Neste trabalho desenvolvemos um procedimento simples para a separação de nanoesferas ocas de carbono (do inglês Carbon Spherical Shells ou CSS) em diâmetros entre 400 e 500 nm utilizando centrifugação corroborado pelas análises realizadas na microscopia eletrônica de varredura e de transmissão. A análise de sua composição química, realizada através da técnica de fotoelétrons excitados por raios X, indicou que as CSS são constituídas de 79% de carbono e 21% de oxigênio em sua superfície, apresentando grupos funcionais carbonila e hidroxila. Plataformas sensoriais distintas foram obtidas formando filmes homogêneos das CSS sobre o eletrodo de carbonno vítreo GCE (do inglês glassy carbon electrode ou GCE). Como resultado dos experimentos eletroanalíticos, observou-se o aumento da sensitividade do eletrodo GCE/CSS de acordo com a diminuição do diâmetro (500 até 400 nm) das CSS. As plataformas sensoriais GCE/CSS com 400 nm de diâmetro apresentaram maior sensitividade (0.02 μA µmol L-1) com um limite detecção de 0.2 μmol L-1. Os eletrodos GCE/CSS foram estáveis, apresentando pequena interferência de espécies concomitantes presentes na amostra e seu desempenho na quantificação de paracetamol em suor mostrou-se estatisticamente equivalente ao método padrão baseado em cromatografia líquida. / We applied a simple strategy, based upon centrifugation, to separate carbon spherical shells (CSS), in sizes varying from 400 to 500 nm, which is shown by the micrographs obtained in the Scanning and Transmission Electron microscopy analysis. In their surface, carbonyl and hydroxyl groups were present, constituting a composition of 21% of oxygen and 79% of carbon. The CSS were casted on a glassy carbon electrode\'s (GCE) surface, forming a thin film, and the resulting platform was used as a sensor. A trend was observed in the results obtained by the electroanalytical experiments: as the size of the CSS were reduced, the sensibility of the GCE/CSS platform towards paracetamol detection increased. The best attained result, namely the platform with the GCE and the 400 nm diameter CSS, have shown promising results, achieving sensitivity\'s value of 0.02 μA μmol-1 L. The proposed sensors were stable, displaying little interference from another species coexisting in the samples, and its performance towards paracetamol detection were statistically identical to the standard method for paracetamol detection based upon liquid chromatography.

Neste trabalho desenvolvemos um procedimento simples para a separação de nanoesferas ocas de carbono (do inglês Carbon Spherical Shells ou CSS) em diâmetros entre 400 e 500 nm utilizando centrifugação corroborado pelas análises realizadas na microscopia eletrônica de varredura e de transmissão. A análise de sua composição química, realizada através da técnica de fotoelétrons excitados por raios X, indicou que as CSS são constituídas de 79% de carbono e 21% de oxigênio em sua superfície, apresentando grupos funcionais carbonila e hidroxila. Plataformas sensoriais distintas foram obtidas formando filmes homogêneos das CSS sobre o eletrodo de carbonno vítreo GCE (do inglês glassy carbon electrode ou GCE). Como resultado dos experimentos eletroanalíticos, observou-se o aumento da sensitividade do eletrodo GCE/CSS de acordo com a diminuição do diâmetro (500 até 400 nm) das CSS. As plataformas sensoriais GCE/CSS com 400 nm de diâmetro apresentaram maior sensitividade (0.02 μA µmol L-1) com um limite detecção de 0.2 μmol L-1. Os eletrodos GCE/CSS foram estáveis, apresentando pequena interferência de espécies concomitantes presentes na amostra e seu desempenho na quantificação de paracetamol em suor mostrou-se estatisticamente equivalente ao método padrão baseado em cromatografia líquida. / We applied a simple strategy, based upon centrifugation, to separate carbon spherical shells (CSS), in sizes varying from 400 to 500 nm, which is shown by the micrographs obtained in the Scanning and Transmission Electron microscopy analysis. In their surface, carbonyl and hydroxyl groups were present, constituting a composition of 21% of oxygen and 79% of carbon. The CSS were casted on a glassy carbon electrode\'s (GCE) surface, forming a thin film, and the resulting platform was used as a sensor. A trend was observed in the results obtained by the electroanalytical experiments: as the size of the CSS were reduced, the sensibility of the GCE/CSS platform towards paracetamol detection increased. The best attained result, namely the platform with the GCE and the 400 nm diameter CSS, have shown promising results, achieving sensitivity\'s value of 0.02 μA μmol-1 L. The proposed sensors were stable, displaying little interference from another species coexisting in the samples, and its performance towards paracetamol detection were statistically identical to the standard method for paracetamol detection based upon liquid chromatography.

