Fungos filamentosos com capacidade de produzir micotoxinas podem estar presentes em alimentos, desde o cultivo até o produto após industrialização. Devido a isso, estratégias para controlar o crescimento fúngico devem ser investigadas, a fim de evitar o desenvolvimento desses microrganismos, bem como a produção de suas toxinas nos alimentos. Neste trabalho, duas abordagens para o controle de fungos toxigênicos foram avaliadas. A primeira estratégia foi a utilização de bactérias provenientes de diferentes ambientes aquáticos, sendo que 10 linhagens de Bacillus spp. e a linhagem Pseudomonas sp. 4B foram testadas quanto à influência sobre os parâmetros de crescimento (taxas de crescimento micelial, esporulação e germinação de esporos) de fungos toxigênicos (Aspergillus e Penicillium) e formação de micotoxinas. Todas as bactérias foram capazes de inibir o crescimento dos fungos em meio de cultura, apresentando halos de inibição variando de 1,0 até 15,7 mm. Bacillus sp. P11 apresentou resultados mais expressivos em relação às demais linhagens do gênero Bacillus com maiores valores de redução na maioria dos parâmetros de crescimento. Além disso, Bacillus sp. P11 e Pseudomonas sp. 4B apresentaram efeito sobre as taxas de crescimento micelial, esporulação e germinação de esporos, com níveis de redução acima de 43,3, 32,1 e 84,1% respectivamente. Mesmo assim, as demais linhagens também apresentaram resultados satisfatórios sobre esses parâmetros. Estas bactérias também reduziram a síntese de aflatoxina B1 e ocratoxina A em mais de 94 e 63%, respectivamente, quando cultivadas simultaneamente com os fungos produtores de cada micotoxina. Adicionalmente, a capacidade de Bacillus sp. P11 em produzir os lipopeptídeos iturina A (167,9 mg/mL de extrato butanólico) e surfactina (361,9 mg/mL de extrato butanólico) foi confirmada. Estes compostos podem ter contribuído para a atividade antifúngica desta bactéria. A segunda estratégia investigada neste estudo para controlar o desenvolvimento de fungos toxigênicos foi o emprego de nanofibras de poli-ɛ-caprolactona (PCL) incorporadas com cetoconazol e natamicina como material antimicrobiano. Nesta abordagem, as nanofibras foram produzidas pela técnica de eletrofiação e posteriormente caracterizadas e avaliadas quanto ao seu potencial antifúngico. Nanofibras funcionalizadas com cetoconazol ou natamicina apresentaram atividade antifúngica contra os isolados toxigênicos uma vez que zonas de inibição variando de 6 a 44 mm foram observadas. Além disso, as análises de microscopia eletrônica e espectroscopia demonstraram que a incorporação dos antifúngicos não altera de forma expressiva as principais características das nanofibras. Também foi possível verificar a capacidade de liberação controlada dos antifúngicos durante 72 h de contato das nanofibras com diferentes soluções simulantes. Valores próximos a 80 e 45 μg/mL de cetoconazol e natamicina, respectivamente, foram observados em solução de Tween 20 (5%). Portanto, o processo de eletrofiação foi capaz de agregar propriedades antifúngicas às nanofibras de PCL. Os resultados demonstraram que as bactérias e os nanomateriais investigados neste estudo são promissores para o controle de fungos toxigênicos e produção de micotoxinas. / Filamentous fungi that have the potential to produce mycotoxins may be present in food, from cultivation to after industrialization. Therefore, several strategies to control fungal growth must be investigated in order to avoid the development of these microorganisms and the production of their toxins in food. In this work, two approaches to toxigenic fungi control were evaluated. The first one was the use of bacteria from different aquatic environments as biocontrol agents in which 10 Bacillus spp. strains and the Pseudomonas sp. 4B strain were tested in relation to the effect on growth parameters (mycelial growth, sporulation and spore germination rates) of toxigenic fungi (Aspergillus and Penicillium) and mycotoxin formation. All bacteria were able to inhibit the fungal growth in culture medium with inhibition zones ranging from 1.0 to 15.7 mm. It was also observed that Bacillus sp. P11 had better