The title of the thesis: The Identification of Substances in Real Samples Using Portable Raman Spectrometer The portable Raman spectrometer Ahura First Defender is a device designated for identifying unrecognized solid and liquid substances. The aim of this diploma thesis was to test the efficiency of the portable Raman spectrometer First Defender and to draw up a draft of the methodology for its manipulation. The objects of the investigation were the accuracy of results and collection of findings coming out of measuring tests using the device mentioned above. The introduction part briefly describes problems of chemical monitoring within Fire Rescue Service of the Czech Republic. As a partly solution of the problems could be the use of the portable spectrometer First Defender. Further are described problems of sampling and possibilities of sample detection through means of chemical reconnaissance. As next, there is described the device itself including the principle of Raman effect that allows the device to identify unrecognized solid and liquid chemical substances. The practical part explains the procedure and the way of applied measuring tests when using the device. The results are summarized in charts and the percentage of successful performed tests analyzed in charts. Findings concerning the manipulation with the device, methods for sample modification and the influence of sample matrix on the identification of selected chemicals in observed samples are introduced in the discussion. Professional knowledge and experience were used to draw up guidelines for the identification of substances in real samples conceived as general informational source describing procedures, rules, and recommendations. Upon all outcomes and findings, there was confirmed the hypothesis of greatly beneficial using Raman spectrometer in Fire Protection Units when identifying unknown substances at places of intervention at the end of the thesis.

L'utilisation de techniques de spectroscopie cohérente comme la diffusion Raman anti-Stokes cohérente (DRASC) sont communément utilisées pour l'analyse quantitative de milieux réactifs.Dans le cadre des progrès récents des sources lasers et des détecteurs, ce travail de thèse propose une adaptation de la technique de mesure de température au régime des impulsions ultra-courtes (femtoseconde, picoseconde) à haute cadence.Le développement d'un dispositif expérimental de DRASC en régime hybride fs/ps utilisant un laser femtoseconde et un réseau de Bragg en volume a permis de générer une impulsion de sonde de 30 ps. Dans la configuration choisie pour ce travail, la résolution spectrale est de 0,7 cm-1, ce qui réprésente l'état de l'art. Ce dispositif est appliqué à la spectroscopie ro-vibrationnelle de plusieurs espèces moléculaires.Pour décrire l'interaction dans ce régime temporel, un modèle de simulation des spectres DRASC est implémenté. Cette modélisation prend notamment en compte le profil en amplitude et phase de la sonde ainsi que son retard par rapport à l'excitation femtoseconde. L'influence des collisions moléculaires est discutée dans le cadre du régime hybride.Les ajustements des spectres calculés sur des spectres expérimentaux enregistrés dans l'air ambiant et dans une flamme de prémélange CH4/air, permettent de valider la modélisation proposée dans ce travail. En particulier, la température est mesurée à froid et à chaud à pression atmosphérique, avec une précision comparable à l'état de l'art dans le régime hybride fs/ps.Ce travail permet d'obtenir des résultats probants, et de valider la pertinence du montage développé pour la thermométrie. Fort de ces résultats, des applications en chambre de combustion réelles sont envisagées à court terme à l'ONERA, notamment par l'extrapolation du modèle à haute pression. / Coherent spectroscopy such as Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering (CARS) is commonly used for the study of reactive media.Following the recent progress encountered in laser sources and detectors, this thesis work proposes an adaptation of the technique for temperature measurements that exploits the ultra-short pulse regime (femtosecond, picosecond) to operate at high repetition-rate.The developed hybrid fs/ps-CARS setup delivers a 30-ps probe pulse using a femtosecond laser source and a Volume Bragg Grating. The obtained spectral resolution is 0,7 cm-1, which represents, within this pulse generation framework, the state of the art. This setup is applied to ro-vibrational spectroscopy of several molecular species.The interaction in the hybrid regime is described through a CARS simulation model that has been implemented. The modelling takes into account both the amplitude and the phase profiles of the probe pulse, and its delay to the femtosecond excitation. Influence of molecular collisions in the hybrid regime is also discussed.This modelling has been validated by fitting calculated spectra on experimental spectra recorded in ambient air, and in a premixed CH4/air flame. Temperature has been then measured at atmospheric pressure in these media. The precision is similar to the hybrid fs/ps-CARS thermometry state of the art.This work validates our N2 thermometry approach based on both the developed CARS setup and simulation model. Short term perspectives of this work are measurements on real combustion chambers at ONERA, by extrapolating our simulation model at high pressure.

