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Supercritical carbon-dioxide has long been considered an inexpensive, safe and environmentally benign alternative to organic solvents for use in industrial processing. However, at readily accessible conditions of temperature and pressure, it is by itself too poor a solvent for a large number of industrially important solutes and its use as solvent necessitates concomitant use of surfactants. Especially desirable are surfactants that stabilize dispersions of water droplets in carbon-dioxide. So far only molecules containing substantially fluorinated moieties e.g. fluoroalkanes and perfluorinated polyethers, as the CO₂-philes have proved effective in stabilizing dispersions in supercritical carbon-dioxide. These fluorocarbons are expensive, non-biodegradable and can degrade to form toxic and persistent environmental pollutants. Hence there is great interest in developing non-fluorous alternatives. Given the development of powerful computers, excellent molecular models and standardized molecular simulation packages we are in a position to augment the experiment-driven search for effective surfactants using the nanoscopic insights gleaned from analysis of the results of molecular simulations. We have developed protocols by which to use standard and freely available molecular simulation infrastructure to evaluate the effectiveness of surfactants that stabilize solid metal nanoparticles in supercritical fluids. From the results, which we validated against experimental observations, we were able to determine that the alkane-based surfactants, that are so effective in organic fluids, are ineffective or only partially effective in CO₂ because the weak C-H dipoles cannot make up for the energetic penalty incurred at the surfactant-fluid interface by CO₂ molecules due to loss of quadrupolar interactions with other CO₂ molecules. Though the effectiveness of purely alkane-based surfactants in carbon-dioxide can be improved by branching, they cannot approach the effectiveness of the fluoroalkanes. This is because the stronger C-F dipole can supply the required quadrupolar interactions and a unique geometry renders repulsive the fluorocarbons' electrostatic interactions with each other. We have also determined the source of the fluoroalkanes' hydrophobicity to be their size which offsets the effect of favourable electrostatic interactions with water. Hence we can provide guidelines for CO₂-philic yet hydrophobic surfactants. / text

The use of compressed CO2 processing to alter the pore size, structure and timescale of silica condensation in surfactant templated silica thin films and powders is investigated by systematically varying the template structure and CO2 processing conditions. Tailoring the mesoporous materials increases its potential applications, as demonstrated in catalysis, drug delivery, chromatographic and electrode applications. This work demonstrates for the first time the applicability of fluorinated surfactants as templates for the synthesis of mesoporous silica thin films by dip coating. Well-ordered films with 2D hexagonal close-packed pore structure are synthesized in an acid-catalyzed medium using three cationic fluorinated templates of varied tail length and branching (C6F13C2H4NC5H5Cl, C8F17C2H4NC5H5Cl and (CF3)2CFC5F9C2H4NC5H5Cl). CO2 processing of the fluorinated templated silica results in a significant and controlled increase in pore diameter relative to the unprocessed films. The pore expansion is significantly greater compared to the negligible expansion observed in hydrocarbon (C16H23NC5H5Br) templated silica. The greater swelling of the fluorinated templates is attributed to the favorable penetration of CO2 in the CO2-philic fluorinated tail and the relative solvation of each template is interpreted from their interfacial behavior at the CO2-water interface. The CO2 based pore expansion observed in fluorinated surfactant templated films is extended successfully to base-catalyzed silica powders templated with a fluorinated surfactant (C6F13C2H4NC5H5Cl). Pore expansion in silica powders is significantly less than in acid catalyzed films and demonstrates the effects of pH on surfactant selfassembly in CO2 and increased silica condensation at basic conditions, which inhibits pore expansion. Finally, the use of fluorescence probe molecules is demonstrated for in-situ monitoring of the of CO2 processing of surfactant templated silica films to provide time dependent data on the local environment and dynamics of CO2 penetration. CO2 uptake occurs in surfactant tails even for hydrocarbon templates (C16H23N(CH3)3Br and C16H23NC5H5Br), which display negligible CO2 based swelling of the resulting pores. The timescale of silica condensation increases significantly in the presence of CO2 suggesting opportunities for structure alteration through application of external forces, such as magnetic fields and change in substrate chemistry and system humidity

