Diese Arbeit beinhaltet unsere Studien an selbstorganisierenden Monoschichten (engl. SAM = self- assembled monolayer) einiger aromatischer Thiole auf Gold- und Kupferoberflächen. Die Bildung von Monoschichten von Thiophenol, 4-Mercaptophenol, 4-Nitrothiophenol, 4-Aminothiophenol, 1,4-Dithiobenzol, 4-Mercaptopyridin und 2-Mercaptopyridin auf Au und Cu wurde untersucht und charakterisiert. Das abschirmende Verhalten und die strukturelle Anordnung dieser Monoschichten wurden mit Hilfe elektrochemischer und spektroskopischer Methoden geprüft und bestimmt. Zyklische Voltammetrie und oberflächenverstärkte Raman Spektroskopie wurden intensiv zur Aufklärung von Elektronentransferreaktionen an diesen mit SAMs modifizierten Oberflächen genutzt. Elektrochemische Studien von Monoschichten aus Thiophenol, 4-Mercaptophenol, 4-Nitrothiophenol, 4-Aminothiophenol, 1,4-Dithiobenzol, 4-Mercaptopyridin und 2-Mercaptopyridin in 0,1 M wässriger KClO4-Lösung lassen schlussfolgern, dass diese Moleküle schwefelseitig an die Substratoberfläche gebunden sind. In 0,1 M wässriger KClO4-Lösung aufgenommene zyklische Voltammogramme an Gold- und Kupferoberflächen, welche mit oben genannten, aromatischen Thiolen beschichtet wurden, legen nahe, dass Adsorptionsschichten von Thiophenol und 1,4-Dithiobenzol eine stärkere Tendenz zum Abschirmen besitzen als andere. Durch das Einbringen von Kupferproben, welche mit genannten aromatischen Thiolen behandelt wurden, in 0,1 M Silbernitrat-Lösung können sehr leicht Silber-Nanodendritstrukturen erhalten werden. Abscheidezeit und Konzentration der Silbernitrat-Lösung haben einen großen Einfluss auf das Wachstum der Silber-Nanodendritstrukturen auf den modifizierten Kupferproben. Diese Silber-Nanodendritstrukturen besitzen eine hohe katalytische Aktivität hinsichtlich der Oxidation von Hydroquinon. Untersuchungen zur Korrosion an polykristallinem Kupfer, welches mit obigen aromatischen Thiolen modifiziert wurde, in 0,1 M Silbernitrate-Lösung ließen vermuten, dass dieses Kupfersubstrat mehr anodisches Verhalten zeigte als reines Kupfer bei ähnlichen Bedingungen. Zyklische Voltammetrie an wie oben behandeltem Kupfer in 0,1M wässriger KClO4-Lösung zeigte, dass die Geschwindigkeit der Kupferauflösung bei diesen Messungen erhöht war gegenüber anderen, in welchen reines Kupfer bei identischen Bedingungen eingesetzt wurde. / It deals with our studies on self-assembled monolayers of aromatic thiols on gold and copper surfaces. Monolayer formation of thiophenol, 4-mercaptophenol, 4-nitrothiophenol, 4-aminothiophenol, 1,4-dithiobenzene, 4-mer¬cap¬to¬pyridine and 2-mercaptopyridine on Au and Cu surfaces was studied and characterized. The blocking behaviour and structural arrange¬ments of these monolayers were evaluated and characterized using electrochemical and spec¬troscopic techniques. Cyclic voltammetry and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy were extensively used for the study of electron transfer reactions on these SAM modified surfaces. Electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical studies of thiophenol, 4-mercaptophenol, 4-nitrothiophenol, 4-aminothiophenol, 1,4-dithiobenzene, 4-mercaptopyridine and 2-mercaptopyridine monolayers in aqueous solution of 0.1 M KClO4 suggest that these molecules adsorbed to substrate. Cyclic voltammetry of gold and copper covered with these aromatic thiolates recorded in aqueous solution of 0.1 M KClO4 suggests that adlayers of thio¬phenol and 1,4-dithiobenzene exhibit more blocking behavior than the other ones. Silver nanodendritic structures are easily produced by placing copper samples modified with these aromatic thiolates into 0.1 M silver nitrate solution. Deposition time and concentration of silver nitrate solution have great influence on growing up silver nanodendritic structures on the surface of modified copper samples. These silver nanodendritic structures exhibit electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of hydroquinone. Corrosion investigation of polycrystalline copper modified with these aromatic thiolates in 0.1 M silver nitrate solution suggest that copper substrate might be more anodic compared to bare copper under identical condition. Cyclic voltammetry of copper modified with these aromatic thiolates suggests that the rate of dissolution copper in aqueous solution of 0.1 M KClO4 is higher than bare copper in the same condition.

