Les problématiques liées à la diminution de la taille des dispositifs actuels amènent l’industrie à réfléchir à des techniques de gravure ayant des résolutions à l’échelle de l’atome. Dans ce contexte, les techniques de nanostructuration directes sont très bien adaptées et représentent un potentiel important pour un futur proche dans les laboratoires de recherches. Le projet sur lequel j’ai travaillé avait pour but de coupler dans un environnement Ultra-Vide (UHV), un Dual-Beam, composé d’un FIB (Faisceau d’Ions Focalisé) et d’un MEB (Microscope électronique à balayage) et un bâti d’épitaxie par jet moléculaire (MBE), technique ultime en termes de dépôt. Cet environnement UHV répond à la nécessité de propreté absolue des substrats et constitue un moyen pertinent de rendre fonctionnels les dispositifs ainsi élaborés dans des domaines aussi variés que la micro-nanoélectronique, l’optoélectronique, le photovoltaïque, la spintronique, la plasmonique, etc. La connexion sous UHV de la nanofabrication FIB à la croissance MBE représente une voie unique pour fabriquer des structures 3D en alternant des étapes gravure/dépôt. Parmi les différentes applications, nous avons choisi de nous focaliser sur nanostructures de silicium. Le principal challenge pour l’industrie microélectronique et pour les chercheurs est d’être capable de réaliser une optoélectronique entièrement intégrée à base de Si. Cela nécessite de convertir les matériaux à base de Si en absorbeur/émetteur efficaces de lumière. Une des pistes les plus prometteuses pour obtenir une bande interdite directe est de combiner les effets de la fonctionnalisation chimique et du confinement quantique dans les nano-objets. / The reduction of device sizes represents a major issue in microelectronic industry which motivates several teams of researchers to develop nanopatterning with atomic resolution. In this context, maskless nanostructuration techniques are well-adapted and have an important potential for the nearest future in labs and industry. The aim of the project I worked on is the connection in a Ultra-High-Vacuum (UHV) environment between a Dual-Beam, equipped with a FIB (Focused Ion Beam) and a SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) and a MBE (Molecular Beam Epitaxy) cluster, which is the highest-controlled deposition technique. The UHV environment is the solution for an absolute cleanliness and represents a relevant way to fabricate functionalized devices for micro-nanoelectronics, optoelectronics, photovoltaic, spintronic, plasmonic, etc… This UHV connection combining FIB nanostructuration and epitaxy growth technique provides a unique platform to elaborate tridimensional structures with milling/deposition steps. Among different applications, we decided to focus on silicon based nanostructures. Regarding silicon nanostructures. The main challenge for microelectronics industry and for the researchers in this field is the realization of optoelectronics devices fully integrated in silicon systems. This requires to convert silicon based materials into absorber/emitter of light. One of the most promising way to change the electronic structure and to get a direct bandgap is the combination of chemical functionalization and quantum confinement into silicon based nano-objects.

No presente trabalho propõe-se o uso de substratos de Au poli e monocristalinos modificados superficialmente com Pt para o estudo da reação de oxidação de etanol. Serão apresentados os resultados obtidos no estudo da influência da concentração superficial de Pt depositada na distribuição dos produtos da eletrooxidação de etanol. Os resultados mostram que no caso do sistema Pt/Au-poli, a superfície de Au que possui o menor teor superficial de Pt depositada tem uma habilidade maior para quebrar a ligação C-C. Porém quanto menor a quantidade de Pt depositada na superfície de Au, maior o efeito de desativação. Estes comportamentos são explicados pelas estruturas superficiais formadas pelos depósitos. Adicionalmente, são apresentados os resultados obtidos no estudo sistemático da influência de defeitos superficiais nos substratos de Au na atividade catalítica de camadas de Pt. Os resultados sugerem que, mesmo que os substratos de Au não estejam em contato com a solução eletrolítica devido ao grau de cobertura utilizado, a presença de defeitos nos substratos de Au induzem variações na distribuição de produtos resultantes da eletrooxidação de etanol. Mais especificamente, quanto maior é a densidade de defeitos nos substratos de Au a via de produção de ácido acético é favorecida, com a consequênte inibição na produção de CO2. / In this work we propose the use of poly and single crystalline Au surfaces modified with Pt as a model system of core-shell nanoparticles to study the ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR). Results regarding the study of the influence of Pt coverage on the product yields of EOR are presented. The results show that the in the case of the Pt/Au-poly system, the Au surface modified with lower amounts of Pt has a higher ability to break the C-C bond present in the ethanol molecule. On the other hand, deposits having small amounts of Pt suffer a faster deactivation due to CO poisoning. This behavior is explained by the structure adopted by the catalytic layer. Additionally, results regarding the study of the influence of defects on the Au surfaces on the catalytic behavior of Pt layer will be shown. The results suggest that, even though Au active site are not in contact with electrolityc solution, the defects lying under the Pt layer influence the catalytic response of the layer. Specifically, as the step density in the Au substrate increases, the acetic acid path is privileged over the CO2 production path.

