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This doctorate thesis focuses on investigating the parameter space involved in numerically modeling the bandgap engineering of a GaInP/InGaAs/Ge lattice matched multi-junction solar cell (MJSC) using InAs/InGaAs quantum dots (QDs) in the middle sub-cell. The simulation environment – TCAD Sentaurus – solves the semiconductor equations using finite element and finite difference methods throughout well-defined meshes in the device to simulate the optoelectronic behavior first for single junction solar cells and subsequently for MJSCs with and without quantum dots under concentrated illumination of up to 1000 suns’ equivalent intensity. The MJSC device models include appropriate quantum tunneling effects arising in the tunnel junctions which serve as transparent sub-cell interconnects. These tunneling models are calibrated to measurements of AlGaAs/GaAs and AlGaAs/AlGaAs tunnel junctions reaching tunneling peak current densities above 1000 A/cm^2. Self-assembled InAs/GaAs quantum dots (QDs) are treated as an effective medium through a description of appropriate generation and recombination processes. The former includes analytical expressions for the absorption coefficient that amalgamates the contributions from the quantum dot, the InAs wetting layer (WL) and the bulk states. The latter includes radiative and non-radiative lifetimes with carrier capture and escape considerations from the confinement potentials of the QDs. The simulated external quantum efficiency was calibrated to a commercial device from Cyrium Technologies Inc., and required 130 layers of the QD effective medium to match the contribution from the QD ground state. The current – voltage simulations under standard testing conditions (1 kW/cm^2, T=298 K) demonstrated an efficiency of 29.1%, an absolute drop of 1.5% over a control structure. Although a 5% relative increase in photocurrent was observed, a 5% relative drop in open circuit voltage and an absolute drop of 3.4% in fill factor resulted from integrating lower bandgap nanostructures with shorter minority carrier lifetimes. However, these results are considered a worst case scenario since maximum capture and minimum escape rates are assumed for the effective medium model. Decreasing the band offsets demonstrated an absolute boost in efficiency of 0.5% over a control structure, thus outlining the potential benefits of using nanostructures in bandgap engineering MJSCs.

