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Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Inorganic nanomaterials are a class of advanced materials, which have been widespread in both science and nanotechnology. The use of nanomaterials in several areas makes nanoscience an interdisciplinary field. Some challenges, such as the type of synthesis and toxicity control should be explored, mainly because those materials can be controlled at the nanometer level by means of the synthesis variables. In this work, we performed the synthesis of cadmium telluride (CdTe) nanoparticles with the surface capped by a mixture of organic thiol stabilizers such as mercaptopropionic acid (MPA), cysteine (CYS), glutathione (GLU), and biopolymer sodium alginate (ALG). Synthesis were performed by two distinct aqueous methods hydrothermal and reflux and the synthesis parameters such as pH and ratio Cd/Te/stabilizer were fixed based on the literature. The colloidal dispersions obtain present remain stable for at least 3 months (time observed so far). Optical absorption spectra of all mixtures of CdTe - stabilizers presented a red shift with increasing synthesis time, and furthermore, the position of this band was at a wavelength below the bulk CdTe (790 nm). The emission spectra in all cases were intense, with little difference between them. The diameter of the particles, calculated from an empirical equation from the of maximum absorption wavelength, were comparable compared to those obtained by X-ray diffraction (XRD) (Scherrer equation) as well as transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results from the three techniques agreed very well for CdTe via reflux. However for hydrothermal synthesis it was not possible to determine the diameter of the particles by TEM due to morphology of nanostructured aggregates. The crystal structures as obtained by XRD indicating the incorporation of sulfur atoms in the CdTe structure, in agreement to the literature for this type of synthesis. Infrared spectroscopy confirmed the presence of organic stabilizers on the surface of CdTe. The morfology of samples identified by TEM/HRTEM was different depending on the method of syntesis aggregates for the hydrothermal samples and isolated particles for reflux samples so the mechanisms of nucleation and growth were proposed oriented attachment (OA) and Ostwald ripening (OR) for synthesis CdTe-hydrothermal and reflux, respectively. / Os nanomateriais inorgânicos são uma classe de materiais avançados, que vêm sendo difundidos tanto em ciência como em nanotecnologia. O uso destes materiais está localizado em diversas áreas de atuação, fazendo com que tal classe seja interdisciplinar. Alguns desafios como o tipo de síntese e a toxidade devem ser explorados, principalmente porque estes materiais podem ser controlados a nível nanométrico por meio das variáveis de síntese. Neste trabalho, foi realizada a síntese de nanopartículas de Telureto de Cádmio (CdTe) com a superfície coberta pela mistura de estabilizantes orgânicos tióis tais como, ácido mercaptopropiônico (MPA), cisteína (CYS) e glutationa (GLU) e o biopolímero alginato de sódio (ALG). Esta síntese foi realizada por dois métodos aquosos, via hidrotermal e refluxo, e os parâmetros de síntese como pH e relação Cd/Te/estabilizante foram fixos com base na literatura. As dispersões coloidais obtidas apresentaram-se com estabilidade coloidal por pelo menos 3 meses (tempo observado até o momento). Os espectros eletrônicos de absorção óptica de todas as misturas de CdTe-estabilizantes se apresentaram largos, com deslocamento para o vermelho com o aumento do tempo de síntese, e além disso, a posição desta banda estava em comprimento de onda abaixo do CdTe bulk (790 nm), indicando confinamento quântico. Os espectros de emissão em todos os casos foram intensos e com pouca diferença entre os mesmos. Os diâmetros das partículas foram calculados usando-se uma fórmula empírica, a partir do comprimento de onda máximo de absorção e comparado aos resultados obtidos por difratometria de raios X (XRD) (equação de Scherrer) e por microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (TEM). Os resultados das três técnicas corroboram entre si para as amostras de CdTe via refluxo. Contudo, no caso do hidrotermal, não foi possível determinar os diâmetros por TEM porque a morfologia foi de agregados nanoestruturados. As estruturas cristalinas forma obtidas por XRD, indicando a incorporação de átomos de enxofre na estrutura do CdTe, estando de acordo com a literatura para o tipo de síntese. A espectroscopia de infravermelho confirmou a presença dos estabilizantes orgânicos na superfície do CdTe. A morfologia identificada por TEM/HRTEM das amostras sintetizadas pelas duas sínteses foi diferente agregados para a síntese hidrotermal e partículas isoladas para refluxo sendo que os mecanismos proposto para nucleação e crescimento foram o oriented attachment (OA) e o Ostwald ripening (OR) para CdTe-hidrotermal e o CdTe-refluxo, respectivamente.

