In this research, multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT) and paper composite materials were fabricated by dropcasting aqueous dispersions containing MWNTs onto filter paper using vacuum filtration, a highly unidirectional drying technique. By varying the pore size of the paper backbone as well as the number of deposited MWNT layers, composites with distinct architectures and properties were created. This thesis provides numerous examples that show how the processing methodology used influences the location of the MWNTs, the amount of MWNTs deposited, and the interaction between the MWNTs and the paper backbone. These three factors work in tandem to form the structures and properties presented. Understanding how the structures and properties come about allows for the tailorability of these composites for different applications and devices. The pore size of the backbone material combined with the directionality of the drying methodology controlled the location of MWNT deposition. MWNT deposition occurred in three ways: on the paper surface only, within the paper material only, or combined surface and internal deposition. By varying the number of deposition steps, the properties of the composite could be altered in the location of deposition. Surface charge, dispersion concentration, paper pore size, drying methodology, MWNT length, the number of deposited MWNT layers, and post-processing techniques were all factors studied in this thesis which could successfully vary the interaction between the MWNTs and between the MWNT and paper materials and, ultimately, alter the properties of the composite. Regardless of the processing methodology employed and the starting materials used, structure and property evolutions in the composite materials were characterized using impedance spectroscopy, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and Current-AFM. Combining equivalent circuit fitting of the impedance data with the information obtained from the imaging techniques allowed for the elucidation of structural mechanisms which contribute to the electronic response measured for each composite. An overall equivalent circuit was built for each composite plane which could then be used to extract the electrical properties of the individual conduction mechanisms within the composite. In the in-plane, the electrical properties of the paper backbone, MWNT-MWNT junctions, MWNT bundles, and MWNT curved bundles could be determined. In the thru-plane, the electrical properties within the paper thickness, either paper-dominated or MWNT-dominated, could be measured. The resistance through the thickness of a bulk MWNT surface network could be also measured when the density of the MWNT network is sufficiently high.

Orientadores: Gisela de Aragão Umbuzeiro, Vitor Rafael Coluci / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Tecnologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-20T12:15:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Honorio_JaquelineGoncalves_M.pdf: 1809951 bytes, checksum: 7885a8cfa050d72f934edad04cce0f92 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Resumo: Nanomateriais, tais como nanotubos de carbono de paredes múltiplas (MWCNT) têm apresentado potencial para remediação de águas e solos poluídos por compostos orgânicos devido a sua área superficial elevada, que pode melhorar a capacidade dos NTC em adsorver compostos orgânicos. Embora o tratamento de MWCNT com ácido nítrico possa aumentar a capacidade de dispersão do material em água através da introdução de grupos oxigenados sobre a superfície dos NTC, como ácidos carboxílicos, a diminuição da capacidade de MWCNT de interagir com moléculas orgânicas pode ocorrer como consequência não intencional. Para investigar esta possibilidade, foi avaliada a capacidade de MWCNT tratados com ácido de adsorver um poluente ambiental comum, 1-Nitropireno (1-NP), que é um nitro-hidrocarboneto policíclico aromático altamente mutagênico e carcinogênico. Diferentes doses de MWCNTs caracterizados foram testadas com diferentes doses de 1-NP, e a detecção do 1-NP não adsorvido foi avaliada pelo ensaio de mutagenicidade Salmonella/microssoma, usando a linhagem TA98 que é altamente sensível a 1-NP. Assim, apenas 1-NP não adsorvido aos MWCNT são absorvidos pelas bactérias e causam mutagenicidade. Encontramos uma relação inversa entre a oxidação por tratamento ácido dos MWCNT e a mutagenicidade da mistura. Os dados obtidos sugerem que o tratamento ácido de MWCNT pode, de fato, reduzir a capacidade de poluentes orgânicos se ligarem a MWCNT, reduzindo a eficácia na remediação / Abstract: Nanomaterials, such as multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) have been shown potential to remediate soil or water polluted with organic compounds because of their high specific-surface area, which can enhance the ability of the CNT to adsorb organics. Although treatment of MWCNT with nitric acid can increase the water solubility of MWCNT by introducing oxygenated groups such as carboxylic acids onto the surface, it may have the unintended consequence of decreasing the ability of MWCNT to interact with organic molecules. To investigate this possibility, we evaluated the ability of acid-treated MWCNT to absorb a common environmental pollutant, 1- nitropyrene (1-NP), which is a highly mutagenic and carcinogenic nitro-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon. Different doses of well-characterized MWCNTs were tested with different doses of 1-NP, and the detection of the non-adsorbed 1-NP was assessed by the Salmonella mutagenicity assay in strain TA98, which is highly sensitive to 1-NP. Thus, only free 1-NP not bound to the MWCNT was able to enter the bacteria and induce mutagenesis. We found an inverse association between the amount of oxidation by nitric-acid treatment of the MWCNT and the amount of mutagenicity of the reaction mixture. Our data suggest that acid treatment of MWCNT may, in fact, reduce the ability of MWCNT to bind organic pollutants, reducing their effectiveness for remediation / Mestrado / Tecnologia e Inovação / Mestre em Tecnologia

No description available.

