Yes / Boron dipyrromethene derivates (BODIPYs) are promising photosensitisers (PSs) for cancer treatment using photodynamic therapy (PDT). This study investigates the functionalisation of graphene oxide (GO) with a BODIPY derivate for glutathione (GSH) depletion and PDT. The functionalisation of GO with a 3,5-dichloro-8-(4-boronophenyl) BODIPY via a diol derivatisation with the phenyl boronic acid moiety at the meso position of the BODIPY core, allowed to preserve the intrinsic properties of GO. We demonstrated that both chlorine atoms were substituted by GSH in the presence of glutathione transferase (GST), inducing a relevant bathochromic shift in the absorption/emission features and thus generating the active PS. Ex vitro assessment using cell lysates containing cytoplasmatic GST revealed the intracellular catalytic mechanism for the nucleophilic substitution of the GO-BODIPY adduct with GSH. Confocal microscopy studies showed important differences in the cellular uptake of free BODIPY and GO-BODIPY and revealed the coexistence of GO-BODIPY, GO-BODIPY-GS, and GO-BODIPY-GS2 species inside vesicles and in the cytoplasm of the cells after 24 h of incubation. In vitro biocompatibility and safety of GO and GO-BODIPY were evaluated in 2D and 3D models of prostate adenocarcinoma cells (PC-3), where no toxicity was observed up to 100 µg ml−1 of GO/GO-BODIPY in all treated groups 24 h post-treatment (cell viability > 90%). Only a slight decrease to 80% at 100 µg ml−1 was observed after 48 h of incubation. We demonstrated the efficacy of a GO adduct containing an α-chlorine-substituted BODIPY for the simultaneous depletion of intracellular GSH and the photogeneration of reactive oxygen species using a halogen white light source (5.4 mW cm−2) with a maximum in the range of 500–800 nm, which significantly reduced cell viability (<50%) after irradiation. Our study provides a new vision on how to apply BODIPY derivates and potentiate the toxicity of PDT in prostate and other types of cancer.

Chapter 1 is a brief review on some of the recents developments in palladium-catalysed C-H functionalisation chemistry. The synthesis and functionalisation of heterocycles using these methodologies was particularly emphasised. Chapter 2 presents our efforts to identify a new catalytic system to promote the intramolecular coupling of vinyl bromides with unfunctionalised aryl C-H bonds for the formation of benzofurans. Dihydrobenzofurans were obtained efficiently under mild conditions in the presence of Pd(OAc)₂, X-Phos and K₂CO₃ in DMA at 80 °C and a subsequent one-pot isomerisation under acidic conditions afforded the desired benzofurans. A new strategy has also provided access to more complex benzofurans by functionalisation of the exocyclic alkene isomer in both a chiral and achiral manner. In Chapter 3, mechanistic studies were performed on the benzofuran formation reaction. The analysis of substituent effects on the aromatic ring is in accordance with an electrophilic aromatic substitution mechanism (SEAr); however, the existence of both intra and intermolecular kinetic isotope effects suggest a SE3 type pathway rather than a pure SEAr. In Chapter 4, the intramolecular coupling of vinyl bromides with unfunctionalised aryl C-H bonds was further extended to the synthesis of six-membered heterocycles by direct arylation of alkenyl bromide derivatives in the presence of Pd(OAc)₂, dppf and K₂CO₃ in DMA at 120 °C. The synthetic utility of this methodology was exemplified by the synthesis of substituted isoquinolines in six steps. Moreover, we have applied our methodology to the direct arylation of sulfonamides, leading to an interesting synthesis of widely used sultams. Both these new routes are currently being investigated and should provide access to a variety of differently substituted cyclic sulfonamides and isoquinolines. Finally, Chapter 5 presents a new strategy for the synthesis of benzo[b]furan was briefly investigated. It consists in consecutive Tsuji-Trost and C-H functionalisation reactions. This methodology requires simpler and more versatile substrates, allowing access to various heteroaromatics in a single step. We successfully proved the viability of this reaction through the synthesis of a range of benzofurans in modest yields. To our knowledge, this is the first example of a single palladium catalyst performing these different reactions in tandem in a simple procedure.

