The inclusion of lime in burials is observed in historical and archaeological records, in contemporary mass graves and forensic cases. Clearly there are controversies within the literature and there is a general misconception of the effects of lime on decomposition. Recent casework in Belgium and the UK involving the search for human remains buried with lime, have demonstrated the need for a more detailed understanding of the effect of different types of lime on cadaver decomposition and its micro-environment. Field and laboratory experiments using pigs as human body analogues were undertaken to obtain a better understanding of the taphonomic processes that govern lime burials. The changes observed in the experiments were related back to archaeological parallels in which white residues have been found. The combined results of these studies demonstrate that despite conflicting evidence in the literature, hydrated lime and quicklime both delay the initial stages of the decay process but do not arrest it completely. The end result is ultimately the same: skeletonisation. Furthermore this study stresses the importance of the specific microenvironment in taphonomic research and highlights the need for chemical analysis of white residues when encountered in a burial. Not all white powder is lime. White residue could be identified as calcium carbonate, building material, body decomposition products, minerals or degraded lead. This study has implications for the investigation of clandestine burials and for a better understanding of archaeological plaster burials. Knowledge of the effects of lime on decomposition processes also have bearing on practices involving the disposal of animal carcasses and potentially the management of mass graves and mass disasters by humanitarian organisation and DVI teams.

The aim of this thesis is to increase our knowledge and understanding of trace water concentrations in nominally anhydrous minerals (NAMs). Special focus is put on the de- and rehydration mechanisms of clinopyroxene crystals in volcanic systems, how these minerals can be used to investigate the volatile content of mantle rocks and melts on both Earth and other planetary bodies (e.g., Mars). Various analytical techniques for water concentration analysis were evaluated. The first part of the thesis focusses on rehydration experiments in hydrogen gas at 1 atm and under hydrothermal pressures from 0.5 to 3 kbar on volcanic clinopyroxene crystals in order to test hydrogen incorporation and loss from crystals and how their initial water content at crystallization prior to dehydration may be restored. The results show that extensive dehydration may occur during magma ascent and degassing but may be hindered by fast ascent rates with limited volatile loss. De- and rehydration processes are governed by the redox-reaction OH- + Fe2+ ↔ O2- + Fe3+ + ½ H2. Performing rehydration experiments at different pressures can restore the water contents of clinopyroxene at various levels in the volcanic systems. Subsequently water contents of magmas and mantle sources can be deduced based on crystal/melt partition coefficients. This thesis provides examples from the Canary Islands, Merapi volcano in Indonesia and the famous Nakhla meteorite. Using NAMs as a proxy for magmatic and mantle water contents may provide a very good method especially for planetary science where sample material is limited. The thesis’ second part focusses on analytical methods to measure the concentration of water in NAMs. Specifically the application of Raman spectroscopy and proton-proton scattering are tested. The hydrated mineral zoisite is thoroughly analyzed in order to be used as an external standard material. Polarized single crystal spectra helped to determine the orientation of the OH-dipole in zoisite. Further, Transmission Raman spectroscopy and a new method for the preparation of very thin samples for proton-proton scattering were developed and tested. The results provide new possibilities for the concentration analysis of water in NAMs such as three dimensional distribution and high spatial resolution.

