Study of biosorption of rare earth metals (La, Nd, Eu, Gd) by Sargassum sp. biomass in batch systems: Physicochemical evaluation of kinetics and adsorption models

This work evaluated kinetic and adsorption physicochemical models for the biosorption process of lanthanum, neodymium, europium, and gadolinium by Sargassum sp. in batch systems. The results showed: (a) the pseudo-second order kinetic model was the best approximation for the experimental data with the metal adsorption initial velocity parameter in 0.042-0.055 mmol.g -1.min-1 (La < Nd < Gd < Eu); (b) the Langmuir adsorption model presented adequate correlation with maximum metal uptake at 0.60-0.70 mmol g-1 (Eu < La < Gd < Nd) and the metal-biomass affinity parameter showed distinct values (Gd < Nd < Eu < La: 183.1, 192.5, 678.3, and 837.3 L g-1, respectively); and (c) preliminarily, the kinetics and adsorption evaluation did not reveal a well-defined metal selectivity behavior for the RE biosorption in Sargassum sp., but they indicate a possible partition among RE studied. © (2009) Trans Tech Publications.

Methodology for DSC calibration in high heating rates

Despite the large use of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) technique in advanced polymer materials characterization, the new methodology called DSC in high heating rates was developed. The heating rate during conventional DSC experiments varying from 10 to 20°C.min-1, sample mass from 10 to 15mg and standard aluminum sample pan weighting, approximately, 27mg. In order to contribute to a better comprehension of DSC behavior in different heating rates, this work correlates as high heating rate influences to the thermal events in DSC experiments. Samples of metallic standard (In, Pb, Sn and Zn) with masses varying from 0.570mg to 20.9mg were analyzed in multiples sample heating rate from 4 to 324°C. min-1. In order to make properly all those experiments, a precise and careful temperature and enthalpy calibrations were performed and deeply discussed. Thus, this work shows a DSC methodology able to generate good and reliable results on experiments under any researcher choice heating rates to characterize the advanced materials used, for example, for aerospace industry. Also it helps the DSC users to find in their available instruments, already installed, a better and more accurate DSC test results, improving in just one shot the analysis sensitivity and resolution. Polypropylene melting and enthalpy thermal events are also studied using both the conventional DSC method and high heating rate method.

A study of the precursors and photoactivity of nanostructures of Ti oxides synthesized by the alkaline hydrothermal method

The present study describes the synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic potential of Ti oxide nanostructures of various morphologies and crystalline phases that were synthesized from 4 different precursors by the alkaline hydrothermal method. The materials were characterized by mainly X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). Also, photocatalytic potential was assessed by rhodamine B photodegradation. The materials obtained from peroxytitanium complexes (PTCs) exhibited a strong dependence on the concentration of KOH ([KOH]) used for synthesis. The pre-formed sheets of the PTCs were critical to the formation of nanostructures such as nanoribbons, and they were also compatible with the rolling up process, which can be utilized to form structures such as nanorods, nanowires or nanotubes. In the rhodamine photodegradation tests, TiO2 anatase nanostructures with six-coor inated Ti were more effective than the titanate ones (five-coordinated), despite having a smaller surface area and fewer OH groups. The lower photoactivity of the titanates was attributed to the presence of five-coordinated titanium species (TiO5), which may act as electron-hole recombination centers. Furthermore, the material with a mixture of TiO2/titanate was shown to be promising for photocatalytic applications. © 2013 by American Scientific Publishers.

Rational use of residential digesters for sewage treatment with Carbon Credits

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Different methods of cutting fluid application on turning of a difficult-to-machine steel

Different methods of cutting fluid application are used on turning of a difficult-tomachine steel (SAE EV-8). A semi-synthetic cutting fluid was applied using a conventional method, minimum quantity of cutting fluid (MQCF), and pulverization. By the minimum quantity method was also applied a lubricant of vegetable oil (MQL). Thereafter, a cutting fluid jet under high pressure (3.0 MPa) was singly applied in the following regions: chip-tool interface; top surface of the chip; and tool-workpiece contact. Two other methods were used: an interflow between conventional application and chip-tool interface jet and, finally, three jets simultaneously applied. In order to carry out these tests, it was necessary to set up a high pressure system using a piston pump for generating a cutting fluid jet, a Venturi for fluid application (MQCF and MQL), and a nozzle for cutting fluid pulverization. The output variables analyzed included tool life, surface roughness, cutting tool temperature, cutting force, chip form, chip compression rate and machined specimen microstructure. It can be observed that the tool life increases and the cutting force decreases with the application of cutting fluid jet, mainly when it is directed to the chip-tool interface. Excluding the methods involving jet fluid, the conventional method seems to be more efficient than other methods of low pressure. © (2013) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland.