xv, 101 p. ; ill. (some col.) A print copy of this title is available through the UO Libraries under the call number: KNIGHT QC176.84.E5 P47 2007 / Silver films with nanoscale to mesoscale thicknesses were produced by chemical reduction onto silica substrates and their physical and electrical properties were investigated and characterized. The method of silver deposition was developed in the context of this research and uses a single step reaction to produce consistent silver films on both flat silica coverslips and silica nanospheres of 250-1000 nm. Both the structure and the electrical properties of the silver films are found to differ significantly from those produced by vacuum deposition. Chemically deposited (CD) silver is not uniformly smooth, but rather is granular and porous with a network-like structure. By quantitatively accounting for the differences in scale, geometry, and microstructure of the CD films, it is found that the same models used to describe the resistivity of vacuum deposited films may be applied to CD films. A critical point in the analysis that allows this relation involves the definition of a geometric parameter, g, which replaces the thickness, t, as the critical length that influences the electrical properties of the film. The temperature dependent properties of electrical transport were also investigated and related to the microstructure of the CD films. A detailed characterization of CD silver as shells on silica spheres is also presented including physical and optical properties. In spite of the rough and porous morphology of the shells, the plasmon resonance of the core-shell structure is determined by the overall spherical shell structure and is tunable through variations in the shell thickness. Preliminary investigations into the electrical transport properties of aggregates of silver coated spheres suggest similarities in the influence scale, geometry, and microstructure to silver films on flat substrates. The aggregates of shells also exhibit pressure related resistance behavior due to the composite structure. / Adviser: Miriam Deutsch

Controlled synthesis of functional nanostructures is of paramount interest due to their novel properties and efficient functionalities. The size and morphology of each particle in the nanoscale contribute to their optical and electronic properties. Also, the collective arrangement of these nanostructures in 3D space maximizes active sites available for the cost-effective catalysis. Recent advances in the field show a vast range of nanostructures with unique designs that affect their catalytic properties. In this dissertation, utilizing silver halides as a unique platform to develop high-performance catalysts were discussed with their respective synthesis strategies, structural evolution, and structure-related properties. Initially, we synthesized well-defined silver chlorobromide (AgCl0.5Br0.5) nanostructures investigating the effects of various reaction parameters on the synthesis. Simple reaction parameters were overlooked to gain additional controllability on determining the morphology of the nanocrystals regardless of the composition. Thus, the influence of the size and exposed surface facets was investigated towards photocatalytic activity performing methylene blue degradation on AgCl0.5Br0.5 with different sizes and morphologies, under visible light. Then, the ability to use these AgCl0.5Br0.5 nanocubes were investigated as a reactive and sacrificial template for the synthesis of nanoplates and nanoshells. As an example, fast precipitation reaction between Ag+ and benzenethiol (BT–) results in an uncontrollable growth leading to aggregated structures. The low solubility and the planer surfaces of the silver halide cubes were utilized to reduce the reaction rate and promote the growth of layered AgBT as plates, which can be organized into hollow nanostructures. Time-dependent microscopic and spectroscopic measurements showed the structural evolution and associated kinetics of the conversions. Developing a comprehensive understanding enabled generalizing the procedure to synthesize other silver-based hollow nanostructures. Mechanistic studies showed two different hollowing mechanisms involving, that depends on the anion being exchanged. The degree of nucleation and the crystal structure of silver-sulfur compounds determined the relative diffusion of ions leading to their overall size and morphology. The hollow morphology was shown to have higher stability with a large surface area relative to its aggregated solid counterpart. Next, highly porous Ag nanostructures were synthesized electrochemically, using silver thiolate nanocages. High porosity and their arrangement as plates enhanced available active sites and mass transport for CO2 electroreduction. Furthermore, the strategy was extended to design bimetallic nanostructures with enhanced bimetallic boundaries where selectivity of ethanol formation from CO2 electroreduction can be increased. Overall, the study explores the novel approaches to utilize chemical and physical properties of silver halides for various material designs that determines their enhanced performance. / Chemistry

The synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of different graphene-based nanoparticles with potential biomedical applications are explored. The results presented within this work show that eukaryotic cells can respond differently not only to different types of nanoparticles, but also identify slight differences in the morphology of nanoparticles, such as size. This highlights the great importance of the synthesis and thorough characterization of nanoparticles in the design of effective nanoparticle platforms for biological applications. In order to test the influence of morphology of graphene-based nanoparticles on the cell response, nanoparticles with different sizes were synthesized and tested on different cells. The synthesis of spherical iron-oxide nanoparticles coated with graphene was accomplished using a colloidal chemistry route. This synthesis route was able to render nanoparticle samples with narrow size distributions, which can be taken as monodispersed. Four different samples varying in diameter from 10 to 20 nm were produced and the material was systematically characterized prior to the biological tests. The characterization of the material suggests that the iron oxide nanoparticles consist of a mix of both magnetite and maghemite phases and are coated with a thin graphitic layer. All