Ce travail expérimental porte sur l'influence des paramètres de synthèse de nanotubes de carbone par CVD sur leurs caractéristiques structurales. Cette étude repose sur des analyses ex situ et in situ par spectroscopie Raman d'échantillons synthétisés sous diverses conditions de croissance. Une étude sur des films de cobalt oxydés a montré qu'il existe une variation de la pression seuil pour la croissance de nanotubes de carbone en fonction de l'épaisseur de cobalt que nous proposons d'attribuer à une pression seuil de réduction des particules.Une étude des bandes D et G' nous a permis d'attribuer les composantes basses fréquences aux nanotubes mono-feuillets et les composantes hautes fréquences à des espèces carbonées co-produites lors de la synthèse. Cette nouvelle approche a permis une étude plus fine des défauts et la proposition d'un modèle de création des défauts dans les nanotubes synthétisés par CVD. Enfin, une étude systématique des RBM nous a permis de mettre en évidence des processus favorisant la croissance de nanotubes mono-feuillets de petits ou de moyens diamètres. Ainsi, le contrôle de l'épaisseur de catalyseur, de la nature du précurseur carboné, de sa pression partielle ou encore de la température de synthèse permet de contrôler la distribution en diamètre des nanotubes mono-feuillets. / This experimental work deals with the influence of CVD growth parameters on carbon nanotube structural properties. The study is based on in situ and ex situ Raman spectroscopy on samples synthesized under various conditions of growth. A work on oxidized cobalt films showed that the threshold pressure for nanotube growth depends on the thickness of the cobalt film. We assign this pressure to a threshold pressure of reduction. A study of the D-band and G'-band allowed to assign low-frequency components to SWNT and high-frequency components to carbonaceous co-products of synthesis. This new approach allowed a fine study of defects which led to a model for defect creation in SWNT grown by CVD. A systematic study of RBM showed the processes leading to the preferential growth of small- or medium-diameter SWNT. Thus, control of catalyst thickness, of carbonaceous precursor nature and partial pressure or of synthesis temperature allows to control the diameter distribution of SWNT.

Biosensors are devices that detect biological elements and then transmit a readable signal. Biosensors can automatize diagnostics that would otherwise have to be performed by a physician or perhaps not be possible to perform at all. Current biosensors are however either limited to particular diseases or prohibitively expensive. In order to further the field, sensors capable of many parallel measurements at a lower cost need to be developed. Field effect transistor (FET) based sensors are possible candidates for delivering this, mainly by allowing miniaturization. Smaller sensors could be cheaper, and enable parallel measurements. Graphene is an interesting material to use as the channel of FET-sensors. The low electrochemical reactivity of its plane makes it possible to have graphene in direct contact with the sample liquid, which enhances the signal from impedance changes. Graphene-FET based impedance sensors should be able to sense almost all possible analytes and allow for scaling without losing sensitivity. In this work the steps needed to make graphene based biosensors are presented. An improved graphene transfer is described which by using low pressure to dry the graphene removes most contamination. A method to measure the contamination of graphene by surface enhanced Raman scattering is presented. Methods to produce double gated and electrolyte gated graphene transistors on a large scale in an entirely photolithographic process are detailed. The deposition of 1-pyrenebutyric acid (PBA) on graphene is studied. It is shown that at high surface concentrations the PBA stands up on graphene and forms a dense self-assembled monolayer. A new process of using Raman spectroscopy data to quantify adsorbents was developed in order to quantify the molecule adsorption. Biosensing has been performed in two different ways. Graphene FETs have been used to read the signal generated by a streaming potential setup. Using FETs in this context enables a more sensitive readout than what would be possible without them. Graphene FETs have been used to directly sense antibodies in high ionic strength. This sensing was done by measuring the impedance of the interface between the FET and the electrolyte.

