abstract: Semiconductor nanostructures are promising building blocks for light management in thin silicon solar cells and silicon-based tandems due their tunable optical properties. The present dissertation is organized along three main research areas: (1) characterization and modeling of III-V nanowires as active elements of solar cell tandems, (2) modeling of silicon nanopillars for reduced optical losses in ultra-thin silicon solar cells, and (3) characterization and modeling of nanoparticle-based optical coatings for light management. First, the recombination mechanisms in polytype GaAs nanowires are studied through photoluminescence measurements coupled with rate equation analysis. When photons are absorbed in polytype nanowires, electrons and holes quickly thermalize to the band-edges of the zinc-blende and wurtzite phases, recombining indirectly in space across the type-II offset. Using a rate equation model, different configurations of polytype defects along the nanowire are investigated, which compare well with experiment considering spatially indirect recombination between different polytypes, and defect-related recombination due to twin planes and other defects. The presented analysis is a path towards predicting the performance of nanowire-based solar cells. Following this topic, the optical mechanisms in silicon nanopillar arrays are investigated using full-wave optical simulations in comparison to measured reflectance data. The simulated electric field energy density profiles are used to elucidate the mechanisms contributing to the reduced front surface reflectance. Strong forward scattering and resonant absorption are observed for shorter- and longer- aspect ratio nanopillars, respectively, with the sub-wavelength periodicity causing additional diffraction. Their potential for light-trapping is investigated using full-wave optical simulation of an ultra-thin nanostructured substrate, where the conventional light-trapping limit is exceeded for near-bandgap wavelengths. Finally, the correlation between the optical properties of silicon nanoparticle layers to their respective pore size distributions is investigated using optical and structural characterization coupled with full-wave optical simulation. The presence of scattering is experimentally correlated to wider pore size distributions obtained from nitrogen adsorption measurements. The correlation is validated with optical simulation of random and clustered structures, with the latter approximating experimental. Reduced structural inhomogeneity in low-refractive-index nanoparticle inter-layers at the metal/semiconductor interface improves their performance as back reflectors, while reducing parasitic absorption in the metal. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Electrical Engineering 2019

An important goal of nanoscience is the self-assembly of nanoscale building blocks into complex nanostructures. DNA is an important and versatile building block for nanostructures because of its small size, predictable base pairing, and numerous sequence possibilities. I use DNA origami to design and fold DNA into predesigned shapes, to assemble thin, branched DNA nanostructures as templates for nanoscale metal features. Using a PCR-based scaffold strand generation procedure, several wire-like nanostructures with varying scaffold lengths were assembled. In addition, more complex prototype circuit element structures were designed and assembled, demonstrating the utility of this technique in creating complex templates. My fabrication method for DNA-templated nanodevices involves a combination of techniques, including: solution assembly of the DNA templates, surface orientation and placement, and selective nanoparticle attachment to form nanowires with designed gaps for the integration of semiconducting elements to incorporate transistor functionality. To demonstrate selective surface placement of DNA templates, DNA origami structures have been attached between gold nanospheres assembled into surface arrays. The DNA structures attached with high selectivity and density on the surfaces. In a similar base-pairing technique, 5 nm gold nanoparticles were aligned and attached to specific locations along DNA templates and then plated to form continuous metallic wires. The nanoparticles packed closely, through the use of a high density of short nucleotide attachment sequences (8 nucleotides), enabling a median gap size of 4.1 nm between neighboring nanoparticles. Several conditions, including hybridization time, magnesium ion concentration, ratio of nanoparticles to DNA origami, and age of the nanoparticle solution were explored to optimize the nanoparticle attachment process to enable thinner wires. These small, branched nanowires, along with the future addition of semiconducting elements, such as carbon nanotubes, could enable the formation of high-density self-assembled nanoscale electronic circuits.

