In the present thesis we propose the development of hybrid polymer titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles for use in biomedical applications. TiO2 exhibits high biocompatibility in the dark however, upon illumination in aqueous media with near UV light it produces an array of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which have the capability to induce death in neighbouring cells. The process of inducing cell death using a photosensitive material which produces ROS is known as photodynamic therapy (PDT) and is used to treat a wide range of maladies from psoriasis to cancer.We have demonstrated the ability to produce anatase nanoparticles with high control over their resulting size through a novel water mediated sol-gel synthetic method in benzyl alcohol, using either Ti(OnPr)4, Ti(OnBu)4 or Ti(OiPr)4 as the metal precursor. Through dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis we have shown that the mechanism of nanoparticle growth appears to proceed through the agglomeration of primary nanoparticles formed instantly upon adding the reagents together. After synthesis the nanoparticles could be easily redispersed in aqueous media at pH2 with any further agglomeration being controlled by the parent alkoxide.After synthesis the nanoparticles were coated with PEG, conjugated to either a catechol or phosphate as ligand, in order to stabilise the nanoparticles at neutral pH. Uncoated nanoparticles exhibited good photoactive capability in the photooxidation of methylene blue. However, on coating with catechols the photoactivity of the nanoparticles was abolished. Coating with phosph(on)ates on the other hand preserved or even enhanced the photoactivity which makes this system promising for in vivo applications.At the same time this thesis also reports preliminary investigations on the use of TiO2 embedded into the walls of model drug loaded poly electrolyte multilayer microspheres for UV triggered delivery applications.

It is a challenge to assess the toxicity of environmental air particulate matter (PM) because PM composition is complex and variable, due to source contribution and atmospheric transformation. The goal of this study is to establish an in vitro model that can fingerprint the cytotoxic effects of airborne PM and their associated toxicity mechanisms. For this purpose, the cytotoxic effects of different reference and environmental particles on A549 human lung epithelial cells were characterized using multiple endpoint assays (cytokine release, LDH release, BrdU incorporation, cellular ATP and resazurin reduction) and proteomic analyses (2D-GE and MALDI-TOF-TOF-MS/MS). The results of this study demonstrated that proteomic analyses can distinguish the influences of different (carbon black and titanium dioxide) and similar (cristobalite and α-quartz) particles on various pathways in A549 cells (e.g., cell death and cell proliferation); and the cytotoxicity assays were capable of differentiating the phenotypic outcomes of the particles, which were complementary and supportive to pathway analyses. The ability of in vitro toxicoproteomics to differentiate the toxicity of environmental particles was tested on Ottawa urban dust (EHC-93) and its water-insoluble and soluble fractions. Findings from both cytotoxicity assays and proteomic analyses consistently indicated that the insoluble materials explained most of the toxic effects of the total PM. Interestingly, the toxic potency of EHC-93 total was not equal to the sum of its insoluble and soluble fractions, implying inter-component interactions between insoluble and soluble materials that may be reflected through synergistic or antagonistic in vitro responses. The insoluble and soluble fractions uniquely altered the expression patterns of the proteins involved in pathways such as cell death, cell proliferation and inflammation. For example, the insoluble and soluble fractions oppositely altered the expression of the proteins (e.g., TREM1, PDIA3, PKM and ENO1) involved in an inflammatory response pathway in A549 cells, and the insoluble fraction was more potent than the soluble fraction in increasing secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines MCP-1 and IL-8 from A549 cells. In essence, in vitro toxicoproteomics is a valuable tool in relating the physicochemical characteristics of ambient air particles to their biological reactivity through understanding their mechanisms of toxicity.

