Layer-by-Layer (LbL) deposition of electrochemically active materials on porous carbon electrodes is a proven method to leverage both electrochemical double-layer capacitance and pseudocapacitance for charge storage on the same electrode. LbL coatings are held together by electrostatic attraction between adjacent layers of oppositely charged molecules. Previous studies have used Keggin polyoxometalates to great effect as the anionic layer in LbL electrode modification, but little effort has been devoted to cationic material selection and LbL process optimization. This work investigated alternatives to the conventional, electrochemically inert polydiallyldimethylammonium (PDDA) cation. The use of fuchsin molecular cations in LbL deposition improved the specific energy and specific power of modified electrodes. Fuchsin cation also rendered the environmentally harmful oxidative surface activation step unnecessary for LbL deposition. Process parameters were optimized for MWCNT/Fuchsin/POM samples, and post-LbL electrochemical polymerization was found to further improve the performance of these electrodes.

Recent advances in multilayer self-assembly have enabled the precise construction of nanocomposite ultrathin films on a variety of substrates, from large-area planar surfaces to nanoparticles. As a result, a wide range of physico-chemical properties may be represented by selecting from an array of surface preparations, molecules, assembly conditions, and post-assembly treatments. Such multilayer nanofilm assemblies are particularly attractive for use as specialized membranes for selective transport, which have many applications for separations, sensors, and drug delivery systems. In this work, nanocomposite ultrathin films built with layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly methods have been applied to surface modification to control interfacial behavior, including diffusion, anti-fouling, and biomimetic membranes. Transport and interfacial properties of nanocomposite membranes constructed using LbL self-assembly with synthetic and/or bio-polymers were characterized, and permeability values of clinically relevant small molecules through the nanofilms were determined. Correlations between permeability and film properties were also examined. Nanofilm coatings around 100nm thickness decreased diffusion coefficients of glucose up to five orders of magnitude, and were found to greatly affect enzymatic glucose sensor responses. Surface modification on top of the nanofilms with poly(ethylene glycol) provided anti-fouling effects. However, weak-weak polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) should not be used to control transport due to their susceptibility under normal physiological conditions. Natural/biological polymers also provided multilayer film structures at the specific conditions, but their transport-limiting properties were not significant compared to synthetic PEMs. Even when covalently crosslinked, biological PEMs did not reduce the permeability of a small molecule. Finally, the predicting model of projecting analyte permeation through multi-phase nanocomposite films comprised with known diffusion coefficients was theoretically and experimentally evaluated. The modeling was matched reasonably well to experimental data. The outcomes will be the key knowledge or engineering principles to support future efforts in research and development. It is anticipated that the system developed for determining transport properties will provide a general platform for assessing new candidate materials. The theory developed will be useful in estimating transport properties of novel nanocomposite materials that may be interesting in a broad array of chemical and biological systems, from analytical separations to implantable biomedical applications, and will provide useful design rules for materials and fabrication process selection.

