocatalytic bionanocomposites from PMC (namely PMC–a-C,TiO2 and PMC–a-C,NTiO2) and those from GAA (labeled GAA–a-C,TiO2 and GAA–a-C,NTiO2) are compared by their photocatalytic efficiency on the degradative removal of an alkaline dye mixture formed from Reactive red 120 (RR 120) and Rhodamine B (Rh B). The synthesis procedure for PMC involved treating pinecone biomass with 0.15 M NaOH solution to remove unwanted plant extracts and the subsequent coating of the treated pinecone with iron oxide magnetic particles through a co-precipitation method. The variables used for the experiments were volume of NH4OH (5 to 40 cm3), reaction temperature (40 to 100 °C), effect of time (15 to 60 min) and mass (1.0 to 3.5 g). The PMC and acrylic acid grafted pine-magnetite composite (GAA) were probed for structural morphology and surface properties using various surface characterization instrumental techniques. Strong chemical interactions between pinecone magnetite and acrylic acid were demonstrated by thermogravimetric (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) for these unique bionanocomposites as such suggesting high chemical stability. Grafting acrylic acid was shown by XPS to form polyacrylic acid on the surface of the bionanocomposites and thus capping the surface groups. Significant differences in size were shown by transmission electron spectroscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM); i.e., smaller particle sizes (Ave = 13.0 nm) for GAA and slightly larger for PMC (Ave = 14.0 nm). Brunauer Emmett Teller (BET) surface analysis demonstrated a larger surface area, pore volume and pore diameter (59.9 m2.g-1, 0.2254 cm3.g-1 and 28.14) for GAA compared to PMC. These characteristics coupled with the point of zero charge for GAA (pHpzc = 6.8) were critical in enhancing the efficiency of GAA adsorption of MB at pH 12 and further enable GAA to have a higher desorption efficiency of up to 99.7% after four cycles of washing with 0.10 M HCl. The adsorption kinetics and isotherm studies indicated that the adsorption process follows the pseudo second order kinetics and Langmuir isotherm respectively. The adsorbent also showed improvement in the adsorption capacity and reusability promising to be used for the removal of dyes in a prototype scale. GAA and MB adsorption mechanism was confirmed to be through intra particle diffusion. The overall performance of the GAA bionanocomposites is hinged on the formation of polyacrylic acid on the surface, its structural morphology, and the enhanced surface properties. Most importantly, the plant-based materials (lignin and cellulose) provide an environment that is rich with surface (–COOH and –OH) groups for the attachment of the magnetite nanoparticles while the polyacrylic acid stabilizes the magnetite onto the pinecone nanoparticles while reducing the point of zero charge for increased adsorption of cationic species. The photocatalytic bionanocomposites were fabricated from the adsorptive bionanocomposites using a simple solgel process in which ~10 wt.% of PMC and GAA, respectively, were used as a starting agent. Titanium butoxide was used as a precursor, acetylacetone as a dispersant and ethylene diamine as a nitrogen source. Using this procedure, amorphous carbon-doped titania (a-C,TiO2) and amorphous carbon and nitrogen co-doped titania (a-C,NTiO2) were fabricated except that the biopolymer was not added. Two sets of amorphous titania bionanocomposites were fabricated. One set was the nitrogen doped forms that had been modified with PMC and GAA (PMC–a-C,TiO2 and GAA–a-C,NTiO2). The other set of photocatalytic bionanocomposites produced in this work were without nitrogen (PMC–a-C,TiO2 and GAA–a-C,TiO2). TEM and SEM micrographs showed that all the photocatalysts consisted of globular, smooth aggregates of nanosized a-CTiO2 and a-C,NTiO2 which decreased in size with N-doping and the incorporation of GAA and PMC to as low as <30 nm. Surface chemical analysis through FTIR, XPS and EDS confirmed the presence of C, O, Ti and N (for the N-doped photocatalysts). In addition, it was demonstrated that N-doping into TiO2 had taken place, albeit with most of the N incorporated as organic nitrogen. It was further demonstrated that because of the absence of high temperature calcination, the process chemicals played a significant role in doping the photocatalysts with carbon resulting in the promotion of photocatalytic activity for a-C,TiO2 to the point of surpassing that of, a-C,NTiO2 and all the PMC-modified photocatalytic bionanocomposites. a-C,TiO2 had an overall 94% removal of the dyes, Rhodamine B (RhB) and Reactive red 120(RR 120), under UV illumination. The benefit of co-doping a-TiO2 with C, N and the biopolymers was realized with the incorporation of GAA as a modifier. The result was 97% removal of the dyes by GAA–a-CTiO2 and 99% for GAA–a-C,NTiO2. It was further observed that the degradation of the binary mixture of the dyes (RhB and RR 120) proceeded through the zero order kinetics for the a-C,TiO2 based photocatalysts and first order kinetics for the N-doped photocatalysts. The work, has, therefore demonstrated the applicability of plant-based biopolymers in the fabrication of nanoadsorbents and nanophotocatalysts. While the photocatalytic degradations were carried out under UV-light, there still remains a number of possible avenues that researchers can build on to improve the visible light-driven photocatalytic bionanocomposites. The research work has proven the effectiveness of novel pinecone magnetic nanoparticle materials and TiO2-based photocatalyst for the degradation of undesirable dyes from wastewater.