La prise en charge du diabète de type I se fait à l’heure actuelle par des injections pluriquotidiennes d’insuline ou par l’utilisation d’une pompe à insuline qui va mimer l’activité pancréatique. Dans ce contexte, les nanogels sensibles au glucose représentent des candidats à fort potentiel pour une délivrance contrôlée de l’insuline.La majorité des matériaux développés à ce jour ne présentent pas d’études en vue d’application in vivo et ce, pour diverses raisons telles que la non validation du caractère biocompatible et biorésorbable de la matrice polymère. Afin de répondre à ces deux critères, nous avons choisi de développer des nanogels à base de polysaccharides biocompatibles et biodégradables.Des travaux antérieurs au sein du laboratoire ont porté sur la conception d’hydrogels à base d’acide hyaluronique. Le polysaccharide a été fonctionnalisé avec des dérivés de l’acide phénylboronique (PBA) et du maltose. Ces modifications permettent dans des conditions physiologiques de générer des réticulations boronate-ester. Ces liaisons permettent d’induire une modification de la structure des hydrogels en réponse à divers stimuli tel que le pH ou l’addition de composés saccharidiques.Afin de faciliter l’administration de tels matériaux, nous avons étendu ce concept à la formation de nanogels. Des nanogels sensibles au pH et/ou à l’addition de saccharides ont pu être obtenus en conditions physiologiques grâce au choix judicieux des polysaccharides partenaires modifiés par le PBA et des molécules portant des fonctions diol. Ces nanogels sont capables de piéger l’insuline lors de leur formation avec une efficacité d’encapsulation allant de 45% à 80% et une capacité d’encapsulation de 10% à 60%. Les premiers tests ont montré un faible relargage de l’insulin par nos nanogels.Finalement, au vue de la sensibilité au pH de nos nanogels et l’environnement acide présent autour des tumeurs, leur utilisation pour le traitement du cancer a été étudié. Des analyses in vitro ont démontré une faible toxicité de nos gels sur les cellules cancéreuses. Les premières expériences in vivo ont montré la capacité des nanogels à circuler dans le sang. / Type 1 diabetes management is currently done by multiple insulin injections or by the use of an insulin pump that will mimic pancreatic activity. In this context, glucose-sensitive nanogels represent high potential candidates for controlled delivery of insulin.The majority of materials developed so far are limited to biological in vitro studies, which is partly due to the non-biocompatibility and limited biodegradability of polymers used for the preparation of such materials. To fulfill these criteria, we proposed to develop nanogels based on biocompatible and biodegradable polysaccharides.Previous work in our laboratory focused on the design of boronate-crosslinked hydrogels based on hyaluronic acid. This polysaccharide was functionalized with derivatives of phenylboronic acid (PBA) and of maltose. The dynamic covalent boronate ester crosslinks between the polysaccharide chains enabled to induce a structural change of the hydrogel in response to various stimuli such as pH or addition of carbohydrate molecules.In order to facilitate administration of such materials, we extended the concept to the formation of nanogels. Sugar- and pH-sensitive nanogels could be successfully obtained in physiological conditions thanks to the judicious choice of the polysaccharide partners, bearing PBA moieties and diol-containing molecules.These nanogels can entrap insulin during their formation with an entrapment efficiency of 45% to 80% and a loading capacity ranging from 10% to 60%. Preliminary experiments indicated a low release of insulin from the nanogels.Finally, in view of the pH-sensitivity of these nanogels and the slight acidic pH of the tumor environment, we investigated their potential application for the treatment of cancer. In vitro experiment demonstrated a low toxicity of our nanogels on cancer cells. Preliminary in vivo experiments indicated that the nanogels can circulate in the bloodstream.

