A celulose é o polímero natural renovável disponível em maior abundância atualmente. Por possuir estrutura semicristalina, é possível extrair seus domínios cristalinos através de procedimentos que ataquem sua fase amorfa, como a hidrólise ácida, obtendo-se assim partículas cristalinas chamadas nanopartículas de celulose (NCs). Estas nanopartículas têm atraído enorme interesse científico, uma vez que possuem propriedades mecânicas, como módulo de elasticidade e resistência à tração, semelhantes a várias cargas inorgânicas utilizadas na fabricação de compósitos. Além disso, possuem dimensões nanométricas, o que contribui para menor adição de carga à matriz polimérica, já que possuem maior área de superfície, quando comparadas às cargas micrométricas. Nanocompósitos formados pela adição destas cargas em matrizes poliméricas podem apresentar propriedades comerciais atraentes, como barreira a gases, melhores propriedades térmicas e baixa densidade, quando comparados aos compósitos tradicionais. Como se trata de uma carga com dimensões nanométricas, obtida de fontes renováveis, uma das principais áreas de interesse para aplicação deste reforço é em biopolímeros biodegradáveis. O poli(ácido lático) (PLA), é um exemplo de biopolímero com propriedades mecânicas, térmicas e de processamento superiores a de outros biopolímeros comerciais. No presente trabalho foram obtidas nanopartículas de celulose (NCs), por meio de hidrólise ácida, utilizando-se três métodos distintos, com o objetivo de estudar o método mais eficiente para a obtenção de NCs adequadas à aplicação em compósitos de PLA. Os Métodos I e II empregam extração das NCs por meio do H2SO4, diferenciando-se apenas pela neutralização, a qual envolve diálise ou neutralização com NaHCO3, respectivamente. No Método III a extração das NCs foi realizada com H3PO4. As NCs foram caracterizadas por diferentes técnicas, como difração de raios X (DRX), análise termogravimétrica (TG), espectroscopia vibracional de absorção no infravermelho (FTIR), microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (MET) e microscopia de força atômica (MFA). Os resultados de caracterização das NCs indicaram que, a partir de todos os métodos utilizados, há formação de nanocristais de celulose (NCCs), entretanto, apenas os NCCs obtidos pelos Métodos II e III apresentaram estabilidade térmica suficiente para serem empregados em compósitos preparados por adição da carga no polímero em estado fundido. A incorporação das NCs em matriz de PLA foi realizada em câmara de mistura, com posterior moldagem por prensagem a quente. Compósitos obtidos por adição de NCs obtidas pelo Método II foram caracterizados por calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC), análise termogravimétrica, microscopia óptica, análises reológicas e microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). A adição de NCs, extraídas pelo Método II, em matriz de PLA afetou o processo de cristalização do polímero, o qual apresentou maior grau de cristalinidade. Além disso, a adição de 3% em massa de NCs no PLA foi suficiente para alterar seu comportamento reológico. Os resultados reológicos indicaram que a morfologia do compósito é, predominantemente, composta por uma dispersão homogênea e fina da carga na fase matriz. Micrografias obtidas por MEV corroboram os resultados reológicos, mostrando, predominantemente a presença de partículas de NC em escala nanométrica. Compósitos de PLA com NCs obtidas pelo Método III apresentaram aglomerados de partículas de NC em escala micro e milimétrica, ao longo da fase matriz, e não foram extensivamente caracterizados. / Cellulose is the renewable natural polymer currently available in greatest abundance. Cellulose is a semicrystalline polymer, and it is possible to extract its crystalline domains through a procedure that destroys its amorphous phase, such as acid etching, so obtaining crystalline cellulose particles called cellulose nanoparticles (NC). These nanoparticles have attracted great scientific interest because they have mechanical properties similar to those of many inorganic types of filler used in polymer matrix composites, like elastic modulus and tensile strength. Moreover, they have nanometric dimensions, which contribute to lower filler contents in the polymer matrix, due to its increased surface area when compared to the one of micrometric fillers. Nanocomposites formed by adding these fillers into polymeric matrices can present attractive commercial properties such as gas barrier, improved thermal properties, and low density, when compared to traditional composites. As NC are nanometric scale fillers, obtained from renewable sources, there is a great interest in their application into biodegradable biopolymer matrixes. Poly (lactic acid), PLA, is an example of biopolymer that presents improved thermal, mechanical and processing properties, when compared to the ones of other commercial biopolymers. In