results compared to other Bacillus strains with larger reduction values in most of growth parameters. Furthermore, Bacillus sp. P11 and Pseudomonas sp. 4B exhibited effect on mycelial growth, sporulation and spore germination rates with reduction values above of 43.3, 32.1 and 84.1%, respectively. Even so, the other strains also showed satisfactory results on these parameters. Finally, these bacteria reduced the synthesis of aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A at levels above 94 and 63%, respectively, when co-cultivated with each mycotoxin producing fungi. Additionally, the ability of Bacillus sp. P11 to produce lipopeptides such as iturin A (167.9 mg/ml of butanolic extract) and surfactin (361.9 mg/ml of butanolic extract) was confirmed. These compounds may have contributed to antifungal activity of this bacterium. The second investigation of this work in order to control the growth of toxigenic fungi was the use of poly-ε-caprolactone nanofibers incorporated with ketoconazole and natamycin as antimicrobial material. In this approach, nanofibers were produced by the electrospinning technique and subsequently characterized and evaluated for their antifungal potential. Both nanofibers functionalized with ketoconazole and natamycin showed antifungal activity against toxigenic isolates since inhibitory zones ranging from 6 to 44 mm were observed. In addition, scanning electron microscopy and infrared spectroscopy analysis showed that the antifungals incorporation does not change the characteristics of nanofibers. It was also possible to verify the ability of controlled drug release during 72 h of nanofibers contact with different simulants solutions. Values near 80 and 45 μg/ml of ketoconazole and natamycin, respectively, were observed in the solution containing 5% Tween 20. Therefore, the electrospinning process was able to provide antifungal properties to the nanofibers. The results showed that bacteria and nanomaterials investigated in this study are promising for developing control strategies of toxigenic fungi and mycotoxin production.

Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) are specifically designed with different functionalities to satisfy required industrial, medical or commercial purposes. The inevitable release of these materials to the environment may impact negatively bacteria that are essential for the ecosystem’s well-being. This work aimed to identify features that determine the hazardous nature of nanomaterials to bacteria. At first, the bacterial growth inhibition concentrations for silver (Ag), cupric oxide (CuO), cadmium telluride quantum dots (CdTe QDs), titanium dioxide (TiO2), nanodiamonds and multi-walled carbon nanotubes were determined on Escherichia coli K-12 MG1655 grown in 96-well plates. The nano-forms of Ag, CuO, TiO2 and the CdTe QDs were found to display more growth inhibitory effects than their bulk equivalents. The metal salts of silver and copper were still more toxic than their equivalent ENM forms; on the contrary the CdTe QDs were found to be more toxic than their metal salts equivalent. The surface coatings of the ENMs were not found to be significant contributors of bacterial growth inhibition. This screening assay could be adapted as a first tier approach; providing an early input into the hazard assessment of nanomaterials to bacteria. The upscale determination of bacterial growth inhibition tests in 250 ml Erlenmeyer flasks manifested similar results to those observed in 96-well plates. The growth inhibition tests with E. coli were also conducted in an anaerobic fermentative environment. The presence of the ENMs was not found to disrupt the functionality of the fermentation respiratory pathway of the bacterium. However, the results indicated a more severe bacterial growth inhibition response to the presence of silver, copper and the cadmium/tellurium based ENMs as compared to the aerobic growth exposures. Finally, from the adaptation of a human ingestion simulation of soil containing CuO NPs, no greater concerns of metal bioaccessibility were identified from the potential ingestion of the nano-forms of CuO versus the metal salt.

Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) have been increasingly used in various applications. Often, the ENMs are functionalised with a surface coating to enhance their properties. Decades of research has provided information on mostly pristine and unmodified ENMs, while ecotoxicity of coated ENMs and how their hazard changes with age in soils is still uncertain. The thesis aimed to determine the toxic effects and bioaccumulation potential of CuO ENMs and CdTe quantum dots (QDs) with different chemical coatings (carboxylate, COOH; polyethylene glycol, PEG; ammonium, NH4+) on the earthworm (Eisenia fetida), and compare the effects to their metal salt (CuSO4) or micron-sized counterpart. Then, to determine if any observed toxicity was altered after ageing the soils for up to one year. Incidental plant growth was studied in the exposure soils to maximise the scientific value of the earthworm tests. Toxic effects of CuO ENMs were also assessed in Caenorhabditis elegans exposed in liquid and soil media to understand effects of the media and method of dosing on ENM toxicity. CuO ENMs were equally toxic to earthworms, or less toxic to plants than the dissolved Cu; whereas CdTe QD ENMs were more toxic than the micron-sized CdTe QDs. There was a coating effect in both, CuO and CdTe QD ENM experiments, the -COOH coated ENMs were most toxic in the fresh soil study, while -NH4+ coated ENMs were most toxic in the aged soil study. Despite the similarities in the toxicity ranking, the biological effects exerted were different between CuO and CdTe QD ENMs. In C. elegans exposures, the ENMs were more hazardous than dissolved Cu, but ranking of ENMs depended on the media and method of dosing. The results suggest the coating effect is determined by the reactivity of the coating in a given media, and it also depends on the core of the ENMs. As such, coating and ageing effects should be considered in the risk assessment of ENMs.

Fungos filamentosos com capacidade de produzir micotoxinas podem estar presentes em alimentos, desde o cultivo até o produto após industrialização. Devido a isso, estratégias para controlar o crescimento fúngico devem ser investigadas, a fim de evitar o desenvolvimento desses microrganismos, bem como a produção de suas toxinas nos alimentos. Neste trabalho, duas abordagens para o controle de fungos toxigênicos foram avaliadas. A primeira estratégia foi a utilização de bactérias provenientes de diferentes ambientes aquáticos, sendo que 10 linhagens de Bacillus spp. e a linhagem Pseudomonas sp. 4B foram testadas quanto à influência sobre os parâmetros de crescimento (taxas de crescimento micelial, esporulação e germinação de esporos) de fungos toxigênicos (Aspergillus e Penicillium) e formação de micotoxinas. Todas as bactérias foram capazes de inibir o crescimento dos fungos em meio de cultura, apresentando halos de inibição variando de 1,0 até 15,7 mm. Bacillus sp. P11 apresentou resultados mais expressivos em relação às demais linhagens do gênero Bacillus com maiores valores de redução na maioria dos parâmetros de crescimento. Além disso, Bacillus sp. P11 e Pseudomonas sp. 4B apresentaram efeito sobre as taxas de crescimento micelial, esporulação e germinação de esporos, com níveis de redução acima de 43,3, 32,1 e 84,1% respectivamente. Mesmo assim, as demais linhagens também apresentaram resultados satisfatórios sobre esses parâmetros. Estas bactérias também reduziram a síntese de aflatoxina B1 e ocratoxina A em mais de 94 e 63%, respectivamente, quando cultivadas simultaneamente com os fungos produtores de cada micotoxina. Adicionalmente, a capacidade de Bacillus sp. P11 em produzir os lipopeptídeos iturina A (167,9 mg/mL de extrato butanólico) e surfactina (361,9 mg/mL de extrato butanólico) foi confirmada. Estes compostos podem ter contribuído para a atividade antifúngica desta bactéria. A segunda estratégia investigada neste estudo para controlar o desenvolvimento de fungos toxigênicos foi o emprego de nanofibras de poli-ɛ-caprolactona (PCL) incorporadas com cetoconazol e natamicina como material antimicrobiano. Nesta abordagem, as nanofibras foram produzidas pela técnica de eletrofiação e posteriormente caracterizadas e avaliadas quanto ao seu potencial antifúngico. Nanofibras funcionalizadas com cetoconazol ou natamicina apresentaram atividade antifúngica contra os isolados toxigênicos uma vez que zonas de inibição variando de 6 a 44 mm foram observadas. Além disso, as análises de microscopia eletrônica e espectroscopia demonstraram que a incorporação dos antifúngicos não altera de forma expressiva as principais características das nanofibras. Também foi possível verificar a capacidade de liberação controlada dos antifúngicos durante 72 h de contato das nanofibras com diferentes soluções simulantes. Valores próximos a 80 e 45 μg/mL de cetoconazol