Enabling formulations are growing in popularity due to the large number of drugs within the pharmaceutical development pipeline that possess poor water solubility. These sophisticated formulation techniques can increase the solubility of the drug in aqueous media and/or aid in their dissolution. Amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs) are of particular interest due to their ability to generate highly supersaturated solutions upon dissolution. Typically, an ASD consists of amorphous drug homogenously blended with an amphiphilic polymer. The polymer has several roles including to facilitate drug release, as well as to inhibit crystallization of the drug from the solid matrix and from the supersaturated solution generated following dissolution. A phenomenon termed liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) or glass-liquid phase separation (GLPS) can occur during ASD dissolution when the amorphous solubility is exceeded. Here the drug attains its maximum thermodynamic activity in solution with the excess drug forming a second phase consisting of colloidal amorphous aggregates. It has been hypothesized that the presence of the colloidal amorphous aggregates could be advantageous in vivo since they can act as a drug reservoir and subsequently maintain the drug at its maximum thermodynamic activity in the gastro-intestinal fluid following solution depletion arising from permeation across the gastrointestinal membrane. However, there are few in vivo studies which test this hypothesis. If colloids form, the polymer must also inhibit crystallization from the drug-rich phase. Hence, the polymer has many roles during ASD dissolution making rational polymer selection for ASD formulation a complex process. While many studies, both past and present, probe drug release during dissolution, a limited number of studies address a mechanistic understanding of the polymer role during dissolution. The purpose of this study was to 1) investigate the interplay of the polymer’s ability to inhibit crystallization (thought to be primarily through hydrophobic interactions) and to facilitate drug release (via hydrophilic interaction with the aqueous media) on ASD performance and 2) determine the in vivo relevance of colloidal amorphous aggregates. Herein, a preliminary correlation was established between in vitro diffusion cell experiments and the amount of drug absorbed in rats. Further, it was found that rapid drug release through use of a relatively hydrophilic polymer is essential, and that the best crystallization inhibitors may be too hydrophobic to achieve adequate release. Therefore, a polymer needs to be an adequate crystallization inhibitor, but be able to release the drug upon oral administration. The implications from this study provides the necessary foundation for assessing ASD phase behavior and performance in vitro in order to make improved in vivo predictions. Ultimately, this research is expected to improve the speed of life-saving drugs progressing through the development pipeline and reduce drug development costs by reducing the need for animal testing.

<div>Zein is major nitrogen storage protein that accounts for nearly half of the protein content of the corn grain. As a byproduct of starch and ethanol processing, it is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) and soluble in up to 70% ethanol. Historically, zein has been used for films and coatings. However, usage of the corn protein has diminished in recent years. New advances in food nanotechnology has renewed interest in zein. By forming the protein into stable nanoparticles capable of being dispersed in aqueous solution, zein can be used in many applications ranging from improving stability and digestion of functional ingredients or active biodegradable packaging. Developing novel applications for this protein would then add value to a waste product during the processing of corn.</div><div><br></div><div>The formation of hydrophobic zein nanoparticles (ZNPs) would allow for easier dispersion in aqueous systems without further modification to increase hydrophilicity. However, their dispersibility and subsequent stability in aqueous systems is important for its functionality in food. Addition of sufficient ι-carrageenan (ι-CGN) prevented aggregation in the pH range of 5.25 to 6.75 and limited aggregation at pH 7.0. Enhanced stability was attributed to the adhesion of ι-CGN to the nanoparticle surface, as the ZNPs surface charge became significantly negative with introduction of ι-CGN. These particles remained stable for up to 30 days with significantly lower turbidity and greater resistance to gravitational separation when compared to ZNPs alone.</div><div><br></div><div>Lutein was encapsulated in zein nanoparticles, and the bioaccessibility was determined by quantifying lutein content after exposure to in vitro gastric and intestinal conditions. It was found that ZNPs provided a protective environment for lutein in aqueous dispersions and would release the carotenoid into the small intestine by rapid breakdown of ZNP structure during intestinal digestion. However, the process or residual components must have limited uptake of lutein into mixed micelles. ZNPs can be a promising encapsulating agent to improve the digestive stability of lutein.</div><div><br></div><div>Composite films composed of methylcellulose (MC) and zein nanoparticles (ZNPs) were prepared as a potential biodegradable alternative for synthetic packaging. The effects of ZNP aggregation on mechanical and moisture barrier properties as affected by drying temperature, pH, and stabilizers were tested. The phase separation of composite films was determined to be detrimental to both its mechanical and moisture barrier properties. The drying temperature, pH, and composition of the solvent casting solution all affected the distribution of ZNPs dispersed in MC films. Drying films at 23°C or setting the pH to 6.5 resulted in ZNP aggregation and weaker, brittle films that were poor moisture barriers. The presence of CGN was able to provide stability to ZNPs at both pH 4 and 6.5, thus improving its mechanical and moisture barrier properties.</div>