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2017-06-09T12:29:52Z No. of bitstreams: 1 leonardedonascimentorodrigues.pdf: 2214371 bytes, checksum: 63b390c0d1258662578ebfbb5c79419b (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2017-06-26T20:28:58Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 leonardedonascimentorodrigues.pdf: 2214371 bytes, checksum: 63b390c0d1258662578ebfbb5c79419b (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-26T20:28:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 leonardedonascimentorodrigues.pdf: 2214371 bytes, checksum: 63b390c0d1258662578ebfbb5c79419b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-09-16 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / O espalhamento inelástico de luz tem sido extensivamente utilizado no estudo de materiais semicondutores e se tornou uma técnica indispensável para o entendimento de processos físicos fundamentais. Os efeitos das interações em sistemas eletrônicos quantizados como o gás de elétrons bidimensional foram investigados por meio do espalhamento inelástico de luz, o qual permite entender a natureza das excitações coletivas que são conhecidas como excitações de densidade de carga (CDE) e excitações de densidade de spin (SDE). CDE são oscilações plasmônicas resultantes do acoplamento entre as flutuações de carga via interações de Coulomb e correlação e troca, enquanto SDE ocorrem apenas em decorrência da presença dos efeitos de correlação e troca. CDE são ativas quando a energia do laser é ressonante com o gap óptico do semicondutor (regime de ressonância próxima) e as polarizações da luz incidente e espalhada são paralelas entre si. SDE é também ativa em condições de ressonância próxima e possui polarizações da luz incidente e espalhada perpendiculares entre si. Todavia, tal cenário rompe quando a luz do laser coincide com as energia das transições interbandas do material (regime de ressonância extrema). Em adição as excitações coletivas emergem transições anômalas de gás de elétrons tipo não interagente conhecidas como excitações de partícula independente (SPE). A física envolvida em tais transições ainda parece não ser completamente entendida. Neste trabalho, são apresentados resultados experimentais e teóricos via espalhamento Raman eletrônico oriundos de gás de elétrons bidimensional realizados a partir de poços quânticos simples com o intuito de compreender a natureza das excitações de partícula independente. A medida experimental e os cálculos presentes na tese consistem de um poço quântico simples de 250Å de GaAs (arseneto de gálio) com dopagem modular e densidade eletrônica total de 8.81 x 1011cm-2. Também foi considerado o acoplamento das flutuações de densidade de carga com o fônon óptico longitudinal do GaAs. Em adição, é realizado um cálculo teórico de uma estrutura de poço quântico simples considerado estreito de 100Å de GaAs com dopagem modular e densidade eletrônica total de 1.2 x 1012cm-2. Portanto, o objetivo deste trabalho é mostrar em um caminho claro e transparente a situação física da existência das excitações eletrônicas em gás de elétrons. O trabalho mostrou que, no regime de extrema ressonância, as oscilações de plasma se dividem em duas contribuições: um conjunto de excitações coletivas renormalizadas (plasmons) e transições eletrônicas não renormalizadas (SPE). A fim de alcançar esse propósito, o trabalho evidenciou que o espalhamento Raman eletrônico pertence a uma mesma classe de problemas como o oscilador harmônico amortecido, acoplado e forçado assim como o estado supercondutor na teoria BCS de metais normais. A comparação entre os dados experimentais e teóricos mostrou um excelente acordo. / The inelastic light scattering has been widely used in the study of the semiconductor materials and it has become an indispensable technique for the understanding of fundamental physical processes. The effects of the electronic interactions on quantized electronic systems as two-dimensional electron gas are investigated through means of Raman scattering which allows understand the nature of collective excitations which are known as charge density excitations (CDE) and spin density excitations (SDE). CDE are plasmonic oscillations arising from the coupling between charge fluctuations via Coulombian and exchange-correlation interactions while SDE occur only when exchange-correlation effects are present. CDE is active when the laser energy is resonant with a semiconductor optical gap (near resonance regime) and the incoming and outgoing light polarizations are parallel to each other and SDE has incoming and outgoing light polarizations perpendicular to each other. Nevertheless, such a picture breaks down when the laser matches interband transitions energies of the material (extreme resonance regime). In addition to the collective excitations emerge anomalous transitions of the electron gas noninteracting-like known as single-particle excitations (SPE). The physics of such transitions is still not completely understood. In this work, were present experimental and theoretical results via electronic Raman scattering originating from the two-dimensional electron gas carried out from single quantum wells with the aim of understand the nature of the single-particle excitations. The experimental measures and calculations present in the thesis consists of the GaAs (gallium arsenide) single quantum well of a 250Å wide with modulation-doped and total electronic density of 8.81 x 1011cm2. It was also considered the coupling of the charge fluctuations with the longitudinal optical phonon of GaAs. In addition, it is performed a theoretical calculation of a structure of the GaAs single quantum well considered narrow of a 100Å wide with modulation-doped and and total electronic density of 1.2 x 1012cm2. However, the goal of this work is to show in a clear and transparent way the physical situation of the existence of electronic excitaions in electron gas. The work showed that, in extreme resonance regime, the plasma oscillations splits into two contributions: a set of renormalized collective excitations (plasmons) and unrenormalized electronic transitions (SPE). In order to accomplish this purpose, the study showed that electronic Raman scattering belongs to the same class of problems such as a set of forced, coupled and damped harmonic oscillators or formation of the superconducting state in BCS theory of normal metals. Comparison between experiment and theory shows an excellent agreement.

