A estabilização de suspensões de alumina é essencial para a fabricação de vários produtos, especialmente na indústria cerâmica e com o controle das propriedades que se pode atingir usando polímeros como agentes estabilizantes. Na busca de processos industriais que preservem o meio ambiente, polímeros sintéticos podem ser substituídos por biopolímeros, com a vantagem adicional de encontrar usos nobres para rejeitos, como quitina, da qual se obtêm a quitosana e ligninas. Nesta tese, os derivados carboximetilados de celulose, a carboximetilcelulose (CMC) e quitosana, a carboximetilquitosana (CMQ) foram preparados e caracterizados por Espectroscopia de Ressonância Magnética Nuclear de Próton (1HRMN), Espectroscopia na Região do Infravermelho (FTIR), Termogravimetria (TG), Calorimetria Diferencial Exploratória (DSC), Difração de raios X, Cromatografia de Exclusão por Tamanho (SEC). O derivado obtido da lignina, a carboximetil-lignina, (CML) foi caracterizado por Espectroscopia na Região do Infravermelho (FTIR), Termogravimetria (TG), Calorimetria Diferencial Exploratória (DSC). Os três derivados obtidos foram usados como agentes estabilizantes para suspensões aquosas de alumina. A reação de carboximetilação ocorreu em meio heterogêneo, gerando derivados solúveis em água. O grau de substituição (GS) para as carboximetilceluloses foi determinado por 1HRMN, obtendo-se valores de 0,7; 1,3 e 1,8 para as três amostras analisadas nesse trabalho. Para as carboximetilquitosanas, o GS foi determinado por FTIR e análise elementar sendo obtidos valores de 0,6 e 0,8 para duas amostras de CMQ. O valor de GS de 0,5 para carboximetil-lignina foi obtido por titulação potenciomêtrica. Os derivados CMC, CMQ e CML permitiram a estabilização de suspensões de alumina, como demonstrado em medidas de tamanho de partículas, potencial zeta e viscosidade. De relevância especial foi a estabilização em altos valores de pHs, incluindo o ponto de carga zero, pcz, no qual a atração entre as partículas de alumina, de cargas opostas, é máxima, levando a aglomeração de partículas em suspensões sem agentes de estabilização. A distribuição de tamanhos de partícula também foi afetada positivamente com a incorporação dos derivados. De maneira geral, os resultados com os derivados foram promissores em termos de potencial zeta e tamanho de partícula no pcz da alumina, o intervalo de interesse deste trabalho. O destaque é para o derivado de celulose, a CMC GS 1,3 que obteve a melhor performance dentre todos do derivados levando aos menores valores de viscosidade para a suspensão, salientando que esta foi preparada com alto teor de sólidos, nas mesmas condições de suspensões utilizadas em processamentos cerâmicos,. Foi importante também a estabilização ao longo do tempo das suspensões contendo CMC, CMQ e CML, pois o tamanho médio de partícula permaneceu invariável por períodos de até 2 horas, tempo suficiente para processos de moldagem de cerâmicos como extrusão, injeção, tap-casting. O uso de derivados carboximetilados de lignina, quitosana e celulose, como agentes estabilizantes de suspensões de alumina, abre caminho para novas aplicações de produtos obtidos a partir de fontes naturais e renováveis, em substituição aos tradicionalmente usados, oriundos de fontes fósseis. / The stabilization of alumina suspensions is crucial for the fabrication of various products, especially in the ceramic industry, with fine control of materials properties being reached using polymers as stabilizing agents. In this context, in the search for environmentally-friendly industrial processes, synthetic polymers may be replaced with biopolymers, with the added advantage of providing noble uses for waste materials such as those deriving from lignins and chitosans. In this thesis, carboxymethylated cellulose (CMC) and chitosan (CMQ) were prepared and characterized with proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1HNMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetry (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction and size exclusion chromatography (SEC). Carboxymethylated lignin (CML) was characterized with Fourier Transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetry (TG) and DSC. These three derivatives were used as stabilizing agents in aqueous solutions of alumina. The carboxymethylation reaction was carried out in a heterogeneous medium yielding water-soluble derivatives. GS values of 0.7, 1.3 and 1.8 for CMC were obtained with 1HNMR measurements, while values of 0.6 and 0.8 for CMQ were determined using FTIR and elemental analysis. For CML, GS = 0.5 was found using potentiometric titration. The success of the carboxymethylation was confirmed via 1HNMR measurements. The effectiveness of the derivatives CMC, CMQ and CML as stabilizing agents was proven by measuring the size distribution of particles, viscosity and zeta potential of alumina suspensions. Of particular relevance was the stabilization at high pHs, including the point of zero charge (pcz) for which attraction between oppositely charged particles is maximum, where alumina particles normally agglomerate in the absence of stabilizing agents. The particle size distributions were also affected positively by incorporation of the derivatives. Overall, the data presented indicated that CML was responsible for optimized results for the zeta potential and mean particle size at the pzc of alumina suspensions. The CMC with GS = 1.3 exhibited the best performance with the lowest viscosity values at the pcz, even in dispersions with high contents of solid materials which are the conditions prevailing in ceramic processes. Also worth mentioning was the stability over time of the alumina suspensions incorporating CMQ, CML and CMC, with the average particle size remaining the same for 1-2 hours, which is a sufficient period of time for ceramic molding processes such as extrusion, injection and tap-casting. The use of carboxymethylated derivatives of lignin, chitosan and cellulose as stabilizing agents opens the way for the development of new products from natural and renewable sources, to replace those materials traditionally used which are obtained from fossil sources.