Ce manuscrit est consacré à l’élaboration de phases monolithiques à base de dioxyde de titane pour les techniques séparatives appliquées à l’analyse des produits phosphorylés. La partie bibliographique situe d’abord l’intérêt des monolithes pour le développement des techniques séparatives en portant une attention particulière à la problématique de miniaturisation. L’état de l’art sur l’utilisation du dioxyde de titane, dans les sciences séparatives, est ensuite établi. À ce niveau, les principales caractéristiques physico-chimiques et chromatographiques de ce matériau sont revues pour les lits particulaires. Un descriptif de la synthèse des monolithes de dioxyde de titane par le procédé sol-gel est ensuite détaillé avant d’illustrer la mise en oeuvre de ce type de colonnes dans les techniques séparatives. La partie expérimentale est axée d’abord sur la compréhension du comportement du dioxyde de titane particulaire en chromatographie liquide à interaction hydrophile (HILIC). Le travail expérimental est ensuite orienté vers l’élaboration d’un procédé sol-gel répétable, permettant d’obtenir le matériau sous le format monolithique. Dans un premier temps, le support est élaboré sous forme de barreau, dont l’utilisation potentielle après mise en colonne est illustrée dans le cadre de la purification et de l’enrichissement des acides aminés phosphorylés. Des adaptations de protocole sont apportées pour la synthèse in situ de ces monolithes à l’intérieur des capillaires afin de répondre aux contraintes des techniques séparatives miniaturisées. Ces monolithes sont caractérisés en HILIC, par comparaison avec les phases particulaires. Pour terminer, les propriétés chromatographiques originales de ces phases sont mises à profit pour la séparation et le traitement d’échantillons, contenant des produits phosphorylés / This manuscript is dedicated to the development of monolithic titania phases for chromatographic analysis of phosphorylated compounds. The bibliography section first summarizes the interest of monolithic phases for the development of separation techniques while emphasizing on the problem of miniaturization. The state of the art on the use of titanium dioxide in liquid chromatography techniques is established. In this subject, the physico-chemical and chromatographic behaviour of this material are reviewed for particle beds. Then a detailed description of the sol-gel synthesis of monolithic titania is presented with a final illustration of the potential use of this support in separation techniques. The experimental part concentrates first on the analysis of the chromatographic behaviour of particulate titania in the hydrophilic interaction mode (HILIC). The work is then focused on the development of a repeatable sol-gel process that enables the formation of monolithic titania. The monolithic phase is first synthesized at a large scale, and its potential use, after column cladding, is illustrated with the purification and enrichment of phosphorylated amino acids. The elaboration process is also adapted to meet with the miniaturized separation techniques by performing an in situ synthesis route within capillary columns. These columns are characterized in HILIC by comparison with the chromatographic properties observed for titania particulate beds. The original behaviour of native titania observed also for the synthesized monolithic phases is finally applied to the separation and sample treatment of mixtures of phosphorylated products

La photocatalyse hétérogène est une technique d'oxydation avancée prometteuse dans le domaine de la dépollution d’effluents aqueux ou gazeux industriels contenant des composés organiques tels que les colorants, engrais, pesticides ou composés organiques volatils (COV). La photocatalyse met en oeuvre l'excitation d’un matériau semi-conducteur par une radiation lumineuse et dans ce contexte le dioxyde de titane (TiO2) est le photocatalyseur le plus couramment employé. Cependant, son activité est liée à de nombreux paramètres (longueur d'onde d'irradiation, paramètres texturaux, composition cristalline…) qu'il convient de maitriser si on veut concevoir un système de dépollution efficace. Afin d’améliorer les performances du TiO2, différentes approches ont émergé durant les dernières décennies, telles que ledopage par des métaux de transition ou le dopage par des composés organiques.Le sujet de la thèse s’est inscrit dans ce contexte et a porté sur le développement de systèmes photocatalytiques élaborés en présence de cyclodextrines (molécules cages formées par l’enchainement d’unités glucosidiques) pour la dégradation de polluants organiques en phase aqueuse. Il s'articule en trois parties principales. La première partie a été consacrée à la possibilité de combiner directement l’action d’un dioxyde de titane commercial (P25) en suspension aqueuse en présence de cyclodextrines pour améliorer le rendement de réactions