This thesis is an investigation of surface morphology and electronic structure of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) and solid water films deposited on these SAMs using metastable impact electron spectroscopy (MIES) and infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS). MIES uses electronically excited slow helium atoms which interact exclusively with the outermost surface layer. The results suggested that in the SAMs containing an odd number of carbon atoms the molecular orbitals localized on the terminal methyl groups are more exposed at the surface compared to those with an even number of carbon atoms. It was also established that solid water films are more uniform on a SAM substrate containing an odd number of carbon atoms. Thermal transformation of amorphous solid water to polycrystalline ice was also observed. MIES suggested that the molecular orbital of water attributed to the lone pair on the oxygen atom became less accessible at the surface upon the transformation.

The surface of biomaterials can induce contacting blood to coagulate, similar to the response initiated by injured blood vessels to control blood loss. This poses a challenge to the use of biomaterials as the resulting coagulation can impair the performance of hemocompatible devices such as catheters, vascular stents and various extracorporeal tubings [1], what can moreover cause severe host reactions like embolism and infarction. Biomaterial induced coagulation processes limit the therapeutic use of medical products, what motivates the need for a better understanding of the basic mechanisms leading to this bio-incompatibility [2] in order to define modification strategies towards improved biomaterials [3]. Several approaches for the enhancement of hemocompatible surfaces include passive and active strategies for surface modifications. The materials’ chemical-physical properties like surface chemistry, wettability and polarity are parameters of passive modification approaches for improved hemocompatibility and are the focus of the present work. In the present study self assembled monolayers with different surface functionalities (-COOH, -OH, -CH3) were applied as well as two-component-layers with varying fractions of these, as they allow a defined graduation of surface wettability and charge. The ease of control over these parameters given by these model surfaces enables the evaluation of the influence of specific surface-properties on biological responses. To evaluate the effects of different surface chemistry on initial mechanisms of biomaterial induced coagulation, the surfaces were incubated with protein solution, human plasma, blood cell fractions or fresh heparinised human whole blood. Indicative hemocompatibility parameters were subsequently analysed focusing on protein adsorption, coagulation activation, contact activation (intrinsic/ enhancer pathway), impact of tissue factor (extrinsic/ activator pathway) and cellular systems (blood platelets and leukocytes).