The presented project explores the optical properties of magnetoplasmonic Au/Ni core-shell structures. The work aims at controlling dimensions and parameters in order to influence and analyze the optical properties of the nanostructures. The softwares utilized for the simulations were COMSOL Multiphysics 5.1 and MATLAB. Experimental results were acquired from labs done at Ångströms laboratory. From the research based study where the gold to nickel ratio was influenced, it was observed that the transmissions for the nanostructures at the differing wavelengths produced transmissions of similar bearings. Modes for certain wavelengths were found in correspondence with the transmissions and could potentially render explanations for influence on the optical properties of the nanostructures. Conclusively, it can be stated that the optical properties of the nanostructures could be influenced and controlled by varying the dimensions and properties of the said structure. Differing dimensions corresponded to noteworthy changes in the cross sections, the transmissions as well as the mode formations.

The self-assembling properties of a core-shell system are considered to be the most desirable characteristics that allow using this class of polymers in different applications. New hairy nanoparticles (HNPs) with hydrophobic polystyrene cores (PS Cores) and hydrophilic poly(2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate) (PHEMA) shells were synthesized by coupling polymerization methods. Living anionic polymerization in one-pot step was used to synthesize cross-linked polystyrene cores functionalized with hydroxyl groups and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) was then carried out to prepare PHEMA hairs following the grafting form technique. The structural characterizations were carried out by FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy (1H NMR, 13C NMR, APT 13C NMR and 1H 13C HMQC). Dynamic light scattering measurements of obtained HNPs show small increase in the order of nanometers of their hydrodynamic radii after the grafting. Thermal properties were studied by TGA and DSC. The thermal stability of PS cores was affected by functionalization with the hydroxyl group. However, the stability of the PS core was not affected by grafting of PHEMA on their surfaces. DSC thermograms of the HNPs shows two distinct transition temperatures corresponding to glass transition temperatures (Tg) of a PS phase and of a PHEMA phase indicating the formation of a hydrophobic-hydrophilic phase separated system. SEM and AFM were utilized to study the morphologies and self-assembly of nanoparticles. The self-assembled HNPs morphologies were dependent on the solvents used. Complexes of the synthesized HNPs and R- or S-mandelic acid were prepared and characterized by circular dichroism (CD) and AFM. CD was used to study the induced chiral properties of the complexes. The CD spectra indicated the formation of enantiomeric chiral structures and the AFM images show toroidal self-assembled structures. Polymer blends of polystyrene functionalized with hydroxyl groups and PHEMA show different morphology and different thermal properties than the core-shell HNP system.

Micro Hall probe magnetometry has been used to investigate the magnetisation of various electrodeposited microcrystals. Superconducting tin crystals of almost perfect square cuboid shapes exhibit a strong size dependence of the supercooling of the superconducting state and, for the smallest accessible crystals, the crossover to the mesoscopic regime can be readily explored close to their critical temperatures. Experimental results are in good agreement with Ginzburg-Landau simulations using the exact experimental parameters. Electroplating of the tin cores with another material provides unique core-shell structures of either two superconductors (S-S’: tin-lead) or of a superconducting core, covered with a ferromagnetic shell (S-F: tin/lead-nickel). The critical parameters of the tin core in Sn-Pb core-shell crystals are considerably enhanced and superconductivity in the tin core is detected up to 1:16 TSn c . Little-Parks oscillations in the shell can be analysed to reveal the extent of the superconducting sheath and hence can be utilised to measure the range of the proximity effect close to the critical temperature of the shell. In S-F core-shell structures, field cancellation effects govern the overall behaviour. Under certain conditions it was possible to switch the overall magnetic response from para(ferro-)magnetic to diamagnetic and back at finite applied fields. Micromagnetic simulations qualitatively reproduce the experimentally observed effects. Applications for the core-shell structures include magnetic guidance or memory devices.