Esta tese descreve a preparação, caracterização e desenvolvimento de biossensores baseados na imobilização de enzimas em filmes nanoestruturados. Os filmes foram obtidos pela técnica de automontagem do inglês Layer-by-Layer (LbL) ou pela técnica de Langmuir-Blodgett (LB). A tese se divide em três partes: a primeira parte teve como objetivo o estudo e a aplicação de filmes finos nanoestruturados, contendo enzima tirosinase (Tyr), em biossensores para detecção de moléculas antioxidantes (polifenóis), visando sua aplicação na indústria de alimentos, em especial a de vinhos tintos. Foi utilizada a técnica LB para a imobilização da enzima Tyr sobre substratos sólidos (ITO ou Pt) sem que a enzima perdesse sua atividade. A enzima foi incorporada a filmes LB mistos de ácido araquídico (AA) e bisftalocianina de lutécio (LuPc2) pela injeção na subfase aquosa. A LuPc2 foi usada como mediadora de transferência de cargas. Foi possível a detecção do composto fenólico representativo pirrogalol. Estudos de voltametría cíclica demonstraram que o biossensor possui uma boa reprodutibilidade com desvio padrão de ca. 2% (n = 4), limite dinâmico de até 400 \'mü\'M (potencial aplicado de 0,4 V; R2: 0,993), sensibilidade de 1,54 \'mü\'A.\'mü\'M POT.-1/\'CM POT.2\' e limite de detecção (critério 3\'sigma\'0/m) de 4,87 x \'10 POT.-2\' \'mü\'M (n = 10). A segunda parte do trabalho descreve o desenvolvimento de sensores eletroquímicos baseados em filmes automontados LbL de hidrocloreto de polialilamina (PAH) e LuPc2. A motivação para o estudo foi a troca do material biológico (Tyr) pela LuPc2, a qual possui poder catalítico e relativa seletividade, capaz de mimetizar algumas proteínas. A LuPc2 foi utilizada como enzima artificial na quantificação de catecol e pirogalol como representantes de compostos fenólicos. Em medidas de voltametria, o sensor automontado de PAH/LuPc2 apresentou boa linearidade (R2 = 0,992) na faixa de até 500 \'mü\'M, com uma sensibilidade de 90 nA/\'mü\'M e limite de detecção de 8 \'mü\'M. Nas medidas cronoamperométricas, os sensores apresentaram uma ampla faixa linear (R2 = 0,994; tempo de resposta de 60 s) de até 900 \'mü\'M e limite de detecção (LD) de 37,5 x \'10 POT.-8\' M (sensibilidade de 20 nA/\'mü\'M) para o catecol. Por fim, estudou-se a fabricação de filmes LbL baseados em dendrímero poli(propileno imina) (PPID) e metaloftalocianina tetrasulfonada de níquel (NiTsPc) em sensores baseados em transistores de efeito de campo (FET). Neste caso, os filmes foram utilizados como membranas sensíveis na aplicação de sensores de pH e \'H IND.2\'O IND.2\'. Também se demonstra a importância de se utilizar estruturas dendríticas nesse tipo de filme, comparando estes filmes com aqueles contendo um polieletrólito fraco linear (PAH). Foi dada ênfase à fabricação dos filmes pela técnica LbL e sua aplicação em sensores do tipo FET de porta estendida e separada (SEGFET). Filmes LbL baseados em enzimas artificiais se mostram bastante promissores em aplicações reais por serem relativamente baratos e simples, possibilitando o uso de variados tipos de materiais. A utilização desses filmes em dispositivos baseados em estruturas SEGFET possibilita a miniaturização dos sensores bem como sua produção unindo técnicas convencionais de fabricação microeletrônica. / This thesis describes the preparation, characterization and development of biosensors based on nanostructured films containing immobilized enzymes and metallophthalocyanines. The films were obtained using the Layer-by-Layer (LbL) or Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) techniques. In the first part of the thesis we describe the development of nanostructured thin films containing the enzyme tyrosinase (Tyr) and their use as biosensors for detection of antioxidants molecules (polyphenols), which find applications in the food industry, specialy red wines. The enzyme was incorporated into the mixed LB films of arachidic acid (AA) and lutetium bisphthalocyanine (LuPc2) by injection into the aqueous subphase followed by transference to ITO or Pt electrodes. The representative phenolic compound molecule to be detected was pyrogallol. Cyclic voltammetry studies shown that the biosensor response is highly reproducible with a standard deviation of ca. 2% (n = 4), dynamic range up to 400 \'mü\'M (applied potential of 0.4 V; R2: 0.993), sensitivity of 1.54 \'mü\'A/\'mü\'M.\'CM POT.2\' and detection limit (3 \'sigma\'0/m criteria) of 4.87 x \'10 POT.-2\' \'mü\'M (n = 10). The second part of this thesis focus on the development of electrochemical sensors based on LbL films of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and LuPc2. The purpose of the study was to change the biological material (Tyr) by LuPc2. LuPc2 was used as an artificial enzyme in the quantification of catechol and pyrogallol as representative of phenolic compounds. In voltammetric measurements, the LbL PAH/LuPc2 sensors presented good linearity (R2 = 0.992) in the range up to 500 \'mü\'M with a sensitivity of 90 nA/\'mü\'M and detection limit of 8 \'mü\'M. As revealed by chronoamperometry measurements, the sensors exhibited a wide linear range (R2 = 0.994; response time of 60 s) up to 900 M and detection limit of 37.5 × \'10 POT.-8\' \'mü\'M (sensibility of 20 nA/\'mü\'M) for catechol. Finally, we investigated the fabrication of LbL films based on poly(propylene imine) dendrimer (PPID) and nickel tetrasulfonated phthalocyanine (NiTsPc) as active elements in devices based on field effect transistors (FET). The films were used as sensitive membranes applied as pH and \'H IND.2\'O IND.2\' sensors. It was shown the importance on the LbL technique and its application in FET-based sensors such as the separated and extended gate FET (SEGFET). LBL films based on artificial enzymes exhibit great promise in real applications due to their low cost and simplicity. The use of these films in devices based on SEGFET structures allows miniaturization of the sensors and their production combining conventional microelectronics fabrication and nanotechnological tools.