this work, cellulose nanoparticles (NC) were obtained, via acid hydrolysis, using three different methods, in order to study the most efficient method to obtain NC suitable to be used in polymer matrix composites. NC obtention methods I and II employ extraction by H2SO4. Methods I and II differ only in the neutralization step, which involves dialysis, for Method I, and neutralization with NaHCO3, for Method II. In Method III, the extraction of the NCs was performed using H3PO4. The NC were characterized by different techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), infrared absorption spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The characterization results indicated that all methods yielded cellulose nanocrystals. However, only NC obtained by methods II and III showed sufficient thermal stability to be used in composites prepared by melt mixing. The NC/PLA composites were prepared in a mixing chamber, followed by hot press molding. The composites with addition of NC obtained by Method II were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), TG, optical microscopy, rheological analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The cellulose nanoparticles extracted by Method II affected the crystallization process of the PLA. The composite presented a higher degree of crystallinity than the pure matrix. Furthermore, the addition of 3 wt% of the NC in PLA was enough to change its rheological behavior. The rheological results indicated that the morphology is predominantly composed by a fine and homogeneous dispersion of the filler in the matrix. The SEM micrographs corroborate the rheological data, showing, predominantly, NC particles in nanometric scale. Composites with NC obtained by Method III presented micro and milimetric scale clusters of NC particles in the matrix phase and were not extensively characterized.

Zhou, Wenjia = 聚苯乙烯/銀聚合物納米棒陣列的合成、表征與生長的研究 / 周文佳. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 69-73). / Text in English; abstracts in English and Chinese. / Zhou, Wenjia = Ju ben yi xi / yin ju he wu na mi bang zhen lie de he cheng, biao zheng yu sheng zhang de yan jiu / Zhou Wenjia. / Chapter I. --- Abstract / Chapter IV. --- Acknowledgement / Chapter V. --- Contents / Chapter 1 --- Introduction / Chapter 1.1 --- Motivations / Chapter 1.2 --- Overview of the thesis / Chapter 2 --- Instruments / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction to electron microscopes / Chapter 2.2 --- Scanning electron microscope / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Introduction to SEM working principle / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Electron specimen interactions and their applications in SEM / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Specific SEM conditions in the experiments / Chapter 2.3 --- Transmission electron microscope / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Introduction to TEM working principle / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Imaging mode and diffraction mode in TEM / Chapter 2.3.3 --- X-ray microanalysis with TEM / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Specific TEM conditions in the experiments / Chapter 3 --- Anodic aluminum oxide templates with different parameters / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction to self-ordered anodic aluminum oxide / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Electrochemistry of anodic alumina / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Pore growth mechanism / Chapter 3.1.3 --- Self-ordered alumina by two-step anodization / Chapter 3.1.4 --- Other advanced methods for fabrication of monodomain AAO / Chapter 3.1.5 --- Applications of AAO templates in nanomaterials fabrication / Chapter 3.2 --- Preparation procedures of porous AAO templates we used / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Experimental setup / Chapter 3.2.2 --- General preparation procedures of AAO thin film on Al / Chapter 3.3 --- Experimental data of AAO templates with different parameters / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Different interpore distances / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Different pore depths and pore sizes / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Calibration of AAO templates pore depths and pore sizes at different anodic potentials / Chapter 4 --- Preparation of free standing polystyrene nanorods arrays with different parameters / Chapter 4.1 --- General preparation procedures of free standing polymer nanorods arrays / Chapter 4.2 --- Different rods intervals and diameters / Chapter 4.3 --- Limitations to the rods lengths control / Chapter 4.4 --- Discussion on the polymer properties for the successful preparation of free standing polymer rods arrays / Chapter 5 --- Thermal reduction method to embed Ag nanoparticles inside the polymer rods / Chapter 5.1 --- General preparation procedures of PS/Ag nanorods arrays / Chapter 5.2 --- Analysis method and procedure of Ag nanoparticles inside PS rods / Chapter 5.3 --- Typical TEM images of the three series samples / Chapter 5.4 --- Data analysis of Ag nanoparticles inside PS rods / Chapter 5.5 --- Discussion on Ag particles growth process / Chapter 5.6 --- Conclusion and suggestions for improvement / Chapter 6 --- Conclusion / Reference / Appendix