Nanoclusters a base de platina vêm sendo amplamente estudados devido à possibilidade de ajustar suas propriedades físicas e químicas através da manipulação de seu tamanho, forma e composição. No entanto, nossa compreensão em nível atomístico dos mecanismos que determinam a estabilidade desses sistemas está longe de ser ideal. Nesta dissertação de mestrado, utilizamos a teoria do funcional da densidade, empregando o método de projeção de onda aumentada com a aproximação do gradiente generalizado, para investigar as propriedades enérgicas, estruturais e eletrônicas de nanoligas PtnMT55-n (MT = Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn). Usando uma energia relativa (energia excedente) para medir a estabilidade de uma nanoliga, sendo obtidas as seguintes composições de menor energia: Pt35Fe20, Pt42Co13, Pt28Ni27, Pt20Cu35 e Pt20Zn35. Com exceção da estrutura do tipo caroço-casca Pt42Co13 icosaedrica (ICO), os demais sistemas possuem ambos os átomos Pt e MT expostos diretamente à região de vácuo, o que é interessante para reações químicas. Das análises estruturais, obtivemos a relação entre tamanho, ordem de ligação e tendência de segregação. Para Zn55 e Pt55, as estruturas de caroço reduzido (RCORE) são preferidas, enquanto para MTs como Fe, Co, Ni e Cu que são menores do que a Pt em 10.6, 11.3, 11.3 e 8,5%, a geometria icosaedrica é favorecida. Portanto, a combinação de Pt com átomos de MT em uma nanoliga (PtMT) favorece a configuração ICO para átomos de MT pequenos (Fe, Co, Ni e Cu), devido a grande liberação de tensão. Já PtnZn55-n que apresentam pequena diferença de tamanho (Zn é menor do que a Pt em apenas 2,1%), consequentemente, a estabilização de estrutura ICO não é possível e uma estrutura RCORE é obtida para todas as composições analisadas. A posição do centro de gravidade dos estados-d ocupados em relação ao nível de Fermi pode ser ajustada em função da composição de Pt. Assim, a energia de adsorção do adsorbato para o nanoligas pode ser alterada, o que afeta a reatividade das nanoligas PtnMT55-n. / Platinum-based nanoclusters have been widely studied due to the possibility to tune their physical and chemical properties through size, shape, and composition. However, our atom-level understanding of the mechanisms that determines the stability of those systems is far from ideal. In this dissertation, we use the density functional theory, using the projected augmented wave method with the generalized gradient approximation, to investigate the energetic, structural, and electronic properties of the PtnTM55-n (TM = Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn) nanoclusters. Using a relative energy (excess energy) to measure the stability of a nanoalloy, we have obtained the lowest energy compositions Pt20Fe35, Pt42Co13, Pt28Ni27, Pt20Cu35, and Pt20Zn35. Except for the core-shell Pt42Co13 icosahedron (ICO) structure, the other systems have both Pt and TM atoms exposed directly to the vacuum region, which is interesting for chemical reactions. From structural analyses we have obtained an interplay of size mismatch, bond-order parameter, and the segregation tendency. For Zn55 and Pt55, the reduced-core (RCORE) structures are preferred, while for small size TMs, like Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu that are smaller than Pt by 10.6, 11.3, 11.3, and 8.5%, the icosahedral geometry is stabilized. The combination of Pt with TM atoms in a nanoalloy (PtTM) favors the ICO configuration for small TM atoms (Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu), because of the larger release of the strain energy. PtnZn55-n presents a small size mismatch (Zn is smaller than Pt by only 2.1%), consequently, the ICO stabilization is not possible and RCORE structure is obtained for all compositions. The position of the center of the gravity of the occupied d -states in relation to the Fermi level can be tuned as a function of the Pt composition. Thus, the adsorption energy of adsorbate to the nanoalloys can be changed, which can affect the reactivity of the PtnTM55-n nanoclusters.