Thin films with the ability to impart oxygen and other types of gas barrier are crucial to commercial packaging applications. Commodity polymers, such as polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), have insufficient barrier for goods requiring long shelf life. Current gas barrier technologies like plasma-enhanced vapor deposition (PECVD) often create high barrier metal oxide films, which are prone to cracking when flexed. Bulk composites composed of polymer and impermeable nanoparticles show improved barrier, but particle aggregation limits their practical utility for applications requiring high barrier and transparency. Layer-by-layer (LbL) assemblies allow polymers and nanoparticles to be mixed with high particle loadings, creating super gas barrier thin films on substrates normally exhibiting high gas permeability. Branched polyethylenimine (PEI) and poly (acrylic acid) (PAA) were deposited using LbL to create gas barrier films with varying pH combinations. Film thickness and mass fraction of each component was controlled by their combined charge. With lower charge density (PEI at pH 10 and PAA at pH 4), PEI/PAA assemblies exhibit the best oxygen barrier relative to other pH combinations. An 8 BL PEI/PAA film, with a thickness of 451 nm, has an oxygen permeability lower than 4.8 x 10^-21 cm^3 * cm/cm^2 * s * Pa, which is comparable to a 100 nm SiOx nanocoating. Crosslinking these films with glutaraldehyde (GA), 1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-3-ethylcarbodiimide methiodide (EDC) or heating forms covalent bonds between PEI and/or PAA. Oxygen transmission rates (OTR) of 8 BL films crosslinked with 0.1M GA or 0.01M EDC show the best oxygen barrier at 100% RH. Graphene oxide (GO) sheets and PEI were deposited via LbL with varying GO concentration. The resulting thin films have an average bilayer thickness from 4.3 to 5.0 nm and a GO mass fraction from 88 to 91wt%. Transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy images reveal a highly-oriented nanobrick wall structure. A 10 BL PEI/GO film that is 91 nm thick, made with a 0.2 wt% GO suspension, exhibits an oxygen permeability of 2.5 x 10^-20 cm^3 * cm/cm^2 * s * Pa. Finally, the influence of deposition time on thin film assembly was examined by depositing montmorillonite (MMT) or laponite (LAP) clays paired with PEI. Film growth and microstructure suggests that smaller aspect ratio LAP clay is more dip-time dependent than MMT and larger aspect ratio MMT has better oxygen barrier. A 30 BL PEI/MMT film made with 10 second dips in PEI has the same undetectable OTR as a film with 5 minute dips (with dips in MMT held at 5 minutes in both cases), indicating LbL gas barrier can be made more quickly than initially thought. These high barrier recipes, with simple and efficient processing conditions, are good candidates for a variety of packaging applications.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Miami University, Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 2006. / Title from first page of PDF document. Includes bibliographical references.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:23:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2008-11-19Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:09:41Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 storti_fc_me_bauru.pdf: 1104117 bytes, checksum: f3374b86db01b726a613c1cc13d060e9 (MD5) / Nesta dissertação é apresentado um estudo envolvendo a arquitetura molecular (crescimento controlado, morfologia e organização molecular) de filmes Layer-by-Layer (LbL) contendo ftalocianina tetrasulfonada de cobre (CuTsPc). Inicialmente foram realizados estudos sobre a cinética de crescimento desses filmes para determinação do tempo de adsorção do material no substrato. Uma vez determinado este tempo, filme LbL foram fabricados utilizando soluções catiônica de poli(alilamina) hidroclorada - PAH) e aniônica de CuTsPc. Os filmes de PAH/CuTsPc foram produzidos de forma manual e utilizando um braço mecânico em valores de pHs 2,5; 5,5 e 8,5 sendo então caracterizados por espectroscopia eletrônica via absorção na região do ultravioleta-visível (UV-Vis), espectroscopia vibracional via espalhamento Raman e absorção na região do infravermelho