This dissertation describes the development of a variety of well-defined nanomaterials based on noble metals displaying hollow interiors followed by their application as heterogeneous catalyst towards different chemical transformations. In this work, we employed a simple and robust galvanic replacement reaction approach and its combination with additional metal deposition over preformed templates using hydroquinone as auxiliary reducing agent. This enabled us to precisely control physicochemical features of the produced nanomaterials for catalytic application such as size, composition, shell thickness, surface morphology, number of surface atoms exposed, nature of exposed surface facets, and plasmon band intensity and position. In addition, we could successfully address a well-established challenge in heterogeneous catalysis by noble metals, which is the fabrication of supported materials in which the metal component presents a uniform dispersion over the entire surface of the support without any detectable agglomeration. To this end, the developed approaches for syntheses were scaled up by more than 100 folds, which enabled us to produce enough amount of particles for the uniform incorporation over the commercial silica support. Interestingly, all produced supported nanomaterials displayed satisfactory catalytic activities towards gas phase oxidation reactions and exceptional stabilities on all procedures, demonstrating that our developed approach may inspire the synthesis of noble metal nanostructures displaying attractive features for catalytic applications and uniform dispersion over solid supports to produce solid supported catalysts. As the nanomaterials obtained in this work displayed controlled and well-defined properties, we could stablish a precise correlation between their catalytic or photocatalytic performances and the physicochemical properties that define them. Thus, we showed that by relatively simple adjustments in the synthesis protocols, a rational maneuvering over properties such as size, shape, surface morphology, and composition can be successfully achieved. This represents a powerful tool for boosting the catalytic performances of hollow nanomaterials towards a variety of chemical transformations with completely distinctive mechanisms and nature. In fact, only a few groups have demonstrated the synthesis in large scale of nanomaterials with truly well-defined shapes and sizes in which these parameters can be tightly controlled. Thus, we believe that this dissertation contributes towards the manufacture of supported catalysts containing well-defined and controlled nanomaterials for applications in practical catalytic systems. / Não consta resumo na publicação.

This dissertation describes the development of a variety of well-defined nanomaterials based on noble metals displaying hollow interiors followed by their application as heterogeneous catalyst towards different chemical transformations. In this work, we employed a simple and robust galvanic replacement reaction approach and its combination with additional metal deposition over preformed templates using hydroquinone as auxiliary reducing agent. This enabled us to precisely control physicochemical features of the produced nanomaterials for catalytic application such as size, composition, shell thickness, surface morphology, number of surface atoms exposed, nature of exposed surface facets, and plasmon band intensity and position. In addition, we could successfully address a well-established challenge in heterogeneous catalysis by noble metals, which is the fabrication of supported materials in which the metal component presents a uniform dispersion over the entire surface of the support without any detectable agglomeration. To this end, the developed approaches for syntheses were scaled up by more than 100 folds, which enabled us to produce enough amount of particles for the uniform incorporation over the commercial silica support. Interestingly, all produced supported nanomaterials displayed satisfactory catalytic activities towards gas phase oxidation reactions and exceptional stabilities on all procedures, demonstrating that our developed approach may inspire the synthesis of noble metal nanostructures displaying attractive features for catalytic applications and uniform dispersion over solid supports to produce solid supported catalysts. As the nanomaterials obtained in this work displayed controlled and well-defined properties, we could stablish a precise correlation between their catalytic or photocatalytic performances and the physicochemical properties that define them. Thus, we showed that by relatively simple adjustments in the synthesis protocols, a rational maneuvering over properties such as size, shape, surface morphology, and composition can be successfully achieved. This represents a powerful tool for boosting the catalytic performances of hollow nanomaterials towards a variety of chemical transformations with completely distinctive mechanisms and nature. In fact, only a few groups have demonstrated the synthesis in large scale of nanomaterials with truly well-defined shapes and sizes in which these parameters can be tightly controlled. Thus, we believe that this dissertation contributes towards the manufacture of supported catalysts containing well-defined and controlled nanomaterials for applications in practical catalytic systems. / Não consta resumo na publicação.