Face à la nécessité de trouver des alternatives aux ressources d’origine fossile et de limiter les impacts environnementaux de l’activité humaine, un important effort de recherche est actuellement en cours pour favoriser et accroître l’utilisation de produits issus de ressources renouvelables, comme les fibres végétales, dans la conception de pièces industrielles. Toutefois, de nombreux verrous scientifiques et technologiques restent encore à lever avant de pouvoir valoriser de façon fiable et durable ces fibres dans un contexte technique exigeant tel que celui du secteur l’automobile. Ainsi, l’amélioration de la qualité de l’interface fibres végétales / matrice polymère est un enjeu de taille car elle constitue une condition permettant de satisfaire les performances mécaniques requises telles que la rigidité, la résistance ou la tenue au choc. Dans ce contexte, l’objectif de la thèse a été le développement de fibres courtes de chanvre à propriétés de surface maitrisées et ciblées. Des solutions de fonctionnalisation de surface applicables par des procédés industrialisables ont été développées dans le but d’incorporer ces fibres dans une matrice polypropylène (PP). Les fibres de chanvre ont ainsi été traitées selon différentes stratégies de fonctionnalisation incluant l’utilisant du polypropylène greffé anhydride maléique (PP-g-MA), d’organosilanes, d’un acide aminé, d’isocyanates et d’un polyuréthane. Deux procédés de traitement à faible impact environnemental ont été comparés : le sprayage direct des fibres par les molécules de fonctionnalisation et l’incorporation de ces molécules par extrusion réactive. Les traitements en extrusion réactive se sont montrés plus efficaces que ceux réalisés par sprayage dans le cas du PP-g-MA. Trois voies de fonctionnalisation se sont avérées pertinentes au regard des propriétés mécaniques visées  : i) l’utilisation de PP-g-MA seul en extrusion réactive ; ii) la fonctionnalisation par sprayage d’un aminosilane ou d’un acide aminé couplée à l’incorporation du PP-g-MA en extrusion réactive. S’appuyant sur le développement de moyens expérimentaux et d’analyses spécifiques, l’étude du comportement au choc des biocomposites a montré que les composites renforcés fibres de chanvre permettent d’absorber d’avantage d’énergie que les composites PP / verre (à taux volumique de renfort identique) pour une longueur de fissuration similaire. Une modélisation par éléments finis du comportement au choc des composites étudiés est également proposée. / Due to the necessity to find alternatives to fossil resources and to reduce the environmental impacts of human activity, a major research effort is currently ongoing in order to develop and increase the use of biobased products from renewable resources, such as natural fibers, in the design of industrial parts. However, many scientific and technological hurdles have yet to be removed so as to promote these products before we can reliably and durably use these fibers in a demanding technical context as in automotive sector. Thus, improving the quality of the interface between natural fibers and polymer matrix is a major challenge, since it constitutes a condition for satisfying the required mechanical performances, such as stiffness, tensile or impact strengths. In this context, the thesis objective was to develop short hemp fibers with controlled and targeted surface properties. Surface-functionalization solutions have been developed, to be used by industrial processes, with the aim of incorporating these fibers in a polypropylene (PP) matrix. Therefore, hemp fibers have been treated according to various functionalization strategies including the use of grafted polypropylene maleic anhydride (PP-g-MA), organosilanes, an amino acid, isocyanates and a polyurethane. Two treatments processes, with low environmental impact, were compared: the direct spraying of functionalization molecules on fibers and reactive extrusion incorporation of these molecules. Reactive extrusion treatments were more efficient than those performed by spraying in the case of PP-g-MA. Three functionalization lanes have been found to be relevant regarding the mechanical properties targeted: i) using PP-g-MA alone in reactive extrusion; ii) spraying-functionalization of an aminosilane or of an amino acid coupled with the incorporation of PP-g-MA into the reactive extrusion. Based on the development of experimental means and specific analyzes, the study of the impact behavior of biocomposites has shown that hemp fiber reinforced composites allow to absorb more energy than PP / glass composites (at identical reinforcing volume rate) for a similar crack length. Also, a finite element modeling of the impact behavior of the studied composites is propounded.