Este trabalho consistiu de estudos da viabilidade da geração e identificação de radicais livres envolvidos em processos oxidativos avançados por via eletroquímica. Para a geração e identificação de radicais livres em eletrodos modificados com organotióis via eletroquímica, escolheu-se uma técnica pouco aplicada para este fim; a espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica, e o ajuste dos dados experimentais pela proposta de modelos de circuitos equivalentes. O eletrodo de trabalho utilizado (Au) foi caracterizado em meio ácido e básico e diversas monocamadas auto-organizadas conhecidas foram adsorvidas sobre o mesmo e também caracterizadas por esta técnica. Parâmetros importantes como constante dielétrica, capacitância de uma monocamada livre de defeitos e grau de recobrimento foram determinados com êxito. Também foram empregadas moléculas menos utilizadas como modificadoras de eletrodos (fenotiazinas e derivados). As mesmas foram caracterizadas no sistema Au/adsorvente/NaOH, pois, o pH alto garante a formação do radical superóxido e do ânion hidroperóxido. Os mesmos modelos de circuitos equivalentes puderam ser empregados na obtenção dos parâmetros físicos relativos a essas moléculas no sistema eletroquímico utilizado. Em uma etapa subsequente obteve-se a valiosa informação, se as moléculas adsorvidas sobre Au poderiam ser usadas para a geração de superóxido e outros radicais. As monocamadas de tióis, quando utilizadas para gerar radicais livres, se mostraram aptas a gerar superóxido em meio alcalino saturado com oxigênio molecular. Como se demonstrou na etapa de caracterização, as SAM-3 e SAM-6 não formaram um empacotamento totalmente hidrofóbico. Por este motivo, mesmo que superóxido tenha sido gerado, não pôde ser detectado. Já para a fenotiazina e seu metil-derivado, a cinética de adsorção e a utilização de soluções aquosas impediram a formação de um filme completo e homogêneo, imprescindível para a constituição de uma interface hidrofóbica e isolante. Além disso, possíveis reações de complexação entre as moléculas e superóxido, reações entre a fenotiazina cátion-radical e superóxido fazem necessários mais estudos acerca da natureza eletroquímica do sistema, que já é bastante conhecido fotoquimicamente. Posterior a modificação, todos os eletrodos se mostraram ser bastante sensíveis ao pH e aos eletrólitos utlizados, alterando-se a estrutura interna muito facilmente, o qual implica uma limitação no tempo de uso e reprodutibilidade quando da geração de um radical tão reativo quanto superóxido. / This work consisted in testing the viability of investigations into the electrochemical generation and identification of free radicals involved in advanced oxidative processes. In these studies, a technique which is rarely used for the electrochemical generation and identification of free radicals at organothiole-modified electrodes, electrochemical impedancy spectroscopy, was chosen and the experimental data obtained were fitted by equivalent circuit models. A working electrode (Au) was characterized in both acidic and basic media and several known self-assembled monolayers were adsorbed over this electrode and also characterized using this technique. Important parameters such as dielectric constants, capacitance of the monolayers free of defects and coverage were determined with success. Other lesser-known molecules such as phenothiazines and their derivatives were also used .The modified electrodes were characterized in NaOH solution, since the high pH assures the production of superoxide radicals and hydroperoxylate anions. The equivalent circuit model was employed to obtain physical parameters for these molecules in the electrochemical systems studied. In a subsequent step, a valuable piece of information was obtained; it was noted that the molecules adsorbed over Au could be used in order to generate superoxide and other radicals. The ability of thiol monolayers used in the generation of free radicals, to produce superoxides in alkaline media saturated with molecular oxygen was demonstrated. However, characterization of the self-assembled monolayers, SAM-3 and SAM-6, revealed that these were not able to pack in a completely hydrophobic manner. This may account for the fact that the superoxide could not be detected even when it was believed to have formed. For the phenothiazine-modified electrodes, the adsorption kinetics and the utilization of aqueous solutions prevented the formation of an intact and homogeneous film, which is essential in establishing a hydrophobic and isolating interface. Furthermore, possible complexation reactions between the molecules and the superoxide and reactions between the phenothiazine cation-radical and superoxide, point to the need for further studies regarding the electrochemical nature of this system, whose photochemical properties are very well known. Following modification, all the electrodes were shown to be too sensitive to pH and to the electrolytes used, since the inner structure was easily modified, which implies that they would have a limited time of use and in addition that the reproducibility of the rate of generation of reactive radical species such as superoxides could be compromised.

A técnica de Microbalança de Cristal de Quartzo (QCM) tem sido utilizada para a aplicação em biossensores. Esta técnica consiste no monitoramento da freqüência de oscilação do cristal de quartzo e a variação de freqüência está relacionada com a variação de massa na superfície do cristal por meio da equação de Sauerbrey. Porém, sabe-se que há discrepância entre a massa calculada pela equação de Sauerbrey e a massa real aderida na superfície do cristal de quartzo, sendo tal discrepância causada por fatores tais como a viscoelasticidade, o que é especialmente observado para macromoléculas e sistemas biológicos. Com a técnica de Admitância Eletroacústica (AE) é possível analisar a massa real devido à análise em separado dos parâmetros que compõem o circuito equivalente do cristal de quartzo e também inferir informações sobre a estrutura das monocamadas montadas sobre a superfície do cristal de quartzo. Neste trabalho foi utilizada técnica de AE para se potencializar e detalhar o estudo da formação de monocamadas automontadas e interações entre diferentes proteínas e carboidratos. Em muitos casos verificou-se que durante a formação de determinadas monocamadas, grande parte da variação de massa estava relacionada a interações fracas e não-específicas. Também durante a formação das monocamadas de tióis de cistamina, verificou-se que a estrutura da monocamada é extremamente dependente das concentrações iniciais de cistamina utilizadas para formar a monocamada. As interações entre proteínas e carboidratos foram realizadas após formação de multicamadas nas quais as proteínas eram imobilizadas para depois estudar-se, então, sua interação com carboidratos específicos. No caso da Jacalina, um tipo de lectina, observou-se interações bastante específicas com a fetuína e interações fracas com a alfa-lactose. A atividade da enzima GumH também foi testada com sucesso utilizando a técnica de AE. / The Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) has been largely used for biosensor applications. This technique consists on monitoring quartz crystal oscillation frequency. The relationship of quartz crystal frequency variation with mass deposited on the crystal surface is described by Sauerbrey´s equation. However, the relationship is not directly inferred and discrepancy exists caused mainly by viscoelasticity features of mass adsorbed on the quartz crystal surface. The viscoelastic influence is very common to be observed especially for macro-molecules and biological systems. By using Electroacoustic Admittance (EA) technique it is possible to calculate and separate the real mass deposited over the quartz crystal from other contributions. Therefore, the EA was used to infer about self-assembly monolayer structure being deposited over the quartz crystal. In this work EA technique was used to study details of self-assembled monolayer formation and specific interactions between different proteins and carbohydrate molecules. It was observed that during monolayer formation the majority of mass variation was related to non-specific interactions. For instance, regarding cystamine monolayer formation it was observed that the monolayer structure is dependent on the cystamine concentrations in the liquid medium. The study of interactions between proteins and carbohydrates was conducted by means of multilayers approach in which the proteins are immobilized previously to study the interaction between its active sites and carbohydrates. In the specific case of Jacalin, a type of lectin, it was observed a large formation of specific bonding between this protein and alpha-lactose or fetuin. The GumH enzyme activity was also tested successfully by using of EA technique.