This thesis presents the investigation of the liquid crystal (LC) - particle suspensions. Particles from nano- to micro-size, spherical to two-dimensional shapes, with different functionality are dispersed into nematic and smectic phases. The aim is to create ordered nanoparticle (NP) assemblies and thereby modify the common properties of the liquid crystal, such as dielectric anisotropy and electro-optical, revealing any interaction between particles and LC properties. It is found that for concentrations (>0.5vol%), the ferroelectric NPs have increased the sensitivity of the nematic liquid crystal to the electric field through electro-optical responses, which is seen by an enhancement in the dielectric anisotropy. This could be induced by the coupling of the electrical dipole moments in the spherical NPs with the LC director field. The electro-optical properties of the chiral smectic (SmC*) phase (tilt angle Θ, switching time τ_s and spontaneous polarisation P_s) are found to be independent of the concentration and sizes of the doped NPs. The relaxation frequency f_R of the Goldstone mode is faster in the ferroelectric NPs suspensions of 2.0vol% compared to the paraelectric NPs. In the graphene oxide (GO) - nematic LC (5CB) suspensions, the small GO sizes of mean size 560 nm are more easily dispersible than larger flakes of 2.8 micro metre mean size. As the GO concentration is increased, each of the threshold voltage and splay elastic constant dramatically increases, reaching saturation at ≈1.0wt%. The field driven switching-on time is practically not affected, while the purely elastically driven switching-off time is strongly sped-up. Interestingly, thermotropic and lyotropic LC phases are exhibited in the GO-5CB suspensions when heating the thermotropic liquid crystal into its isotropic phase. The isotropic phase of 5CB acts as a solvent for the GO particles, forming a lyotropic nematic phase with largely reduced birefringence. It is found that the nematic to isotropic phase transition is shifted toward higher temperature for the GO-5CB system compared to the BaTiO3-5CB system. Dispersions of different sizes of GO flakes are prepared in isotropic and nematic fluid media. The dielectric relaxation behaviour of GO-dispersions was examined for a wide temperature range (25-60 ℃) and frequency range (100 Hz-2 MHz). The mixtures containing GO flakes were found to exhibit varying dielectric relaxation processes, depending on the size of the flakes and the elastic properties of the dispersant fluid. The relaxation frequencies in the isotropic media were lower compared to the nematic medium. Relaxation frequencies (~10 kHz) are observed in the GO-isotropic media, which are reduced as the size of the GO flakes are decreased, are anticipated to be inherited from GO flakes. However, the fast relaxations (~100 kHz) that are observed in the nematic suspensions could imply strongly slowed down molecular relaxation modes of the nematogenic molecules. Finally, the phase diagram of lyotropic LC as a function of the lateral dimensions of the GO flakes, their concentration, geometrical confinement configuration and solvent polarity was investigated. Polarising optical microscopy was used to determine isotropic-biphasic-nematic phase evolution. The confinement volume and geometry of the sample relative to the GO size are shown to be vital to the observation of the lyotropic phase. GO LCs have the potential for a range of applications from display technologies to conductive fibres. The confinement related LC phase transition is critical toward their applications. It is also found that the stability of the LC phase is higher for the solvent of higher dielectric constant.

Este trabalho apresenta estudos sobre a síntese química do PEDOT com o objetivo de desenvolver diferentes arquiteturas e propriedades para melhorar a taxa de degradabilidade deste polímero. As estratégias foram as preparações de uma blenda, um copolímero e um nanocompósito. O estudo foi iniciado pela síntese química oxidativa do PEDOT (poli (3,4- etilenodioxitiofeno)) em microestruturas utilizando condições brandas e ambientalmente amigáveis, porém o material obtido não apresentou solubilidade e boas condições de se produzir um filme. Então foi sintetizado quimicamente o PEDOT dopado com PSS (poli estireno sulfonado) (PEDOT:PSS), o mesmo foi usado para preparar blendas com o PLGA (poli (ácido láctico-co-glicólico), para melhorar sua degradabilidade. Foi possível produzir um filme fino e nanoestruturado através de deposição eletrostática camada por camada (LBL) que pode ser utilizado para modificação de eletrodos ou de suportes tridimensionais para engenharia celular. Para garantir a degradabilidade do material, foi realizada a síntese de copolímeros de PEDOT e PLLA (poli(lactídeo)) em que foi variada a proporção de PEDOT na cadeia polimérica. Os copolímeros foram caracterizados por IV, RMN, UV, análises térmicas e submetidos a testes de degradabilidade e de viabilidade celular, apresentando excelentes resultados. Foi possível a obtenção de microfibras deste material. A outra alternativa estudada foi a síntese de um nanocompósito, preparado através da síntese química do PEDOT, partindo do monômero EDOT (3,4- etilenodioxitiofeno)usando HAuCl4 como oxidante e NaPSS como dopante e dispersante. O nanocompósito obtido foi