samples presented functional groups and were similar in all aspects except in diameter. The results suggest that cells can respond differently even to small differences in the size of the nanoparticles. An in situ study of the coating of the iron-oxide nanoparticles using a transmission electron microscope revealed that it is possible to further graphitize the remaining oleic acid on the nanoparticles. The thickness of the graphitic coating was controlled by varying the amount of oleic acid on the nanoparticles. The in situ observations using an electron beam were reproduced by annealing the nanoparticles in a dynamic vacuum. This procedure showed that it is not only possible to coat large amounts of iron oxide nanoparticles with graphene using oleic acid, but also to improved their magnetic properties for other applications such as hyperthermia. This study therefore revealed a facile route to grow 2D graphene takes on substrates using oleic acid as a precursor. The synthesis of nanographene oxide nanoparticles of different sizes was in a second approach accomplished by using the Hummers method to oxidize and expand commercially available graphite. The size of the oxidized graphite was adjusted by sonicating the samples for different periods of time. The material was also thoroughly characterized and demonstrated to have two distinctive average size distributions and possess functional groups. The results suggest that different size flakes can trigger different cell response. The synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of graphene nanoshells were performed. The graphene nanoshells were produced by using magnesia nanoparticles as a template to the graphene nanoshells. The coating of magnesia with graphene layers was accomplished using chemical vapor deposition. The nanoshells were obtained by removing the magnesia core. The size of the nanoshells was determined by the size of the magnesia nanoparticles and presented a broad size distribution since the diameter of the magnesia nanoparticles could not be controlled. The nanoshells were also characterized and the biological evaluation was performed in the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA), in Switzerland. The results suggest that despite inducing the production of reactive oxygen species on cells, the nanoshells did not impede cell proliferation. / Die Herstellung, Charakterisierung und biologische Auswertung von verschiedenen Graphen-basierten Nanopartikeln mit einer potenziellen biomedizinischen Anwendung wurden erforscht. Die vorgestellten Ergebnisse im Rahmen dieser Arbeit zeigen, dass eukaryotische Zellen unterschiedlich reagieren können, wenn sie mit Nanopartikeln unterschiedlicher Morphologie interagieren. Die Zellen können geringe Unterschiede in der Morphologie, insbesondere der Größe der Nanopartikeln, identifizieren. Dies unterstreicht den Einfluss der Herstellungsmethoden und die Notwendigkeit einer gründlichen Charakterisierung, um ein effektives Design von Nanopartikeln für biologische Anwendungen zu erreichen. Um den Einfluss der Größe von Graphen-basierten Nanopartikel auf das Zellverhalten zu erforschen, wurden verschiedene Graphen-beschichte Eisenoxid-Nanopartikelproben durch eine kolloidchemische Methode hergestellt. Dieses Herstellungsverfahren ermöglicht die Synthese von Nanopartikeln mit engen Größenverteilungen, die als monodispers gelten können. Vier Proben mit unterschiedlichen Durchmessern (von 10 bis 20 nm) wurden hergestellt und vor den biologischen Untersuchungen systematisch charakterisiert. Die Probencharakterisierung deutet auf eine Mischung aus Magnetit- und Maghemit-Kristallphasen hin, außerdem besitzen die Nanopartikel eine dünne Graphitschicht. Die spektroskopischen Ergebnisse auch zeigen außerdem, dass alle Proben funktionelle Gruppen auf ihrer Oberfläche besitzen, sodass sie in allen Aspekten, außer Morphologie (Durchmesser), ähnlich sind. Die biologischen Untersuchungen deuten darauf hin, dass Zellen unterschiedliche Größen von Eisenoxid-Nanopartikeln reagieren können. Ein in situ Untersuchung der Beschichtung der Eisenoxid-Nanopartikel wurde mit einem Transmissionelektronenmikroskop durchgeführt. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass eine dünne Schicht von Ölsäure aus dem Syntheseprozess auf den Nanopartikeln verbleibt. Diese Schicht kann mit einem Elektronstrahl in Graphen umgewandelt werden. Die Dicke der Graphitschicht auf den Nanopartikeln kann durch die Menge der eingesetzten Ölsäure kontrolliert werden. Die in situ Beobachtungen der Graphenumwandlung konnte durch erhitzen der Nanopartikeln in einem dynamischen Vakuum reproduziert werden. Das Brennen der Eisenoxid-Nanopartikel ermöglicht nicht nur die Graphitisierung der Ölsäure, sondern auch eine Verbesserung der magnetischen Eigenschaften der Nanopartikel für weitere Anwendungen, z. B. der Hyperthermie. Die Umwandlung der Ölsäure in Graphen konnte so als relativ einfaches Verfahren der Beschichtung von zweidimensionalen (2D) Substraten etabliert werden. Die Herstellung von Nanographenoxid mit unterschiedlichen Größen wurde mit der Hummers-Method durchgeführt. Die unterschiedlichen Größen der Nanographenoxidpartikel wurde durch eine Behandlung in Ultraschallbad erreicht. Zwei Proben mit deutlicher Verteilung wurden mit mehreren Verfahren charakterisiert. Beide Proben haben Nanographenoxid Nanoteilchen mit verschiedenen funktionellen Gruppen. Die biologische Charakterisierung deutet darauf hin, dass unterschiedliche Größen des Nanographens ein unterschiedliches Zellverhalten auslösen. Abschließend, wurde die Herstellung, Charakterisierung und biologische Auswertung von Graphen-Nanoschalen durchgeführt. Die Graphen-Nanoschalen wurden mit Magnesiumoxid-Nanopartikeln als Template hergestellt. Die Beschichtung des Magnesia mit Graphen erforgte durch die chemische Gasphasenabscheidung. Die Nanoschalen wurden durch Entfernen des Magnesia-Kerns erhalten. Die Größe der Nanohüllen ist durch die Größe der Magnesia-Kerns bestimmt und zeigt eine breite Verteilung, da der Durchmesser der Magnesiumoxid-Nanopartikel gegeben war. Die Nanoschalen wurden ebenfalls mit Infrarot- und Röntgen Photoemissionspektroskopie charakterisiert und die biologische Bewertung wurde im Eidgenössische Materialprüfungs- und Forschungsanstalt (EMPA) durchgeführt, in der Schweiz. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass zwar die Produktion von reaktiven Sauerstoffspezies in den Zellen ausgelöst wird, diese sich aber weiterhin vermehren können.