A estabilização de suspensões de alumina é essencial para a fabricação de vários produtos, especialmente na indústria cerâmica e com o controle das propriedades que se pode atingir usando polímeros como agentes estabilizantes. Na busca de processos industriais que preservem o meio ambiente, polímeros sintéticos podem ser substituídos por biopolímeros, com a vantagem adicional de encontrar usos nobres para rejeitos, como quitina, da qual se obtêm a quitosana e ligninas. Nesta tese, os derivados carboximetilados de celulose, a carboximetilcelulose (CMC) e quitosana, a carboximetilquitosana (CMQ) foram preparados e caracterizados por Espectroscopia de Ressonância Magnética Nuclear de Próton (1HRMN), Espectroscopia na Região do Infravermelho (FTIR), Termogravimetria (TG), Calorimetria Diferencial Exploratória (DSC), Difração de raios X, Cromatografia de Exclusão por Tamanho (SEC). O derivado obtido da lignina, a carboximetil-lignina, (CML) foi caracterizado por Espectroscopia na Região do Infravermelho (FTIR), Termogravimetria (TG), Calorimetria Diferencial Exploratória (DSC). Os três derivados obtidos foram usados como agentes estabilizantes para suspensões aquosas de alumina. A reação de carboximetilação ocorreu em meio heterogêneo, gerando derivados solúveis em água. O grau de substituição (GS) para as carboximetilceluloses foi determinado por 1HRMN, obtendo-se valores de 0,7; 1,3 e 1,8 para as três amostras analisadas nesse trabalho. Para as carboximetilquitosanas, o GS foi determinado por FTIR e análise elementar sendo obtidos valores de 0,6 e 0,8 para duas amostras de CMQ. O valor de GS de 0,5 para carboximetil-lignina foi obtido por titulação potenciomêtrica. Os derivados CMC, CMQ e CML permitiram a estabilização de suspensões de alumina, como demonstrado em medidas de tamanho de partículas, potencial zeta e viscosidade. De relevância especial foi a estabilização em altos valores de pHs, incluindo o ponto de carga zero, pcz, no qual a atração entre as partículas de alumina, de cargas opostas, é máxima, levando a aglomeração de partículas em suspensões sem agentes de estabilização. A distribuição de tamanhos de partícula também foi afetada positivamente com a incorporação dos derivados. De maneira geral, os resultados com os derivados foram promissores em termos de potencial zeta e tamanho de partícula no pcz da alumina, o intervalo de interesse deste trabalho. O destaque é para o derivado de celulose, a CMC GS 1,3 que obteve a melhor performance dentre todos do derivados levando aos menores valores de viscosidade para a suspensão, salientando que esta foi preparada com alto teor de sólidos, nas mesmas condições de suspensões utilizadas em processamentos cerâmicos,. Foi importante também a estabilização ao longo do tempo das suspensões contendo CMC, CMQ e CML, pois o tamanho médio de partícula permaneceu invariável por períodos de até 2 horas, tempo suficiente para processos de moldagem de cerâmicos como extrusão, injeção, tap-casting. O uso de derivados carboximetilados de lignina, quitosana e celulose, como agentes estabilizantes de suspensões de alumina, abre caminho para novas aplicações de produtos obtidos a partir de fontes naturais e renováveis, em substituição aos tradicionalmente usados, oriundos de fontes fósseis. / The stabilization of alumina suspensions is crucial for the fabrication of various products, especially in the ceramic industry, with fine control of materials properties being reached using polymers as stabilizing agents. In this context, in the search for environmentally-friendly industrial processes, synthetic polymers may be replaced with biopolymers, with the added advantage of providing noble uses for waste materials such as those deriving from lignins and chitosans. In this thesis, carboxymethylated cellulose (CMC) and chitosan (CMQ) were prepared and characterized with proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1HNMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetry (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction and size exclusion chromatography (SEC). Carboxymethylated lignin (CML) was characterized with Fourier Transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetry (TG) and DSC. These three derivatives were used as stabilizing agents in aqueous solutions of alumina. The carboxymethylation reaction was carried out in a heterogeneous medium yielding water-soluble derivatives. GS values of 0.7, 1.3 and 1.8 for CMC were obtained with 1HNMR measurements, while values of 0.6 and 0.8 for CMQ were determined using FTIR and elemental analysis. For CML, GS = 0.5 was found using potentiometric titration. The success of the carboxymethylation was confirmed via 1HNMR measurements. The effectiveness of the derivatives CMC, CMQ and CML as stabilizing agents was proven by measuring the size distribution of particles, viscosity and zeta potential of alumina suspensions. Of particular relevance was the stabilization at high pHs, including the point of zero charge (pcz) for which attraction between oppositely charged particles is maximum, where alumina particles normally agglomerate in the absence of stabilizing agents. The particle size distributions were also affected positively by incorporation of the derivatives. Overall, the data presented indicated that CML was responsible for optimized results for the zeta potential and mean particle size at the pzc of alumina suspensions. The CMC with GS = 1.3 exhibited the best performance with the lowest viscosity values at the pcz, even in dispersions with high contents of solid materials which are the conditions prevailing in ceramic processes. Also worth mentioning was the stability over time of the alumina suspensions incorporating CMQ, CML and CMC, with the average particle size remaining the same for 1-2 hours, which is a sufficient period of time for ceramic molding processes such as extrusion, injection and tap-casting. The use of carboxymethylated derivatives of lignin, chitosan and cellulose as stabilizing agents opens the way for the development of new products from natural and renewable sources, to replace those materials traditionally used which are obtained from fossil sources.

All biological processes are fundamentally inter-molecular interactions. In order to understand, and hence control, biomolecular structure and function, methods are required that probe biological systems at the molecular level, ideally with those molecules being in their native environment. The research summarized herein has at its core the development and application of ultra violet (UV)-visible spectrophotometric techniquies for this prupose, in particular circular dichrosim (CD) and linear dichrosim (LD) but also absorbance, fluorescence and resonance light scattering. The spectroscopy is complemented by fundamental theoretical work on molecular structure and reactivity that forms the basis for designing molecules to bind to biomolecules for a particular structural or functional effect. A brief summary of the contributions of the listed publications to our understanding of 'Molecular aspects of biololecule structure and function' is given below under five headings: Circular dichroism theory Molecular geometry and reactivity Small molecule-macromolecule interactions: spectroscopic probes of inter-molecular geometries Molecular design for nucleic acid structure and control Spectroscopic probes of biomolecule structure: instrumentation and application In general terms these correspond to successive phases of the research programme, however, all areas have been present since the first publications in 1983 and can be traced weaving through all subsequent activity.

All biological processes are fundamentally inter-molecular interactions. In order to understand, and hence control, biomolecular structure and function, methods are required that probe biological systems at the molecular level, ideally with those molecules being in their native environment. The research summarized herein has at its core the development and application of ultra violet (UV)-visible spectrophotometric techniquies for this prupose, in particular circular dichrosim (CD) and linear dichrosim (LD) but also absorbance, fluorescence and resonance light scattering. The spectroscopy is complemented by fundamental theoretical work on molecular structure and reactivity that forms the basis for designing molecules to bind to biomolecules for a particular structural or functional effect. A brief summary of the contributions of the listed publications to our understanding of 'Molecular aspects of biololecule structure and function' is given below under five headings: Circular dichroism theory Molecular geometry and reactivity Small molecule-macromolecule interactions: spectroscopic probes of inter-molecular geometries Molecular design for nucleic acid structure and control Spectroscopic probes of biomolecule structure: instrumentation and application In general terms these correspond to successive phases of the research programme, however, all areas have been present since the first publications in 1983 and can be traced weaving through all subsequent activity.

No description available.

