Estudo teórico e experimental de espectros infravermelho de ésteres de ácido graxo presentes na composição do biodiesel de soja

In this work, theoretical and experimental infrared spectra of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) contained in soybean biodiesel were analyzed seeking the assignments of the relevant vibrational modes to characterize crude soybean oil and soybean biodiesel. The results showed the usefulness of infrared spectra for monitoring saturated and unsaturated compounds as well as impurities (mainly glycerol) in raw samples. This is the first step toward proposing an efficient molecular spectroscopy routine to certify biodiesel fuel.

Estudo das dispersões aquosas de nanotubos de carbono utilizando diferentes surfactantes

The dispersion of carbon nanotubes in water for their utilization in nanoscale devices is a challenging task. Comparative studies on interaction and dispersion of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNT) using two different surfactants (sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS, and polyoxyethylenesorbitanmonooleate, Tween 80) are presented. The interaction between carbon nanotubes and surfactants was studied by tensiometry, conductivimetry, and fluorimetry. The dispersions of MWNT in surfactants were characterized using a UV-vis spectrophotometer. For effective dispersion, the minimum weight ratio of MWNT to surfactant was 1:41 and 1:3 for SDS and Tween 80, respectively.

Classificação multivariada de ervas medicinais da Região Amazônica e suas infusões de acordo com sua composição mineral

In this study, the mineral composition of leaves and teas of medicinal plants was evaluated. Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn e Zn were determined in the samples using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Principal component analysis was applied to discriminate the samples studied. The samples were divided within the 2 groups according to their mineral composition. Copper and iron were the variables that contributed most to the separation of the samples followed by Ca, Mg, Mn and Zn. The information in the principal component analysis was confirmed by the dendrogram obtained by hierarchical cluster analysis.

Composição química e atividade anticolinesterásica de uma fração ativa do extrato de folhas de Citrus limon (L.) Burm

This paper describes the chemical composition and acetylcholinesterase inhibition of an active chromatographic fraction of the EtOAc extract of Citrus limon leaves. The composition of the active fraction presented a mixture of two coumarins, 5,8-dimethoxy-psoralen and 5,7- dimethoxycoumarin, identified by ¹H and ¹³C NMR data analysis, including DEPT, COSY, HMBC and HSQC experiments. It was also demonstrated that this mixture presents qualitative and quantitative AChE inhibition. In vitro studies indicated a CE50 value of 340 µg/mL with 95% of confidence. In vivo studies (10 and 25 mg/kg) revealed inhibition of 30.09 and 30.06% of AChE activity in relation to neostigmine, respectively.

Nanoestruturas de carbono (nanotubos, grafeno): Quo Vadis?

We describe general considerations about the present and the future standing of carbon nanostructures, mainly carbon nanotubes and graphene. Basic concepts and definitions, select structure/property relationships, and potential applications are reviewed. The analysis of the global market for these nanostructures, the commercial products available currently, the role of the chemistry, the main challenges remaining and a brief view of the field in Brazil are also presented and discussed.

Estudo da qualidade da gasolina tipo A e sua composição química empregando análise de componentes principais

The type A gasoline samples were analyzed by gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC-FID) which allowed quantifying and classifying of the various compounds into different classes of hydrocarbons. Several physicochemical parameters were evaluated according to the official methods in order to compare the results obtained against the limits established by the Agência Nacional de Petróleo, Gás Natural e Biocombustíveis (ANP, 2011). Additionally, principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to discriminate the samples studied, which revealed the separation of four groups according to their chemical composition determined in samples collected from the eight fuel distributors in the State of Pará.

Composição elementar do aerossol atmosférico na região central da Bacia Amazônica

The processes and sources that regulate the elemental composition of aerosol particles were investigated in both fine and coarse modes during the dry and wet seasons. One hundred and nine samples were collected from the biological reserve Cuieiras - Manaus from February to October 2008, and analyzed together with 668 samples that were previously collected at Balbina from 1998 to 2002. Particle induced X-ray emission technique was used to determine the elemental composition, while the concentration of black carbon was obtained from the measurement of optical reflectance. Absolute principal factor analysis and positive matrix factorization were performed for source apportionment, which was complemented with back trajectory analysis. A regional identity for the natural biogenic aerosol was found for the Central Amazon Basin and can be used in dynamical chemical region models.

Cinética e caracterização de ramnolipídeos produzidos por Pseudomonas aeruginosa MSIC02 utilizando glicerol como fonte de carbono

Glycerol, a co-product of biodiesel production, was used as a carbon source for the kinetics studies and production of biosurfactants by P. aeruginosa MSIC02. The highest fermentative parameters (Y PX = 3.04 g g-1; Y PS = 0.189 g g-1, P B = 31.94 mg L-1 h-1 and P X = 10.5 mg L-1 h-1) were obtained at concentrations of 0.4% (w/v) NaNO3 and 2% (w/v) glycerol. The rhamnolipid exhibited 80% of emulsification on kerosene, surface tension of 32.5 mN m-1, CMC = 28.2 mg L-1, C20 (concentration of surfactant in the bulk phase that produces a reduction of 20 dyn/cm in the surface tension of the solvent) = 0.99 mg L-1, Γm (surface concentration excess) = 2.4 x 10-26 mol Å-2 and S (surface area) = 70.4 Ų molecule-1 with solutions containing 10% NaCl. A mathematical model based on logistic equation was considered to representing the process. Model parameters were estimated by non-linear regression method. This approach was able to give a good description of the process.

