This thesis describes the synthesis and characterization of metal-encoded polystyrene microspheres with a narrow size distribution designed for mass cytometry-based immuno- and oligonucleotide-assays. These particles were prepared by multiple stage dispersion polymerization techniques using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a steric stabilizer. As a cytometeric technique, mass cytometry necessitated metal-encoded microspheres to perform the same roles of fluorescent microspheres used in conventional flow cytometry. The first role of the microsphere was to be able to act as a platform (classifier microspheres) for bioassays. Secondly, the microspheres should be suitable for mass cytometry machine calibration as standards. To perform these roles, metal-encoded microspheres were required to have certain size, functionality and metal content criteria. Lanthanide elements were chosen as the metals for encoding the microspheres for their low natural abundance in biological systems and for their similar chemistry. My goal was to employ two-stage dispersion polymerization, of styrene in ethanol, to introduce the lanthanide salts along with excess acrylic acid in the second stage, one hour after the initiation. Acrylic acid deemed to serve as a ligand for the lanthanide ions, through its carbonyl group, so the lanthanide ions get incorporated into the microsphere while acrylic acid is copolymerizing with styrene. Using two-stage dispersion polymerization, I could synthesize lanthanide encoded microspheres with narrow size distribution and high lanthanide content. However the lanthanide content distributions were unexpectedly much broader than the size distribution obtained. In addition, I could not attach biomolecules to the surface of such particles. In an attempt to improve the characteristics of these microspheres, I employed modified versions of multiple stage dispersion polymerization and seeded emulsion polymerization to grow functional polymer shell on the surface of the particles prepared by dispersion polymerization. Moreover, I coated the lanthanide encoded microspheres with silica shell which enabled me to grow another layer of functional-silica. Consequently, I could use these particles as classifier microspheres for mass cytometry-based immunoassays as well as fluorescence-based oligonucleotide-assays.

Considerable efforts are being devoted to designing enhanced molecular magnetic materials, in particular single molecule magnets (SMMs) that can meet the requirements for future technologies such as quantum computing and spintronics. A current trend in the field is enhancing the global anisotropy in metal complexes using single-ion anisotropy. The work in this dissertation is devoted to the synthesis and characterization of new building blocks of the highly anisotropic early transition metal ion V(III) with the aim of incorporating them into heterometallic molecular materials. The results underscore the importance of tuning the local coordination environments of metal ions in order to ensure enhanced single ion anisotropy. A family of mononuclear axially distorted vanadium (III) compounds, A[L_(3)VX_(3)] (3-9) (X = F, Cl or Br, A^(+) = Et_(4)N^(+), nBu_(4)N^(+) or PPN^(+) , L_(3) = Tp or Tp* (Tp = tris(-1-pyrazolyl)borohydride), Tp* = tris(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)borohydride)), and [Tp*V(DMF)_(3)](PF_(6))_(2) were studied. Replacement of the Tp ligand in 3 with the stronger π-donor Tp* results in a near doubling of the magnitude of the axial zero-field splitting parameter D_(z) (D_(z) = -16.0 cm^(-1) in 3, and -30.0 cm^(-1) in 4) as determined by magnetic measurements. Such findings support the idea that controlling the axial crystal field distortion is an excellent way to enhance single-ion anisotropy. High Field-High Frequency EPR measurements on 4 revealed an even higher D value, -40.0 cm^(-1). Interestingly, compound 4 exhibits evidence for an out-of-phase ac signal under dc field. In another effort, a new series of vanadium cyanide building blocks, PPN[V(acac)_(2)(CN)_(2)]∙PPNCl (13) (acac = acetylacetonate), A[V(L)(CN)_(2)] (A^(+) = Et_(4)N^(+), L = N,N'-Ethylenebis(salicylimine) (14), A = PPN^(+), L = N,N'-Ethylenebis(salicylimine) (15), L = N,N'-Phenylenebis(salicylimine) (16), and L = N,N'-Ethylenebis(2-methoxysalicylimine) (17)) were synthesized. Magnetic studies revealed moderate Dz values (-10.0, 5.89, 3.7, 4.05 and 4.36 cm^(-1) for 13-17 respectively). The first family of cyanide-bridged lanthanide containing molecules with a trigonal bipyramidal (TBP) geometry, (Et_(4)N)_(2)[(Re(triphos)(CN)_(3))_(2)(Ln(NO_(3))_(3))_(3)]-∙4CH_(3)CN (19-27 with Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy and Ho) were prepared using the [(triphos)Re(CN)_(3)]^(-) building block, results that add valuable information to our database of compounds with a TBP geometry. Magnetic studies revealed diverse magnetic responses including slow relaxation of the magnetization at zero field for 25 and 26 , an indication of SMM behavior.

