O electrospinning (deposição eletrostática) representa um método simples e conveniente para preparar bras poliméricas e bras cerâmicas com interiores sólidos ou ocos, excepcionalmente longos em comprimento, uniformes no diâmetro, variando no intervalo de dezenas de nanômetros a vários micrômetros, com diversicadas composições. Apesar da potencialidade e versatilidade da Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura existe um grande problema de caracterizar nanobras, já que este processo não é feito automaticamente. Este trabalho apresenta uma nova metodologia para extração automática de medidas em imagens SEM, como uma alternativa eciente em relação aos softwares semi-automáticos propostos na literatura. A metodologia proposta envolve o processamento das imagens SEM usando Morfologia Matemática e os resultados obtidos são discutidos e comparados àqueles processados por Redes Neurais Celulares e pelo método de Otsu. Imagens coletadas do microscópio foram analisadas por técnicas de processamento de imagens para determinação do diâmetro das nanobras. Os resultados mostraram boa concordância entre as metodologias estudadas e o método padrão-ouro indicando que os mesmos podem substituí-lo para constituir uma alternativa automática na caracterização de nanobras. / The electrospinning technique represents a simple and convenient process to provide polymers and ceramics bers with both solid and hollow interiors that are exceptionally long in length, uniform in diameter, varying within the interval of few nanometers to several microns, and diversied in composition. Despite the versatility and potencially the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) there is a serious problem to characterize nanobers, as it is not made automatically. This work presents novel methodology software for automatic measurement in SEM images, as an eficient alternative in comparison with semi-automatic softwares proposed in literature. The proposed methodology involves the image processing SEM using Mathematical Morphology and the obtained results are argued and compared with those processing for Celullar Neural Network and Otsu method. The microscope images were assessed and analysed by imagery processing techniques to determinate diameters of nanobers. The results has shown good agreement between the investigated and gold standard methods suggesting that the same ones can substitute it to constitute an automatic alternative in the nanobers characterization.

Neste trabalho determinamos o módulo elástico de filmes finos metálicos nanoestruturados. Os metais estudados, platina, ouro e paládio foram depositados utilizando a técnica de Metal Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation and Deposition. Um novo método foi utilizado para as medidas de módulo elástico, no qual cantiléveres de microscopia de força atômica são uniformemente recobertos com os filmes finos metálicos. Medidas das frequências de ressonância dos cantiléveres foram realizadas antes e depois dos recobrimentos com os filmes. Usando a teoria de vibração de barras, determinamos os valores dos módulos elásticos desses filmes. Obtivemos valores que estão entre 7 e 12% menores do que os respectivos módulos elásticos dos metais na forma de bulk. Um modelo simples em conta o caráter nanoestruturado dos materiais. Caracterizações complementares foram realizadas como : microscopia de tunelamento, difração de raios X e RBS (Rutherfor Backscattering Spectrometry). / In this work we have determined the elastic moduli of nanostructured metallic thin films. The analyzed metals, platinum, gold and palladium, have been deposited using the technique Metal Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation and Deposition. A new method was adopted to determine the elastic moduli, where cantilevers of atomic force microscopy were uniformly coated with thin films. The resonance frequencies of the cantilevers have been measured before and after the films coating. The elastic moduli were finally obtained using the vibration beam theory. The determined elastic constants are smaller than the respective bulk moduli: about 12% for Pt and Au and about 7% for Pd. A simple model is proposed to explain the softening of the elastic moduli taking into account the nanostructured character of the films. Additional characterizations have been done like: scanning tunneling microscopy, X-ray diffraction and RBS (Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry).

Xu, Yeming = I-III-VI₂χχχII-VI和I-III-VI₂χχχχχχχχχχχχχχχ : 合成, 表征以及潛在应用 / 徐業明. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 130-134). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese. / Xu, Yeming = I-III-VI₂ zu yi ji II-VI he I-III-VI₂ zu fu he na mi cai liao he tuo men de yi zhi jie gou : he cheng, biao zheng yi ji qian zai ying yong / Xu Yeming.