Объектом исследования являются бактерии Staphylococcus aureus в модельных суспензиях. Цель работы— апробация разработанных алгоритмов определения Staphylococcus aureus с использованием электрохимической системы на основе бесферментных электрохимических иммуносенсоров в модельных суспензиях. Определение чувствительности микробной флоры к антибактериальному препарату.В процессе работы должны быть проведены исследования синтезированных наночастиц магнетита, изучен характер электропревращений модифицированных наночастиц. Должен быть осуществлен выбор рабочего электрода и оптимальных условий анализа для количественного определения Staphylococcus aureus в модельных суспензиях. Должна быть проведена апробация разработанных алгоритмов по определению Staphylococcus aureus в модельных образцах. Определена чувствительность микробной микрофлоры к антибактериальному препарату мазь «Новокомб – 50%». В результате исследования были синтезированы наночастицы магнетита (Fe3O4), наличие полимерного покрытия подтверждено методом ИК - спектроскопии. В результате проведенных экспериментов был получен электрохимический аналитический отклик от модифицированных наночастиц магнетита. Были выбраны оптимальные условия регистрации аналитического сигнала. В качестве рабочего электрода был выбран планарный платиновый электрод, в качестве метода иммобилизации - метод физической сорбции антител на рабочую зону электрода. Был получен электрохимический отклик от иммунокомплекса антитело-бактерия, меченая наночастицами магнетита. Были выбраны оптимальные условия проведения количественного определения Staphylococcus aureus в модельных суспензиях. При данных условиях была выполнена оценка результатов в отношении таких показателей, как воспроизводимость и специфичность. По результатам апробации алгоритмов на модельных образцах было выявлено, что результаты данного метода коррелируют с методами ИФА и бактериального посева. Точность метода с использованием электрохимического иммуносенсора удовлетворительная. Данный метод может быть рекомендован для определения чувствительности микробной флоры к антибактериальным препаратам при их разработке, исследовании и на этапах серийного производства и обращения Основные конструктивные и технико-эксплуатационные показатели: предел обнаружения для бактерий Staphylococcus aureus составил 8.7 КОЕ/мл. Относительное стандартное отклонение не превышает 10%.Эффективность метода определяется возможностью его применения для определения чувствительности микробной флоры к антибактериальным препаратам при их разработке, исследовании и на этапах серийного производства и обращения. / Object of research are the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus in model suspensions. The purpose of testing the developed algorithms work- determining Staphylococcus aureus using electrochemical systems based on electrochemical besfermentnyh immunosensors in model suspensions. Determination of the sensitivity of the microbial flora to antibacterial preparatu.V during operation should be studied synthesized nanoparticles of magnetite, studied character elektroprevrascheny modified nanoparticles. Selection is to be made the working electrode and optimal assay conditions for quantitative determination of Staphylococcus aureus in model suspensions. It must be carried out testing of the developed algorithms to identify Staphylococcus aureus in model samples. Determine the sensitivity of the microbial microflora antimicrobial ointment "Novokomb - 50%." The study nanoparticles of magnetite (Fe3O4) were synthesized, the presence of the polymer coating was confirmed by IR - spectroscopy. As a result of the experiments was obtained from the electrochemical analytical response modified magnetite nanoparticles. optimal conditions for the registration of the analytical signal were selected. The working electrode was selected planar platinum electrode, as a method of immobilization - the method of physical adsorption of antibodies to the working electrode area. electrochemical response by the bacterium-antibody immunocomplex, labeled magnetite nanoparticles was obtained. the optimal conditions were selected quantitative determination of Staphylococcus aureus in model suspensions. Under these conditions, evaluation of the results was carried out in relation to indicators such as reproducibility and specificity. According to the results of testing of algorithms to model samples it was found that the results of this method correlate with the ELISA and bacterial seeding. Accuracy of the method using an electrochemical immunosensor satisfactory. This method can be recommended for the determination of the sensitivity of the microbial flora to antibiotics when they are developing, researching and on the stages of mass production and circulation of basic design and technical and operational parameters: detection limit for bacteria Staphylococcus aureus was 8.7 CFU / ml. The relative standard deviation does not exceed 10% g? O FIG method determined by the possibility of its application for the determination of the sensitivity of the microbial flora to antibiotics when they are developing, researching and on the stages of mass production and circulation.