Dans le cadre du retraitement du combustible nucléaire français, l'axe 1 de la loi du 26 juin 2006 vise à " rechercher des solutions permettant la séparation et la transmutation des éléments radioactifs à vie longue dans les déchets ". Ces travaux de thèse s'inscrivent dans cette thématique avec comme objectif la séparation actinides(III) / lanthanides(III) par extraction liquide-liquide ou à l'aide de procédés membranaires. Les performances de ces deux techniques de séparation ont été comparées à l'aide de ligands organiques hydrosolubles commerciaux. De nouveaux ligands ont été synthétisés et évalués en extraction liquide-liquide pour la séparation américium(III) / lanthanides(III) ainsi qu'américium(III) / curium(III) après une mise au point au préalable des conditions opératoires optimum sur un mélange europium(III) / lanthane(III). Enfin, de nouvelles membranes inorganiques de nanofiltration ont été utilisées. Les différents paramètres opératoires ont été étudiés et la séparation europium(III) / lanthane(III) a pu être réalisée à l'aide de ligands hydrosolubles commerciaux. Les courbes de rétention en fonction du pH ont pu être corrélées au diagramme de spéciation des ions permettant ainsi d'envisager une possible séparation américium(III) / lanthanides(III)

This thesis describes the synthesis and characterization of metal-encoded polystyrene microspheres with a narrow size distribution designed for mass cytometry-based immuno- and oligonucleotide-assays. These particles were prepared by multiple stage dispersion polymerization techniques using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a steric stabilizer. As a cytometeric technique, mass cytometry necessitated metal-encoded microspheres to perform the same roles of fluorescent microspheres used in conventional flow cytometry. The first role of the microsphere was to be able to act as a platform (classifier microspheres) for bioassays. Secondly, the microspheres should be suitable for mass cytometry machine calibration as standards. To perform these roles, metal-encoded microspheres were required to have certain size, functionality and metal content criteria. Lanthanide elements were chosen as the metals for encoding the microspheres for their low natural abundance in biological systems and for their similar chemistry. My goal was to employ two-stage dispersion polymerization, of styrene in ethanol, to introduce the lanthanide salts along with excess acrylic acid in the second stage, one hour after the initiation. Acrylic acid deemed to serve as a ligand for the lanthanide ions, through its carbonyl group, so the lanthanide ions get incorporated into the microsphere while acrylic acid is copolymerizing with styrene. Using two-stage dispersion polymerization, I could synthesize lanthanide encoded microspheres with narrow size distribution and high lanthanide content. However the lanthanide content distributions were unexpectedly much broader than the size distribution obtained. In addition, I could not attach biomolecules to the surface of such particles. In an attempt to improve the characteristics of these microspheres, I employed modified versions of multiple stage dispersion polymerization and seeded emulsion polymerization to grow functional polymer shell on the surface of the particles prepared by dispersion polymerization. Moreover, I coated the lanthanide encoded microspheres with silica shell which enabled me to grow another layer of functional-silica. Consequently, I could use these particles as classifier microspheres for mass cytometry-based immunoassays as well as fluorescence-based oligonucleotide-assays.