A hidrólise enzimática de celulose representa, em relação à hidrólise ácida, uma alternativa limpa para produção de etanol. No entanto, existem duas dificuldades: o alto custo das enzimas e recalcitrância das regiões cristalinas da celulose. Para o primeiro problema, propomos a imobilização de celulase, um complexo enzimático que sinergicamente promove a degradação da celulose em glicose e celobiose, sobre wafers de silício. Apesar da atividade enzimática de celulase adsorvida ser em geral menor que a de celulase livre, a imobilização de celulases provou ser vantajosa, pois permite até seis reusos, mantendo um nível de atividade apenas 20% inferior ao original. Quanto à questão da recalcitrância das regiões cristalinas da celulose, utilizamos diferentes pré-tratamentos de celulose, a fim de reduzir a sua cristalinidade e o seu grau de polimerização, além de também modificar a estrutura supramolecular da celulose e a quantidade de poros que esta apresenta, avaliando todos estes parâmetros quantitativamente frente à atividade enzimática livre e imobilizada. A sacarificação enzimática de celulase livre e imobilizada foi determinada na hidrólise de celulose microcristalina (Avicel), e dois tipos de celulose nativa, algodão e eucalipto. Avicel foi pré-tratada a partir da (i) dissolução e degradação em ácido fosfórico, (ii) dissolução em acetato de 1-etil-3-metil-imidazólio (EMIMAc), e (iii) da hidrólise por endoglucanases adsorvidas, uma enzima do complexo enzimático celulase. Celulose de eucalipto e algodão foram mercerizadas a fim de se retirar contaminantes. A hidrólise com celulase livre levou a taxas de conversão de celulose à glicose que não apresentaram correlação com o índice de cristalinidade, nem com o grau de polimerização, mas apresentaram correlação direta com a capacidade de absorção de água, também chamada de constante de capilaridade. As taxas de conversão obtidas na presença de celulase adsorvida apresentaram correlação inversa com a constante de capilaridade, evidenciando que o mecanismo de hidrólise neste caso é fortemente dependente da camada de hidratação da celulose. / Enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose represents, in relation to acid hydrolysis, a clean alternative for production of ethanol. However, there are two difficulties: the high cost of enzymes and the recalcitrance of the crystalline regions of cellulose. For the first problem, we propose the immobilization of cellulase, an enzymatic complex which synergistically promotes the degradation of cellulose to glucose and cellobiose, onto Si wafers. Although the enzymatic activity of immobilized cellulase is generally lower than that of free cellulase, immobilization has proven to be advantageous since it allows up to six reuses maintaining the activity level at 80% of the original one. Concerning the recalcitrance of the crystalline regions of cellulose, we used different cellulose pretreatments in order to reduce its crystallinity and degree of polymerization, and to modify the cellulose supramolecular structure along with the amount of pores. All these parameters were quantitatively correlated with the activity of free and immobilized cellulase. The enzymatic activity of free and immobilized enzyme was determined by the hydrolysis of microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel), and two types of native cellulose, cotton and eucalyptus. Avicel was pretreated in three different ways: (i) dissolution and degradation in phosphoric acid, (ii) dissolution in 1-ethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium acetate (EMIMAc), and (iii) hydrolysis by immobilized endoglucanase, an enzyme that is part of the cellulase enzyme complex. Eucalyptus and cotton pulp were mercerized in order to remove contaminants. Hydrolysis with free cellulase yielded cellulose to glucose conversions that were neither correlated with the crystallinity index nor with the degree of polymerization, but were directly correlated with the cellulose ability to absorb water (capillary constant). The conversion rates obtained in the presence of immobilized cellulase correlated inversely with the capillary constant values, indicating that hydrolysis mechanism in this case is strongly dependent on the hydration layer of cellulose

L'attention de la communauté scientifique, ainsi que le développement, pour les bioprocédés dédiés à la culture et à l'expansion de cellules souches mésenchymateuses (MSCs) pour la thérapie cellulaire et la médecine régénérative a considérablement grandi pendant ces dernières décennies. Une plus ample compréhension du lien entre la structure, la fonction et les propriétés des suspensions de cellules mésenchymateuses est devenue de première importance. Dans cette thèse, nous présentons tout d'abord les résultats d'une étude expérimentale portant sur l'écoulement de suspensions concentrées de cellules vivantes d'origine mésenchymateuse pour une grande gamme de concentration cellulaire. Nous caractérisons l'évolution de la viscosité relative en fonction de la contrainte de cisaillement appliquée pour des fractions volumiques cellulaires allant de 20 à 60%. Ces matériaux ont des empreintes rhéologiques compliquées mais très reproductibles, incluant des comportements de fluide à seuil, rhéofluidifiants ainsi que des fractures liées à la contrainte de cisaillement. Les propriétés rhéologiques de la suspension sont ensuite étudiées avec l'addition d'acide hyaluronique (HA), une biomolécule avec des séquences d'adhésion pour des récepteurs à la surface des cellules étudiées. Nous montrons que l'addition d'acide hyaluronique modifie substantiellement le comportement de la