photocatalysées. Appliquée à la dégradation photocatalytique d’un COV hydrophobe (toluène) dans l’UV, l’étude n’a pas montré d’impact positif des cyclodextrines. Les résultats ont été rationnalisés par l’évaluation des capacités d’adsorption des cyclodextrines sur la surface duphotocatalyseur et des constantes d’association 1:1 CD:toluène. Le deuxième partie a porté sur la synthèse d’une série de matériaux mésoporeux TiO2 par voie sol-gel colloïdale en utilisant comme agents structurants des assemblages supramoléculaires de type Pluronic 123-cyclodextrine partiellement méthylée (micelles). L’introduction de cyclodextrine méthylée en quantité contrôlée permet de jouer sur le glonflement des micelles. Après élimination de l’agent template par calcination, il est mis en évidence qu’il est possible de moduler les paramètres texturaux et structuraux du dioxyde de titane. Ces matériaux ont été évalués dans la réaction de dégradation de l’acide phénoxyacétique en phase aqueuse sous une irradiation proche du rayonnement visible (365 nm). Dans la troisième partie, le développement de matériaux mésoporeux TiO2 par voie sol-gel colloïdale a été poursuivi en substituant les assemblages supramoléculaires comme agents structurants par des cyclodextrines seules. Les paramètres de synthèse ont été optimisés avec différentes types de cyclodextrines (natives ou modifiées) et différentes concentrations.Les meilleurs résultats en termes de dégradation photocatalytique de l’acide phénoxyacétique à 365 nm ont été obtenus avec le matériau R25-T500 préparé à partir de cyclodextrine alétoirement méthylée à 25 g/L. Enfin, l’incorporation d’or sous forme HAuCl4 durant le protocole de synthèse a même permis d’observer une augmentation de l’activité photocatalytique sous irradiation à 420 nm comparativement au catalyseur référence TiO2 P25. / Photocatalysis is a promising advanced oxidation process (AOPs) to efficiently removing non biodegradable pollutants from atmosphere. Among photocatalysts, titanium dioxide (TiO2) remains certainly one of the most attractive materials because it is relatively inexpensive, nontoxic and photochemically stable. However, several factors such as wavelength of irradiation, the crystal phase composition, the surface area and the adsorption properties of the catalyst are likely to affect the hotocatalytic efficiency. The design of semiconductor metal oxide nanoparticles with tunable pore size and morphology andcontrollable composition is so important to create an efficient remediation process. To improve the photoactivity of the semi-conductor, several approaches have already been reported such as the combination of metallic or organic material to titanium dioxide. Cyclodextrins (CDs) are natural cyclic oligosaccharides derived from starch that can include in their hydrophobic cavity many organic compounds by host-guest interaction and thus increase the solubility of the guest. Taking advantage of their inclusion capacity, CDs can play a major role in catalytic processes. Numerous works involving the combined use of cyclodextrins and titanium dioxide have been reported but depending on the structure of the reactants and the reaction conditions, the CD may or may not improve the photocatalytic degradation of pollutants and it seems difficult to predict the effect of CDs on a photocatalytic process. To further understand the interactions between CD and TiO2 and to improve the performance of a photocatalytic remediation process, we studied the effect of different CDs on the properties of commercial or synthesized titanium dioxide nanoparticules. The performances of our catalysts were evaluated on thephotodegradation of two pollutants in aqueous phase: the toluene (VOC) and the phenoxyacetic acid (herbicide). This work has been divided into 3 parts: first we evaluated the impact of different CDs on the photocatalytic degradation of toluene in aqueous phase by a commercial titanium dioxide (P25). Then in a second part we investigated a template-directed colloidal self-assembly strategy for the production, in aqueous phase, of nanostructured TiO2 materials with tunable porosity and crystalline framework. The approach employs the supramolecular assemblies formed between a methylated β-cyclodextrin and the block copolymer P123 as soft templates and TiO2 nanocrystals as building blocks. Finally, we have investigated the possibility of using the cyclodextrin alone as soft templates for the preparation of a series of mesoporous titania materials with tunable properties The results show that a modified cyclodextrin can modulate the textural and structural parameters of TiO2 in order to maximize the degradation of phenoxyacetic acid in aqueous phase under near visible radiation. The incorporation of gold in our synthesis method has even increased the photocatalytic activity of our semi-conductor compared to the commercial P25 for an irradiation of 420 nm.