Fluorinated systems are defined by unique properties that offer advantages in drug delivery, material synthesis and industrial applications. In comparison to their hydrocarbon counterparts, the design of fluorinated solutes for tailored applications is limited by the inability to predict the effect of fluorination on phase behavior. This work examines and interprets the influence of fluorination on the phase behavior of fluorinated solutes and surfactants, with emphasis on their impact on vesicle bilayers. Thermodynamic partitioning of functionalized series of fluorinated and hydrocarbon nicotinate prodrugs fashioned to promote solubility in a fluorocarbon solvent (perfluorooctyl bromide; PFOB) is measured. Predictive approaches are also employed to describe partitioning of these nicotinates between immiscible phases relevant to drug delivery. The findings reveal no strong correlation of the partitioning trends with biological markers of cytotoxicity and prodrug uptake for PFOB mediated delivery. However, partitioning in model membranes (liposomes), which, increases with the hydrophobicity of the perhydrocarbon nicotinates, suggests incorporation in a cellular matrix is chain length dependent. The impact of incorporating fluorinated surfactants in catanionic vesicles, which form spontaneously in dilute aqueous solutions and serve as potential substitutes to conventional meta-stable liposome-based vesicles, is studied. Much larger isotropic vesicle regions are observed in the phase map of the partially fluorinated catanionic surfactant pair, cetylpyridinium bromide/ sodium perfluorooctanoate (CPB/SPFO) than in fully fluorinated HFDPC (1,1,2,2,-tetrahydroperfluorododecyl pyridinium chloride )/SPFO. Fluorescence probing of the vesicle bilayers suggest more fluid bilayers in CPB/SPFO than in HFDPC/SPFO due to better chain packing in the fully fluorinated bilayer. However, the vesicle region is expanded in more asymmetric fluorinated bilayers of HFDPC/SPFH (sodium perfluorohexanoate). The increased chain asymmetry in HFDPC/SPFH results in reduced packing density and more fluid bilayers than in HFDPC/SPFO. The robustness of CPB/SPFO and HFDPC/SPFO vesicles is demonstrated in the synthesis of silica hollow spheres by templating and the retention of encapsulated solutes. Higher colloidal stability of the silica spheres is achieved in HFDPC/SPFO relative to CPB/SPFO due to the barrier effect of the fluorinated bilayer. Similarly, higher solute retention in HFDPC/SPFO is observed. The modulation of phase behavior with fluorination offers opportunities in tunable applications of fluorinated bilayers.

Every cell is enclosed by a membrane which gives structure to the cell and allows for the passage of nutrients and wastes into and out of the cell. Membranes are made up of amphiphilic lipid molecules, with one water-soluble end, and one hydrophobic end. Naturally occurring and synthetic membranes are made up of double-chained amphiphiles derived from hydrocarbons. Recently, a novel class of amphiphilic molecules derived from fluorocarbons have been reported. The properties of fluorinated amphiphiles are very different to that of hydrocarbon based amphiphiles. Fluorinated amphiphiles have been previously reported to be useful in the studies of membrane proteins. In this thesis, we explore some novel uses of fluorinated amphiphiles. <b>Chapter one</b>: Provides a comprehensive review of the properties of fluorocarbon-based amphiphiles and discusses the existing uses of fluorinated amphiphiles in biochemical and biomedical research. <b>Chapter two</b>: Describes some of the important materials and methods used in this thesis including a detailed description of the proteins used and the working principles behind the techniques used in the study. <b>Chapter three</b>: Looks at the stability of pre-formed planar lipid bilayers in the presence of fluorinated amphiphiles (F-amphiphiles), and characterizes the behaviour of alpha-haemolysin and other proteins in liposomes and planar lipid bilayers in the presence of F-amphiphiles. We found that F-amphiphiles have an inhibitory effect on the insertion of protein into lipid bilayers, and this property has been exploited to control the number of proteins in the bilayer. <b>Chapter four</b>: Using droplet interface bilayers, we investigate the electrical properties and behaviour of protein(s) in bilayers formed by F-amphiphiles. The results obtained with fluorinated bilayers are compared with results obtained in conventional DPhPC lipid bilayers. This is the first ever report to carry out such an investigation and it provides insights into the formation, stability and utility of fluorinated bilayers. <b>Chapter five</b>: In Chapter five, we explore another aspect of droplet interface bilayers: the feasibility of using droplet interface bilayers to screen for membrane protein libraries. I have chosen to focus on certain fundamental aspects of the screening process that are sufficient to establish the feasibility of the method and to act as the proof of concept. <b>Chapter six</b>: Summarizes all the important results in the thesis and discusses some possible future directions of this project.

