Optically transparent carbon based nanomaterials including graphene and carbon nanotubes(CNTs) are promising candidates as transparent conductive electrodes due to their high electrical conductivity coupled with high optical transparency, can be flexed several times with minimal deterioration in their electronic properties, and do not require costly high vacuum processing conditions. CNTs are easily solution processed through the use of surfactants sodium dodecyl sulfate(SDS) and sodium cholate(SC). Allowing CNTs to be deposited onto transparent substrates through vacuum filtration, ultrasonic spray coating, dip coating, spin coating, and inkjet printing. However, surfactants are electrically insulating, limit chemical doping, and increase optical absorption thereby decreasing overall performance of electrodes. Surfactants can be removed through nitric acid treatment and annealing in an inert environment (e.g. argon). In this thesis, the impact of surfactant removal on electrode performance was investigated. Nitric acid treatment has been shown to p-dope CNTs and remove the surfactant SDS. However, nitric acid p-doping is naturally dedoped with exposure to air, does not completely remove the surfactant SC, and has been shown to damage CNTs by creating defect sites. Annealing at temperatures up to 1000°C is advantageous in that it removes insulating surfactants. However, annealing may also remove surface functional groups that dope CNTs. Therefore, there are competing effects when annealing CNT electrodes. The impacts on electrode performance were investigated through the use of conductive-tip atomic force microscopy, sheet resistance, and transmittance measurements. In this thesis, the potential of graphene CNT composite electrodes as high performing transparent electrodes was investigated. As-made and annealed graphene oxide CNT composites electrodes were studied. Finally, a chemical vapor deposition grown graphene CNT composite electrode was also studied.

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En una tesi anterior (Puig, 2004) es varen estudiar els aspectes mecànics vinculats al desfibratge i als consums energètics associats al procés de desintegració per acabar quantificant les forces implicades en el procés d'individualització dels components de diferents paperots. Aquest estudi, ha permès conèixer les condicions de desintegració que condueixen a un mínim consum energètic, aspecte complementari al reciclatge i destintatge del paperot però molt important per aconseguir un procés realment sostenible.Degut als requeriments del mercat, hi ha un altre aspecte o vessant realment important com és l'eliminació de tinta. Aquest procés, malgrat la complexitat industrial, es pot reduir o simplificar en dues etapes: la desintegració i la flotació. Ambdues, per raons d'eficàcia i condicionades pels agents químics que s'utilitzen, es realitzen en medi fortament alcalí (entorn d'un pH a 12). Aquest fet, genera una forta contaminació (DQO elevada) i per tant, és un procés poc respectuós amb el medi ambient.Els factors que condicionen treballar en medi alcalí són principalment, el despreniment de la tinta del suport, clarament accelerat en medi bàsic i fonamental per un bon destintatge i la utilització de tensioactius aniònics. Aquests tensioactius són sensibles al pH i la seva eficàcia disminueix en medi neutre o quasi neutre.Atès el que s'ha exposat, s'ha plantejat aquesta tesi que porta per títol "Aspectes Físics i Químics del Destintatge de Paper Revista mitjançant Tensioactius Catiònics", com un estudi del procés de destintatge de paper revista recuperat parant especial atenció a les variables físico-químiques i mecàniques del procés i a la seva influència en el despreniment i fragmentació de la tinta, així com en el procés d'eliminació de la tinta per flotació per tal d'avaluar la viabilitat d'un procés de destintatge en medi neutre enfront del destintatge alcalí convencional. S'ha utilitzat, com a paperot a destintar, el paper revista ja que aquest tipus de paper representa un percentatge elevat del paper recuperat a la Unió Europea. A més, aquest tipus de paper és utilitzat habitualment en les plantes de destintatge industrials per millorar les propietats de les suspensions destintades de paper de diari.La utilització de tensioactius catiònics és deguda a que la seva activitat no es veu afectada pel pH de la suspensió. Així, durant la comparació dels processos de destintatge en medi neutre i en medi alcalí, les eficàcies dels processos no es veuran influenciades pel grau d'ionització del tensioactiu.Donada l'absència d'estudis sobre la influència de les variables del procés en les mesures de concentració efectiva de tinta residual (ERIC) i ja que s'ha emprat aquest paràmetre per avaluar el despreniment i fragmentació de la tinta durant l'etapa de desintegració. En primer lloc, s'ha plantejat un estudi fonamental de la influència que poden tenir les variables del procés (granulometria, concentració de tinta i tipus de suport) en aquest paràmetre. Pel que fa a l'etapa de flotació, s'estudiarà l'efectivitat d'aquesta etapa, posant especial atenció a la capacitat del tensioactiu per eliminar tota la tinta despresa en l'etapa de desintegració. A més, donada la poca informació bibliogràfica referida als mecanismes de flotació amb tensioactius catiònics i la influència que té l'adsorció d'aquests agents per part de la suspensió paperera en l'etapa de flotació, s'ha dut a terme un estudi de l'adsorció dels tensioactius catiònics per part dels components d'una suspensió paperera.Per tant, la tesi realitzada té com a objectius: Estudi fonamental de les mesures de ERIC (concentració efectiva de tinta residual) amb suports específics. Estudi de la desintegració en medi neutre i comparació amb la desintegració clàssica. Modelització del desfibratge de paperot a l'etapa de desintegració. Estudi de l'eliminació de tinta per flotació en medi neutre i comparació