Transformações químicas da matéria orgânica durante a compostagem de resíduos da indústria madeireira

Composting of sawdust and paper mill sludge, using a "Kneer" process reactor, was studied in an attempt to elaborate upon organic matter (OM) transformation during the process and to define parameters to measure the compost maturity level. Temperature, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) data, ash and C, H, N and S contents, and a spectroscopic method using ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) for alkaline (pH = 8.5) and solid samples was used to study the maturity of the compost samples. These parameters were measured in 6 humic acids (HA) extracted from the compost samples during 29 days. The results of this work show that the "Kneer" process is efficient in transforming ligno-celulitic residues in a short time (29 days), into an organic fertilizer material with application perspectives.

Extração de pigmentos das sementes de Bixa orellana L.: uma alternativa para disciplinas experimentais de química orgânica

This paper describes methodologies for the extraction and characterization by TLC, UV-VIS, IR and NMR of bixin from Bixa orellana L. (urucum) seeds. Based on the results, the extraction with NaOH 5% is the fastest, uses low-cost materials, requires two to four laboratory hours and is a useful alternative for an experimental Organic Chemistry discipline.

Preparação de eletrodos opticamente transparentes

A simple experiment for the preparation of transparent conducting glass electrodes by deposition of pure and fluorine doped SnO2 films is described. This procedure was tested in the undergraduate inorganic course at IQ-UNICAMP. The success in achieving a conducting layer was easily checked using the standard probes of a volt-ohm meter. The optical transmittance and thickness were studied by UV-vis spectrophotometry. To discuss the experimental results we place significant emphasis on molecular orbital and energy band model theories. The undergraduate students can also discuss the concepts related to the electronic properties of solids and to interesting new materials, such as transparent conducting films, which are the subject of significant current research and technological applications.

Identificação e quantificação do cristal violeta em aguardentes de mandioca (tiquira)

Tiquira is a traditional homemade alcoholic distillate produced in the Maranhão State (Brazil), gotten from cassava (Manihot esculenta, Crantz.). It can be normally found on street markets. Due to the addition of tangerine leaves, the original tiquira has a bluish color. Samples of this beverage were acquired in the local trade and analyzed from the spectroanalytical point of view. The results indicated that these drinks had been adulterated by the addition of crystal violet, a potencialy hazardous compound. The identification and quantification of crystal violet in 10 spiked samples was accomplished by UV-Vis spectrophotometry through the standard addition method. In order to verify the efficiency of the proposed method, experiments on the quantification and recovery were carried out and the results indicated a content of crystal violet in the 10-6 to 10-7 mol L-1 range.

Hemes férricos pentacoordenados e hexacoordenados dos monômeros d nativo e reconstituído da hemoglobina extracelular de Glossoscolex paulistus: estudos espectroscópicos em meio ácido

UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopic studies of the native and reconstituted d monomers of Glossoscolex paulistus were performed in acid medium. The coexistence of distinct species shows the complexity of the equilibria. Besides the hexacoordinate low spin hemichrome, with bands at 535 and 565 nm, a pentacoordinate high spin hemichrome is identified by the blue-shifted low intensity Soret band (371 nm) and the LMCT band (643 nm). The pentacoordinate hemichrome must be related to the partial unfolding of the polypeptide.

Utilização de regressão multivariada para avaliação espectrofotométrica da demanda química de oxigênio em amostras de relevância ambiental

In this work, a partial least squares regression routine was used to develop a multivariate calibration model to predict the chemical oxygen demand (COD) in substrates of environmental relevance (paper effluents and landfill leachates) from UV-Vis spectral data. The calibration models permit the fast determination of the COD with typical relative errors lower by 10% with respect to the conventional methodology.

Preparação e caracterização óptica de filmes de poli(estireno sulfonados) dopados com neodímio

In this work we describe the processing of poly(styrene sulphonate) films (PSS) doped with neodymium (Nd). Optical density measurements in the UV-Vis-NIR region show the typical bands observed for neodymium chloride (NdCl3) in solution. In the case of films, the intensity ratio between the peaks at 800 nm (4I9/2 -> 4F5/2 + ²H7/2) and 580 nm (4I9/2 -> 4G5/2 + ²G7/2) is equal to 0.83. Infrared spectra present an enhancement in the absorption region of aromatic rings. Site selective luminescence spectroscopy shows that the incorporation of Nd introduces a hipsochromic shift and a line shape definition in UV luminescence compared to PSS film, decreasing the interaction between aromatic groups. In addition, the film exhibits an intense radiative transition at 1061 nm (4F3/2->4I11/2), comparable to the one present in crystalline materials doped with Nd.

Cu and Co exchanged ZSM-5 zeolites: activity towards no reduction and hydrocarbon oxidation

|Cu x|[Si yAl]-MFI and |Co x|[Si yAl]-MFI catalysts were prepared by ion exchange from |Na|[Si yAl]-MFI zeolites (y = 12, 25 and 45). The activity of the catalysts was evaluated in the reduction of NO to N2 in an oxidative atmosphere using propane or methane as reducing agents. The Cu catalysts were only active with propane and they presented higher activity than the Co-based catalysts, the latter being active with both hydrocarbons. H2-TPR and DRS-UV/Vis data allowed correlation between the activity towards NO reduction and the presence of cationic charge-compensating species in the zeolite. It was also verified that the hydrocarbons are preferentially oxidised by O2, a reaction that occurs simultaneously with their oxidation with NO.

