Produção de hidrogênio a partir da reforma a vapor de etanol utilizando catalisadores Cu/Ni/gama-Al2o3

Cu/Ni/gamma-Al2O3 catalysts were prepared by an impregnation method with 2.5 or 5% wt of copper and 5 or 15% wt of nickel and applied in ethanol steam reforming. The catalysts were characterized by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, X-ray diffraction, temperature programmed reduction with hydrogen and nitrogen adsorption. The samples showed low crystallinity, with the presence of CuO and NiO, both as crystallites and in dispersed phase, as well as of NiO-Al2O3. The catalytic tests carried out at 400 ºC, with a 3:1 water/ethanol molar ratio, indicated the 5Cu/5Ni/Al2O3 catalyst as the most active for hydrogen production, with a hydrogen yield of 77% and ethanol conversion of 98%.

Quimissorção de cátions divalentes em sílica gel modificada com ácido tioglicólico: a influência do pH e força iônica

A novel type of heavy metal adsorbent was prepared by the covalent grafting of thioglycolic acid molecules on a silica gel surface previsiouly modified with 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane. The amount of thioglycolic acid immobilized was 1.03 mmol per gram of silica. This material displayed a chelating moiety containing nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen basic centers which are potentially capable of extracting from aqueous solutions cations such as Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II), influenced by pH and ionic strength. This process of extraction was carried out by the batch method when similar chemisorption isotherms were observed for all cations. A modified Langmuir equation describes the experimental data.

Ácido canárico (3,4-seco derivado do lupano) em própolis do Ceará

Phytochemical investigation of a propolis sample from Alto Santo - Ceará, Brazil, allowed identification of triterpenes (lupeol, lupenone, germanicone, canaric acid) and flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol and acacetin), which were identified by spectroscopic data (IR, MS, and NMR, including 2D techniques). This is the first report of canaric acid in propolis. Propolis extract and flavonoids showed antioxidant activity using a DPPH radical scavenging assay.

Titulações espectrofotométricas de sistemas ácido-base utilizando extrato de flores contendo antocianinas

Considering the attraction of the students' attention by the changes in the colors of vegetable crude extracts caused by the variation of the pH of the medium, the use of these different colors in order to demonstrate principles of spectrophotometric acid-base titrations using the crude extracts as indicators is proposed. The experimental setup consisted of a simple spectrophotometer, a homemade flow cell and a pump to propel the fluids along the system. Students should be stimulated to choose the best wavelength to monitor the changes in color during the titration. Since the pH of the equivalence point depends on the system titrated, the wavelength must be properly chosen to follow these changes, demonstrating the importance of the correct choice of the indicator. When compared with the potentiometric results, errors as low as 2% could be found using Rhododendron simsii (azalea) or Tibouchina granulosa (Glory tree, quaresmeira) as sources of the crude extracts.

Ácido 15-desmetilisoplumierídeo, um novo iridóide isolado das cascas de Plumeria rubra e do látex de Himatanthus sucuuba

Himatanthus sucuuba and Plumeria rubra are used in folk medicine in Brazil to treat various ailments. The isolation of the new iridoid 15-demethylisoplumieride from the bark of Plumeria rubra L. var. acutifolia (Ait) Woodson and latex of Himatanthus sucuuba (Spruce) Woodson is reported. Other iridoid glycosides were obtained from both plants. The structures of these substances were elucidated by spectral analysis and comparison with data already reported.

Propriedades ácido-base e de complexação de ácidos húmico e fúlvico isolados de vermicomposto

Proton binding properties of humic and fulvic acids were studied by potentiometric titration. Carboxylic groups were the predominant ionizable sites in comparison to phenolic and amine groups. Total acidity of fulvic acid was 12 x 10-3 mol g-1, a number significantly higher than that obtained for humic acid (5.2 x 10-3 mol g-1). Copper ion binding was evaluated at pH 4, 5 and 6 by potentiometric titration with an ion selective electrode for Cu(II). Differential stability constants and complexation capacities were systematically higher for humic acid, despite its lower number of ionizable sites in comparison with fulvic acid.

Avaliação da eficiência de uma célula a combustível estacionária de ácido fosfórico

Operation and performance of a commercial PAFC power plant were analyzed. Processes influencing energy conversion efficiency were studied in each module of the fuel cell power plant. The main processes were simulated using mass and energy balance equations, and the results were validated by means of experimental data. It was concluded that the electrical efficiency is higher in comparison with microturbines. The main result achieved is a better understanding of balance of plant processes, knowledge necessary for fuel cell power plant development.

Remoção de chumbo(II) em sistemas descontínuos por carvões ativados com ácido fosfórico e com vapor

Adsorption of heavy metal cations by activated carbon is dependent on the capacity of the material in promoting adsorption and the time needed to reach equilibrium. Carbon samples were previously activated either by phosphoric acid treatment at 400 ºC or by steam at 800 ºC. The results of Pb(II) adsorption by these activated carbons have shown that equilibrium was typically reached within the first 5 min of contact between carbon and metal solution, with a maximum adsorption capacity higher than 69 mg g-1 for the vapor-activated sample. Temperature influences the sorption capacity, which corresponds to an endothermic process. Lead(II) retention is more pronounced at high temperature and low pH.

