O lactato é um metabólito chave formado pelo metabolismo anaeróbico da glicose nos músculos, e tem se tornado um biomarcador importante no âmbito clínico e esportivo. Atualmente, existem biossensores eletroquímicos portáteis que são capazes de determinar os níveis de lactato no organismo em tempo real. No entanto, tal método é invasivo uma vez que requer amostras de sangue. O presente projeto tem como objetivo desenvolver um biossensor eletroquímico descartável para detecção de lactato no suor. Para isto a configuração do dispositivo foi feita utilizando a celulose bacteriana como substrato para obtenção de um dispositivo que seja resistente à deformação mecânica, especialmente quando molhado e, também, permeável ao suor. A impressão dos eletrodos de carbono neste substrato foi efetuada utilizando o processo de serigrafia. Com os dispositivos produzidos foram realizados experimentos de voltametria cíclica e espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica, a fim de caracterizar o sensor desenvolvido e investigar a influência do pré-tratamento eletroquímico na sua performance analítica. A partir da modificação da superfície eletródica com nanocubos de Azul da Prússia foi possível desenvolver um sensor eletroquímico para detecção de peróxido de hidrogênio. A cronoamperometria foi utilizada para a determinação da curva analítica para o peróxido de hidrogênio. Com todos os parâmetros da cronoamperometria otimizados, uma dependência linear da corrente catódica com a concentração de peróxido de hidrogênio foi obtida, com a equação: Ip = 0,1 + 4,30 [H2O2], com r2 = 0,999 (n = 3). Esta curva analítica mostrou que a metodologia apresenta um Limite de Detecção e de Quantificação de mol L-1 e mol L-1, respectivamente. Para a configuração do biossensor eletroquímico a enzima lactato oxidase foi incorporada à superfície do papel pelo método de ligação covalente. Adotando esta metodologia foi verificado um aumento da área eletroativa que possibilitou uma melhora significativa no desempenho do sensor desenvolvido. No qual se obteve uma região linear de 1-24,0 mmol L-1 em suor sintético, obtendo-se Limites de detecção e Quantificação de e mol L-1. Tais parâmetros se mostraram adequados já que o suor pode apresentar níveis de aproximadamente 25 mmol L-1 de lactato. De modo geral, foi possível desenvolver uma plataforma eletroquímica no substrato de celulose bacteriana para a detecção de lactato em amostras de suor sintético. O dispositivo desenvolvido apresentou uma boa durabilidade e resistência ao se executarem sucessivas medidas corroborando a viabilidade deste substrato na projeção de sensores vestíveis para a aplicação direta na pele e monitoramento dos níveis de lactato em tempo real. / Lactate is a key metabolite formed in the anaerobic metabolism of glucose in the muscles. It has become an important biomarker in the clinical and sport scopes. Currently, there are portable biosensors that are able to determine lactate levels in real time. However, these methods are invasive since they require blood samples. Herein, we aim to develop a disposable wearable electrochemical biosensor for detection of lactate in sweat. For this purpose the configuration of the device was made with bacterial cellulose substrate in order to be permeable to sweat and resistant to mechanical deformation, especially when wet. The fabrication of the electrodes was made through screen printing technique. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry were used to characterize the sensor developed in order to investigate the influence of the electrochemical pre-treatment in the analytical performance of the electrodes. To develop an electrochemical sensor for the detection of hydrogen peroxide the screen printed electrode was modified with Prussian blue nanocubes. Chronoamperometry experiments were used to detect of hydrogen peroxide. From optimized chronoamperometry parameters, a linear dependence of the cathodic current with the hydrogen peroxide concentration was obtained with the equation: Ip = 0.1 + 4.30 [H2O2], with r2 = 0.999 (n = 3). The limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantification (LOQ) were mol L-1 e mol L-1, respectively. For the configuration of the electrochemical biosensor the lactate oxidase enzyme was immobilized on the paper surface by the covalent bonding method. Adopting this methodology was verified an increase of the electroactive area that allowed a significant improvement in the performance of the developed sensor. In which a linear concentration range of 1-24.0 mmol L-1 was obtained in the synthetic sweat, obtaining LOD and LOQ of mol L-1 e mol L-1, respectively. Such parameters were adequate since sweat may have lactate levels of approximately 25 mmol L-1. Finally, it was possible to develop an electrochemical platform using the bacterial cellulose substrate for the detection of lactate in samples of synthetic sweat. The developed device presented a good durability and resistance when performing electrochemical measurements assuring the feasibility of this substrate in the projection of wearable sensors for the direct application to skin and monitoring of lactate levels in real time.

