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The aim of the work was to develop an understanding of the phenomenon of rate enhancement observed when a heterogeneous catalytic reaction system is irradiated by ultrasound. The system under investigation was the catalytic hydrogenation of an a, B - unsaturated ketone, using zinc dust and aqueous nickel chloride as a source of hydrogen. When a slurry of zinc particles and aqueous nickel chloride is stirred or sonicated, nickel deposits in the form of patches on the surface of the zinc particles and simultaneously, zinc dissolves into the solution in the form of zinc ions, a process called pitting corrosion. Hydrogen atoms are formed when hydrogen ions diffuse from the bulk, adsorb onto the nickel surface and take up electrons generated by the dissolution of zinc. Once the atoms are formed on the surface, the atoms combine to form hydrogen molecules, which desorb in the form of hydrogen gas. When ketone is added to this slurry, the hydrogen atom formed on the surface of nickel is used as the source of hydrogen for the hydrogenation reaction. In these processes, nickel serves as catalyst. The ketone first has to diffuse to the bulk, adsorb onto the surface of nickel and undergo reduction by the hydrogen atoms to form the product. The product then has to desorb from the surface and diffuse into the bulk, in order to create vacant sites on the nickel surface for the adsorption of more ketone. Experiments dealing with measurements of hydrogen evolution rates pointed out that hydrogen is not a limiting reactant, since evolution was sustained for long periods of time. The evolution rates versus time data revealed that the nature of the plots for both, the stirred and sonicated systems were similar. These facts lead us to infer that the basic mechanism of nickel deposition, pitting corrosion, etc. was similar for the two cases. To study the hydrogenation reaction, experiments were first conducted keeping the nickel catalyst surface area constant. The results of these experiments showed that the hydrogenation reaction can be explained by a first order mechanism. Changing the speed of the stirrer did not effect the rate of the reaction; hence it was inferred that the reaction was not external mass transfer controlled. It was also seen that there was an no significant difference in reaction rates between the stirred and sonicated systems. Hence we conclude that sonication does not effect any process involved in the actual process of hydrogenation, i.e., adsorption, desorption, surface reaction, etc., do not get effected. It was concluded that the observed rate enhancements of similar compounds in the same system occur only when nickel catalyst is being continuously formed. This is possible only if irradiation with ultrasound enhances the rate of formation of the surface area of the nickel deposit. To study this phenomena, experiments were conducted with continuous formation of nickel catalyst. These experiments were conducted in three ways - stirring with zinc dust, sonication with zinc dust and stirring with presonicated zinc dust. For the first two kinds of experiments, the rates were low, increased to a maximum value and then decreased, but the nature of the third kind of experiments were different. The initial rates were very high as compared to either of the other two kinds of experiments but the rate rapidly reduces and becomes comparable to the rates obtained by stirring with zinc dust. We conclude that sonication creates many active sites on the surface of the zinc particles in the form of crystal defects, which are perhaps necessary for the deposition of nickel. When presonicated zinc particles are used, there are large numbers of these sites and these get consumed rapidly when stirred with aqueous nickel chloride solution. In this work, we do not deal with this case. In the case of sonication with zinc dust, these active sites are continuously created and are consumed by nickel deposition. For the stirred system, these sites are quite small to start with and new ones are not generated since there is no irradiation by ultrasound. Hence, the rates in the latter case are low for both nickel deposition and the hydrogenation reaction. In the model, it was assumed that the rate of increase of surface area of nickel, characterized by a specific rate term k z, was proportional to the amount of nickel in the bulk and also to the amount of free zinc surface area available. Similarly, nickel which deposits on previously deposited nickel (characterized by another specific rate constant, kn) was proportional to the amount of nickel in the bulk, the nickel area already deposited and also the free zinc surface area available. The model is in excellent agreement with the experimental data obtained. The model predicted higher values of kn and kz for the sonicated system, indicating that the rate of deposition of nickel is much higher in this case than for the stirred system. Moreover, the model also predicts that the deposit in the case of a sonicated system is thinner and flatter, since it was seen that the surface area created for the same amount of nickel deposited was much higher in this case than the stirred system.