amb la flotació clàssica. Estudi del mecanisme d'adsorció de tensioactius en suspensions de cel·lulosa sintètica i de paperot. / A previous thesis (Puig, 2004) have studied the mechanical aspects related to defibering and to energetic consumptions related to the disintegration process to end up quantifying the forces involved in the process of individualization of the different components of recovered papers. This study has permitted to know the disintegration conditions that lead to a minimum energetic consumption which is a complementary aspect to the recycling and deinking of waste paper but very important to get a really sustainable process.Due to the requests of the market, there is another really important aspect in the wastepaper recycling process which is the elimination of ink. Ink elimination, can be summarized in two unit operations: Disintegration and flotation. Both unit operations are strongly conditioned by the chemical agents used. Usually disintegration is carried out in a highly alkaline medium (pH 12). This fact, cause a high contamination in process waters (high COD) and therefore, the process is not environmentally friendly. The factors that condition the high alkaline medium are mainly ink detachment from the cellulosic support which is clearly accelerated by the alkaline medium, and the utilization of anionic surfactants. These surfactants are sensitive to the pH and its efficiency diminishes in neutral or almost neutral medium. So it has been proposed this thesis entitled "Aspectes Físics i Químics del Destintatge de Paper Revista mitjançant Tensioactius Catiònics" (Physico-chemical aspects of deinking of OMG using cationic surfactants) as a study of the viability of neutral deinking versus alkaline deinking.OMG has been used since this grade represents a high percentage of paper recovered in the European Union. Besides, this grade is used in industrial deinking plants to improve deinked ONP properties.Cationic surfactants are used because its properties are not affected by the pH of the suspension. So during the comparison of deinking processes in neutral and alkaline medium, the process efficiency will not be influenced by the surfactant ionization degree.OMG deinking study begins with a modelization of disintegration followed by an analysis of ink detachment and fragmentation achieved in neutral conditions and comparing them with the results obtained in alkaline conditions.Due to the absence of studies on the influence of the variables of the process in the measurements of effective residual ink concentration (ERIC) and since this parameter has been used to evaluate the detachment and fragmentation of ink during disintegration itself, it has been done a fundamental study of the influence of process variables such as ink particles size, ink concentration and type of the cellulosic support on this parameter.Regarding flotation stage, the effectiveness of this process will be studied focusing on the capability of the surfactant to eliminate all the ink detached during disintegration. Since deinking process is strongly influenced by surfactant adsorption on the different components of wastepaper suspensions and that there is a little information related to flotation mechanisms when cationic surfactants are used it has been accomplished a study of the adsorption of cationic surfactants by the components of a wastepaper suspension (cellulosic support and ink) and the results have been compared with the adsorption of an anionic surfactant in the same conditions.Therefore, the thesis has the following objectives: Fundamental study of ERIC measurements with specific supports. Study of neutral disintegration in comparison of traditional alkaline disintegration. Modelization of paper defibering during disintegration process. Study of ink elimination by means of a flotation process in neutral medium in comparison with a traditional alkaline flotation process. Study of the adsorption mechanism of surfactants by a wastepaper suspension.

La tesi realitza un estudi detallat dels principals processos que tenen lloc durant l'eliminació de tinta tòner per flotació.L'estudi del procés d'adhesió de tinta a la superfície de bombolles d'aire s'ha realitzat mitjançant visió artificial. Els resultats obtinguts han mostrat que un excés de tensioactiu provoca una disminució de la quantitat de tinta unida a la bombolla d'aire i per tant una disminució de l'eficàcia del procés de flotació. La caracterització de les bombolles d'aire presents en una cel·la de flotació ha posat de manifest que tant el cabal d'aire com la velocitat de l'agitador configuren la distribució de diàmetres final. L'estudi del procés d'eliminació de tinta per flotació en absència de fibres cel·lulòsiques ha mostrat que les variables físico-químiques estudiades són les que tenen una major influència en el procés d'eliminació de tinta tòner per flotació.Finalment s'han addicionat fibres cel·lulòsiques a la suspensió. S'ha pogut comprovar que s'aconsegueix una bona eliminació de tinta sempre i quan les condicions hidrodinàmiques siguin les adequades. / First of all the adhesion of ink particles to air bubbles surface was studied by means of artificial vision. Results obtained showed that an excess of surfactant decreases ink adsorption decreasing flotation efficiency. Air bubbles created in a lab-scale flotation cell were characterized by means of artificial vision. Results showed that air flow and agitation rate configure the final air bubble distribution.Ink removal from a flotation cell was studied without the presence of cellulose fibers. Results obtained showed that the physico-chemical variables studied had a major influence on ink removal than hydrodynamic variables studied.Finally, cellulose fibers were added to the suspension. Results obtained showed that it was possible to obtain good flotation results provided that the hydrodynamic conditions were carefully adjusted.

