L’électrofilage est actuellement la méthode la plus utilisée pour la production de nanofibres grâce à sa simplicité, sa reproductibilité et la possibilité d’être industrialisée. Grâce à leurs propriétés particulières telles qu’un grand rapport surface-volume, une porosité inter-fibre élevée et une grande capacité d’adsorption, les nanofibres électrofilées sont de bons candidats pour de nombreuses applications telles que la filtration, les masques respiratoires, les matériaux composites, etc. Cependant, certaines applications particulières, telles que les capteurs, les systèmes d'administration contrôlée de médicaments ou les super condensateurs, exigent que les nanofibres doivent présenter des propriétés complémentaires telles que la conductivité électrique, la porosité de surface de nanofibres, l’hydrophobicité, ou d’autres propriétés particulières. Certains nanomatériaux comme les nanotubes de carbone, la silice mésoporeuse ordonnée, les argiles, ont des propriétés particulières comme la conductivité électriques élevée des nanotubes de carbone, la porosité des matériaux de silice mésoporeuse ordonnée ou de l’argile. Ces propriétés des nanomatériaux peuvent être les fonctions complémentaires cherchées. Dans notre étude, des non-tissés composés de nanofibres de polyacrylonitrile chargées par nanotubes de carbone à multi-parois (MWNT), de la montmorillonite sodique (MMT-Na) ou de la silice mésoporeuse ordonnée (de type SBA-15), sont produits par électrofilage. Les résultats montrent que l’insertion de MWNT rend le non-tissé conducteur en augmentant la conductivité électrique volumique par six ordres de grandeur (de ~ 2×10-12 à ~ 3×10-6 S/m) avec un très faible seuil de percolation de 0.5 % massique. Lorsque le non-tissé est soumis à une compression, la conductivité électrique volumique augmente en augmentant la pression (jusqu’à ~ 2 kPa). Ces non-tissés conducteurs sont très intéressants pour le développement des capteurs à faible amplitude. Les résultats montrent aussi que l’accessibilité des pores des particules inorganiques (c’est-à-dire, les mésopores de SBA-15 et l’espace interfoliaire de MMT-Na) insérées dans la structure nano fibreuse est encore possible. Il a été trouvé que plus de 50% des mésopores de SBA-15 insérées sont encore accessibles quelles que soit les conditions de l’électrofilage et la fraction massique de SBA-15. En outre, l’insertion de ces particules inorganiques apporte plus de stabilité thermique aux nanofibres composites. / Electrospinning is the most common method for the production of nanofibres due to its simplicity, repeatability, and the ability to be scaled up. Owing to their advanced properties like the high surface-to-volume ratio, high interfibrous porosity, high adsorption capacity, etc. electrospun nanofibers are good candidates for many applications such as filtration, respiratory masks, composite materials and others. However, some specific applications including sensors, controlled drug delivery systems, supercapacitors, etc. still require complimentary functions that do not exist in pristine nanofibers in their basic structure like the electrical conductivity, surface porosity of the nanofibers, hydrophobicity, and others.Nanomaterials like carbon nanotubes, ordered mesoporous silica, layered silicate, etc. are characterized by particular properties like the high electrical conductivity of carbon nanotubes, the porosity of ordered mesoporous silica or layered silicate. These particular properties of nanomaterials can fulfill of the targeted functions.In our study, nonwovens made from nanofibers of polyacrylonitrile incorporated with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNT), layered silicate type Na-montmorillonite (Na-MMT) or ordered mesoporous silica type SBA-15 are successfully produced by electrospinning.Results reveal that the incorporation of MWNT altered the electrical state of the nonwoven from insolent to conductor where the volume electrical conductivity increased by six order of magnitude (from ~ 2×10-12 to ~ 3×10-6 S/m) with a very low percolation threshold of about 0.5 wt%. The application of mechanical pressure to the conductive nonwoven causes an increase in the volume electrical conductivity with the increase of the applied pressure (up to ~ 2 kPa). Such conductive nonwoven is very interesting for the development of sensor with low amplitude.Results also show that accessibility of the pores of the inorganic particles (i.e. mesopores of SBA-15 and interlayer space of Na-MMT) incorporated into the nanofibers is still possible. It is found that at least 50% of SBA-15 mesopores are still accessible whatever is the electrospinning conditions and SBA-15 mass fraction. In addition, the incorporation of the studied inorganic particles yields higher thermal stability for the composite nanofibers.