Different carbon nanostructures have different properties and different applications. It is needed to synthesize good quality and also on large scale. From the point of industrial applications, highly productive and low cost synthesis method is very essential. Research has been done extensively on the intrinsic and individual properties of both single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWC-NTs) in the range of nanometer to micrometer length scale. The important question is how the properties change beyond this length scale and if they are used in group in the form of an array instead of the individual carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Some applications require large current output, large energy production etc. For such kind of applications, it becomes essential to use CNTs in large number in the form of arrays or array, instead of using large numbers of CNTs in individual level. Future nanotechnology scope requires large scale application using the very rich intrinsic properties of the CNTs and nanomaterials. Keeping these problems and challenges in front, this thesis work is devoted to the research of the large scale synthesis of mm long MWCNTs, having different morphology and studies on various physical properties of MWCNTs in the form of arrays. Synthesis of mm long aligned and buckled MWCNTs have been reported for the first time. Generally buckled CNTs were obtained by compressing the straight CNTs. Apart from this, different morphologies like, aligned straight, helical or coiled CNTs are also synthesized. Resistance of the individual CNT increases with the increase in length. Resistance versus length of an array of CNT also shows similar behaviour. The thermal conductivity of CNT array is observed to decrease with the increase of array diameter (diameter �100 µm). There are few reports of the similar behaviour with the experiments done on small diameter CNT arrays (diameter �100 nm). From these observations, it seems that in the arrays of CNT, their intrinsic individual property is preserved though the magnitudes are different. The conductance measurements done on buckled CNT array by compressing it to apply uniaxial strain, shows the conductance oscillation. This conductance oscillation seems to be originating from the band gap change due to strain when the CNTs bend during compression. Recent research focuses on the arrays of CNT as they can carry large current of the order of several milliamperes that make the arrays suitable in nanoscale electronics and in controlling macroscopic devices such as light emitting diodes and electromotors. Regarding this aspect, a part of this thesis work is devoted on the application of CNT array to field effect transistor (FET) and study of thermoelectric power generation using CNT arrays. The entire thesis is based on the works discussed above. It has been organized as follows: Chapter 1 deals with introduction about the different carbon nanostructures and different synthesis methods. A brief introduction about the different current-voltage (IV) characteristics of SWCNTs and MWCNTs, length and diameter dependence and effect of the mode of contacts, are given. Some applications of the array of CNTs like buckling effect on compression, stretching of CNT into the form of rope, and conduction change on compression are discussed. Application of CNT as FET, as a thermometer, and thermoelectric effect of CNT are discussed. The electromechanical effect of CNT is also discussed briefly. Chapter 2 deals with experimental setup for synthesis of different morphologies of carbon nanostructures. The samples are characterized using common characterization techniques like, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Raman spectroscopy. A brief introduction about Raman Spectroscopy of CNT is given. Chapter 3 reports the unusual IV characteristics and breakdown of long CNT arrays. The current carrying ability and the threshold voltage as a function of array diameter are reported. The effect of the ambient like temperature and pressure are discussed. Chapter 4 deals with theoretical models to analyze the IV characteristics reported in Chapter 3. It has been shown that a set of classical equations are applicable to quantum structures and the band gap can be evaluated. Chapter 5 describes with application of CNT arrays as temperature sensors. It has been shown that CNT arrays of suitable diameters are used as temperature sensors after calibration. Chapter 6 reports the high current FET application of CNT arrays. Effects of temperature and ambient pressure are discussed. The type of the majority charge carrier is determined. Chapter 7 deals with application of CNT arrays as thermoelectric power generator to get large thermoelectric current. Effects of different array diameter are discussed. Modulation of thermoemf with gate voltage is discussed. The type of the majority charge carrier is determined. Chapter 8 reports the effect of compressive strain on buckled MWCNT arrays. Conductance is measured during the compression of the array. Quantum electromechanical conductance oscillation is observed. The structural changes are observed with SEM. Raman spectroscopic study supports the explanation of the effect. Chapter 9 provides the conclusion and overall summary of the thesis.