Nesta dissertação estão descritos os resultados obtidos sobre a preparação de nanocascas funcionalizadas (nanopartículas ocas) de ouro/prata de diâmetro de 50 nm e imobilização de diferentes lipases (Burkholderia cepacia (BCL) e pâncreas de porco (PPL)). [Obs.: A imagem do esquema pode ser visto no arquivo PDF] Inicialmente as nanocascas de ouro/prata (NSs AgAu) foram sintetizadas e caracterizadas, através de imagens de MEV e MET. Através destas imagens algumas características das NSs AgAu foram elucidadas, como seu tamanho e sua característica oca. Em seguida, a funcionalização das NSs AgAu com diferentes moléculas mercapto-alcanóicas e uma molécula mercapto-amina foi realizada. Depois de funcionalizadas as NSs-funcionalizadas foram ativadas, com glutaraldeído ou EDC, para que assim elas ficassem aptas à imobilização das lipases, via ligação covalente. Para a BCL foi possível imobilizar 0,155-0,282 mg de proteína/3 mg do suporte. No caso da PPL uma menor quantidade de enzima foi imobilizada (0,035-0,048 mg/3 mg do suporte). A atividade da enzima imobilizada foi testada frente à reação de acetilação enantiosseletiva do (R,S)-1-feniletanol com acetato de vinila (RCE, resolução cinética enzimática). Excelentes resultados de conversão (50%) e seletividade (E > 200) foram conseguidos com a BCL imobilizada em todos os suportes. A PPL livre não catalisava a acetilação deste substrato e quando esta enzima foi imobilizada nas diferentes NSs-funcionalizadas, os resultados apresentados para acetilação enantiosseletiva do (R,S)-1-feniletanol com acetato de vinila foram interessantes. Nesse caso conseguimos alcançar conversões de até 4% do substrato R à sua forma acetilada com excelente enantiosseletividade ( > 99% e.e. do produto). Como uma alternativa de demonstrar a atividade enzimática da BCL imobilizada em reação tradicional de hidrólise, o teste da hidrólise do palmitato de p-Nitrofenila pela BCL livre e imobilizada foi realizado. Este teste revelou que a BCL imobilizada nas NSs-funcionalizadas catalisavam a hidrólise do palmitato de p-Nitrofenila mais rápido que a enzima livre, comprovando os bons resultados obtidos na RCE, mostrando que os sistemas onde tínhamos a BCL imobilizada foram mais eficientes que a enzima livre. As NSs AgAu, NSs-funcionalizadas e até as nanocascas contendo as lipases imobilizadas foram caracterizadas por de imagens de MEV e MET, análises de FT-IR e método de Bradford. Outros estudos com os sistemas contendo a BCL imobilizada foram elucidados. Diferentes funcionalizadores de diferentes tamanhos foram utilizados e a influência de cada um deles sobre a atividade enzimática foi estudado. Por exemplo, quando as NSs AuAg foram funcionalizadas com moléculas mercapto-alcanóicas menores, como por exemplo, o ácido mercapto acético, melhores resultados para a RC do (R,S)-1-feniletanol foram conseguidos. As diferentes formas de ativação da NSs-funcionalizadas utilizando glutaraldeído ou EDC, para consequente imobilização da BCL não resultaram em alterações da atividade enzimática na RC, apresentando valores idênticos para RCE. Experimentos para testar a estabilidade dos sistemas contendo a BCL imobilizada também foram feitos. Descobrimos que é possível armazenar a BCL imobilizada nos diferentes sistemas à - 4 °C por até 28 dias. O estudo da reciclagem destes sistemas revelou que por até 3 ciclos os sistemas conseguiram manter 90% da atividade enzimática. / This dissertation presents the results achieved on the preparation of functionalized gold/silver nanoshells (hollow nanoparticles, 50 nm) and immobilization of different lipases (Burkholderia cepacia (BCL) and porcine pancreatic (PPL)). Initially Gold/Silver nanoshells (NSs Ag Au) were synthesized and characterized through SEM and TEM pictures. By these images some characteristics of NSs AgAu were elucidated, as its size and hollow feature. The functionalization NSs AgAu with different mercapto-alkanoic molecules and mercapto-amine molecule was next step performed. After the functionalized NSs-functionalized were activated with glutaraldehyde or EDC, after that they remained suitable for the immobilization of lipases via covalent bond. BCL was possible immobilized 0.155-0.282 mg protein/3 mg of support. And the PPL a smaller amount of enzyme was immobilized (from 0.035-0.048 mg / 3 mg of support). The activity of the immobilized enzyme was assayed by the reaction enantioselective acetylation of (R,S)-1-phenylethanol with vinyl acetate (KR, kinetic resolution). Excellent conversion results (50%) and selectivity (E > 200) were achieved with the immobilized BCL. The free PLP did not catalyzed acetylation of the substrate and when this enzyme was immobilized on NSs-functionalized the results for enantioselective acetylation of (R,S)-1-phenylethanol with vinyl acetate were interesting. In this case we achieve conversions of 4% of the substrate (R) to acetylated form with excellent enantioselectivity (> 99% e.e. of the product). As alternative to demonstrate the enzymatic activity of BCL immobilized on traditional hydrolysis reaction, the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl palmitate by free and immobilized BCL was performed. This test revealed BCL immobilized on NSs-functionalized catalyzed hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl palmitate faster than free enzyme, confirming the good results obtained in KR, showing that systems which had immobilized BCL were more efficient than the enzyme free. The NSs AgAu, NSs-functionalized and Nanoshells containing the immobilized lipases were characterized by SEM and TEM images , FT-IR analysis , the Bradford method. Other studies with systems containing immobilized BCL were elucidated. Different spacers with different sizes were used for functionalized the nanoshells, and the influence of each of the enzymatic activity was studied. For example, when the NSs were functionalized with smaller molecules mercapto-alkanoic and cysteamine best results for the KR (R,S)-1-(phenyl)ethanol were obtained. The different forms of activation of NSs-functionalized using glutaraldehyde or EDC, for subsequent immobilization of BCL did not result in changes in enzyme activity in the KR . Experiments to test the stability of systems containing immobilized BCL were also made . We found it possible to store the BCL immobilized on different systems at - 4 ° C for 30 days. The study of the recycling of these systems was made and by 3 cycles systems maintain 90% of the enzyme activity.

Gold nanoshells are tunable plasmonic nanostructures consisting of spherical silica cores wrapped with thin layer of Au. Based on the size of the Au layer with respect to the silica core, gold nanoshells can resonantly absorb or scatter light at any wavelength on the visible or infrared. On resonance, gold nanoshells interact strongly with light to give rise to collective oscillations of the free electrons against the background of the ionic core, phenomena known as localized surface plasmons. The free electron oscillation creates surface plasmon multimodes of various orders. As a result, the average local near field surrounding the Au nanoshell is enhanced. The local field enhancement has been extensively used in different applications. In this work, the local near-field is used to enhance the Raman spectroscopy of DNA and explore the different modes attributed to the base composition and structure of the DNA sequence. We showed that urface enhanced Raman spectroscopy of DNA is dominated by the adenine modes regardless of the base composition of the DNA sequence, a property that we have used to develop a DNA label-free detection system. As absorbers, plasmon-resonant Au nanoshells can convert absorbed light into heat. As a consequence, the temperature on the Au nanoshell surface increases dramatically. This property is used to light-trigger the release of variety of therapeutic molecules such as single stranded DNA, siRNA and small molecules. We demonstrated that the local heat can be used to dehybridize double stranded DNA attached to the Au surface via a thiol moiety on one of the DNA strands. The complementary sequence (therapeutic sequence) is released at temperature lower than the standard melting temperature of same DNA sequence. Moreover, small molecules (DAPI) which were initially intercalated on the double stranded DNA attached to the Au surface were successfully released due to the heat generated around the nanoshell surface. Finally, siRNA molecules were also released using a different system made of PLL (polylysine) attached to Au nanoshells. The electrostatic interaction between the negatively charged siRNA and the positively charged PLL was overcome by the thermal perturbation causing the siRNA to be released. In vitro experiments successfully showed the release of siRNA, single stranded DNA and small molecules.

