Making use of the non-covalent bond to make materials is of great interest in many fields of research. This PhD thesis describes a variety of highly interdisciplinary research undertaken at the interface between chemistry, materials science, physics and engineering. Chapter 1 is an introductory chapter into the core concepts underlying this thesis. Supramolecular chemistry as a broad research field is briefly reviewed, followed by a focus on host-guest chemistry. The macrocyclic cucurbit[n]urils (CB[n]s) in particular are highlighted with a discussion on their recent applications since their discovery. Emulsions and their controlled generation with microfluidic techniques are then reviewed, as they have been used as templates for self-assembly processes throughout this thesis. A study into the synthesis of extended polymer networks composed entirely from small molecules held together by non-covalent interactions is described in Chapter 2. These highly dynamic and responsive supramolecular polymer networks have not yet been constructed with CB[n] host-guest chemistry. The ability of the larger CB[8] macrocycle to encapsulate multiple guest molecules in a stepwise fashion was taken advantage on in designing the synthesis of branching monomers. The monomers had two (A$_2$) or three (B$_3$) terminal guest moieties for CB[8], which upon combination formed branching supramolecular polymers that were multi-stimuli responsive. However, the polymers precipitated from solution at high concentrations rather than form a cross-linked network, due to competing intra-chain cyclisation and the limited water solubility of CB[8]. By confining these polymers to microfluidic droplets, directed assembly to the liquid-liquid interface could drive polymerisation to form an interfacial cross-linked gel that was both elastic and self-healing. Chapter 3 follows on from these results, describing attempts into constructing hyperbranched supramolecular polymers from an AB$_2$ guest molecule and CB[8] that would form globular polymers. Intramolecular complexation dominated with the guest molecules synthesised (A and B complexing within the molecule), evidenced by a variety of characterisation. Compared to previous works that relied on linear molecules to form a folded conformation for intramolecular complexes, these molecules were pre-organised with a unique cooperative complexation pathway. The stimuli-responsiveness of the complexes was probed, and the formation of self-sorting mixtures was demonstrated with multiple CB[n] and additional guest molecules. Controlling the self-assembly of semi-conducting nanocrystals with CB[7] is detailed in Chapter 4, a process that typically requires harsh conditions or extensive time-scales. Semi-conducting nanocrystals could be assembled instantaneously from water into extended networks that were highly porous with excess CB[7], retaining their nanoscale properties. Limiting quantities of CB[7] could then form nanoscale aggregates that remained in solution. Confinement of these assemblies within microfluidic droplets allowed the synthesis of dense microparticles, that retained their shape after re-dispersal in water. By simply including metallic nanocrystals as a minor component, mixed aggregates could be synthesised analogously. Finally, Chapter 5 draws overall conclusions from the results of this thesis, looking broadly at the potential for future prospects in these areas of research.