Neste trabalho foi estudado o desenvolvimento de uma superfície modelo de silício monocristalino, SiO2/Si, modificada com organossilanos derivados de N-heterocíclicos que permitisse a imobilização de um complexo de coordenação, FeTIM. Estas superfícies modificadas poderão ser empregadas em estudos de reatividade frente a analitos de interesse, como o NO. Sob esse aspecto, a síntese desses novos silanos, contendo N-heterocíclicos, e o desenvolvimento de uma metodologia de formação dos filmes finos automontados, sobre a superfície de SiO2/Si, tornou-se de grande relevância na aplicabilidade deste trabalho. Para a obtenção dessas superfícies, fez-se necessária a compreensão dos parâmetros de formação dos filmes de silanos. Os parâmetros estudados foram os efeitos do tempo de adsorção, da concentração da solução dos silanos, da polaridade do solvente e do tamanho da cadeia alquílica do silano no processo de formação dos filmes. Deste modo, foi possível inferir sobre as alterações na morfologia e na estrutura química dos filmes formados, através de medidas de Espectroscopia de Fotoelétrons excitados por Raios-X (XPS), Microscopia de Força Atômica (AFM) e Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV). A imobilização do complexo de FeTIM sobre a superfície organomodificada foi comprovada pela variação da linha de fotoemissão do Fe 2p nas medidas de XPS. / This work describes the study of model surfaces on oxidized silicon wafer, SiO2/Si, modified with N-heterocycles rings, that allows the grafting of a macrocycle iron complex, FeTIM, that could be used in reactivity studies, with biologically relevant molecules, as nitrogen monoxide (NO). On this way, the synthesis of these silanes and a new methodology of the formation of self-assembled monolayers had become a relevant question on this work applicability. These thin films contain silanes bearing nitrogenated Lewis bases on silicon surfaces. In order to obtain these modified surfaces, it was necessary a comprehensive study of the adsorption parameters of the thin films. The parameters studied were the effect of: adsorption time, the solution concentration, the role of the solvents polarity and the chain length alkylsilanes in the film formation. Then, it was possible to infer about the film\'s morphology differences and chemical structures by the XPS, AFM and MEV measurements. X-ray photoemission lines of Fe 2p were used to probe the iron chemical environment in the chemically adsorbed macrocycles complexes.

No description available.

This MSc. Thesis deals with electrochemical studies of the analytical utilization of self-assembled monolayers of thiolated calix[4]arene (C4A) and/or undecanthiole (C11SH) on the surface of a polycrystalline gold electrode. Hydroquinone, nitrobenzene, 2-nitrophenole and 4-nitrophenole have been used as tested model compounds. The real surface area of the electrode was determined using these two methods: From the charge of desorption peak of α-gold oxides (5.72±0.48 mm2 ) and using the Randles- Ševčík equation. (6.14±0.59 mm2 ). The preparation of the electrode consisted of polishing on alumina, immersing into piranha solution and cyclic voltammetry. The area of electrode surface was well reproducible. Stability of thiol monolayer in the area of negative potentials was tested. The C11SH layer is very stable; the desorption peak was recorded in basic solutions only (at −1.3 V vs. 3M Ag/AgCl). The position of the desorption peak of C4A is more pH dependent and it was recorded at −1.08 V at pH 13. The properties of the electrode modified by C11SH and or C4A were investigated using the model compound hydroquinone. It is assumed that the oxidation of the hydroquinone does not take place inside the C4A cavity; hence the hydroquinone molecule is too big to pass through the cavity. C11SH and C4 + C11SH act...