Detection of explosives has always been a challenging issue all over the world. Different analytical techniques and instrumentation methods have been explored to obtain a 100% fail proof detector. Some technologies have matured and have been deployed in the field already. However, active research is still being pursued to make the ultimate explosive detection device. The present thesis broadly addresses the development of Raman spectroscopy based techniques for the detection of explosives. Although Raman spectroscopy has technologically developed and has become a regular tool for chemical identification, its use in the field of detection of explosives has been limited. Two aspects of detection were addressed in this thesis. The first part consists of the detection of minute quantities or traces of explosives using a Raman based method. In order to approach this problem, surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), an offshoot of Raman spectroscopy was explored. Chapters 2-4 deal with developing efficient SERS substrates. In this endeavour, the first and the most obvious choice as SERS substrates were silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs). However, we were exploring methods that could be simple one-pot synthesis methods, cost-effective and without employing strong reducing agents (green). Therefore, Ag NPs were synthesized using biosynthetic route. These nanoparticles were used to study their SERS efficiency. Sub-nano molar concentration of dye as well explosive like trinitrotoluene (TNT) and hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (CL-20) could be obtained for both the clove reduced as well as pepper Ag nanoparticles. Hence Ag NPs are very efficient SERS substrates. In the second part of the work on SERS, bimetallic nanoparticles with core-shell (Agcore-Aushell) architecture were synthesized, characterized and tested for SERS activity. After successful synthesis and characterization of the bimetallic nanoparticles, these were tested for their SERS activities using a dye molecule and an explosive molecule. SERS spectra could be obtained for the bimetallic nanoparticles. It was observed that the sensitivity of these NPs were almost at par with the mono-metallic Ag NPs. In order to bring SERS from laboratory to field, a more practical approach was to prepare solid SERS substrates or SERS substrates on solid platform. In the next chapter, we ventured into the most abundant material which forms the backbone of the organic world, carbon. Various carbonaceous materials ranging from chemically synthesized graphene, graphene oxide, multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT), graphite and activated charcoal were explored as potential substrates for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopic applications. The analytes chosen for this particular study were some fluorescent molecules such as rhodamine B (RB), rhodamine 6G (R6G), crystal violet (CV), Nile blue A (NBA) and a non-fluorescent molecule acetaminophen, commonly known as paracetamol. Enhanced Raman signals were observed for the fluorescent molecules, especially for the molecules whose absorbance maxima are near the excitation wavelength of the laser (514.5 nm). The most interesting outcome of this work was obtaining enhanced Raman signals of nanomolar concentration of R6G on activated charcoal. However, for the non-fluorescent molecule, paracetamol, Raman spectra could not be observed beyond -5 10M concentration for all the carbon substrates including chemically synthesized graphene and MWCNT. This study was crucial in our quest for an ideal SERS substrate. Our observations let us to conclude that chemically synthesized graphene was not the only candidate for the preparation of SERS substrates. Since carbon materials efficiently adsorb and also provide a separate channel for energy decay (fluorescence quenching), even activated charcoal could be employed as a SERS platform. However, carbon alone could not provide an effective solution for the preparation of SERS substrates. Therefore, combining the plasmonic effect of the metal nanoparticles with the efficient adsorption and fluorescence quenching of carbon materials would be ideal. In the next part of the carbon studies, graphene-Ag composites which were either prepared by in situ reduction process or physically mixed were studied for SERS activity. An ideal SERS substrate should possess the following properties: (i) Support plasmon, thereby provide SERS enhancement (ii) Easy to fabricate or synthesize (large scale/bulk) (iii) Ensure high reproducibility and sensitivity (iv) Low false alarm from matrix chemicals (v) Cost effective (vi) Solid substrate (in the form of chip, pellet, slide etc.) Hence, as a final study, carbon silver based composites were explored. R6G was chosen as an analyte again and SERS experiments were conducted. Raman signals at low concentration could be obtained for the carbon-Ag composites as well. In addition, feasibility experiments were also conducted for an explosive molecule, FOX-7. From these preliminary experiments we observed that carbon-metal NP composites can be efficient, cost-effective SERS substrates that will overcome the current issue. The previous chapters dealt with the trace detection of explosives. The next part of the thesis deals with the development of the Raman spectroscopic methods for non-invasive detection of concealed objects. Chapters 4 and 5 primarily focus on explosives detection. Spatially offset Raman spectroscopy (SORS) instrumentation was developed in the laboratory for non-invasive detection solid and liquid explosives. Several experiments were carried out to detect concealed materials inside high density polyethylene (HDPE) containers, coloured glass bottles, envelopes etc. with this technique, Raman signals of materials could be retrieved even within 4 mm thick outer-layer. SORS imaging experiments were also performed on bilayered compounds, tablets etc. However, while performing the SORS experiments, it was observed that due to the restriction in geometry imposed by the method, the signals from the inner-layers could be obtained only up to a certain depth. This posed a serious limitation of SORS for practical scenarios, where the thickness of the outer layer may be tens of mm. In such situation, SORS may not be an effective method. We then performed Raman experiments using a transmission geometry using a series of samples. The transmission Raman (TR) experiments yielded better SNR for the inner (concealed) material as compared to the outer material. Although transmission Raman experiments yielded better signal but these experiments were again geometry dependent, hence, less flexible and TR experiments did not provide information about the position of the underlying materials. In order to obtain complete information, it was necessary to understand photon migration in a multiple scattering medium. It is known that a photon in a multiple scattering medium may be approximated to undergo a random-walk. Statistically, the photon that undergoes multiple scattering in a medium loses its sense of origin (direction), hence, there is a finite probability to observe the exiting photon in any direction. Rayleigh and NIR based imaging modalities have been conducted using this model. Diffuse optical tomographic (DOT) measurements also deal with measuring the photons that have exited the sample after undergoing multiple scattering in a turbid medium. If it was possible to collect the Rayleigh photons or the diffuse photons in DOT experiments, in principle, Raman photons could also be collected from several directions. It was then proposed that if Rayleigh scattered photons can exit at 4π solid angle from a sample, then it can be assumed that some Rayleigh photons may convert to Raman photons, which in turn, shall have a finite probability to exit the sample from all the sides (4π solid angles). This idea of collecting Raman photons has never been discussed before! Thus, as expected based on the above principles, we were able to record Raman scattered photons at all angles and on all sides. This new technique has been termed as ‘Universal Multiple Angle Raman Spectroscopy (UMARS)’. Monte Carlo simulation studies were also performed to understand the distribution of photons in a multiple scattering medium. Simulation studies also revealed that Raman photons exited from all sides of the medium at varying percentages. Hence, several fiber optic probes were designed for illumination and collection to perform the UMARS experiments for samples concealed at depths beyond 20 mm. UMARS was not only applied successfully for the detection of concealed explosives, but also for biologically relevant samples as well. In fact a pharmaceutical tablet as thick as 7 mm was also tested with UMARS and signals could be successfully obtained. Since the UMARS signals were obtained from all possible angles, imaging experiments were also conducted to obtain sample specific information. Frequency-specific images of bilayer materials could be obtained. In the case where one material was concealed within another, the reconstruction of the frequency-specific intensities in a contour plot revealed the position of the concealed layer. One of the most challenging and exciting studies that was conducted was to use UMARS to obtain shapes of hidden materials. Several shapes such as dumbbell, ellipsoid etc were fabricated (made of glass) and were filled with a test chemical, trans-stilbene (TS). This shape was placed inside an outer material like ammonium nitrate (AN) that was taken in a glass beaker. The diameter of the beaker was varied from 25 mm to 60 mm. A series of UMARS measurement was carried out with 10 collection fiber optic probes. The spatial resolution (vertical) was varied from 200 μm to 1 mm. Series of UMARS images were obtained which were then processed and the intensity of the individual fibers were averaged (CCD row pixels) based on the image of the individual fiber on the CCD. The frequency specific intensity of the materials was utilized to reconstruct 2D or a 3D shape. The shapes of the objects could be clearly discerned using UMARS imaging. This marks a major step for the development of UMARS as a 3D imaging modality. UMARS experiments conducted so far have affirmed our belief that this technology can be used as an effective technique for screening solid and liquid samples at airports, railway stations and other entry points. 3D imaging for biomedical diagnostics will provide molecular information in addition to the location and shape of an object inside a tissue such as calcified masses and bones. In the final part of the thesis, 2D Raman correlation spectroscopic method was applied to understand the dynamics of a system that was subjected to external perturbation. In the field of explosive processing and formulations, large batches are generally prepared. However, it is very difficult to ascertain the molecular or structural changes that occur during the processing of these formulations in situ. Analytical methods to monitor the changes online are limited. Raman spectroscopy can be an effective technique for such measurements. This process however, generates a large number of spectra. In such cases, it becomes cumbersome to handle such large number of data and obtain meaningful information. 2D correlation spectroscopy can be applied under such situations. 2D correlation analysis generates essentially two maps, synchronous and asynchronous. In this study, 2D Raman correlation spectroscopy was applied to ammonium nitrate that was subjected to temperature variations. 2D maps were constructed to obtain information about the structural changes associated with temperature. The synchronous map reveals the overall similarity of the intensity changes. Whereas, the 2D asynchronous maps provide the sequence of changes that occur. Based on the set of well defined rules proposed by Isao Noda, the synchronous and the asynchronous correlation maps were analysed. Hence, generalized 2D correlation spectroscopy can be extended to any kind of perturbation and will prove useful in understanding the structural dynamics. The objective of the thesis was to explore various facets of Raman spectroscopy that would be useful in the field of high energy materials specifically in the detection of explosives. Attempts were made for the development of trace detection of explosives using Raman based technique, SERS. In addition, bulk detection of concealed explosives was performed non-invasively using SORS and UMARS. In the field of high energy materials, these techniques will find immense applications. Raman spectroscopy, as we saw is a very important technique that can be used as a stand-alone method and can also be interfaced with other analytical or imaging modalities. This treatise is an example where the strength of this powerful spectroscopic method has been explored to some extent.