Impurity trapped excitons (ITEs) occurring in divalent ytterbium doped calcium and strontium fluoride crystals have been investigated by exploiting the radically different radiative decay rates of the lowest exciton state and higher excited states, utilizing a novel two-colour transient photoluminescence enhancement experiment. The ITE energy levels have been directly measured with the observation of sharp transitions occurring from the changes of states of the localized hole and broad bands associated with changes of state of the delocalized electrons. The dynamic behaviour under excitation by time delayed ultra-violet (UV) and infrared (IR) pulses has been observed allowing for the identification of excitation and decay pathways between the ITE states. The position and transition intensities of the sharp lines within the IR excitation spectrum have been successfully matched using a semi-empirical effective Hamiltonian crystal field model. In CaCaF₂:Yb²⁺ the lines occurring at 249 and 1145 cm⁻¹ were matched with the crystal field parameter B4 = 800 cm⁻¹ and the exchange parameter G3(fs) = 5900 cm⁻¹. In SrCaF₂:Yb²⁺ these lines were observed at 178 and 1284 cm⁻¹ and matched with B4 = 600 cm⁻¹ and G3(fs) = 7278 cm⁻¹. Local heating and direct absorption by intra-excitonic transitions are found to be the causes of the broad band observed in the spectrum and have been deconvolved by studying the dynamic behaviour of the monitored emission at different IR excitation frequencies. Through this modeling, higher lying ITE states have been identified occurring at 785 cm⁻¹ in SrCaF₂:Yb²⁺ and in between 740 - 820 cm⁻¹ in CaCaF₂:Yb²⁺. The dynamic model developed successfully simulates the temporal behaviour of the emission under IR excitation under a variety of parameters including IR fluence, excitation frequency, sample temperature and UV - IR pulse delay. Examination of the SrCaF₂:Yb²⁺ dynamic behaviour over a time scale of 100 ms shows UV driven trap population at a rate of approximately 3% per pulse, which are liberated and recycled to the Yb²⁺ ground state by the IR pulse. The two-colour technique is applied to MgCaF₂:Yb²⁺, a candidate for possible ITE emission. Temperature dependent emission spectra obtained under UV excitation indicates the possibility of an ITE state, independently populated from the 5d level of the Yb²⁺. Typical 5d emission is also observed from this system. Under IR excitation, liberation of shallow traps and possible local heating is observed. No ITE emission is conclusively found with IR probing.

Increased demand for rare earth elements (REEs) for applications in modern technologies has led to an increase in REE exploration. Several deposits are expected to begin mining within a decade, but few studies have examined the possible environmental effects created by these mines. Metal toxicity is thought to be greater in aqueous environments when metals occur as free ions rather than complexes, and the speciation can also impact the treatment technologies utilized to reduce metal concentrations. This research investigates the mineralogical source of REEs and the mechanism of REE mobility in low-temperature waters that have interacted with pilot plant tailings from the Nechalacho deposit, Northwest Territories. The Nechalacho deposit is owned by Avalon Rare Metals Inc. and located approximately 100 km east of Yellowknife. The deposit is hosted within a hydrothermally altered layered nepheline-sodalite syenite in the peralkaline Blatchford Lake complex. The main REE ore minerals are zircon, fergusonite, allanite, monazite, bastnäsite, and synchisite-parasite. Characterization of the tailings using mineral liberation analyzer (MLA) show that the ore minerals are fine grained and well liberated. Bastnäsite and synchisite-parasite are the only potentially soluble ore minerals at low temperature and near-neutral pH. Shake flask experiments were designed to simulate the interaction of tailings with three different leach waters to identify soluble phases and mobile elements. Decanted solutions from the shake flasks were filtered to 0.45µm and 0.01µm. Speciation modelling of the 0.01µm filtrate suggests that carbonate ligands will form the dominant complexes with the REEs, and <2% occur as free metal ions. Higher proportions of LREEs (1-6%) occur as free metal ions than HREEs (<1%) and LREEs occur in higher concentrations (2 to 8 times greater) than the HREE. REEs were found in the colloidal fraction ([REEcolloid] = [REE0.45µm] – [REE0.01µm]). Ionic strength is the dominant control on distribution of REEs between colloidal and dissolved fraction. Colloids captured on filters from ultrafiltration analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and synchrotron microanalysis show REEs are hosted in colloidal rare earth minerals (e.g. zircon) and also show colloidal humic acid, Fe-oxides and Mn-oxides. Speciation modeling shows that REE sorption to these phases is probable. / Thesis (Master, Geological Sciences & Geological Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2014-05-28 11:06:41.351