caracterizado apresentando diâmetros médio próximos de 4 nm e com uma estrutura caroço-casca, apresentando nanopartícula de ouro como caroço e o polímero PEDOT:PSS como casca. Foram obtidos filmes deste material por deposição por evaporação de solvente, LBL, utilizando como policátion o PDDA (cloreto de poli (dialil dimetil amônio)) e quitosana, e por deposição eletroforética, que apresentou excelentes propriedades eletrocrômicas como rápidos tempos de respostas com bons contrastes ópticos / This work presents studies about the chemical synthesis of PEDOT (Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)) with the aim of preparing different architectures and properties to improvement the degradability rate of this polymer. The strategies used to achieve this pupose were the preparation of polymer blends, copolymers and nanocomposites. The study was started by the chemical synthesis of microstructures PEDOT in mild and environment friendly conditions, but the material did not show solubility which enable film formation. Then, PEDOT was synthetized by chemical synthesis doped with PSS (poly(styrene sulfonic acid)), (PEDOT:PSS) to prepare blends with PLGA (poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)) to improve its degradability. It was possible to prepare a thin and nanostructured film, by electrostatic layer-by-layer deposition (LBL), which could be used for electrodes or scaffold surface modification. In order to ensure the material\'s degradability, PEDOT and PLLA (poly(lactide)) copolymers were prepared, changing PEDOT proportion in the polymeric structure. The copolymers were characterized by, IR, NMR, UV, thermal analysis and then degradability and cell viability tests, which shown important results. Fibers were able to be obtained with these materials. The next strategy was the preparation of a nanocomposite by one-spot chemical synthesis, initiated by the monomer EDOT (3,4- ethylenedioxythiophene) using HAuCl4 as oxidant and NaPSS as both dopant and dispersant. The nanocomposite obtained was characterized showing diameter of around 4nm and a core-shell structure, with gold nanoparticle as core and PEDOT:PSS as the shell. Films were obtained by this material by casting, by LBL, using PDDA (Poly(diallyldimethylammonium) chloride) and chitosan as polycations, and by electrophoretic deposition. The latter method shows excellent characteristics as fast response time with a good optical contrast

O presente trabalho tem como objetivo estudar a produção e caracterização de filmes finos do tipo GeO2-Bi2O3 (BGO) produzidos por sputtering-RF com e sem nanopartículas (NPs) semicondutoras, dopados e codopados com íons de Er3+ ou Er3+/Yb3+ para a produção de amplificadores ópticos. A produção de guias de onda do tipo pedestal baseados nos filmes BGO foi realizada a partir de litografia óptica seguida por processo de corrosão por plasma e deposição física a vapor. A incorporação dos íons de terras-raras (TRs) foi verificada a partir dos espectros de emissão. Análises de espectroscopia e microscopia foram indispensáveis para otimizar os parâmetros dos processos para a construção dos guias de onda. Foi observado aumento significativo da luminescência do Er3+ (região do visível e do infravermelho), em filmes finos codopados com Er3+/Yb3+ na presença de nanopartículas de Si. As perdas por propagação mínimas observadas foram de ~1,75 dB/cm para os guias pedestal em 1068 nm. Para os guias dopados com Er3+ foi observado aumento significativo do ganho na presença de NPs de silício (1,8 dB/cm). O ganho óptico nos guias de onda amplificadores codopados com Er3+/Yb3+ e dopados com Er3+ com e sem NPs de silício também foi medido. Ganho de ~8dB/cm em 1542 nm, sob excitação em 980 nm, foi observado para os guias pedestal codopados com Er3+/Yb3+ (Er = 4,64.1019 átomos/cm3, Yb = 3,60.1020 átomos/cm3) com largura de 80 µm; para os guias codopados com concentração superior de Er3+/Yb3+ (Er = 1,34.1021 átomos/cm3, Yb = 3,90.1021 átomos/cm3) e com NPs de Si, foi observado aumento do ganho óptico de 50% para guia com largura de 100 µm. Os resultados apresentados demonstram que guias de onda baseados em germanatos, com ou sem NPs semicondutoras, são promissores para aplicações em dispositivos fotônicos. / This work aims to study the production and characterization of GeO2-Bi2O3 (BGO) thin films produced by RF-sputtering with and without semiconductor nanoparticles (NPs),doped and codoped with Er3+ or Er3+/Yb3+ ions for the production of optical amplifiers. The pedestal type waveguide production based on BGO thin film was done trough optical lithography followed by reactive ion etching and physical vapor deposition processes. The incorporation of the rare-earth ions was verified from the emission spectra. Spectroscopy and microscopy analysis were indispensable to optimize the processes parameters for the waveguide fabrication. It was observed minimum propagation losses of ~1,75 dB/cm, at 1068 nm for the pedestal type waveguides. Optical gain was also measured in the Er3+/Yb3+ codoped waveguides with and without Si nanoparticles. Optical gain of 8 dB/cm, at 1542 nm, under 980nm pumping were obtained for 80 µm width Er3+/Yb3+ codoped waveguides (Er = 4,64.1019 atoms/cm3, Yb = 3,60.1020 atoms/cm3). For waveguides doped with higher concentration of Er3+/Yb3+ (Er = 1,34.1021 átomos/cm3, Yb = 3,90.1021 átomos/cm3) and containing silicon nanoparticles, it was observed 50% enhancement of the optical gain for 100 µm width waveguides. For the Er3+ doped waveguides, it was observed significant gain enhancement in the presence of silicon nanoparticles (1.8 dB/cm). The present results demonstrate that germanate waveguides, with or without semiconductor NPs are promising for applications in photonic devices.