suspension et nous permet de contrôler les propriétés d'écoulement de la suspension à toutes les fractions volumiques. Cytométrie de flux et imagerie confocal à l'appui, nous montrons que l'effet observé est dû à un important changement dans la formation d'agrégats cellulaires dans la suspension, et donc dans l'envergure du réseau correspondant. La troisième partie de cette thèse porte sur l'ajout de polyéthylène glycol, une molécule qui n'est pas naturellement présente dans l'organisme mais fréquemment utilisée dans la formulation d'hydrogel. En utilisant trois types de PEG, l'influence de la charge des molécules est étudiée. Les résultats montrent que la charge est un paramètre important dans le contrôle des propriétés d'écoulement de suspensions cellulaires, car déterminant dans la formation et la compacité des agrégats. En considérant les agrégats comme des objets fractals, nous montrons qu'en prenant en compte les modifications de fractions volumiques avec le cisaillement, nous pouvons obtenir une courbe maitresse pour l'ensemble des conditions testées, et en extraire la force d'adhésion moyenne entre les cellules, au travers une population de plusieurs millions de cellules. Cette étude livre de nouveaux aspects sur la complexité des propriétés en écoulement de suspensions de cellules méchymateuses, adhérentes et concentrées, sur leur sensibilité à l'ajout de molécules, qu'elles soient naturellement présentes dans les tissues ou non, ainsi qu'une nouvelle méthode pour mesurer la force d'adhésion entre les cellules. / With the rapidly growing interest in the development of bioprocess systems to culture and expand mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) for cell therapy and regenerative medicine applications, greater understanding of the structure-function-property characteristics of mesenchymal cell suspensions is required. In this thesis, the results of a detailed experimental study into the flow behaviour of concentrated suspensions of living mesenchymal cells over a wide range of cell concentrations and in the presence of two macromolecules (hyaluronic acid and polyethylene glycol) often used in cellular therapy applications are presented. The change in the shear viscosity as a function of shear stress and shear rate for cell volume fractions varying from 20 to 60% are firstly presented, showing that these suspensions exhibit highly complex but reproducible rheological footprints, including yield stress, shear thinning and shear-induced fracture behaviours. The rheological properties of the suspension with the addition of hyaluronic acid (HA), a biomolecule with adhesion sequences for receptors on these types of cells, was then investigated. With the addition of HA, the rheology of these cell suspensions is significantly modified at all volume fractions. Using FACS and confocal imaging, we show that the observed effect of HA addition is due to it significantly modulating the formation of cellular aggregates in these suspensions, and thus the resultant volume spanning network. This understanding permits the rheology of concentrated mesenchymal cell suspensions to be tailored to suit particular processing scenarios. The third part of this project focused on the addition of polyethylene glycol, a molecule which is not naturally present in tissues but commonly utilised in hydrogels as injectable delivery vehicles for cells to sites of tissue damage. Using three different kinds of PEG, the influence of the charge of the molecules is investigated. The results show the charge is also a crucial parameter to tailor the flow behaviour of cell suspension when biomacromolecules are added, influencing the formation and the compactness of the cellular aggregates. Considering the aggregates as fractal structures, and by taking into account the changes in volume fractions with shear, a master curve for the range of conditions investigated was successfully achieved through the use of an analytical model. Critically, this model also permitted the estimation of the average adhesion force between cells, across a population of millions of cells. The outcomes of this study not only provide new insight into the complexity of the flow behaviours of concentrated, dynamically adhesive mesenchymal cell suspensions, and their sensitivity to associative biomolecule and synthetic molecule addition, but also a novel, rapid method by which to estimate adhesion forces between cells.

A hidrólise enzimática de celulose representa, em relação à hidrólise ácida, uma alternativa limpa para produção de etanol. No entanto, existem duas dificuldades: o alto custo das enzimas e recalcitrância das regiões cristalinas da celulose. Para o primeiro problema, propomos a imobilização de celulase, um complexo enzimático que sinergicamente promove a degradação da celulose em glicose e celobiose, sobre wafers de silício. Apesar da atividade enzimática de celulase adsorvida ser em geral menor que a de celulase livre, a imobilização de celulases provou ser vantajosa, pois permite até seis reusos, mantendo um nível de atividade apenas 20% inferior ao original. Quanto à questão da recalcitrância das regiões cristalinas da celulose, utilizamos diferentes pré-tratamentos de celulose, a fim de reduzir a sua cristalinidade e o seu grau de polimerização, além de também modificar a estrutura supramolecular da celulose e a quantidade de poros que esta apresenta, avaliando todos estes parâmetros quantitativamente frente à atividade enzimática livre e imobilizada. A sacarificação enzimática de celulase livre e imobilizada foi determinada na hidrólise de celulose microcristalina (Avicel), e dois tipos de celulose