Hydrocarbon chains are a basic component in a number of systems as diverse as biological membranes, phospholipids and polymers. A better understanding of the physical properties of n-alkane chains should provide a better understanding of these more complex systems. With this aim, vibrational spectroscopy has been extensively used. This technique, sensitive to molecular details, is the only one able to both identify and quantify conformational disorder present in paraffinic systems. To achieve this, methyl deformations have been widely used as "internal standards" for the normalisation of peak areas. However, in the case of n-alkanes with short chain length, such as n-C[44]H[90] for example, the infrared spectra recorded at liquid nitrogen temperature and reported here show the sensitivity of these latter peaks to the various crystal structures formed. Indeed, the main frequencies of the symmetric methyl bending mode were found between 1384 cm[-1] and 1368 cm[-1] as a function of the crystal form. Changes in the frequency of the first order of the L.A.M. present in the Raman spectra were also observed. At higher temperatures, non all-trans conformers, inferred from different infrared bands present in the wagging mode region, were found to be essentially placed at the end of the n-alkane chains. At the monoclinic phase transition, the concentration of end-gauche conformers, proportional to the area of the infrared band at 1342 cm[-1], increases abruptly. On the contrary, in the spectra recorded at liquid nitrogen temperature no such band is observed. We also studied the degree of disorder in two purely monodisperse long chain n-alkanes, namely n-C[198]H[398] and n-C[246]H[494]. The chain conformation as well as the tilt angle of the chains from the crystal surfaces were determined by means of low frequency Raman spectroscopy and S.A.X.S. measurements on solution-crystallised samples. The increase in the number of end-gauche conformers which was expected to occur with the increase of the tilt angle as a function of the temperature was not detected due to a perfecting of the crystals. Indeed, due to successive heating and cooling to -173°C, the concentration of non all-trans conformers was found to decrease within the crystals. Their numbers were found to be up to six times higher in n-C[198]H[398] crystallised in once folded form than when crystallised in extended form. The C-C stretching mode region of the spectra was used to identify the chain conformation and to estimate the length of the all-trans stem passing through the crystal layers at -173°C. The transition between once folded and extended form crystals was indicated by the presence of additional bands in this region at 1089 cm[-1], 1078 cm[-1] and 1064 cm[-1]. Some of those bands may be related to the fold itself. At the same time, a strong decrease of the intensity of the infrared bands present in the wagging mode region was observed. Finally, the triple layered structure proposed on the basis of X-ray measurements obtained from the crystals of a binary mixture of long chain n-alkanes, namely n-C[162]H[326] and n-C[246]H[494], was confirmed from the study of the C-C stretching mode region of the infrared spectra.

Le recyclage des terres rares à partir de déchets électroniques n'a toujours pas trouvé une réalisation industrielle significative. L'une des raisons est le manque de procédures de séparation optimisées en raison de connaissances fondamentales médiocres sur ces systèmes. En raison des similitudes chimiques et physiques de ces métaux, la conception d'une formulation efficace, adaptative et prédictive est toujours hors de portée des possibilités. L'interprétation supramoléculaire de la formation complexe dans la phase organique est de plus en plus importante au cours des dernières années. C'est l'approche la plus prometteuse permettant l'explication de divers phénomènes, tels que la formation de la troisième phase et les signaux forts dans de petites expériences de diffusion et de revenir à des méthodes bien connues de la science des tensioactifs. Notre contribution à une compréhension plus complète dans cette matière est l'analyse du comportement électrodynamique de ces phases et la corrélation de ces résultats avec les résultats des propriétés d'auto-assemblage et du transport de masse dans ces médias. Pour cette étude, nous avons spécifiquement conçu un modèle de référence, en passant un processus d'extraction à ses quatre composants fondamentaux: l'extracteur avant l'extraction (acide Di-(2-éthylhexyl) phosphorique, HDEHP), l'extrait après extraction (son sel de sodium, NaDEHP ), le toluène comme diluant apolaire et de l'eau. Un prisme de phase de Gibbs a été préparé (illustré sur la figure 1), où l'axe z donne le rapport de HDEHP à NaDEHP, ce qui représente le développement d'une extraction. Couvrant le domaine de basse fréquence, la