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The use of laser desorption as a sample introduction method for solid phase microextraction (SPME) has been investigated in this research project. Three different types of analytical instruments, mass spectrometry (MS), ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) and gas chromatography (GC) were employed as detectors. The coupling of laser desorption SPME to these three instruments was constructed and described in here. <br /><br /> Solid phase microextraction/surface enhanced laser desorption ionization fibers (SPME/SELDI) were developed and have been coupled to two IMS devices. SPME/SELDI combines sampling, sample preparation and sample introduction with the ionization and desorption of the analytes. Other than being the extraction phase for the SPME fiber, the electro-conductive polymer coatings can facilitate the ionization process without the involvement of a matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) matrix. The performance of the SPME coatings and the experimental parameters for laser desorption SPME were investigated with the SPME/SELDI IMS devices. The new SPME/SELDI-IMS 400B device has a faster data acquisition system and a more powerful data analysis program. The optimum laser operation parameters were 250 <em>&mu;J</em> laser energy and 20 <em>Hz</em> repetition rate. Three new SPME coatings, polypyrrole (PPY), polythiophene (PTH) and polyaniline (PAN) were developed and evaluated by an IMS and a GC. The PPY coating was found to have the best performance and was used in most of the experiments. The characteristics of the PPY and the PTH SPME/SELDI fiber were then assessed with both IMS and MS. Good linearity could be observed between the fiber surface area and the signal intensity, and between the concentration and the signal intensities. <br /><br /> The ionization mechanism of poly(ethylene glycol) 400 (PEG) was studied with the SPME/SELDI-IMS 400B device. It was found that the potassiated ions and sodiated ions were both present in the ion mobility spectra. The results obtained with quadrupole time-of-flight (QTOF) MS confirmed the presence of both potassiated and sodiated ions. This result suggested that cationization is the main ionization process when polymers are directly ionized from the PPY coated silica surface. Four PEGs with different average molecular weights and poly(propylene glycol) 400 were also tested with this SPME/SELDI device. The differences between the ion mobility spectra of these polymers could be used for the fast identification of synthetic polymers. <br /><br /> The SPME/SELDI fibers were then coupled to QTOF MS and hybrid quadrupole linear ion trap (QqLIT) MS, respectively. Improved sensitivity could be achieved with QqLIT MS, as the modified AP MALDI source facilitated the ion transmission. The application of method for analysis of urine sample and the bovine serum albumin (BSA) digest were demonstrated with both PPY and PTH fibers. The LOD for leucine enkephalin in urine was determined to be 40 <em>fmol &mu;L^-1</em> with PTH coated fiber; and the LOD for the BSA digest was 2 <em>fmol &mu;L^-1</em> obtained with both PTH and PPY fibers. <br /><br /> A new multiplexed SPME/AP MALDI plate was designed and evaluated on the same QqLIT MS to improve the throughput, and the performance of this technique. The experimental parameters were optimized to obtain a significant improvement in performance. The incorporation of diluted matrix to the extraction solution improved the absolute signal and S/N ratio by 104X and 32X, respectively. The incorporation of reflection geometry for the laser illumination improved the S/N ratio by more than two orders of magnitude. The fully optimized high throughput SPME/AP MALDI configuration generated detection limit improvements on the order of 1000-7500X those achieved prior to these modifications. This system presents a possible alternative for qualitative proteomics and drug screening. <br /><br /> Laser desorption SPME as a sample introduction method for the fast analysis of non-volatile synthetic polymers was also demonstrated here. The coupling of laser desorption SPME to GC/FID and GC/MS was performed, and the advantage of laser desorption over traditional thermal desorption was demonstrated in this research. Laser desorption PEG 400 was observed more effcient than thermal desorption. Good separation was obtained even with a 1-m or 2-m column. These results demonstrate the potential of laser desorption SPME as a sample introduction method for the fast GC analysis of non-volatile compounds such as synthetic polymers.