This master's thesis covers an investigation of the reduction behavior of different iron oxides when electrolytically reduced with molten salt electrolysis (MSE). The tested iron oxides were wüstite (FeO), hematite (Fe2O3), magnetite (Fe3O4) and magnetite ore concentrate from the Tapuli deposit in Pajala, Norrbotten, Sweden. The properties of the Tapuli magnetite ore and magnetite ore concentrate were analysed from a mineralogical perspective to evaluate how the raw ore material influences the concentrate and its reduction by the MSE technology. The electrolytic experiments were performed in an Inconel 625 cell body within a pit-furnace. The different iron oxides were tested separately. The reduction samples were constructed of one or three iron oxide briquettes of 20 g each within a molybdenum mesh attached on a molybdenum tray with molybdenum wires. The molten electrolyte was kept at 500°C with an applied voltage of 1.7 or 2.1 V. The used electrolyte was sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The mineralogical examination shows that the Tapuli ore varies in composition between different locations of the deposit with respect to magnetite grain size and skarn composition and grain size. Point analyses with Laser Ablation Single Collector Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-SC-ICP-MS) on magnetite grains in thin sections from five drill cores fromdifferent parts of the deposit show that the element composition in the magnetite grains vary between the samples. Core-to-rim analyses for Fe, Mg, Mn and Al reveal relatively homogenous grades throughout the grains, with a few exceptions. Phase analysis with XRD shows that reduction has occurred in all tested iron oxides. Without prevention, the reduction products from trials on Fe2O3, Fe3O4 and magnetite ore concentrate show distinct XRD peaks of the by-product NaFeO2. According to XRD, the addition of Na2O seems to have reduced the NaFeO2 formation. Interestingly, no NaFeO2 was formed in the FeO trials. This might be explained by the absence of Fe3+ in FeO. The variation of the current-time curves of the trials is interpreted to depend on the voltage applied, the number of briquettes, briquette decomposition and Na2O addition. Electrolysis in molten NaOH can be used to reduce iron oxides. Despite this, NaOH might not be a suitable electrolyte for this process due to its interaction with Fe2O3 and Fe3O4 resulting information of NaFeO2. Na2O can be used as an additive to prevent formation of NaFeO2 but sharply decreases the current response, thus having an apparent negative effect on the process efficiency. Another preventive measure that can be tested is to calibrate the process voltage to decompose the NaFeO2 but not NaOH. Due to the shown interaction tendency of NaOH, other electrolytes should however be considered for this process. Regarding the Tapuli ore concentrate, more tests are needed to draw conclusions about how the trace elements effects its electrolytic behavior. / Denna masteruppsats avhandlar en undersökning av reduktionsbeteendet hos olika järnoxider vid elektrolytisk reduktion i saltsmälta (molten salt electrolysis (MSE)). Järnoxiderna som har testats är wüstit (FeO), hematit (Fe2O3), magnetit (Fe3O4) och magnetitmalmkoncentrat från malmfyndigheten Tapuli i Pajala, Norrbotten, Sverige. Malmkoncentratets egenskaper har analyserats ur mineralogisk synvinkel för att utvärdera hur den råa malmens mineralogi påverkar koncentratet och dess reduktionsbeteende vid elektrolys i saltsmälta. Elektrolysexperimenten utfördes i cellkropp av Inconel 625 placerad i en gropugn. De olika järnoxiderna testades separat. Reduktionsproverna utgjordes av en eller tre järnoxidbriketter på 20 g inuti ett molybdennät, fastvirade på en molybdenbricka med molybdentråd. Den smälta elektrolyten hölls vid en temperatur av 500°C med en applicerad spänning av 1.7 eller 2.1 V. Elektrolyten som användes var natriumhydroxid (NaOH). Den mineralogiska undersökningen visar att tapulimalmens sammansättning varierar mellan olika delar av fyndigheten med avseende på magnetitens kornstorlek och skarnets sammansättning och kornstorlek. Punktanalyser med Laser Ablation Single Collector Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-SC-ICP-MS) på magnetitkorn i tunnslip från fem olika borrkärnor visar att elementkoncentrationerna i magnetitkornen varierar mellan proverna. Core-to-rim-analyser på magnetitkornen visar att halterna av Fe, Mg, Mn och Al är tämligen homogena genom hela magnetitkornet med undantag av några få avvikande punkter. Fasanalys med XRD indikerar att reduktion har skett i alla försök. Utan prevention visar reduktionsprodukterna från försöken på Fe2O3, Fe3O4 och magnetitmalmkoncentrat klara indikationer av biprodukten NaFeO2. Enligt XRD verkar tillsats av Na2O ha minskat bildningen av Na2O för Fe2O3, Fe3O4 och Tapuli magnetitmalmkoncentrat. Intressant är att ingen NaFeO2 bildades i försöken med FeO. Förklaringen till detta skulle kunna vara avsaknaden av Fe3+ i FeO. De varierande ström-tidkurvorna från försöken tolkas bero på den applicerade spänningen, antalet briketter, brikettsönderdelning och tillsats av Na2O. Elektrolys i smält NaOH kan användas för att reducera järnoxider. Trots detta kanske NaOH inte är lämplig som elektrolyt i denna process, detta på grund av dess påvisade interaktion med Fe2O3 och Fe3O4 som resulterar i bildning av NaFeO2. Na2O kan tillsättas för att förhindra bildning av NaFeO2 men har en kraftigt negativ effekt på strömstyrkan i processen vilket minskar processens effektivitet. En annan preventiv åtgärd som kan testas är att kalibrera processens spänning så att NaFeO2 sönderdelas men inte NaOH. På grund av den konstaterade interaktionstendensen hos NaOH bör andra elektrolyter tas i beaktande för denna process. Angående magnetitmalmskoncentratet från Tapuli behövs fler tester för att dra slutsatser kring hur spårelementen påverkar dess uppförande vid smältelektrolys.