O antisséptico cloreto de cetilpiridíneo (CCP) demonstrou ser eficaz como alternativa terapêutica aos antifúngicos em candidose oral, porém, apresenta baixa substantividade. Para aumentar sua biodisponibilidade surge a possibilidade de incorporá-lo num sistema de liberação lenta composto por filmes poliméricos nanofibrílicos. O objetivo deste estudo foi preparar filmes nanofibrílicos através de eletrofiação e incorporar CCP, fazer sua caracterização térmica e morfológica, além de análise microbiológica dos filmes contendo CCP frente a cepas de Candida albicans. O fármaco CCP foi adicionado a três soluções poliméricas, de álcool polivinílico (PVA), polivinilpirrolidona (PVP) e a de PVP/PM [Poli (metacrilato de metila-co-acrilato de etila-co-metacrilato de amônio)] em 5% de concentração. As soluções foram avaliadas quanto à condutividade, viscosidade e tensão superficial e, posteriormente, passaram pelo processo de eletrofiação para obtenção de filmes nanofibrílicos. Os filmes nanofibrílicos foram caracterizados através de análise morfológica (microscopia eletrônica de varredura - MEV), análise térmica (análise termogravimétrica - TGA e calorimetria exploratória diferencial - DSC) e análise química (espectro de infravermelho da transformada de Fourier - FTIR). A eficiência de encapsulação de CCP nas nanofibras, o perfil cinético de liberação das nanofibras e a permeação em mucosa suína (células de Franz) foram avaliados por espectrofotometria. Foi ainda avaliada a concentração de CCP a ser incorporada (de 0,05 a 5%) em nanofibra para que a fração liberada seja a mínima fungicida frente às cepas de C. albicans susceptíveis, pela técnica de disco-difusão, comparada ao miconazol 5% (MCZ). Nestas condições, a solução de PVA apresentou a maior condutividade, viscosidade e tensão superficial. CCP aumentou a condutividade. Ambos, CCP e PM não alteram a tensão superficial do PVP. PM reduziu a viscosidade. A solução de PVP/PM formou o filme mais uniforme e com menos beads. Os termogramas (TGA/DSC) sugerem que o processo de eletrofiação diminiu a cristalinidade de CCP. A eficiência de encapsulação de CCP alcança 99%. A taxa de liberação de CCP encapsulado foi lenta durante o período experimental de 24h. Quando em filme nanofibrílicos, a atividade fungicida de CCP 2,5% e de MCZ 5% foi similar, mas somente MCZ foi fungistático. O filme nanofibrílico contrai em contato com o meio de cultura. Pode-se concluir que filmes nanofibrílicos de PVP/PM com CCP tem potencial para uso como alternativa para tratamento de infecções orais causadas por Candida. / The aim of this study was to prepare electrospun nanofiber films cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) incorporated test their potential use as antifungal therapy against Candida albicans. CPC was incorporated to three different polymeric solutions, one containing polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), the second containing polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and the third prepared with PVP and poly (methyl methacrylate-co-ethyl acrylate-co-methacrylate ammonium) (PMMA). These polymeric solutions were evaluated as to conductivity, viscosity and surface tension, then subjected to a electrospinning process to obtain nanofiber films. The morphology and structure of nanofiber films were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The characterization of nanofiber films was performed by thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The encapsulation efficiency of the CPC nanofibers and the release kinetic profile of CPC and porcine mucosa permeation (Franz cells) were assessed by spectrophotometry. It was also assessed the concentration of CPC to be incorporated (from 0.05 to 5%) in nanofiber to be minimal fungicidal fraction released against strains of C. albicans by disk diffusion tests, compared to 5% miconazole (MCZ). Under these conditions, the PVA solution showed the highest conductivity, viscosity and surface tension. CPC increased conductivity. Both CPC and PMMA did not alter the surface tension of PVP. PMMA reduced viscosity. The solution of PVP/PMMA formed a more uniform film with less beads. Thermograms (TGA / DSC) suggested that the electrospinning process changes the crystallinity of CPC. The encapsulation efficiency reaches 99% of CPC. The release rate of encapsulated CPC was slow during the experimental period of 24 hours. In a nanofibrilic film, the fungicidal activity of CPC 2.5% and 5% MCZ was similar, but only MCZ proved fungistatic action. The nanofibrilic film shows contraction in contact with the culture medium. It can be concluded that nanofibrilic films PVP/PMMA with CPC has potential for use as an alternative for the treatment of oral infections caused by Candida.