Detailed investigations of molecular collisions at the gas-surface interface provide insight into the dynamics and mechanisms of important interfacial reactions. A thorough understanding of the fundamental interactions between a gas and surface is crucial to the study of heterogeneous chemistry of atmospheric organic aerosols. In addition to changing the chemical and physical properties of the particle, reactions with oxidizing gases may alter aerosol optical properties, with implications for the regional radiation budget and climate. Molecular beams of CO₂, NO₂ and O₃ were scattered from long-chain methyl (CH₃-), hydroxyl (OH-), vinyl (H₂C=CH-) and perfluorinated (CF₃(CF₂)₈-, or F-) ω-functionalized alkanethiol self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold, to explore the reaction dynamics of atmospherically important triatomics on proxies for organic aerosols. Energy exchange and thermal accommodation during the gas-surface collision, the first step of most interfacial reactions, was probed by time-of-flight techniques. The final energy distribution of the scattered molecules was measured under specular scattering conditions (θi = θf = 30°). Overall, extent of energy transfer and accommodation was found to depend on the terminal functional group of the SAM, incident energy of the triatomics, and gas-surface intermolecular forces. Reaction dynamics studies of O3 scattering from H2C=CH-SAMs revealed that oxidation of the double bond depend significantly on O₃ translational energy. Our results indicate that the room-temperature reaction follows the Langmuir-Hinshelwood mechanism, requiring accommodation prior to reaction. The measurements also show that the dynamics transition to a direct reaction for higher translational energies. Possible environmental impacts of heterogeneous reactions were probed by evaluating the change in the optical properties of laboratory-generated benzo[a]pyrene (BaP)-coated aerosols, after exposure to NO₃ and NO₂, at 532 nm and 355 nm by three aerosol analysis techniques: cavity ring-down aerosol spectroscopy (CRD-AS) at 355 nm and 532 nm, photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) at 532 nm, and an aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS). Heterogeneous reactions may lead to the nitration of organic-coated aerosols, which may account for atmospheric absorbance over urban areas. Developing a detailed understanding of heterogeneous reactions on atmospheric organic aerosols will help researchers to predict the fate, lifetime, and environmental impact of atmospherically important triatomics and the particles with which they collide. / Ph. D.

A full understanding of chemical reaction dynamics at the gas/organic-surface interface requires knowledge of energy-transfer processes that happen during the initial gas/surface collision. We have examined the influence of mass and rovibrational motion on the energy-transfer dynamics of gas-phase species scattering from model organic surfaces using theory and experiment. Molecular-beam scattering techniques were used to investigate the rare gases, Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe, and the diatomics, N₂ and CO, in collisions with CH₃- and CF₃-terminated self-assembled monolayer (SAM) surfaces. Complementary molecular-dynamics simulations were employed to gain an atomistic view of the collisions and elucidate mechanistic details not observable with our current experimental apparatus. We developed a systematic approach for obtaining highly accurate analytic intermolecular potential-energy surfaces, derived from high-quality ab initio data, for use in our classical-trajectory simulations. Results of rare gas scattering experiments and simulations indicate mass to be the determining factor in the energy-transfer dynamics, while other aspects of the potential-energy surface play only a minor role. Additionally, electronic-structure calculations were used to correlate features of the potential-energy surface with the energy-transfer behavior of atoms and small molecules scattering from polar and non-polar SAM surfaces. Collisions of diatomic molecules with SAMs are seen to be vibrationally adiabatic, however translational energy transfer to and from rotational modes of the gas species, while relatively weak, is readily apparent. Examination of the alignment and orientation of the final rotational angular momentum of the gas species reveals that the collisions induce a stereodynamic preference for the expected "cartwheel" motion, as well as a surprising propensity for "corkscrew" or "propeller" motion. The calculated stereodynamic trends suggest that the CH₃-SAM is effectively more corrugated than the CF₃-SAM. Finally, the feasibility for collisional-energy promoted, direct gas/organic-surface reactions was interrogated using the 1,3-dipolar azide-alkyne cycloaddition reaction. We found that geometrical constraints prevented the reaction from proceeding at the probed conditions. / Ph. D.