Submitted by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2014-08-19T14:30:36Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Dissertacao_Jose Carlos Campello Lopes Jr.pdf: 3551367 bytes, checksum: fc027437d4c362a01703752003b22515 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-19T14:30:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Dissertacao_Jose Carlos Campello Lopes Jr.pdf: 3551367 bytes, checksum: fc027437d4c362a01703752003b22515 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-05-17 / In this work we investigated, theoretically and experimentally, the magneto-optical properties of a magnetic fluid consisting of core-shell nanoparticles, where the core is made of magnetite, while the shell is silver. The theoretical model used was based on Mie s theory, under the electrostatic approximation, i.e. for nanoparticles with diameters much less than the incident wavelength (lambda). A Clausius-Mosotti for a core-shell system was used to calculate the electrical susceptibility of the core-shell nanoparticle for equals to 632 nm. The susceptibility was shown to be strongly dependent on the core diameter and the shell thickness. Nevertheless, a maximum value of 7.20 (greater than isolated nanoparticles of silver, which has 0 = 4.30, or magnetite with 0 = 1.47) was obtained for a fraction f, defined as f = (Dcore/Dcore−shell)3, equal to 0.36. This result suggest that there exist an ideal fraction f for nanocomposites with enhanced optical properties. In order to compare our theoretical results with experimental data a core-shell magnetic fluid was synthesized on the Institute of Chemistry of UFG by the group of Dr. Em´ılia Celma de Oliveira Lima. The nanoparticles were suspended in water at fisiological pH and recovered by a double layer of lauric acid (dodecanoic acid). The nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction, high resolution electron transmission, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometer. The Sturges method was used to obtain the nanoparticle diameter histogram. The data revealed the existence of a bimodal nanoparticle distribution. Both distributions were curve fitted using a lognormal function. The modal diameter of one of them was 9.24 ± 0.03 nm with a dispersity of 0.27 ± 0.02, while for the other one we found a modal diameter of 23.0 ± 0.2 nm with disperisty 0.2 ± 0.1. The energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy confirmed the existence of magnetite and silver only for larger particle diameters, while the lower ones only magnetite was found. From the experimental analysis we confirmed the synthesis of a magnetic fluid containing 10% of core-shell nanoparticles. Magnetization data was used to estimate the magnetic particle volume fraction. The magneto-optical properties were obtained using a magnetotransmissivity technique, where the polarizer and analyser axis are positioned on the magnetic field direction. The sample containing 10% of core-shell nanoparticles, with a total particle volume fraction of 0.18%, had shown an extinction of light of 100% for a magnetic field of only 500 Oe, while a magnetic fluid with 100% of core nanoparticles, at a similar particle concentration (0.15%), had shown a 50% extinction of light at the same field range. The magnetotransmissivity data were curve fitted with a theoretical model containing only two parameters, one related to the electrical susceptibility and the other to the formation of self-organized nanostructures in the colloid. The mean agglomerate size (nanoparticles forming linear chains) had changed from 2.09 to 3.36 for a particle volume fraction increasing from 0.06% to 0.18%. Using the estimative of the double layer lenght of lauric acid, approximately 2 nm, and analyzing the magnetotransmissivity data for several particle concentrations, we were able to obtain the fraction f of core-shell nanoparticles of 0.17. This result, together with TEM data, allowed us to calculate the core diameter of the core-shell nanoparticle as 13 nm. Indeed such result suggest that in order to be suscessful in coating the nanoparticle with the shell element one might need monodisperse-like nanoparticle systems. / Neste trabalho