L'objectif de ce travail de thèse est d'étudier la fonctionnalisation de textiles par des particules contenant un principe actif cosmétique. L'approche choisie repose sur la fixation sur le textile de particules de charges opposées. Dans ce travail, nous avons étudié dans un premier temps l'état de surface des textiles synthétiques et naturels. Les résultats ont montré que les textiles présentent une surface chargée négativement. Dans un second temps, l'adsorption de particules cationiques “modèles” de PMMA sur un textile synthétique à base de polyamide a été étudiée. Les résultats ont montré une bonne adsorption des particules sur le textile ainsi qu'une bonne résistance à la désorption lors des étapes de lavage. A la suite de ces résultats, des particules cationiques formulées par émulsion-diffusion à partir de différents polymères ont été réalisées. Ce criblage des polymères a permis de sélectionner un polymère biocompatible et biodégradable capable de fonctionnaliser durablement le textile. La dernière partie de ce travail a consisté en l'étude du rendement d'encapsulation et du profil de libération de deux principes actifs : rafraichissant et blanchissant / The aims of this work is to study textiles functionalization with particles containing an cosmetics active ingredient. The approach selected is based on textiles functionalization by opposite charged particles. At first, we studied synthetic and natural textiles surface and results showed that textiles exhibit negative charged surface. In a second step, adsorption of cationic PMMA particles onto synthetic polyamide textile was studied. The results showed proper particles adsorption on textile and a good resistance to desorption during washing steps. Then, cationic particles formulated by emulsion-diffusion from different polymer were made. This screening polymers was used to select a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer able to functionalized textiles. The last part of this work consisted in studying the encapsulation efficiency and release profile of two active ingredient : refreshing and whitening

Chapter 1 includes a review on dendrimers, their synthesis and applications, with a particular focus on urea-linked dendritic species. The synthetic strategy utilised in this body of work was based on the preparation of a number of branched synthetic building blocks possessing differing terminal functionality. These branched dendrons, bearing three terminal residues and based on the cheap starting material tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (TRIS) 23, involved the coupling of 3.3 equivalents of an appropriately para-substituted benzoic acid chloride with BOC protected TRIS 24 in DCM in the presence of triethylamine. The p-nitro, p-methoxy and p-methyl benzoyl chloride starting materials were obtained commercially, whilst N-(4-carboxyphenyl)maleimide was synthesised according to literature procedures. The BOC protected dendrons (25–27, 34) were synthesized in yields ranging from 50–92%. Deprotection of the BOC protected dendrons 25 and 26 in DCM with TFA, followed by the addition of 1M Na2CO3 afforded the TFA salts 35 and 36, respectively. The corresponding free base amines 37 and 38 were obtained on further treatment of the TFA salts with sodium carbonate. Deprotection of the BOC protected dendrons 27 and 34 afforded the free amines 39 and 48 directly after treatment with sodium carbonate. Synthesis of functionalised branched molecules containing 6- and 9-peripheral functionalities was achieved by refluxing 2 or 3 equivalents of the free amine dendrons with the bi- or tri- functional isocyanate cores, 15 and 45, in refluxing DCM, in most cases the products precipitated from the reaction mixture after 18 h and were isolated simply by filtration, otherwise the removal of the solvent from the reaction mixture afforded the spectroscopically pure product. Conversion of the peripheral nitro functionalised species 14 and 21 to the corresponding amines occurred smoothly via hydrogenation using 5% Pd/C under elevated temperature and pressure (DMF, 55 ºC, 600 psi) and afforded the polyamine 6-mer 51 in 92% yield and the 9-mer 50 in 90% yield, respectively. Similarly, conversion of the methoxy coated 9-mer 42, to the corresponding phenolic compound (AlBr3, dodecane thiol, DCM) afforded the 9-mer polyphenol 52 in an 87% yield. All compounds prepared were fully characterised and crystal structures were obtained for 26 and 35. Chapter 2 includes a review on self-assembled monolayers of organosulfur compounds