Este trabalho apresenta os resultados do preparo e caracterização de dispositivos eletrocrômicos (ECD - electrochromic devices) contendo filmes finos de azul da Prússia (PB) como camada eletrocrômica, CeO2-TiO2 como contra-eletrodo e eletrólitos à base de polímeros contendo glicerol, formaldeído e γ-butirolactona. Os filmes finos de azul da Prússia foram preparados pelo método de eletrodeposição galvanostática e usados para montagem de dispositivos eletrocrômicos com eletrólitos de composição polimérica variada. Os filmes finos foram caracterizados através de medidas de densidade de carga, voltametria cíclica e transmitância no UV-Vis, além de análises morfológicas por microscopia de força atômica (AFM) e microscopia de varredura eletrônica (MEV), elipsometria, medidas de espessura, ângulo de contato e eficiência de coloração. O filme eletrodepositado por 300 s apresentou densidade de carga de 1,62 mC.cm-2 e 0,98 de reversibilidade com rugosidade de 17,7 nm, espessura de 315 nm via elipsometria e 216 nm via perfilometria. A eficiência de coloração calculada foi de 131,4 cm2.C-1 e os valores de ângulo de contato e energia livre de superfície também foram calculadas. As análises voltamétricas dos filmes finos revelaram picos característicos dos processos de oxidação e redução e as análises espectroscópicas apresentaram variação de transmitância de 71,6 % em 686 nm em solução eletrolítica de KCL 1 mol.L-1. Foram preparados e caracterizados dispositivos com eletrólitos a base de gelatina comercial com sal LiClO4; poli(vinil butirato) (PVB) com par iônico LiI/I2; PVB com LiClO4; PVB com par iônico LiI/I2+disperse red; ágar com LiClO4; ágar com sal Eu(CF3SO3)3; DNA com LiClO4; DNA com sal Er(CF3SO3)3; pectina com LiClO4; HPC com ácido acético; HPC com LiClO4 e PVDF com LiClO4. Dentre os resultados obtidos, os melhores resultados de densidade de carga de 10,1 e 8,5 mC.cm-2 foram obtidos para os dispositivos com eletrólitos de HPC e pectina, ambas com sal LiClO4. Voltamogramas cíclicos das amostras estudadas revelaram picos anódicos e catódicos referentes à extração e inserção de íons de lítio e/ou prótons, e elétrons no filme de PB. As análises de transmitância em 686 nm entre o estado colorido e descolorido dos dispositivos mostraram os valores de 40,2% para a janela contendo eletrólito à base de gelatina com LiClO4 e 35,2 % para a janela com ágar e sal Eu(CF3SO3). Além disso, também foi verificada a estabilidade dos dispositivos revelando a duração entre 400 a 2200 ciclos cronoamperométricos, dependendo do eletrólito usado. Os resultados obtidos mostram que os dispositivos estudados neste trabalho são potenciais candidatos para aplicações práticas em dispositivos eletrocrômicos. / This work presents the results of the preparation and characterization of electrochromic devices (ECDs) containing a thin film of Prussian blue (PB) as electrochromic layer, CeO2-TiO2 as a counter electrode and electrolytes based on polymers containing glycerol, formaldehyde, and γ-butyrolactone. Thin films of Prussian blue were prepared by galvanostatic electrodeposition method and used for the assembly of electrochromic devices with varying polymer composition of electrolytes. The thin films were characterized by charge density measurements, cyclic voltammetry, transmittance in the UV-Vis, and morphological analyzes such as atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Moreover, there were subjected to ellipsometry, thickness, contact angle, and coloring efficiency measurements. The electrodeposited film of 300 s had charge density of 1.62 mC.cm-2 and 0.98 of reversibility with roughness of 17.7 nm and thickness of 315 nm via ellipsometry and 216 nm via profilometry. The calculated color efficiency was 131.4 cm2.C-1 and the contact angle values and surface free energy were calculated. The voltammetric analyzes of thin films showed characteristic peaks of oxidation and reduction processes and spectroscopic analysis showed 71.6% transmittance variation at 686 nm in 1 mol.L-1 KCL electrolyte solution. ECD were prepared and characterized, using electrolytes such as commercial gelatin with LiClO4 salt; poly (vinyl butyrate) (PVB) with ion pair LiI/I2; PVB with LiClO4; PVB with ion pair LiI/I2 + disperse red; agar with LiClO4; agar with Eu(CF3SO3)3 salt; DNA with LiClO4; DNA with Er(CF3SO3)3 salt; pectin with LiClO4; HPC with acetic acid; HPC with LiClO4 and PVDF LiClO4. The best results of charge density of 8.5 and 10.1 mC.cm-2 were obtained for devices with HPC electrolytes and pectin, both with LiClO4 salt. Cyclic voltammetry of the studied samples revealed anodic and cathodic peaks relating to the extraction and insertion of lithium ions and/or protons and electrons in the PB film. The transmittance at 686 nm analysis between the colored state and discolored windows showed values of 40.2% for the window containing electrolyte of gelatin with LiClO4 and 35.2% for the window with agar and Eu(CF3SO3) salt. Furthermore, the stability of the devices was also recorded revealing the duration between 400-2200 chronoamperometric cycles, depending on the used electrolyte. The results show that the windows studied in this work are potential candidates for electrochromic devices applications.

