Die vorliegende Arbeit beinhaltet die Synthese und Charakterisierung der Diorganosilane SiX2R2 [X = H, Cl; R = Cp3M (C5Me3H2), Cp4M (C5Me4H)] sowie der Diorganogermane GeX2R2 [X = H, Cl; R = Cp3M (C5Me3H2), Cp4M (C5Me4H), Cp* (C5Me5)]. Es wird die Reaktion der Lithiumsalze SiCl2Cp4MLi2 und SiCl2Cp3MLi2, synthetisiert aus den Diorganosilanen SiCl2Cp3M2 und SiCl2Cp4M2, mit verschiedenen Elementchloriden (PCl3, GeCl4, Si2Cl6 SiHCl3, BCl3) sowie Pyridin vorgestellt. Die entstandenen Produkte und heterozyklischen Verbindungen sind hinsichtlich ihrer Struktur im Festkörper mittels Röntgeneinkristallstrukturanalyse und in Lösung mittels NMR-Spektroskopie untersucht worden. Darüber hinaus wird die Abscheidung von dünnen Germaniumschichten über einen apparativ vereinfachten MOCVD-Prozess bei Atmosphärendruck unter Verwendung der Diorganogermane GeH2Cp4M2 und GeH2Cp*2 beschrieben. Als Substrate wurden Siliciumwafer, Glas und flexible Kaptonfolien verwendet. Die abgeschiedenen Germaniumschichten wurden mittels RAMAN-Spektroskopie, Vis/NIR-Spektroskopie, Elektronenmikroskopie, energiedispersiver Röntgenspektroskopie (EDX) und Röntgenphotoelektronenspektroskopie (XPS) untersucht. Die abgeschiedenen amorphen Germaniumschichten wiesen eine kontrollierbare Dicke zwischen 30 – 780 nm auf. Die Homogenität und Rauheit der abgeschiedenen Schichten wurde mittels rasterkraftmikroskopischen Messungen bestimmt. Die Abscheideraten und damit die Schichtdicken konnten mithilfe der Temperatur und der Zeit variiert werden.

Biocomposites exhibit properties like many petrochemical-based polymers composites. They have the potentials be used in the automotive and decking industries and as biodegradable packaging. However, the high cost as well as, poor mechanical and thermal properties have restricted their widespread use. There are a number of technical issues that need to be addressed before bio-composites can be widely used. In this research Polylactic acid (PLA) composites, reinforced with natural fibres (wood, flax) and mineral fillers (talc) were investigated. The thermal and mechanical properties of the composites were studied by means of Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Tensile Testing and Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA), while morphology and crystallization processes of the composites were studied by hot stage optical microscopy. The experimental results are also compared with different theoretical models of the response of the composites. PLA / wood composites were developed by mixing PLA with wood in different ratios using a melt compounding process. PLA/wood (90/10. 80/20, 60/40), PLA/wood/copolymers (85/10/05, 80/10/10, 75/20/05, 70/20/10, 55/40/05, 50/40/10) and PLA/wood/coupling agent (80/20/silane coating) were the three different composite systems that were developed. Adding increasing amount of wood into the PLA, the thermal properties remain unchanged but the mechanical properties increased significantly, bringing a stiffening effect to the composites. Tensile modulus increased from 4.1± 0.6 to 9.8 ± 1.2 (GPa) as the wood content increased from 0 to 40 (wt %), but the tensile strength at break reduced from 43.8 ± 3.1 to 31.8 ± 2.8 MPa. The experimental results of the PLA-wood composites were modelled according to the Halpin-Tsai equation. The addition of copolymer affected the thermal properties considerably by decreasing the glass transition temperature of the composite. The glass transition temperature dropped from 54 ± 0.7 (0C) to 48 ± 0.36 (0C) when the content of copolymer was increased from 0 to 10 (wt %). The cold crystallization temperature also decreased from 127 ± 1.41 (0C) to 103 ± 2.58 (0C) when the copolymer was incorporated into the PLA/wood composites. The significant aspect was the occurrence of a double peak in the melting endotherm. The degree of crystallinity also increased from 2 ± 0.83 (%) to 11 ± 1.23 (%) when the amount of copolymer was increased to 10 (wt %). PLA, flax and expoidizied natural rubber (ENR) composites were also developed using a melt compounding process. The mechanical properties were affected significantly when the flax fibres were mixed with PLA in the ratios of 10, 20 and 30 (wt %). Addition of flax fibres increased the elastic modulus significantly but reduced the tensile strength and strain at break. To improve the toughness of the PLA- Flax composites, ENR was incorporated into the PLA- Flax composites. In order to balance the modulus of the reinforcement and the matrix, the PLA- Flax and ENR composites were annealed above the glass transition temperature and the degree of crystallinity increased from 2 to 35 (%). The integral blending