[pt] Este trabalho pode ser dividido em três etapas principais: síntese das nanopartículas, deposição de filmes finos e litografia por feixe de elétrons. As nanopartículas magnéticas foram sintetizadas pelo método de co-precipitação a partir de sulfato de ferro II (FeSO4), cloreto férrico (FeCl3) e hidróxido de amônia (NH4OH) à temperatura ambiente. Para prevenir a formação de agregados, foi adicionado nitrato de sódio (NaNO3) em pequenas quantidades, que se mostrou bastante eficiente. Em seguida foram produzidos filmes de magnetita utilizando o sistema de pulverização catódica usando fonte de radiofrequência (sputtering RF). Os alvos foram produzidos por compactação das nanopartículas de magnetita produzidas anteriormente. Os filmes finos foram depositados em substrato de silício. A formação de magnetita durante a deposição foi confirmada por difração de raios-x e magnetômetro de amostra vibrante. Uma vez controlados os parâmetros de deposição, foram produzidos arranjos de magnetita. A litografia por feixe de elétrons foi produzida em substrato de silício recoberto com máscara de PMMA (polimetilmetacrilato) de 250 nm de espessura. Foram produzidos arranjos periódicos de formas básicas a modo de testar a técnica de litografia: quadrados de 1 μm e círculos de 1 μm, 500 nm e 250 nm de diâmetro formados de um filme de magnetita de 80 nm de espessura. A espessura do filme, forma, tamanho e separação das figuras que compõem os padrões litografados influenciam na facilidade com que será retirada a mascara de PMMA. / [en] This work can be divided into three main steps: synthesis of nanoparticles, thin film deposition and electron beam lithography. The magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized by co-precipitation method from iron II sulfate (FeSO4), ferric chloride (FeCl3) and ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH) at room temperature. A small amount of sodium nitrate (NaNO3) was added to avoid the cluster formation, which was very efficient. Then the magnetite thin films were produced using the sputtering RF (radio frequency source) system. The targets were produced by compression of magnetite nanoparticles previously produced in the first step. The thin films were deposited on a silicon substrate. The formation of the magnetite after the deposition was confirmed by x-ray diffraction and vibrating sample magnetometer. The arrays of magnetite were made once the deposition parameters were controlled. The electron beam lithography has been produced on silicon substrate covered of PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate) resist 250 nm thick. Were produced periodic arrays of basic forms a way to test the technique of lithography, a square micron circles 1 μm, 500 nm and 250 nm in diameter formed of a magnetite film 80 nm thick. The film thickness, shape, size and separation of the figures which comprise standards lithographed can influence the ease with which the mask is withdrawn from PMMA.

Atualmente, aplicações de nanopartículas de magnetita (NPs-Fe3O4) têm sido comumente reportadas em inúmeros trabalhos descritos na literatura. Catálise, ferrofluidos e dispositivos de armazenamento de dados são algumas delas. Além disso, aplicações biomédicas têm sido demonstradas. Para esse último, têm-se os exemplos de magneto-hipertermia, liberação controlada de fármacos, agente de contraste em imagens de ressonância magnética e o controle de reações bioeletrocatalíticas envolvendo enzimas redox. Nesta tese, NPs-Fe3O4 foram aplicadas em duas vertentes inéditas. Dessa forma, tendo em vista uma melhor compreensão, a sua escrita foi dividida em dois capítulos, nos quais abordam separadamente cada uma dessas vertentes. O primeiro capítulo descreve a obtenção, modificação e funcionalização de NPs-Fe3O4 a afim de usá-las como uma plataforma para a imobilização do citocromo c (Cyt c); uma proteína redox de comportamento modelo dotada de um grupo prostético heme em sua estrutura terciária. Em seguida, após um efetivo processo de imobilização do Cyt c sobre as NPs-Fe3O4 com superfície modificada, o uso de um campo magnético externo possibilitou a deposição do mesmo na interface eletródica, estabelecendo a reação de transferência direta de elétrons entre o grupo heme e a superfície metálica do eletrodo de trabalho. Além disso, por meio da permuta entre os estados comutáveis switch on e switch off, obteve-se o controle magnético comutável da reação de transferência direta de elétrons do Cyt c quando imobilizado na superfície das NPs-Fe3O4 com superfície modificada. Já para o segundo capítulo, NPs-Fe3O4 foram utilizadas como adesivo magnético a fim de capturar nanoestruturas metálicas hollow (nanocages bimetálicos de Au/Ag) dispersas em suspensão aquosa. Dessa forma, por meio da influência de um campo magnético constante, os aglomerados formados entre esses dois nanomateriais foram depositados sobre uma máscara litográfica, levando a formação de padrões de litografia magnética dispostos sobre a superfície de um substrato de ITO (vidro recoberto com óxido de estanho dopado com índio). Imagens de microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) comprovaram que a metodologia utilizada para o preparo dos padrões litográficos foi eficaz, apresentando um alto rendimento na obtenção dos mesmos. Além disso, realizou-se com sucesso o mapeamento químico de infravermelho dos padrões litográficos dispostos sobre o ITO. Para isso, empregou-se como alvo os modos