This thesis provides several nanomaterial systems that can be used as contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and for optical fluorescence imaging. Nanoparticle systems described in this thesis fall under three categories: (a) graphene oxide-nanoparticle composites for MRI contrast agent application, (b) core-shell nanoparticles for MRI contrast agent application and (c) nanoparticle systems for both MRI and optical fluorescence imaging. In the case of graphene oxide based nano-composites, the following observations were made: (i) in the case of graphene oxide-Fe3O4 nanoparticle composite, it was observed that high extent of oxidation of the graphene oxide and large spacing between the graphene oxide sheets containing Fe3O4 nanoparticles provides the optimum structure for yielding a very high transverse proton relaxivity value, (ii) in the case of graphene oxide-Gd2O3 nanoparticle composite, it was observed that this composite exhibits high value for both longitudinal and transverse relaxivity values making it a potential materials for multi-contrast study of pathologies with a single agent, (iii) in the case of graphene oxide-CoFe2O4 nanoparticle composites, it was observed that an increase in the reflux time of the reaction mixture containing this composite led to appreciable variations in the proton relaxivity values. Transverse relaxivity value of the water protons increased monotonically with increase in the reflux time. Whereas, the longitudinal relaxivity value initially increased and then decreased with increase in the reflux time. In the case of coreshell nanoparticles for MRI contrast agent application two different core-shell systems were investigated. They are MnFe2O3-Fe3O4 core-shell nanoparticles and CoFe2O4-MnFe2O4 coreshell nanoparticles. Investigations of both the core-shell nanoparticle systems revealed that the proton relaxivity value obtained in the dispersion of the core-shell nanoparticles was considerably greater than the proton relaxivity value obtained in the presence of single phase nanoparticles of the core and shell phases. Very high value of transverse relaxivity in the case core-shell nanoparticles was due to the large magnetic inhomogeneity created by the core-shell nanoparticles in the water medium surrounding it. In the case of nanoparticle systems for both MRI and optical fluorescence imaging, two different systems were investigated. They were CoFe2O4-ZnO core-shell nanoparticles and Gd doped ZnS nanoparticles [Zn1-xGdxS, x= 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3] formed on graphene oxide sheets or coated with chitosan. In the case of CoFe2O4-ZnO core-shell nanoparticles it was observed that fluorescent CoFe2O4-ZnO core-shell nanoparticles with the unique geometry in which CoFe2O4 ferrite nanoparticles agglomerates were present within larger sized hollow ZnO capsules yields very high value of transverse proton relaxivity when compared to the proton relaxivity value exhibited by the individual CoFe2O4-ZnO coreshell nanoparticles. In the case of Gd doped ZnS nanoparticles, two different systems were synthesized and the values of the longitudinal and transverse proton relaxivity obtained were compared. These systems were (i) graphene oxide- Zn1-xGdxS (x= 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3) nanoparticle composites and (ii) chitosan coated Zn1-xGdxS (x= 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3) nanoparticles. It was observed that Gd doped ZnS nanoparticles in both cases exhibit both longitudinal and transverse relaxivity values. The relaxivity values showed a clear dependence on the composition of the nanoparticles and the nanoparticle environment (presence and absence of graphene oxide). It was also observed that Gd doped ZnS nanoparticle can be used for florescence imaging.

abstract: Specific inorganic and organic pollutants in water (As(V), Cr(VI), THMs, and hardness) cause health concerns or aesthetic problems. The goal of this dissertation is to demonstrate novel approaches to improve the performance of point of use and municipal activated carbon processes to provide safe and reliable water to the public at distributed centralized locations. Template Assisted Crystallization system would adjust saturation index (SI) value of TAC treated water to zero when SI value of influent water was in the range at 0.08~0.3. However, the reduction in SI when SI values were higher (e.g. 0.7~1.3) was similar to the reduction at lower SI values which could be due to limitations in kinetics or mass transfer with the template on TAC media. Pre-chlorination prior to municipal-scale granular activated carbon (GAC) treatment was evaluated to control THM formation in distribution systems. Pre-chlorination decreased UVA, shift the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) molecular