abstract: A clean and sustainable alternative to fossil fuels is solar energy. For efficient use of solar energy to be realized, artificial systems that can effectively capture and convert sunlight into a usable form of energy have to be developed. In natural photosynthesis, antenna chlorophylls and carotenoids capture sunlight and transfer the resulting excitation energy to the photosynthetic reaction center (PRC). Small reorganization energy, λ and well-balanced electronic coupling between donors and acceptors in the PRC favor formation of a highly efficient charge-separated (CS) state. By covalently linking electron/energy donors to acceptors, organic molecular dyads and triads that mimic natural photosynthesis were synthesized and studied. Peripherally linked free base phthalocyanine (Pc)-fullerene (C60) and a zinc (Zn) phthalocyanine-C60 dyads were synthesized. Photoexcitation of the Pc moiety resulted in singlet-singlet energy transfer to the attached C60, followed by electron transfer. The lifetime of the CS state was 94 ps. Linking C60 axially to silicon (Si) Pc, a lifetime of the CS state of 4.5 ns was realized. The exceptionally long-lived CS state of the SiPc-C60 dyad qualifies it for applications in solar energy conversion devices. A secondary electron donor was linked to the dyad to obtain a carotenoid (Car)-SiPc-C60 triad and ferrocene (Fc)-SiPc-C60 triad. Excitation of the SiPc moiety resulted in fast electron transfer from the Car or Fc secondary electron donors to the C60. The lifetime of the CS state was 17 ps and 1.2 ps in Car-SiPc-C60 and Fc-SiPc-C60, respectively. In Chapter 3, an efficient synthetic route that yielded regioselective oxidative porphyrin dimerization is presented. Using Cu2+ as the oxidant, meso-β doubly-connected fused porphyrin dimers were obtained in very high yields. Removal of the copper from the macrocycle affords a free base porphyrin dimer. This allows for exchange of metals and provides a route to a wider range of metallporphyrin dimers. In Chapter 4, the development of an efficient and an expedient route to bacteriopurpurin synthesis is discussed. Meso-10,20- diformylation of porphyrin was achieved and one-pot porphyrin diacrylate synthesis and cyclization to afford bacteriopurpurin was realized. The bacteriopurpurin had a reduction potential of - 0.85 V vs SCE and λmax, 845 nm. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Chemistry 2014

abstract: Solar energy is a promising alternative for addressing the world's current and future energy requirements in a sustainable way. Because solar irradiation is intermittent, it is necessary to store this energy in the form of a fuel so it can be used when required. The light-driven splitting of water into oxygen and hydrogen (a useful chemical fuel) is a fascinating theoretical and experimental challenge that is worth pursuing because the advance of the knowledge that it implies and the availability of water and sunlight. Inspired by natural photosynthesis and building on previous work from our laboratory, this dissertation focuses on the development of water-splitting dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical tandem cells (WSDSPETCs). The design, synthesis, and characterization of high-potential porphyrins and metal-free phthalocyanines with phosphonic anchoring groups are reported. Photocurrents measured for WSDSPETCs made with some of these dyes co-adsorbed with molecular or colloidal catalysts on TiO2 electrodes are reported as well. To guide in the design of new molecules we have used computational quantum chemistry extensively. Linear correlations between calculated frontier molecular orbital energies and redox potentials were built and tested at multiple levels of theory (from semi-empirical methods to density functional theory). Strong correlations (with r2 values > 0.99) with very good predictive abilities (rmsd < 50 mV) were found when using density functional theory (DFT) combined with a continuum solvent model. DFT was also used to aid in the elucidation of the mechanism of the thermal relaxation observed for the charge-separated state of a molecular triad that mimics the photo-induced proton coupled electron transfer of the tyrosine-histidine redox relay in the reaction center of Photosystem II. It was found that the inclusion of explicit solvent molecules, hydrogen bonded to specific sites within the molecular triad, was essential to explain the observed thermal relaxation. These results are relevant for both advancing the knowledge about natural photosynthesis and for the future design of new molecules for WSDSPETCs. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Chemistry 2014