of PLA, Flax and ENR did not affect the brittle fracture but introducing a masterbatch of flax fibres and ENR into the PLA matrix during melt processing had a considerable effect on the fracture behaviour of the composites. The elastic modulus of the composites decreased due to the elastomeric content in the composites and there was an increase in elongation-to-break. The effect of talc on the crystallinity and mechanical properties of a series of polylactic acid (PLA) / talc composites was investigated. PLA talc composites were developed by incorporating different types of the talc into the PLA in the ratios of 10, 20 and 30 (wt %). The composites were prepared by melt blending followed by compression moulding. It was found that talc acted as a nucleating agent and increased the crystallinity of the PLA from 2% to 25%. There was significant improvement in Young s modulus of the composites with increasing talc addition and these results were found to fit the Halpin Tsai model. Thermo-mechanical tests confirmed that the combination of increased crystallinity and storage modulus leads to improvement in the heat distortion properties.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / Este estudo avaliou o efeito de diferentes métodos de silanização e aplicação do ácido hidrofluorídrico (HF) sobre a resistência à microtração de uma cerâmica de dissilicato de lítio a um cimento resinoso. Quarenta blocos de IPS e.max Press /Ivoclar Vivadent (5x5x6mm) foram cimentados a blocos de resina Z250/3M ESPE (5x5x6mm) usando o cimento resinoso RelyX ARC/3M ESPE de acordo com os seguintes métodos de tratamento superficial: G1: 20s de ácido fluorídrico (HF) + silano não hidrolisado Primer-Activactor/Dentsply (SNH) seco à temperatura ambiente; G2: 20s HF + silano pré-hidrolisado RelyX Ceramic-Primer/3M ESPE (SPH) seco à temperatura ambiente; G3: 10s HF + SNH seco com ar quente (50oC-2min); G4: 10sHF + SPH seco com ar quente (50oC-2min); G5: sem ácido, SNH seco com ar quente (50oC-2min); G6: sem ácido, SPH seco com ar quente (50oC-2min); G7: sem ácido, SNH seco à temperatura ambiente; G8: sem ácido, SPH seco à temperatura ambiente. Antes de cada método de silanização, os blocos cerâmicos receberam acabamento com lixas de carbeto de silício (220-600) e limpeza com ácido fosfórico 37% (1min). A cimentação foi realizada com carga vertical de 1kg por 10min. Os conjuntos de cerâmica/cimento/resina foram armazenados em água destilada (37C) por 24 horas e depois seccionados em máquina de corte Isomet 1000 a fim de obter palitos (n = 40) de 1mm2 de área da seção transversal, que foram submetidos ao teste de microtração em máquina de ensaio universal Emic (v = 0,5mm/min). O modo de fratura foi avaliado em microscópio eletrônico de varredura. A análise estatística foi realizada utilizando ANOVA / Dunnett (p-valor = 0,000). As médias MPa e desvio padrão foram: G1-21,5 (8,9) BC; G2-30,5 (7,2) A; G3-19.4 (9.1) BC; G4-24,0 (9,0) B; G5-8.1 (3.2) D; G6 -18,0 (6,2) C; G7-7.8 (2,6) D; G8-6.3 (2,5) D. Grupos 2, 3, 4 e 6 não tiveram falhas prematuras dos palitos contra os grupos 1, 5, 7 e 8, que apresentaram 2,2; 44,4; 75,6 e 33,3% de perdas prematuras, respectivamente. O teste de correlação foi realizado apresentando significância estatística, com valor de -0,736 (p-valor = 0,000), mostrando que, a medida que o percentual de perda prematura aumenta, a média da MPa diminui. Quanto ao modo de fratura, observou-se 44,97% de falhas do tipo mista, 51,70% de falhas do tipo adesiva, 3,33% de falhas do tipo coesiva do cimento. Quando é realizada a supressão do condicionamento com HF como pré-tratamento da superfície cerâmica IPS e.max Press, a aplicação de silano SPH, associada ao seu tratamento térmico, deve ser o método de silanização recomendado, embora os valores mais elevados de resistência de união tenham sido os obtidos quando utilizado o condicionamento com HF por 20s. Quando é realizada a redução do tempo de condicionamento com HF para 10s, a aplicação do silano (SPH ou SNH) deve ser sempre associada ao seu tratamento térmico. O SNH só deve ser usado se as superfícies das cerâmicas IPS e.max Press forem tratadas com HF. / This study devaluated the effect of different types of silanization and hydrofluoric acid on the microtensile bond strength of a lithium dissilicate ceramic system. Forty IPS e.max Press /Ivoclar Vivadent blocks (5x5x6mm) were cemented to Z250/3M ESPE resin blocks (5x5x6mm) using RelyX ARC/3M ESPE resin-cement according to the following silanization methods: G1: 20s hydrofluoric acid (HF) + non-hydrolyzed silane Primer-Activactor/Dentsply (NHS) dried at room temperature; G2: 20sHF + pre-hydrolyzed silane RelyX Ceramic-Primer/3M ESPE (PHS) dried at room temperature; G3: 10sHF + NHS dried with hot air (50oC-2min); G4: 10sHF + PHS + hot air; G5: NHS + hot air; G6: PHS + hot air; G7: NHS dried at room temperature; G8: PHS dried at room temperature. Before each silanization method, all ceramic blocks were abraded with SiC grit papers (220-600) and cleaned with 37% phosphoric acid (1min). The cementation was made with vertical load of 01 kg for 10 min. After cementation procedure, all ceramic/ciment/resin blocks were stored in distilled water (37oC) for 24h before being cut to obtain stick-shapped specimens (n=45) of approximately 1mm2 cross-sectional area for microtensile test (v=0.5mm/min). Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA/Dunnett (p-value = 0,000). The mean MPa(SD) values were: G1-21.5(8.9)BC; G2-30.5(7.2)A; G3-19.4(9.1)BC; G4-24.0(9.0)B; G5-8.1(3.2)D; G6-18.0(6.2)C; G7-7.8(2.6)D; G8-6.3(2.5)D. Groups 2, 3, 4 and 6 had no sticks premature fail against groups 1, 5, 7 and 8, that had 2.2, 44.4, 75.6 and 33.3% of sticks premature fails, respectively. As the correlation coefficient was statistically significant, -0.736 (p-value = 0.000), it could be argued that as the percentage of premature loss increased the MPa mean decreases. The failure mode was 44.97% of mixed failures, 51.70% of adhesive failures, 3.33% of cohesive failures of the cement. When the pretreatment is performed without HF conditioning of the IPS e.max Press ceramic surface, then PHS with hot air application should be the silanization method recommended, although higher bond strength values were obtained when HF conditioning for 20s was used with this type of silane. When the time of HF conditioning is reduced for 10 sec, the application of silane (SPH or SNH) must be always related to its heat treatment. NHS should only be used if IPS e.max Press ceramic surfaces are treated with HF.

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) hold great promise in the fields of biology and medicine. The synthesis of functional MNPs with precisely controlled crystallographic, physicochemical, and magnetic properties on a large scale still remains the challenge today. This thesis reports the exploration of liquid-fed flame spray pyrolysis (FSP) in the synthesis of functional MNPs, their surface modifications, and potential bio-applications. Superparamagnetic and ferromagnetic maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) nanoparticles, and silica-coated maghemite (SiO2/γ-Fe2O3) nanocomposites were synthesised using FSP. The size of γ-Fe2O3 was controllable from 6 to 53 nm, with morphology evolving from a disordered near-spherical shape to fully ordered 2-D hexagonal/octagonal platelet. The saturation magnetisation (Ms) increased from 21 to 74 emu/g with increasing particle size, up to 13 nm when Ms approached the bulk γ-Fe2O3 characteristics. In the case of SiO2/γ-Fe2O3, three distinct morphologies, namely the single segregated γ-Fe2O3 core- SiO2 shell, transitional mixed morphologies, and multi γ-Fe2O3 cores embedded in submicron SiO2 shell, were obtained. The core size, composite size, and morphology of γ- Fe2O3 were tunable by varying %SiO2 loading and the use of a quartz tube enclosure during flame synthesis. The magnetic behaviour correlated well with the crystal microstructure. Following the core particle design, protein adsorption-desorption behaviour on FSP-madeMNPs was studied. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) adsorption was found to follow the Langmuir isotherm, with high binding capacities (150−348 mg BSA/g particle) and fast association constants. Electrostatically governed BSA orientations were proposed for different particle-buffer systems. The adsorbed BSA was effectively recovered by pH-shift using K2HPO4. Subsequently, terminal amine, aldehyde, carboxylic, epoxy, mercapto and maleimide functionality were anchored onto the FSP-made γ-Fe2O3 particles. These versatile functional groups led to conjugation of active trypsin. The immobilised trypsin exhibited superior durability with >60% residual activity after one week, and excellent reusability for >5 cycles. The trypsin-conjugated MNPs are promising carriers in proteomics, demonstrating good substrate specificity with equivalent or better sequence coverage compared to free trypsin in insulin and BSA digestion. In another application, a refined silanisation procedure simultaneously reduced γ-Fe2O3 to Fe3O4, and generated thiol enriched surface for matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) conjugation. The highly active MMP-2-conjugated MNPs could potentially enhance the interstitial transport of macromolecule/nanoparticles in drug delivery.