investigamos, teorica e experimentalmente, as propriedades magneto-´opticas de um fluido magn´etico constitu´ıdo de nanopart´ıculas core-shell (caro¸co-casca), em que o caro¸co ´e feito de magnetita e a casca de prata. O modelo te´orico utilizado baseou-se no modelo de Mie, dentro da aproxima¸c ao eletrost ´atica, que consiste no caso em que o di ametro das nanopart´ıculas ´e muito menor que o comprimento de onda da luz incidente ( ). Uma rela¸c ao de Claussius-Mossotti para o sistema core-shell foi utilizada para o c´alculo da susceptilidade el´etrica da nanopart´ıcula core-shell para lambda=632 nm. A susceptilidade el´etrica do nanocomposto foi fortemente dependente do di ametro do caro¸co e da espessura da casca. Entretanto atinge um valor m´aximo de 7,20 (maior que o de uma nanopart´ıcula de prata com 0 = 4, 30 ou de magnetita 0 = 1, 47) para uma fra¸c ao f, definida como f = (Dcore/Dcore−shell)3, igual a 0,36. Este resultado sugere que existe uma fra¸c ao ideal entre os materiais que proporciona ao nanocomposto resposta m´axima `as propriedades ´opticas. No intuito de comparar nossos resultados te´oricos com dados experimentais, um fluido magn´etico core-shell foi sintetizado no Instituto de Qu´ımica da UFG pelo grupo da Profa. Dra. Em´ılia Celma de Oliveira Lima. As nanopart´ıculas foram suspensas em ´agua em pH fisiol´ogico e recobertas por uma dupla camada de ´acido la´urico (´acido dodecan´oico). As nanopart´ıculas foram caracterizadas por difra¸c ao de raios-X (DRX), microscopia eletr onica de transmiss ao de alta resolu¸c ao (HR-TEM), espectrometria de energia dispersiva de raios-X (EDS) e magnetometria de amostra vibrante (VSM).O m´etodo de Sturges foi utilizado para montar o histograma dos di ametros das nanopart´ıculas. Os dados revelaram a exist encia de uma distribui¸c ao bimodal. Ambas distribui¸c oes foram ajustadas considerando uma distribui¸c ao do tipo lognormal. O di ametro modal de uma delas foi de 9.24 ± 0.03 nm com uma dispers ao de 0.27 ± 0.02, enquanto que para a outra distribui¸c ao foi encontrado um di ametro modal de 23.0 ± 0.2 nm e dispers ao 0.2 ± 0.1. A espectrometria de energia dispersiva confirmou a presen¸ca de magnetita e prata, em quantidades significativas, somente nas part´ıculas de maior di ametro, enquanto nas de menor di ametro foi confirmado a exist encia apenas de magnetita. A partir destas an´alises foi confirmada a s´ıntese de um fluido magn´etico contendo 10 % das nanopart´ıculas do tipo core-chell . Dados de magnetiza¸c ao foram obtidos para estimar a fra¸c ao volum´etrica de nanopart´ıculas magn´eticas. Medidas das propriedades magneto-´opticas foram feitas utilizando a t´ecnica de magnetotransmissividade com polarizador e analisador orientados na dire¸c ao do campo magn´etico aplicado. Amostra contendo10% de suas nanopart´ıculas do tipo core-shell , com uma fra¸c ao volum´etrica total de apenas 0,18%, apresentou uma extin¸c ao da luz de 100% a um campo de apenas 500 Oe, enquanto que uma amostra com 100% de nanopart´ıculas do tipo core , em concentra¸c ao semelhante (0,15%), apresentou uma extin¸c ao de 50% na mesma faixa de campo magn´etico. Os dados de magnetotransmissividade foram ajustados considerando um modelo contendo apenas 2 par ametros, estando um deles relacionado a susceptibilidade el´etrica e outro a forma¸c ao de estruturas auto-organizadas no col´oide. O tamanho m´edio de aglomerados (nanopart´ıculas formando uma cadeia linear) variou de 2.09 para 3.36 para uma fra¸c ao volum´etrica crescendo de 0,06% para 0,18%. Usando dados da literatura acerca da estimativa do comprimento da dupla camada de ´acido la´urico, como sendo de aproximadamente 2 nm, e analisando os dados de magnetotransmissividade para diversas concentra¸c oes de nanopart´ıculas, foi poss´ıvel obter a fra¸c ao f das nanopart´ıculas core-shell como sendo de 0,17. Este resultado, conjuntamente com os dados de TEM, permitiu concluir que o di ametro do caro¸co na nanopart´ıcula core-shell ´e de 13 nm. Este resultado ´e interessante tecnologicamente, pois sugere que, para se obter sucesso no recobrimento de nanopart´ıculas, seja necess´ario, ou ao menos importante, utilizar amostras com baixa dispers ao de di ametros.

