>Magister Scientiae - MSc / Supercapacitors are one of the important subjects concerning energy storage which has proven to be a challenge in this country. Currently, the electrodes of most commercial supercapacitor are made of carbon which is known to be inexpensive and has high resistance to corrosion. These carbon based supercapacitors operate under EDLC. They offer fast charging/discharging rates and have the ability to sustain millions of cycles without degrading. With their high power densities, they bridge the gap between batteries which offer high energy densities but are slow in charging/discharging and conventional dielectric capacitors which are very fast but having very low energy densities. The objective of this work was to develop a high performance supercapacitor using polyanilino-graphene oxide intercalated with platinum group metal nanocomposites. Specific capacitance of each material was investigated with the objective of ascertaining the material that has the best capacitance. In this work, GO was functionalized with aniline and intercalated with Pt, Pd and Pd-Pt nanocomposites. The nanomaterials were characterized with FTIR, Ultravioletvisible (UV-visible) spectroscopy, high resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), energy dispersive x-ray microanalysis (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The composites were tested for possible application as supercapacitor materials using potentiostatic-galvanostatic constant current charge/discharge. The synthesized materials had good electronic, mechanical, optical, physical etc. properties as proven by the various characterization techniques but they proved not to be ideal for application as supercapacitor materials. The materials tested negative when tested for both anodic and cathodic materials therefore we can conclude that the materials are not good supercapacitor materials and therefore cannot be used in application as novel as supercapacitors.

The need for green and renewable fuels has led to the investigation of ways to exploit renewable resources. Solar among all the renewables is the most powerful and its conversion into usable energy would help in solving the energy problem our society is facing. Photocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen production is an example of solar energy storage into chemical bonds. The hydrogen produced in this way can then be employed as carbon free fuel creating the “Hydrogen Cycle”. This work investigates the structure and the activity of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄), an organic semiconductor that proved a suitable photocatalyst for hydrogen production from water. Synthesised by thermal polycondensation of melamine it is a graphitic like material with a band gap of 2.7 eV which makes it a visible light active catalyst. In a first instance the effect of the synthesis conditions on its structure and morphology are investigated to find the optimum parameters. The temperature of condensation is varied from 450°C up to 650°C and the length from 2.5 h to 15 h. The structural changes are monitored via X-ray diffraction (XRD) and elemental analysis while the effect on the morphology and the band gap of g-C₃N₄ are investigated by mean of scanning electron microscopy and UV-Vis absorption. Subsequently, a study of the crystal structure of the catalyst is carried out. Using structures proposed in the literature, X-ray diffraction and neutron scattering simulations are used to narrow down the number of possible 3D structures. After structural characterisation, the activity of g-C₃N₄ for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution is evaluated. It is confirmed that loading 1 wt.% Pt on its surface significantly increases the hydrogen evolution rate. The attention then focuses on the loading procedures, the reduction pre treatments of the co-catalyst and the reasons of the different performances when different procedures are employed. The catalytic system is characterised by mean of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and XRD. By investigating the composition and the morphology of the platinum nanoparticles under different conditions, the main factors responsible for the changes in activity of g-C₃N₄ for hydrogen evolution are identified. Additionally, the role of the co catalyst and its interaction with g-C₃N₄ is also elucidated. Finally, taking forward the knowledge acquired on the Pt-g-C₃N₄ system, the effect on the hydrogen evolution rate of alloying platinum with a second metal (Cu, Ag, Ni and Co) is studied. The nanoparticles are characterised by XRD and TEM. A screening of the loading procedures and bimetallic systems is performed to identify the most promising for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution with the aim of bringing them towards further investigation.

