Plasmonic nanostructures, like noble metal, have gained large attention due to their plasmonic properties so they can reach areas like electronics, photo-catalysis, biomedicine, and sensing. Plasmonic nanomaterials are known for their local surface plasmon resonance and enhanced electromagnetic field and wavelength dependence. The higher the electromagnetic field at the surface of the nanoparticles can interact with nearby molecules, the bigger the influence is on the intensity of the molecule signals. This phenomenon is called surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and plasmonic enhanced fluorescence (PEF), which enable the plasmonic nanomaterials as a signal amplifier. By using these plasmonic nanostructures as a signal amplifier, SERS and PEF have become ultrasensitive methods in biomedicine and biosensing. Plasmonic biosensing is fast and label-free detection of biologically relevant analytes in real time. The objective of my doctoral dissertation focusses on developing new plasmonic nanostructures for detecting biomarkers related to cancers and some other diseases based on hybrid platforms. In this work, a newly spiky nanostructure was developed, internal standard Raman molecules were embedded into the nanostructure for quantitative SERS detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons molecules. Then the morphology and dispersity of this nanostructure were optimized to get an approximately fusiform shape, which showed a stable, reproducible and high SERS signals. This nanostructure was furtherly functionalized by double strand DNA and aptamer, showing a good performance in drug delivery and detecting circulating tumor cells. Inspired by the mechanism of SERS, a SERS and PEF dual model sensor based on plasmonic nanostructures and newly synthesized probe molecules was developed. This dual model sensor combined the advantages of SERS and PEF and exhibited a lower limit of detection of γ-glutamyl transferase in living cells. This dissertation contains the fabrication of newly plasmonic nanostructures and utilizing them in bioanalysis.

No description available.

Laser Raman Spectroscopy (LRS) has received worldwide acknowledgement as a powerful molecular ‘finger print’ technique. The Raman spectrum of sample contains useful information such as molecular identity, composition, constituent’s concentration ratio etc. These information are manifested in the Raman spectrum in band heights, peak wavelength, band areas etc. The basis of quantitative analysis in Raman spectroscopy lies in the measurement of Raman band intensity, which is linearly dependent upon the sample concentration. On the other hand, Raman spectroscopy can also yield the qualitative information of samples by exhibiting bands corresponding to various chemical constituents in the sample mixture. The potentiality of Raman spectroscopy to perform quantitative as well as qualitative analysis of samples has been exploited in the development of Raman sensors in conjugation with the techniques of fiber optics. The main focus of the presented doctoral work is to realize a fiber optic Raman sensor to monitor the quality of liquid oxygen (LO2) in a rocket engine feed line. In this research investigation, I have shown how a bulk experimental configuration can be transformed to miniaturized prototype sensor, which is equally capable to determine the ratio of liquid oxygen and liquid nitrogen in their cryogenic mixture. This research was extended to monitor the concentration of oxygen and nitrogen in their gaseous mixture. Further, I have demonstrated that the Raman spectroscopy has the potentiality to measure the temperature of hydrogen in a laboratory environment by monitoring the variation in Raman rotation-vibrational line of hydrogen gas with temperature. Finally, I have experimentally studied the surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) of silver colloidal solution, which is another interesting branch of Raman spectroscopy that has transcended the limitation of very low Raman cross-section to offer more insight to the chemical properties of samples.