L'état d'art concernant l'élaboration des matériaux inorganiques multifonctionnels, à l'échelle nanométrique, a fait l'objet de nombreuses recherches depuis vingt ans. Les réseaux de coordination tridimensionnels d'analogues de bleu de Prusse présentent des propriétés magnétiques modulables par l'application d'un stimulus extérieur (champ magnétique, irradiation lumineuse, pression ou variation de température etc...) qui mènent à une variété d'applications notamment pour le stockage de l'information et pour l'imagerie médicale. C'est dans ce cadre que s'inscrit ce travail de thèse.L'objectif principal porte sur la synthèse, la caractérisation chimique et structurale et l'étude des propriétés magnétiques, photomagnétiques et de relaxivité de nano-objets multicouches de ces réseaux. Dans une première partie, nous avons cherché à élaborer des nanoparticules de l'analogue CsCoFe(CN)6 du bleu de Prusse photomagnétique de tailles bien contrôlées. La synthèse met en jeu plusieurs facteurs qui influent la taille et l’homogénéité des particules. Ainsi une croissance contrôlée de la taille a été obtenue permettant de sonder l’effet de la taille sur la réponse photomagnétique. L’assemblage de ces particules sur un substrat de graphite orienté HOPG a permet d’obtenir une monocouche compacte sur plusieurs microns qui conduit à une croissance de films d’épaisseurs contrôlées. Le comportement photomagnétique a été étudié sur ces films. Dans la deuxième partie, nous nous sommes également intéressés à combiner, toujours à l’échelle nanométrique, cet analogue photomagnétique à un autre réseau ferromagnétique CsNiCr(CN)6 dans le but de créer une réponse exaltée sous lumière à plus haute température. Un comportement synergique est observé dans de telles hétérostructures et se manifeste par (i) une aimantation présentant un renversement uniforme des deux composantes et (ii) une augmentation photo-induite de l'aimantation qui persiste jusqu’à la température d’ordre du ferromagnétique.La dernière partie est consacrée à la synthèse d’agents de contraste nanométriques de réseaux de coordination. D'une part, des nanoparticules de bleu de Prusse KFeFe(CN)6 de tailles différentes ont été synthétisées avec un excellent contrôle de la taille. Les valeurs de relaxivité de la composante longitudinale T1 du temps de relaxation montrent une dépendence de la taille et du taux d’atomes paramagnétiques en surface. D'autre part, nous avons élaboré un alliage MnxIn1-xFe(CN)6 avec différentes proportions en manganèse, différentes tailles ont été obtenues en fonction du taux de manganèse inséré. Nous avons démontré que les ions MnII sont localisés en surface dans une structure proche de la structure cœur-coquille qui explique les valeurs élevées observées. Les valeurs élevées de la relaxivité de ces particules en font d’excellents candidats en tant qu’agents de contraste pour l‘imagerie à résonance magnétique (IRM). Afin d’explorer leurs potentialités, les particules de KFeFe(CN)6 de 6 nm et de Mn0.3In0.7Fe(CN)6, présentant la plus grande valeur de relaxivité, ont été enrobées par un polymère fluorescent biocompatible et internalisées au sein des cellules vivantes. Des tests de toxicité ont été aussi effectués. / Designing new objects in the perspective of creating useful functionalities at the nanoscale has been the subject of intense research efforts during the last 20 years. In the field of molecular magnetism, coordination nanoparticles (CNP) are among the most fascinating materials in the field of molecular magnetism because they may show bistability at room temperature under the effect of different external stimuli such as light, temperature, pressure, electrical field, etc…. The new and elegant route to stabilize negatively charged surfactant-free nanoparticles in water permitting an epitaxial growth of successive the layers of the same or of different Prussian Blue Analogues described by some of us was used in this work to design core-multi-shell nanocrystals with a fine tuning of their thickness. These network structures may be useful for several applications such as data storage and medical imaging.In the first part, we describe the synthesis of well controlled photomagnetic CsCoFe(CN)6 nanoparticles. The synthesis involves several factors that influence the size