Dans le contexte du développement durable, l’'utilisation des ressources renouvelables, biodégradable et peu toxique, est particulièrement recherchée. En particulier, la littérature montre que les molécules amphiphiles biosourcées avec une tête sucre, type glycolipides, sont d'excellents candidats pour substituer les tensioactifs pétrochimiques actuellement utilisés massivement en formulation. Pour limiter le criblage expérimental et orienter le choix des synthèses de telles molécules, une démarche prédictive à partir de l'analyse de la structure moléculaire permettrait d'anticiper les propriétés des molécules amphiphiles et d'identifier celles répondant à des propriétés spécifiques recherchées. L'objectif des travaux de thèse est de développer une méthodologie via la synthèse à façon avec modification graduelle de la structure, la caractérisation et l'analyse systématique de glycolipides, dans le but d'identifier des liens pertinents entre leurs propriétés amphiphiles et leurs caractéristiques structurales. Les données expérimentales générées doivent permettent d'établir une base de données comparables et fiables, nécessaire pour le développement de modèles 1 prédictifs. Les résultats ont mis en évidence l'influence significative de certains paramètres de structure sur j les propriétés physico-chimiques, avec des tendances claires, autrement difficiles à observer à partir des données globales non-comparables de la littérature. Ce travail a également démontré l'importance de prendre en considération le comportement des molécules amphiphiles dans l'eau, via la connaissance de leur diagramme de phase, afin de définir sans ambiguïté certaines propriétés telles que la CMC. / In the context of sustainable development, the use of biodegradable and low toxic renewable resources is particularly important. ln particular, the literature shows that the bio-based amphiphilic molecules with a sugar head, or the glycolipids, are excellent substitutes of the petrochemical surfactants used massively in current formulations. To limit the experimental screening and to orient the choice of the syntheses of such molecules, a predictive approach based on the analysis of the molecular structure would make it possible to anticipate the properties of the amphiphilic molecules and to identify those with specific properties. The objective of this work is to develop a methodology through systematic syntheses, characterizations and analyses of glycolipids with gradual structural modifications, with the aim of identifying relevant links between heir amphiphilic properties and their structural characteristics. The obtained experimental data should make it possible to establish a comparable and reliable database, necessary for the development of predictive models. The results showed the significant influence of some structural parameters on the physico-chemical properties with clear trends, which are otherwise difficult to observe by using the non-comparable data collected from the literature. This work also demonstrated the importance of considering the behavior of amphiphilic molecules in water, through knowledge of their phase diagram, which allows for the unambiguous definition of certain properties like the CMC.

Surfactants are used in a wide assortment of "down-the-drain" consumer products, yet they are often discharged in wastewater treatment plant effluent into receiving water, potentially causing environmental harm. The objective of this project was to predict surfactant toxic units and in-stream nutrients in the upper Trinity River watershed. Surface and pore water samples were collected in late summer 2005. General chemistries and surfactant toxic units were calculated. GIS models of anthropogenic and natural factors were collected and analyzed according to subwatersheds. Multiple regression analyses using the Maximum R2 improvement method were performed to predict surfactant toxic units and in-stream nutrients using GIS and in-stream values. Both geospatial and in-stream parameters generated multiple regression models for surfactant surface and pore water toxic units, as well as in-stream nutrients, with high R2 values. Thus, GIS and in-stream parameter modeling have the potential to be reliable and inexpensive method of predicting surfactant toxic units and nutrient loading in the upper Trinity River watershed.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Toner analysis has become an area of increased interest due to the wide availability of laser printers and photocopiers. Toner is most often encountered on paper in questioned document analysis. Because of this, it is important to develop methods that limit the interference of paper without damaging or destroying the document. Previous research using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) has differentiated toners based on their polymer resin components. However, Raman spectroscopy and chemometric analysis are not typically used for the examination of this material. Raman spectroscopy is a popular tool for the chemical analysis of pigmented samples and was used to characterize cyan, yellow, and magenta toners. Analyses were performed using a dispersive micro-Raman spectrometer equipped with a 785nm diode laser, a CCD detector, and an objective at 20X magnification. One hundred samples of each color toner were collected. Three different and separate methods were developed for cyan, yellow, and magenta toners on paper to optimize results. Further analysis of the magenta toners was excluded due to a weak signal and significant paper interference. The data collected from the analyses of the blue and yellow toners was then processed using a combination of statistical procedures, including principal component analysis (PCA), agglomerative hierarchal clustering (AHC), and discriminative analysis (DA). Ninety-six blue toners were analyzed by PCA and three classes of spectra were suggested. Discriminant analysis showed that the three classes were well-differentiated with a cross-validation accuracy of 100% for the training set and 100% cross-validation accuracy for the external validation set. Eighty-eight yellow toners were analyzed by AHC and four classes of spectra were suggested. Discriminant analysis showed good differentiation between the classes with a cross-validation accuracy of 95.45% for the training set, but showed poor differentiation for the external validation set with a cross-validation accuracy of 72%. While these toners were able to be discriminated, no correlation could be made between the manufacturer, printer make and model, and the toner sample.