Nesta dissertação o processo de adsorção da tiossemicarbazona do formilferroceno (TFF) em eletrodos de prata e ouro, em soluções aquosas 0,1 mol.L-1 de KCl e de acetonitrila. 0,1 mol.L-1 de NaClO4, foi caracterizado através da técnica espectroscópica SERS. Verificou-se através das variações espectrais que a adsorção da TFF ocorre através dos átomos N1 do grupo imínico e do S do grupo tiocarbonílico. Os processos faradáicos do TFF foram monitorados pela técnica SERS e de absorção no UV-visível. Os espectros SERS para potencial de -1,4 V (Ag/AgCl) sugerem a formação de um novo composto, produto de redução da TFF, o aminometilferroceno. Através da técnica de absorção no UV-visível verificou-se, neste potencial, o aparecimento no espectro de absorção de uma nova banda em 240 nm, atribuída à formação de tiouréia. A identificação deste dois produtos de redução indica que, para o composto TFF, o mecanismo geral de redução dos derivados de tiossemicarbazonas é obedecido. Nenhuma variação espectral, tanto utilizando a técnica SERS como a absorção no UV-visível, foi detectada durante o processo redox FeII/FeIII (E1/2=0,55 V). Os comportamentos de adsorção e faradáico da tiossemicarbazida (TSC), em eletrodo de prata em soluções aquosas neutra e ácida, foram estudados através da técnica SERS. Verificou-se que em meios neutro e ácido, a TSC está adsorvida na configuração cis para potenciais próximos de 0,0 V, interagindo com a superfície através do átomo de S do grupo tiocarbonílico e dos átomos de H ligados ao N1 hidrazínico, através da formação de pares iônicos com os ânions Cl- adsorvidos. Para potenciais mais negativos, os íons cloreto deixam a superfície e a TSC sofre reorientação, assumindo a conformação trans. Não foi observado através da técnica SERS nenhum processo faradáico em solução ácida para potenciais negativos, como havia sido proposto na literatura. A não redução do composto foi confirmada através da técnica de eletroforese capilar. Foi estudado o comportamento Raman ressonante da TFF, verificando-se a ocorrência de um mínimo no perfil de excitação experimental devido à interferência destrutiva das transições dos grupos tiossemicarbazona e ferrocenil. Os perfis de excitação teóricos foram calculados utilizando o método da transformada e os resultados dos ajustes obtidos indicam que existe considerável distorção dos modos do grupo ferrocenil na transição eletrônica em 312 nm, atribuída a n-p* do grupo tiossemicarbazona, caracterizando uma grande interação eletrônica entre os cromóforos da TFF. Para comparar o comportamento Raman ressonante do TFF com o do ferroceno, os espectros Raman ressonante deste composto foram obtidos. Verificou-se que o ferroceno apresenta, também, o efeito Raman anti-ressonante, mas as bandas vibracionais do ferroceno apresentam perfis distintos dos apresentados no composto TFF, indicando que a incorporação do grupo tiossemicarbazona no anel ciclopentadienil modifica a estrutura eletrônica do grupo ferrocenil. / In this dissertation, the adsorption process of the formylpyridine thiosemicarbazone (TFF) at silver and gold surfaces in aqueous and in acetonitrile solutions has been characterized by using the SERS (Surface-enhanced Raman Scattering) technique. It has been verified that TFF adsorbs through N1’ and S atoms on the metallic surfaces. The faradaic processes of TFF have been monitored through the SERS and UV-visible absorption spectroscopies. The SERS spectra at -1,4 V (Ag/AgCl) suggest aminomethylferrocene as one of the reduction products of TFF. By using the UV-visible absorption technique, it has been verified, at this potential, a new band at 240 nm in the spectrum, which indicates the presence of thiourea. The observation of these two reduction products has confirmed that the general reduction mechanism for thiosemicarbazonas works for TFF. Neither SERS nor UV-vis spectral changes have been observed during the redox process of FeII/FeIII (E1/2= 0,55 V). The adsorption and faradaic processes of thisemicarbazide (TSC) at silver electrode have also been studied by SERS technique. It has been verified that, in acidic and neutral media, the TSC is adsorbed through a cis-configuration at a potential close to 0,0 V, showing an interaction of the S atom through bond formation with the surface and through the H atoms bonded to N1 via ion pair formation with the adsorbed Cl- anions. At more negative potentials, the chloride anions leave the electrode surface and the TSC changes to trans-configuration. No faradaic process has been observed as reported in the literature. This result has been confirmed by using the capillary electrophoresis technique. The resonance Raman effect of the TFF has been studied, and the excitation profiles of the bands have been shown as minimum, which indicates an electronic interaction between the two cromophores of the TFF (thiosemicarbazone and ferrocenyl). The theoretic excitation profiles have been calculated by using the transform method, and the results of the obtained adjustment has indicated that there has been a distortion of the ferrocenyl vibrational modes for an electronic transition at 312 nm, assigned to the n-p* of thiosemicarbazone moiety. This result has indicated a great interaction between the two cromophores of TFF. In order to compare the resonance Raman behavior of the TFF with that of the ferrocene, the resonance Raman spectra of the ferrocene have been obtained. It has been verified that the two compounds present an anti-resonant Raman effect, even though the bands have presented very different excitation profiles from those observed in the TFF, which indicates that the incorporation of the thiosemicarbazone group into the ciclopentadienyl has changed the electronic structure of the ferrocenyl group.

