Single-walled carbon nanotube buckypapers as electrocatalyst supports for methanol oxidation

This work studies the use of various single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) buckypapers as catalyst supports for methanol electro-oxidation in acid media. Buckypapers were obtained by vacuum filtration from pristine and oxidized SWCNT suspensions in different liquid media. Pt–Ru catalysts supported on the buckypapers were prepared by multiple potentiostatic pulses using a diluted solution of Pt and Ru salts (2 mM H2PtCl6 + 2 mM RuCl3) in acid media. The resulting materials were characterized via SEM, TEM, EDX and ICP-OES analysis. Well dispersed rounded nanoparticles between 2 and 15 nm were successfully electrodeposited on the SWCNT buckypapers. The ruthenium content in the bimetallic deposits was between 32 and 48 at. %, while the specific surface areas of the catalysts were in the range of 72–113 m2 g−1. It was found that the solvent used to prepare the SWCNT buckypaper films has a strong influence on the catalyst dispersion, particle size and metal loading. Cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry experiments point out that the most active electrodes for methanol electro-oxidation were prepared with the buckypaper supports that were obtained from SWCNT dispersions in N-methyl-pyrrolidone.

Electrooxidation methods to produce pseudocapacitance-containing porous carbons

Surface oxygen groups play a key role on the performance of porous carbon electrodes for electrochemical capacitors in aqueous media. The electrooxidation method in NaCl electrolyte using a filter press cell and dimensionally stable anodes is proposed as a viable process for the generation of oxygen groups on porous carbon materials. The experimental set-up is so flexible that allows the easy modification of carbon materials with different configurations, i.e. cloths and granular, obtaining different degrees of oxidation for both conformations without the requirement of binders and conductivity promoters. After the electrooxidation method, the attained porosity is maintained between 90 and 75% of the initial values. The surface oxygen groups generated can increase the capacitance up to a 30% when compared to the pristine material. However, a severe oxidation is detrimental since it may decrease the conductivity and increase the resistance for ion mobility.

Relevance of porosity and surface chemistry of superactivated carbons in capacitors

We show, through some examples, that chemical activation by alkaline hydroxides permits the preparation of activated carbons with tailored pore volume, pore size distribution, pore structure and surface chemistry, which are useful for their application as electrodes in supercapacitors. Examples are presented discussing the importance of each of these properties on the double layer capacitance, on the kinetics of the electric double-layer charge-discharge process and on the pseudo-capacitative contribution from the surface functional groups or the addition of a conducting polymer.

Estrategias didácticas para la promoción de la química en la enseñanza secundaria y bachillerato

El alarmante descenso del número de alumnos que estudian química en bachillerato hace necesaria la búsqueda de herramientas para recuperar los niveles de finales de la pasada década. Los autores proponen algunas estrategias, aplicables en todos los niveles de enseñanza no universitaria, que van desde experiencias de laboratorio para alumnos de primaria, hasta la creación de una serie de personajes de ficción, que intervienen en los enunciados de los problemas de química, poner a disposición de los alumnos colecciones de problemas resueltos y la participación en pruebas como las olimpiadas de química.

Influence of thymol and silver nanoparticles on the degradation of poly(lactic acid) based nanocomposites: thermal and morphological properties

Biopolymers, such as poly(lactic acid) (PLA), have been proposed as environmentally-friendly alternatives in applications such as food packaging. In this work, silver nanoparticles and thymol were used as active additives in PLA matrices, combining the antibacterial activity of silver with the antioxidant performance of thymol. The combined action of both additives influenced PLA thermal degradation in ternary systems. DSC results showed that the addition of thymol resulted in a clear decrease of the glass transition temperature (Tg) of PLA, suggesting its plasticizing effect in PLA matrices. Slight modifications in mechanical properties of dog-bone bars were also observed after the addition of the active components, especially in the elastic modulus. FESEM analyses showed the good distribution of active additives through the PLA matrix, obtaining homogenous surfaces and highlighting the presence of silver nanoparticles successfully embedded into the bulk matrix. Degradation of these PLA-based nanocomposites with thymol and silver nanoparticles in composting conditions indicated that the inherent biodegradable character of this biopolymer was improved after this modification. The obtained nanocomposites showed suitable properties to be used as biodegradable active-food packaging systems with antioxidant and antimicrobial effects.