The crystalline iron-based nanowires encapsulated by multiwalled carbon nanotubes have been the subject of numerous studies owing to the range of potential applications. The presence of a-Fe (bcc)/y -Fe(fcc) junctions o ers the possibility of exploitation of the exchange bias effect, an interfacial magnetic phenomenon that plays a major role in magnetocaloric cooling, spintronic and high-density magnetic storage devices. This work is concerned with the synthesis and microstructural characterization of Fe-based and NiFe nanowires encapsulated by multiwall carbon nanotube radial structures. The known attributes of these structures are well matched to the magnetocaloric application. The primary aim of this work was to determine the unknown microstructural details of the encapsulated nanowire that are of relevance to the magnetocaloric application (junction types, location and orientation relative to the nanotube axis). The secondary aim was to explore the modi cation of the synthesis route to promote desirable attributes. This is the first report of a-Fe/y -Fe sequential junctions and a-Fe/Fe3C concentric junctions in encapsulated Fe-based nanowires. The presence of a-Fe/y -Fe junctions was inferred from the observation of a-Fe nanowires terminated by a ~100 nm length y-Fe crystallites of larger diameter. The a-Fe/Fe3C junctions exhibit the Bagaryatski orientation relationship: [110 ]bcck[100 ]orth. The degree of substrate roughness was found to be a means of tailoring details of the structure and composition of the encapsulated nanowires. NiFe encapsulated nanowires were found to contain crystallites of a-NiFe, y-NiFe and Ni3Fe and the sequential junctions -NiFe/Ni3Fe and a-NiFe/y-NiFe junctions.

Orientadores: Ana Flavia Nogueira, Maria Isabel Felisberti / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Quimica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-13T13:37:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Pedroni_LucasGomes_M.pdf: 2275674 bytes, checksum: 3829c2b15fd56db6cd84d632bf86508b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009 / Resumo: Nanocompósitos poliméricos baseados em nanotubos de carbono possuem um dos mais elevados potenciais tecnológicos devido à possibilidade de produção de materiais com destacadas propriedades mecânicas, alta condutividade elétrica em baixos teores (baixos limites de percolação), e boa processabilidade. São sistemas versáteis que podem apresentar propriedades excepcionais, as quais podem ser controladas pela alteração na proporção de seus componentes, permitindo que sejam moldados para atender à aplicação exigida. Nesse trabalho, nanocompósitos de nanotubos de carbono de paredes múltiplas (MWCNTs) e um elastômero comercial (Kraton-D®), que é um copolímero em bloco de estireno-butadieno-estireno (SBS), foram preparados por extrusão e pela técnica de evaporação de solvente (casting). As propriedades térmicas, mecânicas, e elétricas desses materiais foram comparadas. A caracterização foi realizada através de medidas de condutividade elétrica (método de Coleman), microscopias eletrônicas de varredura e de transmissão (caracterização morfológica), termogravimetria (determinação do teor de cargas e estabilidade térmica), ensaios de tração e análise dinâmico-mecânica (propriedades mecânicas). Além disso, o potencial de aplicação dos compósitos em células solares de TiO2/corante (DSSC) e como materiais absorvedores de radiação (MAR) foi avaliado. Os resultados evidenciaram uma forte influência da metodologia de preparo nas propriedades finais dos compósitos, a qual é creditada a mudanças de morfologia do sistema em função das condições de preparação utilizadas. As amostras preparadas por casting apresentaram condutividades elétricas mais elevadas, enquanto as propriedades mecânicas foram superiores para os filmes extrudados, e ambas tiveram melhoria da estabilidade térmica. Os compósitos se mostraram promissores quanto ao uso em DSSC e como MAR, mas muitos estudos ainda são necessários para aprimorar sua eficiência nesses campos / Abstract: Polymeric nanocomposites based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have one of the highest technological potential due to the possibility of produce materials with improved mechanical properties, high electrical conductivity at low loadings (low percolation threshold), and good processability. These systems are versatile, may