O estudo de nanopartículas plasmônicas de ouro sob o ponto de vista conceitual foi o foco desta tese, explorando principalmente os efeitos do envoltório molecular e a intensificação dos espectros SERS tendo em vista aplicações em sensoriamento químico. Como moléculas sonda, foram selecionadas espécies multifuncionais, como a 2,4,6-trimercapto-1,3,5-triazina (TMT), 4,5-diamino-2,6- dimercaptopirimidina (DadMcP ou Dad) e a mercaptoetilpirazina (PZT), que apresentam grupos tióis capazes de ancorar nas nanopartículas de ouro, deixando outros sítios livres para interagir com substratos e complexos metálicos. Observou-se que o envoltório molecular formado no método de Turkevich, é bastante dependente das condições de síntese, tendo sido possível detectar a presença do intermediário da reação de oxidação do citrato na superfície das nanopartículas, sob condições controladas, influenciando drasticamente o comportamento SERS. Foi feito um estudo sistemático da molécula sonda 2,4,6-trimercapto-1,3,5-triazina ancorada nas nanopartículas de ouro, tanto por troca da camada passivante (citrato), como por síntese in situ com e sem agente redutor. Esses sistemas foram investigados, sob diferentes condições, como sensores SERS para metais. Esse estudo foi ampliado para a molécula sonda 4,5-diamino-2,6-dimercaptopirimidina (DadMcP), explorando a influência do tempo na coordenação dessa espécie na superfície e o efeito de diferentes eletrólitos nos processos de agregação. Finalmente, foram apresentadas fortes evidências da ocorrência de processos fotoinduzidos envolvendo as nanopartículas funcionalizadas, com destaque para a mercaptoetilpirazina (PZT), cujo comportamento mostrou-se bastante inusitado, gerando filmes fotoagregados sob influência da luz UV com possível aplicação em fotolitografia. / The study of plasmonic gold nanoparticles under the conceptual point of view was the focus of this thesis, exploring mainly, the effects of molecular shell and the intensification of SERS spectra aiming at applications in chemical sensing. For the probe molecules, multifunctional species were selected, such as a 2,4,6-trimercapto- 1,3,5-triazine (TMT), 4,5-diamine-2,6-dimercaptopyrimidine (DadMcP or Dad) and mercaptoethylpyrazine (PZT) which present thiol groups able to anchor onto gold nanoparticles, leaving available sites for further interaction with substrates and metal complexes. It was observed that the molecular shell in Turkevich\'s method is very dependent on the synthesis condition, being possible to detect the intermediate product of citrate oxidation reaction in the nanoparticle surface, under controlled conditions, dramatically influencing the SERS behavior. A systematic study was conduct with the probe molecule 2,4,6-trimercapto-1,3,5-triazine anchored to gold nanoparticles either by changing the passivating layer (citrate), or for in situ synthesis with and without a reducing agent. These systems were investigated under different conditions as SERS sensors for metals. This study was extended to the probe molecule 4,5-diamine-2,6-dimercaptopyrimidine, exploiting the influence of time in the coordination of such species and also the effect of different kinds of eletrolytes in the aggregation process. Finally, it has been presented strong evidences for the occurence of photoinduced processes involving functionalized nanoparticles with emphasis on mercaptoethylpyrazine, whose bahavior has proved to be very unusual, generating photoaggregated films under UV light influence, with possible applications in photolithography.