spectroscopie d'impédance a été la méthode de choix afin de déterminer la conductivité dépendant de la fréquence. En utilisant la spectroscopie de relaxation diélectrique, nous révélons des processus dynamiques rapides à haute fréquence. Des mesures combinées SAXS et SANS ont été effectuées pour comparer les tendances électrodynamiques avec les propriétés d'agrégation et les interactions entre groupes. Deux phénomènes ont été identifiés comme responsables du profil de conductivité dans les systèmes micellaires inverse: la formation d'agrégats chargés par la dissimulation et la percolation. Tout au long du système de référence, ces deux processus ont été sondés en fonction de trois variables: la concentration totale d'agent d'extraction, le rapport eau-agent tensioactif et le rapport Na: H. En tant que résultat majeur, l'eau joue un rôle important dans les deux processus. En cas de percolation, les agrégats inverse ne peuvent pas fusionner en l'absence d'eau. Par conséquent, la conductivité électrique est interdite. Dans les systèmes dilués, l'eau facilite le processus de dismutation, entraînant une augmentation de la conductivité. / Recycling of rare earths from electronic waste has still not found a significant industrial realization. One reason is the lack of optimized separation procedures due to poor fundamental knowledge on these systems. Due to the chemical and physical similarities of these metals, designing an efficient, adaptive and predictive formulation is still out of scope of possibilities. The supramolecular interpretation of complex-formation in the organic phase has gained an increasing importance in the last years. It is the most promising approach allowing the explanation of diverse phenomena, such as third phase formation and strong signals in small scattering experiments and to revert to methods well known from surfactant science. Our contribution towards a more complete understanding in this matter is the analysis of the electrodynamic behaviour of such phases and the correlation of these findings with the results of self-assembly properties and mass transport in these media.For this study, we specifically designed a reference model, breaking an extraction process down to its four fundamental components: The extractant before extraction (Di-(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid, HDEHP), the extractant after extraction (its sodium salt, NaDEHP), toluene as apolar diluent and water. A Gibbs phase prism has been prepared (illustrated in Figure 1), where the z-axis gives the ratio of HDEHP to NaDEHP, representing the development of an extraction. Covering the low frequency-domain, impedance spectroscopy has been the method of choice in order to determine the frequency-dependent conductivity. Using dielectric relaxation spectroscopy, we reveal fast dynamic processes at high frequencies. Combined SAXS and SANS measurements have been performed to compare the electrodynamic trends with aggregation properties and intercluster interactions.Two phenomena have been identified to be responsible for the conductivity profile in reverse micellar systems: the formation of charged aggregates through dismutation and percolation. Throughout the reference system, these two processes have been probed as function of three variables: total extractant concentration, the water-to-surfactant ratio and the Na:H-ratio. As a major result, water plays a significant role in both processes. In case of percolation, reverse aggregates are not able to merge in the absence of water. Therefore, electrical conductivity is prohibited. In dilute systems, water facilitates the dismutation–process leading to an increase in conductivity.

Orientador: Carlos Kenichi Suzuki / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Mecanica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-07-24T13:34:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Morales_RoneCesar_M.pdf: 8735132 bytes, checksum: d1426ae0f0f829e57ca80edcdf2271b9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 1999 / Resumo: A importância sempre crescente da biomassa e de seus subprodutos na área industrial, com destaque ao uso do carvão vegetal, para geração de energia ou termo-redução (agente desoxidante); requer pesquisas fundamentais visando amplo entendimento de suas características estruturais e composicionais. No Brasil, o bagaço de cana abre perspectivas bastante atraentes neste setor, visto que constitui-se numa matéria-prima usual, renovável de grande produção, podendo contribuir no sentido de substituir parte da exploração madeireira para produção de carvão, haja vista que parte dessa exploração ainda é atribuída ao desmatamento de matas nativas. Contribuindo para tal questão, conduziu-se neste trabalho a análise estrutural por Difração de Raios-X (XRD), Espalhamento de Raios -X a Baixo Ângulo (SAXS) e a Ultra Baixo Ângulo (VSAXS), em carvões derivados de madeira e bagaço de cana- de -açucaro Análise Química por Fluorescência de Raios-X (XRF) detenninaram a composição química, acompanhada por Análise com Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV). Parte das amostras de carvão vegetal foram pirolisadas e tratadas termicamente (HTT) a temperaturas entre 430 e 1300°C.A aplicação da teoria de Warren nas análises dos difratogramas, permitiu avaliar a reordenação estrutural alcançada para o carbono ao longo do tratamento térmico. Tais interpretações mostraram que, em relação às amostras de carvão de madeira, as amostras de carvão de bagaço são menos susceptíveis a uma ordenação na cadeia carbônica, que induz ao rearranjo para estrutura grafitica. Análises por SAXS e VSAXS, mostraram também, em função de HTT, certa diminuição no tamanho de microporos (próximos a 80 Á) e agregados (próximos a 1200 Á), respectivamente. Análises por SAXS denotam ainda, aumento na concentração de centros de espalhamentos (heterogeneidades), em função de HTT, na faixa de SAXS (~0,2 < q < 0,4 'm POT. ¿1¿). Análises por XRF indicam grande gama de elementos, destacando-se a sílica, que é encontrada em maiores quantidades no carvão de bagaço em relação ao de madeira. Elementos como K, AI. Mg, Fe ,Na, Ca, Mn, são detectados para ambos tipos de carvão, porém em maiores concentrações para o carvão de bagaço de cana. Entretanto, a desmineralização conduzidas para amostras de carvão de bagaço de cana, demonstra viabilizar um decréscimo na participação dos elementos mais proeminentes (como Fe, AI. K, Ca, Na) para valores próximos àqueles encontrados para madeira, sabidamente de maior pureza. A utilização de carvão vegetal de bagaço de cana, analisado sob o ponto de vista composicional, tornaria-se deste modo, passível de utilização na redução carbotérmica do quartzo, haja vista que a impureza principal por sílica, não traria agravantes ao processo / Abstract: During the last few years, the industrial interest for the utilization of biomass and its byproducts has being increased very fast. In particular, the application of charcoal for thermo reduction of minerais (e.g. carbothermic reduction of quartz into silicon) is very attractive as an environmentally friend process in comparison with coal. In Brazil, the sugar- cane bagasse opens a new perspective for the substitution of wood for charcoal production, especially if we consider that a fraction of utilized wood comes from native forest. The present research reports the study of properties characterization of structure and chemical composition of charcoal carbonized from wood an sugar-cane bagasse by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), small angle and very-small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS and VSAXS), X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A number ofsamples were heat-treated afier pyrolysis in the interval oftemperature of 430 and 1300 oCoThe Warren model was applied to evaluate the structural rearrangement of disordered carbons. The result shows a slight progressive structural ordering with carbonization temperature and also with heat treatment temperature (HTT). It has also been observed that such interpretation, the samples of charcoal from sugar cane is less susceptible to carbon ordering than charcoal from wood, fact that can conduct to graphitization. The analysis by SAXS e VSAXS reveals a slight decrease of inhomogeneities and micropores in the range of the radius of gyration of ~80 A and 1200A,respectively,as a function of increasing of HTT. SAXS analysis still denotes an increase of concentration of scattering centres (inhomogeneities) as a function of HTT, in the interval ofSAXS (~,2 < q < '0,4 POT. -l). The content of mineraIs, particular silica is much higher for the charcoal from bagasse in comparison with wood. Several other elements, such as K, AI, Mg, Fe, Na, Ca, are also present, but with higher concentration in bagasse charcoal. However, the result of desmineralization process in charcoal bagasse samples, exhibits a significant decrease for majority elements (Fe, AI, K, Ca, Na). The application in terms of chemical composition of bagasse charcoal for thermoreduction of quartz could be feasible, considering that quartz has no implication in quality of reduction process / Mestrado / Materiais e Processos de Fabricação / Mestre em Engenharia Mecânica