nativa, algodão e eucalipto. Avicel foi pré-tratada a partir da (i) dissolução e degradação em ácido fosfórico, (ii) dissolução em acetato de 1-etil-3-metil-imidazólio (EMIMAc), e (iii) da hidrólise por endoglucanases adsorvidas, uma enzima do complexo enzimático celulase. Celulose de eucalipto e algodão foram mercerizadas a fim de se retirar contaminantes. A hidrólise com celulase livre levou a taxas de conversão de celulose à glicose que não apresentaram correlação com o índice de cristalinidade, nem com o grau de polimerização, mas apresentaram correlação direta com a capacidade de absorção de água, também chamada de constante de capilaridade. As taxas de conversão obtidas na presença de celulase adsorvida apresentaram correlação inversa com a constante de capilaridade, evidenciando que o mecanismo de hidrólise neste caso é fortemente dependente da camada de hidratação da celulose. / Enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose represents, in relation to acid hydrolysis, a clean alternative for production of ethanol. However, there are two difficulties: the high cost of enzymes and the recalcitrance of the crystalline regions of cellulose. For the first problem, we propose the immobilization of cellulase, an enzymatic complex which synergistically promotes the degradation of cellulose to glucose and cellobiose, onto Si wafers. Although the enzymatic activity of immobilized cellulase is generally lower than that of free cellulase, immobilization has proven to be advantageous since it allows up to six reuses maintaining the activity level at 80% of the original one. Concerning the recalcitrance of the crystalline regions of cellulose, we used different cellulose pretreatments in order to reduce its crystallinity and degree of polymerization, and to modify the cellulose supramolecular structure along with the amount of pores. All these parameters were quantitatively correlated with the activity of free and immobilized cellulase. The enzymatic activity of free and immobilized enzyme was determined by the hydrolysis of microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel), and two types of native cellulose, cotton and eucalyptus. Avicel was pretreated in three different ways: (i) dissolution and degradation in phosphoric acid, (ii) dissolution in 1-ethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium acetate (EMIMAc), and (iii) hydrolysis by immobilized endoglucanase, an enzyme that is part of the cellulase enzyme complex. Eucalyptus and cotton pulp were mercerized in order to remove contaminants. Hydrolysis with free cellulase yielded cellulose to glucose conversions that were neither correlated with the crystallinity index nor with the degree of polymerization, but were directly correlated with the cellulose ability to absorb water (capillary constant). The conversion rates obtained in the presence of immobilized cellulase correlated inversely with the capillary constant values, indicating that hydrolysis mechanism in this case is strongly dependent on the hydration layer of cellulose

no / This review summarises the recent developments in the synthesis and applications of polymers derived from malic acid. There has been an increased interest in the design of sustainable and biodegradable polymers as a result of the drive to use renewable feedstocks as an alternative to petrochemicals in addition to their significant potential in biomedical applications. Synthetic strategies to access polymers from malic acid based on both condensation and ring-opening polymerization, across a broad range of conditions, are reviewed along with their advantages and limits. The role that such materials are studied for in biomedical applications is discussed, and their environmental impact based on the biodegradability of the malic polymer backbone is outlined. / The Royal Society, EPSRC, BBSRC

Controlling conformation of macromolecules, both in solution and solid state, has remained an exciting challenge till date as it confronts the entropy driven random coil conformation. Folded forms of biomacromolecules, like proteins and nucleic acids, have served as role-models to the scientists in terms of designing synthetic foldamers. The folded functional forms of proteins and nucleic acids have been shown to rely heavily on various factors, like directional hydrogen bonding, intrinsic conformational preferences of the backbone, solvation (e.g. hydrophobic effects), coulombic interactions, charge-transfer interactions, metal-ion complexation, etc. Chapter-1 discusses various designs of synthetic polymers explored by research groups world-over to emulate the exquisite conformational control exercised by biomacromolecular systems. Our laboratory has been extensively involved since 2004 in designing charge-transfer complexation induced folding of flexible donor-acceptor (DA) polymeric systems, such as those shown in Scheme 1. It was observed that such polymers adopt a folded conformation in polar solvents, like methanol, in the presence of an excess of an appropriate alkali metal ion. To explore folding in the solid state, Jonas and co-workers recently showed that a polyethylene-like polyester with long alkylene segments containing periodically located pendant propyl group forms a semicrystalline morphology with alternating crystalline and amorphous regions primarily because of the periodic folding of the backbone due to the steric exclusion of the propyl branches from the crystalline domains. In order to explore immiscibility-driven folding of polyethylene-like polyesters, Roy et al. designed a periodically grafted amphiphilic copolymer (PGAC) containing long alkylene