Au cours de ce travail de thèse, nous avons étudié la synthèse de particules de latex par polymérisation en miniémulsion, un procédé de polymérisation en milieu aqueux dispersé. Nous avons synthétisé avec succès et de manière contrôlée des particules de latex de polystyrène de masse molaire élevée (Mn > 30 000 g.mol-1) par polymérisation radicalaire contrôlée par les nitroxydes (NMP) en miniémulsion, en présence et en absence de tensio-actif moléculaire. Des latex stables présentant des diamètres de l’ordre de 150 – 200 nm ont été synthétisés. Une seconde partie de ce travail de thèse est dédié à la transposition de la polymérisation radicalaire contrôlée par les nitroxydes amorcée depuis la surface (« surface-initiated NMP ») d’un procédé en masse vers un procédé en milieu aqueux dispersé (miniémulsion) en vue de synthétiser des nanoparticules cœur@écorce de type silica@polystyrène. La dernière partie du travail de thèse est consacrée à la synthèse de stabilisants polymères et plus précisément à la synthèse de copolymères amphiphiles à base de dextrane ou de poly(acide acrylique) modifiés de manière hydrophobes par des terpènes. L’efficacité de stabilisation de tels copolymères synthétisés à partir de bio-resources a été étudiée au travers leur capacité à stabiliser la polymérisation en miniémulsion du styrène. Tout au long de ce travail, les caractéristiques macromoléculaires des polymères ainsi que la taille et la morphologie des particules ont été caractérisées respectivement par chromatographie d’exclusion stérique, diffusion dynamique de la lumière et microscopie (SEM, TEM, AFM). / During the work of this PhD, we investigated the synthesis of latex particles by miniemulsion, an aqueous dispersed medium process. We managed to synthesize in a controlled manner high molar mass (Mn > 30 000 g.mol-1) polystyrene latex particles via nitroxide mediated radical polymerization (NMP) in miniemulsion in both the presence and absence of molecular surfactant. Stable latex with final diameters within the range of 150-200 nm were synthesized. A second part of the PhD work was devoted to the transposition of surface-initiated NMP from bulk polymerization to polymerization in aqueous dispersed media (miniemulsion) in order to synthesize silica@polystyrene core@shell hybrid nanoparticles. The last part of the PhD work was dedicated to the synthesis of polymeric stabilizers, more precisely to the synthesis of amphiphilic copolymers based on dextran or poly(acrylic acid) polymers hydrophobically modified by terpenes. The stabilization efficiency of such copolymers synthesized from renewable resources to stabilize styrene miniemulsion polymerization was investigated. During this work, we characterized the macromolecular features of polymers along with the size and the morphology of the final particles by respectively size exclusion chromatography (SEC), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and microscopy (SEM, TEM, AFM).

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.

Híbridos poliuretano-acrílicos foram sintetizados via polimerização em emulsão, utilizando uma dispersão de poliuretano base poliol poliéster como semente para a polimerização dos monômeros acrílicos, no caso, acrilato de butila e ácido metacrílico. As propriedades das dispersões híbridas resultantes foram avaliadas por espalhamento dinâmico de luz, teor de sólidos, pH e potencial Zeta. Os polímeros resultantes da secagem das dispersões aquosas foram caracterizados por cromatografia por exclusão de tamanho, calorimetria exploratória de varredura, análise dinâmico-mecânica, dureza, microscopia ótica do processo de cristalização, microscopia de força atômica, microscopia eletrônica de transmissão. A influência do método de síntese na morfologia dos híbridos foi avaliada. / PU-acrylic hybrids were prepared via emulsion polymerization, using an aqueous polyurethane dispersion as a seed for the acrylic monomers polymerization. Different quantities of acrylic monomers (butyl acrylate and methacrylic acid) were polymerized. The properties of the resulting hybrid dispersions were evaluated through dynamic light scattering, solid content, pH and Zeta potential. The resulting polymers obtained from dried dispersions were characterized via size exclusion chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis, optical microscopy of the crystallization process, atom force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The influence of the synthetic method on the morphology of the hybrids was evaluated.