weight distribution and pre-formed trihalomethanes (THM). GAC treatment of pre-chlorinated water achieved lower THM formation in distribution systems. To add functionality in POU systems to remove As(V) and Cr(VI), activated carbon was nano-tized to fabricate nano-enabled carbon block (CB) by (1) impregnating iron or titanium metal oxides chemically or (2) attaching titanium based P25 through electrostatic attraction force. Nanoparticle loadings of 5 to 10 wt % with respect to activated carbon enables reduction of As(V) or Cr(VI) from levels of common occurrence to below regulatory levels across carbon block designs. Minimal impacts on As(V) and Cr(VI) sorption were observed up to a nanoparticle pre-treatment temperature of 200 C, which is the temperature for CB production. Through controlling pH at 4.5 during mixing of nanoparticles with pH IEP=6 and activated carbon with pH IEP=3, electrostatic attachment of nanoparticles to activated carbon could be achieved prior to fabricating carbon block. A mini carbon block test device was designed, fabricated, and validated to mimic performances of full-scale carbon block using less volumes of test water. As(V) removal tests showed Fe impregnated CB achieved the highest As(V) removal while P25 attached CB had the lowest among three nanoparticles loaded CBs. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering 2018

abstract: New forms of carbon are being discovered at a rapid rate and prove to be on the frontier of cutting edge technology. Carbon possesses three energetically competitive forms of orbital hybridization, leading to exceptional blends of properties unseen in other materials. Fascinating properties found among carbon allotropes, such as, fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, and graphene have led to new and exciting advancement, with recent applications in defense, energy storage, construction, and electronics. Various combinations of extreme strength, high electrical and thermal conductivity, flexibility, and light weight have led to new durable and flexible display screens, optoelectronics, quantum computing, and strength enhancer coating. The quest for new carbon allotropes and future application persists. Despite the advances in carbon-based technology, researchers have been limited to sp3 and sp2 hybridizations. While sp3 and sp2 hybridizations of carbon are well established and understood, the simplest sp1 hybridized carbon allotrope, carbyne, has been impossible to synthesize and remains elusive. This dissertation presents recent results in characterizing a new sp1 carbon material produced from using pulsed laser ablation in liquid (PLAL) to ablate a gold surface that is immersed in a carbon rich liquid. The PLAL technique provides access to extremely non-thermal environmental conditions where unexplored chemical reactions occur and can be explored to access the production of new materials. A combination of experimental and theoretical results suggests gold clusters can act as stabilizing agents as they react and adsorb onto the surface of one dimensional carbon chains to form a new class of materials termed “pseudocarbynes”. Data from several characterization techniques, including Raman spectroscopy, UV/VIS spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), provide evidence for the existence of pseudocarbyne. This completely new material may possess outstanding properties, a trend seen among carbon allotropes, that can further scientific advancements. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Chemical Engineering 2018

Les nanoparticules (NP) métalliques occupent une place de plus en plus importante, tant dans les procédésindustriels que dans la recherche biomédicale. Néanmoins, les données sur leur toxicité potentielle pour lesorganismes vivants restent insuffisantes, notamment à l’échelle moléculaire. Des exemples historiques montrentque certaines pathologies, comme la silicose et l’asbestose, peuvent être engendrées par l’exposition chroniqueà des particules inorganiques (silice et fibres d’amiante). Dans les deux cas, la réponse des macrophagesalvéolaires est en grande partie responsable de la maladie. Les macrophages sont en effet la première ligne dedéfense (immunité innée) contre toute attaque exogène, pathogène ou non, du fait de leurs fortes capacitésphagocytaires et de leurs propriétés inflammatoires. Ainsi, les objectifs de ces travaux étaient d’étudier les effetsde deux types de NP métalliques (Cu/CuO et ZnO) sur deux lignées cellulaires de macrophages murins. Cetteétude a été réalisée par une approche protéomique basée sur l’électrophorèse 2D et la spectrométrie de masse,permettant d’accéder de façon reproductible à des données mécanistiques. Les données obtenues ont étévalidées par plusieurs approches ciblées de