Thesis (Ph. D.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 1997. / Bibliography: leaves 238-246.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Victoria University of Wellington, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references.

Raman microscopy (RM) is a vibrational spectroscopic technique capable of obtaining sensitive measurements of molecular composition, structure, and dynamics from a very small sample volume (~1 µm). In this work, a RM system was developed for future applications in cellular radiobiology, the study of the effects of ionizing radiation on cells and tissues, with particular emphasis on the capability to investigate the internal molecular composition of single cells (10-50 µm in diameter). The performance of the RM system was evaluated by imaging 5 µm diameter polystyrene microbeads dispersed on a silicon substrate. This analysis has shown that RM of single cells is optimized for this system when using a 100x microscope objective and a 50 µm confocal collection aperture. Quantitative measurements of the spatial, confocal, and spectral resolution of the RM system have been obtained using metal nanostructures deposited on a flat silicon substrate. Furthermore, a spectral investigation of several substrate materials was successful in identifying low-fluorescence quartz as a suitable substrate for RM analysis of single cells. Protocols have been developed for culturing and preparing two human tumor cell lines, A549 (lung) and DU145 (prostate), for RM analysis, and a spectroscopic study of these two cell lines was performed. Spectra obtained from within cell nuclei yielded detectable Raman signatures from all four types of biomolecules found in a human cell: proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids. Furthermore, Raman profiles and 2D maps of protein and DNA distributions within single cells have been obtained with micron-scale spatial resolution. It was also found that the intensity of Raman scattering is highly dependent on the concentration of dense nuclear material at the point of Raman collection. RM shows promise for studying the interactions of ionizing radiation with single cells, and this work has been successful in providing a foundation for the development of future radiobiological RM experiments.