e natamicina, respectivamente, foram observados em solução de Tween 20 (5%). Portanto, o processo de eletrofiação foi capaz de agregar propriedades antifúngicas às nanofibras de PCL. Os resultados demonstraram que as bactérias e os nanomateriais investigados neste estudo são promissores para o controle de fungos toxigênicos e produção de micotoxinas. / Filamentous fungi that have the potential to produce mycotoxins may be present in food, from cultivation to after industrialization. Therefore, several strategies to control fungal growth must be investigated in order to avoid the development of these microorganisms and the production of their toxins in food. In this work, two approaches to toxigenic fungi control were evaluated. The first one was the use of bacteria from different aquatic environments as biocontrol agents in which 10 Bacillus spp. strains and the Pseudomonas sp. 4B strain were tested in relation to the effect on growth parameters (mycelial growth, sporulation and spore germination rates) of toxigenic fungi (Aspergillus and Penicillium) and mycotoxin formation. All bacteria were able to inhibit the fungal growth in culture medium with inhibition zones ranging from 1.0 to 15.7 mm. It was also observed that Bacillus sp. P11 had better results compared to other Bacillus strains with larger reduction values in most of growth parameters. Furthermore, Bacillus sp. P11 and Pseudomonas sp. 4B exhibited effect on mycelial growth, sporulation and spore germination rates with reduction values above of 43.3, 32.1 and 84.1%, respectively. Even so, the other strains also showed satisfactory results on these parameters. Finally, these bacteria reduced the synthesis of aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A at levels above 94 and 63%, respectively, when co-cultivated with each mycotoxin producing fungi. Additionally, the ability of Bacillus sp. P11 to produce lipopeptides such as iturin A (167.9 mg/ml of butanolic extract) and surfactin (361.9 mg/ml of butanolic extract) was confirmed. These compounds may have contributed to antifungal activity of this bacterium. The second investigation of this work in order to control the growth of toxigenic fungi was the use of poly-ε-caprolactone nanofibers incorporated with ketoconazole and natamycin as antimicrobial material. In this approach, nanofibers were produced by the electrospinning technique and subsequently characterized and evaluated for their antifungal potential. Both nanofibers functionalized with ketoconazole and natamycin showed antifungal activity against toxigenic isolates since inhibitory zones ranging from 6 to 44 mm were observed. In addition, scanning electron microscopy and infrared spectroscopy analysis showed that the antifungals incorporation does not change the characteristics of nanofibers. It was also possible to verify the ability of controlled drug release during 72 h of nanofibers contact with different simulants solutions. Values near 80 and 45 μg/ml of ketoconazole and natamycin, respectively, were observed in the solution containing 5% Tween 20. Therefore, the electrospinning process was able to provide antifungal properties to the nanofibers. The results showed that bacteria and nanomaterials investigated in this study are promising for developing control strategies of toxigenic fungi and mycotoxin production.

abstract: Electrospinning is a means of fabricating micron-scale diameter fiber networks with enmeshed nanomaterials. Polymeric nanocomposites for water treatment require the manipulation of fiber morphology to expose nanomaterial surface area while anchoring the nanomaterials and maintaining fiber integrity; that is the overarching goal of this dissertation. The first investigation studied the effect of metal oxide nanomaterial loadings on electrospinning process parameters such as critical voltage, viscosity, fiber diameter, and nanomaterial distribution. Increases in nanomaterial loading below 5% (w/v) were not found to affect critical voltage or fiber diameter. Nanomaterial dispersion was conserved throughout the process. Arsenic adsorption tests determined that the fibers were non-porous. Next, the morphologies of fibers made with carbonaceous materials and the effect of final fiber assembly on adsorption kinetics of a model organic contaminant (phenanthrene, PNT) was investigated. Superfine powdered activated carbon (SPAC), C60 fullerenes, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, and graphene platelets were added to PS and electrospun. SPAC maintained its internal pore structure and created porous fibers which had 30% greater PNT sorption than PS alone and a sevenfold increase in surface area. Carbon-based nanomaterial-PS fibers were thicker but less capacious than neat polystyrene electrospun fibers. The surface areas of the carbonaceous nanomaterial-polystyrene