There is a significant problem for the paper recycling industry known as “stickies”. “Stickies” are tacky species, present in recycled paper and coated broke, derived from coating formulations, adhesives, etc. They impact negatively on paper quality and cause web runnability problems by deposit build-up. To sustain recycling, stickies are controlled by adsorbing them onto minerals added to the recycled stock. So the aim of the project was to characterise non-porous and porous minerals suitable for paper-making, and then use the knowledge gained to improve the adsorption of stickies. The pore level properties of the minerals used to control stickies are highly relevant in regulating adsorption of the stickies. Levels of pore architecture were investigated by characterising filter media with porosimetry, porometry, electron microscopy and modelling the combined results. Seven samples were studied, with pore size distributions ranging from simple unimodal to complicated bimodal. Porometry, porosimetry and SEM, individually can only determine primary pore architecture. A combination of experimental and modelling techniques allows a full characterisation of pore architecture from primary to quaternary levels. Calcium carbonates can be modified to change the pore architecture, which affects properties such as wetting. Their pore architecture was investigated to understand why some modified calcium carbonates do not show two distinct wetting rates. The investigation implied a significant surface area could be attributed to nano rugosity. The nano rugosity was responsible for the enhanced wetting of a sample. A zero length column was used to study diffusion and desorption of benzene with calcium carbonate. Desorption and diffusion coefficients for calcium carbonate systems were calculated from the corrected concentration versus time measurements. They showed how the pore architecture affects diffusion and desorption. By comparing the experimental results with a pore network simulation, it was possible to deduce the relative effect of surface diffusion. The adsorption of stickies onto different mineral grades was investigated using a novel proxy method to determine equilibrium constants and adsorption isotherms. The results were then used to understand the influence of particle size on the adsorption behaviour, with three mechanisms proposed. The equilibrium constant and adsorption isotherm data also allowed comparisons between hydrophilic and hydrophobic adsorption onto grades of talc. Recommendations are made for the optimum use of minerals for the removal of stickies, and for in-situ methods for monitoring and optimising removal.

Dans le contexte des futurs stockages des matières nucléaires en couches géologiques profondes, le transfert de sélénium 79 des eaux de nappes vers la biosphère, par le biais de l’irrigation, est un des scenarii envisagés par l’ANDRA. Le sol servirait alors d’interface entre la géosphère et la biosphère. Le modèle actuellement utilisé pour évaluer la mobilité de nombreux éléments dans le sol repose sur une représentation simple de leur distribution entre la quantité adsorbée sur le sol et la quantité restante en solution (modèle Kd), considérée comme instantanée, réversible et linéaire avec la concentration de contamination. Ce modèle présente des lacunes vis-à-vis du sélénium puisque ce dernier peut être présent sous différents états redox qui contrôlent sa mobilité et dont les cinétiques de transformation entre ces états sont peu connues (Se(-II), Se(0),Se(IV) et Se(VI)).Dans le but d’améliorer les prédictions faites sur la mobilité du sélénium dans un sol, le séléniate (Se(VI)), qui est la forme la plus mobile, a été utilisé pour étudier ses interactions vis-à-vis de deux sols différents (sol B et sol R).Un modèle cinétique, alternatif au modèle Kd, a été développé pour décrire l’évolution des stocks de Se(VI) en solution, en considérant une fraction de sélénium associée au sol de façon réversible (potentiellement mobile) et une fraction stabilisée sur le sol (fixée pseudo-irréversiblement). Ce modèle intègre des cinétiques de stabilisation biotique et abiotique sur le sol, et une cinétique de réduction en solution. Afin d’acquérir les paramètres des modèles, des expériences en batchs et en réacteurs à flux ouvert avec l’utilisation de sacs à dialyse ont été réalisées. L’acquisition des paramètres a permis de confronter les modèles cinétiques et Kd dans différents scenarii réalistes de contamination (chronique ou séquentielle) d’un sol de surface par du 79Se(VI).De plus, les mécanismes de sorption du Se(VI) au sein des deux sols ont été évalués en batch avec l’ajout de compétiteurs spécifiques vis-à-vis de certains sites pouvant sorber ce dernier (acides humiques et carbonates de calcium). Ceci a été complété avec l’étude de la sorption du Se(VI) sur des phases pures commerciales (silice, hydroxyde d’aluminium, goethite, bentonite, carbonate de calcium et acides humiques) ou extraites d’un sol (substances humiques), pour différentes concentrations en Se(VI) (10-8, 10-6 et/ou 10-3 mol/L), de l’impact de l’ajout de phases pures réactives, dans les sols, sur la sorption du Se(VI).Il a été montré que le Se(VI) était sorbé sous la forme de complexes de sphères