vibracionais do polímero polivinilpirrolidona (PVP) utilizado na funcionalização dos nanocages bimetálicos de Au/Ag. Por fim, acredita-se que os padrões litográficos arranjados em macroescala, juntamente com os aglomerados de nanocages bimetálicos alinhados na forma de microfios, possuem potencial aplicação em estudos de espectroscopia de absorção no infravermelho intensificado por superfície (SEIRA). / Currently, applications of magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4-NPs) have been commonly reported in many studies in the literature. Catalysis, ferrofluids and data storage devices are some of them. Moreover, biomedical applications have been demonstrated. For the latter, there are the following examples, such as magneto-hyperthermia, controlled release of drugs and the control of bioelectrocatalysis of the enzymatic reactions. In this thesis, Fe3O4-NPs were used in two new applications. Therefore, towards a better understanding its writing was divided into two chapters, which each one of them reports separately these two applications. The first chapter describes the synthesis, modification and functionalization of Fe3O4-NPs in order to use them as a platform for the immobilization of cytochrome c (Cyt c); model redox protein which possess a heme prosthetic group in its tertiary structure. Then, after an effective immobilization of Cyt c on surface-modified Fe3O4-NPs, the use of an external magnetic field permitted the deposition of this redox protein on the electrode interface, establishing the reaction of direct electron transfer between heme prosthetic group and the metallic surface of the working electrode. Furthermore, by the exchange between ON and OFF switch modes was obtained the magnetic control of the direct electron transfer of Cyt c when immobilized on the surface-modified Fe3O4-NPs. For the second chapter, Fe3O4-NPs were used as magnetic adhesive to capture hollow metallic nanostructures (Au-Ag bimetallic nanocages) dispersed in aqueous suspension. Thus, by use of a constant magnetic field, the agglomerates formed between these two nanomaterials were deposited on a lithographic mask, leading to formation of magnetolithograph patterns on the surface of ITO substrate (glass coated with oxide tin-doped indium). Scanning electron microscopy images (SEM) showed that the methodology used for the high-yield preparation of lithographicpatterns was effective. Furthermore, the FTIR chemical mapping of the lithographic patterns arranged on the ITO\'s surface was successfully performed. For this, the CH2 and C-N, C=O vibrational modes of the polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer (PVP) used for the functionalization of Au-Ag bimetallic nanocages were employed as target. Finally, we believed that magnetolithograph patterns arranged in microscale on the ITO surface, and also the clusters of the bimetallic nanocages aligned as micro-wires show potential application in surface-enhanced infrared absorption (SEIRA).

Die vorliegende Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit der Herstellung von funktionellen Magnetit-Nanokompositen durch Sprühtrocknung für die Anwendung in der Bioseparation. Dabei liegen die Schwerpunkte auf der Anwendung von Polyelektrolyten als Ionenaustauscher sowie auf der Nachhaltigkeit des Herstellungsprozesses. Basierend auf einem existierenden Herstellungsprozess wurde die Aufgabenstellung konkretisiert. Es wurden Möglichkeiten zur nachhaltigen Prozessgestaltung der Synthese von kationischen bzw. anionischen magnetischen Funktionspartikeln zur Proteinabtrennung vorgestellt. Als magnetische Komponente wurde Magnetit verwendet. Aufgrund seines pseudo-amphiphilen Charakters und seiner besonderen Eigenschaften in Bezug auf die Stabilisierung von Magnetit-Kolloiden wurde Polyvinylbutyral (Mowital B 30T) als Matrixpolymer bei der Sprühtrocknung benutzt. Für die nachhaltige Prozessgestaltung wurden Isopropanol und Tetrahydrofuran als Dichlormethan-Ersatz bei der Sprühtrocknung verwendet. Bei der Synthese kationischer Magnetic Beads wurden verzweigtes Polyethylenimin und lineares Poly(Allyamin) als Anionenaustauscher verwendet. Beide Polykationen sind schwache Polyelektrolyte mit Aminogruppen. Für die Verarbeitung der Polykationen als funktionelle Liganden in magnetischen Funktionspartikeln wurde zwei Herstellungsmethoden vorgestellt: eine Synthese ohne Oberflächenmodifizierung, wobei die mechanische und chemische Stabilität der Funktionspartikeln einzig von der chemischen Struktur der eingesetzten Materialien bzw. vom Matrixpolymer abhängt, und eine Synthese mit Oberflächenmodifizierung. Die Synthese mit Oberflächenmodifizierung ist gekennzeichnet durch die kovalente Bindung von Polyethylenimin bzw. Poly(Allyamin) an der Oberfläche der Funktionspartikeln (Polyvinylbutyral). Dafür wurde 1,1’-Carbonyldiimidazol als „zero length“-Crosslinker benutzt. Die nach beiden Methoden hergestellten Funktionspartikeln wurden charakterisiert, um ihre technische Eignung beurteilen zu können. Für die Charakterisierung der sorptiven Eigenschaften wurde unter anderem der Bowman-Birk Inhibitor (BBI) verwendet. Das Protein ist ein Sojaprodukt und für seine krebsvorbeugende Wirkung bekannt. Um die Selektivität der Abtrennung zu untersuchen, wurden BBI-Produkte mit unterschiedlichen Reinheitsgraden benutzt. Durch die zwei vorgestellten Methoden konnten kationische magnetische Funktionspartikeln erfolgreich hergestellt werden. Alle