Parce qu'ils présentent des propriétés remarquables par rapport à leurs équivalents massifs, les nanomatériaux occupent une place de plus en plus importante dans l'industrie et en médecine. Leur essor rapide a généré de nombreuses craintes dans l'opinion publique notamment au regard de certaines méconnaissances liées à leur toxicité. Notre projet vise l'utilisation du séléniure de cadmium (CdSe) comme matériau modèle afin d'établir une corrélation entre la structure chimique des nanoparticules, leur réactivité de surface, leur (photo)stabilité et leur toxicité. Des quantum dots (QDs) CdSe et alliages CdSe(S) ont été préparés en milieu aqueux à 100°C ou par voie hydrothermale de manière à ne différer que par leur structure chimique de coeur (alliage ternaire vs semi-conducteur binaire) alors que d'autres paramètres comme la taille, la charge ou la nature du ligand de surface, ont été maintenus constants. Des études de cytotoxicité menées sur Escherichia coli ont montré que la libération de Cd2+ jouait un rôle important dans la toxicité pour les deux QDs. Nos résultats ont également mis en évidence que les QDs CdSe(S) alliés étaient plus stables et moins toxiques que les QDs CdSe. Sans négliger l'importance de la libération d'ion Cd2+ par les nanoparticules, une corrélation entre la stabilité et la production d'espèces réactives de l?oxygène (EROs) a montré que la toxicité était en partie dépendante de la photostabilité des QDs. Notre étude met en perspective une relation entre la réactivité, la stabilité du coeur des nanoparticules, et la toxicité photo-induite / Due to their unique properties compared to their bulk counterparts, nanomaterials have gained considerable attention, especially in industry and medicine. Their fast development has generated many public concerns, especially because of a lack of knowledge regarding their toxicity. Our project aims to use cadmium selenide (CdSe) as a model material in order to initiate a research aiming at establishing a correlation between the nanoparticles chemical structure, their surface reactivity, their stability and their toxicity. CdSe and alloyed CdSe(S) quantum dots (QDs) were prepared in aqueous phase either at 100°C or under hydrothermal conditions in order to differ solely by their core chemical structure (ternary alloy vs binary semiconductor), while other parameters such as the size, the surface charge or the surface ligand, have been kept constant. Cytotoxicity studies carried out on Escherichia coli have shown that release of Cd2+ played a key role in the toxicity for both QDs. However, alloyed CdSe(S) QDs were also found more stable and less toxic than CdSe nanocrystals. Without disregarding the importance of Cd2+ ions release by the nanoparticles, a correlation between the stability and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) showed that toxicity was dependent on QDs photostability. Our study highlights a relationship between the core reactivity, stability and the photo-induced toxicity QD nanoparticles

In this work, semiconductor nanocrystal alloys (NCs), ZnCdTe and MgCdTe were obtained by the bottom-up approach in aqueous synthesis assisted by conventional and microwave-assisted hydrothermal route. Different synthesis variables such as pH, capping agent (mercaptopropionic acid and glutathione), Zn/Cd ratio and time were used for ZnCdTe nanocrystal synthesis. For MgCdTe synthesis, pH was kept constant while time, Mg/Cd ratio and capping agent were evaluated. UV-Vis absorption and emission spectra (PL) showed composition dependence (Zn / Cd and Mg / Cd) which was altered depending on the synthesis parameter. These results were corroborated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) as well as for chemical analysis by atomic absorption spectrometry. Cyclic voltammetry was used as a complementary technique to optical characterizations in the determination of semiconductor NCs band gap, obtaining approximate results. Novel nanocomposites of graphene derivatives (from citric acid and graphite) modified with NCs of MgCdTe were satisfactorily prepared by in situ hydrothermal synthesis and characterized by PL and TEM. Homemade modified carbon paste electrodes were built to evaluate the electrochemical behavior of the new composites, being used for the first time to the