Orientador: João Carlos Silos Moraes / Resumo: O presente trabalho tem como objetivo a síntese e caracterização estrutural de filmes finos a base de TeO2 usando o método Pechini. Os filmes finos foram produzidos seguindo a estequiometria 80TeO2–20Li2O (% molar), utilizando como precursores metálicos o ácido telúrico (H6TeO6) e o carbonato de lítio (Li2CO3). Os materiais precursores foram solubilizados em solução aquosa de ácido cítrico sob aquecimento para obtenção de um citrato metálico, o qual foi acrescido de etilenoglicol para polimerização. A resina polimérica obtida foi depositada sobre dois diferentes substratos, vidro e silício cristalino, pela técnica de spin-coating, para a obtenção dos filmes finos. Em substratos de vidro, a pirólise ocorreu a 300°C e o tratamento térmico foi realizado à 400°C e nos substratos de Si, os filmes foram pirolisados a 500°C e tratados termicamente em 600°C. A caracterização dos filmes foi realizada por meio das técnicas de difração de raios-X, microscopia eletrônica de varredura, espectroscopia de energia dispersiva e Raman. Os filmes obtidos apresentaram espessuras da ordem de micro a nanômetros e, dos dados de Espectroscopia de Energia Dispersiva, foi possível acompanhar a transformação do Te metálico para as fases do TeO2. Dos dados de difração de raios X e Raman foi possível identificar e observar a transição entre as fases γ e α-TeO2. A qualidade dos filmes finos obtidos usando a rota estabelecida neste trabalho, demonstra a viabilidade da produção de filmes finos a base de tel... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The objective of this work is the synthesis and structural characterization of thin films based on TeO2 using the Pechini method. The thin films were produced following the stoichiometry 80TeO2-20Li2O (mol%) using telluric acid (H6TeO6) and lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) as metallic precursors. The precursor materials were solubilized in aqueous solution of citric acid under heating to obtain a metal citrate, which was added with ethylene glycol for polymerization. The obtained polymer resin was deposited on two different substrates, glass and crystalline silicon, by the spin-coating technique, to obtain the thin films. On glass substrates, the pyrolysis occurred at 300°C and the heat treatment was performed at 400°C, and on the Si substrates, the films were pyrolyzed at 500°C and thermally treated at 600°C. The films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, dispersive energy and Raman spectroscopy. The films obtained presented thicknesses of the order of micro to nanometers and, from the data of Dispersive Energy Spectroscopy, it was possible to follow the transformation of the metallic Te to the phases of TeO2. From the X-ray and Raman diffraction data it was possible to identify and observe the transition between the γ and α-TeO2 phases. The quality of the thin films obtained through the route established in this work, demonstrates the practicability of the preparation of tellurium based thin films by the Pechini method. / Mestre

Este estudo empregou anticorpos que podem ser peças chaves no eventual desenvolvimento de imunossensores, devido as suas características de seletividade e consequente determinação de espécies de interesse em análises clínicas, ambiental, saúde publica, entre outros. Para isto, foram feitos estudos de espectros Raman e SERS de anticorpos inteiros e/ou fragmentados (IgG humana, anti-IgG humana (H+L) e anti-IgG humana (Fab2)). Com isto, foram conhecidos os principais modos vibracionais destas biomoléculas que são úteis para a proposta de se construir imunossensores. Ambas as técnicas fornecem informações a respeito da estrutura secundária de proteínas. Quando há a imobilização dessas biomoléculas sobre superfícies SERS-ativas, é possível determinar a sua orientação. Considerando-se que na técnica SERS existe a possibilidade de se detectar uma molécula, por meio de hot spots, é importante que as imunoglobulinas estejam sem impurezas como, por exemplo, a albumina e transferrina no caso de anticorpos provenientes do soro humano. Assim, foram feitos experimentos de purificação dos anticorpos por meio de colunas de afinidade contendo proteína A, G ou uma mistura de A e G imobilizadas e, também, separação baseada no ponto isoelétrico. Testou-se a capacidade de ligação (quimissorção) de IgG humana ou de seus fragmentos F(ab)\' sobre superfícies de ouro por meio da técnica QCM-D. Para o estudo de superfícies SERS-ativas foram sintetizadas nanopartículas de ouro (NP-Au), com a aquisição de espectros de extinção no UV-Vis e obtenção de imagens MEV para caracterizá-las. Também, foram feitas variações no preparo de nanocubos de ouro (NC-Au) para obtenção de nanobastões de ouro (NB-Au), tendo-se em vista que estruturas com pontas favorecem a intensificação do sinal Raman em superfícies SERS-ativas. Por fim, considerando-se a existência de diversas ligações S-S, principalmente na região denominada dobradiça, no espectro SERS de IgGh diluída e do fragmento F(ab)\' constatou-se o surgimento de uma banda característica de C-S em 679 cm-1. Por isso, foi feita uma proposta da possível orientação desses anticorpos não fragmentados para que assumissem uma orientação sobre as superfícies SERS-ativas com características semelhantes às dos fragmentos F(ab)\'. / This study used antibodies that can be key elements in the possible evelopment of immunosensors, due to its selectivity and the consequent