on gold, applications, patterning techniques and techniques for the characterisation of these surfaces. A number of surface monomers were successfully synthesized, to be used for various surface functionalisations, including the formation of an amine reactive N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) disulfide 53, via the DCC coupling of 11,11’-dithiobisundecanoic acid 54 with N-hydroxysuccinimide with an isolated yield of 30%. A novel protein-resistant monomer 58 was also synthesized from 11-undecanoic acid 55 via an acid chloride coupling with triethylene glycol monomethyl ether 58, and isolated in a 72% yield. A number of attempts were made to produce an acyl azide SAM monomer 59, with success finally achieved via the acid chloride coupling of 11,11’-dithiobisundecanoic acid 54 with 5-amino-1,3-benzenedicarbonyl diazide 62 to produce 59 with an isolated yield of ~ 30%. Gold surfaces were prepared on atomically flat silicon wafers using an argon-ion sputterer. SAM films were formed on the gold surfaces via traditional solution based self-assembly methodology. A UV patterning protocol was developed, and a successful patterning trial using the NHS terminated monomer to backfill the UV exposed areas of a dodecane thiol monolayer was achieved and visualized using AFM and fluorescence microscopy after treating the surface with aminofluorescein. The covalent attachment of green fluorescent protein to the monolayer surface via reaction with the NHS terminated monolayer was demonstrated. The fluorescence of the biomolecule was preserved. The formation of a monolayer using the acyl azide monomer 59, was characterised by contact angle and XPS analysis. However, preliminary studies into the activation of the acyl azide surface into the reactive isocyanate were unsuccessful. There is however, significant scope for further investigations into this interesting surface technology. Chapter 3 includes a review on heterobifunctional linker technology with a particular focus on amine and thiol reactive moieties and literature examples of heterobifunctional linkers of this type. Synthesis of heterobifunctional reagents such as 71 and 74 via a two step synthetic methodology involving the coupling of maleic anhydride with the parent amino-acids in acetic acid, followed by a one pot cyclisation and NHS esterification using DCC in DMF were successful, with overall yields of 9% and 32% respectively for the two reaction steps. The one pot extension of 74 with 6-aminohexanoic acid, followed by DCC, facilitated NHS esterification was achieved successfully in a yield of 30%. Attempts to extend 74 with the synthesised amino acid 88 were unsuccessful due to the insolubility of 88 in organic solvents. A different synthetic strategy was devised towards the synthesis of 85 with the coupling of 74 and mono BOC protected ethylene diamine 91 in DCM to give 93 in an isolated yield of 60%. Deprotection of the terminal amine was achieved via reaction with TFA in DCM however all attempts to prepare the free amine were unsuccessful. Subsequent attempts to couple 94 with both succinic anhydride and 92 were unsuccessful. A maleimide functionalized crown ether was synthesised as a molecule for protein modification via the reaction of 74 with 4’-aminobenzo-15-crown-5 97 to produce 98 in an 80% yield. All compounds were fully characterised with crystal structures obtained for 74, 79 and 89.

ABSTRACT SYNTHESIS OF 1,2,3,5-TETRASUBSTITUTED PYRROLE DERIVATIVES VIA 5-EXO-DIG TYPE CYCLIZATION AND STEREOSELECTIVE FUNCTIONALISATION OF FERROCENE DERIVATIVES Metin Kayalar M.S., Department of Chemistry Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Ayhan S. Demir January 2005, 102 pages A convenient and new method for the synthesis of 1,2,3,5-tetrasubstituted pyrrole derivatives starting from 1,3,-dicarbonyl compounds through acid catalyzed cyclization reaction is described. Alkylation of 1,3-dicarbonyl compound with propargyl bromide followed by one step cyclization with the introduction of primary amines in the presence of catalytic amount of triflouroacetic acid (TFA) affords the corresponding pyrrole derivatives in high yields. The investigations on the studies of developing a new method for catalytic and stereoselective functionalisation of ferrocene derivatives were summarized. Functionalisation studies were carried out in three main strategy the first one of which is carboxylation, second one is arylation and the last one is oxidative cross-coupling with &amp / #945 / , &amp / #946 / -unsaturated carbonyl compounds.

