<p>Polymers are subjected to physical and chemical changes during their processing, service life, and further recovery, and they may also interact with impurities that can alter their composition. These changes substantially modify the stabilisation mechanisms and mechanical properties of recycled polymers. Detailed knowledge about how the different stages of their life cycle affect the degree of degradation of polymeric materials is important when discussing their further waste recovery possibilities and the performance of recycled plastics. A dual-pronged experimental approach employing multiple processing and thermo-oxidation has been proposed to model the life cycle of recycled high-impact polystyrene (HIPS). Both reprocessing and thermo-oxidative degradation are responsible for coexistent physical and chemical effects (chain scission, crosslinking, apparition of oxidative moieties, polymeric chain rearrangements, and physical ageing) on the microstructure and morphology of polybutadiene (PB) and polystyrene (PS) phases; these effects ultimately influence the long-term stability, and the rheological and mechanical behaviour of HIPS. The PB phase has proved to be the initiation point of HIPS degradation throughout the life cycle. Thermo-oxidation seems to have more severe effects on HIPS properties; therefore, it can be concluded that previous service life may be the part of the life cycle with the greatest influence on the recycling possibilities and performance of HIPS recyclates in second-market applications. The results from the life cycle degradation simulation were compared with those obtained from real samples from a large-scale mechanical recycling plant. A combination of different analytical strategies (thermal analysis, vibrational spectroscopy, and chromatographic analysis) is necessary to obtain a detailed understanding of the quality of recycled HIPS as defined by three key properties: degree of mixing, degree of degradation, and presence of low molecular weight compounds.</p>

Expansionen komprimierter Fluide finden breite Anwendung und werden hier mit Hilfe der Schwingungsspektroskopie untersucht. Dabei ist der Aggregatzustand der bei der Zerstäubung entstehenden Partikel von besonderem Interesse. In Abhängigkeit von Stagnationsdruck, Düsentemperatur, und Düsenabstand werden neben Lachgas tert-Butylalkohol und n-Pentan hinsichtlich ihrer Partikelbildung charakterisiert. Die Ergebnisse bilden eine Grundlage für die Expansion nahkritischer Lösungen.

The mechanism of enzyme regulation through conformational changes is a key pattern in governing cell behavior. In this thesis the focus is on three protein complexes that reflect how protein activity can be regulated by different effectors. Different spectroscopic techniques, like IR and Raman spectroscopy, were used is order to follow the secondary and tertiary conformational changes in protein structure to identify their roles. The first protein of interest was PDZ1 from MAGI-1, involved in cellular signaling. This scaffold domain is known to interact with the E6 protein from HPV16. It was demonstrated that the different conformational states and their affinities to the C-terminus of the viral protein is regulated by the dynamics of the hydrogen bonding network formed by the connection of specific amino acids in three regions of the protein. Study of mutations around the C-terminal area of the protein and the βC strand were performed; demonstrating that both regions are crucial for assembly of the hydrogen bonding network to stabilize the substrate binding. These results leads to conclude that the pathogenicity and prevalence of a particular virus like HPV16 is in its ability to build a stronger hydrogen bonding network in comparison to the natural binder. The allosteric model and the "shift population" model agree that, upon binding, conformational changes distant from a carboxylate binding group might be the key to understanding the binding dynamics between the PDZ domains and the viral proteins.The second protein of interest was a model that constitutes a small scale prototype of the conformational changes observed in more complex proteins; it is a short Copper-binding peptide, the amyloid-beta peptide, known to beinvolved in Alzheimer's disease. The objective with this model was to describe the effect of histidine ligands in the metal centers upon Copper (Cu) reduction, a key electrochemical reaction in the development of Alzheimer's. FTIR difference spectroscopy showed two different spheres of coordination for Cu(II) and Cu(I). The major changes in the structure are dominated by the contribution of the imidazole ring of His residues (His6, His13 and His14), in addition to Asp1 and Tyr10 residues. Changes in the coordination geometry could be key to the pH-dependency of the aggregation observed in the presence of Cu(I). Accordingly, it can be suggested that the formation of the fibrils observed in Alzheimer's patients is not only triggered by the presence of Cu but it is strongly affected by its redox state. The last system of interest was a metalloprotein, the NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I), which plays a key role in the cellular bioenergetics. This protein bears several Fe-S clusters and one flavin and its activity is regulated by the energy produced by a bound substrate and the electron transfer of its cofactors. The metal ligand-vibrations of the cofactors are described in their oxidized and reduced states. Using electrochemistry coupled to FTIR, Resonance Raman and Fluorescence spectroscopies, the investigation of complex I led to the conclusion that the properties of the metal centers are dictated, to a large extent, by their surrounding environment. [...]