Dreiwertige Actinide (An(III)) und Lanthanide (Ln(III)) stellen im Falle ihrer Inkorporation eine ernste Gefahr für die Gesundheit des Menschen dar. An(III) sind künstlich erzeugte, stark radioaktive Elemente, die insbesondere bei der nuklearen Energiegewinnung in Kernkraftwerken entstehen. Durch Störfälle oder nicht fachgerechte Lagerung radioaktiven Abfalls können sie in die Umwelt und die Nahrungskette des Menschen gelangen. Ln(III) sind hingegen nicht radioaktive Elemente, die natürlicherweise vorkommen und für vielfältige Anwendungen in Technik und Medizin abgebaut werden. Folglich kann der Mensch sowohl mit An(III) als auch Ln(III) in Kontakt kommen bzw. sie inkorporieren. Es ist daher von enormer Wichtigkeit, das Verhalten dieser Elemente im menschlichen Körper aufzuklären. Während makroskopische Vorgänge wie Verteilung, Anreicherung und Ausscheidung bereits sehr gut untersucht sind, ist das Wissen hinsichtlich der chemischen Bindungsform (Speziation) von An(III) und Ln(III) in Körperflüssigkeiten noch sehr lückenhaft. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurde daher erstmals die chemische Bindungsform von Cm(III) und Eu(III) in natürlichem menschlichem Urin (in vitro) spektroskopisch aufgeklärt und die gebildeten Komplexe identifiziert. Hierzu wurden auch grundlegende Untersuchungen zur Komplexierung von Cm(III) und Eu(III) in synthetischem Modellurin sowie mit den urinrelevanten organischen Modellliganden Harnstoff, Alanin, Phenylalanin, Threonin und Citrat durchgeführt und die noch unbekannten Komplexbildungskonstanten bestimmt. Abschließend wurden alle experimentellen Ergebnisse mit Literaturdaten und Vorherberechnungen mittels thermodynamischer Modellierung verglichen. Auf Grund der hervorragenden Lumineszenzeigenschaften von Cm(III) und Eu(III) konnte insbesondere auch die Eignung der zeitaufgelösten laserinduzierten Fluoreszenzspektroskopie (TRLFS) als Methode zur Untersuchung dieser Metallionen in unbehandelten, komplexen biologischen Flüssigkeiten demonstriert werden. Die Ergebnisse dieser Arbeit liefern damit neue Erkenntnisse zu den biochemischen Reaktionen von An(III) und Ln(III) in Körperflüssigkeiten auf molekularer Ebene und tragen zu einem besseren Verständnis der bekannten, makroskopischen Effekte dieser Elemente bei. Darüber hinaus sind sie die Grundlage weiterführender in-vivo-Untersuchungen.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:35:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2006-11-13Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:24:25Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 ionashiro_ey_dr_araiq.pdf: 1019528 bytes, checksum: 4d4e903d3f05bbf9a22a2874ae1638f3 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Os 2-metoxibenzalpiruvatos de lantanídios (III) (exceto promécio) e ítrio (III) foram preparados adicionando-se solução de 2-metoxibenzalpiruvato de sódio na solução aquosa dos seus respectivos cloretos metálicos, exceto o cério, que foi empregado na forma de nitrato. A caracterização dos compostos sintetizados foi realizada utilizando: termogravimetria e análise térmica diferencial simultânea (TG-DTA), Calorimetria Exploratória Diferencial (DSC), espectroscopia de absorção na região do infravermelho, difratometria de raios X pelo método do pó e complexometria com EDTA. Os resultados da complexometria com EDTA e das curvas TG, permitiram inferir sobre a estequiometria dos compostos obtidos. Resultados de TG-DTA e DSC também forneceram informações sobre desidratação, estabilidade e decomposição térmica dos mesmos. Os espectros de absorção na região do infravermelho sugerem que a coordenação metal-ligante ocorre através do carboxilato e carbonila cetônica. Os difratogramas de raios X, pelo método do pó mostraram que os compostos formados não apresentaram reflexões, sugerindo uma estrutura não cristalina, ou microcristalina. / The 2-methoxybenzylidenepyruvate of lanthanides (III) (except promethium) and yttrium (III), were prepared by adding aqueous solution of sodium 2-methoxybenzylidenepyruvate to the solutions of the metal chlorides, expect the cerium that was used as its nitrate. The synthesized compounds were characterized using the simultaneous thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), infrared spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction and EDTA complexometry. The results from EDTA complexometry and from TG curves, permitted to establish the stoichiometry of these compounds. The TG-DTA results also permitted to obtain information's about the dehydration, thermal stability and thermal decomposition of these compounds. The infrared spectra suggested that the metal-ligand coordination occurs through the carboxylate and ketonic carbonyl groups. The X-ray powder patterns showed that the obtained compounds do not present a crystalline structure.