com transformadora de Fourier (FTIR) e microscopias óptica e força atômica (AF,A). A espectroscopia de absorção na região do UV-Vis foi utilizada para acompanhar o crescimento do filme LbL assim como investigar a presença de agregados. A técnica de FTIR permitiu investigar as interações entre o PAH e a CuTsPc e determinar a organização molecular comparando filme LbL e cast. O acoplamento entre microscópio óptico e espectrógrafo Raman (técnica microRaman) possibilitou analisar a morfologia do filme LbL em escala micrométrica combinando informações ópticas e químicas. A morfologia do filme LbL em escala nanométrica foi investigada utilizando-se AFM. Foi observado que os filmes crescidos mecanicamente são mais espessos em relação aos crescidos manualmente, além de apresentarem maior rugosidade. Ainda em termos morfológicos, os filmes crescidos mecanicamente apresentam uma maior quantidade de agregados, porém, menores em termos de diâmetro médio, tanto em escala nano como micrométrica... / This dissertation presents a study involving the molecular architecture (controlled growth, morphology, and molecular organization) of layer-by-layer (LbL) films containing copper phthalocyanine tetrasulfonated (CuTsPc). Initially, the studies were performed on the kinetics of growth of these films to determine the time of adsorption of the material on the substrate. Once determined this time, LbL films were produced by using solutions of cationic poly (hydrochloric alilamina - PAH) and anionic CuTsPc. The films of PAH / CuTsPc were produced either manually or using a mechanical arm in pH values of 2.5, 5.5, and 8.5, and then characterized by electron spectroscopy via absorption in the ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis), vibrational spectroscopy by Raman scattering and absorption in the infrared region with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and optical microscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The absorption spectroscopy in the UV-Vis was used to follow the growth of the LbL film and to investigate the presence of aggregates. The FTIR technique allowed investigatin the interactions between the PAH and CuTsPc and determining the molecular organization comparing LbL films and cast. The coupling between optical microscope and Raman spectrograph (micro-Raman technique) allowed analyzing the morphology of the LbL film at micrometric scale combining optical and chemical information. The morphology of the LbL film at nanometer scale was investigated by using AFM. It was observed that the films grown mechanically are thicker in relation to grown manually and present greater roughness. Also in morphological terms, the films grown mechanically have an increased number of aggregates, however, smaller in terms of average diameter, at nano and micrometric scales. It was found that the pH is a key parameter to induce the formation of molecular clusters. For instance, more homogeneous LbL films in term... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:30:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-02-15Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:00:21Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 aoki_phb_me_bauru.pdf: 3726182 bytes, checksum: c582cd9cf1e3d2f3af8f65685764355e (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / A presente dissertação de mestrado trata da fabricação de filmes ultrafinos (nanômetros de espessura) de fosfolipídios aniônicos (DPPG e CLP) e zwiteriônicos (DPPC e DOPC) utilizando as técnicas layer-by-layer (LbL) e Langmuir-Blodgett (LB), possibilitando assim a obtenção de filmes com diferentes arquiteturas moleculares. O objetivo principal foi explorar a aplicação destas diferentes arquiteturas moleculares na detecção do fármaco fenotiazínico azul de metileno (AM) em soluções diluídas. O crescimento linear, camada por camada, desses filmes foi verificado e monitorado por espectroscopia de absorção no UV-Vis. Verificou-se por FTIR que o crescimento dos filmes LbL e LB é determinado por interações eletrostáticas entre os fosfolipídios e o polieletrólito catiônico PAH utilizado como camada de suporte, favorecendo o crescimento dos filmes com fosfolipídios aniônicos. A morfologia foi analisada através de microscopias