This thesis focuses on the vibrational spectroscopy of the aragonite and vivianite arsenate minerals (erythrite, annabergite and hörnesite), specifically the assignment of the spectra. The infrared and Raman spectra of cerussite have been assigned according to the vibrational symmetry species. The assignment of satellite bands to 18O isotopes has been discussed with respect to the use of these bands to the quantification of the isotopes. Overtone and combination bands have been assigned according to symmetry species and their corresponding fundamental vibrations. The vibrational spectra of cerussite have been compared with other aragonite group minerals and the differences explained on the basis of differing chemistry and crystal structures of these minerals. The single crystal spectra of natural erythrite has been reported and compared with the synthetic equivalent. The symmetry species of the vibrations have been assigned according to single crystal and factor group considerations. Deuteration experiments have allowed the assignment of water vibrational freque ncies to discrete water molecules in the crystal structure. Differences in the spectra of other vivianite arsenates, namely annabergite and hörnesite, have been explained by consideration of their differing chemistry and crystal structures. A novel approach to the assignment of site occupancy of ions in the erythrite - annabergite solid solution has been reported. This approach has utilised vibrational spectroscopy, in conjunction with careful consideration of the crystal structures of the minerals. It has been shown that in the erythrite - annabergite solid solution Coprefers metal site 2 contrasting nickel which prefers site 1. This study in conjunction with other studies has yielded the trend that the more electronegative metal prefers to occupy site 1, with the least electronegative metal preferring to occupy site 2. Fundamentally this thesis has increased the knowledge base of the spectroscopic properties of the aragonite and the vivianite minerals. The site occupancy of metal ion substitutions in solid solution series of the vivianite group of minerals has been further enhanced, with novel method of studying the site occupancy of ions in solid solutions has been developed. A detailed knowledge and understanding of factor group analysis applied to the study of minerals has been achieved.

Τα ιοντικά υγρά (ΙΥ) έχουν κερδίσει το ενδιαφέρον των ερευνητών, λόγω των εξαιρετικών ιδιοτήτων τους σε εφαρμογές κατάλυσης, ηλεκτροχημείας, σύνθεσης και αναλυτικής χημείας καθώς και σε μεθόδους διαχωρισμού. Πρόκειται για ιοντικές ενώσεις που αποτελούνται από οργανικά κατιόντα και οργανικά/ανόργανα ανιόντα, τα οποία εμφανίζουν χαμηλό σημείο τήξης Τm<100oC. Η δομή και οι αλληλεπιδράσεις μεταξύ των ιοντικών υγρών καθορίζουν τις φυσικοχημικές τους ιδιότητες όπως είναι το χαμηλό σημείο τήξης, το χαμηλό ιξώδες, η χαμηλή τάση ατμών, η υψηλή αγωγιμότητα, η μη αναφλεξιμότητα αλλά και η δυνατότητα ανακύκλωσης. Η κατανόηση των διαμοριακών αλληλεπιδράσεων που λαμβάνουν χώρα σε αυτές τις δομές είναι απαραίτητη για την πρόβλεψη αλλά και τη σχεδίαση των ιδιοτήτων τους. Για να κατανοηθεί η δομή και οι αλληλεπιδράσεις στην υγρή φάση, στην παρούσα εργασία, μελετήθηκαν πρωτονιωμένα ιοντικά υγρά (ΠΙΥ) HCnImNTf2 (n=0-12) καθώς επίσης και τα τήγματα των αλκαλικών αλάτων ΜNTf2 (Μ:Li-Cs). Επίσης παρουσιάζεται o εγκλωβισμός τους σε μικροπορώδη υλικά για εφαρμογή τους σε κελιά καυσίμου. Κύριο χαρακτηριστικό των πρωτονιωμένων ιοντικών υγρών είναι ότι πέραν των ηλεκτροστατικών δυνάμεων που αναπτύσσονται μεταξύ τους, τα ανιόντα και τα κατιόντα συνδέονται και με ισχυρούς δεσμούς υδρογόνου. Στα συστήματα αυτά μελετήθηκε η επίδραση της θερμοκρασίας στη δομή τους με χρήση δονητικής φασματοσκοπίας FT-IR και FT-Raman καθώς και με διαφορική θερμιδομετρία σάρωσης. Από τη συγκεκριμένη μελέτη προέκυψε ότι στα συγκεκριμένα ιοντικά υγρά εμφανίζονται ηλεκτροστατικές και van der Waals αλληλεπιδράσεις, δεσμοί υδρογόνου καθώς και π-π αλληλεπιδράσεις. Επίσης διαπιστώθηκε ότι η αύξηση της θερμοκρασίας ευνοεί