composites decreased compared to neat PS, and PNT adsorption experiments yielded decreased capacity for two out of three carbonaceous nanomaterials. Finally, the morphology and arsenic adsorption capacity of a porous TiO2-PS porous fiber was investigated. Porous fiber was made using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a porogen. PVP, PS, and TiO2 were co-spun and the PVP was subsequently eliminated, leaving behind a porous fiber morphology which increased the surface area of the fiber sevenfold and exposed the nanoscale TiO2 enmeshed inside the PS. TiO2-PS fibers had comparable arsenic adsorption performance to non-embedded TiO2 despite containing less TiO2 mass. The use of a sacrificial polymer as a porogen facilitates the creation of a fiber morphology which provides access points between the target pollutant in an aqueous matrix and the sorptive nanomaterials enmeshed inside the fiber while anchoring the nanomaterials, thus preventing release. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Engineering 2018

Orientador: Oswaldo Luiz Alves / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Quimica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-08T23:15:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Rodrigues_CarolinaMartins_M.pdf: 50415494 bytes, checksum: b98d1323abe212ba30a7712dd028ce6f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007 / Resumo: Esta dissertação visa à obtenção de nanoestruturas partindo do óxido misto Ti1-xZrxO2. O óxido precursor foi preparado pelo método de precipitação homogênea, via tetracloreto de titânio e oxicloreto de zircônio, usando uréia como reagente precipitante. Esses óxidos foram submetidos ao tratamento hidrotérmico em autoclave, em solução de NaOH, empregando temperatura de 140 e 170°C com intervalo de tempo de 2 a 7 dias. De acordo com as caracterizações físico-químicas feitas foi observado que os produtos obtidos via tratamento hidrotérmico com x < 0,50 apresentaram morfologia de nanotubos, nanoplacas e nanobastões. Entretanto, para x acima de 0,05 mostraram a existência de duas fases cristalinas, titanato de sódio e ZrO2 tetragonal. Para x > 0,50 não apresentaram mudanças morfológicas, tendo como fase formada o ZrO2 tetragonal. Quando o precursor com x = 0,50 (fase ZrTiO4) é observado no produto do tratamento hidrotérmico manutenção da estrutura cristalina e presença de nanotubos. Foi também mostrado, para x = 0,15, que o aumento de volume da solução na autoclave promove aumento da cristalinidade e destruição da organização das partículas. O aumento do tempo e da temperatura de reação proporcionou maior cristalinidade aos produtos hidrotérmicos com x = 0,15 e 0,50; para x = 0 aumento de nanotubos e para x = 0,15 diminuição das nanoplacas e para x = 0,80 e 1 não apresentaram mudanças nem na morfologia, nem na cristalinidade. Foi avaliada a reatividade dos nanotubos (x=0) e nanobastões/nanoplacas (x = 0,15) frente às moléculas orgânicas. Foi observado que os nanotubos interagem melhor com moléculas ácidas, e que tais moléculas promovem a destruição da morfologia e mudança da estrutura cristalina, sendo estas mais drásticas quando com aquecimento. Os nanobastões/nanoplacas interagem mais fortemente com as moléculas ácidas, porém sem perda de morfologia e estrutura cristalina / Abstract: The main of this Dissertation is the preparation of nanostructures from T1-xZrxO2 mixed oxide. The precursor oxide was prepared by the homogeneous precipitation method, from titanium tetrachloride and zirconium oxichloride, using urea as the precipitating agent. The oxides were hydrothermally treated in autoclave, in NaOH solution, at temperatures of 140 and 170 °C, for period of 2 to 7 days. According to the physical-chemical characterizations, it was observed that the products prepared by the hydrohermal treatment with x < 0.50 presented morphologies like nanotubes, nanosheets and nanorods. However, for x > 0.05, it was observed the presence of two crystalline phases, sodium titanate and tetragonal ZrO2. For x > 0.50, it was not observed morphological changes, being tetragonal ZrO2 the obtained phase. Starting from the mixed oxide with x = 0.50, ZrTiO4 phase, it was observed nanotubes with the same crystalline phase. For x = 0.15, it was also observed that the increase of solution volume in the autoclave causes a crystallinity increase and destruction of the particles organization. The increase in time and temperature of reaction caused an increase in the crystallinity of the hydrothermal products for x = 0.15 e 0. 50; for x = 0, it was observed more quantity of nanotubes; and for x = 0.15, fewer nanosheets; for x = 0.80 and 1, it was not observed either morphological neither crystalline changes. The reactivity of the nanotubes (x = 0) and nanorods/nanosheets (x = 0.15) with organic molecules, which promote the morphology destructions and changes in the crystalline structure. These effects were increased with heating. The nanorods/nanosheets strongly interact with acid molecules, without loosing of morphology or the original crystalline structures / Mestrado / Quimica Inorganica / Mestre em Química

