No description available.

No description available.

M. Tech. (Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Applied and Computer Science): Vaal University of Technology / Here, we report the synthesis and characterization of silver (Ag) and silver selenide (Ag2Se) nanoparticles using the metal-organic route method. This method involves the reduction of selenium powder and silver nitrate in the presence of trioctylphosphine as a solvent. Tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) and hexadecylamine (HDA) were used in the study as capping molecules. The optical properties of the as-prepared nanoparticles were studied using UV-Visible and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) were used to study the structural properties. The effect of capping molecules and temperature were investigated on the growth of the nanoparticles. The prepared nanoparticles seem to depend on the reaction temperature were the increase in temperature led to an increase in particle sizes. The growth of the as-prepared TOPO-capped Ag2Se nanoparticles was influenced by temperature, this was evident when the temperature was increased, the nanoparticles evolved from sphere to hexagonal shape. TOPO-capped nanoparticles showed the tendency of agglomeration with increase in temperature compared to HDA-capped nanoparticles. The X-ray diffraction results showed peaks which were identified as due to α-Ag2Se body centered cubic compound for both TOPO/HDA-capped Ag2Se nanoparticles. Some evidence of impurities were observed in the XRD analysis and indexed to metallic silver. HDA-capped Ag nanoparticles were found to be affected by temperature variation. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized with UV-Vis spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. XRD analysis was not performed due to small yield obtained. The absorption spectra of HDA-capped Ag nanoparticles at different temperatures show a surface Plasmon resonance (SPR) band in the regions 418 - 428 nm. Uniform spherical shapes were obtained for both 130 and 190 °C and fewer particles were obtained at 160 °C. The synthesis of TOPO–capped Ag nanoparticles was unsuccessful since none of the particles were isolated from the solution due to its lower capping ability or it may be that TOPO is binding too strongly to Ag. The polymer nanofibres were electrospun using electrospinning technique. Parameters such as concentration and voltage were investigated. These parameters significantly affect the formation of fibre morphology. PVP and PMMA polymers were used for this study. The electrospun composite fibres were characterized using UV-Visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transformer infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The SEM results show that increasing the polymer concentration resulted in increased fibre diameters. Hence increasing the voltage decreases the fibre diameters. Ag2Se nanoparticles were incorporated into PVP and PMMA and electrospun using electrospinning to produce composite fibres. Their addition into PVP polymer fibres improved the fibre’s uniformity and further decreased their diameters. The SEM of composite fibres for PMMA is not shown. The absorption bands for PVP composites fibres show a blue shift from the pure Ag2Se nanoparticles, whereas the one for PMMA show a red shift from the pure Ag2Se nanoparticles. Both the composite fibres for PVP and PMMA show a blue shift from the bulk of Ag2Se. The XRD analysis of the composite fibres shows no significant effect upon addition of Ag2Se nanoparticles on the amorphous peak of the PVP polymer, whereas on the PMMA, it shows peaks which were due to the face centered cubic phase of Ag. The FTIR spectra of the composite fibres and pure polymers (PVP and PMMA) gave almost identical features. TGA curves show no significant effect on the thermal properties of the PVP polymer and its composites, however, on the PMMA composite fibres it show an increase in the thermal stability of the polymers upon addition of Ag2Se nanoparticles. The study was based on silver nanoparicles and its antibacterial activities. One of the synthetic challenges for silver nanoparticles is their solubility and yield. Selenide was introduced in the study to improve such shortcomings of silver nanoparticles and also for possible improved properties, chemical stability and increased activity against bacteria. The selenide group on the metal also provides stronger chemical interaction between the nanoparticles and the polymer. Therefore, the intension was to use these nanoparticles into polymer fibres for potential use in wound dressing.