- / -

- / -

Αντικείμενο της παρούσας διατριβής ήταν η μελέτη των δομικών και καταλυτικών ιδιοτήτων καταλυτών ΜοΟ3 υποστηριγμένων σε οξειδικούς φορείς. Η χρήση της φασματοσκοπικής μεθόδου Raman υπό ελεγχόμενες in situ συνθήκες επέτρεψε το χαρακτηρισμό των καταλυτών κάτω από ένα εύρος συνθηκών που μελετήθηκαν. Η εφαρμογή της μεθοδολογίας Operando Raman-GC οδήγησε σε συμπεράσματα αναφορικά με δομικές αλλαγές και δεδομένα καταλυτικής αποτελεσματικότητας ενώ συνδυασμός των δονητικών φασματοσκοπιών Raman και FTIR με πειράματα ισοτοπικής εναλλαγής 18Ο/16Ο χρησιμοποιήθηκε για εκτενέστερη διερεύνηση της μοριακής δομής των καταλυτών. Ειδικότερα εξετάσθηκε μια σειρά καταλυτών ΜοΟ3/ΤiO2 με in situ φασματοσκοπία Raman κάτω από οξειδωτικές και αναγωγικές συνθήκες, καθώς επίσης και κάτω από συνθήκες αντίδρασης οξειδωτικής αφυδρογόνωσης του αιθανίου. Η μοριακή δομή των επιφανειακών ειδών μολυβδενίου βρέθηκε να σχετίζεται άμεσα με το σχηματισμό κυρίως απομονωμένων ειδών Μο, για χαμηλές και υψηλές φορτίσεις κοντά στη μονοστρωματική κάλυψη, ενώ για φορτίσεις που υπερβαίνουν το μονόστρωμα παρατηρήθηκε ο σχηματισμός κρυσταλλικού ΜοΟ3. Η αποτίμηση της καταλυτικής ενεργότητας κατέδειξε πως καταλύτες με πολύ καλή διασπορά του ΜοΟ3 πάνω στην επιφάνεια παρουσιάζουν τα βέλτιστα αποτελέσματα. Επιπροσθέτως, εξετάζεται η επίδραση του φορέα (ZrO2, Al2O3, TiO2 και SiO2) στη δομή και στην καταλυτική συμπεριφορά μονοστρωματικών υποστηριγμένων καταλυτών MoO3 για την αντίδραση της οξειδωτικής αφυδρογόνωσης του αιθανίου με την φασματοσκοπία Raman. Μελετήθηκε η επίδραση της φόρτισης, της θερμοκρασίας, της σύστασης της αέριας τροφοδοσίας και του χρόνου παραμονής των αντιδρώντων πάνω στα χαρακτηριστικά των φασμάτων Raman καθώς και στην καταλυτική ενεργότητα με στόχο την εξαγωγή σχέσεων δομής-ενεργότητας/εκλεκτικότητας υποστηριγμένων καταλυτών MoO3/MxOy (M=Zr, Al, Ti, Si) για την οξειδωτική αφυδρογόνωση του αιθανίου. Η επιλογή της φύσης του φορέα/υποστρώματος κρίθηκε ως σημαντικός παράγοντας που ελέγχει την αποτελεσματικότητα της λειτουργίας των καταλυτών για την ODH του αιθανίου. Τέλος, οι δονητικές φασματοσκοπίες Raman και FTIR κάτω από ελεγχόμενες in situ συνθήκες χρησιμοποιήθηκαν για τη διερεύνηση της μοριακής δομής των καταλυτικών συστημάτων MoO3/ZrO2, MoO3/Al2O3 και MoO3/TiO2. Η φασματοσκοπία Raman σε συνδυασμό με πειράματα ισοτοπικής εναλλαγής 18Ο/16Ο οδήγησε σε αξιόλογα συμπεράσματα αναφορικά με τη μοριακή δομή των διεσπαρμένων μολυβδενικών ειδών υπό το πρίσμα της διάκρισης μεταξύ mono-oxo και di-oxo δομών. Τα αποτελέσματα συνέκλιναν στην παρουσία mono-oxo μοριακών διαμορφώσεων για κάθε καταλυτικό σύστημα (MoO3/ZrO2, MoO3/Al2O3 και MoO3/TiO2), τόσο για χαμηλές όσο και για φορτίσεις κοντά στο μονόστρωμα. Η υποκατάσταση γειτονικών οξειδικών θέσεων των Μο=16Ο δεσμών βρέθηκε να συμβάλει στη σταδιακή μετατόπιση της κορυφής αυτών των δεσμών σε χαμηλότερες συχνότητες μέσω ενός φαινομένου που ονομάστηκε “δονητικό ισοτοπικό φαινόμενο υποκατάστασης 18Ο/16Ο επόμενων κοντινότερων γειτόνων” (Next – Nearest – Neighbor 18Ο/16Ο substitution vibrational isotope effect). / The present work focuses on the study of structural and catalytic properties of the dispersed phase of supported MoO3 catalysts. In situ Raman spectroscopy has been used to characterize the supported catalysts and provide fundamental information about the configuration and the molecular structure under various controlled gas atmospheres and operating temperatures. A strategy involving the combined use of in situ Raman and in situ FTIR vibrational spectroscopies and the combined use of in situ Raman spectroscopy and 18O2/16O2 isotopic exchange experiments has been applied to investigate the molecular structure of the molybdena dispersed phase. A series of supported molybdenum oxide catalysts supported on TiO2(anatase) has been extensively examined by means of in situ and operando Raman spectroscopy under oxidizing, reducing and ODH of ethane conditions. The molecular structure of the surface MoOx species has been assigned to the formation of isolated units, primarily as O=Mo(–O–Ti)3 with a characteristic Mo=O sretching frequency observed at 994 cm-1 both at low as well as at high coverage below monolayer (~6 Mo/nm2). A weak and broad band at ~925 cm-1 due to Mo–O– Mo functionalities becomes visible with increasing loading, indicating a low presence of associated (polymeric) molybdates with increasing loading on TiO2. When exceeding monolayer coverage, the Raman spectra revealed the formation of bulk crystalline MoO3 on the TiO2 support. Detailed catalytic studies of the supported molybdena catalysts on titania showed that the monolayer catalyst (15MoTi) provide better catalytic results. Additionally, the structural and catalytic properties of monolayer MoO3 catalysts supported on ZrO2, Al2O3, TiO2 and SiO2 were studied for the oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of ethane by in situ and operando Raman spectroscopy. The molecular structure of the dispersed surface species evolves from isolated monomolybdates (MoO4 and MoO5) to associated (MoOx)n units in polymolybdate chains, depending on the support. The nature of the oxide support material and of the Mo–O–support bond has a significant influence on the catalytic behavior of the molybdena catalysts with monolayer coverage while, the dependence of reactivity on the support follows the order ZrO2 > Al2O3 > TiO2 > SiO2. The vibrational properties of molybdena catalysts supported on titania, zirconia and alumina were studied by means of in situ vibrational (Raman and FTIR) spectroscopies and 18O/16O isotopic exchange experiments combined with in situ Raman spectra at 450 °C. The aim of this work was the discrimination between mono-oxo and di-oxo configuration for the deposited molybdena phase at low as well as at high coverage near monolayer. The vibrational isotope effects and the combined interpretation of the observed Raman fundamental, IR overtone, as well as calculated zero-order band wavenumbers and characteristics suggest a mono-oxo configuration for the deposited molybdena phase at low as well as at higher coverage, irrespective of the extent of association (polymerization). A “nextnearest- neighbor 18O/16O substitution” vibrational effect is observed, resulting in small red shifts (2–7 cm−1) of the Mo=16O Raman band wavenumber. This effect is found to be strongly related to the nature of the support, regarding the extent of the shift, and assigned to the different reducibilities of the various support materials.