From catalytic studies in surface science, it has been shown that the catalytic activity is dependent on the type of metal facet used. Nanocrystals of different shapes have different facets. This raises the possibility that the use of metal nanoparticles of different shapes could catalyze different reactions with different efficiencies. The catalytic activity is found to correlate with the fraction of surface atoms located on the corners and edges of the tetrahedral, cubic, and spherical platinum nanoparticles. It is observed that for nanoparticles of comparable size, the tetrahedral nanoparticles have the highest fraction of surface atoms located on the corners and edges and also have the lowest activation energy, making them the most catalytically active. Nanoparticles have a high surface-to-volume ratio, which makes them attractive to use compared to bulk catalytic materials. However, their surface atoms are also very active due to their high surface energy. As a result, it is possible that the surface atoms are so active that their size and shape could change during the course of their catalytic function. It is found that dissolution of corner and edge atoms occurs for both the tetrahedral and cubic platinum nanoparticles during the full course of the mild electron transfer reaction and that there is a corresponding change in the activation energy in which both kinds of nanoparticles strive to behave like spherical nanoparticles. When spherical palladium nanoparticles are used as catalysts for the Suzuki reaction, it is found that the nanoparticles grow larger after the first cycle of the reaction due to the Ostwald ripening process since it is a relatively harsh reaction due to the need to reflux the reaction mixture for 12 hours at 100 oC. When the tetrahedral Pt nanoparticles are used to catalyze this reaction, the tetrahedral nanoparticles transform to spherical ones, which grow larger during the second cycle. In addition, studies on the effect of the individual reactant have also provided clues to the surface catalytic process that is taking place. In the case of the electron transfer reaction, the surface catalytic process involves the thiosulfate ions binding to the nanoparticle surface and reacting with the hexacyanoferrate (III) ions in solution. In the case of the Suzuki reaction, the surface catalytic mechanism of the Suzuki reaction involves the phenylboronic acid binding to the nanoparticle surface and reacting with iodobenzene via collisional processes.

La radiothérapie basée sur l'utilisation des photons de haute énergie (rayons X) est l'approche la plus courante dans le traitement du cancer. Toutefois, elle est limitée par la tolérance des tissus sains. Par conséquent, il est d'un intérêt majeur de développer de nouvelles techniques et protocoles pour améliorer le ciblage dans les tumeurs. Dans cette perspective, la hadronthérapie (irradiation de la tumeur par des protons ou des ions carbone) est considérée comme l'une des techniques les plus prometteuses car le dépôt d'énergie est maximum en fin de parcours, ce qui permet de cibler la tumeur. Pourtant, l’utilisation de cette modalité reste limitée du fait de la dose reçue par les tissus sains situés à l'entrée du faisceau.Pour améliorer les performances des thérapies par radiation, une nouvelle stratégie basée sur la combinaison de nanoparticules métalliques (nano-médecine) avec des rayonnements ionisants a été développée par le groupe. En effet, les nanoparticules ont une chimie de surface remarquable qui permet de les fonctionnaliser avec des ligands qui les rendent plus futiles et moins reconnus des macrophages afin de les concentrer dans les tumeurs.Le but de mon travail a été de développer des nanoparticules à base de platine (NPs de platine pelylée et des nanoparticules bimétalliques) visant à améliorer l’effet des rayonnements ionisants (photons et ions carbone) dans les cellules.Une méthode originale de synthèse en une seule étape combinant la radiolyse et la PEGylation in situ a été optimisée. Cette méthode a permis d’obtenir des NPs stables, de taille homogène (cœur métallique proche de 3 nm).L'impact biologique de ces nouvelles NPs a été évalué sur deux lignées de cellules cancéreuses humaines. Il a été observé que les NPs, non-toxiques, ont un mode d’internalisation qui dépend de la lignée cellulaire. Celles-ci sont, dans tous les cas, localisées exclusivement dans le cytoplasme. Les NPs de platine développées dans ce travail permettent d’amplifier significativement la destruction des cellules cancéreuses, en particulier lorsqu’un faisceau médical d’ions carbone est utilisé comme rayonnement. Les mécanismes moléculaires à l’origine de cet effet ont été étudiés grâce à l’utilisation d’une nanosonde biologique. Ces expériences ont montré que les NPs sont responsables de l’augmentation de dommages nanométriques, qui peuvent être létaux pour les cellules. Cet effet est attribué à des processus électroniques d’activation et de reneutralisation