pH effect on the synthesis of magnetite nanoparticles by the chemical reduction-precipitation method

This work aimed at putting in evidence the influence of the pH on the chemical nature and properties of the synthesized magnetic nanocomposites. Saturation magnetization measurements evidenced a marked difference of the magnetic behavior of samples, depending on the final pH of the solution after reaction. Magnetite and maghemite in different proportions were the main magnetic iron oxides actually identified. Synthesis with final pH between 9.7-10.6 produced nearly pure magnetite with little or no other associated iron oxide. Under other synthetic conditions, goethite also appears in proportions that depended upon the pH of the synthesis medium.

Determinação de sibutramina em formas farmacêuticas através de espectroscopia no infravermelho com refletância difusa e métodos de calibração multivariada

The goal of this work is the development and validation of an analytical method for fast quantification of sibutramine in pharmaceutical formulations, using diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy and partial least square regression. The multivariate model was elaborated from 22 mixtures containing sibutramine and excipients (lactose, microcrystalline cellulose, colloidal silicon dioxide and magnesium stearate) and using fragmented (750-1150/ 1350-1500/ 1850-1950/ 2600-2900 cm-1) and smoothing spectral data. Using 10 latent variables, excellent predictive capacity were observed in the calibration (n=20, RMSEC=0.004, R= 0.999) and external validation (n=5, RMSEC= 9.36, R=0.999) phases. In the analysis of synthetic mixtures the precision (SD=3,47%) was compatible with the rules of the Agencia Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (ANVISA-Brazil). In the analysis of commercial drugs good agreement was observed between spectroscopic and chromatographic methods.

O estado da arte da síntese de semicondutores nanocristalinos coloidais

Colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals, also known as quantum dots, have attracted great attention since they have interesting size-dependent properties due to the quantum confinement effect. These nanoparticles are highly luminescent and have potential applications in different technological areas, including biological labeling, light-emitting diodes and photovoltaic devices. The synthetic methods of semiconductor nanocrystals have progressed in the last 30 years, and several protocols were developed to synthesize monodisperse nanocrystals with good optical properties, different compositions and morphologies. This review describes the main methods used to synthesize nanocrystals in the II-VI and III-V systems, and the recent approaches in this field of research.

Preparação e caracterização de suspensões coloidais de nanocarreadores lipídicos contendo resveratrol destinados à administração cutânea

Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN), nanoemulsions (NE), and microemulsions (ME) were prepared by the hot solvent diffusion method, using tristearin or castor oil as oily phase, and soy lecithin and Solutol HS 15 as surfactants. Mean particle sizes ranged from 20 to 215 nm and negative zeta potentials were obtained for all nanocarriers. A HPLC method used to determine resveratrol was specific, linear, exact and precise. The entrapment efficiency was high for all formulations. However, resveratrol content was significantly varied among the lipid nanocarriers. Lipid nanocarrier containing hydrogels exhibiting pseudoplastic behavior were obtained after incorporation of hydroxyethylcellulose in the colloidal dispersions.

Estudo da influência dos particulados no fenômeno de agregação dos asfaltenos por espectrometria de varredura óptica

The processing of national petroleums causes many operational problems due to the asphaltene aggregation phenomena. To evaluate the behavior of these phenomena, a study based on optical scan technique was carried out to understand the behavior of pure oils and their mixtures. The evaluation according to criteria established by ASTM D7061-06¹ gives a result of asphaltene flocculation of according to the separability number. In this study, the aspects related to the existence of colloidal forms of peptized asphaltenes in distinct solvents present in petroleums can cause changes in the kinetics of asphaltene flocculation.

Precipitação seletiva de tamanhos em nanopartículas semicondutoras coloidais de CdTe e CdSe: um estudo por espectroscopia UV-VIS

The post-preparative size-selective precipitation technique was applied in CdTe and CdSe semiconductor nanocrystals prepared via colloidal route in water. The synthesis of CdTe and CdSe nanoparticles and the effect of the post-preparative size-selective precipitation have been characterized mainly by mean of ultraviolet and visible absorption spectroscopy (UV-Vis). It was demonstrated that the size-selective precipitation are able to isolate particles of different sizes and purify the nanoparticles as well.

Nanopartículas de lipídios sólidos: métodos clássicos de produção laboratorial

Solid lipid nanoparticles have been extensively investigated as drug delivery systems. These colloidal systems have major advantages compared to others more traditional. Reported advantages include sustained release, ability to solubilize lipophilic drugs, increased physical and chemical stability of labile molecules, decreased unwanted side-effects showing lower toxicity, and scale up facilities. This paper aims at reviewing the traditional methods of solid lipid nanoparticles production, such as fusion-emulsification (hot and cold), solvent evaporation-emulsification and microemulsion, dealing with the main technological parameters that influence the quality properties of solid lipid nanoparticles.

Avaliação das propriedades de compósitos de polipropileno reforçados com casca de aveia

The preparation of oat-reinforced polypropylene nanocomposites with different fiber contents by means of melt-processing was investigated. Composite properties were evaluated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Flexural Modulus, Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). Findings confirmed that the oat composite properties were affected by fiber type and content. Improvements in mechanical properties were obtained using fiber contents < 20% w.t.

