In recent years, the application of fluorescent conjugated polymers for sensing chemical and biological analytes has received much attention from many researchers. A promising development in this direction was the fabrication of conducting polymer-based sensors for the detection of metal ions, small organic molecules and biomolecules. Herein, we have designed, synthesized and studied a series of copolymers containing alternate phenylene and 2,5- or 2,6-substituted pyridine rings. The basic N-atom of the pyridine ring and the adjacent –OH group from the phenyl ring provide binding sites for metal ions. Another series of water-soluble conjugated polymers with propoxy sulfonate side chains are investigated for biosensor applications. Significant quenching of the polymer fluorescence upon addition of viologen derivatives was also observed. The quenching effect on the polymer fluorescence confirmed that the newly synthesized polymers can be useful in the application of metal and biological sensors. / Singapore-MIT Alliance (SMA)

Κατά την διάρκεια των τελευταίων χρόνων η εκτεταμένη χρήση των πλαστικών υλικών σε συνδυασμό με το γεγονός πως ακόμη και μετά την διάθεσή τους τα υλικά αυτά παραμένουν στο περιβάλλον για πολλά χρόνια, έχει προκαλέσει ένα από τα σημαντικότερα περιβαλλοντικά προβλήματα σε παγκόσμια κλίμακα. Για τον λόγο αυτό ιδιαίτερη έμφαση έχει δοθεί στην ανάπτυξη υλικών τα οποία έχουν την ικανότητα να αποδομούνται από το περιβάλλον στο οποίο διατίθενται και ονομάζονται βιοδιασπώμενα πολυμερή. Μεταξύ των διαφόρων τύπων υλικών που επάγονται σε αυτή την κατηγορία μεγάλο ενδιαφέρον έχει προκαλέσει η ομάδα των πολύ-υδροξυαλκανεστέρων (Poly-hydroxyalkanoates: PHAs). Περισσότερα από 300 στελέχη μικροοργανισμών έχουν χαρακτηριστεί ως προς την ικανότητα τους να συνθέτουν και να συσσωρεύουν τα πολυμερή αυτά ως αποθήκη άνθρακα και ενέργειας. Η συσσώρευση των PHAs πραγματοποιείται με την μορφή ενδοκυτταρικών εγκλεισμάτων όταν ο μικροβιακός πληθυσμός καλείται να ανταπεξέλθει κάτω από δυναμικές συνθήκες οι οποίες έχουν να κάνουν με την έλλειψη ενός χρήσιμου για την μικροβιακή ανάπτυξη συστατικού. Τέτοιες συνθήκες επιτυγχάνονται με περιορισμό του θρεπτικού μέσου σε άζωτο, φωσφόρο, μαγνήσιο, θείο, οξυγόνο ενώ υπάρχει υπερεπάρκεια όσον αφορά την πηγή άνθρακα την οποία οι μικροοργανισμοί θα χρησιμοποιήσουν ως υπόστρωμα για την παραγωγή PHAs. Στην παρούσα διατριβή αναπτύχτηκε μικτή καλλιέργεια μικροοργανισμών ικανών για παραγωγή PHAs χρησιμοποιώντας δραστική λάσπη ως πρώτη ύλη. Ο εμπλουτισμός της καλλιέργειας σε ΡΗΑ-συσσωρευτικά βακτήρια πραγματοποιήθηκε σε αντιδραστήρα περιοδικής πλήρωσης και απορροής (draw ‘n fill reactor) ενώ η στρατηγική εμπλουτισμού που ακολουθήθηκε ήταν η εναλλαγή μεταξύ περιοριστικών υποστρωμάτων άνθρακα και αζώτου στο θρεπτικό μέσο. Η ‘εμπλουτισμένη’ μικτή καλλιέργεια χαρακτηρίστηκε όσον αφορά τα κυρίαρχα στελέχη που την απαρτίζουν μέσω τεχνικής αλυσιδωτής αντίδρασης πολυμεράσης (Polymerase Chain Reaction - PCR). Έξι διαφορετικά στελέχη απομονώθηκαν τα οποία βρέθηκαν να ανήκουν στο γένος Pseudomonas. Κάθε ένα από αυτά μαζί με την μικτή καλλιέργεια μελετήθηκαν ως προς την ικανότητα τους να παράγουν PHAs τόσο σε αερόβιες συνθήκες απουσίας αζώτου όσο και σε συνθήκες απουσίας αζώτου με ταυτόχρονο περιορισμό σε οξυγόνο. Στις παραπάνω περιπτώσεις ως πηγή άνθρακα χρησιμοποιήθηκε συνθετικό μίγμα πτητικών λιπαρών οξέων (οξικό, προπιονικό, βουτυρικό) καθώς επίσης και οξυνισμένο απόβλητο ελαιοτριβείου (εκροή μεσόφιλου υδρογονοπαραγωγού αντιδραστήρα) πλούσιο σε πτητικά λιπαρά οξέα. Σύμφωνα με τα πειραματικά δεδομένα η μικτή καλλιέργεια έδωσε τα καλύτερα αποτελέσματα όσον αφορά τα ποσοστά συσσώρευσης και τους συντελεστές απόδοσης σε PHAs οπότε και προτιμήθηκε η χρήση και η περαιτέρω μελέτη της συμπεριφοράς της. Στην συνέχεια πραγματοποιήθηκαν πειράματα διαλείποντος έργου για την διερεύνηση των βέλτιστων συνθηκών παραγωγής PHAs από την εμπλουτισμένη καλλιέργεια χρησιμοποιώντας συνθετικά υποστρώματα δηλαδή οξικό, προπιονικό και βουτυρικό οξύ. Συγκεκριμένα μελετήθηκε: (α) η επίδραση του αρχικού pH χρησιμοποιώντας ως πηγή άνθρακα μίγμα οξικού, προπιονικού και βουτυρικού οξέος (g/l 1:1:1), (β) η επίδραση της πηγής άνθρακα στην κατανομή των μεταβολικών προϊόντων χρησιμοποιώντας είτε οξικό είτε προπιονικό είτε βουτυρικό οξύ καθώς και τους πιθανούς συνδυασμούς αυτών και (γ) η επίδραση του λόγου C/N στο θρεπτικό μέσο χρησιμοποιώντας ως πηγή άνθρακα μίγμα οξικού, προπιονικού και βουτυρικού οξέος (g/l 1:1:1). Επιπλέον, πραγματοποιήθηκε μελέτη της ανάπτυξης της κυτταρικής βιομάζας μέσω της κατανάλωσης των ενδοκυτταρικά συσσωρευμένων PHAs παρουσία εξωκυτταρικής πηγής αζώτου με ταυτόχρονη απουσία πηγής άνθρακα καθώς και η ενδοκυτταρική βιοαποδόμηση των PHAs για λόγους συντήρησης της βιομάζας. Κάνοντας χρήση του λογισμικού πακέτου MATLAB επιχειρήθηκε η πρόβλεψη τόσο της κατανάλωσης της πηγής άνθρακα όσο και της κατανομής των παραγόμενων PHAs στα πειράματα που αφορούν την παραγωγή των PHAs από διαφορετικές πηγές άνθρακα. Τέλος, σε μια προσπάθεια μείωσης του κόστους του υποστρώματος η οποία συνεπάγεται μείωση του κόστους των παραγόμενων PHAs, διερευνήθηκε η εκμετάλλευση οξυνισμένου αποβλήτου ελαιοτριβείου το οποίο ήταν προϊόν εκροής μεσόφιλου υδρογονοπαραγωγού αντιδραστήρα σε αντιδραστήρα συνεχούς λειτουργίας τύπου SBR. / During the last years the widespread use of plastic materials combined with the fact that even after their disposal these materials remain in the environment for many years, has caused one of the major environmental problems worldwide. For this reason special emphasis has been given to the development of materials which have the ability to degrade in the environment in which they are disposed and are called biodegradable polymers. Among the various types of materials that are induced in this category the group of Poly-hydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) attracts great interest. More than 300 strains of microorganisms have been characterized for their ability to synthesize and accumulate these polymers as carbon and energy storage. PHAs are accumulated in the form of intracellular inclusions (granules) when the microbial faces dynamic conditions which have to do with a lack of a useful for microbial growth component. Such conditions are achieved by providing a growth-limiting the medium in nitrogen, phosphorus, magnesium, sulfur, oxygen in the presence of excess carbon source which microorganisms use as precursor for PHAs production.. In the present thesis a mixed culture of microorganisms capable of producing PHAs was developed using activated sludge. The enrichment of the culture to PHAs forming bacteria took place in a draw ‘n fill reactor and the culture was submitted to alternating cycling between limitation of carbon and nitrogen substrates. After several cycles of operation under the above-mentioned conditions, the behavior of the culture seemed to stabilize and the microbial consortium that represented the ‘enriched’ culture was identified via real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Six different strains were isolated which were found to belong to the Pseudomonas genus. . The isolated strains and the ‘enriched’ culture were subsequently studied in terms of PHAs accumulation capacity under aerobic, nitrogen-limiting conditions as well as under dual nitrogen and oxygen limiting conditions. In these cases the carbon source used was a synthetic mixture of acetate, propionate and butyrate as well as acidified olive oil mill wastewater (outflow of mesophilic reactor used for biohydrogen production) which was rich in volatile fatty acids. According to experimental data obtained, the ‘enriched’ mixed culture gave the best results in terms of PHAs accumulation and yield and was consequently selected for further investigation. Subsequently, batch experiments were performed in order to investigate the optimal conditions for PHAs production by the ‘enriched’ mixed culture using synthetic substrates i.e. acetic, propionic and butyric acid. Specifically, (a) the influence of the initial pH using as carbon source a mixture of acetic, propionic and butyric acid (g/l 1:1:1) was studied, (b) the effect of the carbon source in the distribution of metabolic products using either acetic or propionic or butyric acid and all possible combinations thereof was studied and (c) the effect of the ratio c / N in the medium using as carbon source a mixture of acetic, propionic and butyric acid (g/l 1:1:1) was studied. Furthermore, the microbial growth through consumption of intracellular accumulated PHAs using extracellular nitrogen source with simultaneous absence of a carbon source was investigated as well as the intracellular biodegradation of PHAs for biomass maintenance. By using the MATLAB software it was attempted to simulate and predict both the consumption of the carbon source and the distribution of PHAs produced in the experiments related to the production of PHAs from different carbon sources. Finally, in an effort to reduce the cost of the substrate which reduces the cost of produced PHAs, we investigated the use of acidified olive mill wastewater in a continuous SBR type reactor.