Apesar de ser uma das doenças infecciosas mais antigas e bem conhecidas, a tuberculose (TB) permanece como a segunda maior causa de morte após a síndrome da imunodeficiência adquirida. A TB é uma doença infecciosa e transmissível, causada pela bactéria Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), que afeta prioritariamente os pulmões, embora possa acometer outros órgãos e sistemas. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo desenvolver nanofibras e nanoesferas de poli (D,L-láctico co-glicólico) (PLGA) contendo os Insumos Farmacêuticos Ativos (IFAs), rifampicina e isoniazida; caracterizá-las físico quimicamente e determinar a eficiência de encapsulação destes IFAs pelos métodos de eletroforese capilar (CE) e cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (HPLC). O método de CE para a determinação simultânea dos IFAs antituberculose (isoniazida, rifampicina, pirazinamida e etambutol) foi otimizado por meio de um delineamento de experimentos de mistura com uma abordagem de vértices extremos usando o Software estatístico Minitab 17. Para o desenvolvimento das nanofibras se utilizou a técnica de electrospinning e para as nanoesferas se utilizou a técnica de emulsão/evaporação de solvente. As nanofibras foram caraterizadas por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (SEM), microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (TEM), espectrofotometria de absorção na região do infravermelho (FTIR), calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC) e termogravimetria/termogravimetria derivada (TGA) e as nanoesferas foram caracterizadas pelas técnicas de espalhamento dinâmico de luz (DLS), potencial zeta, índice de polidispersão, pH, SEM, TEM, FTIR e DSC. A eficiência de encapsulação dos IFAs nas nanofibras e nas nanoesferas foram realizadas através de duas técnicas analíticas, HPLC e CE, previamente validadas. A eficiência de encapsulação de isoniazida e rifampicina nas nanofibras foi 12,16 % e 5,90 %, respectivamente usando a técnica de HPLC e através da técnica de CE a eficiência de encapsulação foi de 12,30 % e 6,36 %, para isoniazida e rifampicina, respectivamente. A eficiência de encapsulação para a melhor formulação das nanoesferas foi de 2,33 % e 14,75 % para a isoniazida e rifampicina, respectivamente através da técnica de HPLC e uma eficiência de encapsulação de 2,26 % para a isoniazida e 14,22 % para a rifampicina através da técnica de CE. O método por CE teve a vantagem de apresentar um menor tempo de analise, menos de 6 min, com uma adequada resolução entre os picos dos IFAs. O tempo de analise por HPLC foi de 10 min. O método de CE foi menos lesivo ao meio ambiente, devido à pouca quantidade de solventes orgânicos, tornando assim a CE em um método alternativo à HPLC. / Despite being one of the oldest and most well-known infectious diseases, tuberculosis (TB) remains the second leading cause of death after acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. TB is an infectious and transmissible disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) bacteria, which primarily affects the lungs, although it can affect other organs and systems. The present work aimed to develop nanofibers and nanospheres of poly (D, L-lactic co-glycolic) (PLGA) containing Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (IPAs), rifampicin and isoniazid; characterize them physical-chemically and determine the encapsulation efficiency of these drugs by capillary electrophoresis (CE) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods. A CE method for determination of IPAs (isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide and ethambutol) was optimized through a design of mixing experiments with an extreme vertex approach using the Minitab 17 statistical Software. For the development of nanofibers and nanospheres the electrospinning and the emulsion/solvent evaporation techniques, respectively were used. Nanofibers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TGA). Nanospheres were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential, polydispersity index, pH, SEM, TEM, FTIR and DSC. The encapsulation efficiency of the IPAs in nanofibres and nanospheres was performed using two analytical techniques, HPLC and EC, previously validated. For nanofibers, the encapsulation efficiency were 12.16 % and 5.90 % for isoniazid and rifampicin, respectivey by using HPLC method and 12,30 % for isoniazid and 6,36 % for rifampicin by CE method. The encapsulation efficiency for the best formulation of nanospheres was 2,33 % and 14,75 % for rifampicin and isoniazid, respectively by using HPLC method and 2,26 % for isoniazid and 14,22 % for rifampicin by EC method. It was shown that CE method presented a shorter analysis time (< 6min) and also and adequate resolution between the IPAs peaks. The time of analysis for the HPLC method was 10 min.CE method was less aggressive to the environment because it uses smaller amount of organic solvents. Therefore the CE is an alternative method to HPLC.