and homogeneity of the particles. The controlled growth of the size objects was also performed to investigate the effect of the size on the photomagnetic response. The assembly of these particles on oriented graphite (HOPG) substrates leads to a compact monolayer of several microns. The compact monolayers were used as template for the controlled growth of photomagnetic films. In the second part, we report the synthesis of sub-50 nm heterostructured nano-objects in which a ferromagnetic network of CsNiCr(CN)6 is combined to a photo magnetic CsCoFe(CN)6 layer in order to achieve synergy between the two components. The synergistic behavior is observed in such heterostructures and manifested by (i) a uniform reversal of the magnetization and (ii) a persistent increase of the photo-induced magnetization up to the “ordering” temperature (60 K) of the ferromagnetic component.The last part is devoted to the synthesis of nanosized coordination networks contrast agents. First, Prussian blue nanoparticles KFeFe(CN)6 with different sizes were prepared with excellent size control. Relaxivity values of the longitudinal component T1 of the relaxation time were found to depend on the size and the rate of the paramagnetic atoms present on the surface. On the other hand, we describe the synthesis of MnxIn1-xFe(CN)6 nanoparticles with different proportions of Mn. Different sizes were obtained, which depend on the rate of inserted Mn ions. We have demonstrated that the MnII ions are located on the surface in a sub-core-shell structure, which explains the high relaxivity values. The high relaxivity values of these particles show that they are excellent candidates as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Cette étude a pour objectif d’élaborer des mousses de géopolymère à macroporosité connectée pour le traitement des effluents liquides radioactifs. La première partie de ce travail a consisté à synthétiser des monolithes de géopolymères par moussage direct en utilisant le peroxyde d’hydrogène (H2O2) comme agent porogène. Celui-ci se décompose en milieu basique pour produire de l’oxygène et ainsi produire la mousse de géopolymère par nucléation/croissance de bulles d’oxygène jusqu’à épuisement du terme source et/ou prise du matériau. Pour stabiliser les bulles de gaz générées, l’ajout d’un tensioactif est nécessaire pour limiter les phénomènes de coalescence. L’influence de la concentration en H2O2, de la nature chimique du tensioactif et de la viscosité de la pâte sur la cinétique de production et sur les propriétés finales de la mousse ainsi produite a été étudiée. Les résultats montrent classiquement qu’une forte concentration initiale de H2O2 produit des mousses de forte porosité, avec des tailles de pores élevées et des propriétés mécaniques moindres. Par contre, le choix de la nature chimique du tensioactif a une très forte influence d’une part de la rhéologie de la pâte de géopolymère et d’autre part sur les propriétés du réseau poreux. En effet, par un choix approprié du tensioactif, il est possible d’obtenir des mousses de géopolymères à macroporosité fermée ou ouverte, avec des distributions en taille de pores plus ou moins étalées et de bonnes propriétés mécaniques. A l’issue de cette première étape, un monolithe de géopolymère à porosité ouverte a été fonctionnalisé par précipitation des particules d’hexacyanoferrate de cuivre connues pour être très sélectives vis-à-vis du césium. Les essais ont été réalisés en mode batch dans différents milieux (eau pure, eau douce et eau douce chargée de cations compétiteurs de charge en concentration importante). Les cinétiques et les isothermes d’adsorption du césium ont été déterminées sur une large gamme de concentration en césium (de l’état de trace jusqu’à 1000 ppm) et la mousse de géopolymère fonctionnalisée a montré des performances remarquables pour le piégeage sélectif du césium par rapport à une mousse non fonctionnalisée. En effet, les essais en milieu radioactif (trace de césium dans l’eau douce) ont montré que la valeur du coefficient de distribution (Kd) pour la mousse fonctionnalisée est de l’ordre 5.5 105 ml.g-1. / This study aims to develop geopolymer foams with connected macroporosity for the treatment of radioactive liquid wastes. The first part of this work was to synthesize