Este trabalho apresenta um estudo sobre síntese, caracterização e propriedades de ftalocianinas metálicas na forma de filmes ultrafinos. Foi obtida mais de uma fração para cada ftalocianina. Para as ftalocianinas de paládio (PdPc) e de ródio (RhPc), apenas uma fração pôde ser totalmente purificada para trabalhos com a técnica Langmuir-Blodgett (LB). As frações de ftalocianina de rutênio (RuPc) não atingiram pureza suficiente para fabricação de filmes de Langmuir e LB. As propriedades das ftalocianinas de ródio e bisftalocianina de itérbio (YbPc2), sintetizada em trabalho anterior, foram estudadas na formação de filmes LB. Observou-se forte influência das condições exterimentais nos resultados. Para a YbPc2, a posição do sensor de medida de pressão altera a pressão de colapso dos filmes, algo que só é observado em filmes de compostos semi-anfifilicos. O potencial de superficie dos filmes de Langmuir depende da velocidade de compressão, mas tais diferenças não aparecem nos filmes LB depositados. Foi observada uma forte interação química entre a RhPc e o ácido esteárico, o que é atípico para ftalocianinas. Esta interação parece ser bem menos intensa nos filmes LB. As áreas ocupadas por molécula para as bisftalocianinas de itérbio e samário e a ftalocianina de ródio foram 69, 60 e 75 &#1962 e as pressões de colapso 52, 54 e 57 mN/m, respectivamente. Esses resultados mostram similaridade nas características das diferentes ftalocianinas. Entretanto, o potencial de superficie foi bem menor para a RhPc, provavelmente devido a uma menor componente de dipolo normal à superficie da água. O comportamento eletroquímico de filmes LB da YbPc2 dependeu da espessura dos filmes. Em filmes mais espessos, há maior dificuldade na difusão dos íons, principalmente no processo catódico. Filmes LB da YbPc2 e PdPc apresentaram eletrocromismo, mudando de cor com a aplicação de diferentes potenciais. Em espectroscopia Raman, observou-se que a banda em 675 cm-1 é a de maior intensidade para a RhPc e YbPc2, quando utilizada a linha de laser em 633 nm. A PdPc tem comportamento distinto apresentando a banda de maior intensidade em 1520 cm-1. Ao analisar estes resultados à luz de dados da literatura, conclui-se que o fator predominante para os espectros Raman é o estado de oxidação. Os metais Yb e Rh estariam no mesmo estado de oxidação, diferente do Pd. Comparando os resultados de microscopia de força atômica (AFM) e mapeamento Raman para a YbPc2, observou-se que filmes LB contendo maior porcentagem de YbPc2 são mais homogêneos / This work presents the synthesis, characterization and properties of metallic phthalocyanines. For the palladium phthalocyanine (PdPc) and rhodium phthalocyanine (RhPc), only one fraction could be totally purified for work with the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique. The fractions of ruthenium phthalocyanine (RuPc) could not be sufficiently purified for the fabrication of Langmuir and LB films. The film properties of rhodium phthalocyanine and ytterbium bisphthalocyanine (YbPc2), synthesized in a previous work, were investigated, which showed results depending on the experimental conditions. For YbPc2, the positioning of the pressure sensor affects the collapse pressure of the Langmuir films. This is only observed in semi-amphiphilic compounds. The surface potential of the Langmuir films depends on the compression speed, but these differences are not observed in LB films. A strong chemical interaction between stearic acid and RhPc was observed, which is unprecedented for phthalocyanines. The interaction seems less intense in LB films than in solution. The arcas per molecule in the condensed phase for the ytterbium and samarium bisphthalocyanines and rhodium phthalocyanine were 69, 60 and 75 &#197;2 and the collapse pressures were 52, 54 and 57 mN/m, respectively. These results show the similar characteristics of the diferente phthalocyanines. However, the surface potential was lower for RhPc, probably due to a smaller dipole component normal to the water surface. The electrochemical behavior of YbPc2 LB films depends on film thickness. In thicker films, ion diffusion is hindered, mainly in the cathodic process. LB films of YbPc2 and PdPc showed electrochromism, with changes in color upon the application of distinct potentials. In Raman spectroscopy using the 633 nm laser line, the most intense band occurs at 675 cm-1 for RhPc and YbPc2. PdPc behaves differently, with the most intense band at 1520 cm-1. Analyzing the results in the light of data in the literature, it was concluded that the dominating factor for the Raman spectra is the oxidation state of the metal. Yb and Rh metais are likely to be in the same oxidation state, differently from Pd . Comparing results from atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Raman mapping with LB films from YbPc2 mixed with stearic acid, it was observed that LB films with a larger amount of YbPc2 are more homogeneous