Orientador: Cecília Amélia de Carvalho Zavaglia / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Mecânica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-18T16:53:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Galdino_AndreGustavodeSousa_D.pdf: 8544982 bytes, checksum: 9bbd7c8f53578d5a0a79aeec90ea4222 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / Resumo: À medida que há uma melhoria na tecnologia aplicada à saúde humana, a expectativa de vida vem aumentando, mas nem todas as partes do corpo podem manter suas funções com o processo de envelhecimento. É preciso que os ossos e a cartilagem apóiem o envelhecimento do corpo, embora as células que os produzem se tornem menos ativas com o tempo. Outros órgãos, tais como os rins, o coração e o fígado devem ser operados para ter um tempo de vida maior. A engenharia tecidual foi desenvolvida para substituir, reparar ou reconstruir tecidos ou órgãos perdidos ou danificados por acidentes ou doenças graves através da utilização e desenvolvimento de novos materiais, que sejam biocompatíveis, bioabsorvíveis, porosos, entre outras características. Os scaffolds são arcabouços tridimensionais porosos e são utilizados na regeneração de tecidos para seu estado natural e suas funções, que é fundamental para a engenharia tecidual. Eles podem ser classificados em arcabouços que induzem a migração e o crescimento celular e em arcabouços carreadores de células osteogênicas autógenas, que foram colonizadas em biorreatores e subsequentemente reimplantadas no paciente. Tais scaffolds podem ser naturais ou sintéticos. O objetivo deste trabalho é avaliar o compósito poroso de hidroxiapatita - titânia (HATiO2), em três composições diferentes (50% HA - 50% TiO2, 60% HA - 40% TiO2, 70% HA - 30% TiO2) para obter scaffolds utilizados para engenharia tecidual óssea. Os corpos de prova foram produzidos pelo método da esponja polimérica, utilizando bicarbonato de sódio como ligante e floculante. A sinterização foi realizada em três temperaturas: a 1250ºC; 1300ºC e 1350ºC. As propriedades analisadas foram: resistência à compressão e dureza através das normas da ASTM, porosidade aparente, densidade aparente, retração linear de queima e absorção de água, pelo método de Souza Santos para argilas. Os resultados obtidos mostraram-se bastante satisfatórios, onde foi mostrado que os corpos cerâmicos porosos obtiveram valores de resistência à compressão e dureza coerentes com os da literatura e superiores aos da hidroxiapatita pura. Realizou-se também uma caracterização estrutural das amostras via difração de raios - x (DRX), microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) e espectroscopia por infravermelho com transformada de Fourier (FT-IR). Com base nos resultados mecânicos e de caracterização estrutural, foi escolhida a amostra com composição de 50% HA - 50% TiO2 sinterizada a 1350ºC para realização de ensaios in vitro, onde foram avaliadas citotoxicidade e crescimento celular de osteoblastos e fibroblastos de camundongos. Os resultados indicaram que o compósito é biocompatível e que as células cresceram nos scaffolds. De forma geral, pode-se concluir que todas as amostras são indicadas para a utilização como matéria prima para aplicação em engenharia tecidual óssea. A amostra com 50% HA - 50% TiO2 apresentou melhores características para a realização dos ensaios in vitro realizados neste trabalho e pode-se indicar esta para a realização de ensaios in vivo, onde devem ser avaliadas as características de citotoxicidade e crescimento de células ósseas em animais, por um período de 15 e 30 dias, conforme normas da área de saúde / Abstract: As we witness an improvement in the technology applied to human health, life expectancy increases, even though not every part of the body can maintain their functions with the aging process. It is necessary that bones and cartilage support the body's aging, even if the cells that produce them become less active with time. Other organs, such as kidneys, heart and liver must be operated to have a higher lifetime. Tissue engineering has been developed in order to replace, repair or rebuild tissues or organs lost or damaged due to accidents or serious diseases through the use and development of new materials that are biocompatible, bioabsorbable, with porosity among other characteristics. Scaffolds are a kind of porous tridimensional net and they are used on tissues regeneration to their natural state and functions, which is fundamental for tissue engineering. They can be classified as scaffolds that induce migration and cell growth and as carrier scaffolds for autogenous ostheogenic cells, which were colonized inside bioreactors and then redeployed on the patient. Those scaffolds can be natural or synthetic. This research aimed to evaluate hydroxyapatite-titanium oxide (HA-TiO2) with three different compositions (50% HA - 50% TiO2, 60% HA - 40% TiO2, 70% HA - 30% TiO2) to obtain scaffolds used for bone tissue engineering. Samples were made by the polymeric sponge method, using sodium bicarbonate as a binder and flocculating agent. Sintering was carried out at 1250ºC; 1300ºC e 1350ºC. It was analyzed compressive strength and Vickers hardness using ASTM Standards, apparent porosity, apparent density, burning linear retraction and water absorption by Souza Santos method used for clays. Results proved satisfactory showing that ceramic bodies obtained compressive strength and Vickers hardness according to literature and higher than those for pure hydroxyapatite. Samples structural characterization was done by x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transformed infrared (FT-IR). It was chosen 50% HA - 50% TiO2 sintered at 1350ºC based on its mechanical properties and structural characterization and in vitro essays were done to evaluate citotoxicity and mouse osteoblasts and fibroblasts cell growth. Results have shown that the composite is biocompatible and the cell growth above scaffolds surface. In general, samples can be recommended for use as raw material for bone tissue engineering application. The sample with 50% HA - 50% TiO2 showed better characteristics for in vitro essays done and it can be recommended for in vivo essays where citotoxicity and bone cell growth in animals during 15 and 30 days, according to health standards / Doutorado / Materiais e Processos de Fabricação / Doutor em Engenharia Mecânica