Les travaux de cette thèse présentent le design et la synthèse de matériaux organiques/hybrides électro-photo modulables. La première partie détaille l’influence de groupements fluorés, attracteurs d’électrons, sur les mécanismes de transfert de charges au sein de triphénylamines : une nouvelle famille de molécules émissives, dont les longueurs d’onde d’émission couvrent une large gamme du visible est présentée. De plus, l’hydrophobicité induite par les atomes de fluor doit faciliter la préparation de nanobâtonnets préparés par mouillage d’une matrice d’alumine. Le reste du manuscrit s’intéresse à un second fluorophore organique, la tétrazine. Cette molécule possède une émission de fluorescence jaune qui peut être éteinte en présence de polluants riches en électrons. Immobilisée à la surface de nanoparticules de silice, la tétrazine conserve ces propriétés photophysiques et permet la préparation d’un dispositif solide capable de détecter des polluants aminés. L’incorporation au cœur de la nanoparticule d’un second fluorophore naphtalimide permet d’améliorer le rendement quantique de fluorescence et d’obtenir des nano-objets émettant une fluorescence blanche. Les propriétés photophysiques de ces objets sont décrites dans le manuscrit. Un dernier aspect détaille la synthèse et les études préliminaires de nouvelles dyades tétrazine-diacétylène. Les polydiacétylènes obtenus par polymérisation photo-induite possèdent plusieurs couleurs différentes. Cette partie vise à traiter l’influence des changements de phase du polymère sur l’émission de la tétrazine. / This Ph-D work deals with the design and the preparation of photo and electro-tunable materials. The first part of the manuscript deals with the influence of a fluorinated substitution onto a triarylamine moiety. The electron withdrawing fluorines modify the charge transfer process and customize the emission wavelength. In addition, the fluorinated groups increase the hydrophobic character of the material. This should be useful for the formation of organic nanorods via a template assisted method. The rest of the manuscript focuses on the tetrazine fluorophore which exhibits a yellow fluorescence that can be quenched in the presence of electron rich pollutants. A new methodology to covalently link a tetrazine derivative onto the surface of silica nanoparticle is discussed. The particles have similar photophysical properties as the tetrazine in solution allowing the use of this material as a solid sensing device. The incorporation into the silica core of a naphtalimide dye improves the overall fluorescence quantum yield of the system and provides nanoobjects emitting a white fluorescence. The photophysical phenomena involved in those particles are detailed in the manuscript. Finally, the synthesis and the photophysical properties of tetrazine-diacetylene dyads are discussed. Poly-diacetylenes prepared via a photopolymérisation process display different phases characterized by different colours. This part presents the preliminary results to understand the influence of the phase changes of the polymer on the tetrazine emission.

For the first time stabilizer-free vinylidene fluoride (VDF) polymerizations were carried out in homogeneous phase with supercritical CO₂. Polymerizations were carried out at 140°C, 1500 bar and were initiated with di-tert-butyl peroxide (DTBP). In-line FT-NIR (Fourier Transform- Near Infrared) spectroscopy showed that complete monomer conversion may be obtained. Molecular weights were determined via size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) and polymer end group analysis by 1H-NMR spectroscopy. The number average molecular weights were below 104 g∙mol−1 and polydispersities ranged from 3.1 to 5.7 depending on DTBP and VDF concentration. To allow for isothermal reactions high CO₂ contents ranging from 61 to 83 wt.% were used. The high-temperature, high-pressure conditions were required for homogeneous phase polymerization. These conditions did not alter the amount of defects in VDF chaining. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated that regular stack-type particles were obtained upon expansion of the homogeneous polymerization mixture. To reduce the required amount of initiator, further VDF polymerizations using chain transfer agents (CTAs) to control molecular weights were carried out in homogeneous phase with supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO₂) at 120 °C and 1500 bar. Using perfluorinated hexyl iodide as CTA, polymers of low polydispersity ranging from 1.5 to 1.2 at the highest iodide concentration of 0.25 mol·L-1 were obtained. Electrospray ionization- mass spectroscopy (ESI-MS) indicates the absence of initiator derived end groups, supporting livingness of the system. The “livingness” is based on the labile C-I bond. However, due to the weakness of the C-I bond perfluorinated hexyl iodide also contributes to initiation. To allow for kinetic analyses of VDF polymerizations