Neste trabalho foram obtidos nanocompósitos de polipropileno (PP) e argilas. Três tipos de PP com índices de fluidez de 1,5; 2,2 e 37,9 g/10min (230ºC/216kg) foram utilizados. O PP com maior índice de fluidez é um produto modificado com peróxido. Essas amostras de PP foram misturadas ao masterbatch da Nanocor nanoMax®-PP. Concentrações de masterbatch variando de 3 a 12% em peso foram utilizadas. Os compósitos foram obtidos em uma extrusora dupla rosca e em um misturador. O Masterbatch foi caracterizado por fluorescência de raios X, difração de raios X (DRX) e por espectroscopia no infravermelho (FTIR). Os compósitos foram caracterizados por DRX, microscopia ótica (MO) e de transmissão (MET), e reologicamente. A caracterização reológica foi realizada conduzindo ensaios de varredura de tempo e ensaios de Cisalhamento Oscilatório de Pequena Amplitude (COPA) no regime de viscoelasticidade linear. Ensaios utilizando uma matriz cônica que permite a avaliação da viscosidade elongacional foram também conduzidos. Com essa matriz foi também possível a avaliação da viscosidade de cisalhamento dos compósitos para taxas de cisalhamento que correspondem a regime de viscoelasticidade linear. Os resultados da caracterização do Masterbatch mostraram que este consiste de uma mistura de polipropileno enxertado com anidrido maleico e uma argila do tipo esmectita, predominantemente montmorilonita (MMT). O espaçamento basal das argilas nos compósitos obtidos foi maior do que aquele da argila no masterbatch para todos os compósitos, diminuindo com o aumento da concentração de masterbatch no compósito. A viscosidade dos compostos obtidos aumentou com o tempo durante os ensaios de varredura de tempo devido a variações morfológicas. Essas variações foram mais importantes quando a freqüência utilizada no ensaio era menor. Essas variações foram correlacionadas com a evolução da morfologia dos compostos em função do tempo. O módulo de armazenamento obtido nos ensaios de COPA a baixas frequências para os compósitos foi maior do que o módulo dos polímeros puros para concentrações de argila acima de 6%. Esse aumento do módulo foi muito mais intenso para o PP de maior índice de fluidez. Os ensaios de caracterização reológica utilizando a matriz cônica mostraram que os nanocompósitos não seguem a Regra de Cox-Merz e que para o PP de maior índice de fluidez a viscosidade elongacional aumenta com o aumento da concentração de masterbatch. / In this work nanocomposites of polypropylene (PP) were obtained. Three types of PP with melt flow rates of 1,5; 2,2 e 37,9 g/10min (230ºC/216kg) were used. The PP with the largest melt flow rate is a product modified with peroxide. These samples were mixed with PP masterbatch Nanocor nanoMax ®-PP. Masterbatch in different concentrations ranging from 3 to 12 wt%. The composites were obtained using a twin screw extruder and internal mixer. The masterbatch was characterized by X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The composites were characterized by XRD, optical microscopy (OM) and transmission (TEM) and rheologically. The rheological characterization was made carrying out time sweep, small amplitude oscillatory shear (SAOS) tests in order to study the rheological behavior on the linear viscoelastic regime. Tests using a conical diewith which it is possible to measure elongational viscosity were also conducted. The shear viscosity at high shear rates was evaluated using a slit die The characterization results showed that the masterbatch is a mixture of polypropylene grafted with maleic anhydride and a smectite type clay, predominantly montmorillonite (MMT). The basal spacing of clay in the composites was greater than that of the clay within the masterbatch for every composites. It was shown to decrease with increasing concentration of masterbatch in the composite. The viscosity of composites increased during the time sweep experiments. This evolution of viscosity was attributed to changes of morphology of the composites. These variations were more important when the frequency used in the test was lower. The storage modulus obtained during COPA at low frequencies for composites was higher than the modulus of the pure polymers when the clay content was above 6%. This increase in modulus was greater for the lower melt flow index PP The rheological tests performed using the slit die showed that Cox-Merz rule was not valid for the composites. The elongational viscosity was shown to increase with increasing concentration of masterbatch.