τη cis ισομέρεια του ανιόντος. Αντίθετα, στα τήγματα των αλάτων MNTf2 (Li-Cs) το ανιόν προτιμά την trans διαμόρφωση. Επίσης η μελέτη της επίδρασης του κατιόντος μελετώντας την επίδραση του κατιόντος στη δομή του ανιόντος οδήγησε στο συμπέρασμα ότι το ανιόν μπορεί να χρησιμοποιηθεί ως εσωτερικός δείκτης των αλληλεπιδράσεων που λαμβάνουν χώρα στα ΙΥ. Κατά τη μελέτη των σύνθετων υλικών βρέθηκε ότι κατά την εισαγωγή του ιοντικού υγρού στους ζεόλιθους λαμβάνει χώρα ιονανταλλαγή μεταξύ του κατιόντος του HMIm+του ΠΙΥ και των κατιόντων Na+του ζεόλιθου. Επίσης, παρουσιάστηκε αύξηση της ιοντικής τους αγωγιμότητας σχεδόν τέσσερις φορές, σε σχέση με την αγωγιμότητα της άνυδρης κατάστασης των κρυστάλλων του ζεόλιθου. / Ionic liquids (ILs) have received considerable attention due to their unique properties in applications in catalysis, electrochemistry, synthesis, analytical chemistry, and separations. They consist of organic cations and organic or inorganic anions and have melting points less than 100oC. Their interesting properties such as low melting points, extremely low vapor pressures, low viscosity, high electrochemical window, no flammability and the ability of being recycled depend on the intermolecular and inter-ionic interactions. Understanding how these interactions are affected by the IL cation alkyl substituents is of paramount importance in order to understand how the IL structure influences macroscopically measured properties and eventually design ILs with desired properties by tailoring their structure. The main interactions of between the PIL ions are Coulombic, van der Waals and hydrogen bonding. In order to understand the effect of these forces to their properties, I examined the effect of alkyl length chain and temperature on the structure of Protic Ionic Liquids (PILs) HCnImNTf2 (n=0-12) using vibrational spectroscopy (FT-Raman and FT-IR/ATR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). A similar study was also carried to the alkali molten salts ANTf2 (A:Li-Cs). Finally the encapsulation of HC1ImNTf2 in zeolites was studied. The goal of this study was to increase the crystal conductivity to level that makes them suitable for PEM fuel cell applications. According to these studies, it was found that the ions interactive long range electrostatic interactions, van der Waals interaction, hydrogen bonds and pi-pi stacking interactions. Moreover, it was found that in PILs the cis conformation of the anion is favored with increasing temperatures, whereas, in case of alkaline molten salts MNTf2 (Li-Cs), trans conformation is dominant in the liquid state. Since the population of the two isomers is affected by the local environment of the anion it was concluded that the anion NTf2- can be used as an indirect mean of the interactions that occur in these systems. Finally, from the encapsulation of protic ionic liquid HMImNTf2 into the porosity of zeolite material, it was found that an ion exchange procedure take place between the cation HMIm+ of the ionic liquid and the cation Na+ of the zeolite. The electric conductivity of the zeolite crystals increased by three times under dry conditions

Cette thèse traite de la fonctionnalisation de surface des résonateurs plasmonique à base de semi-conducteur III-V en utilisant de l’acide phosphonique pour la spectroscopie vibrationnelle exaltée permettant d'identifier des quantités infimes de molécules. Le premier chapitre décrit les fondements théoriques de la spectroscopie vibrationnelle exaltée. En comparant les propriétés plasmoniques du semi-conducteur dégénéré InAs(Sb):Si et des métaux, ici l’or et le gallium, on trouve que l’InAs(Sb):Si est particulièrement adapté à la spectroscopie infrarouge exaltée (SEIRA) et que le gallium est adapté à la spectroscopie Raman exaltée (SERS). Les deux matériaux plasmoniques alternatifs surpassent théoriquement l'or dans leurs gammes spectrales respectives. Néanmoins, l'or et son inertie chimique restent intéressants pour permettre la spectroscopie vibrationnelle exaltée dans différents environnements chimiques.Dans le