This work aims to develop fundamental insights about the underlying surface and bulk chemical processes instrumental to the efficiency of chemical looping combustion (CLC). CLC, which uses a solid-state oxygen carrier (e.g., metal oxides) to drive hydrocarbon combustion, is a promising combustion alternative that minimizes byproduct formation and facilities capture of CO2. In this work, we compare the performance of different transition metal oxides, namely iron, copper, cobalt, manganese, and nickel oxides, as oxygen carriers in CLC using CH4 as the reducing agent. Experiments used a continuous flow reactor across temperatures ranging from 500 to 800 oC and feed flowrates from 12.5 to 250 h-1. In addition to monitoring size-, temperature- and flow rate-dependent performance trends for CH4 conversion to CO2, microscopic and spectroscopic techniques were used to investigate the solid-state mechanism of oxygen carrier reduction and the coupled surface chemical and bulk material processes influencing performance. Bulk (XRD) and surface (XPS) analysis reveal that oxygen carrier reduction can be generally represented by two models, the unreacted shrinking core model (USCM) and the nuclei growth model (NNGM). The reduction of some metal oxides can also proceed via a two-stage solid-state mechanism; for example, hematite reduction to magnetite follows USCM, while the subsequent reductions of magnetite to wustite and wustite to iron metal follow NNGM. Furthermore, our results reveal that minimizing the particle size promotes oxygen carrier performance, but only for metal oxides reduced according to the USCM, where metal oxide reduction initiates on the particle surface. In contrast, no benefit of decreasing particle size was observed for materials reduced according to the NNGM because the reaction initiates in the particle bulk, such that a more critical determinant of reactivity may be the available oxygen carrier volume rather than surface area. Beyond these fundamental insights, cycling experiments were also performed to provide more practical information about the effect of oxygen carrier particle size on their long-term performance in CLC applications.

The constant growth in population worldwide over the past decades continues to put forward the need to provide access to safe, clean water to meet human needs. There is a need for cost-effective technologies for water and wastewater treatment that can meet the global demands and the rigorous water quality standards and at the same maximizing pollutant efficiency removal. Current remediation technologies have failed in keeping up with these factors without becoming cost-prohibitive. Nanotechnology has recently been sought as a promising option to achieve these goals. The use of iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles as nanoadsorbents has led to a new class of magnetic separation strategies for water treatment. We have developed magnetic nanocomposite systems able to capture polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), as model organic pollutants, in aqueous solution, providing a cost-effective water remediation technique. Two distinct methods were employed to develop these polyphenolic nanocomposite materials. The polyphenolic moieties were incorporated to create high affinity binding sites for organic pollutants within the nanocomposites. The first method utilized a surface initiated polymerization of polyphenolic-based crosslinkers and co-monomers on the surface of iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles to create a core-shell nanocomposite. The second method utilized a bulk polymerization method to create macroscale films composed of iron oxide nanoparticles incorporated into a polyphenolic-based polymer matrix, which were then processed into microparticles. Both methods produce nanocomposite materials that can bind chlorinated organics, can rapidly separate bound organics from contaminated water sources using magnetic decantation, and can use thermal destabilization of the polymer matrix for contaminant release and material regeneration. The polyphenol functionalities used to bind organic pollutants were quercetin multiacrylate (QMA) and curcumin multiacrylate (CMA), which are acrylated forms of the nutrient polyphenols quercetin (found in berries) and curcumin (found in turmeric), both with expected affinity for chlorinated organics. The affinity of these novel materials for PCB 126 was evaluated at equilibrium conditions using a gas chromatography coupled to electron capture detection (GC-ECD) for quantification purposes, and the data was fitted to the nonlinear Langmuir model to determine binding affinity (KD) and maximum biding capacity (Bmax). The KD values obtained demonstrated that the presence of the polyphenolic-based moieties, CMA and QMA, as crosslinkers enhanced the binding affinity for PCB 126, expected to be a result of their aromatic rich nature which provides sites for π – π stacking interactions between the nanoparticle surface and the PCBs in solution. These values are lower that the reported affinity coefficients for activated carbon, which is the gold standard for capture/binding of organic contaminants in water and waste water treatment. Furthermore, upon exposure to an alternating magnetic field (AMF) for a period of 5 minutes, over 90% of the bound PCB on these materials was released, offering a low-cost regeneration method for the nanocomposites. Additionally, this novel regeneration strategy does not require the use of large volumes of harsh organic solvents that oftentimes become harmful byproducts. Overall, we have provided strong evidence that these novel nanocomposites have a promising application as nanoadsorbents for specific organic contaminants in contaminated water sources providing high binding affinities, a low-cost regeneration technique and are capable of withstanding use under environmental conditions offering a cost effective alternative to current remediation approaches.