biologie cellulaire, sur les lignées ainsi que sur des macrophagesprimaires. Nos résultats montrent que les deux types de NP engendrent des réponses différentes, bien que leurdegré élevé de cytotoxicité soit similaire. Les NP de cuivre induisent un stress oxydant et une réponsemitochondriale intenses, associées à de fortes perturbations de la phagocytose et de la production de certainsmédiateurs de l’inflammation. Cette toxicité semble être essentiellement liée aux propriétés redox du cuivre, etest spécifique de la forme nanoparticulaire. A l’inverse, le zinc induit des réponses modérées sur les mêmesprocessus, n’affectant pas a priori le rôle immunitaire des macrophages. Cette toxicité n’est pas non plusspécifique des NP, les ions ayant des effets très étendus, liés à leurs interactions avec de nombreuses protéines,perturbant leur fonctionnement normal jusqu’à induire la mort cellulaire. L’ensemble de ces résultatspermettent une meilleure compréhension des mécanismes moléculaires expliquant la toxicité de ces NP. / Metallic nanoparticles (NPs) are more and more widely used, from industrial processes to biomedical research.However, data on their potential toxicity towards organisms are still lacking, especially regarding molecularmechanisms. It has been proven that some inorganic particles can lead to diseases when tissues are chronicallyexposed. In the case of pulmonary silicosis and asbestosis, induced by silica particles and asbestos fibers, chronicinflammation through alveolar macrophages is responsible for the disease. Indeed, macrophages are the firstdefense against exogenous attacks, like pathogens or inorganic compounds, which are eliminated throughphagocytosis and inflammatory processes that are part of the innate immune response. Thus, this study aimedat analyzing the molecular effects of both copper- and zinc-based NPs (Cu/CuO and ZnO) on murinemacrophages cell lines. To this end, a reproducible proteomic-based approach using 2D electrophoresis andmass spectrometry was used. The proteomic data were validated using targeted approaches on both cell linesand primary macrophages. Our results show that both NPs exert similar high cytotoxicity, but the molecularresponses are markedly different. Copper-based NPs strongly induce oxidative stress as well as alterations inmitochondrial metabolism, phagocytosis, and inflammatory mediators’ production. These effects seem to bemostly related to the redox properties of copper, and are specific to the NP form. Conversely, zinc inducedlimited effects on the same processes, thus leading to no significant alterations in macrophages’ immunefunctions. These effects are not NP-specific, since Zn2+ ions seem to exert most of them, probably due to theirability to interact with numbers of proteins, slightly altering their normal functions, and eventually leading onlyto cell death without prior functional alterations. This study allowed us to highlight some molecular mechanismsof both NP’s toxicity.

Un magnétomètre microSQUID basse température couplé à une antenne micro-onde a été utilisé pour sonder la dynamique du retournement assisté de l'aimantation d'une nanoparticule ferromagnétique. Grâce au développement d'une technique de mesure originale, basée notamment sur le contrôle de l'amplitude et de la phase du champ micro-onde, nous avons pu mettre en évidence les bassins d'attraction liés aux modes de précession présents dans la dynamique de l'aimantation. Il devient possible de contrôler le retournement de l'aimantation selon que l'amplitude et la phase du champ AC sont judicieusement choisis dans l'un ou l'autre des bassins d'attraction. Nous avons pu mettre en évidence un fait contre-intuitif où le retournement est bloqué par une phase "mal" choisie alors que l'amplitude est largement suffisante pour retourner le système avec une autre phase. De plus, nous avons pu utiliser la sensibilité des bassins d'attraction aux paramètres gouvernant la dynamique de l'aimantation pour déterminer expérimentalement une valeur de la constante d'amortissement de Gilbert α. C'est d'ailleurs la première mesure de la constante d'amortissement sur une nanoparticule unique. / A low temperature microSQUID magnetometer coupled to a microwave antenna was used to probe the assisted switching of the magnetization of a ferromagnetic nanoparticle. Using an original measurement protocol based on the control of the microwave amplitude and phase, we studied the basins of attraction of the precessional modes of the magnetization dynamics. The switching of the magnetization can thus be controlled by choosing an amplitude and phase in one particular basin. In particular, we evidenced the counter intuitive fact that the magnetization switching can be prevented by choosing a “wrong” phase, even though the amplitude is high enough to switch the system with another phase. Moreover, we used the basin's sensitivity to the parameters governing the magnetization dynamics to determine a value for the Gilbert's damping constant α. This is the first measurement of the damping constant on an individual nanoparticle.