de la NP qui engendre une forte perturbation dans le volume nanométrique qui l’entoure tel que la production groupée de radicaux fortement réactifs et toxiques.En conclusion, ce travail à l’interface de la physique, chimie et biologie montre les capacités des NPs à base de platine à améliorer l’éradication par radiation des cellules cancéreuses. / Radiotherapy based on the use of high energy photons (X-rays) is the most common approach in cancer treatment. However, its implementation is limited by the tolerance of healthy tissue. Therefore, it is of major interest the development of new techniques and protocols to improve the selectivity of radiation effects within the tumor. In this perspective, the hadrontherapy (tumor irradiation by protons or carbon ions) is considered as one of the most promising techniques due to the energy deposition of ions in depth which is maximum at the end of the track. However, the use of this modality remains restricted by the lower but significant damage induced to the normal tissue located at the entrance of the ion beam.To improve the performance of radiation therapies, a new strategy based on the combination of metallic nanoparticles (nanomedicine) with ionizing radiations was studied. These treatments have been developed by the group. Indeed, the nanoparticles present a remarkable surface chemistry that allows their functionalization with ligands which make them less recognized by macrophages allowing an important accumulation of these nano-agents selectively into the tumors.The goal of my work was thus to develop platinum based nanoparticles (mono- and bimetallic Pt NPs) to enhance the effect of radiations (photons and carbon ions) into the cells.A novel one-step method of synthesis combining radiolysis and in situ PEGylation has been optimized. This method enabled to obtain stable NPs with a uniform size (metallic core diameter close to 3 nm) and shape. The biological impact of these new Pt NPs was evaluated in two human cancer cell lines.It has been observed that non-toxic Pt NPs have an internalization pathway that strongly depends on the cell line. These are, in all cases, exclusively localized in the cytoplasm. The Pt NPs developed in this work significantly enhanced cancer cell killing, particularly when medical carbon ions are used to irradiate.The molecular mechanisms underlying this effect were investigated through the use of a bio-nanoprobe. These experiments showed that NPs are responsible for the increase of nanometric damage, lesions that can be lethal to cells. This effect is attributed to an electronic activation processes and to the reneutralisation of NPs, which generates a strong perturbation in the surrounding nanometer volume producing highly reactive and toxic free radical clusters.In conclusion, this work at the interface of physics, chemistry and biology shows the potential of platinum NPs to improve the eradication of cancer cells by radiation.

La presente tesis abarca estudios fundamentales para la electrocatálisis en la oxidación de etanol y ácido fórmico en nanopartículas de platino orientadas preferencialmente y poliorientadas soportadas en carbón. El objetivo principal en estas investigaciones es el de completar la oxidación hasta el dióxido de carbono sin formar veneno durante el transcurso de la reacción. Partiendo del etanol, la molécula principalmente estudiada, se han realizado multitud de trabajos investigando diferentes parámetros que pueden afectar a su reactividad, como es el caso de la estructura superficial del catalizador de platino, el efecto de cambiar el pH de trabajo y la importancia de la correcta dispersión del depósito de nanopartículas. Por último, se estudia el cambio en la catálisis de la oxidación de ácido fórmico y etanol al modificar la superficie de las nanopartículas de platino con un átomo diferente.

Nitrogen-doped carbon materials have garnered much interest due to their abilities to behave as electrocatalysts for reactions important in energy production (oxygen reduction) and biosensing (hydrogen peroxide reduction). Here, we demonstrate fabrication methods and determine electrocatalytic properties of nitrogen-doped screen-printed carbon (N-SPCE) electrodes. Nitrogen doping of graphite was achieved through a simple soft-nitriding technique which was then used in lab-formulated screen-printing inks to prepare N-SPCEs. N-SPCEs displayed good electrocatalytic activity, reproducibility and long term stability towards the electrochemical reduction of hydrogen peroxide. N-SPCEs exhibited a wide linear range (20 µM to 5.3 mM), reasonable limit of detection of 2.5 µM, with an applied potential of -0.4 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). We also demonstrate that nitrided-graphite can similarly be used as a platform for the deposition of electrocatalytic platinum nanoparticles, resulting in Pt-N-SPCEs with a lower limit of detection (0.4 µM) and better sensitivity (0.52 µA cm-2 µM-1) towards H2O2 reduction.