present astonishing properties, and are allowed to control them by changing the proportion of their components, being able to tailor these materials to suit a desired application. In this work, nanocomposites of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and a commercial elastomer (Kraton-D®), which is a block copolymer of styrenebutadiene- styrene (SBS), were prepared by extrusion and by casting. The thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties presented by these materials were compared. The characterization was performed by measurement of the electrical conductivity (Coleman¿s method), scanning and transmission electron microscopy (for morphologic characterization), thermogravimetry (for thermal stability and determination of the loading of filler), stress-strain tests and dynamic mechanical analysis (for the mechanical properties). Furthermore, the potential of application of the extruded composites in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) and as radiation absorbing materials (RAM) was tested. The results showed a strong influence of the methodology of preparation upon the final properties of composites, which was attributed to changes in the morphology of the system with conditions used to prepare the samples. Composites made by casting showed a higher electrical conductivity than the extruded ones, although the latter presented better mechanical properties than the former ones. Despite the requirement of further studies to improve their efficiency in DSSC and as RAM, the composites were promising for these applications / Mestrado / Quimica Inorganica / Mestre em Química

Submitted by Rosivalda Pereira (mrs.pereira@ufma.br) on 2017-06-02T19:09:40Z No. of bitstreams: 1 RolffSpindola.pdf: 1912678 bytes, checksum: 00839e9b1b8a2b01a86770dd2561ec07 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-02T19:09:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 RolffSpindola.pdf: 1912678 bytes, checksum: 00839e9b1b8a2b01a86770dd2561ec07 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-07-25 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPQ) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa e ao Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico do Maranhão (FAPEMA) / A novel platform for electroanalysis of isoniazid based on multi-walled carbon nanotube oxide and graphene oxide composite as support to iron phthalocyanine (MWCNTO-GO/FePc) has been developed. The FePc/MWCNTO-GO modified electrode is sensible for isoniazid, decreasing substantially its oxidation potential to + 200 mV vs. Ag/AgCl. Electrochemical and electroanalytical properties of the FePc/MWCNTO-GO modified electrode were investigated by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, scanning electrochemical microscopy, and amperometry. The sensor presents better performance in 0,1 mol L-1 phosphate buffer at pH 7,4. Under optimized conditions, a linear response range from 5 μmol L-1 to 476 µmol L-1 was obtained with a sensitivity of 0,0225 μA L μmol-1. The limits of detection and quantification for isoniazid determination were 0,56 μmol L-1 and 1,88 μmol L-1, respectively. The relative standard deviation for 10 determinations of 100 μmol L-1 isoniazid was 2,5%. The sensor was successfully applied for isoniazid determination in artificial body fluids. / No presente trabalho é apresentado o desenvolvimento de uma nova plataforma para eletroanálise de isoniazida baseada em (MWCNTO-GO/FePc). O eletrodo modificado com FePc/MWCNTO-GO diminuiu sensivelmente o potencial de oxidação da isoniazida para +200 mV vs. Ag/AgCl. As propriedades eletroquímicas e eletroanalíticas do eletrodo modificado com FePc/MWCNTO-GO foram investigadas por voltametria cíclica, espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica, microscopia eletroquímica de varredura, e amperometria. O sensor apresentou melhor desempenho em tampão fosfato 0,1 mol L-1 com pH 7,4. Sob condições otimizadas uma faixa de resposta linear de 5 μmol L-1 a 476 µmol L-1 foi obtida com uma sensibilidade de 0,0225 μA L μmol-1. O limite de detecção e quantificação para a isoniazida foram determinados como sendo 0,56 μmol L-1 e 1,88 μmol L-1, respectivamente. O desvio padrão relativo para 10 determinações de 100 μmol L-1 de isoniazida foi de 2,5%. O sensor foi aplicado com sucesso para determinação de isoniazida em fluidos corporais artificiais.