geopolymer monoliths by direct foaming using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as blowing agent. It decomposes in a basic medium to produce oxygen and thus produces the geopolymer foam by nucleation and growth of oxygen bubbles until exhaustion of the source term and/or setting of the material. To stabilize the generated gas bubbles, the addition of a surfactant is necessary to limit coalescence phenomena. The influence of the H2O2 concentration, the chemical nature of the surfactant and the viscosity of the paste on the kinetics of production and on the final properties of the foam thus produced, was studied. The results conventionally show that a high initial concentration of H2O2 produces high porous foams, with high pore sizes and less mechanical properties. On the other hand, the choice of the chemical nature of the surfactant has a very strong influence on the one hand on the rheology of the geopolymer paste and on the other hand on the properties of the porous network. Indeed, by an appropriate choice of the surfactant, it is possible to obtain geopolymer foams with closed or open macroporosity, with pore size distributions more or less spread and with good mechanical properties. At the end of this first step, a well-connected geopolymer monolith was functionalized by precipitation of copper hexacyanoferrate particles known to be very selective with respect to cesium. The tests were performed in batch mode in different media (pure water, fresh water and fresh water loaded with competitor cations in high concentration). The kinetic and adsorption isotherms of cesium were determined over a wide range of cesium concentration (from trace to 1000 ppm) and the functionalized geopolymer foam showed remarkable performance for selective entrapment of cesium as compared to an unfunctionalized foam. Indeed, the tests in radioactive medium (trace of cesium in fresh water) have shown that the value of the distribution coefficient (Kd) for the functionalized foam is around 5.5 105 ml.g-1.

Os eletrodos de pasta de carbono modificados com Azul da Prússia foram preparados usando a voltametria cíclica, deposição a um potencial controlado e a deposição a dois potenciais controlados. O último método foi melhor e produziu eletrodos modificados com alta sensibilidade e estabilidade durante a redução catalítica de peróxido de hidrogênio. A composição da solução modificadora foi 3,0 mmol L-1 de FeCl3 e 2,0 mmol L-1 de K3[Fe(CN)6] em pH 2,0 com HCI. O sistema de eletrodos foi imerso na solução modificadora e + 0,4 V foi aplicado no eletrodo de trabalho durante 2 minutos. Depois, o potencial foi revertido para - 0,4 V por mais 2 minutos. O processo total foi repetido mais duas vezes. Além disso, para melhorar a estabilidade dos eletrodos de pasta de carbono modificados com Azul da Prússia (EPC-AP), estes foram ciclados em solução contendo 1,0 m mol L-1 de RhCl3, 0,05 mol L-1 de KCI e 0,02 mol L-1 de HCI na faixa de potencial - 0,4V ≤ Eapl ≤ 0,6V a 60 mV s-1 (50 ciclos). Estes eletrodos, denominados de EPC-AP-Rh, foram secos a temperatura ambiente por 24 horas antes de serem utilizados. Os EPC-AP-Rh apresentaram boa estabilidade durante sucessivos ciclos, com os picos anódico e catódico, referentes a 0,30 V e 0,18 V inicialmente atribuídos para um processo redox envolvendo Branco da Prússia / Azul da Prússia. Cálculos com (Ep,a + Ep,c / 2), é 0,24 V. Em solução tampão citrato de potássio / ácido cítrico contendo 0,5 mol L-1 de KCI, pH 6,1, as correntes de picos variam linearmente com a velocidade de varredura 0,025 Vs-1 ≤ ν ≤ 0,400 V s-1 mostrando que o processo é governado por difusão de íons do eletrólito suporte para a superfície do eletrodo (durante a etapa de redução) ou do eletrodo para a solução (durante a etapa de oxidação) para manter a eletroneutralidade. O excesso superficial foi 4,3 10-8 mol cm-2, calculado usando a carga anódica obtida pelo voltamograma cíclico, depois da subtração do fundo de carga referente a um eletrodo não modificado de pasta de carbono em solução eletrólito suporte (1,0 x 10-3 mol L-1 de RhCl3, 0,05 mol L-1 de KCI e 0,02 mol L-1 de HCI, ν = 60 mV s-1). O eletrólito suporte usado para detecção para determinação de peróxido de hidrogênio foi o tampão10 mmol L-1 de citrato de potássio/ 2 mmol L-1 de ácido