ópticas, AFM e MEV, revelando que os fosfolipídios estruturam-se como vesículas nos filmes LbL e monocamadas nos filmes LB. Filmes LbL e LB de fosfolipídios com diferentes espessuras foram então depositados sobre eletrodos interdigitados de Pt formando unidades sensoriais que foram aplicadas na detecção de AM via espectroscopia de impedância. Os resultados mostraram que as diferentes arquiteturas moleculares dos filmes LbL e LB levam a respostas elétricas distintas e permitem a detecção de AM em concentrações de nanomolar. A técnica SERS foi utilizada para obter informações estruturais do sistema AM/fosfolipídios nos níveis de diluição alcançados via espectroscopia de impedância. Para tanto, monocamadas LB foram depositados sobre filmes evaporados com 6 nm de Ag e nanopartículas de Ag foram dispersas no interior dos filmes LbL. A presença da Ag na forma de nanopartículas em ambos os casos permitiu a obtenção... / Thin films of anionic (DPPG and CLP) and zwiterionic (DPPC and DOPC) phospholipids with different molecular architectures were fabricated using the layer-by-layer (LbL) and Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) techniques. The main goal of this work was to explore the Application of these distinct molecular architectures in the detection of high diluted solutions of methylene blue (MB), a phenothiazine derivative drug. The linear growth, layer by layer, of these films was verified and monitored by UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy. It was found by FTIR that electrostatic interactions among the phosholipids and the supporting layer of PAH (cationic electrolyte) are the main driving force allowing the growth of the LbL and LB films, which favors the growth of the cationic phospholipids. The morphology was analyzed through optical microscopy, AFM and SEM, revealing that the phospholipids are structured as vesicles in the LbL films and as monolayers in the LB films. Different thickness of LbL and as monolayers in the LB filma containing phospholipids were deposited onto Pt interdigitated electrodes forming sensingn units applied in the detection of MB using impedance spectroscopy. The results showed that the different molecular architectures of the LbL and LB films take to different eletrical responses and allow the MP detection in concentrations of nanomolar. The SERS technique was applied to obtain structural information of the system MP/phospholipids at the dilution levels reached via impedance spectroscopy at the dilution levels reached via impedance spectroscopy. Then, LB monolayers were deposited onto 6nm of Ag evaporated films with and Ag evaporated films with and Ag nanoparticles were dispersed within the LbL films. The presence of Ag forming nanoparticles in both cases played a key role in achieving the MB SERRS signal allowing obtaining the detection in high dilution levels, approaching... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Neste trabalho foi estudada a influência da arquitetura molecular e das condições de fabricação de filmes sobre a birrefringência fotoinduzida em filmes automontados de um azopolímero comercial PS-119 ou do corante Brilliant Yellow (BY) como espécies fotorreativas. Os filmes automontados foram fabricados a partir de seis policátions, a saber, poli(alilamina hidroclorada) (PAH), poli(c1oreto de dodecildimetilamônio) (PDAC) (com 3 massas molares diferentes), poli(etileno imina) (PEI) e dendrímero poli(amidoamina) geração 4 (PAMAM-G4). No processo de fabricação o substrato era imerso alternadamente em solução aquosa de policátions e poliânions nos pHs 4, 6 e 8. O crescimento dos filmes foi monitorado por espectroscopia UV-VIS. após cada etapa de adsorção. Um aumento linear do pico em 480 nm, atribuído a transição , indicou que a mesma quantidade de material era adsorvida em cada passo de deposição. A birrefringência foi opticamente induzida usando-se um laser de 532 nm Nd-YAG. Dentre as propriedades dos filmes automontados, a que mais variou de um sistema para outro foi o tempo de escrita característico, definido como o tempo necessário para atingir 50% da birrefringência máxima. Este tempo dependia do polieletrólito e do pH da solução de partida. Os filmes PEI/PS-119 em pH 8 e PDAC(HMW)/PS-119, em pH 4, PAWBY