Characterization of Poly(ε-caprolactone)-Based Nanocomposites Containing Hydroxytyrosol for Active Food Packaging

Antioxidant nano-biocomposites based on poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) were prepared by incorporating hydroxytyrosol (HT) and a commercial montmorillonite, Cloisite®30B (C30B), at different concentrations. A full structural, thermal, mechanical and functional characterization of the developed nano-biocomposites was carried out. The presence of the nanoclay and HT increased PCL crystallinity, whereas some decrease in thermal stability was observed. TEM analyses corroborated the good dispersion of C30B into the PCL macromolecular structure as already asserted by XRD tests, since no large aggregates were observed. A reduction in oxygen permeability and increase in elastic modulus were obtained for films containing the nanoclay. Finally, the presence of the nanoclay produced a decrease in the HT release from films due to some interaction between HT and C30B. Results proved that these nano-biocomposites can be an interesting and environmentally-friendly alternative for active food packaging applications with antioxidant performance.

Natural additives and agricultural wastes in biopolymer formulations for food packaging

The main directions in food packaging research are targeted toward improvements in food quality and food safety. For this purpose, food packaging providing longer product shelf-life, as well as the monitoring of safety and quality based upon international standards, is desirable. New active packaging strategies represent a key area of development in new multifunctional materials where the use of natural additives and/or agricultural wastes is getting increasing interest. The development of new materials, and particularly innovative biopolymer formulations, can help to address these requirements and also with other packaging functions such as: food protection and preservation, marketing and smart communication to consumers. The use of biocomposites for active food packaging is one of the most studied approaches in the last years on materials in contact with food. Applications of these innovative biocomposites could help to provide new food packaging materials with improved mechanical, barrier, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. From the food industry standpoint, concerns such as the safety and risk associated with these new additives, migration properties and possible human ingestion and regulations need to be considered. The latest innovations in the use of these innovative formulations to obtain biocomposites are reported in this review. Legislative issues related to the use of natural additives and agricultural wastes in food packaging systems are also discussed.

Development of novel nano-biocomposite antioxidant films based on poly (lactic acid) and thymol for active packaging

Novel nano-biocomposite films based on poly (lactic acid) (PLA) were prepared by incorporating thymol, as the active additive, and modified montmorillonite (D43B) at two different concentrations. A complete thermal, structural, mechanical and functional characterization of all nano-biocomposites was carried out. Thermal stability was not significantly affected by the addition of thymol, but the incorporation of D43B improved mechanical properties and reduced the oxygen transmission rate by the formation of intercalated structures, as suggested by wide angle X-ray scattering patterns and transmission electron microscopy images. The addition of thymol decreased the PLA glass transition temperature, as the result of the polymer plasticization, and led to modification of the elastic modulus and elongation at break. Finally, the amount of thymol remaining in these formulations was determined by liquid chromatography (HPLC-UV) and the antioxidant activity by the DPPH spectroscopic method, suggesting that the formulated nano-biocomposites could be considered a promising antioxidant active packaging material.

TGA/FTIR study of the MCM-41-catalytic pyrolysis of tobacco and tobacco–glycerol mixtures

In this work, the catalytic effect of MCM-41 on the qualitative composition of the gases evolved in the pyrolysis of glycerol, tobacco and tobacco–glycerol mixtures has been studied by TGA/FTIR. The results obtained reflect that the amount of volatile products obtained from tobacco or from tobacco containing mixtures is noticeably decreased if the catalyst is used as a tobacco additive. The addition of the catalyst also produces noticeable changes in the composition of the gases obtained at each temperature. Such changes are more significant in the case of the pyrolysis of the tobacco–glycerol–mixture than in the pyrolysis of tobacco. The evolution patterns for different types of compounds reveal that the catalyst contributes to a noticeable decrease of the yields of methane, CO, CO2 and carbonylic compounds, which could be interesting from the point of view of the use of MCM-41 as a tobacco additive in order to reduce tobacco smoke toxicity.