Avec une mortalité après pancréatectomie de l'ordre de 5 % et une morbidité aux alentours de 50 %, la chirurgie pancréatique est l'une des plus délicates des interventions digestives. L'une des complications les plus graves est l'apparition de fistules pancréatiques (FP), c'est-à-dire un défaut d'imperméabilisation au niveau des sutures, impliquant une fuite enzymatique dans le milieu péritonéal qui peut engager le pronostic vital du patient. A ce jour, aucun dispositif médical n'est indiqué dans la prévention de ces FPs. Ainsi, ce projet a pour ambition de concevoir et de valider un biomatériau constitué d'une matrice absorbante qui assurera la double fonction d'éponge et de réservoir d'agent antibactérien, sur laquelle un greffage chimique devrait conférer des propriétés bioadhésives thermorégulées. La première partie de ce travail est consacrée à l'optimisation de la matrice absorbante, à base d'alginate et de chitosane, déjà développée lors d'une précédente thèse. Trois types de procédés de séchages ont été comparés : le séchage par évaporation, la lyophilisation et le séchage en milieu CO2 supercritique. Ces différents procédés conduisent à des matériaux de structures internes et de porosités différentes. L'impact de ces différences de structure a été évalué en termes de capacité de gonflement dans différents milieux, dont un milieu pancréatique simulé, mais aussi en termes de résistance enzymatique et de libération de principe actif. En tenant compte des résultats obtenus, le séchage par évaporation a été identifié comme le plus approprié pour la suite de l'étude. Dans une deuxième partie, du poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) a été synthétisé par polymérisation contrôlée (RAFT) afin d'être greffé sur la matrice absorbante. Le PNIPAM est un polymère thermosensible dont les propriétés bioadhésives sont directement dépendantes de la température. Ce polymère est généralement bioadhésif au-dessus de sa " lower critical solution température " (LCST), située aux alentours de 32 °C. Dans cette étude la masse molaire et la densité de greffage du PNIPAM sont les deux principaux paramètres étudiés pour son greffage sur les matrices. Enfin, les propriétés de surface des matrices greffées ont été caractérisées. Les matériaux ont montré, in vitro, des propriétés bioadhésives thermosensibles, avec une bioadhésion cellulaire observée principalement au-delà de la LCST. Les essais ex vivo ont cependant montré une bioadhésion sur organe plus importante en dessous de celle-ci. Cette étude a permis de mettre au point des biomatériaux absorbants aux propriétés de surface thermorégulées. Une compréhension plus fine des relations propriétés de surface/propriétés d'usage permettrait d'optimiser les propriétés de bioadhésion thermorégulée. / Pancreatic surgery, which leads to 5 % of mortality and around 50 % of morbidity, is one of the most critical digestive operations. The most serious complication is the appearance of pancreatic fistulas (PFs), i.e. enzymatic leaks from the surgical sutures to the peritoneal environment that can lead to the life threatening of the patient. To date, no medical device is indicated for the prevention of these FPs. The aim of this project is to design and validate a biomaterial constituted of a matrix that will ensure the dual function of absorbent and antibacterial agent reservoir, on which a chemical grafting should confer thermoregulated bioadhesive properties. The first part of this work is devoted to the optimisation of the absorbent matrix, based on alginate and chitosan, already developed during a previous thesis. Three types of drying processes were compared: drying by evaporation, lyophilisation and drying in supercritical CO2 medium. These different processes led to materials with different internal structures and porosities. The impact of these structures was evaluated in terms of swelling capacity in various media, including a simulated pancreatic environment, but also in terms of enzymatic resistance and release of an active molecule. Taking into account the obtained results, drying by evaporation was identified as the most appropriate process. In a second part, poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) was synthesised by controlled polymerisation (RAFT) in order to be grafted onto the absorbent matrix surfaces. PNIPAM is a thermosensitive polymer with bioadhesive properties which depend on the temperature. This polymer is usually bioadhesive above its lower critical solution temperature (LCST), around 32 ° C. In this study, the molar mass and the grafting density of PNIPAM are the two main parameters studied for the surface modifications. Finally, the surface properties of the grafted matrices were characterised. In vitro, the materials showed thermosensitive bioadhesive properties, with a cellular bioadhesion mainly observed above the LCST. However, ex vivo tests exhibited higher bioadhesion on porcine organs at lower temperatures. This study led to the development of absorbent biomaterials with thermoregulated surface properties. Further understanding of the relationship between surface properties and in vivo bioadhesion would allow the optimisation of the thermoregulated surface properties.