Síntese e caracterização de nanocompósitos de poliestireno/hidroxissal lamelar

Polystyrene/layered hydroxide salt (LHS) modified with sodium dodecyl sulfate was synthesized by in situ polymerization. The materials synthesized were characterized by gravimetry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetry analyses (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and the flammability test (FT). XRD demonstrated that synthesized nanocomposites in all compositions studied showed poor global dispersion of LHS in polystyrene. TGA showed a slight decrease in thermal stability. DSC curves showed that the glass transition temperature of polystyrene and nanocomposites were similar. The FT showed that the nanocomposite with low load of LHS exhibited good results.

Efeito da adição de TIO2 nas propriedades térmicas e na cristalinidade do copolímero de etileno/acetato de vinila

We investigated the effect of adding titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2) to ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer, containing 28% vinyl acetate groups, on the crystallinity and miscibility of the copolymer. Films of EVA/TiO2 containing 0.25%-1% TiO2, relative to the total weight of EVA, were prepared from their solution. The obtained films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, low-field nuclear magnetic resonance, and differential scanning calorimetry. The addition of TiO2 to the EVA copolymer was proved to cause changes in the crystallinity and mobility of the polymer chains of EVA, due to new intermolecular interactions and nanostructure organization.

Starch/poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)/montmorillonite films produced by blow extrusion

This study aims to prepare biodegradable films from cassava starch, poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), and montmorillonite (MMT) using blow-extrusion process and analyze the effects of different types and concentrations of MMT on the microstructure, physicochemical, and mechanical properties of the resulting films. The films were produced by blending 30% of PBAT with glycerol (17.5%), starch (49.0-52.5%), and four different types of montmorillonite (Cloisite® Na+, 10A, 15A, and 30B) at two different concentrations (1.75% and 3.5%). All the films prepared in this study showed an increase in the basal spacing of MMT layers. In particular, the films with 10A and 30B showed the highest increase in intercalation basal spacing, suggesting the formation of intercalated composites. The addition of nanoclays decreased the elongation of films. The addition of Cloisite® 10A resulted in films with the lowest WVP values and the highest stability to water adsorption under different RH conditions.

Development and validation of a RP-HPLC method to determine the xanthyletin content in biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles

Xanthyletin is used as an inhibitor of the symbiotic fungus (Leucoagaricus gongylophorus) of the leaf-cutting ant (Atta sexdens rubropilosa), one of the most significant agricultural plague insects. The incorporation of this compound into nanoparticles is a promising approach to effectively control leaf-cutting ants. This study presents the development and validation of a specific analytical method using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for quantification of the xanthyletin content in biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles. The analytical methodology developed was specific, linear, accurate, precise, and robust. The absolute recovery of xanthyletin in colloidal suspensions was nearly 100%. The HPLC method proved reliable for the quantification of xanthyletin content in nanoparticle formulations.

Bionanocompósitos preparados por incorporação de nanocristais de celulose em polímeros biodegradáveis por meio de evaporação de solvente, automontagem ou eletrofiação

This review reports the preparation and characterization of bionanocomposites based on biodegradable polymers reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) described in the literature. The outstanding potential of cellulose nanocrystals as reinforcement fillers of biodegradable polymers is presented with an emphasis on the solution casting process, which is an appropriate method to investigate the physico-chemical effects of the incorporation of CNC into the polymeric matrices. Besides solution casting, other small scale methods such as electrospinning and layer-by-layer are also covered.

Nanocompósitos entre nanotubos de carbono e nanopartículas de platina: preparação, caracterização e aplicação em eletro-oxidação de álcoois

The synthesis and characterization of different platinum nanoparticle/carbon nanotube nanocomposite samples are described along with the application of these nanocomposites as electrocatalysts for alcohol oxidation. Samples were prepared by a biphasic system in which platinum nanoparticles (Pt-NPs) are synthesized in situ in contact with a carbon nanotube (CNT) dispersion. Variables including platinum precursor/CNT ratio, previous chemical treatment of carbon nanotubes, and presence or absence of a capping agent were evaluated and correlated with the characteristic of the synthesized materials. Samples were characterized by Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and transmission electron microscopy. Glassy carbon electrodes were modified by the nanocomposite samples and evaluated as electrocatalysts for alcohol oxidation. Current densities of 56.1 and 79.8/104.7 mA cm-2 were determined for the oxidation of methanol and ethanol, respectively.

EFEITO DA ESTRUTURA MOLECULAR DE LIGANTES DE SUPERFÍCIE EM PONTOS QUÂNTICOS DE CdTe DISPERSOS EM ÁGUA

Water-soluble CdTe quantum dots are synthesized to investigate how short-chain surface ligands bearing -SH, -COOH, and -NH2 groups interact with CdTe during nucleation/growth processes. Their optical properties and colloidal stability after the ligand exchange are also investigated. We then characterize the resulting CdTe by fluorescence, UV–Vis absorption, and infrared spectroscopies. The stability of the colloidal dispersions was determined by their Zeta potentials. The results show that in the synthesis of water-soluble CdTe, surface ligands with at least two functional groups are required and the hard/soft character of them is an important factor in the stability of CdTe.