em pH 8, e PDAC(HMW)/BY em pH 4, forneceram os seguintes tempos característicos: 34 min, 0,5 min, 10 min e 3 s, respectivamente. Estas grandes variações nos tempos de escrita estão relacionadas as diferenças nas estruturas dos policátions, que determinam a intensidade das interações entre os polieletrólitos. Os baixos tempos para PDAC, por exemplo, são atribuídos as menores interações com o poliânion, já que a carga do PDAC, um sal quaternário, sofre efeito de blindagem por grupos CH3. Mencione-se que o tempo de escrita para os filmes automontados de PDACIBY é o menor já relatado para filmes automontados, sendo da mesma ordem de grandeza dos filmes obtidos por spin-coating ou técnica de Langmuir-Blodgett (LB). A birrefringência residual, após o desligamento do laser de escrita, foi superior a 78% em todos os sistemas estudados, demonstrando a utilidade de filmes automontados para dispositivos de memória óptica permanente. / This work was aimed at investigating the influence of the molecular architecture and film fabrication on the photoinduced birefi-ingence of layer-by-layer (LbL) films containing the azopolymer PS 119® or the azodye Brylliant Yellow (BY) as photoreactive materials. The LbL films were produced with six polications, viz.: poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH), poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDAC) (with three different molecular weights), poly(ethy1eneimine) (PEI) and generation 4 dendrimer poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM-G4). They were prepared via the alternate immersion of a substrate into the polycationic and polyanionic aqueous solutions, at concentrations of 0.5 mg/mL at three pHs: 4, 6 and 8. The assembly of multilayers was monitored aRer each adsorption step by UV-VIS spectroscopy. A linear increase was observed in the peak at 480 nm, assigned to the transition of the azobenzene moiety, indicating that the same amount of material was deposited at each deposition step. Birefringence was optically induced in films using a 532 nm NdYAG laser. Among the LbL properties, the characteristic writing time - corresponding to the time to achieve 50% of maximum birefiingence - was the quantity that most varied with the materials and experimental conditions employed. The writing time was estimated as 34 min. for PEI/PS-119 with solution at pH 8 films, 0.5 min. for PDAC(HMW)/PS-119, pH 4 films, ca. 10 min. for PAWBY, pH 8 films and 3 s for PDAC(HMW)íBY, pH 4 films. These differences in writing times are probably related to the structural differences of the polycations, which determine the degree of interactions between polycation and polyanion. Indeed, interactions between polyanion and PDAC are expected to occur to a lesser extent (in comparison to the other films) due to the hindering promoted by the dimethyl group in the quaternary ammonium salt, minimizing the interaction with sulfonated groups from PS-119 or BY. With less interaction the azobenzene groups are more mobile, thus causing the writing time to be shorter for PDACIpolyanion films. It should be stressed that the writing time for PDAC/BY is the shortest ever reported for LbL films, being of the same order of magnitude of writing times in cast and Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films. The residual birefringence, aRer the writing laser was switched off, was at least 78% for all systems, indicating that these LbL films are suitable for long-term optical memories.

Neste trabalho foram estudados filmes automontados de poli(ometoxianilina) (POMA) e de poli(ácido vinilsulfônico) (PVS). Os filmes automontados de POMA/PVS podem crescer linearmente com o número de bicamadas sem que cada camada fique completamente adsorvida desde que o tempo de adsorção seja mantido constante. A cinética de adsorção de uma camada de POMA sobre diferentes substratos sólidos e sobre bicamadas de POMA/PVS já depositadas foi associada a dois processos: um muito rápido, de primeira ordem, e um mais lento controlado por difusão de Johnson-Mehl-Avrami, correspondendo, respectivamente, a nuc1eação e a um processo de crescimento, que foram confirmados por AFM. O processo de adsorção de POMA é favorecido quando já se encontram depositadas bicamadas de POMA/PVS. Os mecanismos