Dans ce travail, nous décrivons la méthode de synthèse, la structure, les propriétés et quelques applications en catalyse de différentes formes du carbone, en particulier les nanostructures carbonées (Chapitre I). La technique de dépôt chimique en phase vapeur en réacteur à lit fluidisé a été utilisée pour le dépôt de métaux ou d’oxydes de métaux sur des supports comme l’alumine ou la silice. Le matériau résultant est utilisé comme catalyseur pour la synthèse de diverses nanostructures carbones par dépôt chimique en phase vapeur catalytique : nanotubes de carbone mono- et multi-feuillets (SWCNTs, MWCNTs), nanofibres de carbone (CNFs), et des nanotubes de carbone (N-MWCNTs) ou nanofibres (N-CNFs) dopés en azote (Chapitre II). Après dissolution du catalyseur par un traitement a l'acide sulfurique ou par la soude, suivit dans le cas des MWCNTs et CNFs, par un traitement à l'acide nitrique pour générer des fonctions carboxyliques de surface, les nanostructures carbonées ont été utilisées comme supports de catalyseurs. L’hydrogénation du cinnamaldehyde a été choisit comme réaction modèle pour comparer les performances de différents catalyseurs bimétalliques de Pt-Ru en fonction de la nature du support. Une étude paramétrique détaillée ainsi que l'étude de l'effet d'un traitement thermique sur l'amélioration des performances du catalyseur de Pt-Ru/MWCNT sont présentes. Une explication de l'augmentation des performances catalytiques sera proposée après analyses du catalyseur par HREM, EDX, EXAFS et WAXS (Chapitre III). Les nanostructures carbonées préparées seront également testées comme supports conducteurs d'électrocatalyseurs pour l'élaboration d'électrodes de "polyelectrolyte membrane fuel cells" (PEMFC). / In this work, we describe the synthesis, structure, physical properties and some applications in catalysis of previously known carbon allotropes, and recently discovered carbon nanostructure (Chapter I). First, FB-OM-CVD deposition was used for metal or metal oxide deposition on metal oxide supports like alumina or silica, leading to the production of supported catalysts. The resulting material was used as catalyst for catalytic chemical vapor deposition of carbonaceous nanostructures i.e single- and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs, MWCNTs), carbon nanofibers (CNFs), and nitrogen doped carbon nanotubes (N-MWCNTs) and nanofibers (N-CNFs) (Chapter II). After catalyst removal by a H2SO4 or NaOH treatments and carboxylic surface group generation by a HNO3 treatment in the case of MWCNTs and CNFs, the carbon nanostructures were used as supports for heterogeneous catalysis. The hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde was used as a model reaction to compare the performance of different bimetallic Pt-Ru catalysts as a function of the nature of the support. Detailed parametric studies as well as the effect of a heat treatment on the performance improvement of the Pt-Ru/MWCNT catalyst are presented. An explanation for the increase of performances upon heat treatment will be proposed after HREM, EDX, EXAFS and WAXS characterization of the catalyst (Chapter III). The prepared carbon nanostructures were also tested as supports for Pd based electrocatalysts for direct alkaline fuel cells applications in both cathodes for the ORR reaction and anodes for alcohols oxidation.

Apesar de ser uma das doenças infecciosas mais antigas e bem conhecidas, a tuberculose (TB) permanece como a segunda maior causa de morte após a síndrome da imunodeficiência adquirida. A TB é uma doença infecciosa e transmissível, causada pela bactéria Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), que afeta prioritariamente os pulmões, embora possa acometer outros órgãos e sistemas. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo desenvolver nanofibras e nanoesferas de poli (D,L-láctico co-glicólico) (PLGA) contendo os Insumos Farmacêuticos Ativos (IFAs), rifampicina e isoniazida; caracterizá-las físico quimicamente e determinar a eficiência de encapsulação destes IFAs pelos métodos de eletroforese capilar (CE) e cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (HPLC). O método de CE para a determinação simultânea dos IFAs antituberculose (isoniazida, rifampicina, pirazinamida e etambutol) foi otimizado por meio de um delineamento de experimentos de mistura com uma abordagem de vértices extremos usando o Software estatístico Minitab 17. Para o desenvolvimento das nanofibras se utilizou a técnica de electrospinning e para as nanoesferas se utilizou a técnica de emulsão/evaporação de solvente. As nanofibras foram caraterizadas por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (SEM), microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (TEM), espectrofotometria de absorção na região do infravermelho (FTIR), calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC) e termogravimetria/termogravimetria derivada (TGA) e as nanoesferas foram caracterizadas pelas técnicas de espalhamento dinâmico de luz (DLS), potencial zeta, índice de polidispersão, pH, SEM, TEM, FTIR e DSC. A eficiência de encapsulação dos IFAs nas nanofibras e nas nanoesferas foram realizadas através de duas técnicas analíticas, HPLC e CE, previamente validadas. A eficiência de encapsulação de isoniazida e rifampicina nas nanofibras foi 12,16 % e 5,90 %, respectivamente usando a técnica de HPLC e através da técnica de CE a eficiência de encapsulação foi de 12,30 % e 6,36 %, para isoniazida e rifampicina, respectivamente. A