Hydrogen evolution via proton reduction occurs at a high rate at the surface of Pt than at Au electrodes. Using cyclic voltammetry, chemically modified nanometer-sized Au electrodes, prepared by the Laser-Assisted Puller Method, were employed to examine current amplification by electrocalysis at Pt nanoparticles adsorbed on the modified Au electrode surfaces. The electrodes were modified with Self-Assembled Monolayers (SAMs) of cysteamine and soaked in Pt colloid solutions overnight. Monitoring the decrements of the characteristic steady-state catalytic current for proton reduction indicated that aggregates of Pt nanoparticles are adsorbed on the cysteamine monolayers and desorb from them particle by particle. The results also indicate that some particles are strongly attached to the modified electrode surface and do not deplete even after thorough rinsing.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-24T19:37:59Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 VagnerSantos.pdf: 4155066 bytes, checksum: ae50f41570dc02ffdf10ee8ee6a584a7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-03-20 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / This work describes the preparation of platinum nanoparticles using the inorganic polymer 3-n-propylpyridine sylsesquioxane chloride (SiPy+Cl-) as nanoreator and stabilizer. The system comprising the metallic nanoparticle and the SiPy+Cl- (called hybrid Pt-SiPy+Cl-) was obtained by chemical reduction of H2PtCl6 in the presence of SiPy+Cl-, using formic acid as reducing agent. The formation of platinum nanoparticles was monitored by UV-vis spectroscopy by measuring the decrease in the intensity of the band in ca. 375 nm attributed to the electronic absorption of PtCl6 -2 ions. The average size of the nanoparticles was determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and is between 3 and 40 nm. The hybrid Pt-SiPy+Cl- was used as a polycation in the preparation of layer-by-layer (LbL) films on FTO substrate (tin oxide doped with fluorine), alone, or being alternated with polyanion polyvinylsulphonic acid (PVS). Measurements of cyclic voltammetry obtained from prepared films confirmed the incorporation of metallic platinum in the polymer SiPy+Cl-, as can be seen by the adsorption and desorption of hydrogen in potential regions characteristics for platinum. The electrodes containing LbL films of Pt-SiPy+Cl-/PVS and PVS/Pt-SiPy+Cl- were tested as catalyst for dopamine (DA) oxidation at different concentrations (1.0x10-6 mol L-1 to 2.17x10-3 mol L-1). The film containing 12 LbL bilayers of PVS/Pt-SiPy+Clpresented the greater homogeneity in the distribution of material on substrate, as determined by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The former also has the better response for the electrochemical determination of DA in concentrations lower than 1.0x10-5 mol L-1 (greater sensitivity) when compared to electrodes made of: a LbL film containing only the hybrid, a platinum plate and a FTO plate. Moreover, the limit of detection (LOD) for DA using the LbL film containing 12 bilayers of PVS/Pt-SiPy+Cl- was in the order of 1.0x10-5 mol L-1, while the other electrodes showed higher values. These results indicate that the application of this electrode formed by LbL films illustrate a new material for DA electrochemical detection, generating the possibility of replacing the conventional platinum electrodes. Moreover, in the future, there is the possibility of the application of this LbL film electrode as a sensor for in vivo DA detection. / Este trabalho descreve a preparação de nanopartículas de platina utilizando o polímero inorgânico cloreto de 3-n-propilpiridínio silsesquioxano (SiPy+Cl-) como nanoreator e estabilizante. O sistema composto pela nanopartícula metálica e o SiPy+Cl- (chamado de híbrido Pt-SiPy+Cl-) foi obtido via redução química do H2PtCl6 na presença de SiPy+Cl-, usando ácido fórmico como agente redutor. A formação das nanopartículas de platina foi monitorada por espectroscopia de UVvis medindo-se o decréscimo da intensidade da banda de 375 nm atribuída à absorção eletrônica dos íons PtCl6 -2. O tamanho médio das nanopartículas foi determinado por medidas de microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (MET) e estão entre 3 e 40 nm. O híbrido Pt-SiPy+Cl- foi utilizado como um policátion na preparação de filmes automontados sobre substrato FTO (óxido de estanho dopado com flúor) por meio da técnica Layer-by-Layer (LbL), sozinho, ou sendo alternado com o poliânion ácido polivinilsulfônico (PVS). Medidas de voltametria cíclica obtidas a partir dos filmes preparados confirmaram a incorporação de platina metálica no interior do polímero SiPy+Cl-, já que se pode observar o processo de adsorção e dessorção do hidrogênio em regiões de potencial características da platina. Os eletrodos formados com filmes automontados de Pt-SiPy+Cl-/PVS e