A incorporação de nanocargas minerais e vegetais em matriz polimérica tem sido estudada, principalmente, com o objetivo de melhorar as propriedades de desempenho mecânico dos polímeros para aplicações industriais diversas. As argilas organofilizadas e as fibras vegetais estão entre os materiais que se destacam como cargas adicionadas ao polímero para a formação de nanocompósitos. Essa área de estudo tem despertado interesse também devido à obtenção de melhorias de propriedades físicas, químicas e mecânicas desses materiais quando comparadas às dos materiais compósitos tradicionais. O objetivo da pesquisa foi estudar algumas dessas propriedades em nanocompósitos produzidos com polipropileno, argila esmectítica brasileira e fibra do ouriço da castanha-do-brasil, com ênfase na melhora das propriedades mecânicas. Inicialmente, os materiais componentes foram caracterizados por diversos ensaios, tais como, difração de raios X, granulometria, infravermelho, microscopia eletrônica de varredura, temperatura de degradação térmica, além de ensaios específicos para medir características individuais da argila, como, viscosidade Fann, inchamento de Foster, limite de plasticidade, fluorescência de raios X, entre outros. Posteriormente, o polipropileno graftizado com anidrido maleico (PP-g-MA) foi incorporado ao PP puro (PP), em extrusora dupla rosca, nas proporções de 5%, 10% e 20% em peso e injetados os corpos de prova para os ensaios de tração e impacto. A partir dos resultados das propriedades mecânicas definiu-se o uso de 5% de PP-g-MA para preparação dos nanocompósitos definitivos. Finalmente, variou-se a quantidade de fibra na composição. Foram obtidos nanocompósitos de polipropileno (PP) e 5% PPg- MA reforçado com 5% em peso da argila organofilizada e fibra do ouriço da castanha-do-brasil em três proporções 5%, 10% e 15% em peso. As amostras foram caracterizadas por diferentes técnicas (DRX, MEV, FTIR, TG/DSC) e medidas as resistências mecânicas à tração, flexão e impacto. Todos os nanocompósitos apresentaram aumento na resistência mecânica quando comparados ao polímero sem argila e fibra. / The incorporation of vegetable and mineral nanofillers in polymer matrix has been studied mainly in order to improve the mechanical performance properties of polymers for various industrial applications. The organoclays and vegetable fibers are among the materials that stand out as fillers added to polymer for the formation of nanocomposites. This study has also attracted interest owing to achieve improvements in various properties when compared to other traditional composite materials. This study aims to investigate the effects of adding organophilic clay and brazilian nut fibers on the some physical, chemical and mechanical properties of polypropylene nanocomposite. Initially, The component materials were characterized by tests, such as X-ray diffraction, particle size, infrared, scanning electron microscopy, thermal degradation, as well as specific assays for measuring individual characteristics and properties of the clay, for example, viscosity Fann, Foster swelling, plasticity limit, X-ray fluorescence, among others. In the second step, the graftizado polypropylene with maleic anhydride (PP-g-MA) was incorporated into the pure PP, extruded in proportions of 5 weight%, 10 weight% and 20 weight% and injected the samples for tensile and impact tests. From the results of mechanical properties was defined using 5 weight% of PP-g-Ma for the incorporation into pure PP. Finally, samples were prepared containing only polymer, graftizado polymer/clay, graftizado polymer/clay/ fiber. The addition of clay was 5 weight% and the fiber was added to 5 weight%, 10 weight% and 15% by weight, respectively. The nanocomposites were prepared double-screw extruder and the samples injection molded, then, they were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope (SEM), thermal analysis (TG/DSC), infrared spectroscopy and mechanical strength, flexural and impact test. All the nanocomposites increased mechanical properties as compared to polymer without clay and fibers.