Este trabalho descreve a fabricação de filmes nanoestruturados de quitosana (Q) e metaloftalocianinastetrassulfonadas de níquel (NiTsPc), cobre (CuTsPc) e ferro (FeTsPc) pela técnica de automontagem. A formação dos filmes foi monitorada por espectroscopia na região do UV&#8722;vis, focalizando a absorbância da banda Q das metaloftalocianinas. A absorção aumentou linearmente com o número de bicamadas, indicando que a quantidade de metaloftalocianina adsorvida no filme é a mesma a cada bicamada depositada. A espessura média por bicamada variou entre 1,1 e 1,3 nm. Interações específicas nos filmes automontados foram analisadas por espectroscopia FTIR, nos modos de transmissão e reflexão, e Micro&#8722;Espectroscopia Raman, evidenciando a formação de interações iônicas entre grupos sulfônicos (SO3&#8722; da metaloftalocianina e grupos amina (NH3+) protonados da quitosana. Medidas de voltametria cíclica mostraram que os filmes de QNiTsPc sobre ITO são eletroativos, possuindo um par redox estável, reversível e bem definido em 0,80 V e 0,75 V, respectivamente. A corrente de pico anódica aumentou linearmente com a velocidade de varredura, indicando que a reação eletroquímica é controlada por um mecanismo de transferência de carga na superfície do eletrodo via saltos de elétrons (electronhopping). Entretanto, os filmes automontados de QCuTsPc e QFeTsPc apresentaram comportamentos instáveis e irreversíveis devido à possível formação de espécies agregadas adsorvidas no ITO. A partir dos resultados de voltametria cíclica e UV&#8722;vis determinaram&#8722;se os parâmetros de energia de gap (Eg), eletroafinidade (EA) e potencial de ionização (IP), mostrando que a energia de transição necessária do nível HOMO para o LUMO foi de 1,7 eV. Os eletrodos com filmes automontados foram utilizados como sensores de dopamina (DA) e ácido ascórbico (AA). Para ambos analitos, as concentrações utilizadas variaram de 5 x 10&#8722;6 a 1,5 x 10&#8722;4 mol L&#8722;1. O filme de QNiTsPc apresentou atividade eletrocalítica, alterando o potencial de oxidação da DA de 1,44 V, em ITO puro, para 0,76 V. Para os filmes de QCuTsPc e QFeTsPc, esse fenômeno não foi observado. O limite de detecção (LD) de DA e a AA foi obtido usando a equação de calibração de cada eletrodo, sendo da ordem de 10&#8722;5 mol L&#8722;1. O eletrodo com filme de QNiTsPc apresentou maior sensibilidade para ambos analitos. A seletividade dos eletrodos foi testada em soluções contendo AA e DA em diferentes proporções. A distinção entre os picos de oxidação do AA e DA não ocorreu para o filme automontado de QNiTsPc, devido ao efeito eletrocatalítico na oxidação da DA Por outro lado, os filmes de QCuTsPc e QFeTsPc apresentaram comportamento seletivo, distinguindo os picos de oxidação destes analitos. A seletividade apresentada pelo filme de QCuTsPc iniciou&#8722;se para concentrações de DA três vezes menor que AA e para o filme de QFeTsPc foi dez vezes menor que a de AA / ThisworkdescribesthefabricationofnanostructuredfilmswiththeLayer&#8722;by&#8722;layer (LbL) techniqueusingchitosan (Q) andmetallophthalocyaninesofnickel (NiTsPc), copper (CuTsPc) andiron (FeTsPc). The filmgrowthwasmonitoredwith UV&#8722;vis spectroscopy, focusingonthe Q&#8722;band ofthemetallophthalocyanines. The absorption increased linearly with the number of bilayers, thus pointing to the same amount of phthalocyanine being adsorbed in each bilayer. The average thickness per bilayer varied between 1.1 and 1.3 nm. Specific interactions in the LbL films were analysed with FTIR in transmission and reflection modes and Raman micro&#8722;Spectroscopy, which confirmed ionic interactions between the phthalocyanine sulfonic groups (SO3&#8722) and the chitosan amine groups (NH3+). Cyclic voltammograms showed that QNiTsPcLbL films on ITO are electroactive, with a