Les nanomatériaux sont de plus en plus présents dans les produits consommables du quotidien. L’argent est le métal le plus utilisé en nanotechnologie pour ses propriétés antimicrobiennes. Par différentes voies d’entrée, les nanoparticules d’argent (nAg) se retrouvent dans l’environnement en quantité significative, notamment dans les sols suite à la valorisation agricole des biosolides municipaux. Il est prévu qu’une interaction négative sur la communauté microbienne terrestre ait des répercussions sur la fertilité du sol et les processus biogéochimiques. Les mesures de l’activité enzymatique ont déjà montré leur efficacité et leur sensibilité dans la détection d’une perturbation physique et chimique du sol. Les effets potentiels des nAg sur l’écosystème terrestre ont été évalués en mesurant l’activité des enzymes β-D-glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.21), leucine-aminopeptidase (EC 3.4.11.1), phosphomonoesterase (EC 3.1.3) et arylsulfatase (EC 3.1.6.1) intervenant dans les cycles des éléments essentiels C, N, P et S, respectivement. L’activité enzymatique est mesurée à l’aide d’une technique basée sur la fluorescence qui requière des substrats synthétiques liés à un fluorophore. Un sol de type sableux a été échantillonné au Campus Macdonald de l’Université McGill (Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Qc) puis exposé aux nAg (taille ~20 nm) ou à la forme ionique Ag+ (Ag-acetate) à des concentrations nominales de 1,25 × 10-3, 1,25 × 10-2, 0,125, 1,25, 6,25 et 31,25 mg Ag kg-1 sol. De plus, le rôle de la matière organique (MO) a été évalué en effectuant un amendement du sol avec un compost de feuilles. Pour mieux comprendre les effets observés, des analyses de spéciation de l’Ag ont été réalisées. Les concentrations en Ag dissous ont été déterminées après filtration à travers des membranes de 0,45 µm ou de 3 kDa (~1 nm, ultrafiltration) pour séparer la phase particulaire des ions dissous. De façon générale, une inhibition de l’activité enzymatique a été observée pour les 4 enzymes en fonction de l’augmentation de la concentration en Ag (totale et dissoute) mais elle est significativement moins importante avec l’ajout de la MO. Les résultats suggèrent que l’inhibition de l’activité des enzymes aux faibles expositions aux nAg est due aux nanoparticules puisqu’une très faible fraction des nAg est réellement dissoute et aucun effet significatif n’a été observé pour les sols traités à des concentrations similaires en Ag+. Par contre, les effets mesurés aux concentrations plus élevées en nAg sont semblables aux expositions à l’Ag+ et suggèrent un rôle de l’Ag colloïdale dans l’inhibition du processus enzymatique des sols. / Nanomaterials are increasingly included in manufactured consumable products. Silver is the metal that is most often used in nanotechnology for its antimicrobial properties. By different pathways, silver nanoparticles (nAg) can end up in the environment, in significant quantities. They are especially expected to be found in soils due to the use of landfills. In the presence of silver (Ag) negative effects on the terrestrial microbial communities with a subsequent impact on soil fertility and biogeochemical processes are expected. Measurements of enzyme activity have already shown their effectiveness and sensitivity in the detection of chemical and physical disturbances of soils. In this document, the potential effects of nAg on the terrestrial ecosystem have been evaluated by measuring the activities of the enzymes β-D-glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.21), leucine aminopeptidase (EC 3.4.11.1), phosphomonoesterase (EC 3.1.3) and arylsulfatase (EC 3.1.6.1), which are involved in the cycling of the essential elements C, N, P and S, respectively. The enzyme activity is measured using a fluorescence based technique that employs synthetic substrates linked to a fluorophore. A sandy soil was sampled at Macdonald Campus of McGill University (Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Qc) and then exposed to nAg (size ~ 20 nm) or free silver (Ag+, as Ag-acetate) at nominal concentrations of 1.25 × 10-3, 1.25 × 10-2, 0.125, 1.25, 6.25 and 31.25 mg Ag kg-1 soil. The role of organic matter (OM) was evaluated by adding leaf compost to the soil. The proportion of the toxicity that could be attributed to the nAg was evaluated by performing Ag speciation analyses in all soil samples. Dissolved Ag concentrations were determined after filtration through a 0.45 µm membrane or a 3 kDa ultrafiltration membrane (~ 1 nm) in order to separate the particulate phase from the dissolved ions. In general, inhibition of the enzyme activities was observed for the four enzymes as a function of increasing Ag concentrations (total and dissolved), however effects were significantly less dramatic in the OM-amended soil. The results suggested that the inhibition of enzyme activities at low-concentrations of nAg appeared to be due to the nanoparticles since a very small fraction of the nAg was actually dissolved and no significant effect was observed for soils treated with similar concentrations of Ag+. On the other hand, the effects measured at high concentrations of Ag were similar for the exposures to both nAg and Ag+, suggesting that, at these concentrations, colloidal Ag may have played a role in the inhibition of the soil enzymatic processes.