eficiência de encapsulação para a melhor formulação das nanoesferas foi de 2,33 % e 14,75 % para a isoniazida e rifampicina, respectivamente através da técnica de HPLC e uma eficiência de encapsulação de 2,26 % para a isoniazida e 14,22 % para a rifampicina através da técnica de CE. O método por CE teve a vantagem de apresentar um menor tempo de analise, menos de 6 min, com uma adequada resolução entre os picos dos IFAs. O tempo de analise por HPLC foi de 10 min. O método de CE foi menos lesivo ao meio ambiente, devido à pouca quantidade de solventes orgânicos, tornando assim a CE em um método alternativo à HPLC. / Despite being one of the oldest and most well-known infectious diseases, tuberculosis (TB) remains the second leading cause of death after acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. TB is an infectious and transmissible disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) bacteria, which primarily affects the lungs, although it can affect other organs and systems. The present work aimed to develop nanofibers and nanospheres of poly (D, L-lactic co-glycolic) (PLGA) containing Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (IPAs), rifampicin and isoniazid; characterize them physical-chemically and determine the encapsulation efficiency of these drugs by capillary electrophoresis (CE) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods. A CE method for determination of IPAs (isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide and ethambutol) was optimized through a design of mixing experiments with an extreme vertex approach using the Minitab 17 statistical Software. For the development of nanofibers and nanospheres the electrospinning and the emulsion/solvent evaporation techniques, respectively were used. Nanofibers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TGA). Nanospheres were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential, polydispersity index, pH, SEM, TEM, FTIR and DSC. The encapsulation efficiency of the IPAs in nanofibres and nanospheres was performed using two analytical techniques, HPLC and EC, previously validated. For nanofibers, the encapsulation efficiency were 12.16 % and 5.90 % for isoniazid and rifampicin, respectivey by using HPLC method and 12,30 % for isoniazid and 6,36 % for rifampicin by CE method. The encapsulation efficiency for the best formulation of nanospheres was 2,33 % and 14,75 % for rifampicin and isoniazid, respectively by using HPLC method and 2,26 % for isoniazid and 14,22 % for rifampicin by EC method. It was shown that CE method presented a shorter analysis time (< 6min) and also and adequate resolution between the IPAs peaks. The time of analysis for the HPLC method was 10 min.CE method was less aggressive to the environment because it uses smaller amount of organic solvents. Therefore the CE is an alternative method to HPLC.

Wir haben blau, grün und orange leuchtende organische Nanofäden oder Nanonadeln und Mikroringe aus para-Hexaphenyl (p-6P), alpha-Quaterthiophen (alpha-4T) und alpha-Sexithiophen (alpha-6T) mittels Organischer Molekularstrahlepitaxie (OMBE) auf Muskovit Glimmer hergestellt. Die Aggregate haben wir mit der Atomkraftmikroskopie, mit der Fluoreszenz-Mikroskopie und durch UV-vis Spektroskopie charakterisiert. Auf der Muskovit Oberfläche wachsen p-6P Fäden parallel zueinander auf und zeigen zwei verschiedene Orientierungsdomänen entlang [110] und [1-10]. Mit Hilfe einer systematischen statistischen Analyse diskutieren wir das Wachstum dieser p-6P Nadeln für verschiedene Wachstumsbedingungen. Zusätzlich zu den Fäden haben wir p-6P Cluster auf der Oberfläche beobachtet. Nadeln werden durch die Aggregation solcher Cluster gebildet. Ein Realraummodell der Morphologie der Nadeln sowie ein Modell für deren Wachstum werden vorgestellt. Indem wir Glimmer zunächst mit einer dünnen Goldschicht bedecken und die Wachstumsparameter variieren, erreichen wir eine weitgehende Kontrolle der Morphologie der Nadeln (Länge von 0,5 Mikrometer bis 1 mm, Höhe von 25 bis 300 nm und Breite von 100 bis 600 nm). Im Gegensatz zu p-6P orientieren Thiophene ihre Wachstumsrichtungen an allen hoch symmetrischen Richtungen von Glimmer. Es wird gezeigt, dass die Mechanismen für das Fadenwachstum von beiden Oligomere gleich sind, nämlich eine Kombination aus Epitaxie und einer Dipol-unterstützten Ausrichtung. Auch die Strukturen dieser Fäden sind ähnlich: die Moleküle liegen parallel angeordnet auf der Oberfläche, ihre Längsachsen orientieren sich schräg zur Längsachse der Fäden. Auf mit Wasser oder Methanol vorbehandeltem Glimmer wachsen diese beiden Oligomere als gebogene Fäden und Mikroringe auf. Diese Oberflächenvorbehandlungen sowie das Wachstum von p-6P auf Gold/Glimmer unterstützen auch den Wachstumsmechanismus auf der sauberen Glimmer-Oberfläche. / By using organic molecular beam epitaxy (OMBE) blue, green and orange light emitting organic nanofibers or nanoneedles and microrings from para-hexaphenyl (p-6P), alpha-quaterthiophene (alpha-4T) and alpha-sexithiophene (alpha-6T), respectively, on muscovite mica surfaces are generated. The aggregates are characterized by atomic force microscopy, fluorescence microscopy and UV-vis spectroscopy. On muscovite mica, p-6P fibers usually grow mutually parallel showing two domains of their orientations with an angle of 120 degree in between. The detail growth of nanofibers from p-6P by performing a systematic statistical analysis of fibers as a function