O uso de técnicas espectroscópicas para o estudo de questões ambientais é uma área de pesquisa que vem experimentando importante desenvolvimento em tempos recentes. Essas técnicas abrangem métodos espectroscópicos intensificados, que proporcionam grande sensibilidade e seletividade para a detecção de espécies químicas em baixas concentrações. Nesta dissertação, propomos a introdução de uma nova metodologia aplicada ao estudo da fotodegradação de moléculas de interesse ambiental. Utilizamos técnicas de espectroscopia Raman intensificada pela superfície (SERS) para a análise dos processos de fotodegradação de azo-corantes mediados por dióxido de titânio. Nosso primeiro passo para o desenvolvimento dessa metodologia foi realizar um estudo comparativo acerca de diferentes métodos para preparação de um substrato SERS-ativo - sobre cuja superfície viríamos a proceder a fotodegradação de corantes e simultaneamente o estudo espectroscópico desse processo. A dificuldade na preparação do substrato reside no fato de que é necessário produzir uma superfície simultaneamente fotocatalítica (pela presença do semicondutor TiO2) e com atividade SERS (pela presença de partículas de Ag nanoestruturadas). Assim, três diferentes métodos para a preparação do substrato foram estudados, buscando obter atividade SERS aliada à reprodutibilidade. Escolhido o método mais satisfatório, utilizamos o substrato para realizar estudos SERS dos processos de fotodegradação de dois corantes: vermelho do Congo e verde de Janus. Considerando que a degradação fotocatalítica pode envolver oxidação e redução das moléculas, foi realizado também o estudo espectroeletroquímico dos dois corantes, buscando correlações que ajudassem a esclarecer as transformações envolvidas nas etapas iniciais da fotodegradação dessas substâncias. Nossos estudos revelaram que as primeiras etapas dos processos de fotodegradação dos dois corantes seguem mecanismos diferentes: enquanto no caso do vermelho do Congo há evidências de oxidação, no caso do verde de Janus as evidências apontam para um processo de redução. A combinação de dados da fotodegradação de corantes com seu estudo via eletroquímica - utilizando técnicas de espectroscopia intensificada para a identificação e caracterização de produtos - mostrou-se bastante promissora, no sentido de oferecer informações relevantes sobre os complexos mecanismos envolvidos nos processos de fotodegradação. / The use of spectroscopic techniques for the study of environmental questions is a research area has been experiencing important developments in recent years. These techniques embrace intensified spectroscopic methods, which offer great sensibility and selectivity for the detection of chemical species in low concentrations. In this work, we propose the introduction of a new methodology to be applied to the study of photodegradation of environmentally relevant molecules. We employed surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy to the analysis of photodegradation of azo-dyes mediated by titanium dioxide. First, we performed a comparative study concerning the different methods for the preparation of SERS-active substrate, onto which we would carry out simultaneously the photodegradation of dyes and the spectroscopic study of the process. The difficulty in the preparation of such substrates resides in the fact that it is necessary to produce a surface which is all together photocatalytic (by the presence of the semiconducting TiO2) and SERS-active (by the presence of nanostructured silver). In this context, three different preparation methods were investigated, with the purpose of achieving good SERS activity and reproducibility. The optimized SERS-active substrate was employed to study the photodegradation of two azo-dyes: Congo red and Janus green. Considering that the photocatalitic degradation process might involve either the oxidation or the reduction of molecules, the spectroelectrochemical study of both dyes was also performed, in order to in order to search for important correlations that would help to clarify the transformations involved in the initial steps of the photochemical decomposition of these substances. The obtained results revealed that the first steps of the degradation processes of both dyes followed different routes: whereas for Congo red there are evidences of an oxidation process, for Janus green the evidences point to a reduction mechanism. The combination of the data relative to the photochemical behavior of the dyes and their electrochemical study - using enhanced spectroscopic techniques for identification and characterization of products - has proven to be very promising, in the sense of offering relevant information with respect to the complex mechanisms that are involved in photodegradation processes.