deuxième chapitre on démontre que l’InAs(Sb):Si est chimiquement stable dans l'eau, contrairement au GaSb. Une structure en couches composites de GaSb/InAsSb:Si a été utilisée pour montrer que la déplétion de l'antimoine et l'incorporation d'oxygène à l'interface GaSb-eau transforment, en un peu moins de 14 h, 50 nm de GaSb cristallin en un oxyde de gallium. Cet oxyde de gallium a un indice de réfraction moyen-IR de l'ordre de n=1,6 ce qui est environ la moitié de la valeur de l'indice de réfraction du GaSb dans le moyen-IR.Dans le troisième chapitre, on démontre que cette modification de l'indice de réfraction lors de l'oxydation peut être exploitée pour décaler la résonance plasmonique localisée des réseaux InAsSb:Si sur des substrats GaSb dans la plage de 5 µm à 20 µm par formation d’un piédestal.Dans le chapitre 4 est présenté le contrôle de la liaison chimique des molécules organiques avec la fine couche d'oxyde natif à la surface du semi-conducteur III-V. L’attachement de ces molécules sur l’oxyde de surface ouvre la voie à des applications bio-photoniques utilisant des semi-conducteurs améliorés par des résonateurs plasmoniques.Dans le chapitre 5 est décrit deux stratégies différentes pour combiner des résonateurs plasmoniques à base de III-V avec des circuits micro-fluidiques. Ces résultats démontrent que des applications lab-on-the-chip basées sur des semi-conducteurs III-V sont possibles.Enfin, la possibilité d'intégrer des nanoparticules de Gallium plasmoniques sur des semi-conducteurs III-V pour combiner les méthodes SEIRA et SERS est présentée au chapitre 6. / This thesis deals with the surface functionalization of nanostructured plasmonic III-V semiconductors for surface-enhanced vibrational spectroscopy relevant to identify minute amounts of analyte molecules.The first chapter outlines the theoretical foundations of surface-enhanced vibrational spectroscopy based on plasmonics. Comparing the plasmonic properties of the degenerate semiconductor InAs(Sb):Si and of metals, here gold and gallium, it is found that the degenerate semiconductor is especially suited for surface-enhanced infrared (SEIRA) spectroscopy and that gallium with its plasmonic potential in the UV-VIS range is apt for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Both alternative plasmonic materials theoretically outperform gold in their respective spectral ranges. Nevertheless, gold and its chemical inertness remain interesting for enabling plasmonic enhanced vibrational spectroscopy in different chemical environments. The influence of aqueous environments on the material properties of III-V semiconductors is addressed in the second and in the third chapter. It is found that InAs(Sb):Si is chemical stable in water, but GaSb is not. A GaSb/InAsSb:Si compound layer structure was used to demonstrate that the depletion of antimony and the incorporation of oxygen at the GaSb-water interface transform 50 nm of crystalline GaSb to a gallium oxide in less than 14 hours. The gallium oxide has a mid-IR refractive index in the order of n=1.6 and thus less than half of the value of the mid-IR refractive index of GaSb. This change in refractive index upon oxidation can be exploited to blue-shift the localized plasmonic resonance of InAsSb:Si gratings on GaSb-substrates in the range from 5 µm to 20 µm by pedestal formation.In Chapter 4, the controlled chemical bonding of organic molecules to the approximately 3 nm thin native oxide layer of III-V semiconductor surfaces by phosphonic acid chemistry is presented. This paves the way for plasmonic enhanced all-semiconductor mid-IR biophotonic applications. In chapter 5, two different, but equally successful strategies to combine III-V based plasmonic resonators with microfluidic circuits are described. These results demonstrate that lab-on-the-chip applications based on III-V semiconductors are possible. Finally, the possibility to integrate plasmonic Gallium nanoparticles onto the III-V material platform for a potential combination of SEIRA and SERS applications is presented in chapter 6.