Noble metal nanomaterials have numerous uses in plasmonic and surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection applications; however, upon the addition of analytes, nanomaterials often undergo uncontrolled aggregation which leads to inconsistent signal intensities. To overcome this limitation, the effect of gold nanosphere concentration, column purification, and surface chemistry functionalization using internally etched silica stabilization methods was investigated on SERS assays for small molecule detection. Nanostructure composition, size, shape, stability, surface chemistry, optical properties, and SERS-activity were monitored using localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR or extinction) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Raman spectroscopy. First, the behavior of citrate-stabilized gold nanospheres was monitored as a function of molecular surface coverage. Both extinction and SERS spectral intensities increased linearly below monolayer functionalization. Above this value, however, uncontrolled nanoparticle aggregation occurred and large but irreproducible SERS signal intensities were monitored. Next, gold nanoparticles were encapsulated with varying silica shell thicknesses and purified using traditional centrifugation steps and/or column chromatography. Relative to the traditionally purified (i.e. centrifuged) samples, the SERS responses from small molecules using the column purified nanoparticle samples followed a well-known SERS distance-dependence model. Thus, surface chemistry cannot form more than a 2 nm thick layer on gold nanospheres if SERS applications were targeted. To overcome these challenges, gold nanospheres encapsulated with a thick silica shell were made SERS-active by etching the internal silica layer near the metal surface. During the synthesis of these internally etched silica-coated gold nanospheres, the LSPR wavelength shift, a parameter related to the effective local refractive index near the gold core, was monitored instead of etching time, in order to produce nanostructures with more uniform internal silica etching from sample to sample. The SERS-activity of a target molecule using these nanostructures was measured as a function of LSPR wavelength shift. SERS signal intensity increased, which suggested that more analyte molecules were able to bind to the gold surface because of the larger pore size in the silica layer near the metal core. Further exploration of these findings should increase the integration of solution-phase nanoparticles in more predictable functions in future applications, resulting in more quantitative and reproducible molecular detection in complex sample matrices, including biological and environmental samples.

Nesta dissertação o processo de adsorção da tiossemicarbazona do formilferroceno (TFF) em eletrodos de prata e ouro, em soluções aquosas 0,1 mol.L-1 de KCl e de acetonitrila. 0,1 mol.L-1 de NaClO4, foi caracterizado através da técnica espectroscópica SERS. Verificou-se através das variações espectrais que a adsorção da TFF ocorre através dos átomos N1 do grupo imínico e do S do grupo tiocarbonílico. Os processos faradáicos do TFF foram monitorados pela técnica SERS e de absorção no UV-visível. Os espectros SERS para potencial de -1,4 V (Ag/AgCl) sugerem a formação de um novo composto, produto de redução da TFF, o aminometilferroceno. Através da técnica de absorção no UV-visível verificou-se, neste potencial, o aparecimento no espectro de absorção de uma nova banda em 240 nm, atribuída à formação de tiouréia. A identificação deste dois produtos de redução indica que, para o composto TFF, o mecanismo geral de redução dos derivados de tiossemicarbazonas é obedecido. Nenhuma variação espectral, tanto utilizando a técnica SERS como a absorção no UV-visível, foi detectada durante o processo redox FeII/FeIII (E1/2=0,55 V). Os comportamentos de adsorção e faradáico da tiossemicarbazida (TSC), em eletrodo de prata em soluções aquosas neutra e ácida, foram estudados através da técnica SERS. Verificou-se que em meios neutro e ácido, a TSC está adsorvida na configuração cis para potenciais próximos de 0,0 V, interagindo com a superfície através do átomo de S do grupo tiocarbonílico e dos átomos de H ligados ao N1 hidrazínico, através da formação de pares iônicos com os ânions Cl- adsorvidos. Para potenciais