The objective of this research was the development of an efficient method for the preparation of silver-polymer nanocomposites containing finely dispersed silver nanoparticles. The surface of nanosilver was functionalized by thiolation with 2-aminoethanethiol. Amino-modified nanosilver was covalently bonded to polyacrylic acid, biodegradable polymers like acid terminated polylactic acid, ester terminated poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) and acid terminated poly(DL lactide-co-glycolide) in the presence of diisopropylcarbodiimide by carbodiimide method. Esterification of the carboxyl groups of Ag-polyacrylic acid by hydrochloric acid in methanol resulted in the formation of a stable colloidal dispersion of Ag nanoparticles in the polymer matrix. It was observed that not just acid terminated polymers but also ester terminated polymers could react with functionalized nanosilver. This unusual reaction was due to the aminolysis of the ester bond in the polymer chain by the surface amino groups. Silver-polymer nanocomposites obtained with acid terminated polylactic acid and poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) contained highly dispersed nanosilver in the polymer matrix in comparison with the ester terminated poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide). Chemical and structural characteristics of the obtained materials were studied by instrumental methods. Attained biodegradable materials confirmed X-ray contrast and bactericidal properties, which could be eventually used for biomedical applications.

The constant growth in population worldwide over the past decades continues to put forward the need to provide access to safe, clean water to meet human needs. There is a need for cost-effective technologies for water and wastewater treatment that can meet the global demands and the rigorous water quality standards and at the same maximizing pollutant efficiency removal. Current remediation technologies have failed in keeping up with these factors without becoming cost-prohibitive. Nanotechnology has recently been sought as a promising option to achieve these goals. The use of iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles as nanoadsorbents has led to a new class of magnetic separation strategies for water treatment. We have developed magnetic nanocomposite systems able to capture polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), as model organic pollutants, in aqueous solution, providing a cost-effective water remediation technique. Two distinct methods were employed to develop these polyphenolic nanocomposite materials. The polyphenolic moieties were incorporated to create high affinity binding sites for organic pollutants within the nanocomposites. The first method utilized a surface initiated polymerization of polyphenolic-based crosslinkers and co-monomers on the surface of iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles to create a core-shell nanocomposite. The second method utilized a bulk polymerization method to create macroscale films composed of iron oxide nanoparticles incorporated into a polyphenolic-based polymer matrix, which were then processed into microparticles. Both methods produce nanocomposite materials that can bind chlorinated organics, can rapidly separate bound organics from contaminated water sources using magnetic decantation, and can use thermal destabilization of the polymer matrix for contaminant release and material regeneration. The polyphenol functionalities used to bind organic pollutants were quercetin multiacrylate (QMA) and curcumin multiacrylate (CMA), which are acrylated forms of the nutrient polyphenols quercetin (found in berries) and curcumin (found in turmeric), both with expected affinity for chlorinated organics. The affinity of these novel materials for PCB 126 was evaluated at equilibrium conditions using a gas chromatography coupled to electron capture detection (GC-ECD) for quantification purposes, and the data was fitted to the nonlinear Langmuir model to determine binding affinity (KD) and maximum biding capacity (Bmax). The KD values obtained demonstrated that the presence of the polyphenolic-based moieties, CMA and QMA, as crosslinkers enhanced the binding affinity for PCB 126, expected to be a result of their aromatic rich nature which provides sites for π – π stacking interactions between the nanoparticle surface and the PCBs in solution. These values are lower that the reported affinity coefficients for activated carbon, which is the gold standard for capture/binding of organic contaminants in water and waste water treatment. Furthermore, upon exposure to an alternating magnetic field (AMF) for a period of 5 minutes, over 90% of the bound PCB on these materials was released, offering a low-cost regeneration method for the nanocomposites. Additionally, this novel regeneration strategy does not require the use of large volumes of harsh organic solvents that oftentimes become harmful byproducts. Overall, we have provided strong evidence that these novel nanocomposites have a promising application as nanoadsorbents for specific organic contaminants in contaminated water sources providing high binding affinities, a low-cost regeneration technique and are capable of withstanding use under environmental conditions offering a cost effective alternative to current remediation approaches.