La prise de conscience des problèmes écologiques liés à l'émission de solvants dans l'atmosphère a<br />provoqué la mise en place d'un cadre législatif auquel les fabricants de peintures ont dû s'adapter.<br />L'évolution vers l'utilisation des peintures en phase aqueuse n'a pu être réalisée sans des aménagements tant au niveau des procédés que des produits. Ainsi, les pigments aluminium mis en oeuvre dans les peintures métallisées, principalement destinées à l'industrie automobile, doivent subir des traitements préalables leur permettant d'éviter des phénomènes de corrosion préjudiciables tant du point de vue esthétique que de la sécurité (dégagement d'hydrogène). Les traitements proposés jusqu'ici (composés phospho-organiques, dérivés du chrome hexavalent) ne sont pas exempts de défauts (toxicité). Cette étude a permis de montrer que l'encapsulation des pigments aluminium dans une coque de PMMA par un procédé dérivé de la polymérisation en émulsion permet d'obtenir des pigments stables en phase aqueuse. De plus, la mise au point d'un nouveau procédé de production , mettant en oeuvre des agents silaniques au cours de l'étape de broyage, permet désormais d'envisager l'élaboration d'un grade universel, i.e. adapté pour les<br />peintures en phase aqueuse et solvant.

Die Pyrolyse ausgewählter Polysiloxane und Poly(chlor)silane erzeugt meso- und mikroporöses SiC, welches als Hochtemperatur-beständiges Material für Filter, Katalysatorträger und Sensoren ein hohes Anwendungspotential besitzt. Der Pyrolyseprozess bis 1500 °C wird thermogravimetrisch und massenspektrometrisch verfolgt und die resultierenden &amp;quot;Bulk&amp;quot;-Pyrolysate mittels DRIFT-Messungen, Elementaranalyse, XRD, N2-Adsorption und FESEM charakterisiert. Zusammensetzung, Kristallinität und Poreneigenschaften des precursorabgeleiteten SiC lassen sich über die Precursorart sowie über die Pyrolysetemperatur und -dauer steuern. Die Poren entstehen je nach Precursor zwischen 1200 und 1500 °C. Im Falle von mesoporösen Pyrolysaten wird die Porenbildung in erster Linie durch die Abgabe gasförmiger Reaktionsprodukte hervorgerufen. Die Porengrößen dieser Produkte liegen zwischen 6 und 12 nm und die spezifische Oberfläche beträgt bis zu 270 m2/g. Bei den mikroporösen Pyrolysaten, gekennzeichnet durch Poren von 1,5 nm Größe und spezifischen Oberflächen bis 530 m2/g, werden die Poreneigenschaften vor allem durch den im Überschuss vorhandenen elementaren Kohlenstoff geprägt.