Dans cette thèse, nous proposons l'utilisation d'un nouveau type de fibre à cristal photonique, la fibre Kagomé à coeur creux, pour la livraison d'impulsions ultra-courtes en endoscopie non linéaire. Ces fibres permettent la livraison d'impulsions sans distorsion sur une large bande spectrale, avec un faible bruit de fond, grâce à la propagation dans le cœur creux. Nous avons résolu le problème de la résolution spatiale, à l'aide d'une microbille en silice, insérée dans le cœur de la fibre Kagomé. Nous avons développé un système d'imagerie compacte, qui utilise un tube piézo-électrique pour le balayage du faisceau, un système achromatiques de microlentilles et une fibre Kagomé double gaine, spécialement conçue pour l'endoscopie. Avec ce système, nous avons réussi à imager des tissus biologiques, à l'extrémité distale de la fibre (endoscopie), en utilisant des différentes techniques tels que TPEF, SHG et CARS, un résultat qui ne trouve pas d'égal dans la littérature actuelle. L'intégration dans une sonde portable (4,2 mm de diamètre) montre le potentiel de ce système pour de futures applications en endoscopie multimodale in-vivo. / In this thesis, we propose the use of a novel type of photonic crystal fiber, the Kagomé lattice hollow core fiber, for the delivery of ultra-short pulses in nonlinear endoscopy. These fibers allow undistorted pulse delivery, over a broad transmission window, with minimum background signal generated in the fiber, thanks to the propagation in a hollow-core. We solved the problem of spatial resolution, by means of a silica micro-bead inserted in the Kagomé fiber large core. We have developed a miniature imaging system, based on a piezo-electric tube scanner, an achromatic micro-lenses assembly and a specifically designed Kagomé double-clad fiber. With this system we were able to image biological tissues, in endoscope modality, activating different contrasts such as TPEF, SHG and CARS, at the distal end of the fiber, a result which finds no equal in current literature. The integration in a portable probe (4.2 mm in diameter) shows the potential of this system for future in-vivo multimodal endoscopy.

L'objectif de cette thèse est d'étudier des variations de composition de verres ou l'intégration de nanostructures métalliques pouvant présenter un intérêt pour les capteurs à fibres optiques répartis (CFO). Ces capteurs utilisent le coeur des fibres optiques constitué majoritairement de silice (SiO2) pour sonder la température ou les déformations sur des parcours plurikilométriques de fibres. A cette fin, les rétrodiffusions Raman et Brillouin dans les fibres optiques sont utilisées, la diffusion Raman étant sensible aux variations de température et la diffusion Brillouin aux variations de température et de déformation. L'intensité de diffusion Raman peut-être exaltée au contact de nanostructures de métaux nobles, par l'intermédiaire de l'effet SERS (Diffusion Raman Exaltée de Surface) faisant intervenir notamment la résonance plasmon de surface (SPR), oscillation collective des électrons libres à la surface métallique générant une large amplification du champ électrique local. L'intégration de nanostructures métalliques dans les fibres optiques pourrait permettre d'augmenter l'intensité de rétrodiffusion Raman et améliorer les performances des CFO (sensibilité, temps d'intégration…). Une étude sur des échantillons modèles, constitués de substrats SERS nanostructurés d'or et recouvert de silice par dépôt sol-gel, est présentée dans ce manuscrit. Les résultats SERS ainsi obtenus permettent de caractériser le phénomène physique du SERS de SiO2 et de prédire sa potentielle utilité dans les CFO Raman / The purpose of this thesis is to study composition variations of silicate glasses or the integration of metallic nanostructures that may be relevant for distributed fiber optic sensors (FOS). These sensors use optical fiber cores mainly composed of silica (SiO2) to probe temperature or strain on multi-kilometer route fibers. To measure these effects, Raman and Brillouin backscattering in optical fibers are used, Raman scattering being sensitive to temperature variations and Brillouin scattering to temperature and strain variations. Raman scattering intensity may be enhanced in conjunction with noble metal nanostructures via the SERS effect (Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering) which involves surface plasmon resonance (SPR), a collective oscillation of free electrons at the metal surface generating a large amplification of the local electric field. The integration of metallic nanostructures in optical fibers could increase Raman backscattering intensity and improve FOS performance (sensitivity, integration time…). A study on model samples has been performed with SERS substrates consisting of gold nanostructures and coated with a sol-gel oxide deposition (TiO2, SiO2). The obtained SERS results are used to predict the contribution of metallic nanostructures in Raman distributed temperature FOS

Nanoscience dominates almost all areas of science and technology in the 21st century. Nanoparticles are of fundamental interest since they possess unique size dependent properties (optical, electrical, mechanical, chemical, magnetic etc.), which are quite different from the bulk and the atomic state. The research work presented in the thesis is on the preparation, characterization and studies on Ir, Os and graphene oxide-based systems. Interconnected Ir and Os nanochains are prepared under environmentally friendly conditions in aqueous media and subsequently used as substrates for surface enhanced Raman scaterring studies and also as electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction and formaldehyde oxidation. Ir and IrOx nanostructures are prepared using borohydride at different temperatures. The nature of interaction of heme proteins with IrOx is studied using spectroscopic techniques. Electrochemical studies on reduced graphene oxide include sensing of biomolecules with high sensitivity and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in aqueous alkaline medium. rGO is also used as support for anchoring Ir nanoparticles and the catalyst is used for the oxidation of benzyl amines to corresponding imines. The thesis is divided in to seven chapters and details are given below. Chapter 1 gives an introduction about the synthetic strategies and properties of metal nanostructures. This is followed by literature survey on Ir, Os and graphene oxide-based systems relevant to the present study. Aim and scope of the present investigation is given at the end. Chapter 2 discusses the experimental procedures and characterization techniques used in the present study. Chapter 3 involves the preparation, characterization and studies on interconnected Ir nanochains. Assemblies of small sized nanoparticles forming network-like structures have attracted enormous interest and different