Heterogeneous catalysis is a key industrial process involved in the synthesis of nearly all chemicals currently produced. The environmental impact of these processes is huge so improvements must be made to current catalysts. Should a new material provide better yields at lower energy cost the benefits to both the industry and the planet are significant. There are many ways to change the behaviour of a catalyst, the addition of dopants, the selective blocking of active sites, and changing the strength of the support interaction to name a few. One technique that has become increasingly investigated is interstitial modification, the insertion of a light element into a metal lattice to change the metal's catalytic properties. The work presented in this thesis devises greener synthetic routes to the known Pd-^interstitialB/C catalyst and investigates potential routes to a novel interstitial material, Pd-^interstitialLi/C. Initially, successful verification of interstitial modification comes from the characteristic increase in palladium lattice parameter from 3.89 to 4.00 Å and the blocking of the β-hydride formation. Initial catalytic screening determines the synthetic route which yields the most active catalyst which subsequently undergoes thorough characterisation. The wealth of evidence generated confirms the interstitial location of lithium within the palladium lattice, as well as adding to the current understanding of the Pd-^interstitialB/C material. EELS analysis on Pd-^interstitialB is the closest to direct observation of boron within the palladium lattice to date. PDF on Pd-^interstitialLi shows 13.7 % of the palladium octahedral interstitial sites are occupied by lithium. This is the first report of interstitial lithium within palladium to date. The effect of the interstitial modification on catalytic hydrogenation by two elements that have opposite effects on the surface electronics of the host palladium gives intriguing results. The effect on catalysis varies depending on the conditions investigated. This bank of hydrogenation data allows an informed choice as to which interstitial material would be best suited to the gas or liquid phase catalytic hydrogenation under investigation.

The application of heterogeneous catalysts to industrial processes is a key factor in the synthesis of nearly all chemicals currently produced, however billions of pounds are lost every year due to unplanned reactor shutdowns and catalyst replacement as a result of catalytic deactivation processes. Poisoning of heterogeneous catalysts by sulfur compounds is a particularly prominent class of deactivation processes, affecting a wide range of catalytic materials and catalytic reactions, including the industrially-prominent Haber-Bosch process for the synthesis of ammonia and steam reforming of methane for the synthesis of hydrogen. However, while the effects of sulfur adsorption on catalytic behaviour are often unmistakably apparent, the fundamental interactions leading to these effects are not yet well understood. The work presented in this thesis uses a combination of models systems, novel and traditional characterization techniques, and methods of modifying catalyst geometric and electronic structure to approach the topic of sulfur poisoning from a fundamental perspective. Particular focus is placed on using selective decoration of active sites to develop a system of model hydrogenation reactions to relate changes in catalytic behaviour to changes in geometric and electronic structure. Application of these model reactions to investigate the sensitivities of palladium- and ruthenium-based catalytic systems to modification by sulfur shows contrasting effects for the two metals. While both systems exhibit similar geometric effects of modification, the palladium-based catalysts are far more sensitive than the ruthenium-based catalysts to modification of electronic structure. Additionally, controlled variation in particle size for the palladium-based catalysts demonstrates that catalytic behaviour is dominated by electronic structure for small nanoparticles and geometric structure for large nanoparticles. This leads small nanoparticles to show increased sensitivity to electronic modification effects resulting from sulfur adsorption. Ultimately, the research presented within this thesis provides a basis for the intelligent design of heterogeneous catalysts for improving tolerance for sulfur poisoning, and for utilizing the effects of sulfur modification to optimize catalytic activity and selectivity for the synthesis of fine chemicals.