Geochemistry plays a vital role in our understanding mechanisms behind major geological systems such as the Earth's crust and its oceans (Albarède, F. 2003). More recently, geo-chemistry has played a vital role in the field of forensic investigation and in period dating. Forensic soil samples have been traditionally analysed via examinations of colour, texture and mineral content by physical or chemical methods. However, these methods leave any organic or water-soluble fractions unexamined. Tephrochronology (the dating of sedimentary sequences using volcanic ash layers) is an important tool for the dating and correlation of sedimentary sequences containing archives and proxies of past environmental change. Its importance in this area has increased since the increased free carbon in out atmosphere has made radio-carbon dating unreliable. Tephrochronology requires successful geo-chemical identification of the tephras, a method reliant on electron probe micro-analysis (EPMA) to analyse major element composition. However, it is often impossible to differentiate key tephra layers using EPMA alone. Raman spectroscopy is commonly used in chemistry, since vibrational information is specific to the chemical bonds and symmetry of molecules, and can provide a fingerprint by which these can be identified. Here, we demonstrate how Raman spectroscopy can be used for the successful discrimination of mineral species in tephra through the analysis of individual glass shards. We further demonstrate how, with the use of oxidative preparation methods, Raman spectroscopy can be used to successfully discriminate between soil types using mineralogy as well as the organic and water-soluble fractions of soils.

Process Analytical Technology (PAT) is framed with the objective of the design and development of processes to ensure predefined quality of the product at the end of manufacturing. PAT implementation includes better understanding of process, reduction in production time with use of in-line, at-line and on-line measurements, yield improvement and energy and cost reductions. Hot Melt Extrusion process (HME) used in the present work is proving increasingly popular in industry for its continuous and green processing which is beneficial over traditional batch processing. The present work was focused on applications of Raman spectroscopy as off - line and in - line monitoring techniques as a PAT for production of pharmaceutical solid dispersions and co-crystals. Solid dispersions (SDs) of the anti-convulsant Carbamazepine (CBZ) with two pharmaceutical grade polymers have been produced using HME at a range of drug loadings and their amorphous nature confirmed using a variety of analytical techniques. Off-line and in-line Raman spectroscopy has been shown to be suitable techniques for proving preparation of these SDs. Through calibration curves generated from chemometric analysis in-line Raman spectroscopy was shown to be more accurate than off-line measurements proving the quantification ability of Raman spectroscopy as well as a PAT tool. Pure co-crystals of Ibuprofen-Nicotinamide and Carbamazepine-Nicotinamide have been produced using solvent evaporation and microwave radiation techniques. Raman spectroscopy proved its superiority over off-line analytical techniques such as DSC, FTIR and XRD for co-crystal purity determination adding to its key advantage in its ability to be used as an in-line, non-destructive technique.