well&#8722;defined, stable and reversible redox pair at 0.80 V and 0.75 V. The anodic peak current increased linearly with the scan rate, characteristic of electrochemical reactions controlled by electron hopping on the electrode surface. In contrast, CuTsPc and FeTsPcLbL films showed unstable and irreversible behaviour, probably due to adsorbed aggregated species on ITO. From the UV&#8722;VIS. Data and cyclic voltammograms, the energy gap (Eg), electroaffinity (EA) and ionization potencial (IP) were determined, leading to a HOMO&#8722;LUMO energy difference of 1.7 eV. Electrodes with LbL films were used for detecting dopamine (DA) and ascorbic acid (AA), in the concentration range from 5 x 10&#8722;6 to 1.5 X 10&#8722;4mol L&#8722;1. QNiTsPcLbL films showed electrocatalytic activity, by shifting the oxidation potential of DA from 1.44 V (for bare ITO) to 0.76 V. This did not occur with QCuTsPc and QFeTsPcLbL films. The limit of detection (LD) of DA and AA was obtained using the calibration equation for each electrode, being of the order to 10&#8722;5mol L&#8722;1. Electrodes made with QNiTsPcLbL films were the most sensitive. The selectivity of the electrodes was tested by using solutions containing DA and AA in different proportions. There was no distinction between AA and DA oxidation peaks for QNiTsPcLbL films, because of their electrocatalytic effect. On the other hand, using QCuTsPc and QFeTsPcLbL films one could distinguish between the two analytes. Distinction was made possible with QCuTsPcLbL films and DA concentrations three times less than the concentration of AA, while for QFeTsPcLbL films it was possible to distinguish DA concentrations ten times less than that of AA

O presente trabalho tem como objetivo o estudo e o desenvolvimento de dispositivos eletrônicos, para o monitoramento de gás de amônia, confeccionados com filmes ultrafinos de polianilina e ftalocianinas metálicas. Foram fabricados três diferentes tipos de sistemas: polianilina/PVS, polianilina/ftalocianina de níquel e polianilina/ftalocianina de cobre, sendo a espessura dos filmes o parâmetro de análise. Foram preparadas amostras com 10, 20 e 40 bicamadas. Os filmes foram caracterizados por profilometria e espectroscopia de absorção na faixa da radiação do UV - visível. Observou-se um aumento linear da espessura dos filmes com o aumento do número de bicamadas depositadas. Os dispositivos foram preparados a partir da deposição dos filmes ultrafinos de polianilina e ftalocianinas sobre substratos de vidro com eletrodos interdigitados de ouro evaporados termicamente. Os dispositivos foram caracterizados eletricamente por medidas de variação da resistência elétrica, em regime de corrente contínua e alternada, para diferentes concentrações de amônia. Também foi analisado o efeito da temperatura e da umidade relativa do ar na sensibilidade dos dispositivos. Todas as estruturas apresentaram uma dependência direta do valor da resistência elétrica com a concentração de amônia. Os dispositivos baseados em filmes de polianilina e ftalocianina de níquel apresentaram a menor variação do valor de resistência elétrica com a umidade relativa do ar. Esta característica é bastante desejável já que os ambientes nos quais se pretende utilizar este tipo de dispositivo para de monitoramento do gás de amônia, pode sofrer grandes variações no valor da umidade relativa do ar, como é o caso de granjas em geral. / The aim of this work is the study and development of electronic devices for ammonia gas monitoring based on polyaniline and metal phthalocyanines ultrathin films. It was produced three different systems: polyaniline/PVS, polyaniline/nickel phthalocyanine of and polyaniline/copper phthalocyanine and the analysis parameter of the films is the thickness. Samples were prepared with 10, 20 and 40 bilayers. The films were characterized by profilometry and spectroscopy of absorption of radiation in the range of UV-visible. There was a linear increase the thickness of the films with the increase in the number of deposited bilayers. The devices were prepared from the deposition of polyaniline and ftalocianines ultrathin films on glass substrates with interdigited electrodes of gold evaporated thermally. The devices were prepared from the polyaniline and phthalocyanine deposition of ultrathin films over glass substrates with gold interdigited electrodes. The devices were characterized electrically by measures of variation of electrical resistance, under the direct