Esta Tese descreve a preparação de novos eletrodos modificados (EMs) fazendo uso de um método novo, a deposição de partículas de metais nobres, como níquel, paládio e platina sobre partículas de metais comuns, como cobre e ferro. Este método leva aos denominados EMs mistos, que podem apresentar características diferentes e mais eficientes que os EMs Ni, Pd e Pt já estudados, sendo a principal aplicação nas reações de hidrogenação eletrocatalítica (HEC) de substratos orgânicos insaturados. A preparação dos EMs mistos se inicia pelo recobrimento da superfície do eletrodo de trabalho com um filme polimérico. O polímero usado foi o poli-(éter alílico do ácido p-benzenossulfônico), um filme aniônico com boa estabilidade química e mecânica, que pode fazer troca iônica de seus íons H+ por cátions metálicos. Este filme é preparado por varreduras de voltametria cíclica de uma solução do respectivo monômero, que se oxida eletroquimicamente iniciando a reação química de polimerização. Os metais cobre e ferro são introduzidos ao polímero pelo método de troca iônica/redução eletroquímica, onde o EM é mergulhado em uma solução saturada de um sal de cobre ou de ferro para ocorrer a troca iônica. Em seguida, estes íons são reduzidos eletroquimicamente por varreduras de voltametria cíclica, usando uma faixa de potencial adequada. Para se preparar os EMs mistos, mergulhou-se estes EMs (Cu ou Fe) na solução do banho electroless de níquel, paládio e platina. Por esta metodologia partículas destes metais nobres são depositadas pelo processo de deposição metálica electroless (DME), que faz uso de um agente redutor, hipofosfito de sódio, para reduzir os íons destes metais de forma adequada nos EMs Cu ou Fe e onde se espera obter grande área superficial. Os EMs mistos preparados foram: Cu/Ni, Cu/Pd, Cu/Pt, Fe/Ni, Fe/Pd e Fe/Pt. A caracterização dos metais dos EMs mistos foi feita indiretamente por geração eletroquímica de hidrogênio (GH) de uma solução ácida e diretamente pelas técnicas de Difração de Raios X e Microscopia de Varredura Eletrônica (MEV). O processo de deposição metálica foi investigado por medidas de potencial de circuito aberto, realizadas durante a deposição dos metais nobres que indicou a ocorrência do processo de DME em alguns casos e DG (deposição galvânica) em outros. Devido a alguns resultados do processo de deposição metálica, foi estudado o mecanismo de catalise na deposição direta das partículas de níquel, paládio e platina pela redução química por hipofosfito dos íons correspondentes. Preparou-se EMs Ni, Pd e Pt por dois métodos: troca iônica/redução eletroquímica e troca iônica/redução química catalisada pelo filme. Estes foram caracterizados por GH e utilizando o ácido p-toluenossulfônico como modelo, estudos de espectroscopia na região UV/Vis. foram realizados. Estas medidas comprovaram a catálise, pois os EMs preparados por redução química apresentaram melhores resultados para a GH e as análises de UV/Vis. mostraram a forte ligação existente entre os grupos sulfonatos do polímero e os íons metálicos bivalentes, ligação essencial para ocorrer a catálise do filme. Verificou-se que as partículas dos metais nobres podiam estar sendo depositadas por DME ou por DG seguido de DME, mas que em todos os casos ocorria a deposição causada pela catálise do filme. A reatividade dos EMs mistos foi avaliada por um estudo cinético, onde HECs de alguns substratos orgânicos foram realizadas e acompanhadas por medidas de UV/Vis. durante as reações. Obteve-se a constante de velocidade (k) destas reações, as quais foram comparadas entre si e encontrou-se como o EM misto mais eficiente o Cu/Pt. As ks das reações deste EM foram comparadas com ks de outros EMs de Pt, já estudados em nossos laboratórios. / This thesis describes the preparation of new modified electrodes (MEs) using the method of noble metal particles deposition like nickel, palladium and platinum in the surface of commum metals particles as cooper and iron. This new electrodes were denominated mixed MEs, and can show different caractheristics and present higher efficiency than others already studied, being their principal application in electrocatalytic hydrogenation (ECH) of unsaturated organic substrates. The surface electrode were coated with the polymer poly-(ether allyl p-benzenesulfonic), an anionic film with good chemical and mechanic stability that can undergoes ion exchange of ions H+ by metallic cations. This film is prepared by anodic oxidation of the monomer using voltammetric cycles, producing a cation radical initiador of a chain reaction polymerization. Cooper and iron metals are incorporated in the polymer by ion exchange/ electrochemical reduction; the ME were dipped in saturated solution of cooper or iron salt to produce the ion exchange. The ions are then electrochemically reduced. The preparation of mixed MEs is carried out by electrolessly deposidated Ni, Pd or Pt. This methodology use NaH2PO2, to reduce the metal ions. This procedure deposits Ni, Pd and Pt in the surface of Cu or Fe MEs with an expected higher superficial area. The mixed Cu/Ni, Cu/Pd, Cu/Pt, Fe/Ni, Fe/Pd e Fe/Pt MEs were prepared. The characterization of the MEs metals was made indirectly by electrochemically hydrogen generation from an acid solution (HG) and directly by SEM-EDX and Ray X Diffraction analysis. The metallic deposition process was investigated by open circuit during the deposition of nobles metals that indicate the occurrence of electroless deposition (EMD) process in some cases or spontaneous displacement reaction (galvanic deposition - GD) in others. Despite the two mechanisms related above, a catalytic process would occur. To rut in evidence this third process Ni, Pd and Pt MEs were prepared by two methods: ion exchange/electrochemical reduction and ion exchange/chemical reduction catalyzed by the film. The resulting MEs were characterized by HG and spectroscopy in the UV/Vis. For this last analysis, p-toluenossulfonic acid was used as model and the results proved the catalytic mechanism. UV spectroscopy analysis showed strong bonds between the p-toluenossulfonic and the noble metal salts. So particles of noble metals can be deposited not only by EMD or GD but in all cases occur the deposition by film catalysis too. The reactivity of mixed MEs was done by kinetic study, where ECH of some organic substrates were carried out and monitored by UV/Vis spectroscopy. The constant rate (k) of the reactions was calculated and compared with the others mixed MEs. The ks of this ME were compared with the ks of other Pt MEs, already studied. The more reactive of them was the Cu/Pt ME.