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-17T18:39:48Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 5424.pdf: 4133188 bytes, checksum: 0bf3befaace71e6021b526c40f6d3002 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-06-17 / Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais / Nanotechnology has been reported as a technology that will have further development in this century and agricultural nanotechnologies gain space with the discovery of its potential applications in the transport of substances, nanosensors, nanocapsules, among others. Many of these nanoproducts are already found in the market or in development, therefore, exposure to nanoparticles concerns the scientific community and policy makers. In this context, this project aims to develop a methodology for assessing the environmental and social impacts of nanotechnology use in agriculture. Given the complexity and scope of nanotechnology, impact indicators were formulated by reviewing specialized scientific literature. The indicators were conceptually validated in a remote consultation with experts of areas related to agricultural nanotechnology through a questionnaire formulated according to the Delphi technique. The Impactos AGNano method has the indicators as an essential basis for its development and has two stages of evaluation: Safety Assessment (preliminary assessment to obtain the Security Index) and Impact Assessment (for obtaining Impact Index). The method was validated in a presential consultation with experts of areas related to nanotechnology in agriculture. / A nanotecnologia tem sido reportada como a tecnologia que terá maior desenvolvimento neste século e as nanotecnologias agrícolas ganham espaço com a descoberta de suas potenciais aplicações no transporte de substâncias, nanossensores, nanocápsulas, entre outros. Muitos destes nanoprodutos já são encontrados no mercado ou em desenvolvimento, dessa forma, a exposição às nanopartículas utilizadas nessas tecnologias preocupa a comunidade científica e os legisladores. Neste contexto, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo a criação de uma metodologia para a avaliação dos impactos ambientais e sociais do uso de nanotecnologias na agricultura. Dada a complexidade e abrangência da área nanotecnológica, indicadores de impacto foram formulados através de revisão de literatura especializada. Os indicadores foram validados conceitualmente em uma consulta remota a especialistas de áreas relacionadas à nanotecnologia agrícola por meio de questionário formulado de acordo com a técnica Delphi. O método Impactos AGNano foi desenvolvido utilizando os indicadores como base e possui duas etapas de avaliação: Avaliação de Segurança (avaliação preliminar para obtenção do Índice de Segurança) e Avaliação de Impacto (para obtenção do Índice de Impacto). O método foi validado em consulta presencial a especialistas de áreas relacionadas a nanotecnologia agrícola.

abstract: Achieving effective drug concentrations within the central nervous system (CNS) remains one of the greatest challenges for the treatment of brain tumors. The presence of the blood-brain barrier and blood-spinal cord barrier severely restricts the blood-to-CNS entry of nearly all systemically administered therapeutics, often leading to the development of peripheral toxicities before a treatment benefit is observed. To circumvent systemic barriers, intrathecal (IT) injection of therapeutics directly into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) surrounding the brain and spinal cord has been used as an alternative administration route; however, its widespread translation to the clinic has been hindered by poor drug pharmacokinetics (PK), including rapid clearance, inadequate distribution, as well as toxicity. One strategy to overcome the limitations of free drug PK and improve drug efficacy is to encapsulate drug within nanoparticles (NP), which solubilize hydrophobic molecules for sustained release in physiological environments. In this thesis, we will develop NP delivery strategies for brain tumor therapy in two model systems: glioblastoma (GBM), the most common and deadly malignant primary brain tumor, and medulloblastoma, the most common pediatric brain tumor. In the first research chapter, we developed 120 nm poly(lactic acid-co-glycolic acid) NPs encapsulating the chemotherapy, camptothecin, for intravenous delivery to GBM. NP encapsulation of camptothecin was shown to reduce the drug’s toxicity and enable effective delivery to orthotopic GBM. To build off the