mais negativos, os íons cloreto deixam a superfície e a TSC sofre reorientação, assumindo a conformação trans. Não foi observado através da técnica SERS nenhum processo faradáico em solução ácida para potenciais negativos, como havia sido proposto na literatura. A não redução do composto foi confirmada através da técnica de eletroforese capilar. Foi estudado o comportamento Raman ressonante da TFF, verificando-se a ocorrência de um mínimo no perfil de excitação experimental devido à interferência destrutiva das transições dos grupos tiossemicarbazona e ferrocenil. Os perfis de excitação teóricos foram calculados utilizando o método da transformada e os resultados dos ajustes obtidos indicam que existe considerável distorção dos modos do grupo ferrocenil na transição eletrônica em 312 nm, atribuída a n-p* do grupo tiossemicarbazona, caracterizando uma grande interação eletrônica entre os cromóforos da TFF. Para comparar o comportamento Raman ressonante do TFF com o do ferroceno, os espectros Raman ressonante deste composto foram obtidos. Verificou-se que o ferroceno apresenta, também, o efeito Raman anti-ressonante, mas as bandas vibracionais do ferroceno apresentam perfis distintos dos apresentados no composto TFF, indicando que a incorporação do grupo tiossemicarbazona no anel ciclopentadienil modifica a estrutura eletrônica do grupo ferrocenil. / In this dissertation, the adsorption process of the formylpyridine thiosemicarbazone (TFF) at silver and gold surfaces in aqueous and in acetonitrile solutions has been characterized by using the SERS (Surface-enhanced Raman Scattering) technique. It has been verified that TFF adsorbs through N1’ and S atoms on the metallic surfaces. The faradaic processes of TFF have been monitored through the SERS and UV-visible absorption spectroscopies. The SERS spectra at -1,4 V (Ag/AgCl) suggest aminomethylferrocene as one of the reduction products of TFF. By using the UV-visible absorption technique, it has been verified, at this potential, a new band at 240 nm in the spectrum, which indicates the presence of thiourea. The observation of these two reduction products has confirmed that the general reduction mechanism for thiosemicarbazonas works for TFF. Neither SERS nor UV-vis spectral changes have been observed during the redox process of FeII/FeIII (E1/2= 0,55 V). The adsorption and faradaic processes of thisemicarbazide (TSC) at silver electrode have also been studied by SERS technique. It has been verified that, in acidic and neutral media, the TSC is adsorbed through a cis-configuration at a potential close to 0,0 V, showing an interaction of the S atom through bond formation with the surface and through the H atoms bonded to N1 via ion pair formation with the adsorbed Cl- anions. At more negative potentials, the chloride anions leave the electrode surface and the TSC changes to trans-configuration. No faradaic process has been observed as reported in the literature. This result has been confirmed by using the capillary electrophoresis technique. The resonance Raman effect of the TFF has been studied, and the excitation profiles of the bands have been shown as minimum, which indicates an electronic interaction between the two cromophores of the TFF (thiosemicarbazone and ferrocenyl). The theoretic excitation profiles have been calculated by using the transform method, and the results of the obtained adjustment has indicated that there has been a distortion of the ferrocenyl vibrational modes for an electronic transition at 312 nm, assigned to the n-p* of thiosemicarbazone moiety. This result has indicated a great interaction between the two cromophores of TFF. In order to compare the resonance Raman behavior of the TFF with that of the ferrocene, the resonance Raman spectra of the ferrocene have been obtained. It has been verified that the two compounds present an anti-resonant Raman effect, even though the bands have presented very different excitation profiles from those observed in the TFF, which indicates that the incorporation of the thiosemicarbazone group into the ciclopentadienyl has changed the electronic structure of the ferrocenyl group.