La pulvérisation cathodique magnétron pulsée à haute puissance (HiPIMS) est un procédé de dépôt de couches minces dans lequel le flux de dépôt est principalement composé d’ions du matériau pulvérisé. Ce type de décharge permet de contrôler l’énergie et la direction des espèces qui seront déposées, ce qui est favorable à la modification de la structure et des propriétés finales des couches. Malgré tous les travaux de recherches menés pour caractériser et comprendre les conditions de décharge HiPIMS, la nécessité de développer des couches minces utiles à la société reste toujours d’actualité. La finalité de ce travail est l’obtention de couches minces HiPIMS plus performantes que celles obtenues aujourd'hui en utilisant des techniques de dépôt classiques. Pour cela il est indispensable d'identifier et d'optimiser les paramètres de dépôt permettant de modifier à la fois la microstructure des couches, la contrainte résiduelle et les propriétés liées à l'énergie telles que la résistivité électrique et la bande interdite. Trois matériaux sont au cœur de ce travail : le cuivre, le dioxyde de titane et le nitrure de titane. Les études expérimentales ont montré que les paramètres les plus importants pour obtenir les propriétés souhaitées étaient la quantité et l’énergie cinétique des espèces ionisées irradiant la couche au cours de sa croissance. Par ailleurs, les paramètres de croissance optimale entre couches métalliques et couches composées diffèrent considérablement. / High power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) is a thin film deposition technique where the deposition flux is predominantly composed of ionized sputtered material. This enables control of energy and direction of the film-forming species and is thereby beneficial for tailoring the film structure and final properties. Although researchers world-wide have spent significant time and efforts characterizing and understanding the plasma process conditions in HiPIMS, research in new and improved HiPIMS-based thin film materials that find applications in areas of importance for society is still required. The goal of this work has been to identify and optimize the deposition parameters that allow tailoring the film microstructure, intrinsic stress and energy-related properties, such as electrical resistivity and optical band gap, to ultimately achieve superior HiPIMS coatings compared to what is achieved today using conventional deposition techniques. Three material systems constitute the core of the work: copper, titanium dioxide, and titanium nitride. From the work carried out it is concluded that the most important parameters affecting the film structure and properties are the amount as well as the kinetic energy of the ionized sputtered species irradiating the film during growth. These parameters differ substantially for optimum growth conditions of metallic and compound films.

La présence croissante de nanoparticules (NPs) dans les produits de la vie quotidienne (alimentation, médicaments, cosmétiques, textiles…) soulève de sérieuses inquiétudes quant à leurs potentiels effets nocifs pour la santé humaine. Les NPs de dioxyde de titane (TiO2) sont produites à l’échelle industrielle et peuvent déjà être trouvées dans plusieurs produits commerciaux tels que les peintures, les cosmétiques ou dans les systèmes de décontamination de l’eau ou de l’air. Dans le passé, les NPs de TiO2 étaient considérées comme inertes, mais, très récemment, l'Agence Internationale pour la Recherche sur le Cancer les a classées comme possiblement cancérogènes (groupe 2B) pour l’homme. De nombreuses études in vitro et in vivo ont démontré la potentielle neuro-toxicité des NPs de TiO2, mais très peu d'études se sont concentrées plus spécifiquement sur la barrière hémato-encéphalique (BHE), protégeant le cerveau. Aujourd'hui, en dépit des avancées constatées, la bio-cinétique et la bio-accumulation des NPs de TiO2 ainsi que les conséquences sur la physiologie de la barrière hémato-encéphalique (BHE) in vivo restent très peu documentées. De plus, dans l’évaluation du risque lié à l’exposition aux NPs, des facteurs de risque tel que l’âge ont jusqu’ici été quasiment ignorés. Dans ce contexte, l’objectif de ce projet est donc d’évaluer chez le rat adulte et âgé, l’impact d’une exposition aux NPs de TiO2 sur les fonctions de la BHE et sur le métabolisme cérébral. Nos résultats ont montré que les NPs de TiO2 s’accumulent dans certains organes et tissus (principalement dans les poumons, la rate et le foie) et ne sont pas distribuées au système nerveux central (SNC) que ce soit après injection intra-veineuse (IV) ou après une inhalation subaiguë à un nano-aérosol de TiO2. Après administration IV, une interaction directe entre NPs et les cellules endothéliales microvasculaires conduit à des altérations fonctionnelles au niveau de la BHE. Malgré l'absence de translocation