of various growth conditions is discussed. Furthermore, the morphology exhibits p-6P clusters, which are found to be fibers´ building blocks. A real space model of the fiber and a model for their growth are also presented. By introducing a thin gold layer on mica prior to p-6P deposition together with varying growth parameters, the morphology of fibers is controlled in a wide range (length from 0.5 micrometer to 1 mm, height from 25 to 300 nm and width from 100 to 600 nm). In contrast to p-6P, thiophene fibers exhibit various orientations close to mica high symmetry directions. It is shown that the mechanism behind the fiber growth from all molecules on mica is the same, i.e. a combination of epitaxy and dipole assisted growth process. The fiber microscopic structures are similar, too: molecules take lying orientations and they hold themselves parallel pointing their long axes along an oblique direction off the long fiber axis. The growth of both types of oligomers on water or methanol treated mica surfaces leads to the formation of bent fibers and microrings. This surface pretreatment and the growth of p-6P on gold/mica support the fiber growth mechanism on plain mica.

The introduction of a nanoscopic reinforcing phase to a polymer matrix offers great possibilities of obtaining improved properties, enabling applications outside the boundaries of traditional composites. The majority of the work in this thesis has been devoted to polymer/clay nanocomposites in coating applications, using the hydroxyl-functional hyperbranched polyester Boltorn® as matrix and montmorillonite clay as nanofiller. Nanocomposites with a high degree of exfoliation were readily prepared using the straightforward solution-intercalation method with water as solvent. Hard and scratch-resistant coatings with preserved flexibility and transparency were obtained, and acrylate functionalization of Boltorn® rendered a UV-curable system with similar property improvements. In order to elucidate the effect of the dendritic architecture on the exfoliation process, a comparative study on the hyperbranched polyester Boltorn® and a linear analogue of this polymer was performed. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy confirmed the superior efficiency of the hyperbranched polymer in the preparation of this type of nanocomposites. Additionally, an objective of this thesis was to investigate how cellulose nanofibers can be utilized in high performance polymer nanocomposites. A reactive cellulose “nanopaper” template was combined with a hydrophilic hyperbranched thermoset matrix, resulting in a unique nanocomposite with significantly enhanced properties. Moreover, in order to fully utilize the great potential of cellulose nanofibers as reinforcement in hydrophobic polymer matrices, the hydrophilic surface of cellulose needs to be modified in order to improve the compatibility. For this, a grafting-from approach was explored, using ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone (CL) from microfibrillated cellulose (MFC), resulting in PCL-modified MFC. It was found that the hydrophobicity of the cellulose surfaces increased with longer graft lengths, and that polymer grafting rendered a smoother surface morphology. Subsequently, PCL-grafted MFC film/PCL film bilayer laminates were prepared in order to investigate the interfacial adhesion. Peel tests demonstrated a gradual increase in the interfacial adhesion with increasing graft lengths. / QC20100621

In response to high and rising amputation rates, significant advances have been made in the field of prosthetic limb design. Unfortunately, there exists a lag in the neural interfacing technology required to provide an adequate link between the nervous system and this emerging generation of advanced prosthetic devices. Novel approaches to peripheral nerve interfacing are required to establish the stable, high channel count connections necessary to provide natural, thought driven control of an external prosthesis. Here, a tissue engineering-based approach has been used to create a device capable of interfacing with a regenerated portion of amputated nerve. As part of this work, a nerve guidance channel design, in which small amounts of interior scaffolding material could be precisely positioned, was evaluated. Guidance channels containing a single thin-film sheet of aligned scaffolding were shown to support robust functional nerve regeneration across extended injury gaps by minimally supplementing natural repair mechanisms. Significantly, these "thin-film enhanced nerve guidance channels" also provided the capability to guide the course of axons regenerating from a cut nerve. This capability to control axonal growth was next leveraged to create "regenerative scaffold electrodes (RSEs)" able to interface with axons regenerating from an amputated nerve. In the RSE design, low-profile arrays of interfacing electrodes were embedded within layers of aligned scaffolding material, such that regenerating axons were topographically guided by the scaffolding through the device and directly across the embedded electrodes. Chronically implanted RSEs were successfully used to record evoked neural activity from amputated nerves in an animal model. These results demonstrate that the use of topographic cues within a nerve guidance channel might offer the potential to influence the course of nerve regeneration to the advantage of a peripheral nerve interface suitable for limb amputees.