Noble metal nanomaterials have numerous uses in plasmonic and surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection applications; however, upon the addition of analytes, nanomaterials often undergo uncontrolled aggregation which leads to inconsistent signal intensities. To overcome this limitation, the effect of gold nanosphere concentration, column purification, and surface chemistry functionalization using internally etched silica stabilization methods was investigated on SERS assays for small molecule detection. Nanostructure composition, size, shape, stability, surface chemistry, optical properties, and SERS-activity were monitored using localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR or extinction) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Raman spectroscopy. First, the behavior of citrate-stabilized gold nanospheres was monitored as a function of molecular surface coverage. Both extinction and SERS spectral intensities increased linearly below monolayer functionalization. Above this value, however, uncontrolled nanoparticle aggregation occurred and large but irreproducible SERS signal intensities were monitored. Next, gold nanoparticles were encapsulated with varying silica shell thicknesses and purified using traditional centrifugation steps and/or column chromatography. Relative to the traditionally purified (i.e. centrifuged) samples, the SERS responses from small molecules using the column purified nanoparticle samples followed a well-known SERS distance-dependence model. Thus, surface chemistry cannot form more than a 2 nm thick layer on gold nanospheres if SERS applications were targeted. To overcome these challenges, gold nanospheres encapsulated with a thick silica shell were made SERS-active by etching the internal silica layer near the metal surface. During the synthesis of these internally etched silica-coated gold nanospheres, the LSPR wavelength shift, a parameter related to the effective local refractive index near the gold core, was monitored instead of etching time, in order to produce nanostructures with more uniform internal silica etching from sample to sample. The SERS-activity of a target molecule using these nanostructures was measured as a function of LSPR wavelength shift. SERS signal intensity increased, which suggested that more analyte molecules were able to bind to the gold surface because of the larger pore size in the silica layer near the metal core. Further exploration of these findings should increase the integration of solution-phase nanoparticles in more predictable functions in future applications, resulting in more quantitative and reproducible molecular detection in complex sample matrices, including biological and environmental samples.