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...

This licentiate thesis is focused on two methods for protein immobilization to biosensor surfaces for future applications in protein microarray formats. The common denominator is a surface chemistry based on a gold substrate with a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of functionalized alkanethiolates. Both methods involve photochemistry, in the first case for direct immobilization of proteins to the surface, in the other for grafting a hydrogel, which is then used for protein immobilization. Paper I describes the development and characterization of Chelation Assisted Photoimmobilization (CAP), a three-component surface chemistry that allows for covalent attachment and controlled orientation of the immobilized recognition molecule (ligand) and thereby provides a robust sensor surface for detection of analyte in solution. The concept was demonstrated using His-tagged IgG-Fc as the ligand and protein A as the analyte. Surprisingly, as concluded from IR spectroscopy and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis, the binding ability of this bivalent ligand was found to be more than two times higher with random orientation obtained by amine coupling than with homogeneous orientation obtained by CAP. It is suggested that a multivalent ligand is less sensitive to orientation effects than a monovalent ligand and that island formation of the alkanethiolates used for CAP results in a locally high ligand density and steric hindrance. Paper II describes the development of nanoscale hydrogel structures. These were photografted on a SAM pattern obtained by dip-pen nanolithography (DPN) and subsequent backfilling. The hydrogel grew fast on the hydrophilic patterns and slower on the hydrophobic background, which contained a buried oligo(ethylene glycol) (OEG) chain. Using IR spectroscopy, it was found that the OEG part was degraded during UV light irradiation and acted as a sacrificial layer. In this process other OEG residues were exposed and acted as new starting points for the self-initiated photografting and photopolymerization (SIPGP). A biotin derivative was immobilized to the hydrogel density pattern and interaction with streptavidin was demonstrated by epifluorescence microscopy.

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.

The mechanism of ion channel (mimetic) sensors (ICSs) consisting of (poly)electrolyte type alkane thiol, protein or dendrimer self assembled monolayers (SAMs) at gold electrodes as a sensing layer and highly charged redox-active marker ions in solution was investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and rotating disk voltammetry (RDV) in the presence of a series of analytes, i.e, suppressor and enhancer ions, leading to the following general statements: (i) electrostatic binding of marker ions to the sensing layer is a prerequisite for an electrochemical current and (ii) charge propagation through the layer consists of electron hopping between surface-confined marker ions and solution born marker ions. It is further shown that there exists (iii) competition between equally charged ions for coordination sites at the oppositely charged sensing layer. An apparent charge inversion (iv) by surface confinement of multiple charged counter ions occurs. Thereby an existing electron transfer (ET) path can be cut or a new one can be induced. Build up of a second layer of multiple charged electroactive ions (v) can take place on top of the charge inverted layer. Competing ET (vi) through the inner and outer redox layer can take place. In addition to fundamental insight into the mechanism of charge propagation, valuable information for the design, optimization, and tailoring of new biosensors based on the ICS concept, the possibilities of exploiting layer-by-layer electrostatic SAMs and dendrimer-DNA interaction for bioanalytical applications are demonstrated by the current findings.

In this paper SAM (self-assembled monolayers) is used to passivate cobalt microbumps for 3D-stacking of Si chips. The SAM deposition process is optimized, using input from characterization techniques such as water contact angle measurement, ATR, AFM and XPS analysis in order to form a monolayer of Thiols-SAM on cobalt microbumps. A 3D stacked Si chips test vehicle was used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the SAM coating on cobalt bumps by measuring the electrical continuity of daisy chains.