Funktionspartikeln sind superparamagnetisch, und der Medianwert ihrer Partikelgrößenverteilung liegt im einstelligen Mikrometerbereich. Aufgrund eines höheren Polykationanteils ist die Bindungskapazität der Funktionspartikeln ohne Oberflächenmodifizierung um den Faktor 2,4 größer als die BBI-Bindungskapazität der Funktionspartikeln mit Oberflächenmodifizierung (Qmax=322 mg/g). Das Fehlen eine feste Anbindung des funktionellen Liganden an den Funktionspartikeln ohne Oberflächenmodifizierung verleiht jedoch diesen eine sehr schlechte chemische Stabilität in Lösungen. Es wurde auch gezeigt, dass oberflächenmodifizierte Funktionspartikeln mit ähnlichen Eigenschaften durch den Einsatz von Dichlormethan bzw. Tetrahydrofuran als Lösungsmittelersatz während der Sprühtrocknung hergestellt werden können. Durch den Einsatz von mit Poly(allylamin) oberflächenmodifizierten Funktionspartikeln konnte BBI von technischen Sojamolken unterschiedlicher Reinheitsgrade erfolgreich abgetrennt werden. Anionische Magnetic Beads wurden mit Kationenaustauscherharz als funktionellem Ligand hergestellt. Dabei wurde Isopropanol als organisches Lösungsmittel während der Sprühtrocknung verwendet. Die Synthese wurde analog zur Synthese der kationischen Magnetic Beads ohne Oberflächenmodifizierung durchgeführt. Es wurde auch hier gezeigt, dass anionische magnetische Funktionspartikeln mit guten sorptiven Eigenschaften durch den Einsatz von Isopropanol als organisches Lösungsmittel hergestellt werden können. Die anionischen Funktionspartikeln besitzen im Vergleich zu Literaturwerten höhere Bindungskapazitäten (bis 280 mg/g; ermittelt mit Lysozym). Im letzten Kapitel wird der kritische Prozessschritt des Lösungsmittelaustausches behandelt. Nach dem Lösungsmittelaustausch sollten die Magnetitnanopartikeln in der organischen Phase stabil sein. Dies ermöglicht sowohl eine homogene Verteilung der Nanopartikeln in der Matrix als auch deren bessere Verkapselung während der Sprühtrocknung. Es wurde festgestellt, dass sich eine vollständige Abtrennung von Dichlormethan durch die angewendete Destillationsmethode nicht erreichen lässt. Anhand von zwei Modellsystemen — Rizinolsäure- und Ölsäure-beschichteten Magnetitnanopartikeln — und Lösungsmittelgemischen wurde die Stabilität von sterisch stabilisierten Magnetitpartikeln in binären Lösungsmittelgemischen untersucht. Der Fokus bei dieser Untersuchung lag auf der Untersuchung der Stabilität der beschichteten Magnetitnanopartikeln in einer möglichst Dichlormethan- bzw. Isooktan-freien organischen Phase. Als zweites Lösungsmittel (als Lösungsmittelersatz betrachtet) wurden neben Tetrahydrofuran und Isopropanol technisch verbreitete Lösungsmittel wie Isooktan und 1-Butanol eingesetzt. Die Untersuchungsergebnisse zeigen, dass die Anwendung der technischen Rizinolsäure bzw. Ölsäure einen zusätzlichen Einfluss auf die Stabilität der Magnetitpartikeln hat, da diese aus anderen Fettsäuren mit unterschiedlichen chemischen Strukturen bestehen. Die Diskrepanz zwischen der berechneten HANSEN-Distanzen und der Stabilität der Magnetitnanopartikeln mit reinen Fettsäuren lässt vermutet, dass die Zusammensetzung der Lösungsmittelgemische an der fest/flüssig-Grenzfläche anders ist als im freien Volumen. Ein Modell zur Beschreibung der Stabilität der Nanopartikeln, das auf einer Anreicherung des Ausgangslösungsmittels an der Grenzfläche basiert, wurde postuliert. Solange die Diffusion des zweiten Lösungsmittels in die Adsorptionsschicht nicht ausreichend genug ist, um die Löslichkeit der Fettsäureketten entscheidend zu reduzieren und somit einen Abfall der Abstoßungskräfte zwischen der Partikeln hervorzurufen, bleiben alle beschichteten Magnetitnanopartikeln stabil im Lösungsmittelgemisch. Dies ist der Fall für die mit der reinen Rizinolsäure beschichteten Magnetitnanopartikeln in allen verwendeten Lösungsmittelgemischen mit 0,5 Vol. % DCM in der kontinuierlichen Phase. Durch die vorgestellten Herstellungsmethoden wurde gezeigt, dass magnetische Funktionspartikeln sowohl mit festen partikelförmigen Ionenaustauschern als auch mit flüssigen schwachen Polyelektrolyten erfolgreich synthetisiert werden können. Eine nachhaltige Prozessgestaltung durch die Reduzierung der Dichlormethanmenge im Sprühtrocknungsprozess ist auch möglich. Für eine erfolgreiche industrielle Anwendung der Funktionspartikeln müssen aber ihre chemischen sowie mechanischen Eigenschaften deutlich verbessert werden. Dies könnte z.B. durch die Verwendung eines anderen Matrixpolymers oder durch die Entfernung von nicht gebundenen Bestandteilen durch gezielte Waschung der Funktionspartikeln erfolgen. Die Bindungskapazität sowie die Selektivität der oberflächenmodifizierten Funktionspartikeln sollte ebenfalls verbessert werden. Dafür wurde einen Ansatz durch die Quaternisierung der Aminogruppen präsentiert. Schließlich würde die Untersuchung der Stabilität der beschichteten Magnetitnanopartikeln in einphasigen reinen Lösungsmitteln nähere Erkenntnisse über das postulierte Modell der Anreicherung von Dichlormethan in der Adsorptionsschicht erbringen. Dabei könnte die Dichlormethanmenge durch mehrstufige Destillation bzw. Rektifikation beim Lösungsmittelaustausch entfernt werden. Eine vollständige Untersuchung dieses Effekts würde zusätzlich eine Antwort auf zahlreiche Fragestellungen der Kolloidchemie in Bezug auf das Stabilitätsverhalten von Pigmentdispersionen (Lacke) oder von beschichteten Nanopartikeln in Polymerlösungen erbringen.