Le virus de la stomatite vésiculaire (VSV) et le virus Nipah (NiV) appartiennent respectivement aux familles des Rhabdoviridae et des Paramyxoviridae. VSV est un modèle du virus de la rage tandis que NiV est un virus émergeant, appartenant à la sous-famille des Paramyxovirinae, pour lequel les données moléculaires et structurales sont limitées. Ces sont des virus enveloppés dont le génome code pour cinq à neuf protéines. Le complexe de réplication de ces virus est constitué de trois protéines : la phosphoprotéine (P), la nucléoprotéine (N) et la polymérase virale (L). La N encapside le génome viral et l'ensemble N-ARN sert de matrice pour la transcription et la réplication. La P joue deux rôles : elle sert de cofacteur pour la polymérase et forme le complexe N0-P qui maintient la N sous une forme soluble, compétente pour l'encapsidation des génomes néo-synthétisés. Un premier objectif de mon travail de thèse consistait à étudier la structure et la dynamique des protéines P de VSV et de NiV. Ce sont des protéines modulaires qui contiennent des domaines structurés, séparés par des régions flexibles. A mon arrivée au laboratoire un travail important avait été déjà réalisé sur la P de VSV et j'ai participé à l'achèvement de cette étude. Je me suis ensuite intéressé à la protéine P de NiV. J'ai cristallisé et résolu par diffraction des rayons X les structures du domaine C-terminal et du domaine central (codes PDB : 4F9X et 4GJW). La combinaison de ces modèles cristallographiques avec des données de SAXS sur la P entière et des données de résonance magnétique nucléaire (RMN, collaboration IBS) va permettre d'obtenir un modèle atomique de la P entière sous la forme d'un ensemble de conformères. Un deuxième objectif était d'étudier les complexes N0-P. J'ai activement participé au développement de la méthode de reconstitution et à la caractérisation structurale du complexe N0-P de VSV, entre un mutant de la N (NΔ21) et un peptide N-terminal de la P (code PDB : 3PMK). J'ai ensuite reconstitué, cristallisé et résolu la structure de complexe N0-P de NiV entre la N (tronquée de son domaine C-terminal) et la partie N-terminale de la P. Ces structures montrent par quel mécanismes moléculaires la P maintien la N sous forme monomérique, en empêchant sa polymérisation et son interaction avec l'ARN. Les résultats présentés ici ont permis de générer de nouvelles hypothèses pour expliquer les mécanismes d'encapsidation et d'initiation de la synthèse d'ARN chez ces virus. Le complexe N0-P étant essentiel pour la réplication du virus, l'information structurale obtenue au cours de ce travail devrait permettre d'envisager l'utilisation de ce complexe comme cible pour le développement de composés antiviraux. / Abstract Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) and Nipah virus (NiV) belong to the Rhabdoviridae and Paramyxoviridae families, respectively. VSV serves as model system for rabies virus while NiV is an emerging pathogen of the Paramyxovirinae subfamily, for which molecular and structural data are scarce. Both viruses are enveloped and their genomes encode five to nine proteins. Three proteins form their replication complex: the phosphoprotein (P), the nucleoprotein (N) and the viral polymerase (L). N encapsidates the viral genome and this N-RNA complex serves as template for transcription and replication. P has two functions: it serves as a polymerase cofactor and forms an N0-P complex, which keeps the N protein in a soluble and monomeric state, competent for the encapsidation of the newly synthesized genomes. The first goal during the PhD work was to study the structure and dynamics of the VSV and NiV P proteins. These proteins are modular, containing structured domains separated by flexible regions. Before my arrival, a large amount of work was already done on the VSV P protein in the lab and I was involved in the final stages of this work. Then this I studied the NiV P protein, crystallizing and solving the structures of its Central and C-terminal domains by X-ray crystallography (PDB codes: 4F9X and 4GJW). Combining these structures with small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR, collaboration with IBS group) data obtained for the entire protein will allow the construction of an atomic model of the phosphoprotein in the form of a conformational ensemble. The second goal was to study the N0-P complex. I actively participated in the development of the method which permitted the reconstruction of the VSV N0-P complex, using a truncation mutant of the N protein (NΔ21) and an N-terminal peptide from P, and to its structural determination (PDB code: 3PMK). Then I reconstructed, crystallized and solved the structure of the NiV N0-P complex using a C-terminally truncated N protein and the N-terminal region of the P protein. Both structures yielded insights into the molecular mechanisms used by the phosphoproteins in order to maintain the corresponding nucleoproteins in their monomeric state, thus inhibiting their polymerization and interaction with RNA. The results presented here also offered new hypothesis about mechanisms of encapsidation and of RNA synthesis initiation. Given that the N0-P complex is an essential component of the replication complex, the structural information gained from this work allow us to consider this complex as a potential antiviral target.

