Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / In this work we study the structural and magnetic properties of pure and TM-doped CeO2 nanoparticles (TM: Mn, Cr, Co and Fe) obtained by the co-precipitation and hydrothermal methods. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results allied to the Rietveld refinement method indicate that all samples present single-phase with structure isomorphous to the CeO2. Average crystallites size was determined using the full width at half maximum from XRD patterns and their sizes were from of 7 to 13 nm. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images 10% doped samples show the presence of particles with spherical-like morphology and average sizes in good agreement with the estimated by XRD. From ultraviolet–Visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy absorption measurements we estimated the optoelectronic gap of the samples, which vary between 2.87 and 3.44 eV. Analyses from magnetization curves as a function of temperature (MvsT) using Curie-Weiss law show that the number of paramagnetic ions per molecule (n) increases with the increasing of the Mn concentration. Already for 10% doped samples with different ions the (n) obeys the following order Mn ˂ Fe ˂ Cr ˂ Co for samples obtained by co-precipitation and Co ˂ Cr ˂ Mn ˂ Fe for the samples obtained by hydrothermal synthesis. Magnetization curves as a function of the magnetic field (MvsH) show that the the systems present a weak ferromagnetic behavior at 5K and paramagnetic at temperature higher than 200 K. / Neste trabalho estudamos as propriedades estruturais e magnéticas de nanopartículas de CeO2 pura e dopadas com diferentes concentrações de metais de transição (MT: Mn, Cr, Co e Fe) obtidas pelo método de co-precipitação e de síntese hidrotérmica. Resultados de difração de raios X (DRX) aliados ao método de refinamento Rietveld indicam a formação de uma única fase isomorfa ao CeO2, cujos tamanhos médios das nanopartículas variam entre 7 e 13 nm quando sintetizadas por co-precipitação e entre 8 e 12 nm quando obtidas por síntese hidrotérmica. Imagens de microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (MET) das amostras dopadas com 10% dos metais de transição mostram a presença de partículas com morfologia tendendo à esferas e tamanhos médios das partículas em bom acordo com os tamanhos estimados por DRX. Através de medidas de absorção na região do ultravioleta ao visível (UV-vis) estimamos o gap optoeletrônico das amostras, os quais variam entre 2,87 e 3,44 eV. Resultados das medidas de magnetização em função temperatura (MvsT) usando a lei de Curie-Weiss indicam que o número de íons paramagnéticos por molécula cresce de forma sistemática com o aumento da concentração de Mn nos dois métodos de síntese. Já para o caso das amostras dopadas com 10% do MT, esse número obedece a seguinte ordem Mn ˂ Fe ˂ Cr ˂ Co para o sistema obtido por co-precipitação e Co ˂ Cr ˂ Mn ˂ Fe para o sistema obtido por síntese hidrotérmica. Medidas de magnetização em função do campo magnético (MvsH) mostram que as nanopartículas apresentam um possível ordenamento ferromagnético fraco em 5K e um comportamento típico de um material paramagnético acima de 200K. / São Cristóvão, SE

Wheat bran is a promising material containing a wide range of useful components, including proteins. In addition, it is produced in significant volumes. Currently, wheat bran is used for the production of energy by combustion and for feed purposes. Gradually, new methods of valorization of this material are being sought. One of the possibilities of using wheat bran is the isolation of proteins, hydrolysis, and separation of selected amino acids. This diploma thesis deals with this issue, it is focused on the recovery of arginine and leucine from a protein isolate. Proteins were extracted from wheat bran by changing the pH. Thanks to the subsequent lyophilization a protein isolate was gained. Prior to hydrolysis of the resulting isolate, a stability test of arginine and leucine amino acid standards was first performed, to which various hydrolysis methods were applied. Acid hydrolysis using a mineralizer, which was applied to the protein isolate, was proved to be the most effective. This was followed by the derivatization of the hydrolysates with OPA and analysis of the resulting hydrolysates by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV-VIS detection. Then, suitable adsorption and desorption conditions were optimized. It was found that the time dependence does not affect the amount of adsorbed material on the sorbent. Therefore, an application time of 15 minutes was chosen. While optimizing the amount of used standard, it was found that the optimal weight was 0.25 g of sorbent. The selected conditions were applied to the protein hydrolyzate. Two fractions were obtained by the separation of selected amino acids due to the change in the pH of the citrate buffer. After the application of this procedure, 0.26 g of arginine and 0.82 g of leucine were obtained from one kilogram after evaporation. From evaporation two, 1.01 g of arginine and 0.25 g of leucine were obtained after evaporation.