current and alternating, for different concentrations of ammonia. It was also examined the effect of temperature and relative humidity of the air in the sensitivity of the devices. All structures had a direct dependence of the value of the electrical resistance with the ammonia concentration. Devices based on films of polyaniline and nickel phthalocyanine of had the slightest variation in the amount of electrical resistance with the relative humidity. This feature is desirable because the environments in which it intends to use this type of device for tracking of ammonia gas, may undergo major changes in the value of the relative humidity of the air, such as poultry houses in general.

M.Sc. / Established therapies currently in use for the treatment of breast cancer are high risk, since their employment harbors multiple undesirable and detrimental side effects. In many cases these are associated with poor therapeutic outcome managing only to briefly extend patient lifespan. As a result, many newly designed treatments have surfaced that aim to effectively remove cancerous tissue and improve survival rates while minimizing the aggressive onsets to the patient. Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) has, for a long time, been targeted as a combatant for cancer. Its therapeutic mechanism is based on the tumor-specific intracellular localization of a photosynthetic compound, i.e: photosensitizer, prior to its irradiation-mediated excitation thereby generating high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). At the molecular level, this causes irreversible photodamage to vital intracellular targets resulting in cell death. The plasma membrane-, mitochondrial-, lysosomal-, and endoplasmic reticulum systems are all prime targets of PDT and vary in susceptibility depending on both the type of cancer being treated and the photosensitizer administered. Newly designed photosensitizers are governed by their enhanced structural properties to localize and therefore target certain areas of a cell. Since each cancer type has a unique set of susceptible and resistant characteristics, knowledge of each new photosensitizers’ range, efficiency, and mechanism of cell death is required. This enables pairing of these drugs to appropriate cancer types for maximal PDT effect. Here, two newly designed metallo-phthalocyanine photosensitizers, AlPcSmix and GePcSmix, were analyzed for their photodynamic effect on the estrogen-positive, breast cancer cell line, MCF-7. Being one of the most reliable cell lines, it is a prominent research model because it mimics the problems encountered with tumor resistance to therapy induced cell death via pathway restrictions. Photosensitizer administration and excitation by light irradiation to this cell culture system was therefore referred to as in vitro Photodynamic Treatment (in vitro PDT) and not Therapy. ii Initial dosage and time responsive studies confirmed that 35 μM AlPcSmix and 115 μM GePcSmix both excited using 15 J/cm2 at 680 nm proved most effective in reducing viability, whilst individually contributing little adverse influence to cellular homeostasis. Using these dosages, in vitro PDT analysis on several cellular parameters indicated a complex mode of cell death was induced. Morphology revealed typical markers consistent with apoptotic, autophagic and necrotic cell death while variations in proliferation and cytotoxicity levels were inconsistent with stress responses observed. This correlated with the detection for four common apoptotic markers which also revealed discrepancies within the death pathway as possible mutational deficiencies may have rendered MCF-7 cellular systems incomplete. Taken together, the wide range of cellular parameters studied suggests cells undergo a mixture of death modes interchanging via a complex system of molecular switches over time that concludes in secondary necrosis. This was attributed to the assortment of sulphonated phthalocyanine species enabling a broad intracellular distribution range coupled with the non-specific targeting action typical of the ROS generated, in addition to the absence of a phagocytic conclusion to the death process. In vitro PDT with AlPcSmix was shown to harbor a greater toxicity to GePcSmix as cells completed the death response within a shorter time period however, both promoted MCF-7 population cell death sufficient enough to warrant further study for their use as potential agents in the PDT of breast cancer.