The work in this thesis describes the development of new heteroarylation methodology based on transition metal-catalysed C-H functionalisation and the properties of organomain group compounds. The underlying reaction mechanisms and reactivity patterns of the (hetero)arene substrates are also investigated. The selective C2-H arylation indoles, which are key pharmaceutically-relevant units, was achieved using N-pyrimidyl directing groups, RuII catalysis and arylboronic acids as the coupling reagents (paper I). The use of this set of conditions enabled a remarkable functional group tolerance, highlighted by the preservation of halide substituents on both coupling partners. Mechanistic experiments suggest that cleavage of the C2-H bond occurs through an electrophilic aromatic substitution type pathway. The dehydrogenative C2-H silylation of unprotected gramine and tryptamine alkaloids and other related heteroarenes using hydrosilanes under Ru0 catalysis is described in paper II. The protocol does not require protecting groups and undirected C2-H silylation of heteroarenes is possible at higher temperatures. Significantly, H/D-exchange studies revealed deuterium incorporation at the C4 and C7 positions of the indole unit, apart from C2-H silylation. This study represents the first account of C4-H activation using an electron-rich metal catalyst. Paper III describes an unexpected and profound influence of boronate substituents on the regioselectivity of aryne trapping reactions. The boronates may be introduced easily to the backbone of established fluoride-activated precursors via Ir-catalysed C-H functionalisation. Optimisation and mechanistic studies on the unprecedented level of regioselectivity control these substituents permit using external additives is presented.

El estudio de nuevos materiales y metodologías ha resultado en un progreso exponencial de la ciencia de polímeros. Los recientes avances en la modificación de estos materiales, junto con el uso de técnicas de procesado novedosas, han aportado extraordinarias funcionalidades para afrontar las necesidades requeridas en aplicaciones específicas. En ese sentido, el objetivo de la presente tesis fue desarrollar la estrategia de investigación adecuada para la funcionalización de polímeros, basada en un esquema de múltiples etapas, implicando el diseño, procesado, caracterización y validación del cumplimiento de los requisitos de durabilidad específica y vida útil. Esta metodología se aplicó para aportar soluciones alternativas para aplicaciones como la foto-estabilización de poliolefinas al aire libre, el desarrollo de membranas de polielectrolitos para pilas de combustible y de andamios para ingeniería de tejidos. La funcionalización de los polímeros se realizó mediante técnicas de modificación macromolecular, mezclado, y combinación con micro y nanopartículas. Se consideraron técnicas de procesado como la disolución-vertido, la extrusión por fusión en caliente, el moldeo por compresión y el electrohilado, las cuales permitieron obtener características fisicoquímicas específicas, que se evaluaron mediante técnicas de espectroscopia, cromatografía, microscopía y análisis térmico. Además, se realizaron los procedimientos de validación en condiciones de servicio reales o simuladas, que permitieron evaluar la idoneidad de los materiales desarrollados. En el campo de la foto-estabilización de poliolefinas, la adición de micropartículas de silicio polidisperso proporcionó una elevada estabilidad al polipropileno (PP) sin aditivar frente a la irradiación solar, en términos de apariencia, estabilidad térmica y propiedades mecánicas. En el diseño de polielectrolitos para pilas de combustible, se consideró el entrecruzado y sulfonación de poli(alcohol vinílico) (PVA) con ácido sulfosuccínico (SSA). También se estudió la combinación con óxido de grafeno (GO) y quitosano (CS). Tanto los nuevos films funcionalizados como los polielectrolitos nanofibrosos, mostraron estabilidad dimensional y térmica en condiciones de servicio, fueron aislantes eléctricos y revelaron un rendimiento prometedor en términos de conductividad protónica. Se obtuvieron andamios funcionalizados para ingeniería de tejidos a partir de la mezcla de policaprolactona (PCL) y gelatina (Ge). El control del tiempo de disolución en un disolvente hidrolítico de ácido fórmico/acético antes del electrohilado permitió obtener andamios con características a medida, en términos de morfología, comportamiento físicoquímico y