O poli(etileno-co-álcool vinílico) (EVOH) pertence à família de materiais poliméricos semicristalinos; é dotado de excelentes propriedades de barreira a gases e muito utilizado na fabricação de embalagens para alimentos e outros produtos sensíveis a certos níveis de oxigênio ou dióxido de carbono. Entretanto, o EVOH é muito higroscópico e em condições de alta umidade relativa perde a propriedade de altíssima barreira a oxigênio bem como as propriedades mecânicas. De acordo com literatura, a inclusão de cargas lamelares, como argila e óxido de grafeno, contribui para a melhora significativa das propriedades de barreira a gás e mecânicas do EVOH. Este trabalho estudou os efeitos da incorporação de nanofolhas de óxido de grafeno (GO) nas propriedades dos filmes de EVOH. O GO foi obtido pelo método de Hummer\'s modificado e posteriormente submetido à redução induzida por radiação ionizante. Foram incorporados 0,1- 0,3 % em peso de GO e GO reduzido (RGO) na matriz de EVOH via processo de extrusão, utilizando primeiramente uma extrusora dupla-rosca e após, uma mini extrusora balão de laboratório para a obtenção de filmes flexíveis de EVOH/GO e EVOH/RGO. Os filmes obtidos foram submetidos à radiação ionizante, em acelerador de elétrons de 1,5 MeV, com o objetivo de estudar a contribuição do tratamento por radiação ionizante, nas propriedades finais. As irradiações foram realizadas à temperatura ambiente, em ar, e faixa de dose de radiação 100-250 kGy. As amostras de GO e RGO foram caracterizadas por meio dos ensaios de difração de raios X (DRX), microscopia eletrônica de varredura com fonte de emissão de campo (MEV-FEG), microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (MET), espectroscopia vibracional de absorção no infravermelho com transformada de Fourier (FTIR), espectrometria Raman e termogravimetria (TG). As amostras dos filmes irradiadas e não irradiadas foram caracterizadas por meio de ensaios mecânicos de tração, DRX, MEV-FEG, FTIR, TG, calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC), taxa de permeabilidade ao oxigênio (TPO2) e espectroscopia de aniquilação de pósitrons (PALS). Os resultados dos ensaios das amostras de GO e RGO indicaram que o GO obtido pelo método de Hummer\'s modificado foi reduzido por irradiação de raios gama, como a redução dos grupos funcionais contendo oxigênio, grupos epóxi e carboxílicos. As imagens de MEV-FEG das amostras de RGO mostraram folhas separadas sem regiões dobradas e domínios agregados, já o GO apresentou uma superfície com rugosidade e empilhamento de folhas. Os filmes flexíveis de EVOH contendo GO (EVOH/GO) e RGO (EVOH/RGO) apresentaram boa dispersão do GO na matriz de EVOH. Os filmes preparados com RGO (EVOH/RGO) e submetidos à radiação ionizante apresentaram uma dispersão mais homogênea do RGO na matriz e maior adesão interfacial matriz/RGO, e, consequentemente, propriedades mecânicas superiores àquelas obtidas para os filmes de EVOH puro ou de EVOH/GO. / Poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) (EVOH) belongs to the family of semicrystalline polymeric materials; is endowed with excellent gas barrier properties, it is much used in the research area for food packaging and other products sensitive to certain levels of oxygen or carbon dioxide. However, EVOH is very hygroscopic and the high flow conditions relative to the very high barrier property are oxygen as well as the mechanical properties. According to the literature, an inclusion of lamellar loads, such as clay and graphene oxide, contribute to the strengthening of the gas properties and the mechanical discharges of EVOH. This work was studied the addition graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets into EVOH properties. The GO was obtained by the modified Hummer\'s method and subsequently submitted to the reduction induced by ionizing radiation, 0.1-0.3 % by weight of GO and reduced GO (RGO) were incorporated into the EVOH matrix via the extrusion process, using firstly a double-screw extruder and then a mini-laboratory extruder for obtaining films EVOH / GO and EVOH / RGO. The obtained films were submitted to ionizing radiation, in an electron accelerator of 1,5 MeV, in order to study the contribution of the treatment by ionizing radiation, in the final properties. The irradiations were performed at room temperature in air, and radiation dose range 100-250 kGy. The GO and RGO samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy with field emission source (SEM-FEG), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), vibration absorption spectroscopy in the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Raman spectrometry and thermogravimetric (TG). The irradiated and non-irradiated films were characterized by mechanical tests, XRD, SEM-FEG, FTIR, TG, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), oxygen permeability rate (TPO2) and positron annihilation spectroscopy (PALS). Tests results of GO and RGO samples indicated that the GO obtained by the modified Hummer\'s method was reduced by gamma irradiation, such as the reduction of the oxygen-containing functional groups, epoxy groups and carboxylic groups. The SEM-FEG images of RGO samples showed separate leaves without folded regions and aggregate domains, whereas the GO showed a surface with roughness and stacking of leaves. EVOH flexible films containing GO (EVOH / GO) and RGO (EVOH / RGO) showed good dispersion of GO in the EVOH matrix. The films prepared with RGO (EVOH / RGO) and subjected to ionizing radiation presented a more homogeneous dispersion of RGO in the matrix and higher interfacial matrix / RGO adhesion, and, consequently, superior mechanical properties to those obtained for pure EVOH or EVOH/GO films.