This work presents the syntheses, photophysical and photochemical characterization of arylthio zinc phthalocyanines and their gold nanoparticle conjugates. Spectroscopic and microscopic studies confirmed the formation of the phthalocyanine-gold nanoparticle conjugates which exhibited enhanced photophysicochemical properties in comparison to the phthalocyanines. The studies showed that the presence of gold nanoparticles significantly lowered fluorescence quantum yields and lifetimes. However, this interaction did not restrict the formation of excited singlet and triplet states and hence the formation of singlet oxygen required for photocatalysis. The conjugates showed significantly higher singlet oxygen quantum yields and therefore enhanced photocatalytic activity compared to the phthalocyanines. The zinc phthalocyanines and their gold nanoparticle conjugates were successfully incorporated into electrospun polymer fibers. Spectral characteristics of the functionalized electrospun fibers indicated that the phthalocyanines and phthalocyanine-gold nanoparticle conjugates were bound and their integrity was maintained within the polymeric fiber matrices. The photophysical and photochemical properties of the complexes were equally maintained within the electrospun fibers. The functionalized fibers were applied for the photoconversion of 4-chlorophenol and Orange G as model organic pollutants. / Microsoft� Word 2010 / Adobe Acrobat 9.53 Paper Capture Plug-in

Orientador: Abner de Siervo / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Física Gleb Wataghin / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-24T13:15:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Fatayer_ShadiPassam_M.pdf: 3223190 bytes, checksum: f98805b3695907c808260ec6d392c1b8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: O estudo de sistemas moleculares em cima de substratos metálicos tem atraído uma crescente atenção da comunidade científica. O melhor entendimento sobre as características de auto-organização e a habilidade de controlá-las em moléculas tem gerado formas mais baratas e rápidas de usar a abordagem bottom-up em nanociência. Dentre os diversos estudos feitos, podemos citar o desenvolvimento de sensores de gás que utilizam do sinal magnético de uma camada auto-organizada de moléculas e da ligação de pequenas moléculas como CO ou NO que promovem a emergência de magnetismo na amostra. Outro aspecto interessante do estudo de sistemas moleculares se encontra na similariedade das moléculas que podem ser utilizadas com moléculas encontradas nos processos recorrentes na natureza, por exemplo, as clorofilas e hemoglobinas. Isto significa que ao estudar moléculas simples é possível mimetizar um comportamento parecido com o das moléculas citadas. Neste sentido, em nosso trabalho estudamos dois tipos de moléculas ¿ Porfirinas e Ftalocianinas ¿ e as propriedades estruturais quando depositadas em diferentes substratos metálicos. As porfirinas foram analisadas em uma superfície de baixo índice de Miller, Cu(111), e tiveram seu comportamento comparado com o análogo em superfícies vicinais, Au(332) e Au(788). As porfirinas formam estruturas em 1D quando depositadas em pequenas quantidades, dependendo da natureza do substrato e a largura de seu terraço. Em maiores coberturas, as porfirinas formam diferentes estruturas de empacotamento fechado em 2D, de simetrias quadrada e paralelogrâmica. Eletronicamente observou-se a modificação do entorno químico do níquel quando a molécula de NiTPP é adsorvida no Cu(111). As ftalocianinas foram depositadas em diferentes substratos visando a produção de co-organização de dois tipos de moléculas num padrão tabuleiro de xadrez. Após a obtenção do padrão de tabuleiro de xadrez, nós realizamos experimentos para elucidar os mecanismos que possibilitam formar tais estruturas. Com o intuito de estudar auto-organização molecular, nós empregamos técnicas sensíveis a superfícies como a Microscopia de Tunelamento, Espectroscopia de Tunelamento e Espectroscopia de Fotoemissão por Raios-X. Tais técnicas possibilitam a obtenção das propriedades estruturais e eletrônicas das nanoestruturas formadas / Abstract: The study of molecular systems on top of metal substrates has gathered increased atten-tion of the scientific community. Better understanding over different self-assembly haracteristics and the ability to control them in molecules has led to the development of quicker and cheaper routes of the use of the bottom-up approach in nanoscience. Among