cítrico, pH 6,1 (força iônica= 0,16 mol L-1) contendo 0,5 mol L-1 de KCI. A ausência deste eletrólito ou a presença de íons fosfatos diminui a estabilidade deste sensor. Peróxido de hidrogênio foi determinado a 0,04 V (vs EAg/AgCI, KCI sat) na faixa linear de 5,1 x 10-5 mol L-1 a 8,6 x 10-4 mol L-1 com sensibilidade média de 1,4 ± 0,2 A mol-1 L cm-2 e limite de detecção de (2,5 ± 0,02) x 10-5 mol L-1. Neste potencial aplicado a contribuição da corrente de redução do oxigênio foi de 8,0 % na presença de 1,0 mmol L-1 de H2O2. Curvas analíticas obtidas durante a determinação de peróxidos de hidrogênio ao longo de 5 dias, cada curva analítica representa uma média de 6 curvas amperométricas consecutivas, que desempenhou em cada dia, apresentando uma diminuição de somente 27% na sensibilidade do eletrodo modificado. Quando fora de uso o eletrodo foi armazenado em solução 0,5 mol L-1 de KCI. A um potencial aplicado de 0,04 V não foi detectada uma interferência do mediador ou oxidação direta do ácido úrico. A interferência de ácido ascórbico foi apenas significativa para potenciais iguais ou superiores a 0,060 V. / Prussian Blue carbon paste modified electrodes were prepared using cyclic voltammetry and deposition atone and two controlled potentials. The last method was the best and produced modified electrodes with higher sensitivity and stability during the catalytic reduction of hydrogen peroxide. The composition of the modifying solution was 3.0 mmol L-1 FeCl3, 2.0 mmol L-1 K3[Fe(CN)6] in pH 2.0 with HCI. The electrode system was immersed in the modifying solution and + 0.4 V was applied to the working electrode during two minutes. After, the potential was just reverted to - 0.4 V once more two minutes. The total process was repeated twice. Further, to improve the stability of the Prussian Blue carbon paste modified electrodes (PB-CPME), they were cycled in a solution containing 1.0 mmol L-1 RhCl3, 0,05 mol L-1 KCI and 0.02 mol L-1 HCI in a - 0.4 ≤ E ≤ 0.6 V potential range at 60 mV s-1 (50 cycles). These electrodes, denominated of Rh-PBCPME, were dried at ambient temperature during 24 hours before use. The Rh-PBCPME shows good stability during successive cycles, with anodic and cathodic peaks recorded at 0.30 V and 0.18 V being attributed to a redox process involving Prussian White / Prussian Blue couple. Em, calculated as (Ep,a + Ep,c/2), is 0.24 V. In potassium citrate/ citric acid buffer solution containing 0.5 mol L-1 KCI, pH 6.1, the peak currents changed linearly with the square of sweep velocity in the range 0.025 Vs-1 ≤ v ≤ 0.400 Vs-1 showing that the process is governed by ion diffusion from support electrolyte to the electrode surface (during the reduction step) or from the electrode to the solution (during the oxidation step) to ensure the electroneutrality rule. The modifier surface excess was 4.3 x 10-8 mol cm-2, calculated using the anodic charge obtained from cyclic voltammograms, after subtraction of the background charge recorded with an unmodified carbon paste electrode in an electrolyte support solution (1.0 mmol L-1 RhCl3, 0.5 mol L-1 KCI and 0.02 mol L-1 HCI, v = 60 mV s-1). The supporting electrolyte used to detection of hydrogen peroxide was 10 mmol L-1 potassium citrate/ 2 mmol L-1 Citric acid buffer, pH 6.1 (ionic strength = 0.16 mol L-1) containing 0.5 mol L-1 KCI. The absence of this electrolyte or the presence of phosphate ions decreased the stability of the sensor. Hydrogen peroxide was detected at 0.04V (vs EAg/AgCI, KCI sat) in 5.1 x 10-5 - 8.6 x 10-4 mol L-1 linear range with sensitivity of 1.4 ± 0.2) A mo1-1 L cm-2 and detection limit of (2.5 ± 0.02) x 10-5 mol L-1. At this applied potential the contribution of oxygen reduction current was 8.0 % in the presence of 1.0 mmol L-1 H2O2. Analytical curves obtained during hydrogen peroxide detections along 5 days, ach one of them representing an average of 6 consecutive amperometric analytical curves, carried out in the same day, showed a decrease of only 27 % in the sensitivity of the modified electrodes. When was not using the electrode was kept, 0.5 mol L-1 KCI. At 0.04 V applied potential no interference was detected due to mediated or direct oxidation of uric acid. The interference of ascorbic acid was only significant to 0.060 V or higher applied potentials.