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / Os complexos trans-[Ru(CNpy)(NH3)4(1,4-dt)]2+ (CNpy = 4-Cianopiridina, 1,4- dt = 1,4-ditiano), trans-[Ru(CNpy)(NH3)4(pyS)]2+ (pyS = 4-mercaptopiridina) e trans- [Ru(CNpy)(NH3)4(Tio)]2+ (Tio = tionicotinamida) foram sintetizados e caracterizados por Cromatografia LÃquida de Alta EficiÃncia, anÃlise elementar, eletroquÃmica e espectroscopias eletrÃnica e vibracional. Os espectros de absorÃÃo eletrÃnica e os resultados de eletroquÃmica evidenciaram uma interaÃÃo do tipo π back-bonding do centro metÃlico RuII para os ligantes piridÃnicos. Os valores dos potenciais formais de meia onda (E1/2) observados para os complexos trans-[Ru(CNpy)(NH3)4(1,4-dt)]2+, trans-[Ru(CNpy)(NH3)4(pyS)]2+ e trans-[Ru(CNpy)(NH3)4(Tio)]2+: 1,00, 0,67 e 1,03 V vs ENH, respectivamente, indicam a estabilizaÃÃo do estado reduzido do centro metÃlico em relaÃÃo ao complexo de partida trans-[Ru(CNpy)(NH3)4(OH2)]2+ (E1/2 = 0,35 V vs ENH). Esse resultado indica, tambÃm, a forte capacidade π retiradora do ligante CNpy que, no caso do complexo trans-[Ru(CNpy)(NH3)4(1,4-dt)]2+, à tÃo intensa que facilita comparativamente o processo de oxidaÃÃo do centro metÃlico. Podese concluir, portanto, que a capacidade π retiradora dos ligantes CNpy, pyS e Tio à similar. O deslocamento na freqÃÃncia de estiramento da ligaÃÃo C≡N do ligante Cnpy livre de 2239 para ∼2200 cm-1 apÃs coordenaÃÃo ao centro metÃlico [Ru(NH3)4]2+ nos espectros vibracionais indica que a coordenaÃÃo do ligante CNpy ocorre pelo grupamento nitrila. Para os ligantes pyS e Tio, a observaÃÃo das bandas atribuÃdas aos νC=S e νSH, respectivamente, indica que a coordenaÃÃo ocorre pelo Ãtomo de nitrogÃnio do anel piridÃnico. Os espectros SERS ex situ das superfÃcies modificadas com os compostos isolados permitem a classificaÃÃo destes como molÃculas modificadoras bifuncionais, onde o Ãtomo de enxofre dos ligantes pyS, 1,4-dt e Tio atuam como sÃtio de adsorÃÃo e o Ãtomo de nitrogÃnio piridÃnico do ligante CNpy atua como grupo funcional terminal. AlÃm disso, os resultados SERS sugerem uma conformaÃÃo trans para o complexo trans-[Ru(CNpy)(NH3)4(pyS)]2+ e gauche para os complexos trans-[Ru(CNpy)(NH3)4(1,4-dt)]2+ e trans-[Ru(CNpy)(NH3)4(Tio)]2+ sobre ouro. A dependÃncia nas intensidades das bandas com o potencial aplicado aos eletrodos modificados ilustra o efeito π back-bonding dos Ãons metÃlicos dos adsorbatos inorgÃnicos, uma vez que observa-se uma relaÃÃo direta com os valores dos potenciais formais de meia onda dos complexos estudados. Os valores dos potenciais de dessorÃÃo redutiva observados para as SAMs dos complexos isolados refletem a capacidade π retiradora do ligante CNpy que se encontra na posiÃÃo para em relaÃÃo ao sÃtio de adsorÃÃo. Esse efeito à bem mais intenso no complexo trans- [Ru(CNpy)(NH3)4(1,4-dt)]2+, uma vez que a capacidade de interaÃÃo π back-bonding do ligante 1,4-dt à significativamente menor que as dos ligantes pyS e Tio. Sugere-se, para esse complexo, uma oxidaÃÃo parcial do centro metÃlico o que implica em uma intensificaÃÃo da interaÃÃo σ com o ligante 1,4-dt (RuII-S) e, conseqÃentemente, um enfraquecimento da ligaÃÃo Au-S. A reaÃÃo hTE da metaloproteÃna cyt c foi observada em valor consistente com seu estado in natura indicando que as SAMs estudadas acessam satisfatoriamente o processo hTE do cyt c alÃm de evitar a desnaturaÃÃo desta proteÃna. A forma das curvas voltamÃtricas, entretanto, apresentou uma dependÃncia com a configuraÃÃo dos complexos sobre a superfÃcie. Curvas de melhor definiÃÃo foram obtidas com a SAM do complexo trans-[Ru(CNpy)(NH3)4(pyS)]2+ que apresenta uma configuraÃÃo trans em relaÃÃo à superfÃcie. / Trans-[Ru(CNpy)(NH3)4(L)]2+ type complexes, where CNpy (4- Cyanopyridine), L= 1,4-dt (1,4-dithiane), pyS (4-mercaptopyridine), and Tio (thionicotinamide), were synthesized and characterized by HPLC, microanalysis, eletrochemistry and vibrational and eletronic spectroscopies. The eletrochemical and eletronic absorption results are indicative of a π back-bonding interaction, L(nπ*) ← RuII(dπ) for which L is the pyS, CNpy and Tio ligands. The half-wave formal potentials (E1/2) observed for the trans-[Ru(CNpy)(NH3)4(pyS)]2+, trans- [Ru(CNpy)(NH3)4(1,4-dt)]2+ and trans-[Ru(CNpy)(NH3)4(Tio)]2+ complexes: 1.00, 0.67 and 1.03 V vs NHE, respectively, are indicative of the stabilization of the metal in the reduced state comparatively to the start complex, trans-[Ru(CNpy)(NH3)4(OH2)]2+ (E1/2 = 0.35 V vs NHE). This result indicates, also, the strong π withdraw capability of the CNpy ligand. The shift observed for the νC≡N