externes (CSE) au sein du sol R pour des concentrations inférieures à 10-6 mol/L, tandis que dans le sol B, la majorité était sorbée sous la forme de complexes de sphère internes (CSI). La formation de CSE étant réversible et instantanée, l’utilisation du modèle Kd était donc suffisante pour décrire la sorption du Se(VI) au sein du sol R, dans les expériences en réacteurs à flux ouvert. A contrario, pour le sol B, il a été montré que le modèle Kd, contrairement au modèle cinétique, présentait des lacunes pour décrire la sorption pseudo-irréversible du Se(VI), engendrée par la formation de CSI. Il a été montré que les mécanismes biotiques étaient majoritaires au sein du sol B, en raison de l’apport de nutriments pour les microorganismes, par l’utilisation de sacs à dialyse en cellulose régénérée. Cependant les mécanismes abiotiques ont aussi eu lieux au sein du sol B.14/256. Les études sur les phases pures ont montré que seuls l’hydroxyde d’aluminium (pH 5,2 et 8) et la goethite (pH 5,2) pouvaient sorber le Se(VI) respectivement de manière pseudo-irréversible et réversible (pour [Se(VI)] < 10-6mol/L). Enfin, il a été montré que l’ajout de certaines phases pures (goethite et hydroxyde d’aluminium) au sein des deux sols, pouvait entrainer une augmentation ou une diminution de la sorption du Se(VI) par rapport à celle attendue (additivité réactionnelle). / In the context of future storage of nuclear material in deep geological layers, the transfer of selenium-79 from groundwater to biosphere through irrigation is one of the scenarios considered by the ANDRA (National Agency for Radioactive Waste Management). So, the soil would act as an interface between the geosphere and biosphere. Actually the model adopted to evaluate the element mobility in soil is based on a simple representation of its distribution between the quantity adsorbed on the soil and the amount remaining in the solution (KD model). Such distribution is considered as instantaneous, reversible and linear with the concentration of contamination. This model has some inadequacies with respect to selenium because this latter can be present in different redox states that control its mobility and whose transformation kinetics among states are poorly known (Se(-II), Se(0), Se(IV)and Se(VI)). In order to improve predictions on the mobility of selenium in soil, selenate (Se(VI)) - which is the most mobile form - has been used to study its interactions with respect to two different soils (soil B and soil R). Akinetic model, alternative to the Kd model, has been developed to describe the evolution of stocks of Se(VI) in solution. This model considers that a fraction of selenium is associated with soil in a reversibly way (potentially mobile) and a portion of it is stabilized in soil (pseudo-irreversibly fixed). This model integrates on one hand, in the soil, kinetics of biotic and abiotic stabilization and on the other hand, in solution, a reduction kinetic. With the goal of acquiring the parameters of the models, various experiments using dialysis bags have been effectuated, both in batch and with open-flow reactors. The parameter acquisition has allowed kinetic and Kd models to be compared in different realistic scenarios of contamination (chronic or sequential) of a surface soil with 79Se(VI). In addition, the sorption mechanisms of Se(VI) have been evaluated in the two soils in batch adding specific competitors (humic acid and calcium carbonates) that can sorb on solid sites such as selenate. This study has been completed with the analysis of the sorption of Se(VI) on pure phases available on the market (silica, aluminum hydroxide, goethite, bentonite, calcium carbonate and humic acids) or extracted from a soil (humic substances).This investigation has been carried out at different concentrations of Se(VI) (10-8, 10-6 et/ou 10-3 mol/L). In addition, some pure reactive phases have been added to the soil in order to study the solid-solid interaction having a role on the sorption of Se(VI).This study has underlined that in the R-soil Se(VI) was sorbed in the form of outer sphere complexes (OSC) at concentration slower than 10-6 mol/L, whereas in B-soil, the majority were sorbed as inner sphere complexes (ISC). As the formation of OSC is reversible and instantaneous, in experiments with open-flow reactors, the use of Kd model was sufficient to describe the sorption of Se(VI) in R-soil. On the contrary, for soil B, the study has shown that the Kd model, unlike the kinetic model, was inadequate to describe the pseudo-irreversible sorption of Se(VI), caused by the formation of ISC. Due to the supply of nutrients for microorganisms, it has been shown that biotic mechanisms predominated in soil B, due to the utilization of cellulose dialysis bags. However, abiotic mechanisms took places in soil B, too. The studies on pure phases have shown that only aluminum hydroxide (pH 5.2 and 8) and goethite (pH 5.2) could sorb Se(VI), respectively in a pseudo-irreversible and reversible way (for [Se(VI)] < 10-6 mol/L).Moreover, it has been shown that, in both soils, the addition of some pure phases (goethite and aluminum hydroxide),could cause an increase or a decrease of the sorption of Se(VI) with respect to the one expected (additivity reaction).