Partículas e filmes híbridos de polímeros e compostos de amônio quaternário (CAQ) foram caracterizados quanto a propriedades físicas e atividade contra cepas de Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 e Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923. Partículas híbridas foram obtidas a partir de fragmentos de bicamada (BF) de brometo de dioctadecildimetilamônio (DODAB), adicionados consecutivamente de soluções de carboximetilcelulose (CMC) e cloreto de poli (dialildimetilamônio) (PDDA) e, a seguir, caracterizadas por espalhamento de luz dinâmico para determinação de distribuições de tamanho, diâmetro médio (Dz) e potencial-zeta (ζ). Filmes híbridos foram obtidos por revestimento rotacional de lamínulas de vidro a partir de uma solução clorofórmica de poli (metil metacrilato) (PMMA) e CAQ onde [PMMA] = 10 mg/mL e [CAQs] = 0,03 4 mM de DODAB, brometo de cetiltrimetilamônio (CTAB) ou brometo de tetrapropilamônio (TPAB). Molhabilidade dos filmes e difusibilidade dos CAQs nos filmes imersos em água foram avaliadas por determinação de ângulo de contato e de tensão superficial na interface ar-água, respectivamente. Atividade antimicrobiana foi avaliada por plaqueamento e contagem de viáveis, tanto para os filmes quanto para as partículas. Para os filmes, também foram determinados halos de inibição. Partículas de DODAB BF/ CMC/ PDDA exibiram Dz e ζ dependentes da concentração dos componentes. A 0,1 mM de DODAB, 0,1 mg/mL de CMC e 0,1 mg/mL de PDDA, foram obtidas partículas pequenas (Dz = 100 nm; ζ = 30 mV). Com 0,5 mM de DODAB, 0,5 mg/mL de CMC e 0,5 mg/mL de PDDA foram obtidas partículas grandes (Dz = 470 nm; ζ = 50 mV). Contra 107 UFC/mL, 1 - 2 µg/mL de PDDA, sozinho em solução ou em forma de partículas, matou 99 % das células de P. aeruginosa. O mesmo ocorreu contra S. aureus (107 UFC/mL) em 10 µg/mL de PDDA. A ação antimicrobiana mostrou-se dependente da quantidade de cargas positivas nas partículas e independente do tamanho da partícula. Filmes de PMMA/ CAQ apresentaram maior molhabilidade do que aqueles de PMMA puro. Filmes de PMMA/ DODAB e PMMA/ TPAB submersos em água não causaram alterações de tensão superficial na interface ar-água, indicando baixa difusibilidade destes CAQs a partir dos filmes. Filmes de PMMA/ CTAB submersos em água reduziram a tensão superficial até aproximadamente 60 mN/m, mostrando a difusibilidade do CTAB no filme e sua organização na interface ar-água. O efeito antimicrobiano dos filmes PMMA/ DODAB e PMMA/ CTAB foi dependente da concentração do CAQ utilizada no preparo do filme. Viabilidade celular de 0% contra 107 UFC/mL de ambas as bactérias ocorreu com 4 mM de DODAB ou, com 2 ou 0,2 mM de CTAB contra P. aeruginosa ou S. aureus, respectivamente. Filmes de PMMA/ TPAB não apresentaram atividade antimicrobiana. Com a emergência de micro-organismos resistentes aos antibióticos, os novos nanomateriais antimicrobianos híbridos de polímeros e compostos de amônio quaternário podem representar uma alternativa de fácil obtenção e baixo custo. / Hybrid particles and films from polymers and quaternary ammonium compounds (QAC) were characterized regarding its physical properties and antimicrobial activity against strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 or Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923. Hybrid particles were obtained from dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide (DODAB) bilayer fragments (BF), consecutively added of carboximethylcellulose (CMC) and poly (diallyldimethylammonium) chloride (PDDA) solutions, and then, characterized by dynamic light-scattering for determination of size distributions, z-average diameter (Dz) and zeta-potential (ζ). Hybrid films were obtained by spin-coating of a chloroformic solution of poly (methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) and QAC on glass coverslips at [PMMA] = 10 mg/mL and [QACs] = 0.03 -4 mM where QACs were DODAB, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) or tetrapropylammonium bromide (TPAB). Films wettability and QACs diffusibility in the films immersed in water were evaluated by determinations of contact angle and surface tension at air-water interface, respectively. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated by plating and CFU counting both for particles and films. For the hybrid films, width of inhibition zone was also determined. DODAB BF/ CMC/ PDDA particles exhibited Dz and ζ dependent on the concentrations of the components. At 0.1 mM DODAB, 0.1 mg/mL CMC, and 0.1 mg/mL PDDA, small cationic particles were obtained (Dz = 100 nm; ζ = 30 mV). At 0.5 mM DODAB, 0.5 mg/mL CMC and 0.5 mg/mL PDDA, large cationic particles were obtained (Dz = 470 nm; ζ = 50 mV). At 107 CFU/mL, cell viability of 1 % for P. aeruginosa was obtained for PDDA in solution or covering particles at 1 or 2 µg/mL PDDA, respectively. Against S. aureus (107 CFU/mL) at 10 µg/mL PDDA, a similar result was obtained. The antimicrobial effect was dependent on the amount of positive charge on particles and independent on particle size. The hybrid films of PMMA/ QAC showed higher wettability than those of pure PMMA. PMMA/ DODAB and PMMA/ TPAB hybrid films, submerged in water, did not cause changes in surface tension at the air-water interface, indicating low diffusibility for both DODAB and TPAB in hybrid films. Films of PMMA/ CTAB, submerged in water, reduced the surface tension to about 60 mN/m, showing that CTAB could diffuse from the film to the air-water interface and change its surface tension. The antimicrobial effect of PMMA/ DODAB and PMMA/ CTAB hybrid films was clearly dependent on the QAC concentration used to prepare the films. Cell viability of 0% for P. aeruginosa and S. aureus (107 CFU/mL) occurred at 4 mM DODAB, or 2 and 0.2 mM CTAB, respectively. Films of PMMA/ TPAB showed no antimicrobial activity. With the emergence of microorganisms resistant to antibiotics, the novel hybrid antimicrobial nanomaterials may become important since they are inexpensive and easy to obtain.

Partículas e filmes híbridos de polímeros e compostos de amônio quaternário (CAQ) foram caracterizados quanto a propriedades físicas e atividade contra cepas de Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 e Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923. Partículas híbridas foram obtidas a partir de fragmentos de bicamada (BF) de brometo de dioctadecildimetilamônio (DODAB), adicionados consecutivamente de soluções de carboximetilcelulose (CMC) e cloreto de poli (dialildimetilamônio) (PDDA) e, a seguir, caracterizadas por espalhamento de luz dinâmico para determinação de distribuições de tamanho, diâmetro médio (Dz) e potencial-zeta (ζ). Filmes híbridos foram obtidos por revestimento rotacional de lamínulas de vidro a partir de uma solução clorofórmica de poli (metil metacrilato) (PMMA) e CAQ onde [PMMA] = 10 mg/mL e [CAQs] = 0,03 4 mM de DODAB, brometo de cetiltrimetilamônio (CTAB) ou brometo de tetrapropilamônio (TPAB). Molhabilidade dos filmes e difusibilidade dos CAQs nos filmes imersos em água foram avaliadas por determinação de ângulo de contato e de tensão superficial na interface ar-água, respectivamente. Atividade antimicrobiana foi avaliada por plaqueamento e contagem de viáveis, tanto para os filmes quanto para as partículas. Para os filmes, também foram determinados halos de inibição. Partículas de DODAB BF/ CMC/ PDDA exibiram Dz e ζ dependentes da concentração dos componentes. A 0,1 mM de DODAB, 0,1 mg/mL de CMC e 0,1 mg/mL de PDDA, foram obtidas partículas pequenas (Dz = 100 nm; ζ = 30 mV). Com 0,5 mM de DODAB, 0,5 mg/mL de CMC e 0,5 mg/mL de PDDA foram obtidas partículas grandes (Dz = 470 nm; ζ = 50 mV). Contra 107 UFC/mL, 1 - 2 µg/mL de PDDA, sozinho em solução ou em forma de partículas, matou 99 % das células de P. aeruginosa. O mesmo ocorreu contra S. aureus (107 UFC/mL) em 10 µg/mL de PDDA. A ação antimicrobiana mostrou-se dependente da quantidade de cargas positivas nas partículas e independente do tamanho da partícula. Filmes de PMMA/ CAQ apresentaram maior molhabilidade do que aqueles de PMMA puro. Filmes de PMMA/ DODAB e PMMA/ TPAB submersos em água não causaram alterações de tensão superficial na interface ar-água, indicando baixa difusibilidade destes CAQs a partir dos filmes. Filmes de PMMA/ CTAB submersos em água reduziram a tensão superficial até aproximadamente 60 mN/m, mostrando a difusibilidade do CTAB no filme e sua organização na interface ar-água. O efeito antimicrobiano dos filmes PMMA/ DODAB e PMMA/ CTAB foi dependente da concentração do CAQ utilizada no preparo do filme. Viabilidade celular de 0% contra 107 UFC/mL de ambas as bactérias ocorreu com 4 mM de DODAB ou, com 2 ou 0,2 mM de CTAB contra P. aeruginosa ou S. aureus, respectivamente. Filmes de PMMA/ TPAB não apresentaram atividade antimicrobiana. Com a emergência de micro-organismos resistentes aos antibióticos, os novos nanomateriais antimicrobianos híbridos de polímeros e compostos de amônio quaternário podem representar uma alternativa de fácil obtenção e baixo custo. / Hybrid particles and films from polymers and quaternary ammonium compounds (QAC) were characterized regarding its physical properties and antimicrobial activity against strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 or Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923. Hybrid particles were obtained from dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide (DODAB) bilayer fragments (BF), consecutively added of carboximethylcellulose (CMC) and poly (diallyldimethylammonium) chloride (PDDA) solutions, and then, characterized by dynamic light-scattering for determination of size distributions, z-average diameter (Dz) and zeta-potential (ζ). Hybrid films were obtained by spin-coating of a chloroformic solution of poly (methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) and QAC on glass coverslips at [PMMA] = 10 mg/mL and [QACs] = 0.03 -4 mM where QACs were DODAB, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) or tetrapropylammonium bromide (TPAB). Films wettability and QACs diffusibility in the films immersed in water were evaluated by determinations of contact angle and surface tension at air-water interface, respectively. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated by plating and CFU counting both for particles and films. For the hybrid films, width of inhibition zone was also determined. DODAB BF/ CMC/ PDDA particles exhibited Dz and ζ dependent on the concentrations of the components. At 0.1 mM DODAB, 0.1 mg/mL CMC, and 0.1 mg/mL PDDA, small cationic particles were obtained (Dz = 100 nm; ζ = 30 mV). At 0.5 mM DODAB, 0.5 mg/mL CMC and 0.5 mg/mL PDDA, large cationic particles were obtained (Dz = 470 nm; ζ = 50 mV). At 107 CFU/mL, cell viability of 1 % for P. aeruginosa was obtained for PDDA in solution or covering particles at 1 or 2 µg/mL PDDA, respectively. Against S. aureus (107 CFU/mL) at 10 µg/mL PDDA, a similar result was obtained. The antimicrobial effect was dependent on the amount of positive charge on particles and independent on particle size. The hybrid films of PMMA/ QAC showed higher wettability than those of pure PMMA. PMMA/ DODAB and PMMA/ TPAB hybrid films, submerged in water, did not cause changes in surface tension at the air-water interface, indicating low diffusibility for both DODAB and TPAB in hybrid films. Films of PMMA/ CTAB, submerged in water, reduced the surface tension to about 60 mN/m, showing that CTAB could diffuse from the film to the air-water interface and change its surface tension. The antimicrobial effect of PMMA/ DODAB and PMMA/ CTAB hybrid films was clearly dependent on the QAC concentration used to prepare the films. Cell viability of 0% for P. aeruginosa and S. aureus (107 CFU/mL) occurred at 4 mM DODAB, or 2 and 0.2 mM CTAB, respectively. Films of PMMA/ TPAB showed no antimicrobial activity. With the emergence of microorganisms resistant to antibiotics, the novel hybrid antimicrobial nanomaterials may become important since they are inexpensive and easy to obtain.