La préparation du caoutchouc naturel hydrogéné (HNR) par réaction avec l'hydrazine et le peroxyde d'hydrogène et le latex de caoutchouc naturel a été intéressée. L’influence de conditions de réaction, types et volume de solvants, volume du  réactionnel, la quantité d’hydrazine et de peroxyde d’hydrogène sur le degré d’hydrogénation du caoutchouc naturel a été étudiée. Le structure et  détermination du degré d’hydrogénation des caoutchoucs naturel hydrogénés a été analysée par  résonance magnétique nucléaire (RMN), transformée de fourier infrarouge (FTIR) et spectroscopie Raman. Un degré d'hydrogénation de 18 % a été obtenu à 1.0 - 2.0 du la molaire de d’hydrazine et de peroxyde d’hydrogène, température optimale de 50°C et le temps de réaction de 24h. Afin d'améliorer le degré d'hydrogénation, des solvants tels que le toluène et le hexane et l'effet de le volume du réactionnel ont été étudiée, ce qui a permis d'obtenir des degrés d’hydrogénation  élevés (proches de 65% avec le toluène). D’autre part, des mesures de tailles de particules de latex ont montré que l’hydrogénation du caoutchouc naturel n’avait pas d’effet sur latex de caoutchouc naturel. Un résultat également intéressant concerne le détermination du taux de gel. Ce gel augmente avec le degré d’hydrogénation, prouvant que des réactions de réticulation ont eu lieu. Néanmoins aucun effet de degré d’hydrogénation sur le température de transition vitreuse n’est détecté. La dureté et viscosités Mooney augmentent, en lien avec l’augmentation du taux de gel. Par ailleurs, la résistance thermique du caoutchouc naturel hydrogéné est considérablement améliorée lorsque le degré d’hydrogénation augmente. Le partie suivante est consacrée à la vulcanisation du caoutchouc. Deux types de réticulation ont été utilisés : au soufre et au peroxyde. Les élastomères HNR réticulés montrent une meilleure résistance à l’ozone et l’UV que le NR réticulé. De plus, cette résistance à l’ozone et l’UV est plus élevée pour le réticulation au soufre, comparée à le réticulation au peroxyde. Une bonne corrélation entre les images de microscopie optique et les résultats des analyses Raman est obtenue. La préparation et l’étude de mélanges HNR/PP obtenus par vulcanisation dynamique en utilisant du peroxyde et du soufre comme agents de réticulation. Un degré d’hydrogénation de 65% a été choisi, et différentes ratio HNR/PP ont été étudiés, et comparés avec des mélanges NR/PP. La morphologie des mélanges a été caractérisée par spectroscopie Raman, ce qui a permis d’obtenir des images cartographie Raman indiquant de façon précise le localisation et la distribution des phases de caoutchouc et de PP.  Une bonne corrélation entre le cartographie Raman et les images de microscopie électronique à balayage (SEM) est obtenue. Ainsi il apparaît que les particules de caoutchouc sont dispersées dans une phase continue de PP, ceci à la fois pour le HNR et le NR. L’étude des propriétés mécaniques a montré que celles-ci étaient gouvernées principalement par le phase continue de PP. / The non-catalytic hydrogenation of natural rubber latex (NRL) was carried out by using diimide generated in situ from the reaction between hydrazine (N2H4) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The effects of mole ratios of [C=C]:[N2H4]:[H2O2], reaction conditions, solvent types, solvent volumes and reaction scale-up on the hydrogenation levels were investigated. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and Raman spectroscopic techniques were employed to investigate the chemical structure of the hydrogenated natural rubber (HNRs) and to quantify the hydrogenationlevels. It was found that variations in moles of N2H4 and H2O2 in the range of 1.0-2.0 moles resulted in degrees of hydrogenation in the range of 10-18%. Little improvement in hydrogenation levels of HNRs was obtained when NRL particles were swollen in solvents by which toluene yielded better results than hexane. The increase in toluenevolume resulted in the increase in hydrogenation levels up to 42 %. TEM micrographs revealed that swelling mainly occurred at the surface of NRL particles, implying that hydrogenation reaction confined largely at the surface of NRL particles. After removal of toluene, particle size and particle size distribution of partially hydrogenated NRL remained unchanged. To further improve degrees of hydrogenation, the reaction volume was extended and 65% hydrogenation levels were obtained. Therefore, 14%HNR, 33%HNR, and 65%HNR were successfully prepared under suitable reaction conditions. However, crosslinking and cis-trans isomerization were side-reactions occurring during hydrogenation. Gel and trans contents increased with increasing hydrogenation levels, leading to the increase in hardness of HNRs. Mooney viscosities of HNRs increased with increasing degrees of hydrogenation due to the increased gel contents. Mooney torquerelaxation of NR and HNRs were similar. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that vi HNRs had greater thermal stability than NR and thermal stability increased with increasing degrees of hydrogenation. HNR vulcanizates were much better resistant to ozone and UV than cured NR. Sulfur-vulcanized rubbers had greater ozone resistance than peroxide-cure rubbers due to less amounts of carbon-carbon double bonds present in rubbers. In addition, modulus at low strain and tensile strength of sulfur-cured rubbers were higher than those of peroxide-cured rubbers, but lower elongation due to higher crosslink densities. Also, modulus at low strain and tensile strength increased with increasing hydrogenation levels of HNRs, in contrast to strain at break. Thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) from blends of HNR and Polypropylene (PP) were prepared via dynamic vulcanization using peroxide and sulfur as curing agents. The effects of blend ratios on mechanical properties of TPVs were investigated. Tensile strength increased with increasing PP portions, but breaking strain decreased. Morphology of TPVs was characterized with Raman mapping and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The phase sizes of crosslinked rubber obtained from both techniques were correlated well.

Neste estudo, foram sintetizados complexos de ródio com aminoácidos e aminoácidos N-protegidos. Os compostos sintetizados foram caracterizados por análise elementar, espectrofotometria nas regiões do infravermelho e ultravioleta-visível, susceptibilidade magnética, ressonância magnética nuclear de próton e calorimetria exploratória diferencial. As técnicas analíticas utilizadas permitiram avaliar a estrutura dos complexos de ródio obtidos. Nos complexos sintetizados com aminoácidos, a ligação ocorreu pelos átomos de nitrogênio do grupamento amina e pelo oxigênio do grupo carboxila, formando anéis quelato de cinco membros, estrutura esta distinta da apresentada por compostos diméricos de ródio (II). Este modo de coordenação típico de carboxilatos de ródio dimérico, foi alcançado fazendo-se o bloqueio do grupamento amino, direcionando assim a coordenação do aminoácido, aos átomos de ródio, através dos dois oxigênios da carboxila. Numa etapa posterior, o grupo protetor foi removido por ataque ácido, tomando o complexo, anteriormente solúvel em solventes apoiares, totalmente solúvel em água, sendo mantida a estrutura de gaiola. Partindo-se dos complexos de ródio (II) sintetizados com aminoácidos N-bloqueados, foram obtidos adutos com o ácido isonicotínico, que se mostraram mais hidrossolúveis do que os complexos iniciais. Os compostos [Rh2(Boc-Gly)4)(I), [Rh2(Boc-L-Ala)4)(II) e seus respectivos adutos com o ácido isonicotínico foram submetidos a ensaios biológicos in vitro, onde foi avaliada a citotoxicidade destes sobre células tumorais K562, U937 e de tumor de Ehrlich. O aduto [Rh2(Boc-L-Ala)4](AIN)2(III) também foi submetido a um ensaio in vivo, de sobrevida. Camundongos portadores de tumor ascite de Ehrlich, tratados com solução do complexo (III), tiveram um aumento significativo de sobrevida, com formação de tumor sólido. Os complexos (I), (II), [Rh2(Boc-L-Val)4)(IV), [Rh2(Boc-L-Leu)4](V) e [Rh2(Boc-D-Phe)4)(VI) foram avaliados quanto ao seu potencial catalítico, em reações de hidrogenação. Os resultados foram expressos em termos de conversão de substrato em função do tempo de reação, número de rotação, freqüência de rotação e curvas TT x TTG. O complexo (I) apresentou atividade semelhante ao acetato de ródio (II), que foi utilizado como complexo de referência. Os demais compostos, (II), (V) e (VI) mostraram-se mais ativos que o acetato de ródio (II), nas reações de hidrogenação de hexeno-1 em etanol. / In this study, rhodium complexes were synthesized using amino acids and N-protected amino acids as ligands. The synthesized compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR and UVVis spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility, proton magnetic nuclear resonance and diferential scanning calorimetry. The used analytical techniques allowed us to evaluate the structure of the obtained rhodium complexes. In the amino acids complexes, the binding occured through nitrogen