A Mie-based code is developed for multilayer concentric spheres. The code is used in conjunction with a finite-element package to investigate the plasmonic and optical properties of micro- and nanostructures. For plasmonic nanostructures, gold-silica-gold multilayer nanoshells are computationally investigated. A plasmon hybridization theory is used to interpret the optical tunability. The interaction between the plasmon modes on the inner core and the outer shell results in dual resonances. The low-energy dipole mode is red-shifted by reducing the spacing ( i.e. , the intermediate silica layer) between the core and the shell. This extra tunability allows the plasmon resonance of a multilayer nanoshell to be tuned to the near-infrared region from a visible silica-gold nanoshell whose gold shell cannot be further reduced in thickness. For multilayer nanoshells with reduced geometrical symmetry ( i.e. , the inner core is offset from the center), modes of different orders interact. The mixed interaction introduces the dipolar (bright) characteristic into the higher-order (dark) modes and improves their coupling efficiency to the excitation light. The excitation of the dark modes attenuates and red-shifts the dipole mode and gives it higher-order characteristics. For non-plasmonic structures, simulations have demonstrated that multilayered structures can either reduce or enhance the scattering of light. By adding an anti-reflection layer to as microsphere made of a high-index material, the scattering force can be dramatically reduced. The reduced scattering allows optical trapping of high-index particles. Additionally, the improved trapping is not largely sensitive to the refractive index or the thickness of the coating. The technique has the practical potential to lower the requirement on the numerical aperture of the microscope objectives, making possible the integration of the imaging and optical trapping systems. While the anti-reflection coating reduces scattering, the photothermal bubble (PTB) generated by gold nanoparticles by and large enhances the scattering of light. Transient PTBs are generated by super-heating gold nanoparticles with short laser pulses. Mie-based simulations predict that the scattering of PTBs strongly depends on the transient environment immediately surrounding the nanoparticles. A scattering enhancement of two-to-four orders of magnitude from PBT is demonstrated from both calculations and experiments. Lastly, the near-field coupling between different plasmonie structures for surface-enhanced Raman scattering is investigated. A gold-coated silicon-germanium nanocone substrate has been fabricated and characterized. Finite-element simulations reveal that individual nanocones generate strong tip enhancement with axially polarized light ( i.e. , light polarized along the vertical axis of the nanocone) while the enhancement from transversely polarized light ( i.e. , light polarized in the plane of the substrate) is relatively weak. By simply filling the valleys between nanocones with plasmonic gold nanoparticles, the performance of the substrate is improved with in-plane excitation. Simulations reveal strong coupling between nanoparticles and adjacent nanocones with transverse exactions. An over one order-of-magnitude improvement has been experimentally observed.

Nesta dissertação estão descritos os resultados obtidos sobre a preparação de nanocascas funcionalizadas (nanopartículas ocas) de ouro/prata de diâmetro de 50 nm e imobilização de diferentes lipases (Burkholderia cepacia (BCL) e pâncreas de porco (PPL)). [Obs.: A imagem do esquema pode ser visto no arquivo PDF] Inicialmente as nanocascas de ouro/prata (NSs AgAu) foram sintetizadas e caracterizadas, através de imagens de MEV e MET. Através destas imagens algumas características das NSs AgAu foram elucidadas, como seu tamanho e sua característica oca. Em seguida, a funcionalização das NSs AgAu com diferentes moléculas mercapto-alcanóicas e uma molécula mercapto-amina foi realizada. Depois de funcionalizadas as NSs-funcionalizadas foram ativadas, com glutaraldeído ou EDC, para que assim elas ficassem aptas à imobilização das lipases, via ligação covalente. Para a BCL foi possível imobilizar 0,155-0,282 mg de proteína/3 mg do suporte. No caso da PPL uma menor quantidade de enzima foi imobilizada (0,035-0,048 mg/3 mg do suporte). A atividade da enzima imobilizada foi testada frente à reação de acetilação enantiosseletiva do (R,S)-1-feniletanol com acetato de vinila (RCE, resolução cinética enzimática). Excelentes resultados de conversão (50%) e seletividade (E > 200) foram conseguidos com a BCL imobilizada em todos os suportes. A PPL livre não catalisava a acetilação deste substrato e quando esta enzima foi imobilizada nas diferentes NSs-funcionalizadas, os resultados apresentados para acetilação enantiosseletiva do (R,S)-1-feniletanol com acetato de vinila foram interessantes. Nesse caso conseguimos alcançar conversões de até 4% do substrato R à sua forma acetilada com excelente enantiosseletividade ( > 99% e.e. do produto). Como uma alternativa de demonstrar a atividade enzimática da BCL imobilizada em reação tradicional de hidrólise, o teste da hidrólise do palmitato de p-Nitrofenila pela BCL livre e imobilizada foi realizado. Este teste revelou que a BCL imobilizada nas NSs-funcionalizadas catalisavam a hidrólise do palmitato de p-Nitrofenila mais rápido que a enzima livre, comprovando os bons resultados obtidos na RCE, mostrando que os sistemas onde tínhamos a BCL imobilizada foram mais eficientes que a enzima livre. As NSs AgAu, NSs-funcionalizadas e até as nanocascas contendo as lipases imobilizadas foram caracterizadas por de imagens de MEV e MET, análises de FT-IR e método de Bradford. Outros estudos com os sistemas contendo a BCL imobilizada foram elucidados. Diferentes funcionalizadores de diferentes tamanhos foram utilizados e a influência de cada um deles sobre a atividade enzimática foi estudado. Por exemplo, quando as NSs AuAg foram funcionalizadas com moléculas mercapto-alcanóicas menores, como por exemplo, o ácido mercapto acético, melhores resultados para a RC do (R,S)-1-feniletanol foram conseguidos. As diferentes formas de ativação da NSs-funcionalizadas utilizando glutaraldeído ou EDC, para consequente imobilização da BCL não resultaram em alterações da atividade enzimática na RC, apresentando valores idênticos para RCE. Experimentos para testar a estabilidade dos sistemas contendo a BCL imobilizada também foram feitos. Descobrimos que é possível armazenar a BCL imobilizada nos diferentes sistemas à - 4 °C por até 28 dias. O estudo da reciclagem destes sistemas revelou que por até 3 ciclos os sistemas conseguiram manter 90% da atividade enzimática. / This dissertation presents the results achieved on the preparation of functionalized gold/silver nanoshells (hollow nanoparticles, 50 nm) and immobilization of different lipases (Burkholderia cepacia (BCL) and porcine pancreatic (PPL)). Initially Gold/Silver nanoshells (NSs Ag Au) were synthesized and characterized through SEM and TEM pictures. By these images some characteristics of NSs AgAu were elucidated, as its size and hollow feature. The functionalization NSs AgAu with different mercapto-alkanoic molecules and mercapto-amine molecule was next step performed. After the functionalized NSs-functionalized were activated with glutaraldehyde or EDC, after that they remained suitable for the immobilization of lipases via covalent bond. BCL was possible immobilized 0.155-0.282 mg protein/3 mg of support. And the PPL a smaller amount of enzyme was immobilized (from 0.035-0.048 mg / 3 mg of support). The activity of the immobilized enzyme was assayed by the reaction enantioselective acetylation of (R,S)-1-phenylethanol with vinyl acetate (KR, kinetic resolution). Excellent conversion results (50%) and selectivity (E > 200) were achieved with the immobilized BCL. The free PLP did not catalyzed acetylation of the substrate and when this enzyme was immobilized on NSs-functionalized the results for enantioselective acetylation of (R,S)-1-phenylethanol with vinyl acetate were interesting. In this case we achieve conversions of 4% of the substrate (R) to acetylated form with excellent enantioselectivity (> 99% e.e. of the product). As alternative to demonstrate the enzymatic activity of BCL immobilized on traditional hydrolysis reaction, the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl palmitate by free and immobilized BCL was performed. This test revealed BCL immobilized on NSs-functionalized catalyzed hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl palmitate faster than free enzyme, confirming the good results obtained in KR, showing that systems which had immobilized BCL were more efficient than the enzyme free. The NSs AgAu, NSs-functionalized and Nanoshells containing the immobilized lipases were characterized by SEM and TEM images , FT-IR analysis , the Bradford method. Other studies with systems containing immobilized BCL were elucidated. Different spacers with different sizes were used for functionalized the nanoshells, and the influence of each of the enzymatic activity was studied. For example, when the NSs were functionalized with smaller molecules mercapto-alkanoic and cysteamine best results for the KR (R,S)-1-(phenyl)ethanol were obtained. The different forms of activation of NSs-functionalized using glutaraldehyde or EDC, for subsequent immobilization of BCL did not result in changes in enzyme activity in the KR . Experiments to test the stability of systems containing immobilized BCL were also made . We found it possible to store the BCL immobilized on different systems at - 4 ° C for 30 days. The study of the recycling of these systems was made and by 3 cycles systems maintain 90% of the enzyme activity.

The synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of different graphene-based nanoparticles with potential biomedical applications are explored. The results presented within this work show that eukaryotic cells can respond differently not only to different types of nanoparticles, but also identify slight differences in the morphology of nanoparticles, such as size. This highlights the great importance of the synthesis and thorough characterization of nanoparticles in the design of effective nanoparticle platforms for biological applications. In order to test the influence of morphology of graphene-based nanoparticles on the cell response, nanoparticles with different sizes were synthesized and tested on different cells. The synthesis of spherical iron-oxide nanoparticles coated with graphene was accomplished using a colloidal chemistry route. This synthesis route was able to render nanoparticle samples with narrow size distributions, which can be taken as monodispersed. Four different samples varying in diameter from 10 to 20 nm were produced and the material was systematically characterized prior to the biological tests. The characterization of the material suggests that the iron oxide nanoparticles consist of a mix of both magnetite and maghemite phases and are coated with a thin graphitic layer. All samples presented functional groups and were similar in all aspects except in diameter. The results suggest that cells can respond differently even to small differences in the size of the nanoparticles. An in situ study of the coating of the iron-oxide nanoparticles using a transmission electron microscope revealed that it is possible to further graphitize the remaining oleic acid on the nanoparticles. The thickness of the graphitic coating was controlled by varying the amount of oleic acid on the nanoparticles. The in situ observations using an electron beam were reproduced by annealing the nanoparticles in a dynamic