Um suporte catalítico superparamagnético nanoestruturado do tipo \"core-shell\" constituído de núcleos de magnetita revestidos por sílica, obtido por uma microemulsão reversa, foi utilizado como plataforma para o ancoramento de cátions de metais de transição que serviram como precursores na obtenção de nanopartículas de Rh(0), Pt(0) e Ru(0). A superfície do suporte de sílica foi funcionalizada com um aminosilano que permitiu um aumento significativo na quantidade dos íons metálicos sequestrada das soluções aquosas dos sais dos metais estudados. Os nanocatalisadores foram empregados em reações de hidrogenação de alquenos e cetonas em fase líquida e puderam ser facilmente separados pela aplicação de um campo magnético, que foi realizada pelo contato de um imã de neodímio com a parede do reator contendo o catalisador e o produto. A técnica de separação magnética utilizada foi capaz de isolar completamente o sólido da fase líquida, fazendo com que a utilização de outros métodos de separação como filtração e centrifugação, comumente utilizados em sistemas heterogêneos líquidos, fossem completamente dispensados. As reações de hidrogenação foram realizadas utilizando-se hidrogênio molecular como agente redutor e dispensou a utilização de agentes redutores mais drásticos como hidretos metálicos que não atendem aos princípios verdes em demanda na nossa sociedade.Todos os sólidos catalíticos desenvolvidos mostraram uma excelente possibilidade de reutilização que comprovou a estabilidade da fase ativa do catalisador, destaca-se a hidrogenação do benzeno pelo catalisador magnético de Rh(0) que pôde ser utilizado por até 20 vezes (número total de rotação igual a 10.240), sem queda significativa de atividade, com freqüência de rotação chegando a 1.167 h-1. A ocorrência de lixiviação de espécies cataliticamente ativas, que é comum em catálise heterogênea em fase líquida, não foi observada nas reações de hidrogenação estudadas. Este fato pode ser atribuído às condições reacionais brandas utilizadas, à forte aderência das nanopartículas metálicas ao suporte funcionalizado com grupos NH2 e ao eficiente método de separação magnética empregado. O procedimento de separação catalisador-produto, além de não fazer uso de métodos físicos de separação mais agressivos como uma centrifugação, permitiu o isolamento dos componentes dentro do próprio reator, descartando a exposição do catalisador à condições atmosféricas e o uso de solventes extras durante o procedimento de separação. / A core-shell superparamagnetic catalytic support comprised of magnetite nanoparticles recovered by silica was obtained using a reverse microemulsion. The material was used as a framework for anchoring transition metal cations that were used for the fabrication of Rh(0), Pt(0) and Ru(0) nanoparticles. The catalysts were employed in the hydrogenation of alkenes and ketones in liquid phase and they showed to be easily recoverable from liquid systems by placing a small neodymium magnet on the reactor wall. The magnetic separation technique provided a complete isolation of the catalyst from the liquid phase containing the products. It also made the use of other separation techniques, commonly used in achieving product separation in liquid-solid heterogeneous systems, such as filtration and centrifugation completely unnecessary. The surface of the silica support was modified with an aminosilane leading to a substantial increasing in the metal uptake from aqueous solutions of Rh, Pt and Ru salts. The hydrogenation reactions were carried out using molecular hydrogen as the reducing agent and they did not require any drastic reducers such as metal hydrides that would go against the principles of green chemistry. The stability of the catalysts were evidenced by the outstanding recycling properties. A single portion of the Rh0 catalyst for instance could be used for up to 20 times in the hydrogenation of benzene (TON: 10,240), and no significant loss in the catalytic activity was observed giving TOF values of up to 1167 h-1. Leaching of active catalytic species which is commonly encountered in heterogeneous solid-liquid systems was also absent in the hydrogenation reactions studied and this finding can be attributed to the mild reaction conditions used, the adherence of Rh, Pt and Ru nanoparticles to the magnetic support functionalized with NH2- groups and the efficient magnetic separation method used in isolating the product that dismiss the use of extra solvents and more aggressive separation methods such as a centrifugation.