This diploma thesis focuses on quinine solutions and quality of these solutions after applying plasma discharge. These electric discharges can be used to destroy some substances from the water. The theoretical part is focused on description of electric discharges in liquids and on the properties of quinine. In the experimental part, the properties of quinine solutions containing different electrolytes were analysed by UV-VIS spectrophotometer and fluorescence spectroscopy. Two different types of configurations of plasma discharges in liquids were used. Solutions were compared on the base of different concentration of quinine, different electrolytes, different configurations of plasma discharges and pH values of the solutions. Furthermore, the experimental work focuses on quinine solutions with the sodium nitrate. The time instability of the solutions was analysed. Also, the influence of the solution age and different types of the plasma discharge on the excitation and emission spectra of quinine were investigated.

This thesis focuses on the process of nanoparticle generation using new source of nonthermal plasma combining corona and pin-hole discharge in liquids. The theoretical part is focused on generation of metallic nanoparticles using various types of plasma discharge, the properties of metallic nanoparticles, their preparation by other methods and methods of characterization of nanoparticles. The experimental part deals with the preparation of copper, silver and gold nanoparticles from solutions of their precursors. The influence of experimental conditions, such as the influence of voltage polarity, effect of precursor concentration, effect of added electrolyte or reducing agent were investigated. All samples were analyzed by UV-VIS spectroscopy. Dynamic light scattering was used to determine the sice of nanoparticles. To confirm the presence of nanoparticles, samples were analyzed using scanning microscope with and energy dispersion spectrometer for elemental analysis.

This master thesis deals with an optimization of processes of isolation of ferulic acid from wheat bran. Process of isolation based on alkaline hydrolysis from the substance and its adsorption was tested. In the theoretical part were described wheat bran, adsorption proces and used methods. For adsorption were tested five types of adsorbents. Especially these adsorbents: activation carbon (2,53 ± 1,16 mg.l-1), Amberlyst A-21 (105,73 ± 11,87 mg.l-1, Amberlit XAD-16 (241,55 ± 10,42 mg.l-1), Amberlit IRA-900Cl (5,90 ± 0,68 mg.l-1) and Amberlit IRA-96 (189,16 ± 6,49 mg.l-1). As the most efficient adsorbent was determine Amberlit XAD-16. The whole process has underwent detailed optimization in order to maximize the purity of the final product. The isolate was characterized by HPLC and FTIR techniques for ferulic acid and related phenolic acids. Based on FTIR analysis was discovered that the isolate was contamined by proteins. A purification procedure based on deproteination of the raw material before the hydrolysis itself was proposed. As the ultimate solution that eliminated the presence of proteins in the isolate was determine ultrafiltration with capture of molecules with Mw > 10 KDa. Ferulic acid yield from one kilo of wheat bran was 1,00 ± 0,22 g.

This diploma thesis deals with macerates of comfrey (Symphytum officinale) in selected fats (food lard, cosmetic lard and almond oil). Selected fats were first characterized by dry matter content, saponification, acid, iodine number, peroxide value. At the same time, total and free fatty acids were determined using GC-FID. Macerates were prepared by extraction of comfrey roots with selected fats. In prepared macerates the change in acid and peroxide value was monitored, as well as the content of selected bioactive compounds. The content of total phytosterol and total carotenoid content was determined by UV-VIS spectrometry, phytosterols and carotenoids were also analysed using HPLC-DAD. Total phenolic content was measured using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and antioxidant activity by ABTS assay. The measured properties were then compared with industrially produced comfrey ointment. In macerated fats the increase in acid and peroxide value was determined. Furthermore, an increase in the content of total phytosterols and total carotenoids was observed. Using HPLC-DAD the content of -sitosterol and stigmasterol was determined, but carotenoids were not detected. Of the tocopherols, only DL--tocopherol acetate was detected. During maceration, the content of total phenolic compound in fat increased, which caused a change in antioxidant activity.