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.

Estudo de catalisadores de níquel suportados em cinza de casca de arroz na reforma de metano com dióxido de carbono visando a produção de hidrogênio e gás de síntese

Rice husk ash (RHA) is used as a silica source for several purposes, among them to obtain metal catalysts, as was done in this work. The catalysts were characterized by chemisorption, physisorption, thermal analyses (TG, DSC), X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, temperature-programmed reduction and scanning electron microscopy. The catalysts synthesized with different Ni loadings supported on RHA were applied to the reaction of dry reforming of methane. The reaction was tested at three temperatures of catalytic reduction (500, 600 and 700 ºC). All synthesized catalysts were active for the studied reaction, with different H2/CO ratios achieved according to degree of metallic dispersion.

INVESTIGAÇÃO DO USO DE ELETRODO DE CARBONO VÍTREO MODIFICADO COM HEXACIANOFERRATO DE RUTÊNIO PARA DETECÇÃO DE PROCAÍNA

A glassy carbon electrode modified with ruthenium hexacyanoferrate (RuOHCF) was investigated as an electrocatalyst for the detection of procaine with the aim of quantification in pharmaceutical and forensic samples. The RuOHCF films were prepared by electrochemical deposition, and the parameters used in this process (concentration of RuCl3, K3Fe(CN)6, temperature, and number of cyclic voltammograms recorded in the modification step) were carefully optimized. Based on the optimal conditions achieved, the RuOHCF modified electrode allows the determination of procaine at 0.0 V with a detection limit of 11 nmol L-1using square wave voltammetry.

CORROSÃO DO AÇO-CARBONO: UMA ABORDAGEM DO COTIDIANO NO ENSINO DE QUÍMICA

In this paper, two simple ways of evaluating carbon steel sheet corrosion in a hydrochloric acid solution were presented as an experimental proposal for corrosion teaching. The first method is based on direct measurements of mass before and after corrosion tests. The second approach follows the principle of visual colorimetry by which soluble corrosion products are transformed into red complexes allowing monitoring of the products’ concentration according to increases in solution color intensity. Both methods proved able to determine the corrosion rate.

COMPOSIÇÃO QUÍMICA E TEMPERATURA DE CRISTALIZAÇÃO DE ÉSTERES OBTIDOS DE QUATRO ÓLEOS VEGETAIS EXTRAÍDOS DE SEMENTES DE PLANTAS DO CERRADO

The seed oils from four plants (Scheelea phalerata, Butia capitata, Syagrus romanzoffiana, Terminalia cattapa) found in Mato Grosso do Sul were extracted at good yields. Alkaline transesterification of these seed oils to esters using methanol and ethanol was studied and also produced good yields. Oleic acid (30.5/32.3%), lauric acid (30.7/32.9%) methyl and ethyl esters, were the main components of transesterification of the oils from Scheelea phalerata and Syagrus romanzoffiana. Lauric acid (42.2%), capric acid (15.9%) and caprylic acid (14.6%) methyl and ethyl esters were the main ester components of transesterification of the oil from Butia capitata. Oleic acid (37.8%), palmitic acid (33.5%) and linoleic acid (22.6%) methyl and ethyl esters were the main components of transesterification of oil from Terminalia catappa. Based on differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies, the first crystallization peak temperature of esters was observed. Esters derived from oils of the family Arecaceae (Scheelea phalerata, Butia capitata, Syagrus romanzoffiana) showed the lowest points of crystallization, despite having high levels of saturated fat. Esters of Terminalia cattapa oil, rich in unsaturated fat, showed the highest crystallization temperature. This difference in behavior is probably related to the high concentration of esters derived from lauric acid and palmitic acid.

CARACTERIZAÇÃO E AVALIAÇÃO IN VITRO DE NANOCOMPÓSITOS DE POLI (L-ÁCIDO LÁTICO) E NANOTUBOS DE CARBONO DE PAREDES MÚLTIPLAS PURIFICADOS

Carbon nanotubes (CNT) have been studied for biomedical applications due to their unique properties. However, pristine CNT have structural features and impurities that can cause toxicity to biological systems. In this work, we describe a method to purify multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) by chemical modification and subsequent attachment of hydroxyl and carboxyl groups to improve dispersion and to decrease toxic effects. Nanocomposites from poly (L-lactic acid) (PLLA) and nanotubes were produced by the solvent casting method and characterized and evaluated for cytocompatibility with Vero cells. The nanocomposite interactions with Vero cells demonstrated that the cells were able to adhere and sustain proliferation and showed favorable cytocompatibility. In vitro studies also revealed an increase in fibroblast cell viability in the nanocomposites, compared with neat PLLA.