We investigated from the point of view of optical and vibrational the matrix 60B203 - (20 - x)Na2O - 10PbO - 10Al2O3 : xTiO2, with x= 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, e 5 mol% glasses, in order to understand the changes brought with the substitution of sodium oxide Na2O titanium oxide per TiO2. We performed measurements of X-ray diffraction, which revealed homogeneous amorphous structures throughout the composition range. The absorption spectra showed that the energy of the optical band gap (∆Eopt) and Urbach energy (UE) decreased with increased concentration of oxide TiO2. By using Vibrational Raman Spectroscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, we have observed changes in the spectra, which indicated a relationship with the effect conversion BO4 to BO3 groups and the appearance of “loose” BO4, indicating that ions titanium acted as a modifier of the vitreous network. Subsequently, we investigated the effect of substitution of Na2O per TiO2 on the point of view of structural features and spectroscopic oxide dopant Nd2O3 the following borate glass matrix 60B2O3 - (20 - x)Na2O - 10PbO - 10Al2O3 : xTiO2 : yNd2O3. Were measured from X-ray patterns, temperatures glass (Tg), vibrational spectroscopy and Raman and Infrared measurements of optical absorption and emission spectra. The tendency of the glass transition temperature (Tg), Judd-Ofelt parameters, Ω(2;4;6) and the ratio for Nephelauxetic with increasing concentration TiO2 and Nd2O3 were interpreted quantitatively and qualitatively in terms of connections and coordination number. Measurements of glass transition temperature (Tg) for the entire series of glass system doped with neodymium ions (Nd3+) for different concentrations of titanium (Ti) suggested changes in the rigidity of the matrix due to the change coordinating boron oxide resulting from the effect of converting BO4 to BO3. The variation of the Judd-Ofelt parameters Ω 2 and Ω 4 indicated that the average radius of the rare earth-ligand decreased creating a distribution of electron density when the ion concentration of neodymium (Nd3+) increases. / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / Investigamos sob o ponto de vista Óptico e vibracional a matriz vÍtrea 60B203 — (20 — x)Na2O —10PbO —10Al2O3 : xTiO2, com x= 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, e 5 mol%, a fim de compreender as mudanças causadas com a substituição de óxido de sódio (Na2O) por óxido de titânio (TiO2). Realizamos medidas de difração de Raio-X, as quais revelaram estruturas amorfas homogêneas em toda a faixa de composição. Os espectros de absorção mostraram que a energia da largura da banda óptica (∆Eopt) e a Energia de Urbach (UE) diminuíram à medida que aumentamos a concentração do óxido de titânio (TiO2). Ao utilizarmos a Espectroscopia Vibracional Raman e Infravermelho por Transformada de Fourier, observamos alterações nos espectros, as quais, indicaram uma relação com o efeito de conversão de BO4 para BO3 e o aparecimento de grupos BO4 livres, indicando que os íons de titânio atuaram como um modificador da rede vítrea. Posteriormente, investigamos as modificações nas propriedades estruturais causadas com a substituição de óxido de sódio (Na2O) por óxido de titânio (TiO2), utilizando como ponto de vista as propriedades espectroscópicas do íon dopante Nd3+ da seguinte matriz vítrea borato 60B2O3 — (20 — x)Na2O — 10PbO — 10Al2O3 : xTiO2 : yNd2O3, com x= 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 mol% e y= 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 peso%. A tendência da temperatura de transição vítrea, dos parâmetros Judd-Ofelt, (2;4;6) e da razão nefelauxética em função do aumento da concentração dos óxidos de titânio (TiO2) e dos óxidos de neodímio (Nd2O3) foram interpretados quantitativamente e qualitativamente em termos das ligações da rede e do número de coordenação. As medições da temperatura de transição vítrea para toda a série do sistema vítreo dopada com íons de neodímio (Nd3+) em diferentes concentrações de óxidos de titânio (TiO2) sugeriram mudanças na rigidez da matriz, devido à mudança de coordenação do óxido de boro, resultante do efeito da conversão do BO4 para o BO3. A variação dos parâmetros de Judd-Ofelt indicaram que o raio médio do íon terra rara-ligante diminuiu criando uma redistribuição da densidade eletrônica quando a concentração do íon de neodímio (Nd3+) aumenta.