Le 3D-SiP, 3D-System in package, est une branche de la microélectronique visant à intégrer de manière hétérogène divers composants pour obtenir des microsystèmes compacts, pensants et communiquants. Cette thèse a pour objet l'étude de deux procédés laser pour fabriquer des microsystèmes 3D-SiP sur support flexibles. On étudie dans un premier temps l'ablation laser de polymère pour réaliser des cavités dans lesquelles des composants microélectroniques peuvent être placés. On utilise du poly(méthacrylate de méthyle) (PMMA) dopé et greffé avec du pyrène, chromophore absorbant dans l'UV et on montre que, bien que le greffage du chromophore sur les chaînes du polymère améliore l'homogénéité, la qualité de l'ablation est suffisante lorsque le pyrène est simplement dispersé. On modifie également le PMMA avec du N3 pour le rendre réticulable et on constate l'apparition de structures surfaciques périodiques après ablation, dont on explique les mécanismes de formations probables. Dans un second temps, on étudie le dépôt de lignes conductrices par LIFT, Laser-Induced Forward Transfer, technique permettant de transférer par laser un matériau préalablement déposé sur un substrat donneur transparent. On utilise une encre contant des nanoparticules d'argent fusionnant après recuit pour imprimer goutte après goutte des lignes conductrices. On étudie l'éjection et le dépôt d'encre à grande vitesse (0,5 MHz) et on obtient pour la première fois des images d'éjections de plusieurs jets d'encre successifs. On démontre la possibilité d'imprimer des lignes conductrices à la vitesse de 4,3 m/s et on discute les critères clefs pour le contrôle de ce procédé. / 3D-System in package (3D-SiP) is a branch of microelectronics that aims at integrating several heterogeneous components into the same package, thus forming a compact device able to communicate and process data. The goal of this thesis is to study two laser processes to build 3D-SiP microsystems on flexible substrates. In a first part, we study the laser ablation of cavities in polymer in which microchips can be inserted. We use poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) doped and grafted with pyrene, a chromophore which absorbs in the UV range. We show that grafting the pyrene on the polymer side-chains increases the homogeneity but that the quality of ablation is sufficient when the pyrene is simply dispersed in the matrix. We also modify the PMMA with N3 to make it cross-linkable and we observe the formation of laser-induced periodic surface structures upon laser irradiation. We discuss the mechanism most likely to explain their formation. On a second part, we use the LIFT (laser-induced forward transfer) technique, which uses a laser pulse to print a material deposited on a transparent donnor substrate. Using a silver nanoparticles ink, we deposit droplets that coalesce and form lines. We study the ejection and printing at high speed (0,5 MHz) and we visualize for the first time the ejection of several succesive jets. We show that it is possible to print electrical connections at 4.3 m/s and we discuss the criteria to control the process.