Aliskiren (ALS) is a direct renin inhibitor with low bioavailability and high drug cost. The goal of this study was to increase the bioavailability of ALS through nanoformulation. The optimized formulation was then evaluated in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). We developed an ALS poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid nanoparticle (ALS-NP) through the emulsion–diffusion–evaporation method with various solvents, stabilizer concentrations, and centrifugation speeds. SHRs were orally dosed with 30 mg/kg ALS or dose equivalent ALS-NP. Several parameters were assayed in plasma and/or urine at baseline and 24 h post-dose, while pharmacokinetic analysis included serial sampling. The optimum formulation was found with ethyl acetate, a 1.00% w/v didodecyldimethylammonium bromide concentration, and a 10,000 r/min (15,554 g) centrifugation speed. A 168% relative bioavailability was observed as a result of ALS-NP administration along with significant, as determined by Student’s t-test, increases in the maximum ALS plasma concentration (p = 0.0189) and the area under the plasma concentration–time curve from 0 to infinity (p = 0.0095). Conversely, a reduction was found in oral volume of distribution (p = 0.0009) and oral clearance (p = 0.0298). Blood urea nitrogen increased significantly after dosing in both groups (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0001); however, no statistical difference was found between endpoint levels (p > 0.05) following one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Kidney injury molecule-1 increased following ALS dosing (p = 0.0486), while ALS-NP showed a decrease (p = 0.027) which was also significantly decreased compared to ALS-Final (p = 0.0008) when examined using two-way ANOVA. Urinary potassium excretion decreased significantly, as shown by two-way ANOVA, only in the ALS group (p = 0.0274) which was also significantly reduced compared to ALS-NP-Final (p = 0.016). Using the current formulation and at the dosage tested, ALS-NP showed a more favorable pharmacokinetic profile and positive kidney changes compared to ALS in regard to select outcomes. Thus, NP formulation may further improve ALS renoprotection in addition to increasing bioavailabilty.

Implementation of optical refrigeration (OR) in quantum dot (QD) materials was achieved for the first time. An OR experiment was designed and carried out in our lab and a maximum temperature drop around 0.68 K was observed in the zinc-blende crystalline CdSe/CdS (core/shell structure) QD samples under laser excitation. The cooling effect was achieved by utilizing the energy up-conversion photoluminescence (PL) of CdSe/CdS QDs with sub-band excitation. While the cooling efficiency of the system was estimated and optimized by a semi-empirical model built during this research. <div><br></div><div>This work has proved the capability of QD materials to be used as a cooling substance for OR, which significantly expanded the possible candidates for OR. The technique could have many applications, such as harvesting cooling effect from sun light with the help of metamaterials, which can produce quasi-monochromatic light. It may also be used to cool QD in optical traps, which leading may help to develop new ultra-sensitive sensors and application for quantum information science.</div>

Orientador: Leonardo Fernandes Fraceto / Resumo: O extenso crescimento da agricultura combinado com o uso intensivo de agrotóxicos tem causado preocupação com a manutenção dos ecossistemas e a produção de alimentos realmente saudáveis. Atualmente, têm-se buscado alternativas sustentáveis para produção agrícola como os inseticidas botânicos e nanopesticidas. Os inseticidas botânicos são extraídos de plantas e utilizados no controle de pragas, sendo estes considerados biodegradáveis, seguros e menos tóxicos para a biodiversidade. Eles podem ser encapsulados em nanocarreadores que aumentam sua estabilidade e otimizem o seu uso agrícola. Os nanopesticidas trazem benefícios para o ambiente e a produtividade agrícola, dos quais destacam-se a liberação modificada dos ingredientes ativos nos campos agrícolas, maior estabilidade do sistema, menor toxicidade aos seres vivos e redução do impacto ambiental. No entanto, percebe-se a necessidade de estudos de toxicidade dos inseticidas botânicos e dos nanopesticidas em organismos não-alvos, como abelhas e anfíbios que estão declinando rapidamente no mundo inteiro. O objetivo desse estudo foi preparar e caracterizar os sistemas carreadores do extrato de piretro e avaliar o efeito destes compostos em girinos de rã-touro (Lithobates catesbeianus) e abelhas (Apis mellifera Africanizada), utilizando biomarcadores de diferentes tipologias em nível subindividual e de indivíduo. O extrato de piretro encapsulado em nanopartículas (NLS+PIR) evidenciaram uma boa estabilidade físico-química em funçã... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Doutor

Anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) serves as a more sustainable form of wastewater treatment. However, biofouling is particularly detrimental to the performanceof AnMBRs. This dissertation focuses on understanding more about the biofouling in nMBR, and to devise strategies to control or make use of these biofoulant layers. First, we aim to investigate the microbial community structure of sludge and biofilm from 13 different AnMBRs. Our findings indicate 20 sludge core genera and 12 biofilm core genera (occurrence ≥ 90% samples) could potentially account for the AnMBR performance. Sloan neutral model analysis indicates the anaerobic microbial consortium between sludge and biofilm is largely affected by stochastic dispersal and migration processes (i.e., neutral assembly), suggesting that the majority of these core genera are not selectively enriched for biofilm formation. Therefore, the second part of this dissertation aims to minimize the growth of the overall bacterial cells attached on the membranes. For this, membranes embedded with zinc oxide (ZnO) and copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles were examined for their antifouling efficacies. Our findings indicate both CuO and ZnO nanoparticles embedded membranes could delay biofouling formation without significantly triggering the overall expression/abundance of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and metal resistance genes (MRGs) in biofilm. Furthermore, CuO and ZnO nanoparticles could inhibit the expression of quorum sensing associated genes, resulting in lower quorum sensing signal molecules production. Despite the positive results demonstrated from this study as well as those from others, we recognize that no control strategies are likely to achieve total prevention of anaerobic biofouling. Therefore, the last part of this dissertation focuses on exploring the effects of different foulant layers on antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and ARGs removal. Our findings suggest both ARB and ARGs could be absorbed by membrane foulant. Transmembrane pressures and the foulant layer synergistically affected ARB removal, but the foulant layer is the main factor that contributed to ARG removal through adsorption. Overall, the collective findings could bring new insights to the anaerobic membrane biofouling phenomenon, and offer pragmatic approaches to minimize biofouling without compromising the post-AnMBR effluent quality.

The work presented in this dissertation is a composite of experiments in the growth of gold nanoparticles with specific optical properties of interest. The goal is to synthesize these gold nanoparticles using soybean extract for not only shape control, but for propensity as a biocompatible delivery system. The optical properties of these nanoparticles has found great application in coloring glass during the Roman empire and, over the centuries, has grown into its own research field in applications of nanoparticulate materials. Many of the current functions include use in biological systems as biosensors and therapeutic applications, thus making biocompatibility a necessity. Current use of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide leads to rod-shaped gold nanoparticles, however, the stability of these gold nanoparticles does not endure for extended periods of time in aqueous media. In my research, two important components were found to be necessary for stable, anisotropic growth of gold nanoparticles. In the first experiments, it was found that bromide played a key role in shape control. Bromide exchange on the gold atoms led to specific packing of the growing crystals, allowing for two-dimensional growth of gold nanoparticles. It was also discerned that soybean lecithin contained ligands that blocked specific gold facets leading to prismatic gold nanoparticle growth. These gold nanoprisms give a near infrared plasmon absorption similar to that of rod-shaped gold nanoparticles. These gold nanoprisms are discovered to be extremely stable in aqueous media and remain soluble for extended periods of time, far longer than that of gold nanoparticles grown using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide. Since soy lecithin has a plethora of compounds present, it became necessary to discover which compound was responsible for the shape control of the gold nanoprisms in order to optimize the synthesis and allow for a maximum yield of the gold nanoprisms. Many of these components were identified by high performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. However, re-spike of these components into growth solutions did not enhance the growth of gold nanoprisms. Upon separating the shapes of the gold nanoparticles using gel electrophoresis, addition of KCN to the separated gold nanoparticles allowed us to extract the culpable ligands for shape control. Analysis of these ligands by mass spectrometry elucidated the identity of PA and upon re-spike of the PA into a growth solution of PC95, the growth of a near-infrared plasmon absorption was seen. The stability of these gold nanoparticles was tested with and without the addition of decane thiol and it was concluded that addition of the thiol allowed for improved stability of the gold nanoparticles towards cyanide. It was determined that at a concentration of 2 μM decanethiol, spherical gold nanoparticles remained stable to cyanide at the expense of the prismatic gold nanoparticles. However, at 5 μM decanethiol, both spherical and prismatic gold nanoparticles retained stability to cyanide in aqueous conditions.