Traditional occupational hygiene assessment of occupational exposures to organic gases and vapours rely on low flow (<200 ml/min) NIOSH sorbent tubes. This work investigates 3M charcoal filter media (JK50 and JK40, 3M, Inc.) for collection and analysis of organic vapours across 0.1-5 l/min. To enable this work, a custom exposure facility was constructed and validated within which organic analyte gas/vapour concentrations could be introduced at known concentrations while controlling environmental variables such as temperature and humidity and other variables. This facility enabled experiments designed to investigate collection and desorption efficiencies across a range of sample flow rates, temperature and humidity conditions for both NIOSH sorbent tubes (e.g. SKC tube) and 3M charcoal filter media. As a result of the investigations described in this thesis, the following conclusions are drawn. Performance of the 3M charcoal filter media for collection and desorption efficiencies for loading, storage time, humidity and breakthrough at low flow rates (<0.5 l/min) were found comparable to the SKC sorbent tube. It is concluded that 3M charcoal media (JK50 and JK40) are suitable for sampling and analyses of hydrocarbons at flow rates <0.5 l/min. The collection efficiencies of the 3M charcoal filter media were investigated at high flow rates (>0.5l/min) for the same parameters, i.e., loading, temperature and humidity. It is concluded that 3M charcoal filter media can be used with confidence in sampling and analysis of airborne hydrocarbons up to 5 l/min. The Wheeler-Jonas model was found to satisfactorily predict the adsorption kinetics of the 3M charcoal filter media at different loading values of hydrocarbons. It was therefore concluded that the model can be applied to determine the suitable amount of 3M charcoal filter media prior to sampling for a given loading.

Ayant une partie hydrophile et une partie hydrophobe, les tensioactifs peuvent s'adsorber sur des interfaces et d'abaisser la tension interfaciale (γ), ce qui améliore les propriétés interfaciales. Tensioactifs chargés sont également utilisés dans des applications biologiques, par exemple dans la livraison de gènes. Dans cette thèse, nous avons étudié les propriétés d'adsorption des tensioactifs, à la fois aux interfaces air/eau et sur l'ADN pour former des complexes.La première partie de la thèse se concentre sur les études d'interface de tensioactifs. Pour comprendre comment ils fonctionnent dans ces applications, il est important de connaître les échelles de temps de l'adsorption et la désorption de surfactant. Ainsi, il est nécessaire d'étudier l'adsorption et la cinétique de désorption, qui sont déjà largement étudié. Cependant, les études traditionnelles ont tendance à faire de nombreuses hypothèses, par exemple, l'extension de l'applicabilité des relations d'équilibre à des cas de non-équilibre. Dans cette mémoire, l'adsorption des deux systèmes tensioactifs différents a été étudiée, C12E6 de tensioactif non ionique et d'agent tensio-actif ionique CTAB avec suffisamment de sel. Une mesure de la compression de la bulle unique combiné avec une tension superficielle d'équilibre connue (γeq) de valeur permet de déterminer γ(Γ), ce qui est plus précis que les résultats des méthodes traditionnelles. Les concentrations de surface en fonction du temps sont mesurés, ce qui montre que l'adsorption est contrôlée par la diffusion à temps courts.Après avoir montré que l'adsorption est contrôlée par diffusion, nous rapportons la désorption des tensioactifs à partir de l'interface air/eau pour différents systèmes. Les processus de désorption sont confirmées pas être purement limitée par diffusion, indiquant la présence d'une barrière d'énergie. La barrière d'énergie est influencée par la longueur de la chaîne alkyle, et non le type de contre-ion.Dans la deuxième partie de la thèse, nous nous concentrons sur les systèmes d'ADN/tensioactif. Bien que l'interaction entre les tensioactifs cationiques et anioniques polyélectrolyte a été largement étudiée, il reste nécessaire de mieux comprendre le système complexe, en particulier pour rationaliser le choix des tensioactifs pour atteindre une capacité de liaison de l'ADN contrôlable et une faible toxicité pour l'organisme. Dans cette thèse, nous avons lancé l'enquête systématique sur les interactions des deux tensioactifs cationiques avec l'ADN.Le premier tensioactif utilisé est un gemini tensioactifs cationiques 12-2-12∙2Br. Avant de l'utiliser avec l'ADN d'une caractérisation approfondie a été effectuée. L'équilibrage du 12-2-12∙2Br sur une interface air/eau en l'absence d'électrolyte est très lent. Ajout de NaBr affecte peu la cinétique d'adsorption à des temps courts, pendant lesquels l'adsorption de diffusion. Cependant, l'adsorption s'équilibre beaucoup plus rapide. La formation de micelles de tensioactif cationique gemini 12-3-12∙2Br a été étudiée. La concentration micellaire critique (CMC) augmente légèrement avec la température et diminue avec la force ionique. 