success of intravenous NP, the second research chapter explored the utility of 100 nm PEGylated NPs for use with IT administration. Using in vivo imaging and ex vivo tissue slices, we found the NPs were rapidly transported by the convective forces of the CSF along the entire neuraxis and were retained for over 3 weeks. Based on their wide spread delivery and prolonged circulation, we examine the ability of the NPs to localize with tumor lesions in a leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) model of medulloblastoma. NPs administered to LM bearing mice were shown to penetrate into LM mets seeded within the meninges around the brain. These data show the potential to translate our success with intravenous NPs for GBM to improve IT chemotherapy delivery to LM. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Biomedical Engineering 2018

abstract: Liquid-liquid interfaces serve as ideal 2-D templates on which solid particles can self-assemble into various structures. These self-assembly processes are important in fabrication of micron-sized devices and emulsion formulation. At oil/water interfaces, these structures can range from close-packed aggregates to ordered lattices. By incorporating an ionic liquid (IL) at the interface, new self-assembly phenomena emerge. ILs are ionic compounds that are liquid at room temperature (essentially molten salts at ambient conditions) that have remarkable properties such as negligible volatility and high chemical stability and can be optimized for nearly any application. The nature of IL-fluid interfaces has not yet been studied in depth. Consequently, the corresponding self-assembly phenomena have not yet been explored. We demonstrate how the unique molecular nature of ILs allows for new self-assembly phenomena to take place at their interfaces. These phenomena include droplet bridging (the self-assembly of both particles and emulsion droplets), spontaneous particle transport through the liquid-liquid interface, and various gelation behaviors. In droplet bridging, self-assembled monolayers of particles effectively "glue" emulsion droplets to one another, allowing the droplets to self-assembly into large networks. With particle transport, it is experimentally demonstrated the ILs overcome the strong adhesive nature of the liquid-liquid interface and extract solid particles from the bulk phase without the aid of external forces. These phenomena are quantified and corresponding mechanisms are proposed. The experimental investigations are supported by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, which allow for a molecular view of the self-assembly process. In particular, we show that particle self-assembly depends primarily on the surface chemistry of the particles and the non-IL fluid at the interface. Free energy calculations show that the attractive forces between nanoparticles and the liquid-liquid interface are unusually long-ranged, due to capillary waves. Furthermore, IL cations can exhibit molecular ordering at the IL-oil interface, resulting in a slight residual charge at this interface. We also explore the transient IL-IL interface, revealing molecular interactions responsible for the unusually slow mixing dynamics between two ILs. This dissertation, therefore, contributes to both experimental and theoretical understanding of particle self-assembly at IL based interfaces. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Chemical Engineering 2013

Dans le vaste domaine des nanosciences et nanotechnologies, les nanotubes de carbone (NTC) suscitent un intérêt particulier en raison de leur structure originale qui leur confère des propriétés exceptionnelles. Alors que le nombre d'applications ainsi que la quantité de NTC produite ne cessent d'augmenter chaque année, il est essentiel de comprendre les mécanismes régissant la formation de ces nanomatériaux afin de contrôler leur structure et leur organisation, optimiser les rendements, diminuer les risques sanitaires et environnementaux et améliorer les performances des matériaux et composants sous-jacents. Parmi les techniques de synthèse répertoriées, la CVD d'aérosol (Chemical Vapor Deposition) développée au laboratoire MSSMat, permet la croissance continue de NTC multi-feuillets de haute qualité sur divers substrats par l’injection simultanée de sources carbonées liquide (xylène) et gazeuse (acétylène) et de précurseur catalytique (ferrocène) dans un réacteur porté à une température comprise entre 400 et 1000°C. L'objectif de cette étude a consisté à examiner les différentes étapes de la formation des NTC dès l'injection des précurseurs jusqu'à la fin de la croissance. Grâce une nouvelle approche expérimentale faisant intervenir plusieurs diagnostics in situ couplés à des modèles numériques, nous avons pu suivre l'évolution des différents