the diverse studies, we can cite the development of gas sensors that use the mag-netic signal of a self-assembled layer of molecules and the eventual binding of small molecules such as CO or NO leading to the emergence of magnetism on the sample. Another interesting aspect of the study of molecular systems is the similarity of molecules commonly used with molecules found in nature processes, e.g. chlorophylls and hemeglobins. This means that by studying simple molecules one can try to mimic the natural processes of those natural molecules. In this sense, in our work we have studied two classes of molecules ¿ Porphyrins and Phthalocyanines ¿ and their structural properties when deposited on different metal substrates. The porphyrins were analyzed on a low-index miller surface, Cu(111) and compared to their be-havior when deposited on vicinal substrates, Au(332) and Au(788). The porphyrins were ob-served to form 1D structures when deposited in small quantities depending on the nature of the substrate and its terrace width. At higher coverages, porphyrins formed different close-packed 2D structures, with square and parallelogram symmetry. Electronically was observed the modifica-tion of the chemical environment of nickel when NiTPP is adsorbed on Cu(111). The phthalo-cyanines were deposited on different substrates as well, towards the goal of producing co-assembling of two types of molecules as chessboard arrays. After the chessboard array was obtained, we gathered knowledge about the mechanisms that formed such structures. Towards the goal of studying molecular self-assembly, we have employed proper surface sensitive techniques such as Scanning Tunneling Microscopy, Scanning Tunneling Spectroscopy and X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy. Such techniques allowed us to obtain the structural and electronic properties of the nanostructures formed / Mestrado / Física / Mestre em Física

Estudos com tratamento hipertérmico de tumores utilizando nanopartículas metálicas têm sido realizados durante as últimas décadas e mostram resultados bons quanto à remissão de tumores, por vezes chegando à cura completa. O mesmo acontece em relação aos tratamentos baseados em ação fotodinâmica de fotossensibilizadores. Tratamentos aliando a terapia hipertérmica com nanopartículas de ouro e a terapia fotodinâmica com diversos fotossensibilizadores tem efeito sinérgico e apresenta excelente potencial terapêutico, em que pese serem necessários mais estudos para que uma nova terapia conjunta possa ser implementada. A proposta deste trabalho foi investigar esse efeito sinérgico utilizando nanobastões de ouro complexados com fotossensibilizadores. Após a síntese dos nanobastões pelo método de seeding, a eficácia do tratamento fotodinâmico e da terapia hipertérmica, separadamente, foi investigada. A metodologia do recobrimento dos nanobastões por fotossensibilizador, em um primeiro momento, não logrou êxito com a porfirina, porém com a ftalocianina tetracarboxilada se mostrou mais eficaz. A taxa de fotodegradação da ftalocianina em solução foi investigada como parâmetro para a eficiência em geração de oxigênio singlete. Após centrifugação e lavagem das nanopartículas, no entanto, evidenciou-se por espectrofotometria que o fotossensibilizador não permaneceu aderido aos nanobastões. Em um segundo momento, optamos por recobrir os nanobastões por porfirinas tetrassulfonadas, com ou sem grupamentos metil-glucamina. Após o processo de recobrimento, essas ftalocianinas formaram complexos iônicos com o CTAB que recobre os nanobastões. Os complexos nanobastões-ftalocianinas foram analisados por microscopia eletrônica de transmissão e as taxas de geração de oxigênio singlete e de radical hidroxil foram investigadas. Além disso, foram utilizadas para testes in vivo e in vitro com células de melanoma melanótico (B16F10) ou amelanótico (B16G4F). As células tumorais em cultura ou os tumores em camundongos C57BL6 foram irradiados com luz em 635 nm e os tumores foram observados por 15 dias após o tratamento. Houve evidente aumento na geração de oxigênio singlete por ambos fotossensibilizadores, e maior geração de radicais livres por parte do fotossensibilizador metilglucaminado. O oposto ocorre com o fotossensibilizador sem metilglucamina. Houve, também, moderada citotoxicidade no escuro quando células foram incubadas com nanopartículas recobertas por ftalocianinas ou não. Quando ativados pela luz, os complexos ftalocianinas-nanobastões desencadearam um aumento