Les nanoparticules (NPs) de métaux nobles ont de nombreuses applications grâce à leurs propriétés optiques, chimiques et électriques extraordinaires. Les propriétés optiques résultent de plasmons localisés de surface, exaltant l’absorption et la diffusion de la lumière aux longueurs d’onde de résonance dans le domaine du visible. Les propriétés optiques, dépendantes de la taille et de la forme exacte de la NP, sont mises à profit dans l’objectif de créer un absorbant parfait en couche mince. Les applications de ces couches minces concernent, parmi d’autres, les photodétecteurs, le solaire thermique et les applications de furtivité.Les récents progrès accomplis dans le domaine des synthèses colloïdales de NPs nous permettent de synthétiser des nanosphères, nanocubes et nanoprismes d’Ag de différentes tailles. Ces NPs sont déposées aléatoirement dans une matrice hôte non-absorbante afin d’être caractérisées optiquement. Les résultats expérimentaux sont validés à l’aide de calculs numériques, permettant en outre de visualiser les phénomènes physiques à l’échelle de la NP.Cette thèse décrit les synthèses chimiques et les caractérisations optiques. Des mesures de spectroscopie ellipsométriques sont effectuées sur différentes couches minces. Un modèle optique simple, constitué d’une loi de Cauchy et d’une ou plusieurs lois de Gauss, est dérivé afin d’obtenir les indices optiques complexes de nos échantillons. La comparaison des coefficients d’extinction des différentes couches montre que les propriétés optiques de chaque NP sont additionnées en mélange et en empilement. Les calculs numériques relient ce résultat à la faible densité de nanoparticules en couche. / Noble metal nanoparticles (NPs) have a broad range of applications thanks to their extraordinary optical, chemical and electrical properties. The optical properties are driven by their ability to support localized surface plasmon resonances, which induce enhanced absorption and scattering at their resonance wavelengths in the visible spectrum. These size and shape dependent optical properties are taken advantage of in the search for a thin film layer perfect absorber in the visible wavelength band. The application for such thin film layers with engineered optical properties ranges from photodetectors, over thermal solar cells to stealth applications.Recent progress in colloidal NP synthesis makes the chemical wet synthesis of silver nanospheres, nanocubes and nanoprisms of various sizes easily feasible. The different NPs are then randomly deposited in a transparent and non-absorbing host matrix for optical characterizations. Computer simulations validate the experimental results and allow a visualization of the phenomena occurring at the nanoparticle scale.This PhD thesis reports the chemical synthesis of the different nanoparticles and their optical characterizations. Spectroscopic ellipsometry measurements are performed on single shape NPs, blends and multilayer stacks. A simple diffusion model, composed of a single Cauchy law and one or several Gauss laws, is chosen to determine the complex optical indices. The comparison of the extinction coefficients of the different layers shows that the optical properties of each NP are simply added in the blend and multilayer samples. Computer simulations relate this to the low density of nanoparticles.

Nanopartículas de prata (AgNPs) vêm ganhando grande importância na prevenção contra infecções, principalmente pela sua incorporação em dispositivos médicos, tecidos entre outros produtos relacionados. Estudos prévios indicaram que partículas de menores tamanhos têm ação biocida mais efetiva. Nesse contexto, a separação granulométrica pode ser explorada para se obter partículas com as dimensões desejadas. A centrifugação foi escolhida, entre outros métodos de separação granulométrica, por sua possibilidade de ressuspensão das AgNPs após a separação, pela facilidade do aumento de escala e baixa complexidade. Um modelo do perfil de concentração (em uma cela centrífuga) de AgNPs em função do tempo e intensidade de centrifugação foi proposto a partir da Equação de Lamm, considerando a difusividade Browniana e o coeficiente de Svedberg calculado a partir do balanço de forças. A equação foi resolvida com a solução semi-analítica proposta inicialmente por Fujita (1962) e melhorada pelos alemães Joachim Behlke e Otto Ristau (2001). O desempenho da centrifugação de AgNPs sintetizadas pelo Método Turkevich foi avaliado analisando-se as partículas sobrenadantes por DLS, UV-Vis e microscopia eletrônica e comparando com o modelo proposto. O modelo previu razoavelmente a concentração total de partículas e a sua distribuição de tamanhos em diferentes tempos de centrifugação para forças de campo baixas (força centrífuga relativa até 1480). Para maiores forças de campo, houve uma sedimentação mais acelerada que a prevista pelo modelo. / Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have gained great importance in preventing infections, especially by their incorporation into medical devices, tissues and related products. Previous studies indicated that