réactifs et produits lors de synthèses dans des conditions thermodynamiques (flux de gaz et températures) et chimiques (concentrations des différents précurseurs) variées. De fait, après avoir examiné l'évolution spatiale des gouttelettes formées lors de l'injection, la germination des nanoparticules en phase gazeuse a été étudiée par incandescence induite par laser (L2I) et spectroscopie de plasma induit par laser (LIPS). Une relation entre la taille de ces particules et celle des NTC a ainsi pu être mise en évidence. Les réactions chimiques pendant la synthèse ont ensuite été analysées par spectrométrie de masse et chromatographie en phase gazeuse. Différents mécanismes réactionnels ont ainsi pu être identifiés en fonction des sources de carbone utilisées, alors que l'effet de l'hydrogène sur la croissance, soit accélérateur ou soit inhibiteur selon les conditions, a été étudié. Les rôles du substrat ont par ailleurs été examinés en comparant la croissance et la morphologie des NTC obtenus sur différentes surfaces telles que des plaques de quartz, des fibres de carbone ou des micro-particules d'alumine, de carbure de silicium, de carbure de titane et de graphène de formes variées. L'effet catalytique de certains substrats ou mélanges de substrats sur la croissance des NTC a d'ailleurs été mis en évidence, de même que l'importance du rapport surface/volume des substrats sur les rendements massiques des NTC. La cinétique de croissance des NTC a finalement été étudiée et différents mécanismes à l'origine de la désactivation des catalyseurs ont été identifiés. Enfin, les différentes nanostructures hybrides issues de la croissance de NTC sur différents substrats ont servi à concevoir des matériaux composites multi-fonctionnels à hautes-performances dont les propriétés électriques, thermiques et mécaniques ont été analysées. / In the vast field of nanoscience and nanotechnology, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are of particular interest because of their unique structure which provides them outstanding properties. While the number of CNT-based applications as well as the amount of CNTs produced are increasing year by year, it is essential to understand the mechanisms governing the formation of these nanomaterials to control their structure and organization, maximize the yields, reduce the health and environmental risks and improve the performance of the underlying materials and components. Among the listed synthesis techniques, the aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process developed in the laboratory MSSMat allows continuous growth of multi-walled CNTs (MWNTs) on various substrates by the simultaneous injection of carbon feedstock(s) (xylene and/or acetylene) and catalytic precursor (ferrocene) in a reactor heated up to a temperature ranging between 400 and 1000°C. The aim of this study was to analyse the different stages of the CNT formation from the first precursor injection until the growth termination. By the mean of a new experimental approach involving several in situ diagnostics coupled with numerical models, we were able to follow the evolution of the different products and reagents during the synthesis under various thermodynamic and chemical conditions. Hence, after investigating the spatial evolution of the droplets formed in the injection, the nanoparticle germination and nucleation in the gas phase has been studied by time resolved laser-induced incandescence (TRL2I) and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). A relationship between the size of the particles and the CNTs has been highlighted. Moreover, the chemical reactions during the synthesis were analyzed by mass spectrometry (MS) and gas phase chromatography (GPC). Different reaction pathways have thus been identified depending on the carbon source(s) used, while the effect of hydrogen on the CNT growth, either accelerating or inhibiting based on the CVD conditions, was studied. The substrates' roles were then examined by comparing the growth and morphology of the CNTs obtained on various surfaces such as quartz plates, carbon fibers or micro-particles of alumina, silicon carbide, titanium carbide and graphene. The catalytic effect of some substrates or mixtures of substrates on the CNT growth has also been highlighted, as well as the importance of the substrate's surface/volume ratio on the CNT mass yields. Furthermore, the CNT growth kinetics have been studied and different mechanisms inducing catalyst deactivation and subsequently growth termination were identified. Finally, the different as-synthesized nanostructures originated from the hybridization of CNTs with other materials were used to prepare high-performance multi-functional composites. The electrical, thermal and mechanical properties of these materials have been examined.