Dans une première partie, la structure électronique de deux membres de la famille des Analogues de Bleu de Prusse (ABP) a été inspectée à l'aide de méthodes basées sur la fonction d'onde. Dans l'ABP NiFe, un changement du couplage magnétique a été mis en évidence lors d'une déformation structurale locale. Basé sur les résultats obtenus pour l'ABP CoFe, un rôle clé dans le processus photomagnétique observé dans ce matériau est attribué aux lacunes cristallines. Dans une deuxième partie, un développement méthodologique a été mené jusqu'à l'implémentation de la méthode FRACCIS (FRAgmented Contracted Configuration Interaction of Single excitations). Elle permet de concentrer l'effort numérique sur un petit nombre de déterminants physiquement importants. De plus, elle constitue un outil d'analyse pour mesurer l'importance de certaines excitations dans le système inspecté. L'application à (H2)2 et C4H6 montre qu'une réduction majeure de l'espace d'IC est possible en gardant une bonne précision par rapport aux valeurs de référence. Ce travail contribue aux efforts vers l'analyse rationnelle de la corrélation électronique. / In the first part, the electronic structure of two members of the family of Prussian Blue Analogues (PBA) has been inspected using wave function-based methods. The NiFe PBA exhibits a change of the magnetic coupling under a local structural deformation. Based on the results obtained for the CoFe PBA, a key role in the photomagnetic process observed in this material is attributed to the crystal vacancies. In a second part, a methodological development has been carried out and has lead to the implementation of the FRACCIS method (FRAgmented Contracted Configuration Interaction of Single excitations). It allows to concentrate the numerical effort on a small number of physically relevant determinants. Furthermore, it constitutes an analysis tool to measure the importance of certain excitations in the inspected system. The application to (H2)2 et C4H6 shows that a major reduction of the CI space is possible while keeping good accuracy with respect to reference values. This work contributes to the efforts towards a rational analysis of electronic correlation.

<p>Materials prepared on the nanoscale often exhibit many different properties compared to the same materials in their bulk-state. Interest in nanostructured materials has increased because of these properties in fields such as microelectronics, catalysis, optics and sensors. This increased interest in nanostructured materials calls for new and more precise fabrication techniques.</p><p>This thesis describes how to use the porous anodic aluminium oxide as a template for the fabrication of a variety of nanostructured materials. Palladium and copper nanoparticles were deposited along the pore walls in anodic aluminum oxide using electroless deposition and atomic layer deposition. In both cases, it was possible to control the size of the nanoparticles by carefully monitoring the deposition parameters. The thesis also describes how Prussian blue nanoparticles and nanotubes can be fabricated using the anodic aluminium oxide as a template. The deposition of Prussian blue was performed by a sequential wet-chemical method. By using atomic layer deposition, it was also possible to deposit thin films of amorphous Nb2O5 on the pore walls. When the template was removed by etching, freestanding nanotubes were obtained. The anodic aluminium oxide membrane was also used as a mask for high energy (MeV) ion irradiation of an underlying substrate. The tracks produced were etched away with hydrogen fluoride. In this way, it was possible to transfer the highly ordered porous pattern from the mask onto other oxides such as SiO2 and TiO2.</p><p>All fabricated structures were characterized using a variety of analysis techniques: scanning electron microscopy for evaluating sample morphology; transmission electron microscopy for better resolved investigations of the morphology; X-ray diffraction to assess crystallinity; energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy to determine the elemental composition and identify possible contaminants.</p><p>The general aim of the work described in this thesis has been to create a set of tools for use in the fabrication of a variety of nanostructured materials, whose dimensions composition can be tailored by selecting appropriate fabrication methods and parameters.</p>

Materials prepared on the nanoscale often exhibit many different properties compared to the same materials in their bulk-state. Interest in nanostructured materials has increased because of these properties in fields such as microelectronics, catalysis, optics and sensors. This increased interest in nanostructured materials calls for new and more precise fabrication techniques. This thesis describes how to use the porous anodic aluminium oxide as a template for the fabrication of a variety of nanostructured materials. Palladium and copper nanoparticles were deposited along the pore walls in anodic aluminum oxide using electroless deposition and atomic layer deposition. In both cases, it was possible to control the size of the nanoparticles by carefully monitoring the deposition parameters. The thesis also describes how Prussian blue nanoparticles and nanotubes can be fabricated using the anodic aluminium oxide