vers le SNC, la bio-persistance du titane dans les organes périphériques semble être la cause de modulations de perméabilité de la BHE et d’une inflammation cérébrale. L'implication de médiateurs circulants faisant le lien entre la bio-persitance de titane dans les organes périphériques et les modulations observées au niveau cérébral a été démontré en utilisant un modèle in vitro de BHE. Une réponse exacerbée en termes de neuro-inflammation et de modulation de perméabilité de la BHE établit la vulnérabilité du cerveau âgé à la toxicité des NPs inhalées. Ces résultats ont démontré que malgré l'absence de translocation cérébrale, l'exposition aux NPs de TiO2 induit des altérations fonctionnelles de la BHE et une neuro-inflammation qui pourraient conduire à des troubles neurologiques. L’identification des médiateurs et la description des effets neurotoxiques restent encore à préciser. / The overwhelming presence of nanoparticles (NPs) in products including foods, medications, cosmetics, or textiles raises serious concerns about their potential harmful effects on human health. In the wide diversity of NPs, titanium dioxide (TiO2) NPs are among those produced on a large industrial scale and can already be found in several commercial products such as paints, cosmetics or in environmental decontamination systems. In the past, TiO2 NPs was considered inert, but, very recently, the International Agency for Research in Cancer (IARC) has classified TiO2 as possibly carcinogenic (group 2B) to human beings. Numerous in vitro and in vivo studies have shown the potential neuro-toxicity of TiO2 NPs, but very few studies focus on the central nervous system (CNS), Nowadays, notwithstanding the reported advances, the biokinetic and bioaccumulation ofTiO2 NPs and the consequences on the physiology of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in vivo are unknown. In addition, NPs effect on susceptible population such as the elderly have been mostly ignored. In this context, the target of the present studies is to evaluate the in vivo impact of exposure to NPs on the BBB physiology and brain inflammation which could promote neurotoxicity in young adults and aging. Our results have shown that TiO2 NPs bioaccumulate in organs and tissues (lungs, spleen and liver especially) and don’t translocate to the brain either after IV or subacute inhalation exposure. In IV administration case, the direct interaction between NPs and brain endothelial cells induces BBB functional alterations. Despite the lack of CNS translocation, the biopersistence of titanium in peripheral organs may be indirectly the cause of BBB permeability alteration and brain inflammation. The involvement of circulating mediators linking titanium biopersitence in peripheral organs and brain impact has been demonstrated using an in vitro BBB model. An exacerbated response in term of neuro-inflammation and BBB permeability modulation has established the vulnerability of the aging brain to inhaled NPs toxicity. Taken together, our findings demonstrated that despite lack of brain translocation, exposure to TiO2 NPs induce BBB physiology alteration and neuro-inflammation that may lead to CNS disorders. Thereafter, identification of mediators and description of the neurotoxic effects may complete the assessment of the impact of TiO2 NPs exposure on the brain.

The main aim of this thesis was to optimalise composition of the titanium dioxide with a silica binder deposited on a PET foil. Emphasis was put on achieving maximum possible adhesion and hardness of the layer and the effect on photocatalytic activity. For the evaluation of photocatalytic activity comparative experiments with prepared layers were performed. Benzoic acid, dimethyl sulfoxide and azo dye Acid Orange 7 were used as model pollutants. Photocatalytic activity was investigated using UV-VIS spectrophotometry, formal rate constants and degree of conversion were also determined. The study results can be used for removing water pollutants from the water solution.

This diploma thesis deals with matte coatings for 3D scanning purposes. The coatings are made with spray gun which uses a vibrating membrane atomizer and air blow gun. A suspension of titanium dioxide and alcohol is used as a coating material. This thesis describes the effect of the spray gun process parameters on the deposited coatings. These include, for example type of the coating suspension or setup of the blow gun. Phase Doppler Anemometry was used to measure spray characteristics. Deposited coatings were measured with profilometer and scanned with 3D scanner to study their thickness and effect on the results of 3D reconstruction. The result of this work was the coating with thickness below 1 µm with good optical properties for 3D scanning purposes. Standard deviation of the captured point cloud from the reference plane was below 0.0011 mm.