Rota hidrometalúrgica de recuperação de molibdênio, cobalto, níquel e alumínio de catalisadores gastos de hidrotratamento em meio ácido

This work describes a hydrometallurgical route for processing spent commercial catalysts (CoMo and NiMo/Al2O3). Samples were preoxidized (500 ºC, 5 h) in order to eliminate coke and other volatile species present. The calcined solid was dissolved in concentrated H2SO4 and water (1:1 vol/vol) at 90 ºC; the insoluble matter was separated from the solution. Molybdenum was recovered by solvent extraction using tertiary amines at pH around 1.8. Cobalt (or nickel) was separated by addition of aqueous ammonium oxalate at the above pH. Phosphorus was removed by passing the liquid through a strong anion exchange column. Aluminum was recovered by neutralizing the solution with NaOH. The route presented in this work generates less final aqueous wastes because it is not necessary to use alkaline medium during the metal recovery steps.

Síntese de 1-indanonas através da reação de acilação de Friedel-Crafts intramolecular utilizando NbCl5 como ácido de Lewis

The intramolecular Friedel-Crafts acylation reaction of 3-arylpropanoic acids to give 1-indanones can be effected in good yields under mild conditions (room temperature) by using niobium pentachloride. Our results indicate that NbCl5 acts both as reagent (to transform carboxylic acids into acyl chlorides) and as catalyst in the Friedel-Crafts cyclization.

Uma metodologia simples e eficiente para a cloração de compostos aromáticos ativados utilizando o ácido tricloro-isocianúrico

The chlorination of activated aromatic rings is efficiently achieved under mild conditions by reaction of aromatic compounds with trichloroisocyanuric acid in acetonitrile, at room temperature, leading to products in 60-95% isolated yields and good regioselectivity.

Comportamento eletroquímico da N-nitrosotiazolidina ácido carboxílico sobre eletrodos de ouro e mercúrio

The electrochemical behavior of N-nitrosothiazolidine carboxylic acid (NTAC) on gold and hanging mercury electrodes, using the cyclic and square wave voltammetries, was studied. Whereas NTAC suffer reduction in a single step on the mercury electrode, two peaks appears on the cyclic voltammograms on the gold electrode, one anodic peak overlaying the gold oxide process at 1.2 V and one cathodic peak at -0.41 V vs Ag/AgCl, KCl 3.0 mol L-1. The cathodic peak depends on the previous oxidation of NTAC at the electrode surface, presents irreversible and adsorption controlled characteristics and it is suitable for quantitative purposes.

Extração líquido-líquido de ferro(III) e titânio(IV) pelo ácido bis-(2-etil-hexil) fosfórico (D2EHPA) em meio de ácido sulfúrico

This work presents a study on the separation of Fe(III) and Ti(IV) from sulfuric acid leaching solutions of ilmenite (FeTiO3) using liquid-liquid extraction with D2EHPA in n-dodecane as extracting agent. The distribution coefficients (K D) of the elements related to free acidity and concentration of Fe(III) and Ti(IV) were determined. Free acidity was changed from 3x10-2 to 11.88 mol L-1 and D2EHPA concentration was fixed at 1.5 mol L-1. Recovery of final products as well as recycling of wastes generated in the process were also investigated. The LLE process as a feasible alternative to obtain high-purity TiO2.

Uso de scanner em espectrofotometria de absorção molecular: aplicação em experimento didático enfocando a determinação de ácido ascórbico

Quantitative analysis of colored substances is generally performed using a spectrophotometer for detection of radiation. However, the combination of digital images and mathematical conversion of colors is an alternative for quantitative procedures based on colored chemical reactions. This work proposes a didactic experiment using a scanner for determination of ascorbic acid in medicines based on the formation of the Prussian blue complex. Results were in good agreement with a conventional spectrophotometer method and the procedure is attractive for instrumental analysis undergraduate courses.

Síntese, caracterização e análise térmica dos sais de lítio, sódio e potássio do ácido palmítico e do seu éster etílico

Alkaline salts of the palmitic acid were synthesized and characterized from aqueous and ethanolic medium. The salts were characterized by elemental analysis (EA) and infrared spectroscopy (IR). EA and IR, being its synthesis comproved, also characterized the ethyl palmitate. All the salts and the ester were submitted to thermal analysis using thermogravimetry (TG), and differential thermal analysis (DTA) in the temperature ranging from room to 700 ºC under air dynamic atmosphere. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements were taken from -90 ºC up to temperatures close to the starting of the decomposition temperature, determined by thermogravimetry, using heating and cooling cycles.