study of epinephrine and lidocaine eletrooxidation and their mixtures. The differential pulse voltammetry, proved to be a sensitive technique in both determination of electroactive species with detection limits that reached 9.2x10-8 mol.L-1, for epinephrine and 9.5x10-7 mol.L - 1 for lidocaine. / Neste trabalho, as ligas de nanocristais semicondutores (NCs), ZnCdTe e MgCdTe foram obtidas via abordagem Bottom-up, em síntese aquosa assistida por rota hidrotermal convencional e rota hidrotermal assistida por micro-ondas. Para a síntese de NCs de ZnCdTe foram utilizados diferentes variáveis da síntese como, pH, estabilizantes (ácido mercaptopropiônico e glutationa), proporção Zn/Cd e tempo. Os diferentes parâmetros de síntese (tempo, composição e estabilizantes como, glutationa e glutationa/citrato de sódio) também foram investigados na obtenção de um sistema inédito de NCs semicondutores de MgCdTe. Os espectros de absorção UV-Vis e emissão (PL) mostraram dependência da composição (Zn/Cd e Mg/Cd) que foi alterada dependendo do parâmetro de síntese. Esses resultados foram corroborados pela microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (TEM) e para os NCs de MgCdTe, sendo que a composição foi estudada quantitativamente pela espectrometria de absorção atômica (AAS). A voltametria cíclica foi utilizada como uma técnica complementar as caracterizações ópticas na determinação do band gap dos NCs semicondutores, obtendo resultados aproximados. Novos compósitos de derivados de grafeno (a partir de ácido cítrico e grafite) modificados com NCs de MgCdTe foram preparados satisfatoriamente por síntese hidrotermal in situ e caracterizados por PL e TEM. Para avaliar o comportamento eletroquímico dos novos compósitos foram fabricados eletrodos de pasta de carbono home-made e modificados com os compósitos, que foram usados pela primeira vez, no estudo da eletrooxidação de Epinefrina e Lidocaína e suas misturas. A voltametria de pulso diferencial (DPV), demonstrou ser uma técnica sensível na determinação de ambas as espécies eletroativas com limites de detecção que chegaram a 9,2x10-8 mol.L-1 para Epinefrina e 9,5x10-7 mol.L-1 para a Lidocaína.

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / In this study PbSe quantum dots (QDs) were successfully synthesized via the organometallic and aqueous routes. Optical characterization was carried out using photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, structural and morphological characterization were carried out using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) was used to determine the composition of the QDs. All the synthesized QDs were found to have emissions within the near-infrared region of the spectrum (≥1000 nm) with most of them being less than 5 nm in size. The aqueous synthesized QDs had a perfect Gaussian emission spectrum with a FWHM of ~23 nm indicating pure band gap emission and narrow size distribution respectively. The QDs were determined to have a cubic rock-salt crystal structure consistent with bulk PbSe. The aqueous synthesized QDs were however not stable in solution with the QDs precipitating after approximately 48 h. The organometallic synthesized QDs were transferred into the aqueous phase by exchanging the surface oleic acid ligands with 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid ligands. The ligand exchanged QDs were however stable in solution for over two weeks. The effects of reaction parameters on the optical and structural properties of the organometallic synthesized QDs were investigated by varying the reaction time, temperature, ligand purity, lead and selenium sources. It was observed that larger QDs were formed with longer reaction times, with reactions proceeding faster at higher reaction temperatures than at lower temperatures. Varying the ligand purity was found to have minimal effects on the properties of the synthesized QDs. The lead and selenium sources contributed largely to the properties of the QDs with lead oxide producing spherical QDs which were smaller compared to the cubic QDs produced from lead acetate. TBPSe was seen to produce smaller QDs as compared to TOPSe. The cytotoxity of the synthesized QDs was determined following the WST-1 cell viability assay with the QDs being found to be non-toxic at all the tested concentrations