Ce travail de thèse s’articule autour de la synthèse et de la caractérisation d’hydroxydes doubles lamellaires (HDLs) par une approche combinant spectroscopie vibrationnelle, RMN du solide et diffraction des rayons X. Les objectifs portent sur la description de la distribution cationique dans les feuillets ainsi que sur l’étude des propriétés structurales et dynamiques des espèces interfoliaires. Les investigations sont principalement menées pour des HDLs de type MgII/AlIII (ratio compris entre 2 et 4) avec une complexification progressive des espèces intercalées : de l’anion carbonate pour lequel les matériaux possèdent une affinité préférentielle, à d’autres anions inorganiques comme les halogénures, le perchlorate et le nitrate, pour finir sur des hybrides organo-minéraux formés par intercalation d’anions organiques/biomolécules (acides aminés et cyclodextrines). Les recherches effectuées ont permis de mettre en évidence un ordre cationique local au sein des feuillets, conservé après échange anionique. Par ailleurs, il a été possible de rationaliser les comportements propres à chaque espèce anionique dans l’espace interfoliaire, qui dépendent fortement de la densité de charge des feuillets, ainsi que du taux d’hydratation des composés. En particulier, la coexistence des anions carbonate et hydrogénocarbonate dans l’espace interfoliaire et leur dynamique d’échange avec le dioxyde de carbone atmosphérique sont révélées. D’autre part, une nouvelle sonde de dynamique interfoliaire par RMN 27Al est proposée. Enfin, l’étude pas à pas des HDLs intercalant tout d’abord l’oxalate puis des acides aminés a permis le transfert des connaissances obtenues pour les HDLs inorganiques aux hybrides organo-minéraux. Le manuscrit se termine sur une application des hybrides contenant des cyclodextrines pour le traitement d’eaux polluées par des composés organiques polycycliques / This thesis work is based on the synthesis and the characterization of layered double hydroxides (LDHs) by an approach combining vibrational spectroscopy, solid-state NMR and X-ray diffraction. The objectives include a description of the cations distribution in the layers, as well as a study of the structural and dynamic properties of the interlayer species. Investigations are mainly carried out for MgII/AlIII LDHs (ratio between 2 and 4) with an increased complexity of the intercalated species: from carbonate for which the materials have a preferential affinity, to other inorganic anions such as halides, perchlorate and nitrate, to finish with organo-mineral hybrids obtained by intercalation of organic anions/biomolecules (amino acids and cyclodextrins).The research carried out highlighted a local cationic order in the layers, preserved after anionic exchange. Furthermore, it has been possible to rationalize the behaviour of each anion in the interlayer space, which strongly depends on the layers charge density, as well as on the hydration state of the compounds. In particular, the coexistence between carbonate and hydrogenocarbonate anions in the interlayer space and their dynamic exchange with atmospheric carbon dioxide are revealed. On the other hand, a new interlayer dynamics probe by 27Al NMR is proposed. Finally, the step-by-step study of LDHs, first intercalating oxalate and then amino acids, allowed the transfer of the knowledge obtained for inorganic LDHs to organo-mineral hybrids. The manuscript ends with an application of cyclodextrins-containing hybrids for the treatment of water polluted with polycyclic organic compounds

Le mécanisme de régulation des enzymes à travers les changements conformationnels est un processus clé dans le contrôle du fonctionnement cellulaire. Cette thèse est focalisée sur l’étude de trois complexes protéiques qui reflètent comment l’activité de protéines peut être est régulée par différents effecteurs. Pour cela, différentes spectroscopies ont étaient utilisées pour suivre les changements conformationnels des structures secondaire et tertiaire d’une protéine. La première protéine d’intérêt est PDZ1 de MAGI-1, impliquées dans la signalisation cellulaire. Ce domaine d’échafaudage est connu d’interagir avec la protéine E6 de HPV16. Il était démontré que les différents états conformationnels et leurs affinités vis-à-vis le C-terminal de la protéine virale sont régulées par la dynamique des liaisons hydrogène formées par un réseau qui connecte des acides aminés localisés dans les trois domaines de la protéine. Ces résultats suggère que les différences d’affinités sont directement corrélées aux liaisons hydrogène, ce qui mène à conclure que la pathogénicité et la prévalence d’un virus particulier comme le HPV16 sont liées à son habilitée à former un réseau de liaison hydrogène très solide comparé au substrat naturel. La deuxième protéine d’intérêt est une protéine modèle qui représente un petit prototype du changement conformationnel observé dans des protéines plus complexes. Il s’agit d’un peptide court capable de coordonner le cuivre. Ce n’est autre que le peptide β-amyloïde, connu d’être impliqué dans la maladie d’Alzheimer. L’objectif ici est de décrire l’effet des ligands histidine