Atualmente, aplicações de nanopartículas de magnetita (NPs-Fe3O4) têm sido comumente reportadas em inúmeros trabalhos descritos na literatura. Catálise, ferrofluidos e dispositivos de armazenamento de dados são algumas delas. Além disso, aplicações biomédicas têm sido demonstradas. Para esse último, têm-se os exemplos de magneto-hipertermia, liberação controlada de fármacos, agente de contraste em imagens de ressonância magnética e o controle de reações bioeletrocatalíticas envolvendo enzimas redox. Nesta tese, NPs-Fe3O4 foram aplicadas em duas vertentes inéditas. Dessa forma, tendo em vista uma melhor compreensão, a sua escrita foi dividida em dois capítulos, nos quais abordam separadamente cada uma dessas vertentes. O primeiro capítulo descreve a obtenção, modificação e funcionalização de NPs-Fe3O4 a afim de usá-las como uma plataforma para a imobilização do citocromo c (Cyt c); uma proteína redox de comportamento modelo dotada de um grupo prostético heme em sua estrutura terciária. Em seguida, após um efetivo processo de imobilização do Cyt c sobre as NPs-Fe3O4 com superfície modificada, o uso de um campo magnético externo possibilitou a deposição do mesmo na interface eletródica, estabelecendo a reação de transferência direta de elétrons entre o grupo heme e a superfície metálica do eletrodo de trabalho. Além disso, por meio da permuta entre os estados comutáveis switch on e switch off, obteve-se o controle magnético comutável da reação de transferência direta de elétrons do Cyt c quando imobilizado na superfície das NPs-Fe3O4 com superfície modificada. Já para o segundo capítulo, NPs-Fe3O4 foram utilizadas como adesivo magnético a fim de capturar nanoestruturas metálicas hollow (nanocages bimetálicos de Au/Ag) dispersas em suspensão aquosa. Dessa forma, por meio da influência de um campo magnético constante, os aglomerados formados entre esses dois nanomateriais foram depositados sobre uma máscara litográfica, levando a formação de padrões de litografia magnética dispostos sobre a superfície de um substrato de ITO (vidro recoberto com óxido de estanho dopado com índio). Imagens de microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) comprovaram que a metodologia utilizada para o preparo dos padrões litográficos foi eficaz, apresentando um alto rendimento na obtenção dos mesmos. Além disso, realizou-se com sucesso o mapeamento químico de infravermelho dos padrões litográficos dispostos sobre o ITO. Para isso, empregou-se como alvo os modos vibracionais do polímero polivinilpirrolidona (PVP) utilizado na funcionalização dos nanocages bimetálicos de Au/Ag. Por fim, acredita-se que os padrões litográficos arranjados em macroescala, juntamente com os aglomerados de nanocages bimetálicos alinhados na forma de microfios, possuem potencial aplicação em estudos de espectroscopia de absorção no infravermelho intensificado por superfície (SEIRA). / Currently, applications of magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4-NPs) have been commonly reported in many studies in the literature. Catalysis, ferrofluids and data storage devices are some of them. Moreover, biomedical applications have been demonstrated. For the latter, there are the following examples, such as magneto-hyperthermia, controlled release of drugs and the control of bioelectrocatalysis of the enzymatic reactions. In this thesis, Fe3O4-NPs were used in two new applications. Therefore, towards a better understanding its writing was divided into two chapters, which each one of them reports separately these two applications. The first chapter describes the synthesis, modification and functionalization of Fe3O4-NPs in order to use them as a platform for the immobilization of cytochrome c (Cyt c); model redox protein which possess a heme prosthetic group in its tertiary structure. Then, after an effective immobilization of Cyt c on surface-modified Fe3O4-NPs, the use of an external magnetic field permitted the deposition of this redox protein on the electrode interface, establishing the reaction of direct electron transfer between heme prosthetic group and the metallic surface of the working electrode. Furthermore, by the exchange between ON and OFF switch modes was obtained the magnetic control of the direct electron transfer of Cyt c when immobilized on the surface-modified Fe3O4-NPs. For the second chapter, Fe3O4-NPs were used as magnetic adhesive to capture hollow metallic nanostructures (Au-Ag bimetallic nanocages) dispersed in aqueous suspension. Thus, by use of a constant magnetic field, the agglomerates formed between these two nanomaterials were deposited on a lithographic mask, leading to formation of magnetolithograph patterns on the surface of ITO substrate (glass coated with oxide tin-doped indium). Scanning electron microscopy images (SEM) showed that the methodology used for the high-yield preparation of lithographicpatterns was effective. Furthermore, the FTIR chemical mapping of the lithographic patterns arranged on the ITO\'s surface was successfully performed. For this, the CH2 and C-N, C=O vibrational modes of the polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer (PVP) used for the functionalization of Au-Ag bimetallic nanocages were employed as target. Finally, we believed that magnetolithograph patterns arranged in microscale on the ITO surface, and also the clusters of the bimetallic nanocages aligned as micro-wires show potential application in surface-enhanced infrared absorption (SEIRA).