segments (mimicking polyethylene) and pendant oligoethyleneglycol chains at periodic intervals (Scheme 2). Scheme 2: Proposed folding of a periodically grafted amphiphilic copolymer It was demonstrated that immiscibility between the hydrocarbon backbone and pendant PEG segments drives the polymer to adopt a folded zigzag conformation as shown in Scheme 2. The above synthetic strategy, however, does not permit easy structural variation of the side chain segments because the side-chain segment is covalently linked to the malonate monomer. In Chapter-2, a more general strategy to prepare periodically grafted copolymers has been described. In an effort to do so, we designed a series of clickable polyesters carrying propargyl/allyl functionality at regular intervals along the polymer backbone, as shown in Scheme 3. Scheme 3: Periodically clickable polyesters for the preparation of periodically grafted copolymers The polyesters were prepared by reacting either 2-propargyl-1,3-propanediol, 2,2-dipropargyl-1,3-propanediol or 2-allyl-2-propargyl-1,3-propanediol with an alkylene diacid chloride, namely 1,20-eicosanedioic acid chloride, under solution polycondensation conditions. Since these polyesters carry either, one propargyl, two propargyls or one propargyl and one allyl group on every repeat unit, it provides us an opportunity to synthesise exact graft copolymers with one side chain, two side chains or even two dissimilar side chains per repeat unit. In Chapter-3, the periodically clickable polyesters were reacted with MPEG-350 (PEG 350 monomethyl ether) azides using Cu(I) catalyzed azide-yne click reaction to generate periodically grafted amphiphilic copolymers (PGAC) carrying crystallizable hydrophobic backbone and pendant hydrophilic MPEG-350 side-chains (Scheme 4). Since the PGACs carry either one or two pendant MPEG-350 chains on every repeat unit, it allowed us to examine the effect of steric crowding on the crystallization propensity of the central alkylene segment. Scheme 4: Functionalization of periodically clickable polyesters with MPEG 350 azide by azide-yne click reaction From DSC studies, it was observed that increase in steric crowding at junctions resulting from increased side-chain volume hinders effective packing of the hydrocarbon backbone. As a result, both transition temperatures and the enthalpies associated with these transitions decreases. SAXS and AFM studies revealed the formation of lamellar morphology with alternate domains of PEG and hydrocarbon. Based on these observations, we proposed that self-segregation between hydrophobic backbone and hydrophilic side-chains induce the backbone to adopt a folded zigzag conformation (Scheme 5). Scheme 5: Schematic depiction of self-segregation induced folding of PGAC and their assembly on mica surface (AFM image) In order to study the effect of solvent polarity on conformational evolution of the periodically grafted amphiphilic copolymers, we randomly incorporated pyrene in the backbone of the polymer by reacting a small fraction (~ 5 mole %) of the propargyl groups with pyrene azide. Fluorescence study of the pyrene labelled polymer showed that increase in solvent polarity increases the intensity of the excimer band dramatically; this suggests the possible collapse of the polymer chain to the folded zigzag form. In an extension of this work, the PGAC was further used as template to synthesise layered silicates that appears to replicate the lamellar periodicity seen in the polymer. In order to study the effect of reversing the amphiphilicity on self-segregation, in Chapter-4, we synthesised a series of clickable polyesters carrying PEG segments of varying lengths, namely PEG 300, PEG 600 and PEG 1000, along the polymer backbone. The polymers were prepared by trans-esterification of 2-propargyl dihexylmalonate with different PEG-diols. These polyesters were then clicked with docosyl (C22) azide using Cu(I) catalyzed azide-yne click reaction to generate the desired periodically grafted amphiphilic polymers carrying crystallizable hydrophobic pendant chains at periodic intervals; the periodicity in this case was governed by the length of the PEG diols (Scheme 6). Scheme 6: PGACs carrying hydrophilic PEG backbone and crystallizable hydrophobic pendant docosyl chains Varying the average periodicity of grafting provided an opportunity to examine its consequences on the self-segregation behavior. Given the strong tendency of the pendant docosyl segments to crystallize, DSC studies proved useful to analyse the self-segregation; DOCOPEG 300 clearly exhibited the most effective self-segregation, whereas both DOCOPEG 600 and DOCOPEG 1000 showed weaker segregation. Based on the observations from DSC studies, we proposed that the PEG backbone adopts a hairpin like conformation (Scheme 7). Scheme 7: Proposed self-segregation through hairpin like conformation of backbone PEG segments In order to confirm the bulk morphology, we carried out small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and atomic force microscopic (AFM) studies. The SAXS profiles confirmed the observations from DSC studies, and only DOCOPEG 300 exhibited well-defined lamellar ordering. Thus, it is clear that the length of the backbone PEG segment (volume-fraction) strongly influences the morphology of the PGACs. Based on the inter-lamellar spacing from SAXS and the height measurements from AFM studies (Scheme 8), we proposed that these polymers form lamellar morphology through inter-digitation of the pendant docosyl side-chains. The observations from Chapters 3 and 4 suggested that the crystallization of the backbone has a dramatic effect on the conformation