Des revêtements polymères basés sur la physisorption de copolymères en peigne, dérivés du (Poly-L-Lysine)-g-poly(N Isopropylacrylamide) noté PLL-g-PNIPAM, ont été développés afin de contrôler réversiblement l'adhésion cellulaire. La préparation de ces revêtements repose sur l'adsorption spontanée de la poly(lysine) sur la plupart des substrats anioniques usuels en biologie, aisément mis en oeuvre par le non-spécialiste : une simple immersion du substrat dans une solution de PLL-g-PNIPAM donne une monocouche résistante au rinçage et dense en chaines poly(N-Isopropylacrylamide) thermosensibles.L'adsorption de copolymères en peigne dérivés de la PLL et portant des chaînes latérales de natures variées permet d'ajuster à souhait les propriétés du revêtement. Notre attention s'est portée particulièrement sur l'étude de couchesthermosensibles poly(N-Isopropylacrylamide-coligand), où le ligand est soit un groupe biotine, soit un peptide d'adhésion.Une voie de synthèse générique de dérivés PLL-g- PNIPAM est décrite. Elle se fonde sur la polymérisation RAFT du N-acryloxysuccinimide et la post-modification des unités de répétition puis des extrémités de chaînes. Des mesures de la température de transition soluble/insoluble en solution et des caractérisations par AFM et QCM-d de l'extension des chaînes en surface ont permis de démontrer que la transition au sein des revêtements s'opère à une température proche de celle en solution. La stabilité en termes de composition et d'épaisseur des revêtements suite à des cycles de transitions thermiques a été vérifiée. Une étude de l'adsorption de particules décorées par des protéines comme l'avidine a permis de montrer la capacité des couches adsorbée à exposer/masquer la biotine, et à réguler la formation de liaisons spécifiques par simple changement de température. Pour s'assurer de la possibilité d'ajustement du contraste d'accessibilité de ligands, cette étude a été complétée par des mesures sur des couches mixtes contenant des mélanges de chaînes fonctionnelles ou non fonctionnalisées. Enfin, en utilisant un peptide d'adhésion (RGD) comme ligand, il a été montré que l'interaction avec la surface de cellules HeLA peut être réversiblement contrôlée via une variation de température de quelques degrés, moyennant d'optimiser la densité en peptides et la présence de chaînes répulsives en surface.Un control local par stimulation lumineuse a été envisagé. Des poly(N-Isopropylacrylamide) contenant des azobenzenes furent synthétisés mais ne montrent qu'une faible réponse lumineuse. / Polymer coatings based on the physorption of comb-like polymers, (Poly-L-Lysine)-g-poly(NIsopropylacrylamide)derivatives (PLL-g-PNIPAM), have been developed to reversibly modulate specific cell adhesion on demand.This technique of coating relies on the spontaneous adsorption of PLL on typical anionic substrates used in biology: a simple bath application of substrates in solution of PLLg-PNIPAM affords a stable polymer adlayer with dense and thermoresponsive poly(NIsopropylacrylamide) brushes. Adsorption of comb-like polymers with different strands enables to easily modulate properties of the coatings. We focused on thermoresponsive poly(N-Isopropylacrylamide-co-ligand) brusheswhere ligand is Biotin or a peptide of adhesion.A versatile synthesis of PLL-g-PNIPAM is presented. This synthesis is based on RAFT polymerization of N-acryloxysuccinimide and post-modifications of both the backbone and the polymer ends. Detection of the transition soluble/insoluble in solution and AFM/QCM-d studies of PNIPAM adlayers demonstrate that the critical temperature in adlayers are close to the one in solution. Stability in terms of composition and thickness has been checked after temperature cycles. The study of the adsorption of Avidin-coated particles suggests that these adlayers can expose/mask Biotin, and so regulate specific interaction by simple change in temperature. To optimize the thermal contrast of ligand accessibility, this study includes measurements on mixed adlayers with functionalized/unfunctionalized brushes. Finally, specific adhesion of HeLa cells can be thermally modulated on adlayers presenting repellent brushes and with controlled densities of adhesive peptides (RGD).A local control has been considered on such coatings by using light stimulus. In this context, azobenzene-containing Poly(NIsopropylacrylamide) were synthesized but they shown only a weak light-response.