mode from 2239 cm-1 in the vibrational spectra of the CNpy free ligand to ∼2200 cm-1 upon coordination suggests that the coordination occurs through the nitrile fragment. For the pyS and Tio ligands, the observation of the signals assigned to the νC=S and νSH modes, respectively, in the vibrational spectra os the complexes indicates that the coordination occurs through the nitrogen atom os the pyridine ring. The SERS ex situ spectra of the gold surfaces modified with the isolated complexes allow the classification of these species as binfunctional molecules in which the sulfur atom of the pyS, 1,4-dt and Tio ligands is the adsorption site and the nitrogen atom of the CNpy pyridine ring is the functional terminal group. Also, the SERS results point for a trans conformation for the trans- [Ru(CNpy)(NH3)4(pyS)]2+ complex and for a gauche configuration for the trans- [Ru(CNpy)(NH3)4(1,4-dt)]2+ and trans-[Ru(CNpy)(NH3)4(Tio)]2+ complexes on gold. The intensity dependence of some signals in the SERS spectra with the applie potential reflects the π back-bonding effect on surface since this behavior is observed to be strongly related to the E1/2 values of the complexes. The reductive desorption potentials of the SAMs formed with the isolated compounds reflects the π withdraw capability of the CNpy ligand. This effect is much more intense for the trans-[Ru(CNpy)(NH3)4(1,4-dt)]2+ complex since the π back-bonding interaction of the 1,4-dt ligand is lower than the CNpy, pyS and Tio ligands. The heterogeneous electron transfer reaction of the cytochrome c metalloprotein was satisfactorily assessed with the SAMs formed by the isolated complexes (E1/2 = 0.05 V vs Ag⏐AgCl⏐Cl-). The Best voltammetric response was observed with the SAM of the trans- [Ru(CNpy)(NH3)4(pyS)]2+ complex due to the trans conformation on surface.

O estudo de nanopartículas plasmônicas de ouro sob o ponto de vista conceitual foi o foco desta tese, explorando principalmente os efeitos do envoltório molecular e a intensificação dos espectros SERS tendo em vista aplicações em sensoriamento químico. Como moléculas sonda, foram selecionadas espécies multifuncionais, como a 2,4,6-trimercapto-1,3,5-triazina (TMT), 4,5-diamino-2,6- dimercaptopirimidina (DadMcP ou Dad) e a mercaptoetilpirazina (PZT), que apresentam grupos tióis capazes de ancorar nas nanopartículas de ouro, deixando outros sítios livres para interagir com substratos e complexos metálicos. Observou-se que o envoltório molecular formado no método de Turkevich, é bastante dependente das condições de síntese, tendo sido possível detectar a presença do intermediário da reação de oxidação do citrato na superfície das nanopartículas, sob condições controladas, influenciando drasticamente o comportamento SERS. Foi feito um estudo sistemático da molécula sonda 2,4,6-trimercapto-1,3,5-triazina ancorada nas nanopartículas de ouro, tanto por troca da camada passivante (citrato), como por síntese in situ com e sem agente redutor. Esses sistemas foram investigados, sob diferentes condições, como sensores SERS para metais. Esse estudo foi ampliado para a molécula sonda 4,5-diamino-2,6-dimercaptopirimidina (DadMcP), explorando a influência do tempo na coordenação dessa espécie na superfície e o efeito de diferentes eletrólitos nos processos de agregação. Finalmente, foram apresentadas fortes evidências da ocorrência de processos fotoinduzidos envolvendo as nanopartículas funcionalizadas, com destaque para a mercaptoetilpirazina (PZT), cujo comportamento mostrou-se bastante inusitado, gerando filmes fotoagregados sob influência da luz UV com possível aplicação em fotolitografia. / The study of plasmonic gold nanoparticles under the conceptual point of view was the focus of this thesis, exploring mainly, the effects of molecular shell and the intensification of SERS spectra aiming at applications in chemical sensing. For the probe molecules, multifunctional species were selected, such as a 2,4,6-trimercapto- 1,3,5-triazine (TMT), 4,5-diamine-2,6-dimercaptopyrimidine (DadMcP or Dad) and mercaptoethylpyrazine (PZT) which present thiol groups able to anchor onto gold nanoparticles, leaving available sites for further interaction with substrates and metal complexes. It was observed that the molecular shell in Turkevich\'s method is very dependent on the synthesis condition, being possible to detect the