particles of smaller sizes have more effective biocidal action. In this context, granulometric separation may be explored to deliver nanoparticles of desired size. Centrifugation was chosen, among other particle size separation methods, for their ability to resuspend the AgNPs after separation, for the ease of scale-up and low complexity. A profile concentration model (in the centrifuge cell) of AgNPs as a function of time and intensity of centrifugation has been proposed from the Lamm equation, considering the Svedberg and Brownian diffusivity coefficients calculated from a force balance. The equation was solved with the semi-analytical solution proposed initially by Fujita (1962) and improved by the Germans Joachim Behlke and Otto Ristau (2001). The centrifugation performance of AgNPs synthesized by the Turkevich method was evaluated by analyzing the supernatant particles by DLS, UV-Vis and electron microscopy and comparing to the proposed model. The model reasonably predicted the total concentration of particles and their size distribution at different centrifugation times at low field strengths (1480 RCF). For higher field strengths, the sedimentation was faster than expected by the model.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a capacidade da solução de nanopartículas de prata, utilizada como irrigante e medicação intracanal, em controlar os microrganismos e neutralizar endotoxinas no canal radicular. Para isso, foram utilizadas 48 raízes de dentes humanos padronizadas em 16 mm e com diâmetro apical correspondente a uma lima tipo Kerr no. 30. Os canais foram contaminados por 28 dias com E. coli e por 21 dias com E. faecalis e C. albicans. Os espécimes foram divididos em quatro grupos (n=12), de acordo com a substância utilizada (solução irrigadora e medicação intracanal): G1) solução salina e solução salina (grupo controle); G2) hipoclorito de sódio 1% associado ao creme Endo-PTC e hidróxido de cálcio - protocolo tradicional da FOUSP; G3) solução de nanopartículas de prata 50 ppm e hidróxido de cálcio associado à solução de nanopartículas de prata; e G4) solução de nanopartículas de prata 50 ppm e solução de nanopartículas de prata 50 ppm. Foram realizadas cinco coletas do conteúdo do canal radicular para avaliar a atividade antimicrobiana: coleta de confirmação, imediatamente após a instrumentação (1ª. coleta) e outra após sete dias (2ª. coleta); imediatamente após a remoção da medicação (3ª. coleta) e outra após sete dias (4ª. coleta). A neutralização da endotoxina foi avaliada apenas nas quatro últimas coletas. Os resultados obtidos foram submetidos a análise estatística (Kruskall-Wallis e Dunn). Todas as soluções irrigadoras promoveram redução significativa dos microrganismos após a instrumentação (1ª. coleta) (p<0,05). Após 7 dias houve aumento do número de microrganismos em todos os grupos, voltando ao número inicial nos grupos instrumentados com solução salina e hipoclorito de sódio. Entretanto, apesar de ter ocorrido recolonização dos microrganismos no canal radicular dos espécimes instrumentados com solução de nanopartículas de prata, manteve-se redução estatisticamente significantemente do número de UFC/mL quando comparada à coleta de confirmação (p<0,05), demonstrando efeito residual. A medicação de hidróxido de cálcio eliminou 100% dos microrganismos e manteve os resultados após 7 dias (4ª. coleta) no grupo 2. No grupo quatro houve recolonização de E. faecalis e C. albicans após 7 dias de incubação. O hidróxido de cálcio foi a única substância avaliada que promoveu redução significativa (p<0,05) das endotoxinas. Assim, pôde-se concluir que o hipoclorito de sódio e a solução de NP-Ag reduziram significativamente a microbiota do canal, no entanto somente com a associação ao hidróxido de cálcio houve eliminação dos microrganismos em profundidade nos túbulos dentinários e redução das endotoxinas presentes no canal radicular. / The objective of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial effect and endotoxin detoxified of solution of silver nanoparticles used as irrigating and dressing in root canals. Forty-eigth single-root human teeth were used. All root canals sized 16 mm and were enlarged to a Kerr file number .30. Root canals were infected for 28 days with E. coli and for 21 days with E. faecalis and C. albicans. The specimens were divided into four groups (n=12), according to the substance used (irrigating solution and dressing): G1) saline and saline (control), G2) sodium hypochlorite 1% with Endo-PTC cream and calcium hydroxide; G3) solution of Ag-NP 50 ppm and calcium hydroxide with Ag-NP; and G4) solution of Ag-NP 50 ppm and solution of Ag-NP 50 ppm. Five samplings of root canal were accomplished to evaluate the antimicrobial activity: confirmation sample, immediately after instrumentation (1st. Sample), and other after 7 days (2 nd. Sample), immediately after dressing removed (3 rd. Sample) and other after 7 days (4 th. Sample). The endotoxina detoxified was evaluated only in the last four samples by Limulus assay. Results were analysed by Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn. All