the CTA should not contribute to initiation. Therefore, additional CTAs were applied: BrCCl3, C6F13Br and C6F13H. It was found that C6F13H does not contribute to initiation. At 120°C and 1500 bar kp/kt0.5~ 0.64 (L·mol−1·s−1)0.5 was derived. The chain transfer constant (CT) at 120°C has been determined to be 8·10−1, 9·10−2 and 2·10−4 for C6F13I, C6F13Br and C6F13H, respectively. These CT values are associated with the bond energy of the C-X bond. Moreover, the labile C-I bond allows for functionalization of the polymer to triazole end groups applying click reactions. After substitution of the iodide end group by an azide group 1,3 dipolar cycloadditions with alkynes yield polymers with 1,2,3 triazole end groups. Using symmetrical alkynes the reactions may be carried out in the absence of any catalyst. This end-functionalized poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) has higher thermal stability as compared to the normal PVDF. PVDF samples from homogeneous phase polymerizations in supercritical CO₂ and subsequent expansion to ambient conditions were analyzed with respect to polymer end groups, crystallinity, type of polymorphs and morphology. Upon expansion the polymer was obtained as white powder. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that DTBP derived polymer end groups led to stack-type particles whereas sponge- or rose-type particles were obtained in case of CTA fragments as end groups. Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy and wide angle X-ray diffraction indicated that the type of polymorph, α or β crystal phase was significantly affected by the type of end group. The content of β-phase material, which is responsible for piezoelectricity of PVDF, is the highest for polymer with DTBP-derived end groups. In addition, the crystallinity of the material, as determined via differential scanning calorimetry is affected by the end groups and polymer molecular weights. For example, crystallinity ranges from around 26 % for DTBP-derived end groups to a maximum of 62 % for end groups originating from perfluorinated hexyl iodide for polymers with Mn ~2200 g·mol–1. Expansion of the homogeneous polymerization mixture results in particle formation by a non-optimized RESS (Rapid Expansion from Supercritical Solution) process. Thus, it was tested how polymer end groups affect the particles size distribution obtained from RESS process under controlled conditions (T = 50°C and P = 200 bar). In all RESS experiments, small primary PVDF with diameters less than 100 nm without the use of liquid solvents, surfactants, or other additives were produced. A strong correlation between particle size and particle size distribution with polymer end groups and molecular weight of the original material was observed. The smallest particles were found for RESS of PVDF with Mn~ 4000 g·mol–1 and PFHI (C6F13I) - derived end groups. / Erstmalig gelang es, stabilisatorfreie Vinylidenfluorid (VDF)-Polymerisationen in homogener Phase mit überkritischem CO₂ (scCO₂) bis zu vollständigem Monomerumsatz durchzuführen. Die Homogenität während der Polymerisation wurde durch in-line Fourier-Transform Nahinfrarot Spektroskopie beobachtet. Für Polymerisationen bei 140 °C und 1500 bar wurde Di-tert-butylperoxid (DTBP) als Initiator verwendet. Es wurden Polymere mit einem Zahlenmittel der Molmasse kleiner 104 g·mol–1 und Polydispersitäten zwischen 3.1 und 5.7. erhalten. Um isotherme Reaktionen zu ermöglichen, wurden CO₂-Gehalte zwischen 61 und 83 wt.% verwendet. Die für die homogene Reaktionsführung erforderlichen hohen Drücke und Temperaturen haben keinen Einfluss auf die Mikrostruktur des Polymers. Zur Verringerung der Initiatorkonzentration wurden weitere Polymerisationen unter Verwendung von Kettentransferreagenzien (CTA) bei 120 °C und 1500 bar in homogener Phase mit scCO₂ durchgeführt. Perfluoriertes Hexyliodid als CTA ermöglicht kontrollierte radikalische Polymerisationen, wobei Polymere mit geringer Polydispersität zwischen 1.5 und 1.2 erhalten wurden. Endgruppenanalyse mit Elektronenspray-Ionisations-Massen¬spektro¬metrie (ESI-MS) zeigte, dass keine Initiatorendgruppen im Polymer enthalten sind. Diese Beobachtung unterstützt den lebenden Charakter der Polymerisationen und basiert auf einer labilen C-I-Bindung im Polymer. Aufgrund der schwachen C-I-Bindung trägt das perfluorierte Hexyliodid (C6F13I) auch zur Initiierung bei. Polymerisationen in Gegenwart von BrCCl3, C6F13Br und C6F13H zeigten, dass nur C6F13H keinen Beitrag zur Initiierung leistet. Bei 120 °C und 1500 bar wurde ein kp/kt0.5 von ~ 0.64 (L·mol−1·s−1)0.5 bestimmt, wobei kp der Wachstums- und kt der Terminierungsgeschwindigkeitskoeffizient sind. Die Kettentransfer¬konstanten (CT) bei 120°C betragen 8·10−1, 9·10−2 und 2·10−4 für C6F13I, C6F13Br und C6F13H. Die Änderung der CT-Werte lässt sich mit der zunehmenden Bindungsenergie in der Reihe C-I, C-Br und C-H erklären. Die labile C-I-Bindung ermöglicht eine Funktionalisierung des