vacuum. This procedure showed that it is not only possible to coat large amounts of iron oxide nanoparticles with graphene using oleic acid, but also to improved their magnetic properties for other applications such as hyperthermia. This study therefore revealed a facile route to grow 2D graphene takes on substrates using oleic acid as a precursor. The synthesis of nanographene oxide nanoparticles of different sizes was in a second approach accomplished by using the Hummers method to oxidize and expand commercially available graphite. The size of the oxidized graphite was adjusted by sonicating the samples for different periods of time. The material was also thoroughly characterized and demonstrated to have two distinctive average size distributions and possess functional groups. The results suggest that different size flakes can trigger different cell response. The synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of graphene nanoshells were performed. The graphene nanoshells were produced by using magnesia nanoparticles as a template to the graphene nanoshells. The coating of magnesia with graphene layers was accomplished using chemical vapor deposition. The nanoshells were obtained by removing the magnesia core. The size of the nanoshells was determined by the size of the magnesia nanoparticles and presented a broad size distribution since the diameter of the magnesia nanoparticles could not be controlled. The nanoshells were also characterized and the biological evaluation was performed in the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA), in Switzerland. The results suggest that despite inducing the production of reactive oxygen species on cells, the nanoshells did not impede cell proliferation. / Die Herstellung, Charakterisierung und biologische Auswertung von verschiedenen Graphen-basierten Nanopartikeln mit einer potenziellen biomedizinischen Anwendung wurden erforscht. Die vorgestellten Ergebnisse im Rahmen dieser Arbeit zeigen, dass eukaryotische Zellen unterschiedlich reagieren können, wenn sie mit Nanopartikeln unterschiedlicher Morphologie interagieren. Die Zellen können geringe Unterschiede in der Morphologie, insbesondere der Größe der Nanopartikeln, identifizieren. Dies unterstreicht den Einfluss der Herstellungsmethoden und die Notwendigkeit einer gründlichen Charakterisierung, um ein effektives Design von Nanopartikeln für biologische Anwendungen zu erreichen. Um den Einfluss der Größe von Graphen-basierten Nanopartikel auf das Zellverhalten zu erforschen, wurden verschiedene Graphen-beschichte Eisenoxid-Nanopartikelproben durch eine kolloidchemische Methode hergestellt. Dieses Herstellungsverfahren ermöglicht die Synthese von Nanopartikeln mit engen Größenverteilungen, die als monodispers gelten können. Vier Proben mit unterschiedlichen Durchmessern (von 10 bis 20 nm) wurden hergestellt und vor den biologischen Untersuchungen systematisch charakterisiert. Die Probencharakterisierung deutet auf eine Mischung aus Magnetit- und Maghemit-Kristallphasen hin, außerdem besitzen die Nanopartikel eine dünne Graphitschicht. Die spektroskopischen Ergebnisse auch zeigen außerdem, dass alle Proben funktionelle Gruppen auf ihrer Oberfläche besitzen, sodass sie in allen Aspekten, außer Morphologie (Durchmesser), ähnlich sind. Die biologischen Untersuchungen deuten darauf hin, dass Zellen unterschiedliche Größen von Eisenoxid-Nanopartikeln reagieren können. Ein in situ Untersuchung der Beschichtung der Eisenoxid-Nanopartikel wurde mit einem Transmissionelektronenmikroskop durchgeführt. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass eine dünne Schicht von Ölsäure aus dem Syntheseprozess auf den Nanopartikeln verbleibt. Diese Schicht kann mit einem Elektronstrahl in Graphen umgewandelt werden. Die Dicke der Graphitschicht auf den Nanopartikeln kann durch die Menge der eingesetzten Ölsäure kontrolliert werden. Die in situ Beobachtungen der Graphenumwandlung konnte durch erhitzen der Nanopartikeln in einem dynamischen Vakuum reproduziert werden. Das Brennen der Eisenoxid-Nanopartikel ermöglicht nicht nur die Graphitisierung der Ölsäure, sondern auch eine Verbesserung der magnetischen Eigenschaften der Nanopartikel für weitere Anwendungen, z. B. der Hyperthermie. Die Umwandlung der Ölsäure in Graphen konnte so als relativ einfaches Verfahren der Beschichtung von zweidimensionalen (2D) Substraten etabliert werden. Die Herstellung von Nanographenoxid mit unterschiedlichen Größen wurde mit der Hummers-Method durchgeführt. Die unterschiedlichen Größen der Nanographenoxidpartikel wurde durch eine Behandlung in Ultraschallbad erreicht. Zwei Proben mit deutlicher Verteilung wurden mit mehreren Verfahren charakterisiert. Beide Proben haben Nanographenoxid Nanoteilchen mit verschiedenen funktionellen Gruppen. Die biologische Charakterisierung deutet darauf hin, dass unterschiedliche Größen des Nanographens ein unterschiedliches Zellverhalten auslösen. Abschließend, wurde die Herstellung, Charakterisierung und biologische Auswertung von Graphen-Nanoschalen durchgeführt. Die Graphen-Nanoschalen wurden mit Magnesiumoxid-Nanopartikeln als Template hergestellt. Die Beschichtung des Magnesia mit Graphen erforgte durch die chemische Gasphasenabscheidung. Die Nanoschalen wurden durch Entfernen des Magnesia-Kerns erhalten. Die Größe der Nanohüllen ist durch die Größe der Magnesia-Kerns bestimmt und zeigt eine breite Verteilung, da der Durchmesser der Magnesiumoxid-Nanopartikel gegeben war. Die Nanoschalen wurden ebenfalls mit Infrarot- und Röntgen Photoemissionspektroskopie charakterisiert und die biologische Bewertung wurde im Eidgenössische Materialprüfungs- und Forschungsanstalt (EMPA) durchgeführt, in der Schweiz. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass zwar die Produktion von reaktiven Sauerstoffspezies in den Zellen ausgelöst wird, diese sich aber weiterhin vermehren können.