de adsorção foram sugeridos a partir de isotermas de adsorção a diferentes temperaturas e da aplicação de modelos analíticos. A partir de medidas de dessorção termoestimulada foram identificados nos filmes de / POMA/PVS3 tipos de interação: forças de Van der Waals, uma interação com uma energia de ativação de 75 kJImoI que foi associada a pontes de hidrogênio e interações iônicas. As pontes de hidrogênio foram confirmadas por FTIR e adsorção a diferentes pHs. Finalmente, foi verificado que a condutividade destes filmes é fortemente dependente da atmosfera que os rodeia, característica que os toma muito interessantes para sensores de gases / Poly(o-methoxyaniline) (POMA) and poly(ethenesulfonic acid) (PVS)layer-by-Iayer f1lmswere studied. It has been demonstrated that POMA/PVS layer-by-Iayer films can grow linearly with the number of bilayers without complete layer formation as long as the adsorption interval time is maintained constant. The adsorption kinetics of the POMA layer onto solid substrates and onto already deposited POMA/PVS bilayers was found to take place in two steps: an initial, fast adsorption characteristic of a first -order kinetics, followed by a much slower process that is described by a Johnson-Mehl-Avrami function, respectively corresponding to nucleation and growth mechanisms, as demonstrated in AFM studies. The POMA adsorption process is favored when several alternated layers of POMA and PVS have already been deposited, because the surface area and the number of sites for adsorption increase. Adsorption mechanisms were proposed from adsorption isotherms fitted by analytical models, and from thermally stimulated desorption experiments in aqueous solutions 3 types of interaction were identified in POMA/PVS f1lms: van der Waals forces, an interaction with an activation energy for desorption of ca. +75 kJ/mole which was associated to H-bonding and an ionic interaction. Hydrogen bonding was confirmed by FTIR and adsorption at different pHs. Finally, it was demonstrated that the conductivity of POMA/PVS f1lms is strongly dependent of the surrounding atmosphere which makes these f1lms interesting for gas sensors

Este trabalho descreve a fabricação de filmes nanoestruturados de quitosana (Q) e metaloftalocianinastetrassulfonadas de níquel (NiTsPc), cobre (CuTsPc) e ferro (FeTsPc) pela técnica de automontagem. A formação dos filmes foi monitorada por espectroscopia na região do UV−vis, focalizando a absorbância da banda Q das metaloftalocianinas. A absorção aumentou linearmente com o número de bicamadas, indicando que a quantidade de metaloftalocianina adsorvida no filme é a mesma a cada bicamada depositada. A espessura média por bicamada variou entre 1,1 e 1,3 nm. Interações específicas nos filmes automontados foram analisadas por espectroscopia FTIR, nos modos de transmissão e reflexão, e Micro−Espectroscopia Raman, evidenciando a formação de interações iônicas entre grupos sulfônicos (SO3− da metaloftalocianina e grupos amina (NH3+) protonados da quitosana. Medidas de voltametria cíclica mostraram que os filmes de QNiTsPc sobre ITO são eletroativos, possuindo um par redox estável, reversível e bem definido em 0,80 V e 0,75 V, respectivamente. A corrente de pico anódica aumentou linearmente com a velocidade de varredura, indicando que a reação eletroquímica é controlada por um mecanismo de transferência de carga na superfície do eletrodo via saltos de elétrons (electronhopping). Entretanto, os filmes automontados de QCuTsPc e QFeTsPc apresentaram comportamentos instáveis e irreversíveis devido à possível formação de espécies agregadas adsorvidas no ITO. A partir dos resultados de voltametria cíclica e UV−vis determinaram−se os parâmetros de energia de gap (Eg), eletroafinidade (EA) e potencial de ionização (IP), mostrando que a energia de transição necessária do nível HOMO para o LUMO foi de 1,7 eV. Os eletrodos com filmes automontados foram utilizados como sensores de dopamina (DA) e ácido ascórbico (AA). Para ambos analitos, as concentrações utilizadas variaram de 5 x 10−6 a 1,5 x 10−4 mol L−1. O filme de QNiTsPc apresentou atividade eletrocalítica, alterando o potencial de oxidação da DA de 1,44 V, em ITO puro, para 0,76 V. Para os filmes de QCuTsPc e QFeTsPc, esse fenômeno