determination of species of interest in clinical analysis, environmental, public health, among others. For this, Raman and SERS spectra studies were made of whole and/or fragmented antibodies (human IgG, anti-human IgG (H + L) and anti-human IgG (Fab2)). With this, it were known the main vibrational modes of these biomolecules, useful for the proposal to assemble immunosensors. Both techniques provide information on the secondary structure of proteins. When these biomolecules are immobilized on SERS-active surfaces, it is possible to determine their orientation. Considering that, in the SERS technique, it is possible to detect a molecule through hot spots, it is important that the immunoglobulins are free of impurities, such as albumin and transferrin in the case of antibodies from human serum. Thus, purification experiments of antibodies were made via affinity columns containing protein A, G or a mixture of A and G immobilized and also separation based on isoelectric point. It was tested the binding capacity (chemisorption) of human IgG or its F(ab)\' on gold surfaces by means of QCM-D technique. For the study of SERS-active surfaces of gold nanoparticles were synthesized (Au-NP), with the acquisition of extinction spectra in the UV-Vis and obtaining SEM images to characterize them. Also, changes were made in the preparation of nanocubes gold (Au-NC) to obtain gold nanorods (Au-NR), having in view that ends with structures favor the enhancement of Raman signal on SERS-active surfaces. Finally, considering the existence of various S-S links, particularly in the region called hinge, in the SERS spectrum of diluted hIgG and F(ab)\', it was found the display of a characteristic band C-S 679 cm-1. Therefore, a proposal was made about the possible direction of these non-fragmented antibodies to assume an orientation on the SERS-active surfaces with similar characteristics to the F(ab)\'

A adição de sais de lítio à líquidos iônicos gera mudanças em propriedades físicas relevantes, que comprometem sua possível aplicação em baterias de lítio, como aumento de viscosidade e redução da condutividade iônica. Possíveis causas para tais efeitos foram estudadas através da utilização de Espectroscopia Raman e Espectroscopia de Efeito Óptico Kerr. Foram estudadas as misturas dos liquídos iônicos: 1-butil-3metilimidazólio, N-(3- etóxietil)-N-metilmorfolínio e cátion 1-(3-etóxietil)-2,3-dimetilimidazólio possuindo em comum o contra-íon bis(trifluorometanosulfonil)imideto com diferentes concentrações de bis(trifluorometanosulfonil)imideto de lítio. O trabalho se dividiu em duas etapas principais, na primeira utilizou-se a espectroscopia Raman e observou-se o desdobramento da banda referente ao ânion em aproximadamente 740 cm-1, em dois diferentes picos, após a adição de lítio ao sistema. Esta observação forneceu indícios da ocorrência de mudanças estruturais possivelmente relacionadas a formação de agregados entre os ânions e o Li+. A partir destes resultados a obtenção de um valor aproximado para o número de coordenação médio dos cátions Li+ foi possível através da comparação da intensidade relativa dos dois picos para diferentes concentrações de sal. Foi ainda estudado o efeito da adição de água no sistema, causando o desaparecimento do pico Raman formado após a adição do sal de lítio, o que evidencia a capacidade da mesma de reduzir o efeito de agregação dos ânions ao redor do Li+. Na segunda etapa do trabalho, a técnica de espectroscopia de efeito óptico Kerr via detecção heterodina foi utilizada para a observação do perfil de relaxação orientacional nos sistemas descritos acima, a fim de examinar mudanças nos processos dinâmicos presentes após a adição sal inorgânico ao sistema. Os resultados foram analisados no contexto da teoria de acoplamento de modos, de maneira que utilizou-se um modelo fenomenológico desenvolvido através da observação de diferentes sistemas e da aplicação das equações propostas no modelo esquemático de Sjögren para a descrição da função de correlação polarizabilidade-polarizabilidade obtida pelo experimento. Os parâmetros encontrados demonstraram um alto grau de concordância com as observações estruturais observadas na primeira etapa, fornecendo evidências de que o lítio é capaz de afetar as estruturas locais presentes no líquido iônico puro de uma maneira similar ao efeito Chemla. O trabalho demonstrou que os mesmos princípios necessários para a síntese de líquidos iônicos a temperatura ambiente, primando a redução das interações atrativas entre os cátion e ânions para a estabilização da fase líquida, possui como efeito colateral o fato de que diversas moléculas apresentam interações mais fortes com seus íons alterando suas propriedades, neste caso prejudicando a utilização de líquidos iônicos como solventes alternativos em baterias de lítio. / The introduction of lithium salts to room temperature ionic liquids causes unwanted changes to the electrochemically relevant properties of these compounds, such as increase in viscosity