intermediate product of citrate oxidation reaction in the nanoparticle surface, under controlled conditions, dramatically influencing the SERS behavior. A systematic study was conduct with the probe molecule 2,4,6-trimercapto-1,3,5-triazine anchored to gold nanoparticles either by changing the passivating layer (citrate), or for in situ synthesis with and without a reducing agent. These systems were investigated under different conditions as SERS sensors for metals. This study was extended to the probe molecule 4,5-diamine-2,6-dimercaptopyrimidine, exploiting the influence of time in the coordination of such species and also the effect of different kinds of eletrolytes in the aggregation process. Finally, it has been presented strong evidences for the occurence of photoinduced processes involving functionalized nanoparticles with emphasis on mercaptoethylpyrazine, whose bahavior has proved to be very unusual, generating photoaggregated films under UV light influence, with possible applications in photolithography.

La gestion de l’eau douce est un problème majeur partout dans le monde. Les activités anthropiques liées à l’industrie, à l’agriculture et à l’implantation humaine sont les principales sources de pollutions de l’eau. Afin mettre en place des politique de prévention de la pollution, de réhabilitation des environnements aquatiques ou de recyclage des eaux usées, il est nécessaire d’acquérir des données massives sur la qualité de l’eau. Or, les méthodes actuelles de suivi des contaminants présentent des coûts élevés et de faibles débits de mesure du fait de leur incompatibilité avec un déploiement sur le terrain. Ces deux freins majeurs ne permettent pas de suivre les concentrations en polluant et notamment en métaux lourds dans les milieux aquatiques à des échelles spatiales et temporelles pertinentes. Plusieurs organisations internationales, dont l’ONU, ont de ce fait recommandé le développement de nouvelles méthodes analytiques plus performantes. Nous proposons ici une technique de mesure des contaminants métalliques lourds basée sur la diffusion Raman exaltée de surface (SERS). Le SERS présente de nombreux avantages pour l’analyse environnementale dont la sensibilité, la spécificité,la rapidité de mesure, l’adaptabilité aux matrices complexes ainsi que le coût modéré d’un instrument portable. Nous détaillerons donc la construction de la sonde SERS dédiée à la quantification de l’ion métallique lourd cible Zn2+, ainsi que les traitements de données nécessaire à l’établissement d’une quantification. Puis, nous examinerons la robustesse de la méthode de quantification vis-à-vis des sources de variabilités qui seront inévitablement rencontrées dans les eaux naturelles. / Freshwater management is a major problem all over the world. Anthropogenic activities related to industry, agriculture and human settlements are the main sources of water pollution. In order to makes policies for pollution prevention, rehabilitation of aquatic environments or waste water recycling, it is necessary to acquire massive data on water quality. Current contaminant monitoring methods have high costs and low frequency of measurement due to the incompatibility with field deployment. These two major brakes do not make it possible to monitor pollutant and especially heavy metal concentrations in aquatic environments at relevant spatial and temporal scales. Several international organizations, including the United Nations, have therefore recommended the development of new and better analytical methods.We propose here a technique for measuring heavy metal contaminants based on Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS), which would allow a large scale deployment in the field.SERS has many advantages for environmental analysis including sensitivity, specificity, speed of measurement, adaptability to complex matrix and the moderate cost of portable instrument. We will therefore detail the construction of the SERS probe dedicated to the quantification of the target heavy metal ion Zn2+, which is a geochemical marker of anthropogenic contamination, as well as the data processing necessary for the establishment of quantification. Then, we will examine the robustness of the method of quantification with respect to the sources of variability that will inevitably be encountered in natural waters, when used directly in the field