lors de la réduction du cuivre, qui est une réaction électrochimique critique pour le développement d’Alzheimer. La spectroscopie IRTF différentielle a montré deux sphères de coordination pour le Cu(I) et le Cu(II). Les majeurs changements spectraux sont dominés par les vibrations de l’imidazole des différentes histidines (His6, His13 et His14) ainsi que la contribution des résidus Asp1 et Tyr10. Les modifications de la géométrie de coordination peuvent être la cause de la dépendance-pH de l’agrégation du peptide observée en présence du Cu(I). Pour cela, il est possible de suggérer que la formation des fibrilles observées chez les patients d’Alzheimer n’est pas seulement stimulée par la présence du cuivre même mais elle est fortement affectée par ses réactions rédox.La dernière protéine d’intérêt est une métalloprotéine, la NADH:ubiquinone oxidoréductase (complexe I), qui joue un rôle majeur dans la bioénergétique cellulaire. Cette protéine contient plusieurs centres Fe-S et une flavine et son activité est régulée par l’énergie produite par la liaison avec un substrat ainsi que le transfert d’électrons de ces cofacteurs. Les vibrations métal-ligands de ces cofacteurs à l’état oxydé et à l’état réduit sont décrites ici. En utilisant l’électrochimie couplée aux spectroscopies IRTF, Raman de résonance et de fluorescence, les investigations sur le complexe I ont conduit à conclure que les propriétés des centres métalliques sont largement influencées par l’environnement proche. De plus, les changements conformationnels de la protéine ont un effet considérable sur les propriétés rédox et par la même, sur le bon fonctionnement de la protéine. Par ailleurs, la mutagenèse dirigée était utilisée pour étudier les propriétés des centres N1a et N2. A part des cofacteurs métalliques, cette étude a montré l’existence d’un nouveau cofacteur, une quinone localisée proche du domaine membranaire.[...] / The mechanism of enzyme regulation through conformational changes is a key pattern in governing cell behavior. In this thesis the focus is on three protein complexes that reflect how protein activity can be regulated by different effectors. Different spectroscopic techniques, like IR and Raman spectroscopy, were used is order to follow the secondary and tertiary conformational changes in protein structure to identify their roles. The first protein of interest was PDZ1 from MAGI-1, involved in cellular signaling. This scaffold domain is known to interact with the E6 protein from HPV16. It was demonstrated that the different conformational states and their affinities to the C-terminus of the viral protein is regulated by the dynamics of the hydrogen bonding network formed by the connection of specific amino acids in three regions of the protein. Study of mutations around the C-terminal area of the protein and the βC strand were performed; demonstrating that both regions are crucial for assembly of the hydrogen bonding network to stabilize the substrate binding. These results leads to conclude that the pathogenicity and prevalence of a particular virus like HPV16 is in its ability to build a stronger hydrogen bonding network in comparison to the natural binder. The allosteric model and the “shift population” model agree that, upon binding, conformational changes distant from a carboxylate binding group might be the key to understanding the binding dynamics between the PDZ domains and the viral proteins.The second protein of interest was a model that constitutes a small scale prototype of the conformational changes observed in more complex proteins; it is a short Copper-binding peptide, the amyloid-beta peptide, known to beinvolved in Alzheimer’s disease. The objective with this model was to describe the effect of histidine ligands in the metal centers upon Copper (Cu) reduction, a key electrochemical reaction in the development of Alzheimer’s. FTIR difference spectroscopy showed two different spheres of coordination for Cu(II) and Cu(I). The major changes in the structure are dominated by the contribution of the imidazole ring of His residues (His6, His13 and His14), in addition to Asp1 and Tyr10 residues. Changes in the coordination geometry could be key to the pH-dependency of the aggregation observed in the presence of Cu(I). Accordingly, it can be suggested that the formation of the fibrils observed in Alzheimer’s patients is not only triggered by the presence of Cu but it is strongly affected by its redox state. The last system of interest was a metalloprotein, the NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I), which plays a key role in the cellular bioenergetics. This protein bears several Fe-S clusters and one flavin and its activity is regulated by the energy produced by a bound substrate and the electron transfer of its cofactors. The metal ligand-vibrations of the cofactors are described in their oxidized and reduced states. Using electrochemistry coupled to FTIR, Resonance Raman and Fluorescence spectroscopies, the investigation of complex I led to the conclusion that the properties of the metal centers are dictated, to a large extent, by their surrounding environment. [...]