Orientador: Jorg Kobarg / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-18T17:04:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Meirelles_GabrielaVaz_D.pdf: 11269390 bytes, checksum: bfd22a079ffc68a78b96b3e50dd60b1c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / Resumo: A proteína NIMA foi identificada e caracterizada funcionalmente em Aspergillus nidulans como sendo uma serina/treonina cinase critica para a progressão do ciclo celular. As Neks (NIMA-related kinases) constituem uma família de cinases composta por 11 membros em mamíferos, que compartilham 40-45% de identidade com a proteína NIMA no domínio catalítico N-terminal. As Neks estão associadas a funções do ciclo celular e diversas patologias, o que as torna potenciais alvos quimioterápicos. Mutações no gene da Nek1 levam ao desenvolvimento da doença renal policistica e ao aparecimento de diversos efeitos pleiotrópicos, sugerindo sua participação em vias reguladoras de vários processos celulares. A Nek6, por sua vez, e ativada durante a mitose, e a super-expressão de mutantes inativos ou a sua depleção por RNAi produz células exibindo defeitos no fuso, anormalidades nucleares, parada na metáfase e apoptose. A Nek6 humana foi recentemente associada a carcinogênese, mas, assim como para a maioria das Neks, sua estrutura molecular, parceiros de interação e vias de sinalização permanecem ainda desconhecidos. Nesse trabalho, introduzimos a hNek6 como uma hub no interactoma humano. Uma extensa comparação de bancos de dados baseada em analises de conectividade mostrou que o quinoma humano e enriquecido em hubs. Nossas redes de interação incluem um amplo espectro de novos parceiros de interação para a hNek6 identificados em screenings de duplo - hibrido em levedura, classificados em 18 categorias funcionais. Alguns novos parceiros de interação da hNek6 são também possíveis substratos e, ainda, colocalizam com a hNek6 e ?-tubulina em células humanas, apontando para uma possível interação centrossomal. Os diversos parceiros de interação conectam a hNek6 a novas vias, como a sinalização de Notch e a regulação do citoesqueleto de actina, ou fornecem novas pistas de como a hNek6 poderia regular vias previamente propostas, como ciclo celular, reparo de DNA e sinalização do NF-?B. Alem disso, obtivemos o primeiro modelo estrutural de baixa resolução para a hNek6 a partir de SAXS. Analises estruturais revelaram que a hNek6 e um monômero em solução, apresentando uma conformação predominantemente globular, mas levemente alongada. Particularmente, a curta região N-terminal desordenada da hNek6 e importante para mediar as interações com seus parceiros. No caso da hNek1, observamos que ela interage com Fez1 e Clasp2 através de seus motivos coiled-coil, e colocaliza com essas proteínas em uma região candidata ao centrossomo / Abstract: NIMA was identified and functionally characterized in Aspergillus nidulans as a critical Ser/Thr kinase for cell cycle progression. The mammalian Neks (NIMA-related kinases) represent an evolutionarily conserved family of 11 serine/threonine kinases that share 40-45% identity with NIMA N-terminal domain. Neks are associated to cell cyclerelated functions and diverse pathologies, which highlight them as potential chemotherapeutic targets. Nek1 gene mutations lead to the development of polycystic kidney disease and the emergence of several pleiotropic effects, suggesting its involvement in pathways regulating various cellular processes. Nek6, in turn, is activated during mitosis, and overexpression of inactive mutants or its depletion by iRNA produces cells exhibiting mitotic spindle defects, nuclear abnormalities, metaphase arrest and apoptosis. Human Nek6 was recently found to be linked to carcinogenesis, but as for the majority of Neks, the molecular structure, interacting partners and signaling pathways remain elusive. Here we introduce hNek6 as a hub kinase in the human interactome. We performed a broad databank comparison based on degree distribution analysis and found that the human kinome is enriched in hubs. Our networks include a large set of novel hNek6 interactors identified in our yeast two-hybrid screens, classified into 18 functional categories. Some novel interactors are also putative substrates and colocalized with hNek6 and ?-tubulin in human cells, pointing to a possible centrosomal interaction. The interacting proteins link hNek6 to novel pathways, e.g. Notch signaling and actin cytoskeleton regulation, or give new insights on how hNek6 may regulate previously proposed pathways such as cell cycle, DNA repair and NF-?B signalings. Furthermore, we obtained the first low-resolution structural model of hNek6 by SAXS. Structural analysis revealed that hNek6 is a monomer in solution with a mostly globular, though slightly elongated conformation. Notably, we found that hNek6 unfolded short N-terminal region is important to mediate the interactions with its partners. In the case of hNek1, we found that it interacts with Fez1 and Clasp2 through coiled-coil motifs and colocalizes with these proteins in a candidate centrosomal region / Doutorado / Bioquimica / Doutor em Biologia Funcional e Molecular

No description available.