No / PURPOSE: Self-emulsifying systems (SES) emulsify spontaneously to produce fine oil-in-water emulsion when introduced into aqueous phase. The self-emulsification process plays an important role during formation of emulsion. The objective of current work was to understand and explore the inner structuration of SES through controlled hydration and further to study the influence of additive on the same which ultimately governs performance of final formulation in terms of droplet size. METHODS: Droplet size of final formulations containing structural analogues of ibuprofen was determined. Microstructural properties of intermediate hydrated regimes of SES were investigated using techniques such as small angle X-ray scattering, differential scanning calorimetry and rheology. RESULTS: The current work established inverse relationship between droplet size of the formulations containing structural analogues of ibuprofen and their Log P values. Microstructural analysis of intermediate hydrated regimes of the prepared samples showed formation of local lamellar structure. Structural analogues of ibuprofen significantly altered microstructure of lamellae which was well correlated with the droplet size of final formulations. In vitro drug release study showed increase in dissolution rate of lipophillic drugs when formulated as SES. CONCLUSION: The current work emphasizes the fact that tailor-made formulations can be prepared by controlling the properties of intermediate regimes.

The development of analytical methods for emerging contaminants creates many unique challenges for analytical chemists. By their nature, emerging contaminants have inherent data gaps related to their environmental occurrence, fate, and impact. This dissertation is a compilation of three studies related to method development for the structural identification of emerging contaminants, the detection and quantification of chemicals used in unprecedented quantities and applications, and the extraction of compounds from complex matrices where the solvent-solute-matrix interactions are not completely understood. The three studies present analytical methods developed for emerging contaminants in complex matrices, including: fluorochemical surfactants in aqueous film-forming foams, oil dispersant surfactants in seawater, and fullerene nanomaterials in carbonaceous solids. Aqueous film-forming foams, used in military and commercial firefighting, represent environmentally-relevant commercial mixtures that contain a variety of fluorochemical surfactants. Combining the surfactant-selective ionization of fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry with high resolution mass spectrometry, chemical formulas for 11 different fluorochemical classes were identified. Then AFFF-related patents were used to determine the structures. Of the eleven classes of fluorochemicals, ten have little, if any, data on their environmental occurrence, fate, and potential impacts in the peer-reviewed literature. In addition, nine of the identified classes had either cationic or zwitterionic functionalities and are likely to have different transport properties compared to the well-studied anionic fluorochemicals, such as perfluorooctanoate. After the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the summer of 2010, one of the emergency response methods for the mitigation of the oil's environmental impact was the use of unprecedented amounts of oil dispersant to break down the oil slick and encourage biodegradation. This event illustrated the need for rapid analytical method development in order to respond to the potential environmental disaster in a timely manner. Using large volume injection liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry, an analytical method was developed for the trace analysis of the multiple dispersant surfactant classes and the potential degradation products of the primary surfactant. Limits of detection ranged from 49 ��� 3,000 ng/L. The method provided excellent recovery (86 ��� 119%) and precision (10 ��� 23% RSD), while also accommodating for the high salinity of seawater samples and analyte contamination. Despite the fact that fullerene nanomaterials have been studied for almost three decades, research is still being conducted to fully understand the environmental properties of these materials. Previous studies to extract fullerenes from environmental matrices have resulted in low efficiency, high variability, or the extraction efficiencies have gone unreported. Extraction by ultrasonication with toluene and 1-methylnaphthalene increased the recovery 5-fold of a spiked, isotopically-labeled C������ surrogate from carbon lampblack as compared to that of the conventional approach of extracting with 100% toluene. The study revealed the importance of evaluating experimental variables such as extraction solvent composition and volume, and sample mass, as they have a significant impact on the quantitative extraction of fullerenes from environmental matrices. / Graduation date: 2013 / Access restricted to the OSU Community at author's request from Aug. 15, 2012 - Aug. 15, 2013