Neste trabalho foi estudada a viabilidade de preparação do catalisador Au-SnO2/TiO2 pelo método da redução por álcool, o qual apresentou excelentes resultados na preparação de eletrocatalisadores PtSnO2/C aplicados em células a combustíveis. Inicialmente a preparação dos catalisadores Au-SnO2/TiO2 foi efetuada sem modificações em relação a metodologia de preparação dos catalisadores PtSnO2/C por meio da qual foi possível obter nanopartículas de Pt e SnO2 da ordem de 2-4 nm bem dispersas no suporte de carbono. Os resultados iniciais não se mostraram adequados obtendo-se para o catalisador Au/TiO2 nanopartículas de Au da ordem 100-200 nm, enquanto que para os catalisadores Au-SnO2/TiO2 com diferentes % em massa de SnO2, apesar da fase SnO2 apresentar-se bem dispersas sobre o suporte, as nanopartículas de Au apresentaram tamanhos da ordem de 10 nm, sendo desejável nanopartículas menores que 10 nm para a reação preferencial do monóxido de carbono em misturas ricas em hidrogênio (reação CO-PROX). Os catalisadores Au/TiO2, Au/SnO2 e AuSnO2/TiO2 com diferentes % em massa de SnO2 obtidos dessa maneira apresentaram baixa atividade e seletividade na reação CO-PROX. Dessa forma, modificações foram efetuadas na metodologia de preparação por meio de diferentes rotas visando à diminuição e uma melhor dispersão das nanopartículas de Au na preparação do catalisador Au/TiO2. Por meio do uso de citrato de sódio como agente estabilizante e por modificações na forma de adição do precursor de Au foi possível diminuir o tamanho das nanopartículas de Au e melhorar sensivelmente a atividade e a seletividade do catalisador Au/TiO2 na reação CO-PROX. Os catalisadores Au-SnO2/TiO2 foram também preparados por esta nova rota obtendo-se também para estes materiais um menor tamanho de partícula de Au e uma melhor dispersão sobre o suporte TiO2. A atividade catalítica e a seletividade dos catalisadores AuSnO2/TiO2 obtidos por esta nova rota também apresentaram uma melhora significativa na atividade e seletividade na reação CO-PROX. / In this work the feasibility of preparation of the Au-SnO2/TiO2 catalyst by the alcohol reduction method was studied, which presented excellent results in the preparation of PtSnO2/C electrocatalysts applied in fuel cells. Initially the preparation of the Au-SnO2/TiO2 catalysts was carried out without modifications in relation to the methodology of preparation of the catalysts PtSnO2/C through which it was possible to obtain nanoparticles of Pt and SnO2 of the order of 2-4 nm well dispersed in the carbon support. The initial results were not shown to be adequate for the Au/TiO2 catalyst. Au nanoparticles of the order 100-200 nm, while for the Au-SnO2/TiO2 catalysts with different mass% of SnO2, if well dispersed on the support, Au nanoparticles presented sizes of the order of 10 nm, with nanoparticles smaller than 10 nm being desirable for the preferential reaction of carbon monoxide in hydrogen-rich mixtures (CO-PROX reaction). The Au/TiO2, Au/SnO2 and AuSnO2/TiO2 catalysts with different wt% of SnO2 obtained in this way showed low activity and selectivity for CO-PROX reaction. Thus, modifications were carried out in the preparation methodology by means of different routes aiming at the decrease and a better dispersion of the Au nanoparticles in the preparation of the Au/TiO2 catalyst. By using sodium citrate as a stabilizing agent and by modifications in the addition form of the Au precursor it was possible to decrease the size of the Au nanoparticles and to improve significantly the activity and selectivity of the Au/TiO2 catalyst for CO-PROX reaction. The Au-SnO2/TiO2 catalysts were also prepared by this new route obtaining also for these materials a smaller Au particle size and a better dispersion on the TiO2 support. The catalytic activity and selectivity of the Au-SnO2/TiO2 catalysts obtained by this new route also showed a significant improvement in the activity and selectivity for CO-PROX reaction.