Este trabalho tem como principal objetivo comparar o comportamento fotovoltaico de heterojunções de P3HT/PCBM e heterojunções de P3HT/PCBM contendo nanopartículas de ouro (P3HT/PCBM/Au nanop). Inicialmente foi encontrada a melhor condição para deposição dos filmes de P3HT/PCBM, através do estudo do efeito do solvente, da temperatura e pressão durante a formação do filme de P3HT. Os resultados mostram que a melhor organização estrutural é obtida quando o polímero é disperso em clorobenzeno, e solidificado a temperatura 110°C em condição de baixa pressão. Os materiais foram caracterizados por voltametria cíclica, espectroscopia Uv-vis, espectroscopia no infravermelho, microscopia eletrônica de transmissão e difratometria de raios-x. Os dispositivos montados foram caracterizados por curvas de corrente versus potencial e eficiência de conversão de fóton incidente. Com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito das nanopartículas metálicas na estabilidade estrutural do dispositivo, foram realizadas obtidos espectros de FTIR dos filmes de P3HT na presença e na ausência de nanopartículas de ouro, após diferentes períodos de exposição à luz. Os filmes de P3HT/PCBM/Aunanop apresentaram maior absorção de luz na região do visível que resultou em maior eficiência de geração de fotocorrente quando comparada a P3HT/PCBM. Ainda através dos gráficos de IPCE foi observado um aumento da geração de fotocorrente na mesma região espectral do modo plasmônico. Através destes resultados nós observamos que a presença das nanoparticulas metálicas melhora a geração de fotocorrente, aumentando a XV intensidade de luz absorvida e o aprisionamento da luz dentro da camada fotoativa. / The main goal of this work was to compare the effect of gold nanoparticles on the photovoltaic properties of the P3HT/PCBM heterojunction. Initially we have studied the best condition to obtain the P3HT/PCBM films evaluating the effect of solvent, temperature and pressure during the formation of the film. The results show that the best structural organization is obtained from in chlorobenzene, at 110 oC at low pressure condition. The materials were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, Uv-vis spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and x-ray diffractometry. The assembled devices were characterized by current versus potential curves and incident photon to current efficiency. Aiming to evaluate the effect of gold nanoparticles on the structural stability of the device, we have performed FTIR experiments of the films with and without gold nanoparticles after different exposition periods. The P3HT/PCBM/Au nanop film presented improved optical behavior and enhanced photocurrent generation when compared to P3HT/PCBM, in addition by IPCE we have observed improved generation of photocurrent in the region near the absorption range of the gold nanoparticles. From the results we observe that the presence of gold nanoparticles improve the generation of photocurrent, by increasing light absorption and improving light entrapment in the photoactive film.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:22:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2012-06-28Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:49:57Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 semenzim_vl_me_sjrp_parcial.pdf: 77605 bytes, checksum: f58727b3dd34087fa9d922f29bac067e (MD5) Bitstreams deleted on 2014-11-14T12:16:55Z: semenzim_vl_me_sjrp_parcial.pdf,Bitstream added on 2014-11-14T12:17:43Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000696944.pdf: 398566 bytes, checksum: 3105a99c9e8591292c70a0dc96958d0a (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Partículas poliméricas com tamanho e morfologia controlados e propriedades físico-químicas adequadas são amplamente utilizadas em várias aplicações biomédicas, especialmente em embolização, uma técnica cirúrgica minimamente invasiva utilizada em tratamentos de diversas doenças vasculares e quimioembolização, que associa a embolização e a quimioterapia. Ela é realizada com uso de materiais denominados agentes embólicos, sendo as partículas de poli(vinil álcool) (PVA) amplamente utilizadas por apresentarem um alto