There are different methods used in the surgical treatment of peripheral nerve injury. In this respect, end-to-end surgical reconnection of the damaged nerve ends or autologous nerve grafts are applied as soon as possible after the injury. When autologous tissue transplant is considered, there are some medical devices available generally for relatively short nerve defects. As a solution for this problem, different tissue engineered nerve conduits have been developed. In the current study, a pHEMA hydrogel membranes were designed to mimic the tubular conduits and they were loaded with 1-6% (w/w) multiwalled carbon nanotubes (mwCNTs) to obtain electrical conductivity. The most important reason for the use of CNTs in peripheral nerve injury is their electrical conductivity. Within the context of the study, the degree of swelling, contact angles, electrical conductivity and mechanical properties of the membranes were analyzed. As the amount of mwCNTs were increased, the contact angles, indicating higher hydrophobicity and the electrical conductivity increased. The tensile test of the mwCNT-pHEMA composite membranes showed that the membranes have viscoelastic structure similar to the structure of the soft tissues. The structure of the mwCNT containing pHEMA composite membranes were analyzed with different microscopical techniques such as SEM, CSLM and microCT. MwCNTs on the hydrogels were morphologically similar to the original. SEM micrographs also showed that the mwCNTs were grouped in clumps on hydrogel surfaces. No mwCNT leaching was observed because the mwCNTs were embedded in the hydrogel, therefore, no cytotoxic effect was observed. The pHEMA hydrogels were porous which is suitable for transportation of materials, electrolytes and gas needed for cell nutrition and growth. In the in vitro studies, SHSY5Y neuroblastoma cells were seeded on the membranes to determine the sustainability and effects of the membranes on the cell growth. Electrical potential of 1 and 2 V were used to stimulate the cells. Microscopical examination with SEM and CSLM, and MTT viability assay were used. The SHSY5Y neuroblastoma cells were attached and proliferated on both the composite and the hydrogel membranes. The cells on pHEMA membranes without mwCNTs, however, were not able to survive after application of electrical potential. As a conclusion, use of composite membranes in the treatment of peripheral nerve injury as a nerve conduit is appropriate. Electrical stimulation, however, did not induce the cells to align in contrast to the expected results, indicating potential and current application regime needs to be optimized to obtain the desired results.

<p>U prvom delu rada ispitana je adsorpcija četiri grupe organskih&nbsp;jedinjenja: (1) nitroaromatičnih (nitrobenzen), (2) nepolarno alifatičnih&nbsp;(heksan), (3)&nbsp; monoaromatičnih (benzen, toluen, 1,2,3- i 1,2,4-trihlorbenzen) i (4) policikličnih aromatičnih ugljovodonika, PAH&nbsp;(naftalen, fenantren, piren i fluoranten) na vi&scaron;eslojnim ugljeničnim&nbsp;nanocevima (od eng. multiwalled carbon nanotubes, MWCNTs). Cilj&nbsp;ovog dela rada bio je pronaći korelaciju između parametara adsorpcije i&nbsp;fizičko-hemijskih karakteristika organskih molekula, kao i parametara&nbsp;<br />adsorpcije i karakteristika adsorbenata. Na osnovu dobijenih korelacija&nbsp;predložiti mehanizam adsorpcije ispitivanih organskih molekula na&nbsp;MWCNT-u.