Orientador: Fernando Luis Fertonani / Banca: Mercedes de Moraes / Banca: Lázaro Moscardini D'Assunção / Banca: Eder Tadeu Gomes Cavalheiro / Banca: Marco Aurélio da Silva Carvalho Filho / Resumo: Os 2-metoxibenzalpiruvatos de lantanídios (III) (exceto promécio) e ítrio (III) foram preparados adicionando-se solução de 2-metoxibenzalpiruvato de sódio na solução aquosa dos seus respectivos cloretos metálicos, exceto o cério, que foi empregado na forma de nitrato. A caracterização dos compostos sintetizados foi realizada utilizando: termogravimetria e análise térmica diferencial simultânea (TG-DTA), Calorimetria Exploratória Diferencial (DSC), espectroscopia de absorção na região do infravermelho, difratometria de raios X pelo método do pó e complexometria com EDTA. Os resultados da complexometria com EDTA e das curvas TG, permitiram inferir sobre a estequiometria dos compostos obtidos. Resultados de TG-DTA e DSC também forneceram informações sobre desidratação, estabilidade e decomposição térmica dos mesmos. Os espectros de absorção na região do infravermelho sugerem que a coordenação metal-ligante ocorre através do carboxilato e carbonila cetônica. Os difratogramas de raios X, pelo método do pó mostraram que os compostos formados não apresentaram reflexões, sugerindo uma estrutura não cristalina, ou microcristalina. / Abstract: The 2-methoxybenzylidenepyruvate of lanthanides (III) (except promethium) and yttrium (III), were prepared by adding aqueous solution of sodium 2-methoxybenzylidenepyruvate to the solutions of the metal chlorides, expect the cerium that was used as its nitrate. The synthesized compounds were characterized using the simultaneous thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), infrared spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction and EDTA complexometry. The results from EDTA complexometry and from TG curves, permitted to establish the stoichiometry of these compounds. The TG-DTA results also permitted to obtain information's about the dehydration, thermal stability and thermal decomposition of these compounds. The infrared spectra suggested that the metal-ligand coordination occurs through the carboxylate and ketonic carbonyl groups. The X-ray powder patterns showed that the obtained compounds do not present a crystalline structure. / Doutor

Submitted by ANA KARLA PEREIRA RODRIGUES (anakarla_@hotmail.com) on 2017-08-02T13:41:04Z No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 3866821 bytes, checksum: 1b8fc11ea5100eea54ea37850025d528 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-08-02T13:41:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 3866821 bytes, checksum: 1b8fc11ea5100eea54ea37850025d528 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-29 / This work reports the synthesis, characterization and the investigation of photoluminescence properties of systems [Ln(DPM)2(NO3)(L)2] and [Ln(L)3(NO3)3] (where L = THPO or TPPO and Ln3+ = Tb3+, Gd3+ or Eu3+), and the dimeric compounds [Eu2(DPM)6] and [Tb2(DPM)6]. The compounds were characterized by elemental analysis of CHN, vibrational spectroscopy in the infrared region, thermogravimetric analysis and their spectroscopic properties were investigated by molecular diffuse reflectance, excitation and emission as well as decay times of emitting states. The experimental data of CHN analysis and complexometric titrations of the synthesized complexes are in agreement with theoretical data for their respective formulas. The