Argamassas funcionais para uma construção sustentável

A aposta na sustentabilidade tem conduzido o mercado da construção a procurar novas soluções técnicas e novos materiais, que por serem mais eficientes, conseguem dar resposta aos requisitos cada vez mais exigentes deste sector. A aplicação dos conceitos de sustentabilidade não se pode restringir a novas construções, tendo que prever também as renovações e a reabilitação de edifícios antigos. Assim, novos materiais que sejam desenvolvidos, devem contemplar todas estas vertentes de utilização. Neste trabalho desenvolveram-se argamassas com novas funcionalidades, que contribuem para melhorar os níveis de sustentabilidade dos edifícios, através da incorporação de nanomateriais para armazenamento de calor latente e degradação de poluentes do ar interior. Estudou-se não só o impacto da incorporação destas nanopartículas no estado fresco e endurecido, mas também o seu desempenho do ponto de vista funcional quando integrados na estrutura da argamassa. É possível obter argamassas com capacidade para armazenar calor latente através da incorporação de um material de mudança de fase. Este material constituído por uma mistura de parafinas, consegue armazenar calor e libertálo posteriormente. As composições desenvolvidas podem ser aplicadas em novos projectos ou na reabilitação de edifícios contribuindo para reduzir o consumo energético, melhorando o conforto térmico no interior. Com a redução da factura energética obtém-se uma efectiva diminuição do impacto ambiental, energético e económico do edifício. Para além do armazenamento de calor latente, também se desenvolveram argamassas capazes de eliminar poluentes do ar interior e, simultaneamente, com capacidade de auto-limpeza. Utilizaram-se nanopartículas de dióxido de titânio como aditivo fotocatalítico, tendo-se analisado o efeito da introdução deste aditivo nas argamassas. As composições testadas demonstraram elevada capacidade fotocatalítica e de auto-limpeza, sem comprometer as suas propriedades no estado endurecido. Ao aplicar estas composições na camada de acabamento interior melhora-se a qualidade do ar no interior das habitações e reduz-se a necessidade de utilização de sistemas de ventilação. As argamassas funcionais contribuem para melhorar os níveis de sustentabilidade da construção, tendo impacto económico e ambiental em todo o ciclo de vida do edifício.

Effect assessment of nanoparticles toxicity in the terrestrial compartment

Over 11 million tons of nanomaterials (NMs) have been produced in 2012 and predictions point the increase in production. Despite predictions and extended usage via consumer products and industry, the understanding of the potential impact of these materials on the environment is virtually absent. The main aim of this thesis is to understand how a selected group of nanomaterials (metal based particles) may impact soil invertebrates, with special focus on the mechanisms of response. Since a case-by-case Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) of all the emerging contaminants (particularly NMs) is impossible, among others due to time and cost reasons, to gain understanding on the mechanism of action and response is very important to reach a common paradigm. Understanding the modes of action provides predictive characters in cross particle extrapolation. Besides, it also provides insight for the production of new and sustainable materials. Overall, the effects of the selected NMs (Copper and Silver, Titanium and Zirconium oxides) and the respective salt forms, were investigated at the gene expression (using high-throughput tools, microarray and qPCR technology), biochemical (using enzymatic assays for analysis of oxidative stress markers) and organism (survival and reproduction as in OECD test guidelines) levels, this using standard soil species (Enchytraeus albidus, Enchytraeus crypticus, Eisenia fetida). Gene expression analysis provided valuable information on the mechanisms affected by each of the NMs. The gene expression profile highlighted a (nano)material signature and the effect of the duration of exposure. The functional analyses integrated with the biochemical and organism data, revealed a good understanding power. The biochemical parameters (oxidative stress related) were distinct across the materials and also influenced by duration of exposure and concentration. The standardized organismal responses differed the least between the various materials. The overall outcome is that, in this context of NMs effect assessment, gene expression and enzymatic assays introduced a very important knowledge gap, which could not had been achieved by the standard organismal effects alone. A reoccurring issue with some metal based NMs is the possible dissolution and subsequent release of ions that then causes toxicity e.g. Cu-NPs or Ag-NPs release Cu2+ or Ag+. The oxidation state of the particles was investigated, although this was not the focus of the thesis. The study of fate, e.g. dissolution of NPs, is also only in its beginning and the appropriate techniques are currently being developed. The results showed a specific nanoparticle effect. The UV exposure with titanium dioxide nanoparticles increased its effect.

Assessing the effectiveness of chemical treatment with nanomaterials in improving the quality of different industrial effluents

Industrial activities are the major sources of pollution in all environments. Depending on the type of industry, various levels of organic and inorganic pollutants are being continuously discharged into the environment. Although, several kinds of physical, chemical, biological or the combination of methods have been proposed and applied to minimize the impact of industrial effluents, few have proved to be totally effective in terms of removal rates of several contaminants, toxicity reduction or amelioration of physical and chemical properties. Hence, it is imperative to develop new and innovative methodologies for industrial wastewater treatment. In this context nanotechnology arises announcing the offer of new possibilities for the treatment of wastewaters mainly based on the enhanced physical and chemical proprieties of nanomaterials (NMs), which can remarkably increase their adsorption and oxidation potential. Although applications of NMs may bring benefits, their widespread use will also contribute for their introduction into the environment and concerns have been raised about the intentional use of these materials. Further, the same properties that make NMs so appealing can also be responsible for producing ecotoxicological effects. In a first stage, with the objective of selecting NMs for the treatment of organic and inorganic effluents we first assessed the potential toxicity of nanoparticles of nickel oxide (NiO) with two different sizes (100 and 10-20 nm), titanium dioxide (TiO2, < 25 nm) and iron oxide (Fe2O3, ≈ 85x425 nm). The ecotoxicological assessment was performed with a battery of assays using aquatic organisms from different trophic levels. Since TiO2 and Fe2O3 were the NMs that presented lower risks to the aquatic systems, they were selected for the second stage of this work. Thus, the two NMs pre-selected were tested for the treatment of olive mill wastewater (OMW). They were used as catalyst in photodegradation systems (TiO2/UV, Fe2O3/UV, TiO2/H2O2/UV and Fe2O3/H2O2/UV). The treatments with TiO2 or Fe2O3 combined with H2O2 were the most efficient in ameliorating some chemical properties of the effluent. Regarding the toxicity to V. fischeri the highest reduction was recorded for the H2O2/UV system, without NMs. Afterwards a sequential treatment using photocatalytic oxidation with NMs and degradation with white-rot fungi was applied to OMW. This new approach increased the reduction of chemical oxygen demand, phenolic content and ecotoxicity to V. fischeri. However, no reduction in color and aromatic compounds was achieved after 21 days of biological treatment. The photodegradation systems were also applied to treat the kraft pulp mill and mining effluents. For the organic effluent the combination NMs and H2O2 had the best performances in reduction the chemical parameters as well in terms of toxicity reduction. However, for the mine effluent the best (TiO2/UV and Fe2O3/UV) were only able to significantly remove three metals (Zn, Al and Cd). Nonetheless the treatments were able of reducing the toxicity of the effluent. As a final stage, the toxicity of solid wastes formed during wastewater treatment with NMs was assessed with Chironomus riparius larvae, a representative species of the sediment compartment. Certain solid wastes showed the potential to negatively affect C. riparius survival and growth, depending on the type of effluent treated. This work also brings new insights to the use of NMs for the treatment of industrial wastewaters. Although some potential applications have been announced, many evaluations have to be performed before the upscaling of the chemical treatments with NMs.