PVS/Pt-SiPy+Cl- foram testados como catalisador para a oxidação da dopamina (DA) em diferentes concentrações (1,0x10-6 mol.L-1 a 2,17x10-3 mol.L-1). O filme LbL contendo 12 bicamadas de PVS/Pt-SiPy+Cl- foi o que apresentou uma melhor homogeneidade na distribuição do material sobre o substrato, conforme determinado por medidas de microscopia de força atômica (AFM). Este último, também foi o que apresentou uma melhor reposta eletroquímica na eterminação de DA em concentrações abaixo de 1,0x10-5 molL-1 (maior sensibilidade) em relação aos eletrodos constituídos por: um filme LbL formado apenas com o híbrido, uma placa de platina e uma placa de FTO. Além disso, o limite de detecção (LOD) para a DA utilizando o filme LbL contendo 12 bicamadas de PVS/Pt-SiPy+Cl- foi da ordem de 1,0x10-5 mol L-1, enquanto que os demais eletrodos apresentaram valores maiores. Estes resultados indicam que a aplicação desse eletrodo, formado por filmes LbL, mostram um novo material para detecção eletroquímica da DA criando a possibilidade de substituir os eletrodos convencionais de platina. Além da possibilidade, no futuro, da aplicação dos eletrodos LbL nas detecções de dopamina in vivo.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-24T19:38:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Monalisa Santos.pdf: 2681672 bytes, checksum: c32e0b48f967016b011a1aa3693a3b59 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-04-24 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This work presents a study for preparation of thin films obtained with a natural and synthetic polyelectrolyte, such as humic acid (HA) and by the hybrid prepared by encapsulation of platinum nanoparticles in the matrix of chloride 3-n- propylpyridinium silsesquioxane (Pt-SiPy+Cl-). Even when dealing with molecules of complex nature, the film deposition occurred regardless of the type of substrate. It was found that there was growth of films by alternate deposition of polyelectrolytes HA and Pt-SiPy+Cl-, governed largely by electrostatic interactions between functional groups COOH, OH-phenolic of HA with pyridinium ring of SiPy+Cl-. The presence of polyelectrolytes in LbL films built on molecular architectures (HA/Pt-SiPy+Cl-)n and (Pt-SiPy+Cl-/HA)n, was obtained by spectroscopic measurements. From the shifts of the bands in the absorption spectra in the UV-Vis region of LbL films in relation to the precursor solutions, it was inferred on the interactions between these molecules. Measurements of absorption spectroscopy FTIR and Raman scattering of the LbL film were observed by displacement or disappearance of absorption bands due to the presence of precursors of Pt-NPs cavities of SiPy+Cl-. It was found that bands were more intense and defined in the spectra of the film (HA/Pt-SiPy+Cl-)30 in relation to the (Pt-SiPy+Cl-/HA)30 film. This observation corroborates the results of UV-Vis showing that from 12 bilayers no linear growth of absorbance as a function of number of bilayers (Pt-SiPy+Cl-/HA)12. The AFM images showed a linear increase when the film (HA/Pt-SiPy+Cl-)30 was obtained with a thickness of 2.6 nm per bilayer, confirming the nanostructured nature provided by the molecular organization of polyelectrolytes. Morphological characterization showed that the homogeneity of the surface in function of the amount of deposited materials influence of surface phenomena, such as the number of active sites, as evidenced by electrochemical action of the hormone 17α - ethinylestradiol (EE2). From the diferential pulse voltammetric response of the investigated in the presence of EE2 6.25 x 10-5 mol L-1, it was found that the film (HA/Pt-SiPy+Cl-)3 showed high peak current (Ipa = 17.26 μA) and minor oxidation potential (Epa = 0,74 V vs Ag/AgCl) in relation to no modified electrode (FTO) (Ipa = 8,97 μA e Epa = 1,1 V). Under these conditions , the electrode (HA/Pt-SiPy+Cl-)3 obtained a linear response in the concentration range of 1.37 x 10-6 to 2.14 x 10-5 mol L- 1, yielding a sensitivity 0.68 mmol L-1 and limits of detection ( LOD) and quantification (LOQ ) equal to 1.06 x 10-6 and 3.52 x 10-6 mol L-1 . These values are close to those reported in the literature for electrodes modified with metals nanoparticles. Finally, the technique of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy confirmed that the sequence of deposition, the number of bilayers, as well as the nature of the nanostructured films LbL affect the charge transfer resistance. Therefore, the presence of HA in the architecture of the film decreases the charge transfer resistance of the fact that this macromolecule consist of large number of functional groups , which provide a greater number of sites occur for interactions with the pyridinium group SiPy+Cl- and consequently higher amounts of Pt-Np on the electrode surface. / Este trabalho apresenta um estudo para a obtenção de filmes finos obtidos com um polieletrólito