Quais propriedades magnéticas são modificadas quando se agrupam átomos de Fe/Co para formar estruturas quasi-2D, se comparadas aos nanofios (quasi-1D) de FexCo1-x? E como estas propriedades reagem com a variação da proporção de Fe/Co nos aglomerados? A fim de responder a estas questões, trímeros de FexCo1-x depositados em Pt(111) são investigados utilizando o método de primeiros princípios Real Space-Linear Muffin-Tin Orbital-Atomic Sphere Approximation (RS-LMTO-ASA) no âmbito da Teoria do Funcional da Densidade (DFT). Diferentes configurações de trímeros triangulares são consideradas, variando-se as posições e a concentração dos átomos de Fe/Co. Neste trabalho, demonstra-se a ocorrência de uma tendência não-linear estritamente decrescente dos momentos orbitais médios como função da concentração de Fe, distinta do encontrado tanto para os nanofios de FexCo1-x (dependência linear) quanto para a monocamada correspondente (dependência não-linear). Os resultados obtidos mostram ainda que os momentos orbitais variam com o ambiente local e com a direção de magnetização, especialmente quando associados aos átomos de Co, em concordância com publicações anteriores. A mudança de dimensionalidade quasi-1D (nanofios) para quasi-2D (trímeros compactos) não afeta o comportamento dos momentos de spin, que permanecem descritos por uma função linear com respeito à proporção de Fe/Co. Ambos o formato e a concentração de Fe nos sistemas apresentam um papel importante nos valores de energia de anisotropia magnética. Em adição, observou-se que o subtrato de Pt opera ativamente na definição das propriedades magnéticas dos aglomerados. Embora todas as configurações lineares e compactas dos aglomerados de FexCo1-x sejam estáveis e exibam interações fortemente ferromagnéticas entre os primeiros vizinhos, nem todas revelaram o ordenamento colinear como estado fundamental, apresentando uma interação de Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya não-desprezível induzida pelo acoplamento spin-órbita. Estes casos específicos são: o trímero triangular de Co puro e o trímero linear (nanofio) de Fe puro, para o qual foi verificado o acoplamento do tipo Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida entre os átomos de Fe constituintes. Os resultados obtidos contribuem para o entendimento de quais mecanismos definem o magnetismo nos trímeros de FexCo1-x/Pt(111), e discutem as questões presentes atualmente na literatura no contexto destes sistemas. / Which nanomagnetic properties change when we group Fe/Co atoms to form quasi-2D structures, in comparison with FexCo1-x nanowires quasi-1D arrangements? And how these properties react with the Fe/Co proportion variation? To answer these questions, FexCo1-x trimers deposited on the Pt(111) surface are investigated with the first-principles Real Space-Linear Muffin-Tin Orbital-Atomic Sphere Approximation (RS-LMTO-ASA) method in the framework of the Density Functional Theory (DFT). Different configurations of triangular trimers are considered, varying the positions and concentration of Fe/Co atoms. We demonstrate the occurrence of a strictly decreasing nonlinear trend of the average orbital moments with the Fe concentration, different from what was found for FexCo1-x/Pt(111) nanochains (linear dependence), but also contrasting to the monolayer behavior (nonlinear dependence). Our results show that the orbital moments change with local environment and the direction of magnetization, especially for Co atoms, in agreement with previous investigations. When the structures deposited on Pt(111) change from quasi-1D (nanowires) to quasi-2D (compact trimers) arrangements, the average spin moments are still described by a linear function with respect to Fe/Co proportion. Both the Fe concentration and shape of the system have an important role on the magnetic anisotropy energy values. In addition, we observed that Pt substrate operates actively on the obtained magnetic properties. Although all studied linear and compact FexCo1-x configurations are stable and substantially ferromagnetic for nearest-neighbors interactions, not all revealed a collinear magnetic ordering as ground state, presenting a non-negligible Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction induced by spin-orbit coupling. For this particular case we can mention the triangular pure Co trimer and the linear (nanowire) pure Fe trimer, which shows a Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida-like coupling between the constituent Fe atoms. The obtained results contribute to the understanding of which mechanisms define the magnetism of FexCo1-x/Pt(111) trimers, and discuss issues currently present in literature in the context of these systems.