This diploma thesis is focused on the study of structure and physicochemical properties of organic fractions of humic substances, which were obtained by the method of thin-layer chromatography. Humic substances, which were used in this study, were isolated from a sample of Slovak alginite based on the procedure of the International Humic Substances Society (IHSS). The following analytical techniques were selected for the characterization of isolated humic substances: thermogravimetric and elemental analysis, molecular absorption spectroscopy (UV/Vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy. Each organic fraction of humic substances were characterized by molecular absorption spectroscopy (UV/Vis) and steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy. Using steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy, humic substances were found to be composed of fluorophores of humic and non-humic (protein) character. Organic fractions corresponding to the humic fluorophores were characterized by a higher content of oxygen substituents on the aromatic nukleus, a higher degree of aromaticity and also a higher molecular weight. The aim of this diploma thesis was to design and optimize the process of organic matter fractionation for the purpose of detailed understanding of the structure and properties of humic substances, which were isolated from the sedimentary rock alginite. Based on this, the practical applicability of the thin layer chromatography method to significantly reduce the molecular heterogenity of the studied humic substances was evaluated.

This diploma thesis is focused on microdetermination of cobalt by UV-VIS spectrophotometry with organic agents and comparison with atomic absorption spectrometry. In the first part properties, occurance and importance of cobalt in the environment are desribed, complete with as a part of vitamine B12. Attention is also given to cobalt compounds, especially in the oxidative states +II and +III. Methods of preconcentration and preparation cobalt determination in real samples are adduced. In this thesis are described some optical analytical methods with accept on spectrophotometric agents for determination of cobalt. The experimental part of this thesis icludes optimalization of the spectrophotometric determination of cobalt with choosen organic agents 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcin and 2-(5-Brom-2-pyridylazo)-5-diethylaminophenol and optimalization of atomic absorption spectrometry for cobalt determination. All of real samples of water (surface, underground, mineral and waste) were measured by both 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcin and 2-(5-Brom-2-pyridylazo)-5-diethylaminophenol via UV-VIS and via atomic absorption spectrometry. Results of determinations were compared. A sample of vitamine B12 was measured too by all techniques.

This thesis is focused to the analysis of selected varieties of honeysuckle kamtschatica (Lonicera caerula var kamtschatica) and their comparison in terms of the content of biologically active substances. There were analysed only varieties grown in 2014. Theoretical part elaborates and characterized various parameters of biologically active compounds such as phenolic, anthocyanins and ascorbic acid and possibilities of their determination. Further it briefly surveys Kamchatka honeysuckle, its taxonomic and morphological properties and its nutritional properties. The experimental part of the work was focused on the description of the methods used for the analysis of biologically active substances and their analysis. Polyphenolic compounds and anthocyanin’s were determined spectrophotometrically and vitamin C was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. The results and varieties were compared with each other. Overall, we can say that the variety with the highest content of all three analysed biologically active substances is a variety Valchová, which had the second highest content of polyphenolic compounds (546.3 mg · 100 g-1 fruits), the third highest contend of ascorbic acid (35.1 mg · 100 g-1 fruits) and the sixth highest content of anthocyanin (170.8 mg · 100 g-1 fruits)

Ph.D. thesis is focused on the study and determination of layer thickness and optical properties, such as the dispersion dependence of the refractive index of various materials prepared in the form of thin layer. In the first part of this work the theoretical findings in the field of spectroscopic ellipsometry are summarised. These findings are followed by the description and characterization of the light polarization, evaluation of experimental data and determination of the physical properties of studied materials. Experimental and result section of this work is devoted to the preparation and characterization of thin films of the studied materials: titanum dioxide (TiO2), new organic materials (MDMO-PPV, PCDTBT, PCBTDPP, PC60BM, PC70BM) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO). These were all selected with respect to their potential use in the organic photovoltaics.