This thesis deals with the research work carried out for the development of novel applications by integrating biomolecules with various nanostructures. The thesis is organized as follows: Chapter 1 reviews the properties of nanomaterials which are important to consider while developing them for various biological and other applications. It discusses the factors which affect the cytotoxicity of nanocrystals towards living cells, photocatalytic mechanisms of nanocrystals that work behind the inactivation of bacterial cells and gas sensing properties of nanocrystals. It also mentions about the integration of biomolecules with nanomaterials which is useful for the development of biosensors, materials that are presently used for fabricating biosensors and the challenges associated with designing successful biosensors. Chapter 2 presents the antibacterial and anticancer properties of ZnO/Ag nanohybids. In this study a simple route to synthesize ZnO/Ag nanohybrids by microwave synthesis has been established where ZnO/Ag nanohybrids have shown synergistic cytotoxicity towards mammalian cells. The observed synergism in the cytotoxicity of ZnO/Ag nanohybrids could lead to the development of low dose therapeutics for cancer treatment. Chapter 3 presents photocatalytic inactivation of bacterial cells by pentavalent bismuthates class of materials. AgBiO3 which was obtained from KBiO3 by ion-exchange method was investigated for its photocatalytic inactivation properties towards E.coli and S.aureus cells under dark and UV illumination conditions. Chapter 4 presents the integration of DNA molecules with ZnO nanorods for the observation of Mott-Gurney characteristics. In this study, ZnO nanorods were synthesized hydrothermally and were characterized by TEM and XRD analysis. DNA molecules were immobilized over ZnO nanorods which were confirmed by UV-Vis spectroscopy and confocal florescence microscopy. Solution processed devices were fabricated by using these DNA immobilized nanostructures and I-V characteristics of these devices were taken in dark and under illumination conditions at different wavelengths of light at fixed intensity. Interestingly, Mott-Gurney law was observed in the I-V characteristics of the devices fabricated using DNA immobilized ZnO nanorods. Chapter 5 presents the chemical synthesis of molecular scale ultrathin Au nanowires. These nanostructures were then used for fabricating electronic biosensors. In this study, the devices were fabricated over Au nanowires by e-beam lithography and a methodology to functionalize Au nanowires and then characterize them by florescence microscopy as well as AFM has been established. The fabricated biosensors were employed for the label free, electrical detection of DNA hybridization process. Chapter 6 presents a simple, cost effective and solution processed route to fabricate devices using ultrathin Au nanowires. The devices were then used for sensing ethanol, H2 and NH3. An important property of these devices is that they can sense these gases at room temperature which reduce their operation cost and makes them desirable to use under explosive conditions.