Perlcellulose stellt ein interessantes Material für den Einsatz in der wässrigen Größenausschlusschromatgraphie (SEC) dar. Sie ist aufgrund ihrer guten Modifizierbarkeit zudem ein perfektes Ausgangsmaterial für Protein-Aggregationsuntersuchungen. Ein Protein von besonderem praktischem Interesse ist Insulin. Dessen Fehlfaltung und Aggregation verursacht eine Reihe von schwerwiegenden Problemen (z.B. in Drug-Delivery-Systemen). Hierbei erfolgt eine Umwandlung von alpha-Helix- in beta-Faltblatt-Strukturen wobei sich unlösliche Fibrillen bilden. Deren Rückfaltung mit Hilfe fluorierter Alkohole sowie mit fluorierten Nanopartikeln wurde in der Literatur beschrieben. Der Ansatzpunkt dieser Arbeit war es zu untersuchen, ob Fluor auf Oberflächen mit hohem Anteil von Hydroxygruppen eine Rückfaltung von Proteinen wie Insulin bewirken kann. Das Ziel war es, schaltbare stationäre Phasen zu erhalten, mit denen sowohl eine Rückfaltung als auch die Trennung von Proteinen durchgeführt werden können. Zunächst erfolgte die Charakterisierung geeigneter Perlcellulosen, wobei erstmals eine Kombination der „klassischen“ Porosimetrie (Hg-Intrusion, N2-Sorption) mit SAXS und Inverser SEC zur Untersuchung der Porenstruktur von Cellulose angewandt wurde. Es konnte die reversible Schrumpfung der Poren während der Trockungsprozesse beschrieben werden. Die Immobilisierung von Fluor auf der Oberfläche von Cellulosepartikeln erfolgte u.a. durch Pfropfung von fluorierten Acrylaten mittels Cer(IV)-Redoxinitiierung. Es gelang eine homopolymerfreie Pfropfung, wobei es zu keiner Veränderung der Porenstruktur kam. Die Kontrolle der Proteinadsorption auf der modifizierten Oberfläche mittels chemischer Stimuli konnte beschrieben werden. Aggregationsuntersuchungen mittels SEC, DLS und SAXS ergaben, dass fluormodifizierte Perlcellulose keine Verzögerung der Insulinaggregation bewirkt. Jedoch zeigte sich, dass unmodifizierte Perlcellulose eine signifikante Verzögerung der Aggregation bewirken kann. / Porous bead cellulose is an interesting material for the application in aqueous size exclusion chromatography (SEC). Its good modifiability makes it furthermore to a perfect starting material for protein aggregation studies. A protein with huge practical importance is insulin. Misfolding and aggregation of insulin creates serious problems e.g. in drug delivery systems. Thereby it undergoes a change from alpha-helix to beta-sheet structure and forms insoluble fibrils. A back-folding with (toxic) fluorinated alcohols and fluorinated nanoparticles was already shown in literature. The approach for this work was that fluorine (CF3-) on a surface with high hydroxyl-content can induce the back folding of proteins like insulin. The purpose was to get stationary phases that can induce back folding and separation of proteins on a single column. At first a characterization of suitable cellulose beads with focus on different porosimetry methods was done. For the first time a combination of “classical” porosimetry methods (Hg-Intrusion; N2-Sorption) with SAXS and inverse SEC was applied for porous cellulose particles. A reversible shrinking of pores during drying process was shown. Immobilization of fluorine on the surface of cellulose beads was done by grafting of fluorinated acrylates via cer(IV)-redox-initiation and by polymer analogous reaction with fluorinated iodo alkanes. Homopolymer free graft-copolymerization was achieved, whereas no effect on pore structure was observed. The control of protein adsorption on surface by chemical stimuli was shown. Aggregation studies using SEC, DLS and SAXS showed that fluoro-modified cellulose beads do not delay insulin-aggregation due to strong adsorption effects. Though a significant aggregation delay for insulin with unmodified cellulose beads was discovered.