12-3-12∙2Br interagit fortement avec l'ADN, en raison de l'attraction électrostatique entre les deux et les interactions hydrophobes entre les chaînes alkyles. Sel écrans l'attraction électrostatique, tout en augmentant la longueur d'écartement des Gémeaux tensioactif affaiblit son interaction avec l'ADN.Un autre agent a également été étudié pour sa capacité de liaison à l'ADN et nous présentons une étude systématique sur les interactions entre tensioactif cationique liquide ionique [C12mim]Br et de l'ADN par des techniques expérimentales et de dynamique moléculaire (MD) de simulation. En ajoutant [C12mim]Br, les chaînes d'ADN sont soumis à compactage, des changements conformationnels, avec le changement de charge nette portée par le complexe ADN/tensioactif. simulation de MD confirme les résultats expérimentaux. / Bearing a hydrophilic part and a hydrophobic part, surfactants can adsorb onto interfaces and lower the interfacial tension (γ), thereby enhancing the interfacial properties and leading to the applications in cleaning, surface functionalization, foaming and emulsification. Charged surfactants are also used in biological applications, in particular to extract and purify DNA, or for gene delivery. In this thesis we have studied the adsorption properties of surfactants, both to air/water interfaces and onto DNA to form complexes. The first part of the thesis concentrates on interfacial studies of surfactants. To understand how they work in these applications it is important to know the time-scales of the surfactant adsorption and desorption. Thus it is necessary to investigate the adsorption and desorption kinetics, which are already widely studied. However, traditional studies tend to make many assumptions, for example, extending the applicability of equilibrium relations to non-equilibrium cases. In this dissertation, the adsorption of two different surfactant systems has been investigated, non-ionic surfactant C12E6 and ionic surfactant CTAB with sufficient salt. A single bubble compression measurement combined with a known equilibrium surface tension (γeq) value allows the determination of γ(Γ), which is more accurate than results from traditional methods. The time-dependent surface concentrations are measured, showing that the adsorption is diffusion controlled at short times.Having shown that adsorption is diffusion controlled, we report desorption of surfactants from the air/water interface for different systems. The desorption processes are confirmed not to be purely diffusion-limited, showing the presence of an energy barrier. The energy barrier is influenced by the alkyl chain length, but not the counterion type.In the second part of the thesis we concentrate on DNA/surfactant systems. Although the interaction between cationic surfactant and anionic polyelectrolyte has been extensively studied, there still remains need to further understand the complex system, especially to rationalize the choice of surfactants to reach controllable DNA binding ability and low toxicity to the organism. In this dissertation, we introduced the systematic investigation on the interactions of two cationic surfactants with DNA.The first surfactant used is a cationic gemini surfactant 12-2-12∙2Br. Before using it with DNA a thorough characterization has been carried out. The equilibration of 12-2-12∙2Br onto an air/water interfaces in the absence of electrolyte is very slow. Addition of NaBr hardly affects the adsorption kinetics at short times, during which the adsorption is diffusive. However, the adsorption equilibrates much faster. The micellization of cationic gemini surfactant 12-3-12·2Br has been investigated. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) increases slightly with temperature and decreases with ionic strength. 12-3-12·2Br interacts strongly with DNA, due to the electrostatic attraction between the two and the hydrophobic interactions between alkyl chains. Salt screens the electrostatic attraction, while increasing spacer length of gemini surfactant weakens its interaction with DNA.Another surfactant has also been studied for its DNA binding ability and we present a systematic study on interactions between cationic ionic liquid surfactant [C12mim]Br and DNA by experimental techniques and Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation. By adding [C12mim]Br, DNA chains undergo compaction, conformational changes, with the change of net charges carried by the DNA/surfactant complex. MD simulation confirms the experimental results.