Estudo espectroscópico do equilíbrio entre espécies hexacoordenada e pentacoordenada dos monômero d nativo e reconstituído da hemoglobina extracelular gigante de Glossoscolex paulistus em meio alcalino

UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopic studies of native and reconstituted d monomers from Glossoscolex paulistus were performed in alkaline pH. In addition to the presence of aquomet and hemichrome hexacoordinated species, a pentacoordinated species occurs. This latter species, which presents an imidazolate group of axial histidine as fifth ligand, is identified by the blue-shifted low-intensity Soret band and LMCT band. The pentacoordinated species must occur due to partial polypeptide unfolding.

Um aparato para monitorar reações rápidas: um "stopped-flow" artesanal de baixo custo

The modern stopped-flow reaction analyzer has shown high efficiency and flexibility, which provides outstanding sample economy with a dead-time of less than 1 ms. However the cost of the equipment imposes a serious restriction to many Brazilian scientists and teachers. In this work we describe the construction of a low-cost stopped-flow system coupled to a UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The performance of the system was checked by monitoring the kinetics of two reactions: the fading of phenolphthalein in aqueous alkaline solution and the chlorophyll a demetallation in acid medium. The apparatus showed reasonable efficiency with a dead-time of 0.3 to 0.5 s. The very good results obtained in these two illustrative processes show that the system is satisfactory for determining rate constants with mean reaction times ranging from seconds to minutes.

Iron oxide and pyrocatechol: a spectroscopy study of the reaction products

The reaction of 1,2-dihydroxy-benzene (pyrocatechol) (C6H6O2) with iron oxide (Fe2O3) and sodium thiosulfate (Na2S2O3) in aqueous medium (pH 7) was investigated. Pyrocatechol suffers autoxidation and coordinates with Fe3+ in solution. The presence of S2O3(2-) in solution was fundamental to generate and stabilize the pyrocatechol oxidation products as o-semiquinones. This compound was isolated and its structure characterized using FT-IR, EPR and UV-Vis Spectroscopy as [CTA][Fe(SQ)2(Cat)]. A thermal mass loss mechanism was proposed based on Thermogravimetric Analysis (TG) to support the structural characterization.

Avaliação das variáveis analíticas do método de Folin-Ciocalteu para determinação do teor de taninos totais utilizando como modelo o extrato aquoso de folhas de psidium guajava L.

The main analytical variables of a modified Folin-Ciocalteu method were studied by UV-Vis and gradient HPLC-PDA methods, using purified (PC) and technical grade (TGC) casein. Rutin and an aqueous extract of Psidium guajava L. leaves were used as models. The best results were ascribed to TGC. Certainly PC bonds the polyphenols of the P. guajava extract better than TGC, but TGC afforded better precision. A lack of specificity occurred when rutin was analyzed together with the P guajava extract. Additional analyses performed with the flavonoid fraction of P. guajava extract by HPLC-PDA had confirmed that casein was able to bind catechin, gallic acid and P. guajava flavonoids in a non-specific way.

The interaction between sulfathiazole and cobalt(II): potentiometric studies

Potentiometric studies of sulfathiazole (HST) in the presence and absence of cobalt(II) were performed. Equilibrium constants for the formation of the detected species, [Co(ST)]+ and [Co(ST)(OH)], are reported. UV-Vis spectrophotometric measurements suggest that the coordination Co(II)-sulfathiazole might be through a N atom, which, in agreement with MO calculations, could be a thiazolic one. In spite of sulfonamides being better ligands at pH >7, [Co(ST)]+ was found at pH » 3.

Avaliação do impacto da agricultura em áreas de proteção ambiental, pertencentes à bacia hidrográfica do rio ribeira de iguape, São Paulo

In order to ascertain the impact of agricultural activities on water quality of the Ribeira de Iguape River Basin in the state of São Paulo, surface water areas for catchment and drinking water have been characterized. The sampling period covered March/2002 - February/2003 and January/2004 at 10 different catchment points. SPE-LC-UV/Vis was used to monitor various pesticide classes such as carbamates, triazines and nitroanilines. The results revealed that water quality is associated with seasonal variation. Of 152 samples analyzed, only 24% showed the presence of pesticides, particulary during the wet season. High variability in pH, turbidity and color were observed.

Efeitos dos parâmetros operacionais na fotodegradação do azo corante direct red 23 na interface dióxido de titânio/água

The decolorization and degradation of direct red 23 azo dye have been investigated in aqueous suspension of titanium dioxide under artificial irradiation. The effects of some operational parameters such as azo dye concentration, catalyst loading, and solution pH were investigated at 30.0 ºC and optimized values were obtained. The first-order kinetic model was used to discuss the results. The UV-Vis spectra changes showed that the azo dye sample, collected after 6 h irradiation, was 98% decolorized while the residual total carbon was 97.9% degraded, indicating simultaneous photodecolorization and degradation.