Die vorliegende Arbeit befasst sich mit Untersuchungen zur Komplexbildung von Cu2+, Zn2+, sowie Sn2+ und B(OMe)3 mit den Schiff-Basen aus 3-Aminopropyl-triethoxysilan (APTES) und 3-(2-Aminoethyl-amino)-propyl-trimethoxysilan (AEPTMS) mit α-Hydroxybenzocarbonylverbindungen. Die Liganden und die Komplexe wurden mit IR-, UV/VIS- und NMR-Spektroskopie charakterisiert. IR-Untersuchungen zeigen die charakteristischen C=N- und C=O-Valenzschwingungen. Sie werden durch die Komplexbildung deutlich verschoben. Die 1H- und 13C-NMR-Messungen indizieren die Komplexbildung mit einer signifikanten Verschiebung in den Signallagen der H- und C-Nachbaratome der Donatoratome. 29Si-NMR-Messungen indizieren keine Hydrolyse- und Kondensationsreaktionen im Verlauf der Synthese. Bei der Komplex-Synthese mit wasserhaltigen Übergangsmetallsalzen wurden Produkte von Sol-Gel-Prozessen gefunden. UV/VIS-spektroskopische Untersuchungen an den Mischungen der Übergangsmetallsalze mit APTES bzw. AEPTMS zeigen die Bildung typischer Aminkomplexe.

This research project, funded by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA Project DTFH61-02-C-0097), focuses mainly on alkali-silica reaction (ASR) and techniques to mitigate the effects of alkali-silica reaction in hardened concrete. A large portion of this report discusses the construction and design of an outdoor exposure site built at the University of Texas at Austin where the goal was to cast field representative concrete elements with laboratory precision and expose them to real environmental conditions. The elements were monitored for expansion and deterioration. At discrete expansion levels a range of mitigation methods were implemented on the structures. After the concrete elements were treated, long-term monitoring was conducted to determine the best approach to provide effective suppression of alkali-silica reaction in the various element types. / text

This research project, funded by the Federal Highway Administration, entails the construction of an outdoor exposure site in order to evaluate various methods for mitigating alkali-silica reaction (ASR) in hardened concrete. The exposure site, built at the Concrete Durability Center at the University of Texas at Austin J.J. Pickle Research campus, included a series of bridge deck, column and slab elements. The specimens were cast in 2008, allowed to expand to predetermined expansion levels and then treated with various mitigation measures, after which the specimens were monitored for expansion, humidity, and deterioration. / text

Polypropylene (PP) and ethylene-co-octene copolymer (EOC) blends were prepared at various component ratios and reinforced with silica nanoparticles (SiO2). Strategies to improve filler dispersion involved the grafting of a silane coupling agent on the PP matrix, the addition of a maleated PP (PP-g-MA) as a compatibilizer and the use of hydrophobic silica nanoparticles. These approaches resulted in a fine dispersion of the nanoparticles within the PP phase and induced a reduction of the size of the EOC domains, due to a barrier effect. Tensile and flexural properties were significantly increased, whereas ductility and impact properties were not affected. These enhancements are attributed to the favourable microstructure of the blends, featuring a segregated microstructure, and to the improved interfacial adhesion between the functionalized polymer matrix and the surface of the nanoparticles. The microstructure and rheology of model melt compounded EOC-based nanocomposites were investigated. Functionalization of the polyolefin matrix was accomplished through silane grafting, or addition of a maleated EOC (EOC-g-MA) compatibilizer. Various grades of unmodified SiO2 having different specific surface areas (SSA), as well as a surface-modified grade were added to the EOC matrix at various loadings. The formation of covalent and hydrogen bonds between the silanol groups and the functionalized polymer generated strong polymer/filler (P/F) interactions, resulting in improved filler dispersion. Bound polymer characterization revealed that in the compatibilized materials, the amount of polymer physically attached to the nanoparticles was higher than in the non-compatibilized samples. In the absence of a compatibilizer, larger SiO2 aggregates formed upon increasing SSA because of increased probability of hydrogen bonding between the particles. The increased propensity for aggregation was revealed by time sweeps as well as by the increased strain sensitivity in stress sweeps. On the contrary, the compatibilized composites exhibited a stable response and a higher critical strain for the onset of non-linearity, indicative of stronger adhesion between the fillers and the matrix. Superposition of oscillatory and creep/recovery experiments revealed that the viscoelastic properties in the terminal region were influenced substantially by the state of dispersion of the nanoparticles. In the absence of a compatibilizer, substantial enhancements in the linear viscoelastic (LVE) functions were noted and an increasing SSA resulted in more significant deviations from terminal flow. On the contrary, the SSA of the particles had no effect on the viscoelastic and mechanical properties of the compatibilized composites. / Thesis (Ph.D, Chemical Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2011-04-18 15:17:52.471