Polymers durch Click-Reaktionen. Nach Substitution der Iodid-Endgruppe durch eine Azidgruppe erfolgte eine katalysatorfreie 1,3-dipolare Cyclaoaddition mit Alkinen zu Polymeren mit 1,2,3-Triazol-Endgruppen. Dieses endfunktionalisierte PVDF besitzt im Vergleich zu konventionellem PVDF eine höhere thermische Stabilität. Nach der Expansion der Polymerisationsmischung mit scCO₂ auf Umgebungsbedingungen lag das Polymer als weißes Pulver vor, das im Hinblick auf z.B. Polymerendgruppen, Kristallinität, Gestalt und Größe der Partikel untersucht wurde. Rasterelektronenmikroskopie zeigte, dass Polymere mit DTBP-Endgruppen zu stapelförmigen Partikeln führen, während bei CTA-Fragmenten als Endgruppen schwamm- oder rosenartige Partikel erhalten wurden. Ergebnisse der FT-IR Spektroskopie und Weitwinkelröntgenbeugung zeigten, dass der höchste Gehalt an β-phasigem Material, der für die Piezoelektrizität des PVDF verantwortlich ist, für PVDF mit Initiatorendgruppen erhalten wurde. DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry) Messungen ergaben zudem, dass der Kristallinitätsgrad durch Endgruppen und Polymermasse beeinflusst wird. Die Expansion der homogenen Polymermischung kann als nicht-optimierter RESS-Prozess (Rapid Expanison from Supercritical Solution,) angesehen werden. Aus RESS Experimenten unter kontrollierten Bedingungen wurden jeweils nanoskalige primäre PVDF-Partikel ohne Verwendung von Lösungsmitteln, Tensiden oder anderen Additiven erhalten. Es besteht ein enger Zusammenhang zwischen einerseits der Partikelgröße und der Partikelgrößenverteilung und andererseits der Polymerkonzentration in scCO₂ vor der Expansion, bestimmt durch Polymerendgruppen und Molmassen der eingesetzten Materialien.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2003. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 124-142).

Fluorine incorporation has become increasingly important in pharmaceutical applications. Upon fluorination and incorporation of fluorinated moieties such as trifluoromethoxy groups, many small molecules become more bioavailable and metabolically stable and additionally can better cross the blood-brain-barrier. This thesis describes the development of a method mediated by silver salts for the synthesis of pharmaceutical-like trifluoromethoxylated compounds via \(C-OCF_3\) bond formation. Additionally the synthesis of 3-deoxy-3-fluoromorphine via late-stage fluorination of morphine is described as well as in vitro and in vivo evaluation of 3-deoxy-3-fluoromorphine as a potential analgesic. / Chemistry and Chemical Biology

The ageing of high density polyethylene geomembrane (GM) liners used to minimize advection and diffusion of contaminants in municipal solid waste landfill leachate and in hydrocarbon spills to the environment is examined. The evaluation of the ageing of GMs used in landfills involved four components. First, a laboratory-accelerated ageing investigation of a GM exposed to air, water and leachate at elevated temperatures. Service life of a GM (Stage I: Antioxidant depletion, Stage II: Induction, and Stage III: Polymer degradation) is examined. The results demonstrate the critical role of antioxidants in protecting against oxidative degradation. The service life of the GM is predicted. Second, a study was conducted to provide an estimate of Stage I for a GM in a composite liner. The results indicated that immersion tests are too severe and the service life is substantially greater for a GM in composite liner than implied by leachate immersion tests. Third, a comparison of ageing with three different “protection” layers between the GM and overlying gravel and leachate is reported. A slower antioxidant depletion rate is observed when geotextile-geosynthetic clay liner and geotextile-sand-geotextile are applied than with a typical geotextile alone. This could be partially attributed to the attenuation of leachate constituents by the protection layer as well as the buildup of antioxidant concentration on either side of GM thereby reducing the concentration gradient and outward diffusive flux of antioxidants. Fourth, diffusion modelling is used to evaluate the results from immersion and composite liner simulation tests. Diffusion modelling provided a means for predicting the performance of the GMs in conditions other than the typical test conditions. The evaluation of the ageing of GM used in barrier system for hydrocarbon involved two components. First, untreated and fluorinated GMs immersed in jet fuel were tested. Results show that antioxidants depleted at slower rate from fluorinated GM than untreated GM. This suggested a significant beneficial effect of fluorination. Antioxidant depletion time is predicted at field temperatures. Second, the time dependant change in GM samples used at jet fuel containment site constructed in 2001 is reported. The GM is shown to be performing very well. / Thesis (Ph.D, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2009-01-14 10:46:31.089