El presente trabajo de Tesis Doctoral se centró en la preparación y en el estudio de las propiedades fotoelectroquímicas de electrodos nanoestructurados de dióxido de titanio compuestos por partículas de diferente morfología: nanopartículas, nanohilos, nanotubos, nanocolumnas y nanofibras. Por un lado se estudió la influencia de la fase cristalina (anatasa y rutilo) y por otro, la influencia del tamaño de las partículas y su morfología sobre las propiedades fotoelectroquímicas de electrodos nanoestructurados de dióxido de titanio. Para estudiar la influencia de la fase cristalina se prepararon electrodos de anatasa y rutilo con la misma morfología (nanohilos) y tamaño de partícula (~ 2nm). Estos electrodos se emplearon para estudiar la estructura electrónica de ambas fases cristalinas. También se realizó un estudio de la distribución de los estados electrónicos empleando electrodos con diferente morfología de nanopartículas (nanotubos, nanocolumnas, nanopartículas). Los estudios se llevaron a cabo empleando voltametría cíclica, cronoamperometría, cronopotenciometría y métodos espectroscópicos (espectroscopía ultravioleta-visible, espectroscopía de voltaje superficial y espectroscopía de resonancia paramagnética electrónica). Las propiedades fotoelectroquímicas para las diferentes nanoestructuras se estudiaron tanto en medio ácido como en medio alcalino empleando diferentes compuestos orgánicos modelo (ácido fórmico, metanol e hidracina). Se estudió la influencia del tratamiento térmico de los nanohilos sobre su cristalinidad y sus propiedades fotoelectoquímicas. También se prepararon estructuras organizadas jerárquicamente basadas en nanotubos de anatasa decorados con nanohilos tanto de anatasa como de rutilo. El efecto del sustrato se estudió comparando electrodos de nanotubos de dióxido de titanio preparados sobre titanio y sobre vidrio conductor. En el presente trabajo también se estudió la actividad de dióxido de titanio modificado con nanopartículas de oro en el rango visible del espectro empleando métodos espectroscópicos.

The trend over the last 50 years of down-scaling the silicon transistor to achieve faster computations has led to doubling of the number of transistors and computation speed over about every two years. However, this trend cannot be maintained due to the fundamental limitations of silicon as the main material for the semiconducting industry. Therefore, there is an active search for exploration of alternate materials. Among the possible candidates that can may [sic] be able to replace silicon is graphene which has recently gained the most attention. Unique properties of graphene include exceedingly high carrier mobility, tunable band gap, huge optical density of a monolayer, anomalous quantum Hall effect, and many others. To be suitable for microelectronic applications the material should be semiconductive, i.e. have a non-zero band gap. Pristine graphene is a semimetal, but by the virtue of doping the graphene surface with different molecules and radicals a band gap can be opened. Because the electronic properties of all materials are intimately related to their atomic structure, characterization of molecular and electronic structure of functionalizing groups is of high interest. The ab-inito (from the first principles) calculations provide a unique opportunity to study the influence of the dopants and thus allow exploration of the physical phenomena in functionalized graphene structures. This ability paves the road to probe the properties based on the intuitive structural information only. A great advantage of this approach lies in the opportunity for quick screening of various atomic structures. We conducted a series of ab-inito investigations of graphene functionalized with covalently and hapticly bound groups, and demonstrated possible practical usage of functionalized graphene for microelectronic and optical applications. This investigation showed that it is possible [to] produce band gaps in graphene (i.e., produce semiconducting graphene) of about 1 eV, without degrading the carrier mobility. This was archived by considering the influence of those adducts on electronic band structure and conductivity properties.

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- Mississippi State University. Dave C. Swalm School of Chemical Engineering.. / Title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2006. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 204-217).