Time-frequency analysis combining wavelets and the envelope technique for fault identification in rotary machines

Nowadays the method based on demodulation by envelope finds wide application in industry as a technique for evaluation of bearings and other components in rotating machinery. In recent years the application of Wavelets for fault diagnosis in machinery has also obtained good development. This article demonstrates the effectiveness of the combined application of Wavelets and envelope technique (also known as HFRT High-Frequency Resonance Technique) to remove background noise from signals collected from defect bearings and identification of the characteristic frequencies of defects. A comparison of the results obtained with the isolated application of only one method against the combined technique is performed showing the increased capacity in detection of faults in rolling bearings. © (2013) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland.

Mechanical properties of vulcanized natural rubber nanocomposites containing functional ceramic nanoparticles

Rubber nanocomposites containing different concentrations of ferroelectric and paramagnetic nanoparticles were fabricated. Nanostructures of ferroelectric potassium strontium niobate and paramagnetic nickel-zinc ferrite were synthesized using a modified polyol method. The nanoparticle characterization was carried out by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, showing that the materials were produced with nanometer dimensions, specific crystallinity and microstrain. Mechanical tests such as hardness type Shore A, stress-strain and compression resistance were performed. They showed that increasing the concentration of nanoparticles enhance the rigidity of vulcanized films of natural rubber and this change is more pronounce for the nanocomposites formed with ferrite nanoparticles, likely due to the effect of its morphological and surface properties. © 2013 by American Scientific Publishers.

Dielectric and structural characterization of Pb1-xAxZr0.40Ti0.60O3 (A = Sr, Ca) ferroelectric ceramics

This paper reports the influence of Sr- and Ca-substitution on the structural and ferroelectric properties of Pb1-xSrxZr0.40Ti0.60O3 (PSZT) and Pb1-xCaxZr0.40Ti0.60O3 (PCZT) ceramic systems. The dielectric measurements show that these substitutions cause a diffuse behavior in the dielectric permittivity curves for all samples. According to the X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectra collected at Ti K- and LIII-edge, when Pb was replaced by Sr or Ca, a decrease in the local distortion around Ti atoms in the TiO6 octahedron could be observed. The O K-edge XANES spectra also revealed that the hybridization between O 2p and Pb 6sp states decreased as the amount of Sr or Ca atoms increased. Based on these results, it was possible to ascertain that the ferroelectric behavior in PSZT and PCZT samples bears a close correlation to the hybridization weakening between O 2p and Pb 6 sp states. © 2013 by American Scientific Publishers.

Efeito do oxigênio intersticial nas propriedades mecânicas e biocompatibilidade da Liga Ti-5Ni

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Geosynthetic-Reinforced Soil Structure Built to Restore Original Geometry of a 12 m High Slope After Failure Using Local Soil

This paper presents a study case in which a geosynthetic-reinforced soil (GRS) structure was used to rebuild a 12 m high slope after its failure. The failed slope is located between the parking lot of a private company and a public school. Due to surrounding structures restrictions, this project required a solution with rapidity in execution. In addition, as a requirement established by its owner, this structure should recover the original geometry of the slope. Besides the importance regarding surrounding constructions, an interesting aspect of this study case relies on the versatility of geosynthetic materials. A woven geotextile was used as reinforcement. Five other geosynthetic materials were used in this study case. Facing comprised a geocell filled with local soil cover and grass mats, resulting in a green facing. A geonet was used to hold the grass mats in place before grass roots development. Regarding the drainage system, geocomposite drains and geopipes were installed to drain subsurface water. A nonwoven geotextile was used as filter in drainage trenches, which were placed near the structure toe. Additionally to the GRS structure, the lower portion of the slope was reinforced with soil nailing technique. The face of the nailed soil portion was covered with sandbags and shotcrete. It emphasizes the flexibility of GRS structures regarding their application with other technical options in Geotechnical Engineering. The economic aspect of this study case also deserves attention. It did not require soil transportation and other design and construction steps, e.g. concrete structures design and construction.