</p><p>U cilju ispitivanja uticaja kiseoničnih funkcionalnih grupa na povr&scaron;ini&nbsp;MWCNT-a odabrane su tri vrste MWCNT-a: originalni, nemodifikovani&nbsp;MWCNT (OMWCNT) i dve vrste funkcionalno modifikovanog&nbsp;MWCNT-a koji su dobijeni tretiranjem sa kiselinom tokom 3 h&nbsp;(FMWCNT3h) i 6 h (FMWCNT6h). Sve adsorpcione izoterme opisane&nbsp;<br />su Freundlich-ovim modelom. Nelinearnost izotermi bila je u opsegu od&nbsp;0,418 do 0,897. Rezultati pokazuju da dobijeni afiniteti adsorpcije (za ravnotežnu koncentraciju 50% rastvorljivosti jedinjenja u vodi, K_d0,5 S_W) za PAH-ove rastu sa povećanjem specifične povr&scaron;ine (SP) adsorbenta. Veći afiniteti adsorpcije dobijeni su za velike molekule kao &scaron;to su PAH-ovi u poređenju sa malim molekulima (benzen, toluen i heksan) &scaron;to može biti posledica veće kontaktne povr&scaron;ine između većih molekula i povr&scaron;ine adsorbenta. Pozitivna korelacija između afiniteta adsorpcije i hidrofobnosti molekula ukazuje da hidrofobne interakcije dominantno kontroli&scaron;u adsorpciju ispitivanih organskih jedinjenja, osim u slučaju nitobenzena. Da bi se ispitao uticaj &pi;-&pi; interakcija,&nbsp; K_d za odabranu ravnotežnu koncentraciju su normalizovane sa hidrofobno&scaron;ću molekula pri čemu su dobijeni odgovarajući&nbsp; K_d/K_OW&nbsp;odnosi. Za sva ispitivana jedinjenja K_d/K_OW<font size="1">&nbsp;</font>odnosi na svim ispitivanim MWCNT rastu u sledećem nizu: nepolarni alifatični &lt; monoaromatični &lt; PAH-ovi &lt; nitrobenzen, &scaron;to ukazuje da &pi;-&pi; interakcije značajno pobolj&scaron;avaju adsorpciju aromatičnih jedinjenja na MWCNT-u. Snažne interakcije između MWCNT-a i nitrobenzena posledica su formiranja &pi;-&pi; elektron donorsko-akceptorskih (EDA) interakcija izemđu nitroaromatičnih molekula (elektron akceptori)i visoko polarizovane ugljenične povr&scaron;ine nanocevi (elektron donori). Na osnovu dobijenih rezultata može se uočiti da se pri adsorpciji ispitivanihorganskih molekula na MWCNT-u istovreme odigrava vi&scaron;e mehanizama.</p><p>U drugom delu rada ispitan je uticaj ugljeničnog nanomaterijala (od eng.&nbsp;carbon based nanomaterial, CNM) natransport odabranih organskih&nbsp;jedinjenja (1,2,3- i 1,2,4-trihlorbenzena, naftalena, fenantrena, pirena i&nbsp;fluorantena) kroz sediment Dunava. Cilj ovog dela rada bio je ispitati&nbsp;mehanizam transporta odabranih organskih jedinjenja u prisustvu i&nbsp;odsustvu CNM. C/C_0&nbsp;vrednosti, dobijene za vreme trajanja eksperimenta&nbsp;<br />(t=96 h), ispitivanog jedinjenja u eluatu kolone napunjene samo&nbsp;sedimentom rastu u sledećem nizu: fluoranten &lt; piren &lt; fenantren &lt;&nbsp;1,2,4-trihlorbenzen &lt; 1,2,3-trihlorbenzen &lt; naftalen. U cilju ispitivanja&nbsp;uticaja hidrofobnosti ispitivanih molekula na sorpciju u neravnotežnim&nbsp;uslovima, dobijene vrednosti C/C₀ ispitivanih molekula su korelirane sa&nbsp;hidrofobno&scaron;ću molekula. Uočena je negativna korelacija &scaron;to ukazuje da&nbsp;hidrofobniji molekuli pokazuju duže vreme zadržavanja na koloni, a time&nbsp;i veću neravnotežnu sorpcijutokom transporta.&nbsp;</p><p>U prisustvu FMWCNT3h u koloni kojaje napunjena sedimentom može&nbsp;se uočiti da su koncentracije ispitivanih jedinjenja u eluatu manje za 2-3&nbsp;puta. Pri datim uslovima procenat detektovane koncentracije ispitivanog&nbsp;jedinjenja u eluatu raste u sledećem nizu: fluoranten &lt; fenantren &lt; piren &lt; naftalen &lt; 1,2,4-trihlorbenzena &lt; 1,2,3-trihlorbenzen. Predloženi mehanizam je sledeći: na eksperimentalnoj pH (pH=6,5) karboksilne grupe na FMWCNT3h su negativno naelekrisane, s druge strane tačka nultog naelektrisanja sedimenta Dunav je 4, &scaron;to ukazuje da je ukupna povr&scaron;ina pri pH=6,5 negativno naelektrisana. Međutim, metalni oksidi i hidroksidi gvožđa, aluminijuma i nikla na povr&scaron;ini sedimenta uzrokuju pozitivno naelektrisane centre &scaron;to dovodi do depozicije FMWCNT3h kao posledica elektrostatičkog privlačenja. Pri transportu organskih jedinjenja kroz sediment Dunava u prisustvu FMWCNT3h dolazi do simultane sorpcije organskih jedinjenja na organskom ugljeniku sedimenta i do adsorpcije na FMWCNT3h. Kada se pH vrednost poveća smanjuje se pozitivno naelekrisanje metalnih&nbsp; oksida i hidroksida na povr&scaron;ini sedimenta &scaron;to dovodi do povećane mobilnosti FMWCNT3h, a time i organskih jedinjenja adsorbovanih na njima. Svi rezultati ukazuju da pH vrednost ima veoma značajnu ulogu i može povećati &nbsp;transport funkcionalizovanog MWCNT-a, a time i transport organskih molekula adsorbovanih na njima.