[pt] O uso do calor como meio alternativo para a remediação de áreas contaminadas por compostos orgânicos - hidrocarbonetos derivados de petróleo e policíclicos aromáticos, organoclorados, pesticidas, dentre outros - tem se mostrado competitivo quando comparado a outras soluções, principalmente levando-se em consideração questões práticas como a eficiência dos seus resultados e o seu tempo de execução. Seguindo uma linha de pesquisa do Núcleo de Geotecnia Ambiental da PUC-Rio, esta dissertação se propõe a aperfeiçoar o sistema de dessorção térmica in situ a partir do desenvolvimento de um novo bastonete térmico e de um sistema de medição de temperaturas in situ. O seu escopo envolveu, principalmente, a avaliação do seu desempenho quando submetido às condições naturais de campo a partir de experimentos realizados em dois locais diferentes: nas dependências da EMBRAPA Solos, no Jardim Botânico, e na área externa do Laboratório de Geotecnia e Meio Ambiente da PUC-Rio. No primeiro caso, por ser um solo areno-argiloso, a temperatura se manteve mais concentrada em pontos mais próximos ao bastonete. Já no segundo, representado por um solo areno- siltoso, a temperatura chegou a pontos mais distantes com maior intensidade. Não houve modificação estrutural significativa em ambos os solos. Nos dois casos, a eficiência do sistema foi extremamente dificultada pelos baixos graus de saturação e teor de umidade, o que fez com que o calor aplicado se perdesse com maior facilidade. Após algumas modificações em seu projeto original, o bastonete térmico desenvolvido se comportou bem, principalmente no último ensaio, que durou 24 dias. Paralelamente, em laboratório, foram avaliados o comportamento da microbiota após a aplicação de calor no solo e a possibilidade de aptidão deste meio à existência de novos seres vivos após a injeção de água e nutrientes inorgânicos. Verificou-se uma recuperação e estabilização destes indivíduos em aproximadamente 03 semanas. Observou-se ainda a recuperação parcial da atividade metabólica; no entanto foi visto que a sua taxa decresce com o tempo, motivada provavelmente pela falta de matéria orgânica no solo. / [en] The use of thermal processes in order to remediate contaminated sites has been shown a great deal of promise, especially when time and effectiveness are considered. The present work describes the development of a new in situ device that simultaneously applies heat and delivers compressed air into the porous media. Additionally, a new set of instruments were also designed and built in order to monitor temperature and to extract vapor from the vadose zone. Tests performed at EMBRAPA Solos site and PUC-Rio Campus showed a good performance of the pieces of equipment developed. In addition, microbiological tests performed at the Geotechnical and Environmental Lab showed that is possible to recover the natural microbiota after prolonged exposure to temperatures above 400 ºC. Results have shown a recovery and stabilization of the population in about 3 weeks. However, it was also observed that metabolic activity was not fully recovered, in part due the lack of nutrients and organic matter in the porous media.