Polymer materials stand on a very significant position in the materials industry area. The presence of organoclay nanocomposites reinforces polymer materials on many properties like strength, tensile and so on. Most previous studies on the characteristics of organoclays and polymer nanocomposites were based on the experimental approaches such as XRD (X-ray Diffraction) and NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance). These methods have achieved successfully on the basic analysis of chains and layering structures of polymer nanocomposites. However, information on the molecular level cannot be provided by those approaches. MD (Molecular Dynamic) simulation method could be employed to develop further information on the molecular level about organoclays and interlayer structure polymer nanocomposites. In the research of ODTMA-MMT (Octadecyltrimethylammonium-Montmorillonite) organoclay simulation, we find that the strong layering behaviour of interlayer ODTMA molecules is present with the same minimum distance between nitrogen atoms and MMT surface in different T/O (Tetrahedral vs. Octahedral) ratio cases. Nitrogen atoms sit right above the corresponding hexagonal cavities, which is in agreement with the previous research. The interaction energy between surfactants and MMT clay will reach the lowest point when substitution ratio of tetrahedral and octahedral (T/O) is equal to 1:1. Moreover, MSD (Mean Square Displacement) and diffusion coefficient of different models under same CEC (Charge Exchange Capacity) condition are inverse ratio to the T/O proportion. In nylon6 polymer nanocomposites, sodium cations which exist originally in ensemble as charge balancer are absorbed much closer to MMT surface than the organic components in the nylon 6 ODTMA-MMT ensemble. Sodium atoms or nitrogen atoms in surfactants both have higher MSD and coefficients than those atoms in the organic-modified clays. In the exfoliated nylon 6 ODTMA-MMT nanocomposites, pair correlation has been analysed instead of density profile. Layering packing structure is also shown through this analysis, which is also consistent with previous work.

L'originalité de cette étude consiste à confronter les caractéristiques structurales, morphologiques et rhéologiques de deux systèmes ternaires à morphologie nodulaire : l'un à matrice polyéthylène (PE) et l'autre à matrice polyamide (PA). La nanocharge utilisée est une montmorillonite modifiée (C30B) présentant une bonne affinité pour le PA.<br />L'un des principaux résultats est que l'ajout de faibles fractions d'argile réduit considérablement la taille des nodules. Les mécanismes responsables de cette réduction de taille dépendent de la localisation de l'argile. L'argile localisée à l'interface favorise la formation d'une interphase. Dans ce cas, la réduction de la taille des nodules est attribuée à la suppression de la coalescence (effet stérique inter-nodulaire) combinée à une réduction de la tension interfaciale apparente. L'argile présente dans la matrice engendre une augmentation de la viscosité de cette dernière, favorisant la rupture des nodules. Elle génère aussi un effet barrière à la coalescence, amplifiant la réduction de la taille des nodules. <br />Les propriétés viscoélastiques linéaires sont discutées en relation avec la structure et la morphologie. Le comportement rhéologique des systèmes ternaires à matrice PE est proche de celui du mélange PE/PA tandis que les systèmes à matrice PA suffisamment chargés ont un comportement comparable à celui d'un nanocomposite PA/C30B.<br />Pour de faibles taux de charge, nous avons aussi montré que l'utilisation d'un mélange maître lors de l'élaboration améliore le niveau d'intercalation et le degré d'exfoliation de l'argile, et modifie les différents mécanismes responsables de la réduction en taille des nodules.