</p> / <p>The first part of the thesis investigates the adsorption of four&nbsp;groups of organic compounds (OCs): (1) nitroaromatics (nitrobenzene),&nbsp;(2) nonpolar aliphatics (hexane), (3) monoaromatics (benzene, toluene,&nbsp;1,2,3- and 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene) and (4) polycyclic aromatic&nbsp;hydrocarbons (PAHs, napthalene,&nbsp; phenanthrene, pyrene and&nbsp;fluoranthene) on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). This part of&nbsp;the work aimed to find a correlationbetween the adsorption parameters&nbsp;and physical-chemical properties of the organic molecules, as well as the&nbsp;parameters of adsorption and the characteristics of the adsorbents. On the&nbsp;basis of the obtained correlations the adsorption mechanism was&nbsp;proposed. In order to investigate the influence which oxygen containing&nbsp;functional groups exert on the adsorption process, three MWCNTs were&nbsp;used: the pristine (original, as-received) MWCNTs (OMWCNT) and two&nbsp;<br />MWCNTs functionally modified by acid treatment of OMWCNT over 3&nbsp;h and 6 h (FMWCNT3h, FMWCNT6h). All adsorption isotherms well&nbsp;fitted with the Freundlich model. The nonlinearity of the isotherms&nbsp;ranged from 0.418 to 0.897. The results show that K_d&nbsp;values for PAHs&nbsp;increased with increasing specific surface areas (SSAs). The adsorption&nbsp;affinities of the larger molecular size OCs (PAHs) were higher &nbsp;than those of the smaller size OCs (benzene, toluene and hexane) which is probably due to their large contact area with the surface of the adsorbent. Adsorption of OCs on MWCNTs was mainly controlled by hydrophobic interactions, except for the nitroaromatic compound, as shown by the increasing adsorption affinities with the compound&rsquo;s hydrophobicity. K_OW-normalized adsorption coefficients (K_d/K_OW) for all the investigated compounds on all the MWCNTs followed the order: nonpolar aliphatic &lt; monoaromatics &lt; PAHs &lt; nitroaromatic, implying that &pi;-&pi; interactions enhanced the adsorption of aromatics on the MWCNTs. It can be concluded that the strong adsorptiveinteractions between the MWCNTs and nitroaromatics was due to the &pi;-&pi; electron-donor&ndash;acceptor (EDA) interaction between nitroaromatic molecules (electron acceptors) and the highly polarisable graphene sheets(electron donors) of the carbon nanotubes. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that multiple mechanisms control the adsorption of organic compounds on MWCNTs.</p><p>In the second part, the influence of carbon based nanomaterials CNM on&nbsp;transport of selected organic compounds (1,2,3 - and 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene, naphthalene, phenanthrene, pyrene and fluoranthene)&nbsp;through sediment Danube was investigated. &nbsp;The aim of this part of the&nbsp;work was to investigate the transport mechanism of selected organic&nbsp;compounds in the presence and absence of CNM. The C/C_0&nbsp;values for the&nbsp;tested compounds in the eluate of the column filled with sediment only&nbsp;increased in the following order: fluoranthene &lt;pyrene &lt;phenanthrene&nbsp;&lt;1,2,4-trichlorobenzene &lt;1,2,3-trichlorobenzene &lt;naphthalene. In order&nbsp;to investigate the influence of&nbsp; hydrophobicity of the investigated&nbsp;compounds on the nonequilibrium sorption, the obtained C/C_0&nbsp;values (for&nbsp;the duration of the experiment, t = 96 h) for these molecules were&nbsp;correlated with the hydrophobicity of the molecules. There was a&nbsp;negative correlation, indicating that more hydrophobic molecules show&nbsp;long residence times in the column, and thus had higher non-equilibrium&nbsp;sorption during transport. In the presence of FMWCNT3h in the column&nbsp;filled with sediment, it can be observed that the concentrations of&nbsp;compounds in the column eluate