de 5ºC no meio de cultura das células, e a morte celular observada foi extensa (91% para a linhagem B16G4F e 95% para a linhagem B16F10). Tanto os resultados in vitro quanto os in vivo indicam que as propriedades das ftalocianinas testadas são melhoradas significativamente quando elas estão complexadas aos nanobastões. Este é um estudo pioneiro por utilizar duas porfirinas tetrassulfonadas específicas e por utilizar o mesmo comprimento de onda para a ativação dos fotossensibilizadores e nanobastões. / Studies with hyperthermic tumor ablation using metallic nanoparticles have been performed on the last decades, and show promising results on tumor remission, sometimes achieving the complete cancer elimination. The same occurs regarding on treatments based on photodynamic activity of photosensitizer compounds. Studies indicate that those therapeutic interventions - hyperthermic therapy using gold nanorods and photodynamic activity with many photosensitizers - together can present a synergistic effect, and offer a great therapeutic potential, although more investigation needs to be performed before such approach could be implemented. We proposed to investigate the effect of the attachment of photosensitizers onto the surface of gold nanorods (well-characterized devices for hyperthermia generation). After nanorods synthesis through a seed-mediated method, the PDT and hyperthermia\'s efficacy was assessed separately. The method used for covering the gold nanorods with photosensitizers did not permit, in a first approach, the attachment of porphyrins onto the nanoparticles surface, but the attachment of tetrasulfonated phthalocyanines was more successful. The phthalocyanine\'s degradation rate was assessed as an indirect parameter of singlet oxygen generation. After centrifuging and washing the nanoparticles, we saw that the photosensitizers do not keep attached to the nanorods. On a second approach, we chose to recover the nanorods with two zinc phthalocyanines - with or without methyl-glucamine groups. After the recovering process, the phthalocyanines formed ionic complexes with the CTAB that is previously recovering the nanoparticles. The nanorod-phthalocyanines complexes were analyzed by TEM, and their singlet oxygen and hydroxyl radical generation yield were assessed. Furthermore, they were tested in vitro in melanoticB16F10 and amelanotic B16G4F melanoma cells, and in vivo. The tumor cells (in vitro) and the tumor tissue (in vivo) with nanoparticles were irradiated with laser (at 635 nm), and the tumor growth in mice was observed for 15 days after the laser irradiation. It is evident the increase in the singlet oxygen generation, and higher HPF activation for the glucaminated Pc, but the inverse for the other photosensitizer. It seems like there is a type I to type II switch on the action mechanism of the latter Pc. A mild cytoxocity was observed with the nanorods conjugated with photosensitizer in the dark, but when they are activated by light (and taken into account a 5ºC rise in the temperature because of the surface plasmon resonance from the gold nanorods), the cell killing is intense (91% for B16G4F cell line, and 95% for B16F10 cell line). Both in vitro and in vivo results indicate that the photodynamic properties of the phthalocyanines tested are enhanced when they are attached onto the nanorods surface. This is a novel study because we used two tetrasulfonated phthalocyanines and because we used the same wavelength to activate both the nanorods and the photosensitizers.

Title: Cobalt phthalocyanines as sensors for determination of thiol groups Annotation: The possibility of employment of cobalt phthalocyanine as a material for the modification of HOPG electrode for construction of a sensor for quantification of thiol groups was studied. Thiol groups are occurring in various biologically active substances (sulfur amino acids). The electrochemical behavior of cobalt tetraneopentoxy-phthalocyanine (CoTNPc) in the water/organic phase system was studied, and individual peaks of cyclic voltammogram of the compound were identified. The electrodeposition of CoTNPc on HOPG electrode was found as a suitable method for construction of the sensor for quantification of thiol groups. The reproducibility of fabrication of the sensor and its time-stability was studied. The calibration dependencies for model analytes (cysteine hydrochloride and homocysteine) were measured. Key words: thiols, phthalocyanines, amperometric sensor, cyclic voltammetry