and the reduction of ionic conductivity. Possible causes for these effects were studied with spectroscopic techniques such as Raman spectroscopy and Optical Kerr Effect spectroscopy. Mixtures of three different ionic liquids containing the cations: 1-butyl-3- methylimidazolium, N-(3-etoxyethyl)-N-methylmorfolinium and cátion 1-(3-etoxyethyl)-2,3- dimethylimidazolium and possessing the common counter ion bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl)imide with lithium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl)imide. This work was divided in two parts, the first consisting of the use of Raman spectroscopy and the observation of the changes in the 740 cm-1 peak, pertaining to anion vibration after the introduction of lithium to the system, shown as the appearance of a new peak at higher frequencies. The approximate average lithium coordination number was determined by comparison of the relative intensities for different salt concentrations. The effect of water absorption in this system was also observed, showing that water molecules tend to hinder the formation of aggregates between the anion and Li+. The second step was carried out with the use of optically heterodyne detected optical Kerr effect spectroscopy to the analysis of the orientational relaxation profile for the systems described above. Results were analyzed through the application of Mode Coupling Theory models, both a phenomenological model obtained by the observation of different classes of liquids and the Mode Coupling Schematic model proposed by Sjögren were used to describe the polarizability-polarizabilty correlation function obtained from the experiments. The parameters obtained showed a high degree of correlation with the results obtained in the first part indicating that the introduction of a highly polarizing cation to the pure ionic liquid causes an effect similar to the Chemla effect observed in inorganic salt mixtures. The work showed evidences that the same principles used for the synthesis of room temperature ionic liquids, i.e. the reduction of attractive interactions between cation and anion or the addition of alkyl chains to reduce symmetry, result in various different compounds showing stronger interactions with the different ions resulting in changing properties, in this case hindering the use of ionic liquids as alternative green solvents for lithium ion batteries.

O Grupo Corumbá, SW Brasil, documenta uma etapa importante na evolução da vida por causa de seu registro fóssil de microbialitos, microfósseis, e organismos multicelulares indicativos da complexidade cada vez maior da biosfera no final do período Ediacarano. A importância paleobiológica da Formação Bocaina, inserido no meio do Grupo Corumbá, e datado em cerca de 560 Ma, é embasada em sua diversidade de microbialitos e registro de significativo evento fosfogenético, associados a supostos \"microfósseis em forma de vaso\", semelhantes à tecamebas, interpretadas como os primeiros protistas heterótrofos. Estes fósseis, bem como formas semelhantes reconhecidos em outras unidades geológicas do mundo, precedem o registro da explosão de organismos multicelulares macroscópicos esqueléticos (Cloudina, Corumbella) na formação sobrejacente Tamengo (543 Ma). A morfologia do microbialitos fornece evidências de variação local do nível do mar durante a deposição da Form ação Bocaina. As análises morfológicas e químicas dos microfósseis usando microscopia óptica e eletrônica de varredura, EDS e espectroscopia Raman ajudaram a esclarecer a natureza biológica desses objetos e, assim, contribuir para a compreensão da importância da evolução da vida no Ediacarano, na Formação Bocaina, Grupo Corumbá. / The Corumbá Group, SW Brazil, documents an important stage in the evolution of life because of its fossil record of microbialites, microfossils, and early multicellular organisms indicative of the rapidly increasing complexity of the biosphere at the very end of the Ediacaran period. The paleobiological importance of the Bocaina Formation, in middle of the Corumbá Group and dated at about 560 Ma, lies in its diversity of microbialites and its record of a significant phosphogenesis event with associated putative \"vase-shaped microfossils\", similar to testate amoebae, interpreted as early protistan heterotrophs. Th ese fossils, as well as similar forms recognized in other geologic units in the world precede the record of the explosion of macroscopic multicellular skeletal organisms (Cloudina, Corumbella) in the overlying Tamengo Formation (543 Ma). The morphology of microbialites provides evidence of local sea level variation during deposition of the Bocaina Formation. Morphological and chemical analyses of the microfossils using optical and scanning electron microscopy, EDS and Raman spectroscopy helped clarify the biological nature of these objects and thereby contribute to the understanding of the importance of the Bocaina Formation the evolution of late Ediacaran life in the Corumbá Group.