irrigation solutions caused significant reduction of microorganisms after instrumentation (1 st. Collection) (p <0.05). After 7 days there was increase of the number of bacteria in all groups, returning to the initial number of microorganisms in the groups prepared with saline and sodium hypochlorite, however, the recolonization of microorganisms in root canals of groups of solution silver nanoparticles was smaller than the number of confirmation sample (p <0.05), showing residual effect. The calcium hydroxide eliminated 100% of the microorganisms and the results remained after 7 days (4 th. Collection) for group 2. In group 4 there was recolonization of E. faecalis and C. albicans after 7 days. Calcium hydroxide was the only substance that measured a significant reduction of endotoxin (p <0.05). Thus, we concluded that the sodium hypochlorite and the NP-Ag significantly reduced the microorganisms of the root canal, but it is necessary the combination of calcium hydroxide to eliminated all microorganisms into dentinal tubules and detoxified endotoxins in the root canal.

Neste trabalho foram produzidos compósitos de nanotubos de carbono contendo nanopartículas de prata, os quais foram testados como substratos SERS (Surface-enhanced Raman Spectroscopy) na detecção do cristal violeta. Para obter tais compósitos foram necessárias modificações de nanotubos de carbono através de funcionalizações químicas para inserção de grupos carboxila e tiol, capazes de interferir no crescimento de nanopartículas metálicas através de um processo de redução térmica do acetato de prata sobre a superfície das amostras de nanotubo. Para a preparação de tais compósitos foram utilizadas duas amostras de nanotubos, uma de parede simples (SWNT) e outra de paredes múltiplas (MWNT) a fim de avaliar diferenças nos tamanhos e homogeneidade das nanopartículas formadas. Utilizou-se como ferramenta investigativa a espectroscopia Raman na caracterização destes compósitos, que forneceu informações sobre interação dos nanotubos de carbono com as nanopartículas de prata e mudanças estruturais ocasionadas durante a gama de funcionalizações. Para avaliar a morfologia dos compósitos foi utilizada a microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) e a microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (TEM) que forneceram informações sobre o tamanho e a disposição das nanopartículas formadas através do tratamento térmico dos nanotubos com acetato de prata. Os compósitos preparados foram aplicados como substrato SERS na detecção do cristal violeta. Nesta aplicação foi avaliada a capacidade dos nanotubos em adsorver estas moléculas e o potencial do substrato na intensificação do espectro Raman do analito. Observou-se que a adsorção do cristal violeta sobre uma amostra de SWNT foi máxima após o tempo de 60 minutos de agitação. Já o substrato utilizado (SWNT-COOH@Ag) permitiu a detecção do cristal violeta em solução aquosa com concentração de até 1,0.10-8 mol.L-1. Utilizando o mapeamento Raman foi possível avaliar a presença do analito através do monitoramento de uma banda do espectro vibracional do analito intensificada pelo efeito SERS / In this work, we produced carbon nanotube composites containing silver nanoparticles, which were tested as SERS (Surface-enhanced Raman Spectroscopy) substrates in the detection of crystal violet. For these the synthesis of these composites modifications of the carbon nanotubes surface through chemical functionalizations were necessary for insertion of carboxyl and thiol groups, that can affect the growth of metal nanoparticles in thermal reduction process of silver acetate on the surface of the nanotube samples. For the preparation of such composites have single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) and a multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) to evaluate differences in size and homogeneity of the nanoparticles formed. Raman spectroscopy was used as an investigative tool in the characterization of these composites, which provided information on the interaction of carbon nanotubes with silver nanoparticles and structural changes ocurring during the range of functionalizations. To evaluate the morphology of the composites scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used. These techniques provided information about the size and assembly of the silver nanoparticles formed by heat treatment of the nanotubes with silver acetate. The nanotubes@Ag composites were applied as SERS substrates in the detection of crystal violet. In this application, we evaluated the ability of nanotubes to adsorb these molecules and the substrate potential in enhancing the Raman spectrum of the analyte. It was observed that the adsorption of the crystal violet on a sample of SWNT was maximal after 60 minutes of stirring. Substrate used (SWNT-COOH @ Ag) allowed detection of crystal violet in aqueous solution with a concentration as low as 1,0.10-8 mol.L-1. Using Raman mapping was possible to evaluate the presence of the analyte by monitoring a band of vibrational spectrum of the analyte enhanced by SERS effect.