absorption spectra in the infrared region show that the coordination of β-diketonate and phosphine oxide ligands to the Ln3+ ions occurs by the oxygen atoms of carbonyl groups and P=O, respectively. The structural behavior of complexes [Eu(DPM)2(NO3)(TPPO)2] and [Tb (DPM)2(NO3)(TPPO)2] is significantly different from those dimeric ones [Eu2(DPM)6] and [Tb2(DPM)6]. In addition, the complex [Tb(DPM)2(NO3)(TPPO)2] presented fractoluminescence phenomenon, emitting green light when its crystals are broken. The presence of metal ligand charge transfer state (TCLM) of low energy in compounds of Eu3+ was also investigated. The luminescent properties studies showed that the bis-DPM systems Eu3+, an increase occurs in the energy state of TCLM, contributing to an increase in luminescence intensity of these compounds, when compared with dimeric complexes. This observation is evidenced by the luminescence at room temperature observed for the first compound, which is not observed for the second. The geometries of complexes [Ln2(DPM)6] and [Ln(DPM)2(NO3)(L)2] with Ln = Tb3+ or Eu3+ were optimized using SPARKLE/RM1 method, the first having a coordination polyhedron described by a monocapped trigonal prism trigonal and the second as distorted dodecahedron. / O presente trabalho envolve a síntese, caracterização e a investigação das propriedades fotoluminescentes dos complexos de fórmulas [Ln(DPM)2(NO3)(L)2] e [Ln(L)3(NO3)3], em que L = triciclohexilfosfinóxido (THPO) ou trifenilfosfinóxido (TPPO) e Ln3+ = Tb3+, Gd3+ ou Eu3+, além dos compostos diméricos [Eu2(DPM)6] e [Tb2(DPM)6]. Todos os sistemas foram caracterizados por análise elementar de CHN e Lantanídeo (Ln), espectroscopia vibracional na região do infravermelho, análise termogravimétrica e suas propriedades espectroscópicas foram investigadas por espectroscopia molecular de reflectância difusa, de excitação e emissão, assim como por medidas de tempos de decaimento dos estados emissores. Os dados experimentais das análises de CHN e titulações complexométricas dos complexos sintetizados estão em concordância com os dados teóricos calculados para as suas respectivas fórmulas. Os espectros de absorção na região do infravermelho evidenciam que a coordenação dos ligantes β-dicetonatos e fosfinóxidos aos íons Ln3+ ocorre por meio de átomos de oxigênio dos grupos carbonila e P=O, respectivamente. O comportamento estrutural dos complexos [Eu(DPM)2(NO3)(TPPO)2] e [Tb(DPM)2(NO3)(TPPO)2] é significativamente diferente daqueles complexos diméricos, [Eu2(DPM)6] e [Tb2(DPM)6]. Além disso, o complexo [Tb(DPM)2(NO3)(TPPO)2] apresentou o fenômeno de fractoluminescência, emitindo luz verde quando seus cristais são quebrados. A presença de estados de transferência de carga ligante-metal (TCLM) de baixa energia nos compostos de Eu3+ também foi investigada. Os estudos das propriedades luminescentes mostraram que nos sistemas bis-DPM de Eu3+, ocorre um aumento na energia do estado de TCLM, contribuindo para um aumento na intensidade de luminescência destes compostos, quando comparados com os complexos diméricos. Esta observação é evidenciada pela luminescência à temperatura ambiente observada para o primeiro composto, que não é observada para o segundo. As geometrias dos complexos [Ln2(DPM)6] e [Ln(DPM)2(NO3)(L)2] com Ln = Tb3+ ou Eu3+ foram otimizadas usando o método SPARKLE/RM1, o primeiro apresentando um poliedro de coordenação descrito como prisma trigonal monoencapuzado e o segundo como dodecaedro distorcido.