Na busca por novos materiais opto-eletrônicos, vários têm sido os compostos estudados. Dentre os mais interessantes destacam-se aqueles que apresentam compatibilidade com a atual indústria (micro-) eletrônica e/ou de tele-comunicações. Dentro deste contexto ocupam posição privilegiada compostos à base de silício e sob a forma de filmes finos de modo a possibilitar sua integração e aplicação em larga escala. Motivado por estes aspectos, o presente trabalho diz respeito à investigação de filmes finos do sistema Si+Fe com emissão na região do infravermelho. Assim sendo, filmes de silício amorfo hidrogenado (a-Si:H) e não-hidrogenado (a-Si), dopados com diferentes concentrações de Fe, foram depositados pela técnica de sputtering de rádio frequência. Após o processo de deposição, os filmes foram submetidos a tratamentos térmicos (em atmosfera de argônio) a 300, 450, 600, 750, e 900 oC por 15min (cumulativo), e a 800 oC por 2h (não-cumulativo). As amostras assim obtidas foram sistematicamente investigadas por intermédio de diferentes técnicas espectroscópicas: composicional (EDS - Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy), de transmissão óptica na região do visível-infravermelho próximo (VIS-NIR), de espalhamento Raman, e de fotoluminescência (PL). As medidas de EDS revelaram que, em função das condições de preparo das amostras, a concentração de Fe no a-SiFe:H foi ~ 10 vezes menor que a presente nas amostras de a-SiFe. Os espectros de transmissão óptica indicaram variações no bandgap óptico associadas à concentração de Fe e à realização dos tratamentos térmicos. A partir das medidas de espalhamento Raman foi possível verificar que todos os filmes conforme depositados (AD- as deposited) e tratados até 600 oC por 15min possuem estrutura amorfa. Tratamentos térmicos a temperaturas maiores induzem a cristalização do silício e o aparecimento da fase β-FeSi2 que é opticamente ativa na região do infravermelho. Por fim, medidas de fotoluminescência mostraram que apenas as amostras tratadas a 800 oC por 2h (a-SiFe:H dopada com 0.08 at.% de Fe e a-SiFe dopada com 0.79 at.% de Fe) apresentam emissão na região do infravermelho (~ 1500 nm). Dentre as prováveis causas para a atividade óptica destas amostras devemos considerar o efeito combinado da concentração de Fe (e de cristalitos de β-FeSi2) e das suas características ópticas-estruturais. / Many compounds have been studied, in order to find new optoelectronic materials. Within the most interesting are those which show compatibility with the actual (micro)-electronic and/or telecommunications industry. In this context, silicon based compounds under thin films form have advantages to allow its integration and application on large scale. Motivated by these aspects, the present work reports the investigation of Si+Fe thin film system with emission in the infrared region. At this way, hydrogenated (a-Si:H) and hydrogen-free (a-Si) amorphous silicon films, doped with different iron concentrations, were deposited by the radio frequency sputtering technique. After the deposition process, the films were submitted to thermal annealing treatments (in an argon atmosphere) at 300, 450, 600, 750 and 900oC for 15min (cumulative), and at 800oC for 2h (not cumulative). The obtained samples were systematically investigated through different spectroscopic techniques: compositional (EDS Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy), optical transmission in the visible-near infrared region (VIS NIR), Raman scattering and photoluminescence. The EDS measurements showed that, depending on the deposition conditions of the samples, the iron concentration in a-SiFe:H was ~ 10 times smaller than the present in the samples of a-SiFe. The optical transmission spectra indicated variations in the optical bandgap associated to Fe concentration and thermal annealing treatments. From Raman scattering measurements it was possible to verify that all films as deposited (AD) and annealed till 600oC for 15min have an amorphous structure. Thermal treatments at higher temperatures induce the silicon crystallization and the appearance of β-FeSi2 phase which is optically active in the infrared region. Finally, photoluminescence measurements showed that only the samples annealed at 800 ºC for 2h (a-SiFe:H doped with 0.08 at.% of Fe and a-SiFe doped with 0.79 at.% of Fe) have emission in the infrared region (~ 1500 nm). Among the probable reasons for the optic activity of these samples we have to take into account the combined effect of Fe concentration (and of β-FeSi2 crystallites) and its optic-structural characteristics.