Nanoligas bimetálicas têm atraído a atenção de pesquisadores nas últimas décadas devido a possibilidade de ajustar suas propriedades físico-químicas, tais como propriedades elétricas, ópticas, magnéticas e de reatividade, por meio da variação do número de átomos, da composição química e do formato geométrico. As nanoligas bimetálicas que combinam Pt com outros metais são especificamente interessantes na área de catálise heterogênea, devido a possibilidade de se obter materiais com propriedades distintas de seus respectivos sistemas unários no que se refere ao surgimento ou aumento da atividade catalítica, à seletividade e, muitas vezes, ao preço reduzido. Esse trabalho tem como objetivo investigar as propriedades estruturais, energéticas, eletrônicas e de estabilidade de nanoligas bimetálicas core-shell de 55 átomos que combinam Pt com metais de transição (MT) pertencentes às séries de transição 3d, 4d e 5d dos grupos de Fe a Zn. Esses sistemas foram estudados utilizando cálculos de primeiros princípios (ab initio) baseados na teoria do funcional da densidade, tal como implementada no código computacional VASP (Vienna Ab initio Simulation Package). As nanoligas putativas de mínimo global energético (pGMC) de composição Pt13MT42 e Pt42MT13 calculadas nesse estudo apresentaram características particulares quanto à geometria e ao arranjo das espécies metálicas na nanoliga. Ao que diz respeito aos arranjos core-shell, foram observados dois arranjos em que a fica Pt no caroço (Pt13Ag42 e Pt13 Au42) e sete arranjos em que a Pt fica na superfície (Pt42Fe13, Pt42Co13, Pt42Ni13, Pt42Cu13, Pt42Ru13, Pt42Rh13 e Pt42Os13). Os mecanismos que levam à formação destas e das demais nanoligas pGMC foram investigados com base em três fatores: raio atômico, energia de superfície e cargas de Bader. Verificou-se que raio e a energia de superfície competem como fator determinante pelas posições preferenciais de cada espécie metálica na nanoliga. Nos casos em que houve divergência, o raio apresentou-se como o fator de maior importância, entretanto, quando o raio das espécies são muitos próximos, a energia de superfície exerce um papel de maior importância. A partir da análise de cargas de Bader, observou-se ocorrência de transferência de carga da região do caroço para a região da superfície para a maioria das nanoligas. No mais, observou-se que as nanoligas core-shell contam com atração coulômbica de maior magnitude do que as demais nanoligas pGMC, como resultado de altas cargas de sinal oposto em cada uma das regiões. / Bimetallic nanoalloys have been attracting attention since the last decades due to the possibility of adjusting their physical-chemical properties, such as electrical, optical, magnetic and reactivity properties, by means of the variation of the number of atoms, chemical composition and geometry. Bimetallic nanoalloys that combine Pt with other metals are especially interesting for heterogeneous catalysis given the possibility of obtaining materials with properties that differ from their respective unary systems regarding the appearance or increase of catalytical activity, selectivity and, in many cases, reduced cost. The aim of this work is the evaluation of the stability and of structural, energetic and electronic properties of 55 atom core-shell bimetallic nanoalloys that combine Pt with transition metals (MT) from the 3d, 4d, and 5d transition periods from Fe to Zn groups. These systems were studied using first principle (ab initio) calculations based on density functional theory, as implemented in the VASP (Viena Ab initio Simulation Package) computer code. The nanoalloys with Pt13MT42 and Pt42MT13 compositions which were observed as putative global minimum configuration (pGMC) presented unique characteristics regarding their geommetry and the arrangement of the different metals within the nanoalloy. Considering the core-shell nanoalloys, two arrangements in which Pt is located in the core were observed (Pt13Ag42 e Pt13 Au42) as well as seven arrangements with Pt in the surface (Pt42Fe13, Pt42Co13, Pt42Ni13, Pt42Cu13, Pt42Ru13, Pt42Rh13 e Pt42Os13). The mechanisms that lead to the formation of these and of the remaining pGMC nanoalloys were investigated considering three factors: atomic radius, surface energy and Bader charges. It was verified that atomic radius and surface energy compete directly for the determination of preferential sites for the atoms in the nanoalloy. When these two factors diverge, the atomic radius is the most important factor. However, when the radii of the species involved are similar, the surface energy becomes the determining factor. In addition, Bader charges analysis showed that, for most nanoalloys, the core is positively charged and the shell accumulates negative charge, indicating that charge is transfered from the atoms in the core to the ones in the surface. Besides, the core-shell nanoalloys have a higher coulombic attraction in comparison with others pGMC, due to high quantities of charge with opposite sign in each region.