Synthetic Boron-Doped Diamond Electrodes for Electrochemical Water Treatment

Boron-doped diamond electrodes have emerged as anodic material due to their high physical, chemical and electrochemical stability. These characteristics make it particularly interesting for electrochemical wastewater treatments and especially due to its high overpotential for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction. Diamond electrodes present the maximum efficiency in pollutant removal in water, just limited by diffusion-controlled electrochemical kinetics. Results are presented for the elimination of benzoic acid and for the electrochemical treatment of synthetic tannery wastewater. The results indicate that diamond electrodes exhibit the best performance for the removal of total phenols, COD, TOC, and colour.

Surface, Thermal and Antimicrobial Release Properties of Plasma-Treated Zein Films

The effects of dielectric barrier discharge plasma treatment on zein film containing thymol as an active ingredient were evaluated. The plasma discharge was optically characterized to identify the reactive species. A significant increase in the film roughness (p < 0.05) was observed due to the etching effect of DBD plasma, which was correlated with the increase in the diffusion rate of thymol in the food simulant. The diffusion of thymol from the zein film was measured in aqueous solution. The kinetics of thymol release followed the Fick’s law of diffusion as shown by the high correlation coefficients between experimental and theoretical data. No significant change (p > 0.05) was observed for the thermal properties of the antimicrobial films after DBD plasma treatment.

Carbon–carbon asymmetric aqueous capacitor by pseudocapacitive positive and stable negative electrodes

An asymmetric aqueous capacitor was constructed by employing zeolite-templated carbon (ZTC) as a pseudocapacitive positive electrode and KOH-activated carbon as a stable negative electrode. The asymmetric capacitor can be operated with the working voltage of 1.4 V, and exhibits an energy density that is comparable to those of conventional capacitors utilizing organic electrolytes, thanks to the large pseudocapacitance of ZTC. Despite relatively thick electrode (0.2 mm) configuration, the asymmetric capacitor could be well operated under a current density of 500 mA g −1.

Preparation of homogeneous CNT coatings in insulating capillary tubes by an innovative electrochemically-assisted method

Preparation of homogeneous CNT coatings in insulating silica capillary tubes is carried out by an innovative electrochemically-assisted method in which the driving force for the deposition is the change in pH inside the confined space between the inner electrode and the capillary walls. This method represents a great advancement in the development of CNT coatings following a simple, cost-effective methodology.

Nano-biocomposite films with modified cellulose nanocrystals and synthesized silver nanoparticles

Ternary nano-biocomposite films based on poly(lactic acid) (PLA) with modified cellulose nanocrystals (s-CNC) and synthesized silver nanoparticles (Ag) have been prepared and characterized. The functionalization of the CNC surface with an acid phosphate ester of ethoxylated nonylphenol favoured its dispersion in the PLA matrix. The positive effects of the addition of cellulose and silver on the PLA barrier properties were confirmed by reductions in the water permeability (WVP) and oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of the films tested. The migration level of all nano-biocomposites in contact with food simulants were below the permitted limits in both non-polar and polar simulants. PLA nano-biocomposites showed a significant antibacterial activity influenced by the Ag content, while composting tests showed that the materials were visibly disintegrated after 15 days with the ternary systems showing the highest rate of disintegration under composting conditions.

Functional properties of sodium and calcium caseinate antimicrobial active films containing carvacrol

Active edible films were prepared by adding carvacrol into sodium caseinate (SC) and calcium caseinate (CC) matrices plasticized with two different glycerol concentrations (25 and 35 wt%) prepared by solvent casting. Functional characterisation of these bio-films was carried out by determination of some of their physico-chemical properties, such as colour, transparency, oxygen barrier, wettability, dye permeation properties and antibacterial effectiveness against Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria. All films exhibited good performance in terms of optical properties in the CIELab space showing high transparency. Carvacrol was able to reduce CC oxygen permeability and slightly increased the surface hydrophobicity. Dye diffusion experiments were performed to evaluate permeation properties. The diffusion of dye through films revealed that SC was more permeable than CC. The agar diffusion method was used for the evaluation of the films antimicrobial effectiveness against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Both SC and CC edible films with carvacrol showed inhibitory effects on both bacteria.