as a template. The deposition of Prussian blue was performed by a sequential wet-chemical method. By using atomic layer deposition, it was also possible to deposit thin films of amorphous Nb2O5 on the pore walls. When the template was removed by etching, freestanding nanotubes were obtained. The anodic aluminium oxide membrane was also used as a mask for high energy (MeV) ion irradiation of an underlying substrate. The tracks produced were etched away with hydrogen fluoride. In this way, it was possible to transfer the highly ordered porous pattern from the mask onto other oxides such as SiO2 and TiO2. All fabricated structures were characterized using a variety of analysis techniques: scanning electron microscopy for evaluating sample morphology; transmission electron microscopy for better resolved investigations of the morphology; X-ray diffraction to assess crystallinity; energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy to determine the elemental composition and identify possible contaminants. The general aim of the work described in this thesis has been to create a set of tools for use in the fabrication of a variety of nanostructured materials, whose dimensions composition can be tailored by selecting appropriate fabrication methods and parameters.

This dissertation presents chemical sensors that are based on an emerging optical fiber sensing technology for the determination of the presence and concentration of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) at low concentrations. The motivation to determine hydrogen peroxide lies on the fact that this chemical species is generated as a by-product of the operation of hydrogen-based polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), and the presence and formation of this peroxide has been associated with the chemical degradation that results in low durability of PEMFCs. Currently, there are no techniques that allow the hydrogen peroxide to be determined in situ in PEMFCs in a reliable manner, since the only report of this type of measurement was performed using electrochemical techniques, which can be affected by the environmental conditions and that can alter the proper operation of the PEMFCs. The sensors presented in this dissertation are designed to detect the presence and quantify hydrogen peroxide in solution at the conditions at which PEMFCs operate. Since they are made using fused silica optical fibers and are based on a spectroscopic technique to perform the detection of H2O2 , they are not affected by the electromagnetic fields or the harsh chemical environment inside PEMFCs. In addition, they are able to still detect the presence of H2O2 at the operating temperatures. The construction of the sensing film on the tip of an optical fiber and its small size (125 µm diameter), make the sensors here developed an ideal solution for being deployed in situ in PEMFCs, ensuring that they would be minimally invasive and that the operation of the fuel cell would not be compromised by the presence of the sensor. The sensors developed in this dissertation not only present design characteristics that are applicable to PEMFCs, they are also suitable for applications in other fields such as environmental, defense, and biological processes. / Graduate / 0548 / 0756 / 0791 / jfbotero@gmail.com

This dissertation presents chemical sensors that are based on an emerging optical fiber sensing technology for the determination of the presence and concentration of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) at low concentrations. The motivation to determine hydrogen peroxide lies on the fact that this chemical species is generated as a by-product of the operation of hydrogen-based polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), and the presence and formation of this peroxide has been associated with the chemical degradation that results in low durability of PEMFCs. Currently, there are no techniques that allow the hydrogen peroxide to be determined in situ in PEMFCs in a reliable manner, since the only report of this type of measurement was performed using electrochemical techniques, which can be affected by the environmental conditions and that can alter the proper operation of the PEMFCs. The sensors presented in this dissertation are designed to detect the presence and quantify hydrogen peroxide in solution at the conditions at which PEMFCs operate. Since they are made using fused silica optical fibers and are based on a spectroscopic technique to perform the detection of H2O2 , they are not affected by the electromagnetic fields or the harsh chemical environment inside PEMFCs. In addition, they are able to still detect the presence of H2O2 at the operating temperatures. The construction of the sensing film on the tip of an optical fiber and its small size (125 µm diameter), make the sensors here developed an ideal solution for being deployed in situ in PEMFCs, ensuring that they would be minimally invasive and that the operation of the fuel cell would not be compromised by the presence of the sensor. The sensors developed in this dissertation not only present design characteristics that are applicable to PEMFCs, they are also suitable for applications in other fields such as environmental, defense, and biological processes. / Graduate / 0548 / 0756 / 0791 / jfbotero@gmail.com