L’électrofilage est une technique permettant de fabriquer des fibres polymériques dont le diamètre varie entre quelques nanomètres et quelques microns. Ces fibres ont donc un rapport surface/volume très élevé. Les fibres électrofilées pourraient trouver des applications dans le relargage de médicaments et le génie tissulaire, comme membranes et capteurs chimiques, ou dans les nanocomposites et dispositifs électroniques. L’électrofilage était initialement utilisé pour préparer des toiles de fibres désordonnées, mais il est maintenant possible d’aligner les fibres par l’usage de collecteurs spéciaux. Cependant, il est important de contrôler non seulement l’alignement macroscopique des fibres mais aussi leur orientation au niveau moléculaire puisque l’orientation influence les propriétés mécaniques, optiques et électriques des polymères. Les complexes moléculaires apparaissent comme une cible de choix pour produire des nanofibres fortement orientées. Dans les complexes d’inclusion d’urée, les chaînes polymères sont empilées dans des canaux unidimensionnels construits à partir d’un réseau tridimensionnel de molécules d’urée liées par des ponts hydrogène. Ainsi, les chaînes polymère sonts très allongées à l’échelle moléculaire. Des nanofibres du complexe PEO-urée ont été préparées pour la première fois par électrofilage de suspensions et de solutions. Tel qu’attendu, une orientation moléculaire inhabituellement élevée a été observée dans ces fibres. De tels complexes orientés pourraient être utilisés à la fois dans des études fondamentales et dans la préparation de matériaux hiérarchiquement structurés. La méthode d’électrofilage peut parfois aussi être utilisée pour préparer des matériaux polymériques métastables qui ne peuvent pas être préparés par des méthodes conventionnelles. Ici, l’électrofilage a été utilisé pour préparer des fibres des complexes stables (α) et "métastables" (β) entre le PEO et l’urée. La caractérisation du complexe β, qui était mal connu, révèle un rapport PEO:urée de 12:8 appartenant au système orthorhombique avec a = 1.907 nm, b = 0.862 nm et c = 0.773 nm. Les chaînes de PEO sont orientées selon l’axe de la fibre. Leur conformation est significativement affectée par les ponts hydrogène. Une structure en couches a été suggérée pour la forme β, plutôt que la structure conventionnelle en canaux adoptée par la forme α. Nos résultats indiquent que le complexe β est thermodynamiquement stable avant sa fonte et peut se transformer en forme α et en PEO liquide par un processus de fonte et recristallisation à 89 ºC. Ceci va dans le sens contraire aux observations faites avec le complexe β obtenu par trempe du complexe α fondu. En effet, le complexe β ainsi obtenu est métastable et contient des cristaux d’urée. Il peut subir une transition de phases cinétique solide-solide pour produire du complexe α dans une vaste gamme de températures. Cette transition est induite par un changement de conformation du PEO et par la formation de ponts hydrogène intermoléculaires entre l’urée et le PEO. Le diagramme de phases du système PEO-urée a été tracé sur toute la gamme de compositions, ce qui a permis d’interpréter la formation de plusieurs mélanges qui ne sont pas à l’équilibre mais qui sont été observés expérimentalement. La structure et le diagramme de phases du complexe PEO-thiourée, qui est aussi un complexe très mal connu, ont été étudiés en détail. Un rapport molaire PEO :thiourée de 3:2 a été déduit pour le complexe, et une cellule monoclinique avec a = 0.915 nm, b = 1.888 nm, c = 0.825 nm et β = 92.35º a été déterminée. Comme pour le complexe PEO-urée de forme β, une structure en couches a été suggérée pour le complexe PEO-thiourée, dans laquelle les molécules de thiourée seraient disposées en rubans intercalés entre deux couches de PEO. Cette structure en couches pourrait expliquer la température de fusion beaucoup plus faible des complexes PEO-thiourée (110 ºC) et PEO-urée de forme β (89 ºC) en comparaison aux structures en canaux du complexe PEO-urée de forme α (143 ºC). / Electrospinning is a technique that allows production of polymeric fibers with diameters ranging from nanometers to a few microns, and thus with an inherent high surface-to-volume ratio. Electrospun fibers are finding potential applications in drug delivery and tissue engineering, as membranes and chemical sensors, and in nanocomposites and electronic devices. Electrospinning was initially used to prepare disordered, non-woven mats, but it is now possible to produce highly aligned fibers by using different target collectors. However, it