grau de desempenho. As partículas de PVA estão disponíveis no mercado nas morfologias esféricas e floculares, sendo as esféricas as que apresentam menores riscos para o procedimento. Dessa forma, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo sintetizar e caracterizar microesferas de PVA para serem utilizadas em embolização e quimioembolização. Juntamente com a equipe de pesquisadores da empresa Braile Biomédica, a intenção é desenvolver um produto que ainda não é fabricado pela indústria nacional para ser comercializado a menores custos. Materiais e Métodos: As microesferas de poli(vinil álcool) (PVA) foram sintetizadas pelo método de polimerização em suspensão, seguida de hidrólise alcalina (ou saponificação). Na etapa de saponificação, diferentes concentrações de NaOH foram utilizadas. As amostras sintetizadas foram caracterizadas por Microescopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV), Difração de Raios-X (DRX), Calorimetria Diferencial de Varredura (DSC), Ressonância Magnética Nuclear de 13 C - cross polarization / magic angle spinning ( 13 C RMN CP/MAS) e Potencial Zeta (ζ). Resultados: A análise de MEV indicou que foram obtidas partículas esféricas. Os dados complementares de DRX, DSC e 13 C RMN CP/MAS indicam que à medida que se aumenta a concentração... / Polymeric particles with size and morphology controlled and appropriate physicochemical properties are widely used in several biomedical applications, especially in embolization, a minimally invasive procedure routinely used in treatments of some vascular diseases, and chemoembolization, which combines embolization and chemotherapy. It is performed using materials called embolic agents, being poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) particles often used because its high performance. These particles are commercially available in spherical and flocculate morphologies, however spherical particles present lower risks than flocculates ones during the procedure. Thus, this study proposes to develop and improve spherical PVA particles to be used in embolization and chemoembolization. The development are being conducted by the researchers group from Braile Biomédica, the goal is to develop a product that is not yet produced in the national industry, commercializing it at lower costs. Materials and Methods: PVA microspheres were synthesized by suspension polymerization method, followed by alkali hydrolysis (or saponification). In the saponification step, different concentrations of NaOH were used. The samples synthesized were characterized by Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), 13 C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance - cross polarization / magic angle spinning ( 13 C CP/MAS NMR) and Zeta Potential (ζ). Results: SEM analysis indicated that spherical particles were obtained. The complementary data of XRD, DSC and 13 C CP/MAS NMR indicate that the use of high NaOH concentrations (in the saponification process) determines reordering in the lateral chains of the polymer, which causes an increase of material’s crystallinity. Zeta Potential (ζ) data of the samples indicated that, in an... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Orientador: Hermes Adolfo de Aquino / Banca: Newton Luiz Dias Filho / Banca: Aldo Eloizo Job / Resumo: Neste trabalho foram obtidos e caracterizados filmes de polivinil álcool (PVAl) puro e híbrido polivinil álcool/sulfeto de cádmio (PVAl/CdS). A síntese foi realizada usando o método "hidrotérmico in situ". O híbrido é composto pela matriz orgânica o PVAl e a outra fase inorgânica é o CdS. As amostras foram obtidas na forma de filmes pelo método "casting" a partir de soluções de PVAl/CdS sintetizadas, as quais possuem concentrações de (0.05 %); (0.1 %); (0.2 %); (0.4 %) e (0.7 %) em peso de CdS. A morfologia e as propriedades ópticas, térmicas e elétricas do filme de PVAl e do híbrido PVAl/CdS foram caracterizadas pelas técnicas de Difração de Raios -X (DRX), Espectroscopia na Região do Ultravioleta-visível (UV-vis), Calorimetria Diferencial Exploratória (DSC) e Espectroscopia de Impedância. A análise de DRX utilizando o software composto por um banco de dados de cristalografia indicou a formação de nanopartículas de CdS que possuem estrutura hexagonal. Através de cálculos usando a equação de Scherrer obteve-se o tamanho das nanopartículas que variaram entre (70 e 113 nm). As medidas de UV-vis também confirmaram que as partículas possuem diferentes tamanhos. A presença das nanopartículas é indicada por um pequeno deslocamento da banda de absorção característica do material em determinado comprimento como o CdS "bulk" (490 nanômetro (nm)). O deslocamento desta banda, característica para comprimento de onda menor (de 490 para 485 nm) indica que os tamanhos das partículas são suficientemente pequenos para produzir o chamado efeito quântico. A análise térmica de DSC indicou o comportamento térmico e a influência das partículas CdS sobre os tipos de transformações básicas do polímero como a temperatura de transição vítrea (Tg), temperatura de fusão (Tm), temperatura... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: In this work were obtained and characterized films of pure polyvinyl alcohol (PVAl) and hybrid PVAl/CdS. The synthesis was performed using the "hydrothermal in situ" method. The hybrid is composed by one organic part, called matrix polyvinyl alcohol (PVAl) and an inorganic phase, cadmium sulfide (CdS). The samples were obtained as films by the "casting" method from PVAl/CdS solutions with (0.05 %); (0.1 %); (0.2 %); (0.4 %) and (0.7 %) concentration of CdS. The morphology, optical properties, thermal properties and electrical properties of pure PVAl film and hybrid PVAl/CdS were characterized by techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy in the ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and impedance spectroscopy. The analysis of XRD using programs with crystallography data stored shows the formation of CdS nanoparticles which have hexagonal structure. Through calculation using the Scherrer equation, the sizes of the nanoparticles were obtained in a gap between (70 and 113 nm). The measurements of UV-vis also showed that the particles have different sizes and that the CdS particles have dimensions in nanometric scale. The presence of nanoparticles is indicated by a small shift of the absorption band of the material characteristic as in the CdS bulk, (490 nm). When such characteristic band shift occurs to shorten wavelength from (490 to 485 nm), it indicates that the particle size decreased due to quantum effects. It is confirmed by the XRD technique. The thermal analysis of DSC studied the thermal behavior and the influence of CdS particles on the types of transformations as the basic polymer glass transition temperature (Tg), melting temperature (Tm), crystallization temperature (Tc). The external factor that most affect the T m and Tg is the presence of plasticizers. It could be noted when intentionally added the CdS... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Este trabalho tem como principal objetivo comparar o comportamento fotovoltaico de heterojunções de P3HT/PCBM e heterojunções de P3HT/PCBM contendo nanopartículas de ouro (P3HT/PCBM/Au nanop). Inicialmente foi encontrada a melhor condição para deposição dos filmes de P3HT/PCBM, através do estudo do efeito do solvente, da temperatura e pressão durante a formação do filme de P3HT. Os resultados mostram que a melhor organização estrutural é obtida quando o polímero é disperso em clorobenzeno, e solidificado a temperatura 110°C em condição de baixa pressão. Os materiais foram caracterizados por voltametria cíclica, espectroscopia Uv-vis, espectroscopia no infravermelho, microscopia eletrônica de transmissão e difratometria de raios-x. Os dispositivos montados foram caracterizados por curvas de corrente versus potencial e eficiência de conversão de fóton incidente. Com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito das nanopartículas metálicas na estabilidade estrutural do dispositivo, foram realizadas obtidos espectros de FTIR dos filmes de P3HT na presença e na ausência de nanopartículas de ouro, após diferentes períodos de exposição à luz. Os filmes de P3HT/PCBM/Aunanop apresentaram maior absorção de luz na região do visível que resultou em maior eficiência de geração de fotocorrente quando comparada a P3HT/PCBM. Ainda através dos gráficos de IPCE foi observado um aumento da geração de fotocorrente na mesma região espectral do modo plasmônico. Através destes resultados nós observamos que a presença das nanoparticulas metálicas melhora a geração de fotocorrente, aumentando a XV intensidade de luz absorvida e o aprisionamento da luz dentro da camada fotoativa. / The main goal of this work was to compare the effect of gold nanoparticles on the photovoltaic properties of the P3HT/PCBM heterojunction. Initially