biocompatibilidad. Los andamios con proporciones equilibradas de PCL y Ge promovieron la adhesión y proliferación celular in vitro, así como una durabilidad adecuada en condiciones in vitro y durante la implantación in vivo. / The understanding of new materials and methodologies have led to an exponential progress of polymer science. Recent advances in polymer modification and processing techniques have endorsed amazing functionalities to cover the features required in specific applications. The aim of this thesis was to develop appropriate research strategies of functionalisation of polymers based on a multi-stage scheme, involving the design, processing, characterisation, and validation to meet the requisites of specific durability and service life. This methodology was applied to provide alternative solutions that respond to service requirements in several applications, such as photo-stabilisation of polyolefins for outdoor applications, polyelectrolyte membranes for fuel cells, and scaffolds for tissue engineering. The functionalisation of polymers was performed by macromolecular modification, blending, and combination with micro and nanoparticles. Processing techniques such as solvent-casting, hot-melt extrusion, compression moulding and electrospinning permitted to obtain specific physico-chemical features, which were determined by spectroscopy, chromatography, microscopy and thermal analysis. In addition, a validation procedure was performed by means of real or simulated service conditions, which helped assess the suitability of the functionalised polymer-based materials. In the field of the photo-stabilisation of polyolefins, polydisperse silicon particles provided high stability to raw non-additivated polypropylene (PP) against sunlight irradiation in terms of appearance, thermal stability and mechanical properties. In order to design polyelectrolytes for fuel cells, the cross-linking and sulfonation of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) with sulfosuccinic acid (SSA) was considered. The combination with graphene oxide (GO) and chitosan (CS) was also explored. The new functionalised films or nanofibrous polyelectrolytes, offered dimensional and thermal stability under service conditions, were electric insulators, and revealed promising performance in terms of proton conductivity. Functionalised blended scaffolds of polycaprolactone (PCL) and gelatin (Ge) were obtained for tissue engineering. The control of the dissolution time into a formic/acetic acid hydrolytic solvent prior to electrospinning permitted to obtain tailored scaffolds, in terms of nanofibrous morphology, physico-chemical performance and biocompatibility. The scaffolds with balanced ratios of PCL/Ge promoted in vitro cell adhesion and proliferation, as well as suited appropriate durability under in vitro conditions and during the in vivo implantation. / L'estudi de nous materials i metodologies ha resultat en un progrés exponencial de la ciència de polímers. Els recents avanços en la modificació d'aquests materials, juntament amb l'ús de noves tècniques de processat, han aportat extraordinàries funcionalitats per afrontar les necessitats requerides en aplicacions específiques. En aquest sentit, l'objectiu de la present tesi fou desenvolupar l'estratègia d'investigació adequada per a la funcionalització de polímers, basada en un esquema de múltiples etapes, implicant el disseny, processat, caracterització i validació del compliment dels requisits de durabilitat específica i vida útil. Aquesta metodologia es va aplicar per aportar solucions alternatives en aplicacions com la foto-estabilització de poliolefines exposades a l'aire lliure, el desenvolupament de membranes de polielectròlits per a piles de combustible i de bastides per a enginyeria de teixits. La funcionalització dels polímers es va realitzar mitjançant tècniques de modificació macromolecular, mescla, i combinació amb micro i nanopartícules. Es van considerar tècniques de processat com la dissolució-abocament, l'extrusió per fusió en calent, l'emmotllament per compressió i l'electrofilat, les quals van permetre obtenir característiques fisicoquímiques específiques, que es van avaluar mitjançant tècniques d'espectroscòpia, cromatografia, microscòpia i anàlisi tèrmic. A més, es van realitzar els procediments de validació en condicions de servei reals o simulades, que van permetre avaluar la idoneïtat dels materials desenvolupats. En el camp de la foto-estabilització de poliolefines, l'addició de