The issue of prosthetic infection leading to implant failure due to the formation of bacterial biofilms on biomaterial surfaces has been widely recognized as a major issue, often leading to revision surgery. The growing number of patients requiring synthetic biomaterials as implants is on the rise and so is the risk of infection arising from pre/peri-/post-operative surgical procedures. Traditional antibiotic treatment has led to the emergence of bacterial drug resistance. Therefore, the development of novel bactericidal methods to combat drug resistant microbial pathogens is the need of the hour. The first part of the thesis is an attempt to address prosthetic infection by the development of novel ultrasmall gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) which are cytocompatible and present a therapeutic dosage window for eliciting antimicrobial property. Towards this end, ultrasmall AuNPs with 0.8 nm and 1.4 nm gold core sizes, stabilized by monosulphonated triphenylphosphine ligand shells were synthesized. Such intricately designed AuNPs with ultrasmall gold cores and phosphine-based ligand chemistry were demonstrated to be highly potent bactericidal agents against staphylococci, the most common human pathogen causing biomaterial associated infection. The antibacterial efficacy of these AuNPs was significant even in mature staphylococcal biofilms. In another study, the application of high strength pulse magnetic fields (1-4 Tesla) was examined for bacterial growth inactivation in vitro. A magnetic field strength dependent decrease in bacterial viability with a concomitant increase in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and longer doubling times were recorded. The mechanism of action was explained through an analytical model which involves ion-transport interference of essential ions like Ca2+ and Mg2+ and disruption of FeS clusters leading to inactivation of bacterial redox enzymes. On the contrary, such high magnetic fields did not pose any detrimental effects to eukaryotic cells under similar exposure. Additionally, the potency of low intensity direct current electric field (DC EF: 1V/cm) against biofilm formation by methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was explored on antimicrobial surfaces of hydroxyapatite and Zinc oxide (HA-xZnO; x = 0, 5, 7.5 and 10 wt%). An EF exposure time dependent decline in the viability and stability of MRSA biofilms were noted. Further, EF treatment resulted in bacterial membrane depolarization and reduced biofilm formation on HA-ZnO composites, independent of the substrate composition. In summary, the above three studies were cases of the developmental methods to address prothetic infection. The second part of the thesis is focused on the development of magneto-responsive biomaterials as implants for orthopaedic applications. Under this category, the sintering/ hot pressing of hydroxyapatite-magnetite (HA-xFe3O4; x = 0, 5, 10, 20 and 40 wt%) powders in oxidizing and inert atmospheres was carried out and the resulting phases and microstructure were characterized. A detailed analysis of the phase assemblage by Rietveld refinement of the X-ray diffraction (XRD) data and Mössbauer spectroscopy revealed the major retention of Fe3O4 along with wustite (FeO) formation under reducing conditions while hematite (α-Fe2O3) was the oxidized product of conventional sintering in ambient atmosphere. A good correlation between the unit cell volume increases in HA observed from Rietveld refinements and Fe incorporation into the apatite lattice from Mössbauer spectral parameters was evident. Further, the Mössbauer data analysis indicated a preferential occupancy of Fe at the Ca(1) site under oxidizing conditions and Ca(2) site in inert atmosphere. The above phase analyses were further confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and CHN analysis. The microstructure of the hot-pressed samples observed under transmission electron microscope (TEM) divulged similar phases as deduced from XRD as well as the formation of translational Moire fringe patterns due to inference of overlapping crystal planes of HA and Fe3O4 in the HA-40 wt% composite. Such translational Moire fringes suggest a preferred arrangement and orientation of the crystallites resulting from hot-pressing, which correlated well with the room temperature magnetic measurements made with the help of a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The compositional similarity of Fe doping in HA to that of the tooth enamel and bone presents these HA-Fe3O4 composites as potent dental/ orthopaedic implant materials. In the conclusive study, the hot-pressed HA-xFe3O4 composites were tested for their efficacy in supporting the osteogenesis of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) assisted by intermittent static magnetic field exposure. The magneto-responsive substrates were applied as platforms for the culture of hMSCs and the effect of static magnetic field (SMF) exposure on the viability, proliferation and differentiation of hMSCs were elucidated. With a mild compromise in viability, SMF triggered the osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs mediated by proliferative arrest in the G0/G1 phase and elevated intracellular calcium levels. The early bone marker genes - Runx2, Col IA and ALP were significantly up regulated upon SMF exposure on pure HA and HA-Fe3O4 composites. Further, the late osteogenic markers – OCN and OPN were detected exclusively in the HA-xFe3O4 (x = 10 and 40 wt%) composites. Matrix mineralization was enhanced and CaP nodules were detected on similar SMF treated HA-Fe3O4 composites. A substrate magnetization and time dependent modulation of gene expression was recorded which corroborated well with the temporal trending of osteogenic genes during bone development. In conclusion, substrate magnetization can be applied as a tool to modulate the behavior of stem cells and direct them towards osteogenic lineage. Such a pertinent combination of substrate magnetization and external magnetic field stimulation can be applied synergistically for stem cell based bone tissue engineering applications.