of the polymer backbone. In order to explore the possibility of independent crystallization of both backbone and pendant side-chains, the periodically clickable polyesters, described in Chapter-2, were quantitatively reacted with a fluoroalkyl azide, namely CF3(CF2)7CH2CH2N3 using Cu(I) catalyzed azide-yne click reaction; Chapter-5 describes these polyesters carrying long chain alkylene segments along the backbone and either one or two perfluoroalkyl segments located at periodic intervals along the polymer chain (Scheme 9). DSC thermograms of two of the samples showed two distinct endotherms associated with the melting of the individual domains, while the WAXS patterns confirm the existence of two separate peaks corresponding to the inter-chain distances within the crystalline lattices of the hydrocarbon (HC) and fluorocarbon (FC) domains; this confirmed the occurrence of independent crystallization of both the backbone and side chains. Scheme 10: Left-variation of SAXS profile of all three polymers as a function of temperature, Right- molecular modelling of representative FC-HC-FC triblock structures. Interestingly, a smectic-type liquid crystalline phase was observed at temperatures between the two melting transitions. SAXS data, on the other hand, revealed the formation of an extended lamellar morphology with alternating domains of HC and FC (Scheme 10). The inter-lamellar spacing calculated from SAXS matches reasonably well with those estimated from TEM images. Based on these observations, we proposed that the FC modified polymers adopt a folded zigzag conformation whereby the backbone alkylene (HC) segment becomes colocated at the center and is flanked by the perfluoroalkyl (FC) groups on either side, as depicted in Scheme 11. Melting of alternate HC domains first leads to the formation of a smectic-type liquid crystalline mesophase, wherein the crystalline FC domains retain the smectic ordering; this was confirmed by polarizing light microscopic observations. Scheme 11: Schematic presentation of self-segregation induced folding of polymer chains; and hence crystallization assisted assembly of these singly folded chains to form lamellar structure One interesting challenge would be to create unsymmetrical folded structures, wherein the top and bottom segments of the zigzag folded form would be occupied by two different segments, such as PEG and FC, whereas the backbone alkylene segment would form the central domain; this would lead to the possible formation of consecutive domains of PEG, HC and FC through immiscibility driven self-segregation process. In Chapter-6, several approaches to access such systems have been described; one such design that could have resulted in the successful synthesis of a periodically clickable polymer carrying orthogonally clickable propargyl and allyl groups along the backbone in an alternating fashion is depicted in (Scheme 12). The parent polyester was successfully synthesized and the propargyl group was first clicked with the FC-azide to yield the FC-clicked polyester; however, several attempts to click MPEG-SH onto the allyl groups using thiol-ene click reaction failed. Scheme 12: Scheme for the synthesis of alternating orthogonally clickable polymer In order to accomplish our final objective, we chose to first prepare the FC-clicked diacid chloride and polymerize it with an azide-alkyne clickable macro-diol, as depicted in Scheme 13; this approach was successful and yielded the desired clickable polyester bearing the FC segments at every alternate location. This polymer was then clicked with PEG-750 azide to yield the final targeted polymer that carries mutually immiscible FC and PEG-750 segments at alternating positions along the polymer backbone. The occurrence of self-segregation of FC, PEG-750 and the alkylene backbone (HC) was first examined by DSC studies, which appeared to suggest the presence of three peaks, although these were not very well-resolved. Scheme 13: Schematic for the synthesis of the polymer carrying FC and PEG 750 alternatingly along the backbone A schematic depiction of the anticipated organization of such unsymmetric folded macromolecules is shown in Scheme 15; it is evident that because of mutual immiscibility, the layers will be organized such that the FC domains of adjacent layers will be together and similarly the PEG domains of adjacent layers will also be together. Such an organization would lead to an estimated spacing that would correspond to a bilayer of the folded structures. Interestingly, SAXS study (Scheme 14) reveals the formation of lamellar morphology with a d-spacing of 14.6 nm. Scheme 14: Figure 6.10: SAXS profile of the polymer PE-FC-PEG 750 In order to gain an estimate of the expected inter-lamellar spacing, the end-to-end distance of a model repeat-unit was computed to be ~ 9.4 nm. It is, therefore, evident that the inter-lamellar spacing of 14.6 nm seen in the SAXS is significantly larger and must represent a bilayer type organization (Scheme 15). In this regard it is important to say that the organization of these alternatingly functionalized folded chains should give a variety of d-spacings. Because of highest electron density contrast of FC among PEG, HC and FC, we proposed that the d-spacing calculated from the SAXS profile corresponds to ‘d4’ in Scheme 15. This first demonstration of the formation of zigzag folded unsymmetric entities bearing dissimilar segments on either side of the folded chain holds exciting potential for a variety of different applications and beckons further investigations. Scheme 15: Schematic for the proposed self-assembly of the singly folded polymer chains