Dans l’industrie du pneumatique, l’incorporation de nanoparticules de silice dans les élastomères permet d’obtenir des pneumatiques avec des propriétés mécaniques améliorées. D’un point de vue fondamental, deux contributions sont communément invoquées pour expliquer ces changements : (i) une contribution du réseau de charges, fortement dépendante de leur état de dispersion, (ii) une contribution des chaines dont la conformation est potentiellement modifiée en présence du réseau de charges. Cependant, les mécanismes permettant de relier cette structure nanométrique aux propriétés macroscopiques du matériau sont encore mal compris. Dans ce contexte, nous avons synthétisé des systèmes SBR/Silice modèles constituant une première approche de systèmes industriels plus complexes. En modifiant les conditions de dispersion au moyen d’agent de greffage, nous avons obtenu des nanocomposites avec des dispersions variées et reproductibles, avec des organisations multi-échelle. Celles-ci ont été caractérisées finement par l’utilisation combinée de la Diffusion de Rayons X aux Petits Angles (DXPA) et de la Microscopie Electronique en Transmission (MET). La conformation des chaines, déterminée expérimentalement par Diffusion de Neutrons aux Petits Angles (DNPA), n’est pas affectée par un effet à longue distance des charges. La caractérisation quantitative de la dispersion a permis de mettre en évidence le rôle prépondérant de la compacité des agrégats de silice et de la densité de leur réseau sur le renforcement dans le régime élastique. / In tire industry, the incorporation of nano-sized silica in rubber leads to elastomeric materials with enhanced mechanical properties. In a fundamental approach, two main contributions are commonly accepted to explain these changes: (i) a first from the filler network highly depending on their dispersion, (ii) a second from the chains whose the conformation is potentially modified by the filler network. However, the mechanisms which permit to correlate these nanometric structural properties to the macroscopic mechanical properties are still poorly understood. In such a context, we have synthesized model nanocomposites SBR/silica systems constituting a first approach of more complex industrial systems. By varying dispersions conditions by using grafting agents, we have obtained various and reproducible dispersions, with multi-scale organizations. They have been finely characterized by combining Small Angle X-Ray Scattering (SAXS) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Chain conformation experimentally determined by Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) is not affected by any long range effect of fillers. The quantitative characterization of filler dispersions has shown the major role of silica aggregates compactness and the density of their network on the reinforcement in the elastic regime.

Nous avons étudié les propriétés volumiques de copolymères diblocs neutres-chargés dissymétriques. Ces molécules sont composées d'une courte partie neutre de poly(éthylène propylène) (PEP) ou de poly(tert-butyl styrène) (PtBs), et d'une longue partie chargée (polyélectrolyte) poly(styrène sulfonate) sodium (PSSNa) de taux de sulfonation supérieur à 80. Des expériences de diffusion de neutrons aux petits angles et de diffusion quasi-élastique de la lumière ont montré que ces copolymères s'auto-assemblent en solution aqueuse en micelles sphériques : coeur composé de l'auto-association des parties neutres en mauvais solvant, duquel émergent les parties chargées en une grande couronne qui peut être vue comme une brosse polyélectrolyte en géométrie sphérique. La forme et la taille des coeurs hydrophobes ont été trouvées invariantes en fonction de la concentration en polymère et de la concentration en électrolyte ajouté (sel monovalent, NaCl). Cette invariance a permis de déterminer les facteurs de structure des solutions (images des interactions) : les interactions électrostatiques ordonnent les solutions même dans le régime dilué (régime sans contact entre micelles). Dans le régime dilué sans sel ajouté, les parties polyélectrolytes (composant la couronne micellaire) ont été trouvées avec une conformation étendue (quasi-bâtons). Avec du sel ajouté, cette conformation devient de plus en plus flexible dès que la concentration en sel est supérieure