A imunização por via nasal pode representar uma alternativa as imunizações intramusculares, pois a aplicação por essa rota não é invasiva e há fácil acesso da vacina à mucosa. Além disso, a mucosa nasal apresenta diversas características que podem favorecer a imunização, por exemplo, há uma grande área superficial altamente vascularizado disponível para a absorção dos antígenos. Outra característica fundamental é a capacidade da mucosa de responder a antígenos, através das células imunocompetentes presentes, como as células M e dendríticas. Apesar disso, outros métodos podem ser empregados para melhorar absorção e disponibilidade dos antígenos pela mucosa, como a utilização de polímeros biodegradáveis. Entre estes, a quitosana é um biopolímero, derivado da desacetilação da quitina, que tem como principal característica, a possibilidade de estrutura-los em nanopartículas. Outra característica importante é sua propriedade catiônica a qual possibilita a sua ligação a proteínas e também à mucosa, que provoca maiores taxas de retenção de antígenos pela mucosa. Assim, neste trabalho, foi avaliado a imunogenicidade da inoculação do antígeno de superfície da hepatite B (HBsAg), via mucosa nasal em camundongos, os quais produziram anticorpos IgG contra HBsAg, apresentaram aumento da secreção de IgA pela mucosa nasal, e também ao avaliar a resposta de citocinas em células RAW 264.7, houve secreção de TNF-&#945; . / The nasal vaccination is not invasive since its do not require needles for your application and your administration for is easy, thus the immunization via nasal route could be an alternative to intramuscular immunizations. Furthermore, the nasal mucosa has several characteristics like highly vascularized surface area available for absorption of antigen that could elicited the mucosal immune response caused by the competents cell available on the mucosal tissue. Nevertheless, other methods can be employed to improve absorption and availability of antigens to the mucosa, such as the use of nanoparticles of chitosan. Chitosan is a biopolymer product of deacetylation reaction of chitin, that has as main characteristic, the moldability, which enables the production of nanoparticles and its cationic property which allows its binding to proteins and also to the mucosa, which would lead to higher rates of absorption of antigens through the nasal mucosa. Thus, this work investigated the immunogenicity of the administration nanoparticles of chitosan with the surface anti-gen of hepatitis B (HBsAg) via the nasal mucosa in mice, which show levels of IgA in nasal lavages and serum IgG, as well as cytokines such as TNF-&#945; released by RAW 264.7 cells of mice.

Neste trabalho as propriedades físicas e químicas das nanopartículas (NPs) de prata de diferentes tamanhos e formatos são investigadas teoricamente utilizando cálculos de primeiros princípios dentro da Teoria do Funcional da Densidade (DFT), descrita em termos da Aproximação do Gradiente Generalizado (GGA), com o uso de Pseudopotenciais Ultrassuaves (USPP). Uma investigação sistemática das propriedades estruturais, energéticas, eletrônicas e vibracionais (faixa do infravermelho - IR) é realizada para as nanopartículas passivadas e não passivadas. Seguindo as observações experimentais construímos as nanopartículas livres utilizando o empacotamento cristalino FCC nas simetrias octaédrica, cubo-octaédrica, octaédrica truncada e esférica, e, também, na simetria icosaédrica não cristalina. Para avaliar a inuência da dimensão das nanopoartículas em suas propriedades, são investigadas diferentes NPs com diâmetros variando entre 0,3 e 2,9 nm (entre 6 e 561 átomos). No presente estudo, são identicados três regimes característicos associados às dimensões do nanopartículas: (i) inferior a 1,5 nm (até 100 átomos), apresentando forte característica molecular; (ii) entre 1,5 e 2,0 nm (100 e 300 átomos), onde o comportamento molecular é inuenciado pelo caroço cristalino; e (iii) acima de 2,0 nm (mais de 300 átomos), onde as propriedades do cristal são preponderantes, mas com modulação de superfície. Os efeitos da passivação são investigados considerando a adsorção dos radicais metil (CH3) e vinil (C2H3) em NPs menores que 2,0 nm. Nossos resultados sugerem que as propriedades físicas consideradas (energia de formação, comprimentos de ligação e espectros IR) estão fortemente correlacionadas com a coordenação do sítio adsorvido. Os nossos cálculos da energia total sugerem que as adsorções realizadas sobre os sítios de menor coordenação são mais propensas a passivação pelas moléculas dos surfactantes considerados. Outros modelos de simplicação possíveis para a simulação das nanopartículas, como um único átomo ou secções transversais em hemisférios, também são investigados. Os nossos cálculos sugerem que os modelos simplicados devem ser usados com certo cuidado, por não descreverem adequadamente todas as propriedades físicas analisadas. / In this work, physical and chemical properties of silver nanoparticles (NPs) of different sizes and shapes are investigated theoretically using rst principles calculations in the Density Functional Theory (DFT) framework, described in terms of the Generalized Gradient Approximation (GGA), and by using Ultra-Soft Pseudopotentials (USPP). A systematic investigation of energetics, structural, electronic and vibrational (infrared range, IR) properties of both the passivated and nonpassivated nanoparticles are performed. Following experimental observations, free NPs are constructed using the crystalline FCC packing in octahedral, cube-octahedral, truncated octahedral and spherical symmetries, and also in noncrystalline icosahedral symmetry. In order to evaluate the inuence of the nanoparticless size in its properties, different NPs with diameters ranging between 0.3 and 2.9 nm (corresponding to 6 to 561 atoms) are investigated. In this study we identied three characteristics regimes associated with the nanoparticles dimensions: (i) below 1.5 nm (100 atoms) where remarkably molecular aspects are observed; (ii) between 1.5 and 2.0 nm (100 and 300 atoms) where the molecular behavior is inuenced by the core crystallinity; and (iii) above 2.0 nm (more than 300 atoms) where the crystal properties are preponderant, but with surface modulation. Passivation effects are investigated considering the adsorption of the methyl (CH3) and vinyl (C2H3) radicals on NPs smaller than 2.0 nm. Our results suggests that the considered physical properties (formation energy, bond lengths, IR spectra) are strongly correlated to the adsorbed site coordination. Our total energy calculations suggest that lower coordinated adsorption sites are more likely to be passivated by the surfactant molecules considered. Other possible simplied models for simulating NPs, such as a single atom or polar cross sections are also investigated. Our calculations suggest that simplied models might be used with some care, as not all considered physical properties are well described by them.