decreased by factors of 2-3. C/C_0&nbsp;values&nbsp;for the investigated compounds in the eluate increased in the following&nbsp;order: fluoranthene &lt;phenanthrene &lt;pyrene &lt;naphthalene &lt;1,2,4-trichlorobenzene &lt;1,2,3-trichlorobenzene. The proposed mechanism is as&nbsp;follows: under the experimental pH (pH = 6.5), carboxyl groups are&nbsp;negatively charged on the surface of FMWCNT3h and the point of zero&nbsp;charge of the Danube sediment is 4, which indicates thatthe total surface of the Danube sediment at pH 6.5 isnegatively charged. However, metal oxides and hydroxides of iron, aluminum and nickel on the surface of the sediment cause a positively charged centre that leads to the deposition of FMWCNT3h as a result of electrostatic attraction. Transport of organic compounds through the Danube sediment in the presence FMWCNT3h leads to the simultaneous &nbsp;sorption oforganic compounds on the sediment organic carbon and the adsorption of &nbsp;FMWCNT3h. When the pH increased, the positive charge of metal oxides and hydroxides on the sediment surface decreased, which leads to increased FMWCNT3h mobility and thus the organic compounds adsorbed on them. All results indicate that the pH value plays animportant role and can increase the transport of functionally modified MWCNT&#39;s, and thus the transport of organic molecules adsorbed on them.&nbsp;</p>

In recent years, respiratory diseases have emerged as a leading cause of mortality across the globe. In the United States alone respiratory diseases are the fourth leading cause of deaths annually. Moreover, with the rapid increase of industrialization and urbanization, the occurrences of respiratory diseases are expected to remain high with strong chances of increasing in the future. To ameliorate the epidemic of respiratory disease, it is first important to understand its underlying mechanisms. Respiratory research studies in animals have elucidated the chronological order of the pathological events and systemic responses inside the lung, but understanding the response of individual cell types inside the lung is necessary to outline the initiators and mediators of the pathological events. Many research studies have aimed to understand the behavior of individual cell types, from the lung, under different pathological conditions specific to the respiratory system. However, the cell culture systems used in most of these studies were limited by the absence of the dynamic cell growth environment present in actual lung tissues. The lung exists in a mechanically active environment, where different amounts of circumferential and longitudinal expansion and contraction occur during breathing movements. Thus, simulating the biomechanical environment in in vitro cell culture models may improve the cellular functionality and the outcome of the research studies. Moreover, the stimulation of biomechanical forces in in vitro cell cultures provides the advantage of mimicking the mechanical environment, related to different pathological conditions. In our study we used a dynamic in vitro cell culture system capable of implementing cyclic equibiaxial deformation in cell monolayers to stimulate different biomechanical environments similar to conditions inside the lung. The dynamic cell growth condition was used to determine the effects of ventilator-induced lung injury and nano-material/pollutant exposure in A549 cell cultures. Examples of such pollutants are diesel particulate matter, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, and single-walled carbon nanotubes. Our results indicated that the dynamic cell growth condition specific to ventilator induced lung injury facilitated an increase in inflammatory and tissue remodeling activities in A549 cells. Under the nano-material/pollutant exposure assessment studies, the dynamic cell growth condition induced changes in inflammation and oxidative stress level which closely resembled those in in vivo studies.