não foi observado. O limite de detecção (LD) de DA e a AA foi obtido usando a equação de calibração de cada eletrodo, sendo da ordem de 10−5 mol L−1. O eletrodo com filme de QNiTsPc apresentou maior sensibilidade para ambos analitos. A seletividade dos eletrodos foi testada em soluções contendo AA e DA em diferentes proporções. A distinção entre os picos de oxidação do AA e DA não ocorreu para o filme automontado de QNiTsPc, devido ao efeito eletrocatalítico na oxidação da DA Por outro lado, os filmes de QCuTsPc e QFeTsPc apresentaram comportamento seletivo, distinguindo os picos de oxidação destes analitos. A seletividade apresentada pelo filme de QCuTsPc iniciou−se para concentrações de DA três vezes menor que AA e para o filme de QFeTsPc foi dez vezes menor que a de AA / ThisworkdescribesthefabricationofnanostructuredfilmswiththeLayer−by−layer (LbL) techniqueusingchitosan (Q) andmetallophthalocyaninesofnickel (NiTsPc), copper (CuTsPc) andiron (FeTsPc). The filmgrowthwasmonitoredwith UV−vis spectroscopy, focusingonthe Q−band ofthemetallophthalocyanines. The absorption increased linearly with the number of bilayers, thus pointing to the same amount of phthalocyanine being adsorbed in each bilayer. The average thickness per bilayer varied between 1.1 and 1.3 nm. Specific interactions in the LbL films were analysed with FTIR in transmission and reflection modes and Raman micro−Spectroscopy, which confirmed ionic interactions between the phthalocyanine sulfonic groups (SO3&#8722) and the chitosan amine groups (NH3+). Cyclic voltammograms showed that QNiTsPcLbL films on ITO are electroactive, with a well−defined, stable and reversible redox pair at 0.80 V and 0.75 V. The anodic peak current increased linearly with the scan rate, characteristic of electrochemical reactions controlled by electron hopping on the electrode surface. In contrast, CuTsPc and FeTsPcLbL films showed unstable and irreversible behaviour, probably due to adsorbed aggregated species on ITO. From the UV−VIS. Data and cyclic voltammograms, the energy gap (Eg), electroaffinity (EA) and ionization potencial (IP) were determined, leading to a HOMO−LUMO energy difference of 1.7 eV. Electrodes with LbL films were used for detecting dopamine (DA) and ascorbic acid (AA), in the concentration range from 5 x 10−6 to 1.5 X 10−4mol L−1. QNiTsPcLbL films showed electrocatalytic activity, by shifting the oxidation potential of DA from 1.44 V (for bare ITO) to 0.76 V. This did not occur with QCuTsPc and QFeTsPcLbL films. The limit of detection (LD) of DA and AA was obtained using the calibration equation for each electrode, being of the order to 10−5mol L−1. Electrodes made with QNiTsPcLbL films were the most sensitive. The selectivity of the electrodes was tested by using solutions containing DA and AA in different proportions. There was no distinction between AA and DA oxidation peaks for QNiTsPcLbL films, because of their electrocatalytic effect. On the other hand, using QCuTsPc and QFeTsPcLbL films one could distinguish between the two analytes. Distinction was made possible with QCuTsPcLbL films and DA concentrations three times less than the concentration of AA, while for QFeTsPcLbL films it was possible to distinguish DA concentrations ten times less than that of AA

Nanotubos de Carbono (Carbon Nanotubes - CNTs) são nanoestruturas de carbono na forma de tubos cilíndricos que apresentam excelentes propriedades ópticas, elétricas, térmicas e mecânicas. A imobilização dos CNTs em conjunto com polieletrólitos condutores e naturais na forma de filmes ultrafinos, utilizando a técnica automontagem, apresenta uma nova alternativa para o desenvolvimento de nanocompósitos aplicados em dispositivos sensores e biossensores. Neste trabalho de mestrado foram construídos e estudados filmes automontados contendo CNTs funcionalizados com grupos ácidos carboxílicos e imobilizados com os polieletrólitos polianilina (PANI) e quitosana (QUIT). Também foram fabricados para comparação filmes de PANI e poliestireno sulfonado (PSS). O crescimento dos filmes de PANI/CNT e PANI/PSS revelou um crescimento linear com o número de bicamadas, conforme mostraram as medidas de espectroscopia UV-Vis e voltametria cíclica (CV), enquanto que para o filme de QUIT/CNT, as medidas