Neste trabalho, foi desenvolvido um material híbrido inédito carvão ativado/nanotubos de carbono/nanopartículas de prata para as aplicações em bateria de íons de lítio e capacitor eletroquímico de dupla camada. O compósito foi preparado por crescimento dos nanotubos de carbono diretamente sobre o carvão ativado via deposição química de vapor e depois nanopartículas de prata foram incorporadas no carvão ativado/nanotubos de carbono. A morfologia do compósito foi analisada por microscopia eletrônica de varredura. Investigação das propriedades de intercalação de lítio no carvão ativado (CA), carvão ativado/nanotubos de carbono (CA/NTC), carvão ativado/prata (CA/Ag) e carvão ativado/nanotubos de carbono/prata (CA/NTC/Ag) foi conduzida por voltametria cíclica e ciclos de carga/descarga, utilizando dois diferentes eletrólitos. Verificou-se que o ânodo de CA/NTC/Ag apresenta mais elevado valor de capacidade específica reversível que a grafita em eletrólito comercial, provavelmente devido à rede tridimensional com elevada condutividade eletrônica formada por nanotubos de carbono e nanopartículas de prata nos poros e nas rugosidades do substrato. Além disso, os nanotubos de carbono podem exibir elevada capacidade de armazenamento de lítio. Outra vantagem do CA/NTC/Ag é que a rede de nanotubos de carbono acomoda a expansão de volume das partículas de prata durante a ciclagem do eletrodo, mantendo-as bem adsorvidas na superfície do CA/NTC. Os resultados confirmaram a existência do sinergismo entre os componentes do CA/NTC/Ag, que promove características eletroquímicas superiores àquelas dos constituintes isolados. / In this work, an unpublished hybrid material activated carbon/carbon nanotubes/silver nanoparticles was developed for lithium ion battery and electrochemical double layer capacitor applications. The composite was prepared by growing carbon nanotubes directly on the activated carbon via chemical vapor deposition and after silver nanoparticles were incorporated on the activated carbon/carbon nanotubes. The composites morphology was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. Investigation of lithium intercalation properties in activated carbon (AC), activated carbon/carbon nanotubes (AC/CNT), activated carbon/silver (AC/Ag) and activated carbon/carbon nanotubes/silver (AC/CNT/Ag) was carried out by cyclic voltammetry and charge/discharge cycles by making use of two different electrolytes. It was found that the AC/CNT/Ag anode presents higher reversible specific capacity value in comparison with graphite in commercial electrolyte, probably due to the three dimensional network with high electronic conductivity formed by carbon nanotubes and silver nanoparticles in the substrates pores and roughness. Furthermore, carbon nanotubes can exhibit high lithium storage capacity. Another advantage of the AC/CNT/Ag is that the network of carbon nanotubes accommodates volume expansion of the silver particles during electrode cycling, keeping them well adsorbed on the surface of the AC/CNT. The results confirmed the existence of synergism between the components of the AC/CNT/Ag, which promotes electrochemical characteristics that are higher than those of the individual constituents.