Esta tese se insere no contexto da química prebiótica, que estuda a evolução química que ocorreu antes do surgimento da vida na Terra. Tal área pertence ao ramo de pesquisa da Astrobiologia, que estuda o surgimento, a evolução, distribuição e futuro da vida na Terra ou em outro lugar do Universo. Dentre as várias hipóteses abordadas na química prebiótica, a hipótese mineral é foco de estudo deste trabalho, ou seja, se os minerais podem ter agido como preconcentradores ou protetores de moléculas biologicamente relevantes para a química prebiótica e como catalisadores de reações. A classe mineral de hidróxidos duplo lamelares (HDL) é estudada inicialmente considerando se sua síntese seria possível em um ambiente prebiótico. Desta forma, o HDL foi sintetizado por dois métodos de síntese (coprecipitação e reconstrução) e em quatro composições distintas de água do mar sintética, que mimetizam diferentes fases geológicas da Terra, os resultados mostraram a formação deste mineral em todas as composições de água do mar analisadas. Posteriormente, o estudo da interação de biomoléculas com HDL foi feito visando caracterizar se estas poderiam estar inseridas no espaço interlamelar deste mineral. O íon tiocianato, precursor de biomoléculas, e as bases nitrogenadas adenina, timina, e uracila mostraram-se presentes nas amostras de HDL sintetizadas pelos dois métodos, coprecipitação e reconstrução. As amostras foram caracterizadas por difratometria de raios X, análise termogravimétrica, análise elementar e por espectroscopia vibracional, Raman e no infravermelho. Embora os resultados iniciais indiquem que as biomoléculas possam estar interagindo com o mineral por adsorção e não necessariamente estejam intercaladas, estudos com lavagem das amostras com carbonato de sódio mostraram a troca iônica das biomoléculas pelo ânion inorgânico e sugerem que estas encontravam-se realmente no espaço interlamelar do mineral. Foram feitas então simulações de ambientes extremos nos sistemas HDL + biomoléculas para avaliar se a presença do mineral aumenta a estabilidade das biomoléculas frente a aquecimento, radiação UVC e radiação ionizante já que tais condições extremas estariam presentes na Terra primitiva / This thesis subject is related to prebiotic chemistry, which studies the chemical evolution that happened before the origin of life on Earth. This subject belongs to the Astrobiology research area, which studies the origin, evolution, distribution and future of life on Earth and elsewhere in the Universe. Among the many hypothesis that prebiotic chemistry encompass, the mineral hypothesis is the aim of this thesis, that is, if minerals could have had a role in preconcentrating and protecting molecules relevant to prebiotic chemistry, and also if they could have acted as catalists. The layered double hydroxide (LDH) minerals are studied and the first question is if they could have been synthetized in a prebiotic environment. Four different seawater compositions are analyzed, considering many geological periods of Earth, and two synthesis methods were studied: coprecipitation and reconstruction. The results showed that the LDHs are formed in all seawater types studied. Following these studies, we discuss whether biomolecules could be in the interlayer space of this mineral. Thiocyanate, a biomolecule precursor, and the nucleic acids adenine, thymine and uracil were present in the LDH samples synthetized either by coprecipitation and reconstruction, and they were characterized by X-Ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, elemental analysis and by vibrational spectroscopy: IR and Raman. Although the preliminary results showed that the biomolecules are not necessarily intercalated, but may simply be adsorbed on the minerals, after washing with a sodium carbonate solution, the biomolecules were replaced by the inorganic anion, suggesting that the former was in fact intercalated in the mineral. Extreme conditions simulations were then performed on the LDH plus biomolecules systems to evaluate whether the mineral may act as a protector and stabilize the biomolecules when these were heated or irradiated with UV-C and ionizing radiation, since such scenarios would be common on early Earth