The functionalization of surfaces has received attention because the process allows the design and tailoring of substrate surfaces with a new or improved function. "Host-guest" thin film complexes are composed of "host" molecules attached the substrate surface, either through physisorption or covalent bonds, with cavities for the inclusion of desired "guest" molecules for the functionalization of the surface. Two methods for fabricating functional "host-guest" thin films were investigated: Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) deposition and self-assembly monolayer (SAM). Langmuir films were created at the air-water interface using octadecanesulfonic acid (C18S) as the amphiphilic "host" molecules separated by hydrophilic guanidinium (G) spacer molecules, which created a cavity allowing the inclusion of desired "guest" molecules. Surface pressure-area isotherms of the (G)C18S, with and without guests, are characterized by the lift-off molecular areas and are use to determine the proper deposition surface pressure. "Host-guest" Langmuir films are deposited onto silicon substrates using the LB deposition technique. The LB films were then subjected to stability testing using different solvents over increasing periods of time. Grazing-angle incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXD), specular X-ray reflectivity (XRR) and transfer ratio measurements were used to characterize the crystallinity, film thickness, overall film stability and film coverage. The GIXD data revealed that the crystallinity of the deposited film varies with the "guest" molecules and can be disrupted by the functional group on the "guest" molecule through hydrogen bonding. After modeling the XRR data using StochFit, it was discovered that the more polar solvent, tetrahydrofuran (THF), removed the film completely while the nonpolar solvent, hexane, compacted the thin film and increased the electron density. With transfer ratios around 0.95 to 1.05, the deposited films were homogenous. The second method used was self-assembly monolayers, which differs from Langmuir films in that they are created by a spontaneous chemical synthesis from immersing a substrate into a solution containing an active surfactant. Octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) was used initially as a molecule to study the self-assembled monolayer procedure. To study a "host-guest" self-assembled monolayer system, a compound is being synthesized from 9-bromoanthracene. This compound would already contain the cavity necessary for the inclusion of "guest" molecules. The solution that contained OTS was composed of a 4:1 mixture of anhydrous octadecane: chloroform. Silicon substrates with a deposited oxide layer were hydroxylated for the surfactant binding chemical reaction to occur. The OTS SAMs were exposed to the same stability tests as the LB films. Surface contact angle measurements were taken of the OTS SAMs before and after the stability tests. The contact angle prior to the stability tests was 110° (±2°). The contact angle after immersion in THF was 101° (±2°) while the contact angle resulting from immersion in hexane was 105° (±2°). From the contact angle measurements, the degradation of the OTS SAMs was less extensive than that of the (G)C18S LB films. / Master of Science

Organic materials exhibiting second-order non-linear optical (NLO) properties are a key to the development of advanced electro-optic (EO) modulators used in fiber-optic communications system. This work addresses the fabrication and characterization of organic materials with NLO properties using a self-assembly approach by alternately dipping a charged substrate into positively and negatively charged polymers to build up layer-by-layer (LbL) films. The effect of solution pH on the formation of LbL films fabricated using the polycation poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and the polyanion poly{1-[p-(3–-carboxy-4–-hydroxyphenylazo)benzenesulfonamido]-1,2-ethandiyl} (PCBS) was studied using a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) monitoring, ellipsometry, absorbance, and second harmonic generation (SHG) measurements. PCBS has an azo-benzene chromophore side group that, when sufficiently oriented, results in measurable SHG. Films of PAH/PCBS fabricated at neutral pH where both PAH and PCBS are highly charged led to thin bilayers, ~1 nm, with a 1:1 molar ratio of PCBS:PAH. This molar ratio was found to be important for long-range polar ordering of PCBS in these films. Increasing the rate of convection was found to reduce the time required for complete adsorption of the polyion. This can have a significant impact on fabrication of films with high bilayer numbers. A variation of the above technique, which involves adsorbing one of the constituents electrostatically and another covalently, was studied using PAH and a reactive dye, Procion Brown (PB), which has a significantly higher hyperpolarizability than PCBS. It was found that a high pH, ~10.5, was important for achieving covalent attachment of the PB to the underlying PAH films. This resulted in much higher SHG intensities compared to when PB was deposited pH at 8.5-9.5 where the attachment of PB was due to a combination of electrostatic and covalent interactions. QCM-D results for PAH/PB films revealed the presence of a high percentage of unreacted amine groups in the underlying PAH film. A rate constant value for PB attachment step to the underlying PAH was also calculated. To enhance the SHG intensity of these films, silver nanoprisms were synthesized and deposited onto films using physisorption. An enhancement in the SHG intensity was observed for both PAH/PCBS and PAH/PB films. / Ph. D.