Gas sensor properties of zno nanorods grown by chemical bath deposition

The present work shows a study about the growing of ZnO nanorods by chemical bath deposition (CBD) and its application as gas sensor. It was prepared ZnO nanorods and Au decorated ZnO nanorods and the samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and gas sensing response measurements. The results obtained by XRD show the growth of ZnO phase. It was possible to observe the formation of uniform dense well-aligned ZnO nanorods. The results obtained also revealed that Ag nanoparticles have decorated the surface of ZnO nanorods successfully. Au nanoparticles with diameter of a few nanometers were distributed over the ZnO surface nanorods. The gas sensing response measurements showed a behavior of n type semiconductor. Furthermore, the Au-functionalized ZnO nanorods gas sensors showed a considerably enhanced response at 250 and 300 °C.

Photocatalytic decomposition of rhodamine-B using scandium and silver-modified TiO2 Powders

Semiconductor-mediated photocatalytic oxidation is an interesting method for water decontamination and a specially modified TiO2 is said to be a promising material. This study verified that the synthesis of 1wt%Ag modified-Sc0.01Ti0.99O1.995 powder samples prepared by Polymeric Precursor Method is capable of forming a mixture of anatase-rutile phase with high photocatalytic performance. This kind of material is found to have a lower bandgap compared to the TiO2-anatase commercial powders, which can be associated to an innovative hybrid modification. The simultaneous insertion of scandium in order to generate a p-type semiconductor and a metallic silver nanophase acting as an electron trapper demonstrated being capable of enhancing the degradation of rhodamine B compared to the commercial TiO2. In spite of the different thermal treatments or phase amounts, the hybrid modified powder samples showed higher photocatalytic activity than the commercial ones.

Bacterial cellulose biocomposites for guided tissue regeneration

Bacterial cellulose (BC) has become established as a remarkably versatile biomaterial and can be used in a wide variety of scientific applications, especially for medical devices. In this work, the bacterial cellulose fermentation process is modified by the addition of chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid (1% w/w) to the culture medium before the bacteria is inoculated. Besides, biomimetic precipitation of calcium phosphate of biological interest from simulated body fluid on bacterial cellulose was studied. Chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid influences in bacterial cellulose were analyzed using transmission infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), XRD (X-ray diffraction) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). FTIR analysis showed interaction between bacterial cellulose nanobiocomposites and calcium phosphate and XRD demonstrated amorphous calcium phosphate and calcium chloride on bacterial cellulose nanobiocomposites. SEM images confirmed incorporation of calcium phosphate in bacterial cellulose nanobiocomposites surface with different calcium phosphate particles morphology.

Structure, microstructure, and selected mechanical properties of Ti-Zr-Mo alloys for biomedical applications

New titanium alloys for biomedical applications have been developed primarily with the addition of Nb, Ta, Mo, and Zr, because those elements stabilize the β phase and they don’t cause cytotoxicity in the organism. The objective of this paper is to analyze the effect of molybdenum on the structure, microstructure, and selected mechanical properties of Ti-15Zr-xMo (x = 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt%) alloys. The samples were produced in an arc-melting furnace with inert argon atmosphere, and they were hot-rolled and homogenized. The samples were characterized using chemical, structural, and microstructural analysis. The mechanical analysis was made using Vickers microhardness and Young’s modulus measurements. The compositions of the alloys were sensitive to the molybdenum concentration, indicating the presence of α’+α”+β phases in the Ti-15Zr-5Mo alloy, α”+β in the Ti-15Zr-10Mo alloy, and β phase in the Ti-15Zr-15Mo and Ti-15Zr-20Mo alloys. The mechanical properties showed favorable values for biomedical application in the alloys presenting high hardness and low Young’s modulus compared with CP-Ti.

Magnetic properties of YBCO/LCMO superlattices with and without STO interlayers

Superlattices formed of two antagonic characteristics have been broadly studied in literature mainly in order to clarify the effects of proximity and interface interactions. Here, we present a study of superlattice introducing an insulator between each superconducting and ferromagnetic layer. The electrical insulator STO, YBCO and LCMO layer are deposited by PLD method. The samples with STO show more intergrowth surface morphology, which favors the application providing better contacts between the grains. The magnetic measurements indicated higher Tc values and high anisotropy for SLs with STO, which is dependent on the relative thickness of LCMO and YBCO.