we have studied the best condition to obtain the P3HT/PCBM films evaluating the effect of solvent, temperature and pressure during the formation of the film. The results show that the best structural organization is obtained from in chlorobenzene, at 110 oC at low pressure condition. The materials were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, Uv-vis spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and x-ray diffractometry. The assembled devices were characterized by current versus potential curves and incident photon to current efficiency. Aiming to evaluate the effect of gold nanoparticles on the structural stability of the device, we have performed FTIR experiments of the films with and without gold nanoparticles after different exposition periods. The P3HT/PCBM/Au nanop film presented improved optical behavior and enhanced photocurrent generation when compared to P3HT/PCBM, in addition by IPCE we have observed improved generation of photocurrent in the region near the absorption range of the gold nanoparticles. From the results we observe that the presence of gold nanoparticles improve the generation of photocurrent, by increasing light absorption and improving light entrapment in the photoactive film.

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

Protozoários do gênero Trypanosoma infectam milhões de pessoas todo ano e coletivamente contribuem muito para as misérias humanas, pois são causa de muitas das doenças negligenciadas tropicais. Várias vias metabólicas essenciais são encontradas nesses parasitas tornando-os particularmente atrativos para investigações moleculares. Mecanismos de controle pós-transcricional tem sido alvo de estudo por sua peculiaridade nesses organismos. Nesse cenário, proteínas da classe das poli-A-binding proteins (PABP) possuem função no início da tradução, turnover do mRNA e interação com o 5´-CAP. Nesse trabalho foi identificada a homóloga poli-A binding protein 1 (PABP1) de Trypanosoma brucei. O silenciamento do gene pabp1 revelou que a ausência da proteína é letal ao parasita, comprovando sua essencialidade nesse organismo. Da mesma maneira, na ausência da proteína observou-se erro no processamento do mRNA sugerindo possível função nos eventos de cis e trans splicing. Sua localização subcelular foi avaliada indicando localização citoplasmática, bem como o são suas homólogas. No citoplasma, a proteína apresenta-se em estrutura reticulada, co-localizada com proteínas de retículo endoplasmático. Porém, sob estresse induzido a proteína relocaliza para o compartimento nuclear, indicando ser uma proteína com trânsito núcleo-citoplasma ainda não demonstrada na literatura. As funções identificadas sugerem a existência de um sub-complexo a 3´ do mRNA que acopla poliadenilação e splicing. Além disso, a relocalização nuclear parece ocorrer em resposta a estímulo externo, sugerindo que a relocalização do mRNA para o núcleo pode ser uma estratégia da célula para modular sua resposta gênica frente a variações do ambiente. / Protozoa of the genus Trypanosoma infect millions of people every year and collectively contribute to the human misery by causing several neglected tropical diseases. Several intriguing molecular pathways are found in these parasites also, rendering them particularly attractive for biochemical investigation. This unique eukaryotic cells lack mechanisms to control gene expression at the transcriptional level, they mostly control protein synthesis by posttranscriptional regulation process. Several RNAs and proteins are involved in this process, including poly(A) binding proteins. The poly(A)- binding protein of eukaryotes plays a role in polyadenylation, translation initiation and metabolism of mRNA. In this work the poly(A) binding protein 1 (PABP1) was identified in Trypanosoma brucei. Depletion of TbPABP1 showed its essential role in the procyclic form of the parasite. Immunofluorescence assays showed localization in the cytosolic compartment despite of its functions in cis and trans splicing as shown by RNA analysis of cells free from PABP1. As it was shown in the homologs, PABP1 it´s not only a cytosolic protein but it shuttles between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. Together with the literature, these results suggest an active complex in the 3´ end of the mRNA which works in synchrony with the splicing and capping machinery implying PABP1 as possible link between these processes.