O óxido nítrico além de poluidor ambiental, também desempenha diversas funções no organismo, por exemplo, trata-se de uma molécula sinalizadora em diversos processos metabólicos. Por causa disso, a detecção de NO é uma importante ferramenta para a medicina. Assim, existe um significante interesse tanto da indústria como da medicina no desenvolvimento de novos materiais que possam detectar oxido nítrico Os Nanotubos de Carbono de Paredes Múltiplas, intensivamente explorados desde sua descoberta em 1991, são considerados promissores em diversas aplicações devido a sua estrutura única e a possibilidade de realizar modificações as quais influenciam suas propriedades físicas e químicas. Já o ouro, conhecido por sua baixa atividade catalíca quando utilizado na forma cristalina, começou a ter seu poder catalítico explorado a partir de 1985, quando descobriu-se que, se utilizado na forma de pequenas partículas, este comporta-se mais como átomos individuais e torna-se mais catalítico que o ouro cristalino. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi promover a funcionalização dos nanotubos de carbono, o que pode ser confirmado por MEV, FTIR e RAMAN, e, a partir dos grupos funcionais gerados, ancorar nanoparticulas de ouro em suas paredes, a fim de otimizar as propriedades catalíticas do material. O material gerado foi caracterizado morfologicamente e estruturalmente por MEV-FEG, EDX, Raio-X, RAMAN e UV-vis. Já a caracterização eletroquímica foi feita por voltametria cíclica frente ao K4[Fe(CN)6], com o qual foi possível mostrar um aumento na densidade de corrente de pico, o deslocamento do potencial de pico para valores menos positivos e também a diminuição do sobrepotencial, quando comparados o sensor Náfion&reg;/AuNP/MWCNT/GC com o Náfion&reg;/GC, Náfion&reg;/MWCNT/GC e Náfion&reg;/Ouro. O eletrodo proposto foi utilizado na determinação de Óxido Nítrico, em tampão PBS pH 4,4, utilizando a técnica de voltametria de pulso diferencial. A metodologia proposta apresentou um limite de detecção de 2,4x10-10 mol L-1 e um limite de quantificação de 7,9x10-10 mol L-1. Assim, este trabalho mostrou a potencialidade de utilização do eletrodo Náfion&reg;/AuNP/MWCNT/GC como sensor eletroquímico para detecção e quantificação de óxido nítrico. / Nitric oxide (NO) is an environmental polluter, which also plays several roles in the body, for example, as a signaling molecule for many metabolic processes. Because this, detecting NO is an important tool in medicine. As a result, there was significant interest in both industry and medicine in developing new materials that can detect NO. Multiwall carbon nanotubes, that have been intensively explored since its discovery in 1991, are considered promising in many applications due to its unique structure and because it can be easily modified in order to tuning their physical and chemical properties. But the interest in using gold as the catalytic material appeared only in 1985, when was discovered that small particles form of gold behaves as individual atoms and it are more catalytic that crystalline gold. In this way, the objectives of this study were promoted the functionalization of carbon nanotubes - which could be confirmed by SEM, FTIR, Raman - and, with the functional groups generated, anchoring gold nanoparticles in their walls, in order to improve the catalytic properties of such material. The developed material was morphologically and structurally characterized by FEG-SEM, EDX, X-ray, Raman and UV-vis. As well, the electrochemical characterization was performed by cyclic voltammetry in K4[Fe(CN)6] solution. When Nafion&reg;/AuNP/MWCNT/GC sensor was compared with Náfion&reg;/GC, Náfion&reg;/MWCNT/GC and Náfion&reg;/Gold, its show an increase in current density peak, the peak potential displacement to less positive values and also decreased potential difference between the cathodic and anodic peak. The proposed electrode was used in the determination of nitric oxide in PBS buffer pH 4.4, which showed a detection limit of 2,4x10-10 mol L-1 and a quantification limit of 7,9x10-10 mol L-1 using the differential pulse voltammetry. Thus, this study demonstrated the potential use of Nafion&reg;/AuNP/MWCNT/GC electrode as an electrochemical sensor in the nitric oxide detection and quantification.