natural e sintético, tal como o ácido húmico (AH) e o híbrido formado pela encapsulação de nanopartículas de platina na matriz de cloreto de 3-n-propilpiridínio silsesquioxano (Pt-SiPy+Cl-). Mesmo se tratando de moléculas de natureza complexas, a deposição do filme ocorreu independente do tipo do substrato. Verificou-se que houve crescimento dos filmes pela deposição alternada dos polieletrólitos AH e Pt-SiPy+Cl-, governadas em grande parte por interações eletrostáticas entre os grupos funcionais COOH, OH-fenólicos e enólicos do AH com o anel piridínio do SiPy+Cl-. A presença dos polieletrólitos nos filmes LbL construídos nas arquiteturas moleculares (AH/Pt-SiPy+Cl-)n e (Pt-SiPy+Cl-/AH)n, foi obtida por medidas espectroscópicas. A partir dos deslocamentos das bandas nos espectros de absorção na região do UV-Vis dos filmes LbL em relação às soluções precursoras, inferiu-se sobre as interações entre estas moléculas. Por medidas de espectroscopia de absorção na região do FTIR e espalhamento Raman dos filmes LbL observou-se deslocamento ou desaparecimento de bandas de absorção dos precursores devido à presença de NPs-Pt nas cavidades do SiPy+Cl-. Verificou-se que as bandas são mais intensas e definidas nos espectros do filme (AH/Pt-SiPy+Cl-)30 em relação ao filme (Pt-SiPy+Cl-/AH)30. Esta observação corrobora com resultados de UV-Vis mostrando que a partir de 12 bicamadas não há crescimento linear da absorbância em função do número de bicamadas (Pt-SiPy+Cl-/AH)n. As imagens de AFM revelaram um crescimento linear quando o filme (AH/Pt-SiPy+Cl-)30 foi obtido, com espessura de 2,6 nm por bicamada, confirmando a natureza nanoestruturada propiciada pela organização molecular dos polieletrólitos. A caracterização morfológica demonstrou que a homogeneidade da superfície em função da quantidade de material depositada influencia os fenômenos de superfície, como a quantidade de sítios ativos, fato constatado por medidas eletroquímicas do hormônio 17α-etinilestradiol (EE2). A partir das respostas voltamétricas por pulso diferencial dos sensores investigados na presença de EE2 6,25 x 10-5 mol L-1, verificou-se que o filme (AH/Pt-SiPy+Cl-)3 apresentou valores de corrente de oxidação mais intensos (Ipa = 17,26 μA) e menor potencial de oxidação (Epa = 0,74 V vs Ag/AgCl) em relação ao eletrodo não modificado (FTO) (Ipa = 8,97 μA e Epa = 1,1 V). Nestas condições, o eletrodo (AH/Pt-SiPy+Cl-)3 obteve uma resposta linear na faixa de concentração de 1,37 x 10-6 a 2,14 x 10-5 mol L-1, obtendo-se uma sensibilidade de 0,68 μmol L-1 e com limites de detecção (LD) e quantificação (LQ) iguais a 1,06 x 10-6 e 3,52 x 10-6 mol L-1. Estes valores estão próximos aos relatados na literatura para eletrodos modificados com nanopartículas metálicas. Por fim, a técnica de espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica confirmou que a sequência de deposição, o número de bicamadas, bem como a natureza nanoestruturada dos filmes LbL afetam a resistência de transferência de carga. Portanto, a presença do AH na arquitetura do filme diminui a resistência de transferência de carga pelo fato desta macromolécula ser constituída por grande quantidade de grupos funcionais, os quais disponibilizam maior número de sítios para interações com o grupo piridínio do SiPy+Cl-, e consequentemente disponibilizam maior quantidade de Np-Pt na superfície do eletrodo.

In this thesis, firstly, carbon-supported platinum nanoparticle catalysts have been prepared by using PtCl4 and H2PtCl6 as starting materials and 1-hexanethiol, and tert-octanethiol, as surfactants for the first time. Secondly, these prepared catalysts were heated to 200 &deg / C, 300 &deg / C, and 400 &deg / C for 4 h under argon gas. Lastly, PtRu/C catalysts, which have different atomic percent ratios of Pt and Ru (Pt/Ru: 0.8, 2.1 and 3.5), were prepared using PtCl4 and RuCl3 as starting materials and tert-octanethiol as a surfactant. Each was characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and elemental analysis, and their activities were determined toward the methanol oxidation reaction. It has been found that all prepared catalysts are more active toward methanol oxidation reaction compared to the commercial catalysts. It was also found that increasing the temperature during the heat treatment process results in an enlargement of platinum particle size and a decrease in catalytic activity in the methanol oxidation reaction. Transmission electron microscopy shows that platinum nanoparticles are homogeneously dispersed on the carbon support and exhibited a narrow size distribution with an average particle size of about 2-3 nm in diameter. X-ray photoelectron spectra of all catalysts indicated that most of the platinum nanoparticles (&gt / 70 %) have an oxidation state of zero and rest (&lt / 30 %) have a +4 oxidation state with (Pt 4f7/2) binding energies of 71.2-72.2 and 74.3-75.5 eV, respectively.