Neste trabalho, materiais nanocompósitos de poli(imida) (PI) derivada de BTDA-pFDA-Mel e argila do tipo montmorilonita, organicamente modificada (O-MMT), foram sintetizados usando a metodologia de two-steps. O componente inorgânico do nanocompósito foi adicionado nas concentrações de 3,3, 5,3 e 8,3% em massa. As membranas sintetizadas foram caracterizadas por Espectroscopia de Absorção na Região do Infravermelho com Transformada de Fourrier (FTIR), Difração de Raio X (DRX), Termogravimetria (TG), Espectroscopia de Fotoelétrons Excitados por Raio X (XPS) e Microscopias Ótica (MO), Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV) e de Transmissão (MET). Os resultados comprovam a formação de PI e uma estrutura de nanocompósito do tipo intercalado, onde a cadeia polimérica expulsa o surfactante do espaço interlamelar; além de apresentar estruturas de argila parcialmente esfoliadas. Os materiais sintetizados foram avaliados como polieletrólito em célula a combustível alcalina (Alkaline Fuel Cell - AFC), obtendo condutividades iônicas em torno de 0,032 S cm-1 e de 0,017 S cm-1 para as membranas de PI pura e de nanocompósito com 3,3% de argila em massa, respectivamente, ambas a 60 °C, as quais são na ordem ou até mesmo superior que os polieletrólitos comercias (Tokuyama®, 0,014 S cm-1) para eletrólito alcalino. Apesar de condutividades razoáveis, a performance obtida para as AFCs em operação não foram satisfatórias, desta forma, membranas de nanocompósitos com PI de cadeia principal de maior mobilidade foram sintetizadas, caracterizadas e avaliadas nas AFCs. Ademais, neste segundo nanocompósito, a adição de grupamentos amino na cadeia principal foram realizados para aumentar a condutividade iônica. Assim, este segundo material apresentou uma maior performance nas AFCs quando comparado com o nanocompósito de PI de cadeia mais rígida e com a membrana comercial Tokuyama® nas mesmas condições. Além disso, a carbonização superficial das amostras foi realizada por meio de tratamento térmico. A formação de estruturas grafitizadas nos materiais de PI pura e dos nanocompósitos foram investigadas por FTIR, DRX, TG, XPS e EPR. Foi encontrado que a formação de estruturas do tipo grafite nas amostras ocorrem principalmente nas primeiras camadas (grafitização superficial), preservando a estrutura interna da poli(imida). Com isso, estruturas poliméricas ou nanocompósitos com superfícies grafitizadas podem atuar tanto como polieletrólitos e ser um caminho promissor para o desenvolvimento de arranjos eletrodo-membrana (Membrane Electrode Assembly - MEA) mais eficientes para células a combustíveis alcalinas, como em processos de catálise heterogênea e processos de separação com membranas. / In this work, Poli(imide)/clay (PI/clay) nanocomposite membranes were synthesized by employing a two-steps method using organically modified montmorillonite clay (O-MMT) with different amounts of O-MMT loading (3.3, 5.3 and 8.3 wt.%). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray power diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements, confirmed the formation of pure PI and intercalated-nanocomposite structures. The results revealed parallel clay layers with interlamellar PI and some organoclay partially exfoliated. In addition, the polyelectrolyte membranes of PI and PI/O-MMT (3.3 wt.%) showed that the ionic conductivity were 2- and 1-fold, respectively, higher than that of commercial membrane (Tokuyama®, 0.014 S cm-1), in alkaline fuel cells (AFC) at 60 °C. Despite the fact that the membranes of pure PI and PI/O-MMT demonstrated a good degree of ionic conductivity, rapid fuel cell performance deactivation occurred for the temperature higher than 75 °C. Furthermore, the lack of prepared polyelectrolyte ionic groups, led us to consider alternative synthesis of PI/clay nanocomposite membranes. Thus, the performance for second polyelectrolyte was superior when compared to pure PI, PI/O-MMT and commercial Tokuyama® membranes at same conditions. Moreover, the samples were also surface carbonized by thermal treatment. Combining FTIR, XRD, TG, XPS and electron paramagnetic resonance (ESR) analysis, the results suggested that graphitized nanostructures formation occurred mainly on the surface, maintaining the PI bulk structure. Therefore, graphitized PI/clay membranes may act as one promising way for enhancing both membrane electrode assembly in alkaline fuel cells and gas separation or catalysis.