metal nanoassemblies have been reported using different procedures. Ir3+ reduction is kinetically not a very favourable process and hence there are not many attempts to synthesize Ir-based nanostructures. Assemblies of interconnected Ir nanoparticles have been synthesized in the present studies using borohydride as reducing agent and ascorbic acid as capping agent, at high temperatures. Polyfunctional capping molecules such as ascorbic acid and vitamin P play important role for the formation of network- like Ir nanostructures. Optical properties of the networks are probed using UV-Vis spectroscopy and evolution of coupled plasmon of Ir nanochains at 418 nm (figure 1) is observed. The nanochains are used as substrates for SERS studies while the catalytic activity is followed for the reduction of nitroaromatics. Electrocatalytic activity of Ir nanochains is exemplified using oxygen reduction and formaldehyde oxidation. Ir nanochains show better electrocatalytic activities than nanoparticles as shown in figure 2. Figure 1. Time dependent UV-Vis absorption spectra of Ir nanoparticles recorded at various time intervals of (a) 5; (b) 15; (c) 30 and (d) 60 minutes of reduction of Ir3+ using borohydride and the corresponding TEM images. Figure 2. Polarization curves for oxygen reduction on (i) Ir nanochains and (ii) Ir nanoparticles in (A) 0.5 M H2SO4 and (B) 0.1 M KOH at a scan rate of 0.005 V/s. Rotation speed used is 1000 rpm. Chapter 4 discusses the preparation of Ir and IrOx using borohydride. The reaction temperature determines the product. Various physicochemical, microscopic and spectroscopic techniques have been used to understand the evolution of nanostructures. Borohydride reduces Ir3+ at high temperatures to form high surface area foams, while at 25oC, it results in an alkaline environment that helps in the hydrolysis of the Ir precursor to form IrOx nanoparticles. Porous IrOx is formed when Ir foams are annealed at high temperatures. Water oxidation has been demonstrated using IrOx nanoparticles and foams. Biocompatibility of IrOx is used to study the nature of interaction of heme proteins and the formation of bioconjugates using spectroscopic techniques. IrOx forms bioconjugates with substantial changes observed in secondary and tertiary structures of proteins. Chapter 5 explores the synthesis of interconnected ultrafine Os nanoclusters and the nanostructured materials are used as SERS substrates. Os nanochains are prepared under environmentally friendly conditions using polyfunctional molecules like ascorbic acid and vitamin P as both reducing agent and capping agent in aqueous media. Small sized (1-1.5 nm) Os nanoparticles spontaneously self-assemble to form clusters of few tens of nm that in turn self-organize to form branched nanochains of several microns in size. The as-formed nanochains show surface plasmon absorption in the visible region 540 nm which make them active substrates for surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) studies. High SERS activity is observed for fluorescent analyte, rhodamine 6G and non-fluorescent analyte, mercaptopyridine, with different laser excitation sources. Efficient energy transfer from fluorescent R6G dye to Os nanochains is observed based on steady state and time resolved fluorescence measurements.Figure 3. (I) Time dependent UV-Vis absorption spectra of Os nanochains recorded at different time intervals of (a) 5; (b) 7; (c) 15; (d) 30 and (e) 60 minutes. Inset shows the TEM images of Os nanochains after 60 minutes of reduction. (II) SERS spectra of 4-MPy adsorbed on Os nanochains from (a) 1 mM; (b) 10 µM and (c) 1 µM solutions using 514 nm laser excitation. Chapter 6 discusses the studies based on reduced graphene oxide. Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) is explored as electrodes for simultaneous determination of dopamine (DA), ascorbic acid (AA) and uric acid (UA) at low concentrations useful in medical diagnostics (figure 4A). It is also used as metal-free electrocatalyst for ORR (figure 4B). The use of rGO as a support for anchoring Ir nanoparticles is probed and subsequently the Ir/rGO is used as catalyst for direct aerobic oxidation of benzyl amine derivatives to corresponding imines. Chapter 7 describes the summary of the work and scope for further studies. Appendix 1 discusses the preparation of different Ir nanostructures using simple galvanic displacement reaction on copper foil while appendix 2 describes the preparation of different sized Ir nanoparticles and their electrocatalytic activity towards oxygen reduction reaction

Ce travail présente une méthode originale de détection et de quantification, sans étape de marquage, de la proportion de bases libres contenues dans des acides nucléiques. La spectrométrie de diffusion Raman exaltée de surface (DRES ou SERS en anglais) nous a permis d’obtenir la signature spectrale spécifique des nucléotides caractéristiques des ARN (adénosine, cytosine, guanosine et uridine), en utilisant des colloïdes d’argent comme substrat-DRES et des ajouts de MgCl2 comme agent d’agrégation. Les conditions de détection ont été optimisées pour établir un protocole de quantification de la proportion des nucléobases non-appariées par spectrométrie DRES. Les limites de détection obtenues sont de l’ordre de quelques dizaines de picomoles. L’amélioration de la reproductibilité des mesures par spectrométrie DRES passe par le contrôle précis des temps de réaction (adsorption et agrégation), qui peut être contrôlé grâce à l’utilisation de plateformes microfluidiques adaptées. Nous avons mis en œuvre deux types de plateformes microfluidiques, l’une basée sur des écoulements monophasiques et l’autre sur la génération de gouttes. Les espèces à analyser sont contenus dans les gouttes, permettant la détection in situ par spectrométrie DRES des divers nucléotides. / This work deals with the development of an original label-free method for free bases proportions detection and quantification of nucleic acids. The surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) allowed obtaining the specific spectral signature of characteristic nucleotides of RNA (adenosine, cytosine, guanosine and uridine), using silver colloids as SERS substrate and MgCl2 addition as aggregating agent. Then, the condition detection have optimizing to establish a label-free quantification protocol of free nucleobases proportion by SERS spectroscopy. The detection limits obtained are order of few picomoles. The reproducibility improvement of SERS detection requires the precise control of time reaction (adsorption and aggregation), which could be control thanks to microfluidic chips use. We have implemented two different microfluidic chips, one based on single-phase flows and one other based on droplets generation. The analyzed species are containing in droplets, allowing in situ detection by spectroscopy SERS of various nucleotides.