L’intérêt grandissant envers les nanomatériaux a base des métaux de transition 3d comme le cobalt, le nickel et le fer trouve son origine dans les propriétés intrinsèques de ces éléments (forte aimantation du fer et constante magnétocristalline élevée du cobalt) combinées aux propriétés particulières offertes par la taille nanométrique et l’anisotropie de ces alliages. Parmi les nombreuses voies de synthèse dites de chimie douce, le procède polyol permet l’élaboration de plusieurs classes de matériaux inorganiques a l’état finement divises (oxydes, hydroxydes et métaux) grâce aux réactions de réduction et d’hydrolyse qui peuvent être conduites et contrôlées dans les milieux polyols. Le premier axe de ce travail a consisté à tirer profit de l’état finement divise des oxydes et hydroxydes élabores en milieu polyol pour l’obtention de métaux et alliages correspondants, au moyen d’une réduction ménagée a l’état solide sous flux d’hydrogène. Il a alors été possible d’aboutir a des particules de CoFe2, CoFe, NiFe, Ni3Fe et Fe ferromagnétiques avec une température de blocage supérieure a 300 K. Le deuxième axe de travail a trait a l’élaboration d’objets anisotropes. Pour ce faire, une nouvelle approche est proposée : la synthèse en milieu polyol assistée par l’application d’un champ magnétique. Ce type de synthèse mené a des nanofils d’akaganeite β-FeOOH et a des nanoparticules d’oxydes spinelles. Une réduction relativement douce (300 °C) des nanofils d’akaganeite permet de l’obtention de phases spinelles de même morphologie et avec des propriétés magnétiques en accord avec la composition chimique et le caractère nanométrique des particules (comportement superparamagnétique avec une température de blocage proche de 300 K, Ms élevée et Hc dépendant de la nature de l’élément M se trouvant dans le spinelle MFe2O4 : élevé dans le cas du cobalt et faible dans le cas du fer et du nickel). / The growing interest in nanomaterials based on 3d transition metals such as cobalt, iron and nickel finds its origin in the intrinsic properties of these elements (high magnetization of iron and high magnetocristalline constant of cobalt) combined with particular property due to nanometric size and anisotropy of these alloys. Among the numerous synthetic routes, the polyol method which belongs to the chimie douce routes allows the elaboration of several finely divided inorganic materials (oxides, hydroxides, metals) by means of reduction or forced hydrolysis reactions conducted in polyol medium. The main first contribution of this work was to take advantage of these finely divided oxides and hydroxides elaborated in polyol medium to obtain metals and alloys, through a controlled reduction in solid form under hydrogen flow. Ferromagnetic particles of CoFe2, CoFe, NiFe, Ni3Fe and Fe with a blocking temperature above 300 K were obtained. The second main contribution of this work relates elaboration of anisotropic objects. Further, a new approach is proposed: forced hydrolysis in polyol medium assisted by applying a magnetic field. This type of synthesis leads to akaganeite β7&eOOH nanowires and spinel oxides nanoparticles. A relative mild reduction (300 °C) of akaganeite nanowires allows to obtain spinels phase with same morphology and magnetic properties in agreement with the chemical composition and the particles nanoscale (superparamagnetic behavior with blocking temperaturenear 300 K, high Ms and Hc dependent on the nature of the M element in the spinel MFe2O4, high in the case of cobalt and low for nickel and iron).

Fully conjugated porphyrin nanorings combine an end-free π-system with well defined size and shape. They provide models for testing our understanding of light harvesting in natural photosynthetic systems, and may lead to the creation of new functional materials. This thesis describes the template-directed synthesis of novel 10, 16, 18, 20, 24, 30, 40 and 50-porphyrin nanorings using small templates, as well as the investigation of their structure, electronic properties and supramolecular chemistry in solution and on surfaces. This work illustrates the scope of Vernier templating as a tool for the synthesis of monodisperse molecules of unprecedented sizes. Chapter 1 introduces key properties of porphyrins and π-conjugated linear and cyclic porphyrin oligomers and describes the principle methods of preparing non-conjugated and conjugated cyclic polymers. It also covers recent advances in the synthesis of fully-conjugated porphyrin nanorings, in particular Vernier templating. Chapter 2 discusses the formation of higher order porphyrin nanorings (18- and 24-porphyrin nanorings) in the classical synthesis of 6-porphyrin nanoring and the Vernier-templated synthesis of 12-porphyrin nanoring. Chapter 3 describes the Vernier-templated synthesis of 24-porphyrin nanoring and its characterization. Chapter 4 shows that the flexibility of 24-porphyrin nanoring can be locked by the formation of a “sandwich” complex in the presence of a bidentate ligand or by solvent-induced formation of aggregates. Chapter 5 demonstrates the use of templates to control the cyclooligomerization of linear porphyrin oligomers. Vernier-templated synthetic routes to 10-, 30- and 40-porphyrin nanorings are investigated. Chapter 6 reports the electronic properties of porphyrin nanorings as probed by electrochemistry (for 6 porphyrin nanoring) or fluorescence anisotropy measurements (for 24 porphyrin nanoring). Crystal structures of 6 and 12 porphyrin nanoring template complexes are presented. Chapter 7 contains experimental procedures and characterization data of known and novel compounds synthesized in the course of this thesis.