micropartícules de silici polidispers va proporcionar una elevada estabilitat al polipropilè (PP) sense additivar davant de la irradiació solar, en termes d'aparença, estabilitat tèrmica i propietats mecàniques. En el disseny de polielectròlits per a piles de combustible, es va considerar el entrecreuament i sulfonació de poli(alcohol vinílic) (PVA) amb àcid sulfosuccínic (SSA). També es va estudiar la combinació amb òxid de grafè (GO) i quitosà (CS). Tant els nous films funcionalitzats com els polielectròlits nanofibrosos, mostraren estabilitat dimensional i tèrmica en condicions de servei, foren aïllants elèctrics i revelaren un rendiment prometedor en termes de conductivitat protònica. Es van obtenir bastides funcionalitzades per a enginyeria de teixits a partir de la mescla de policaprolactona (PCL) i gelatina (Ge). El control del temps de dissolució en un dissolvent hidrolític d'àcid fòrmic/acètic abans de l'electrofilat va permetre obtenir bastides amb característiques a mida, en termes de morfologia, comportament fisicoquímic i biocompatibilitat. Les bastides amb proporcions equilibrades de PCL i Ge van promoure l'adhesió i proliferació cel·lular in vitro, així com una durabilitat adequada en condicions in vitro i durant la implantació in vivo. / Gil Castell, Ó. (2018). Development, characterisation and validation of functionalised polymer-based materials for smart applications [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/107950 / TESIS

Dans ce travail, nous nous sommes intéressés à l’imogolite-méthylée, un nanotube dispersé en phase aqueuse avec une nanocavité hydrophobe.Nous avons tout d’abord étudié ses mécanismes de formation. A court terme, les premiers précipités formés se réorganisent en nanoobjets ayant la même structure locale que l’imogolite et dont la taille dépend des conditions de synthèses (concentration, précurseur). Ils conduisent à la formation d’objets cylindriques (imogolite) ou sphériques (allophane).Sur le long terme, nous avons observé que l’imogolite-méthylée coexiste avec des sous-produits (hydroxyde d’aluminium, proto-imogolite et allophane). En choisissant judicieusement les paramètres de synthèse (rapport molaire entre les précurseurs, température de synthèse) il est possible de réduire la proportion de ces sous-produits mais pas de les éliminer complétement.Ensuite, nous avons étudié la fonctionnalisation de ces nanotubes par substitution d’une partie des groupes méthyles internes par des groupes dopants. L’encapsulation de Nile Red, un colorant solvatochromique, dans la cavité interne des nanotubes hybrides a mis en évidence la fonctionnalisation des imogolites avec les différents groupes utilisés. Enfin, nous avons exploré l’encapsulation de molécules organiques (polaires, apolaires, solubles et insolubles dans l’eau) dans la cavité des nanotubes. Les courbes de diffusion X montrent que l’imogolite-méthylée piège toutes les molécules testées. De plus, les quantités adsorbées calculées sont comparables à celles mesurées dans le cas où des charbons actifs ou des zéolithes sont employés comme adsorbants. / In this work, we studied methyl-imogolite, an inorganic nanotube dispersed in water with a hydrophobic cavity.First, we examined the formation mechanisms. On a short time scale, the initial precipitates reorganize to give nano-objects with the same local structure as imogolite. Their size depends on the synthesis conditions (concentration, precursor) and could lead to the formation of cylindrical (imogolite) or spherical (allophane) objects.On a long time scale, we observed that methyl-imogolite coexists with byproducts (aluminum hydroxide, proto-imogolite and allophane). It is possible to reduce their proportion by wisely selecting the synthesis parameter (molar ratio between precursors, synthesis temperature). However, they cannot be fully eliminated. Then, we studied the functionalisation of this nanotube by substituting part of the internal methyl groups by doping ones. Encapsulation of Nile Red, a solvatochromic dye, in the internal cavity of these hybrid nanotubes highlighted the functionalisation of the imogolite with the various groups used.Finally, we investigated the encapsulation of organic molecules (polar, apolar, soluble or insoluble in water) in the nanotubes cavity. SAXS curves evidenced the trapping of all the molecules tested by methyl-imogolite. Moreover, calculated adsorption capacities are similar to the ones obtained when activated carbon or zeolites are used as adsorbents.