Orientador: Carlos Lenz César / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Física Gleb Wataghin / Made available in DSpace on 2018-09-01T03:43:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Pelegati_VitorBianchin_D.pdf: 6822381 bytes, checksum: 86749ce34dc184aeb7ed4b4ee47d70b3 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016 / Resumo: Técnicas de microscopias ópticas são as principais ferramentas capazes de observar células e tecidos biológicos em tempo real e com mínimo dano. Essa área foi revolucionada recentemente através das microscopias confocais de varredura a laser e as microscopias de óptica não linear, naturalmente confocais. Entre os processos não lineares temos, a fluorescência excitada por dois ou mais fótons, geração de segundo harmônico [Second Harmonic Generation - SHG] e terceiro harmônico [Third Harmonic Generation - THG]. SHG e THG são técnicas de óptica não linear coerentes, não necessitam de marcadores exógenos e permitem reconstrução de imagens em três dimensões com resolução espacial subcelular. As técnicas de fluorescência permitem visualizar estruturas específicas no espaço, mas não permitem discriminar as substâncias químicas nas estruturas celulares, e as técnicas de SHG e THG não possuem especificidade química. Espectroscopia Raman possui especificidade química através das propriedades vibracionais das moléculas e pode ser usada como mecanismo de contraste na aquisição de imagens. Comparada com a espectroscopia/microscopia infravermelho, a microscopia Raman traz a informação das vibrações moleculares do infravermelho para o visível, eliminando os problemas da baixa resolução espacial e opacidade das amostras. Entretanto a baixa sensibilidade dessa técnica implica em tempos de aquisição de imagens muito longos, da ordem de horas, inviabilizando acompanhar a dinâmica de processos celulares em tempo real. Como solução para essa baixa sensibilidade do espalhamento Raman espontâneo, surgiu a microscopia por espalhamento Raman Coerente anti-Stokes [Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering - CARS]. Comparado com Raman espontâneo, a microscopia CARS representa aumento de 4 a 5 ordens de grandeza na sensitividade da técnica, diminuindo os tempos de aquisição ao ponto de viabilizar a aquisição em taxas de vídeos (mais rápido do que 30 quadros por segundo) e estudos em tempo real. Essa tese é dedicada ao estudo experimental e teórico, assim como de algumas aplicações, das técnicas de óptica não linear, com destaque para processos de óptica não linear coerentes. Apresentamos de forma detalhada três sistemas experimentais para a aquisição de imagens de Raman coerente e um sistema integrado com várias técnicas de óptica não linear. Mostramos as primeiras imagens de CARS realizadas no Brasil. Além do CARS convencional, trabalhamos com outra técnica de CARS de ordem mais alta, o CARS cascata [cascade CARS - CCARS], e, no melhor do nosso conhecimento, apresentamos as primeiras imagens internacionais obtidas com essa metodologia. CCARS aumenta o contraste da técnica CARS, diminuindo o fundo não ressonante, um problema que aflige a comunidade científica dedicada ao uso dessa técnica. Além da diminuição do fundo não ressonante, a emissão do CCARS acontece em um comprimento de onda diferente de qualquer outro efeito não linear coerente, significando um acréscimo de complexidade mínimo para sua detecção quando comparado com o CARS. Por último mostramos algumas aplicações realizadas com o sistema experimental desenvolvido para integrar diversas modalidades ópticas em paralelo, especialmente da geração de harmônicos com a fluorescência excitada por dois fótons e suas variantes, como microscopia de tempo de vida de fluorescência (Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging ¿ FLIM) / Abstract: Optical microscopies techniques are the main tools capable of observing cell and biological tissues in real time and with minimum damage. This area have recently been revolutionized by confocal laser scanning microscopies and non-linear microscopies, naturally confocal. Among the non-linear process we have, the two or more photons excited fluorescence, second harmonic generation [SHG] and third harmonic generation [THG]. SHG and THG are coherent nonlinear techniques, they do not require exogenous markers and allow three dimension imaging reconstruction with subcellular resolution. The fluorescence techniques allow visualizing specific structures in space, but do not allow discriminating the chemical substances in cellular structures, SHG and THG techniques do not have chemical specificity. Raman spectroscopy has chemical specificity through the vibrational properties of the molecules and can be used as a contrast mechanism for imaging acquisition. Compared to infrared spectroscopy/microscopy, Raman microscopy brings information about molecular vibration from infrared to visible, eliminating the low resolution and sample opacity problems. However, this technique low sensibility implies in very long imaging acquisition times, order of hours, making it not viable for following cellular process dynamics in real time. As an answer for the spontaneous Raman scattering low sensibility, the coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering [CARS] emerged. Compared to spontaneous Raman, CARS microscopy presents an increase of 4 to 5 orders of magnitude in the sensitivity of the technique, lowering the acquisition times to the point of making video acquisition (faster than 30 frames per second) and real time studies possible. This thesis is dedicated to the experimental and theoretical study, as well as some applications, of the non-linear techniques, with emphasis on coherent non-linear optical processes. We present in detailed form three experimental systems for the acquisition of coherent Raman images, and a system with the integration of various non-linear techniques. We show the first CARS images acquired in Brazil. In addition to conventional CARS, we worked with other higher order CARS technique, the cascade CARS [CCARS], and, in the best of our knowledge, we present the first international image acquired with this methodology. CCARS increases the contrast from CARS technique, decreasing the non-resonant background, a problem that afflicts the scientific community dedicated to the use of this technique. Besides the decrease of the non-resonant background, the CCARS emission occurs in a different wavelength from any other non-linear coherent effect, meaning a minimum complexity increase for its detection when compared with CARS. Finally we show some applications performed with the experimental system developed to integrate several optical modalities in parallel, especially the generation of harmonics with two photons excitation fluorescence and their variants such as Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging [FLIM] / Doutorado / Física / Doutor em Ciências / 830406/2010 / CAPES

Die Charakterisierung der Protein-Nanopartikel-Wechselwirkungen in komplexen biomolekularen Systemen wie einer lebenden Zelle ist für die Pharma-, Medizin- und Umweltforschung von entscheidender Bedeutung. In solchen biomolekularen Systemen adsorbieren Proteine leicht auf der Oberfläche von Nanopartikeln, die die Proteinkorona bilden. Diese Arbeit konzentriert sich auf die Charakterisierung der Proteinkorona in lebenden Zellen, wobei verschiedene analytische Ansätze kombiniert werden. Experimente mit oberflächenverstärkter Raman-Streuung (SERS) an reinen Proteinlösungen zeigten die Konzentrationsabhängigkeit der Protein-Gold-Nanopartikel-Wechselwirkungen, die zu unterschiedlichen SERS-Spektren führten und ermöglichten die Bestimmung von Proteinsegmenten, die an Citrat-stabilisierte Gold-Nanopartikel binden. In SERS-Experimenten mit lebenden Zellen wurde die Anwesenheit von Proteinfragmenten in der innersten Schicht der Proteinkorona, die als harte Proteinkorona bezeichnet wird, festgestellt. Eine analytische Methode, die Natriumdodecylsulfat-Polyacrylamid-Gelelektrophorese und Hochleistungs-Flüssigchromatographie-gekoppelte Elektrospray-Ionisations-Massenspektrometrie kombiniert, wurde entwickelt, um die Bestandteile der Hartproteinkorona zu identifizieren. Die Proteomics-, SERS- und Cryo-Soft-X-Ray-Nanotomographiedaten, wobei letztere Informationen über die dreidimensionale Ultrastruktur der Zelle liefern, zeigen den Aufnahmemechanismus, die Verarbeitung, die Akkumulationsstelle, die molekulare Umgebung und die induzierten zellulären Reaktionen internalisierter Goldnanopartikel. Diese Arbeit validiert die Verwendung von SERS bei der Analyse der Proteinkorona in der Lösung von Modellproteinen und in lebenden Zellen und präsentiert eine geeignete Methode zur Analyse der unveränderten harten Proteinkorona, die in lebenden Zellen gebildet wird. / The characterization of the protein-nanoparticle interactions in complex biomolecular systems such as a living cell is vital for pharmaceutical, medical, and environmental research fields. In such biomolecular systems, proteins readily adsorb on the surface of nanoparticles forming the protein corona. This thesis focuses on the characterization of the protein corona in living cells combining different analytical approaches. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) experiments on pure protein solutions revealed the concentration dependence of the protein-gold nanoparticle interactions resulting in different SERS spectra, and allowed for the determination of protein segments binding to citrate-stabilized gold nanoparticles. In live cell SERS experiments, the presence of protein fragments in the innermost layer of the protein corona, called the hard protein corona, was revealed. An analytical method combining sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and high-performance liquid chromatography-coupled electrospray ionization mass spectrometry was developed to identify the constituents of the hard protein corona. The proteomics, SERS, and cryo soft X-ray nanotomography data, the latter providing information of the three dimensional ultrastructure of the cell, reveal the uptake mechanism, processing, accumulation site, molecular environment, and the induced cellular responses of internalized gold nanoparticles. This work validates the use of SERS in the analysis of the protein corona in the solution of model proteins and in living cells, and presents a suitable method for the analysis of the unaltered hard protein corona formed in living cells.