Cancer is one of the greatest causes of death in modern societies, affecting over 350,000 new cases every year in the UK. Although there are currently more than 100 different cancer types, breast and prostate cancer remain the most common types for women and men respectively. A number of different cancer types follow, with bladder cancer being the ninth most significant type, accounting for 3% of the total new cases. The currently employed techniques aim to diagnose the cancer at an early stage, where the symptoms are easier to be treated and the disease more likely to be cured. A further issue is that many cancers diagnosed will not affect a patient in their lifetime. The current gold standard for cancer diagnosis, biopsy followed by histopathology, is an invasive, restrictive technique and the screening tests suffer from low specificity, the need for a novel diagnostic concept is vital. Furthermore, the current clinical approach does not identify those patients most at risk of advancing disease. A promising approach consists of molecular vibrational spectroscopy techniques, which are based on the interactions of light with matter. One of these is Raman spectroscopy, a technique with wide applications in research and industry, which has the advantage of being non-invasive and chemically highly specific. In this thesis we explore the potential of a group of minimally invasive diagnostic techniques, based on Raman scattering, for prostate, breast and bladder cancer. In the case of the two most prevalent types of cancer, prostate and breast cancer, deep Raman spectroscopy has been employed to study the origin of Raman scattering (Chapters 5 and 6) in animal tissue and tissue phantoms, containing highly scattering materials resembling suspicious features found in tissues (calcifications). The spatial distribution of the Raman signal through the sample volume has been studied in relation to the optical properties and the composition of the sample, showing that a couple of transmission measurements would potentially cover the measuring volume of prostate of typical dimensions. Deep Raman measurements were also extended to animal and human tissue samples, in order to investigate the feasibility of collecting Raman scattering from human prostate tissue and its major tissue components (Chapter 6). Further improvements on these measurements were attempted by introducing the ‘’photon diode’’ element (Chapter 7) in order to achieve signal enhancement, which proved to be in the range of ×1-2.4, depending on the optical properties of the tissue and the depth of the probing element. The same ‘’photon diode’’ concept was utilised to attempt depth prediction of a calcification feature in sample volume (Chapter 8). Regarding bladder cancer, the minimally invasive approach adopted was Raman spectroscopy on urine samples, rather than deep Raman spectroscopy. Raman microscopy was employed in order to discriminate pathological features of bladder cancer between healthy and malignant urine samples. For that reason, the potential differences in urea’s distribution and interactions in urine from healthy and patients with bladder cancer were studied, resulting in promising diagnostic values (73% sensitivity, 80% specificity). The results presented in this thesis are expected to lead to a better understanding of the Raman scattering signals collection through biological tissues and help in this way the future design of Raman instruments aiming to target disease specific signals. This study shows promise for future application of Raman spectroscopy and paves the way towards the future integration of Raman spectroscopy in a non-invasive cancer diagnosis.

The isolation of single layer graphene in 2004 by Geim and Novoselov introduced a method that researchers could extend to other van der Waals materials. Interesting and new properties arise when we reduce a crystal to two dimensions where they are often different from their bulk counterpart. Due to the van der Waals bonding between layers, these single sheets of crystal can be combined and stacked with diferent sheets to create novel materials. With the goal to study the interesting physics associated to these stacks, the focus of this work is on the fabrication and characterization of van der Waals heterostructures. In this work, we first present a brief history of 2D materials, the fabrication of heterostructures, and the various tools used to characterize these materials. We then give a description of the custom-built instrument that was used to assemble various 2D heterostructures followed by the findings associated with the optimization of the cleanliness of the stack's interface and surface. Finally, we discuss the results related to the twisting of adjacent layers of stacked MoS2 and its relation to the interlayer coupling between said layers.