O estudo da interação de moléculas orgânicas com a água é de grande importância para diversas áreas das ciências, como por exemplo, na compreensão de sistemas biológicos. Uma elevada diversidade de estudos nesta área já foram realizados, no entanto, alguns aspectos do estudo de filmes finos de aminas anfifílicas não foram satisfatoriamente esclarecidos. Este trabalho aborda filmes de Langmuir de octadecilamina em função do pH e da força iônica de subfases aquosas, investigando a estrutura da monocamada orgânica e sua interação com a água, em diversos graus de ionização. Foi utilizada a Espectroscopia Vibracional por Geração de Soma de Frequências (Sum Frequency Generation - SFG), uma técnica que utiliza o princípio da óptica não-linear para estudar superfícies e interfaces, com o objetivo de investigar a conformação molecular dos filmes de Langmuir de aminas anfifílicas de cadeias longas, seu grau de ionização e a estrutura da água interagindo com a monocamada orgânica. Pôde-se acompanhar a ionização da monocamada em função do pH da subfase pela intensidade do modo de estiramento do grupo NH3+, e verificou-se que ela depende do pH local da interface, que por sua vez é alterado pela ionização da monocamada e é sensível à força iônica da subfase. A água interage com a monocamada via ligações de H com os grupos NH2/NH3+ e forma uma camada com alto grau de orientação perpendicular à superfície, mas relativamente desordenada do ponto de vista da rede de ligações de H (como na água líquida). A conformação das cadeias alquila depende da ionização do filme de Langmuir, sendo bastante compacta e ordenada a altos pHs (filme neutro) e mais expandida e desordenada a baixos pHs. Além disso, foram fabricados filmes de Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) de octadecilamina para comparar a estrutura dos filmes na superfície da água e em substratos sólidos. / The study of the interaction of organic molecules with water is of great importance for many areas of science, such as the understanding of biological systems. A large diversity of studies in this area have been performed, however some aspects of the study of thin films of amphiphilic amines have not been satisfactorily clarified. This dissertation focuses on Langmuir films of Octadecylamine as a function of pH and ionic strength of the aqueous subphase, investigating the structure of the organic monolayer and its interaction with water at various degrees of ionization. Sum-Frequency Vibrational Spectroscopy (SFG spectroscopy), a non-linear optical technique to study surfaces and interfaces, was used in order to investigate the molecular conformation of the Langmuir films, its degree of ionization and the structure of water interacting with the organic monolayer. The monolayer ionization could be monitored by the intensity of the NH3+ group stretch mode, and it was found that it depends on the local pH at the interface, which in turn is changed by the monolayer ionization and is sensitive to the subphase ionic strength. Water interacts with the monolayer by H bonds with NH2/NH3+ groups, forming a layer with a high degree of orientational order along the surface normal, but relatively disordered regarding the H-bonding network (like in the bulk liquid). The conformation of the alkyl chains depends on the monolayer ionization, being compact and all-trans at high pHs, but more expanded and disordered at low pHs. In addition, Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films of Octadecylamine were fabricated to compare their structure on the solid substrate to those on the water surface