The microcantilever (MC) has become a common transducer for chemical and biological sensing in gas phase and liquid phase during recent years. MC sensors provide superior mass sensitivity by converting weak chemical and biological stimuli into high mechanical response. Moreover, other advantages such as small size, low cost and array format have made MCs more attractive than other comparable sensors. Selectivity in MC sensors can be enhanced by creating a differentially functionalized MC array (MCA) with responsive phases (RPs). A well-designed array should incorporate RPs exhibiting a variety of possible interactions with the analytes, and a specific analyte should induce a distinctive response pattern demonstrated by the array. The first major division of the dissertation research work focused on enhancing selectivity of MC sensor by creating a differentiating MCA. The MCs within the array were nanostructured in a previously developed manner. A self-designed capillary array was set up to chemically functionalize different ligands onto individual MCs in an array for metal ion sensing in liquid phase. Another array was prepared by selectively vapor depositing different organic RPs onto nanostructured MCs and applied to landfill siloxane sensing in gas phase. Both of the arrays demonstrated response diversity to the target analytes. The second major division of the dissertation research work focused on developing a new method to modify MC surfaces with a function nanostructure. Aluminium oxide nanoparticles (AONP) were uniformly dispersed onto MC and a roughened surface with high surface area was achieved as stable sensor platform. Alkoxysilyl compounds were then grafted onto this platform as RPs. For demonstration, a MCA functionalized with three different alkoxysilanes was prepared for volatile organic compound sensing in gas phase. Additionally, another MCA was functionalized with anti-human immunoglobulin G and anti-biotin for bio-sensing in liquid phase. Both of the arrays were prepared with the aforementioned capillary array setup. Selective responses of specific analytes, as well as good sensitivity, were obtained from each type of AONP MCA.

Processing of nanostructured WC-Co and W-Co powders,modelling of Fe-Mn-Si alloy, swelling of Fe-Cu alloy, andmechanical properties and sintering of Fe-Mn-Si steels havebeen studied in the present thesis. W-Co precursors made by chemical synthesis were used toproduce nanostructured WCCo and W-Co powders by calcination,reduction and carburization. The phase constituents in thecalcined powders depend on temperature and atmospheres. Cobaltcan accelerate the reduction rate of the W-Co precursors as acatalyst, and cobalt influences the formation of intermediatephases during the reduction of the precursors. The ratio of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide controlscarburization process, gives different intermediate phases andcarburization rates. There exist several intermediate phases: W6Co6C, W3Co3C, W2C due to varying carbon monoxide content in thecarburization gases. Nanostructured WC-Co powders with aparticle size of 20-50 nm have been obtained. The effect of silicon content on the particle sizedistribution of milled Fe-Mn-Si master alloy powders is muchmore significant than that of manganese content. A finer finalparticle size can be obtained in the alloy powders with highersilicon compositions. Long time milling results in theagglomeration of small particles. The grinding process can bedescribed using classic batch grinding equation based on thepopulation balance model. A swelling model for Fe-Cu alloyssintered at the temperatures above the melting point of copperhas been established based on the penetration mechanism. In themodel, the particle coordination number and heating rate wereused to express the porosity and the thickness of the diffusionlayers between iron and copper particles respectively. The effects of sintering temperature and time on theproperties of sintered steels have been studied. Fe-Mn-Simaster alloys made by cast-milling, atomizing, and acombination of atomization and milling have been covered. Themilled, and atomizationmilled alloy steels showed goodmechanical properties with small dimensional change. Transientliquid phase of the Fe-Mn-Si alloys accelerates densification,and offer fast diffusion of alloying elements. The addition ofa small amount of Fe-Mn-Si master alloy to Astaloy 85Mo powdercan lead to high strength with zero dimensional change. <b>Key words:</b>Processing; Modelling; Nanostructured powder;WC-Co; W-Co; Calcination; Reduction; Carburization; Particlesize; Sintered steel; Fe-Cu alloy; Swelling; Fe-Mn-Si masteralloy; Mechanical properties; Sintering parameters.