à la concentration interne en sel d'une micelle. Dans le régime concentré sans sel ajouté, l'apparition d'un pic polyélectrolyte aux petites échelles, typique de la formation d'un semi dilué de polyélectrolytes, a été mise en évidence. De manière surprenante, cet ordre polyélectrolyte coexiste avec l'ordre entre micelles. L'influence du nombre de chaîne par micelle (nombre d'agrégation) a été discutée. Avec du sel ajouté, le pic polyélectrolyte disparaît, tandis que les solutions restent ordonnées. La distribution des contre-ions a été étudiée par des expériences de diffusion de rayons x aux petits angles. Les contre-ions Na+ ont été remplacés par d'autres contre-ions (typiquement Cs+ et TMA+) par dialyse des solutions. Dans le cas des micelles de faible nombre d'agrégation, la distribution des contre-ions a été trouvée en accord avec la distribution donnée par l'équation de Poisson-Bolztmann autour d'un bâton. Dans le cas des micelles de grand nombre d'agrégation, une forte corrélation entre contre-ions, due au recouvrement des différents nuages, a été mise en évidence. Enfin, la concentration micellaire critique (concentration à partir de laquelle des micelles existent) et l'équilibre des solutions ont été étudiés par électrophorèse capillaire. Les résultats ne sont pas encore bien compris : il existe, quelle que soit la concentration en polymère, 20% de chaînes libres (non associées en micelles).

The techniques of small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) and grazing-incidence small-angle x-ray scattering (GISAXS) have successfully been used for many years in the analysis of nanostructures in non-crystalline samples, e.g., polymers, metallic alloys, ceramics, and glasses. In many specimens, however, the nanostructure is not distributed homogeneously, but instead varies as a function of position in the sample. Conventional SAXS or GISAXS measurements on such heterogeneous samples merely yield an averaged scattering pattern of all the different structures present along the x-ray beam path. In this thesis, scanning tomography is combined with SAXS and GISAXS, revealing the individual local scattering cross section at each position on a virtual section through the sample. The technique thereby offers unique analytical possibilities in heterogeneous specimens. A brief review of the physics of x rays and x-ray scattering is given, before the methods of tomographic SAXS and GISAXS are introduced. Experimental requirements and limitations of both methods are discussed, including aspects of sampling, local rotational invariance and x-ray beam coherence. Experiments performed at the beamline BW4 at HASYLAB at DESY, Hamburg, Germany are described, illustrating the capabilities of the method. Finally, an outlook on possible future developments in tomographic small-angle x-ray scattering is given. / Die Methoden der Röntgenkleinwinkelstreuung (SAXS) und Röntgenkleinwinkelstreuung unter streifendem Einfall (GISAXS) werden seit vielen Jahren erfolgreich eingesetzt zur Analyse von Nanostrukturen in nicht-kristallinen Proben, z.B. Polymeren, metallischen Legierungen, Keramiken und Gläsern. In vielen Proben ist die Nanostruktur allerdings nicht homogen verteilt, sondern variiert als Funktion des Ortes in der Probe. Konventionelle SAXS- oder GISAXS-Messungen an solch heterogenen Proben liefern lediglich ein über alle unterschiedlichen Strukturen entlang des Röntgenstrahls gemitteltes Streubild. In dieser Arbeit wird Rastertomographie mit SAXS und GISAXS kombiniert und so der lokale Streuquerschnitt an jedem Ort auf einem virtuellen Schnitt durch die Probe gewonnen. Diese Technik bietet so einzigartige Analysemöglichkeiten von heterogenen Proben. Es wird zunächst ein kurzer Überblick über die Physik der Röntgenstrahlung und Röntgenstreuung gegeben, bevor die Methoden der SAXS- und GISAXS-Tomographie eingeführt werden. Die experimentellen Anforderungen und Grenzen beider Methoden werden besprochen, wobei Aspekte der Abtastung, der lokalen Rotationsinvarianz und der Kohärenz im Röntgenstrahl eine Rolle spielen. Experimente, die an der Messstrecke BW4 am HASYLAB bei DESY, Hamburg, durchgeführt wurden, werden beschrieben, um die Möglichkeiten der Methode zu illustrieren. Schließlich wird ein Ausblick auf mögliche zukünftige Entwicklungen der Kleinwinkelstreutomographie gegeben.