is of great interest to not only control the macroscopic alignment of the fibers but also their orientation at the molecular level since it influences the mechanical, optical and electrical properties of polymers. Molecular complexes were targeted as a means of increasing molecular orientation in electrospun fibers. In the host-guest urea inclusion complexes (ICs), polymer chains are packed in one-dimensional channels constructed from an essentially infinite three-dimensional network of hydrogen-bonded urea molecules. The polymer chains are thus highly extended at the molecular scale. PEO-urea complex nanofibers have been prepared for the first time by electrospinning of suspension and solutions. As predicted, an unusually large molecular orientation in the fibers was achieved. Such highly ordered IC fibers could find use both for fundamental studies of the inclusion complexes and for the preparation of hierarchically structured materials. Electrospinning can also sometimes be used to prepare metastable polymeric materials that cannot be prepared by the conventional methods. Here, solution electrospinning was used to prepare fibers of both the stable (α) and "metastable" (β) complexes between PEO and urea. Detailed characterization of the ill-studied β complex reveals that it possesses a 12:8 PEO:urea stoichiometry and belongs to the orthorhombic system with a = 1.907 nm, b = 0.862 nm, and c = 0.773 nm. The PEO chains are oriented along the fiber axis and present a conformation significantly affected by strong hydrogen bonding with urea as compared to the pure polymer and the stable α complex. A layered structure, rather than the conventional channel structure, is suggested. In contrast with previous suggestions based on melt-quenched PEO-urea α complex, our results further indicate that the β complex is thermodynamically stable before melting and can phase-transfer to the α complex and liquid PEO through a thermodynamic melt-recrystallization process at 89 ºC. In contrast, the β complex obtained by melt-quenching the α complex is mixed with urea crystal and is metastable. It can experience a kinetic solid-solid phase transition process to produce α complex within a large temperature range. This transition is induced by a PEO conformation change and by the formation of intermolecular hydrogen bonds between urea and PEO. The phase diagram of the PEO/urea system was drawn over the complete composition range, which allowed interpreting the formation of various out-of-equilibrium mixtures observed experimentally. The structure and phase diagram of the PEO/thiourea complex, another poorly understood system, was also studied in detail. An EO:thiourea molar ratio of 3:2 was deduced for the complex, and a monoclinic unit cell with a = 0.915 nm, b = 1.888 nm, c = 0.825 nm and β = 92.35º was determined. Just as for the PEO-urea β complex, a layered structure was suggested for the PEO-thiourea complex, in which the thiourea molecules would be arranged into a ribbon-like structure intercalated between two PEO layers. This layered structure could explain the much lower melting temperature of the PEO-thiourea (110 ºC) and PEO-urea β complexes (89 ºC) as compared to the well known channel-structured PEO-urea α complex (143 ºC).

Local tissue factors, ischemia and infection (which are often the cause of re-ulceration) are the main pathogenetic factors for diabetic foot disease (DFD). Neuropathic bone metabolism disorder leads to Charcot osteoarthropathy (CHOA). The aim of this dissertation was to assess experimentally the effectiveness of new skin substitutes, evaluate local vasculogenesis in different types of cell therapy of DFD, the role of infection in recurrence of DFD and scintigraphic parameters of activity of CHOA. Our studies concerning local pathological processes in DFD experimentally proved that gelatine nanofibers accelerate wound healing and can be suitable scaffolds for cell transfer and skin regeneration and also that acellular porcine dermis is more effective in healing of chronic wounds then xenotransplants. Our studies concerning therapeutic vasculogenesis confirmed that efficacy of stem cells (SC) harvested from bone marrow is similar in efficacy to SC separated from peripheral blood after stimulation. We found no evidence for systemic vasculogenesis by means of a significant increase of pro-angiogenic cytokines, which confirms the paracrine effect of injected SC. We proved a significant correlation between angiogeneisis inhibitor (endostatin) and the number of injected SC, which could be an indicator of...