de microbalança de cristal de quartzo (QCM) mostraram um crescimento exponencial. Análises de espectroscopias Raman e infravermelho com transformada de Fourier (FTIR) indicaram alterações nas bandas características dos filmes, comparadas com seus materiais precursores, indicando interação entre os componentes nas multicamadas dos filmes. Análises morfológicas obtidas por AFM mostraram um aumento da rugosidade com o aumento do número de bicamadas. O mapeamento Raman revelou que os filmes contendo CNTs apresentaram maior heterogeneidade química na superfície do que aos filmes somente com polieletrólitos. Foi observada uma queda na resistividade dos filmes, com o aumento do número de bicamadas, sendo esta, mais acentuada com a presença dos CNTs. Os eletrodos contendo os filmes automontados apresentaram alta estabilidade eletroquímica, a presença dos CNTs aumentou a intensidade das correntes de pico e tornou os sistemas mais reversíveis. Os eletrodos que se mostraram mais sensíveis à detecção de peróxido de hidrogênio foram selecionados para imobilização da enzima Glicose Oxidase (GOx). Foram investigados os seguintes sistemas biossensores: (PANI/CNT)7, (PANI/PSS)1 e (QUIT/CNT)5 apresentando na mesma ordem: valores de sensibilidades de 190 nA/(mmol/L), 36 nA/(mmol/L) e 220 nA/(mmol/L); Limite de detecção de 2,2 µmol/L, 67,5 µmol/L e 8,5 µmol/L, e valores deconstante de Michealis-Menten(\'K IND.M\'POT.APP\' ) de 2,2 µmol/L, 67,5 µmol/L e 8,5 µmol/L. Os resultados indicam que a utilização dos CNTs é bastante promissora para fabricação de dispositivos biossensores para aplicação em Nanomedicina, e além disso, a escolha dos componentes para formação dos nanocompósitos exerce grande influência no desempenho do dispositivo. / Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) are cylindrical carbon nanostructures exhibiting excellent electrical, thermal, optical and mechanical properties. The immobilization of CNTs in nanostructured thin films in conjunction with polymers using the Layer-by-Layer (LbL) technique provides a new alternative for development of nanocomposites to be used as sensors and biosensors. In this study we report the fabrication of LbL films containing CNTs functionalized with carboxylic acid immobilized in conjunction with polyaniline (PANI) or chitosan (QUIT). Films comprising PANI and sulfonated polystyrene (PSS) were also produced for comparison. Film growth was monitored by UV-Vis spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry (CV) and quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and the results showed a linear increase with the number of bilayers in PANI films, and an exponential growth for QUIT/CNT films. FTIR and Raman analyses revealed changes in the bands of nanocomposites compared to their precursor materials, indicating the interactions between the components in the multilayers. Morphological analysis of the films obtained by atomic force microscopy (AFM) showed that the roughness of the films increased with the number of bilayers. Raman mapping showed that the presence of CNTs generated a high heterogeneity in film surface in comparison to a films formed only by polyelectrolytes. Electrical resistivity of the films decrease upon increasing the number of bilayers, especially for CNTs-containing films. Furthermore, electrodes containing LbL films exhibited high electrochemical stability, in which the presence of CNTs increased the intensity of response signal. The electrodes that exhibited best performance toward hydrogen peroxide detection were employed for immobilization of glucose oxidase (GOx) and used as glucose biosensors. The systems (PANI/CNT)7, (PANI/PSS) 1 and (QUIT/CNT)5 exhibited a sensitivity of 190 nA/(mmol/L), 36 nA/(mmol/L) and 220 nA/(mmol/L), respectively. The detection limit was estimated at 2.2 mmol/L, 67.5 mmol/L and 8,5 mmol/L, whereas the Michaelis-Menten constant ( \'K IND.M\'POT.APP\') values was found to be 2.2 mmol/L, 67.5 mmol/L and 8.5 mmol/L, respectively, to the three systems employed. The results indicated that the use of CNTs in Layer-by-layer thin films is promising for use as biosensors. Furhtermore, we showed that the choice of the polyelectrolyte is a crucial parameter to tailor specific, high performance sensors.