atoms of the amino group and through the oxygen atom of the carboxyl group, forming chelate rings of five members, being these structures different from those presented by rhodium (II) carboxylates. This coordination mode was achieved protecting the amino group. In a next stage, the protecting group was removed by acid attack, turning the previously soluble in apolar solvents complex, totally soluble in water, being maintained the cage structure. From the N-protected amino acids rhodium (II) complexes synthesized, we obtained the isonicotinic acid adducts, more hydrossoluble than the original complexes. Antitumor activity of rhodium complexes [Rh2(Boc-Gly)4](I), [Rh2(Boc-L-Ala)4](II) and its isonicotinic acid adducts, was evaluated in vitro ( cell cultures K562, U937 and Ehrlich) and the compound [Rh2(Boc-L-Ala)4](AIN)2(III) was also submitted to a in vivo assay. Mices bearing Ehrlich ascite tumor, when treated with complex (III) solution, had a significant increase life span, with formation of solid tumor. The complexes (I), (II), [Rh2(Boc-L-Val)4](IV), [Rh2(Boc-L-Leu)4](V) and [Rh2(Boc-D-Phe)4](VI) were also tested in catalytic hydrogenation reactions. The results were expressed in terms of substrate conversion, turnover number, turnover frequency and TT x TTG curves. The complex (I) presented catalytic activity similar to the rhodium acetate (II), that was used as reference complex. The other compounds, (II), (V) and (I) exhibited improved catalytic behavior compared to rhodium (II) acetate in hydrogenation reactions using 1-hexene as substrate.

The main objective of the present thesis is to deepen the understanding of the mechanisms involved in catalytic growth of carbon nanotubes (CNT) and related processes, such as the catalytic hydrogenation, and to use this knowledge to optimize the experimental approaches in order to gain better control in the synthesis and modification of carbon nanomaterials. Controlled growth of the CNT is achieved using gas-phase prepared catalyst particles (Fe, Co) which serve as individual catalytic nucleation sites in a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process. These studies highlight that the controlled preparation of catalyst particles is a crucial step in order to control the CNT morphology. The resultant CNT diameter and the CNT density are found to increase with increasing nanoparticle diameter and density, respectively. The number of walls of the CNT also increases with increasing primary catalyst size. The experimentally derived correlations between the particle diameter on one hand and the CNT diameter and the CNT number of walls on the other hand are attributed to an increase of the catalyst's volume-to-surface area ratio with increasing particle size. While the availability of carbon dissolved within the catalyst at the point of nucleation is determined by the catalyst volume, the amount of carbon required to form a cap depends on the surface area of the catalyst particle. Electron microscopy studies of the catalyst/substrate/carbon interfaces of CNT grown from Fe nanoparticles reveal that the CNT walls are anchored to the oxide substrate which contests the general argument that the CNT walls stem from atomic steps at the catalyst. It is argued that after nucleation, the substrate itself provides a catalytic functionality towards the stimulation of ongoing CNT growth, whereas the catalytic activity of the metal particle is more restricted to the nucleation process. Selective hard-magnetic functionalization of CNT tips has been achieved in a plasma-enhanced CVD process. Hard-magnetically terminated CNT, i.e. CNT with a FePt nanoparticle at each tip, are directly grown using FePt catalysts. Fe/Pt thin films with a strongly over-stoichiometric Fe content in the starting catalyst composition yield CNT with a significant number of particles in the hard-magnetic phase. Anisotropic etching of graphite through Co catalyst particles in hydrogen atmosphere at elevated temperatures (i.e. catalytic hydrogenation) is reported. Catalytic hydrogenation is a potential key engineering route for the fabrication of graphene nanoribbons with atomic precision. While in previous studies the etching of zigzag channels was preferred, the present investigations reveal preferential etching of armchair channels, which provides a means to tailor graphene nanostructures with specific edge termination. Further, detailed morphological and structural characterization of the Co particles provide insight into the hydrogenation mechanism which is still a matter of controversy.