Study of an organically modified clay: Selective adsorption of heavy metal ions and voltammetric determination of mercury(II)

In this work, a hydrophilic clay, Na-montmorillonite from Wyoming, USA, was rendered organophilic by exchanging the inorganic interlayer cations for hexaclecyltrimethylammonium ions (HDTA), with the formulae of [(CH3)(3)N(C16H33)](+) ion. Based on fact that organo-clay has high affinities for non-ionic organic molecules, 1,3,4-thiadiazole-2,5-dithiol was loaded oil the HDTA-montmorillonite surface, resulting in the 1,3,4-thiadiazole-2,5-dithiol-HDTA-montmorillonite complex (TDD-organo-clay).The following properties of TDD-organo-clay are discussed: selective adsorption of heavy metal ions measured by batch and chromatographic column techniques, and utilization as preconcentration agent in a chemically modified carbon paste electrode (CMCPE) for determination of mercury(II).The main point of this paper is the construction of a selective sensor, a carbon paste electrode modified with TDD-organo-clay, its properties and its application to the determination of mercury(II) ions, as this element belongs to the most toxic metals. The chemical selectivity of this functional group and the selectivity of voltammetry were combined for preconcentration and determination. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Procedure optimization of silicate rocks dissolution in open vessels for ICP-AES analysis.

The main variables found on procedure of the dissolution silicate rocks using acid dissolution in teflon open vessel for analysis of micro elements by ICP-AES has been determined. The results obtained for some samples showed strong dependence of the rock mineralogical composition, then it was recommended an alkaline fusion step after acid dissolution. The decomposition procedure use 20 mi of an acid mixture of HF:HNO3 in the proportion 3:1 for a fraction of 250 mg pulverized sample. The recommended temperatures were 60 degrees C for attack and 90 degrees C for acid volatilization. The fusion step with 50 mg LiBO2 at 1000 degrees C may be used if non-attacked residue is observed in the solution. The whole time was 6 h per sample. Nine types os silicate rocks that show mineralogical and chemical different compositions were chosen for obtaining the optimization of the variables. The elements used were Ce, Y, Yb and Zr. In addition, ultrassonic nebulization has been used. The percentual standard deviations obtained for five determinations were 0.7 and 1.4 for triplicate samples. The mineralogical and textural information from the petrographical analysis of the samples indicated the need of increasing the fusion step on the optimized procedure.

Ceramic raw materials from the State of Maranhao, Brazil. Part 1: chemical and mineralogical characterization and technological properties of clays from Sao Luis, Rosario, Pinheiro and Mirinzal

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Barrier and Mechanical Properties of Clay-Reinforced Polymeric Nanocomposites

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Fontes de potássio não trocável e potássio total em quatro solos do Estado do Ceará

The mineralogical composition of the soil plow layer (0-20 cm) was analyzed for the following soil suborders (according to the Brazilian soil taxonomy): Neossolo Quartzarênico. Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo, Cambissolo Háplico and Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo which samples were collected from different regions of the Ceará State. The present study had the objectives of identifying potential sources of both total and non-exchangeable potassium forms for plants located at the different soil fractions. Then highest content of K occurred in the Cabissolo Háplico soil, including both the total and non-exchangeable K forms. In the Neossolo Quartzarênico. Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo and Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo, the highest contents of both forms of potassium were impregnated at the sand fraction. The amount of potassium found in the both sand and silt fractions has its origin in the orthoclase mineral which was detected in the mineralogical analysis. In the clay fractio, the origin of the potassium is illite and a inter-stratified mineral (mica+montmorillonite). As compared with the total content, the amount of non-exchangeable potassium is low for all the four soils. It was more concentrated at clay fraction of the Cambissolo soil. The potassium content sequence in the soil was the following: Cambissolo Háplico > Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo > Neossolo Quartzarênico > Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo. The results showed that the distribution of the forms of potassium among the soils differ as a function of the nature of the dominating minerals detected in the mineralogical analysis (illite and orthoclase) which was discussed above.

Voltammetry of mercury (II) based on an organo-clay modified graphite electrode

Organo-clay complex of ligand-hexadecyltrimethylammonium with montmorillonite was made for the purpose of application as a preconcentration agent in a chemically modified carbon paste electrode for determination of mercury (II) in aqueous solution. It was found out that the adsorption of Hg(II) by organo-clay complex is independent of the pH of the solution. It was also found out that the adsorption of the remaining metals Cd(II), Ps(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), and Ni(II) was dependent on the changes in pH solutions and increased when it varies from 1 to 8. The resultant material was characterized by cyclic and differential pulse anodic voltammetry using a modified graphite paste electrode in different supporting electrolytes. The mercury response was evaluated with respect to pH, electrode composition, preconcentration time, mercury concentration, possible interferences and other variables.

The effects of exposure time on the surface microhardness of three dual-cured dental resin cements

This study evaluated the exposure time of light-curing of the polymers used for cementation on microhardness test in different storage times. The polymers (specifically called resin cements) were RelyX ARC, RelyX U100, and SET. Five specimens of each group were prepared and photo-polymerized with exposure times of 20 s and 180 s, using a LED polymerization unit with wavelength of 440 ~ 480 nm and light output was consistently 1,500 mW/cm2. The Vickers hardness test was performed in a MMT-3 Microhardness Tester. Data were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey's test (α = 0.05). The values of RelyX ARC showed statistically significant difference to groups with light exposure when considering only chemical cure (p < 0.05). The groups with light exposure (20 s and 180 s) showed no significant difference between them (p > 0.05). The RelyX U100 cured only chemically showed statistically significant difference between 48 h and 7 days (p < 0.05). The SET resin cement showed no significant difference to groups without light exposure for all storage times (p > 0.05). The values of hardening of the dual-cured resin cements improved after setting by light and chemical activation demonstrating the importance of light curing. © 2011 by the authors.

Comparison of the nanoparticles performance in the photocatalytic degradation of a styrene-butadiene rubber nanocomposite

Much has been talking about the advantages of polymeric nanocomposites, but little is known about the influence of nanoparticles on the stability of these materials. In this sense, we studied the influence of both oxides of zirconium and titanium, known to have photocatalytic properties, as well as the influence of synthetic clay Laponite on the photodegradation of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR). SBR nanocomposites were prepared by the colloidal route by mixing commercial polymer lattices and nanometric anatase TiO2, monoclinic ZrO2 or exfoliated Laponite clays colloidal suspensions. To better understand the degradation mechanisms that occur in these nanocomposites, the efficiency of different photocatalysts under ultraviolet radiation was monitored by FT-IR and UV-vis spectroscopies and by differential scanning calorimetric. It was observed that TiO2 and ZrO2 nanoparticles undoubtedly acted as catalysts during the photodegradation process with different efficiencies and rates. However, when compared to pure SBR samples, the polymer degradation mechanism was unaffected. Unlike studies with nanocomposites montmorillonite, exfoliated laponite clay effectively acts as a photostabilizer of polymer UV photodegradation. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PLA and Montmorilonite Nanocomposites: Properties, Biodegradation and Potential Toxicity

The concern related to solid waste increases efforts to develop products based on biodegradable materials. At present, PLA has one of the highest potentials among biopolyesters, particularly for packaging. However, its application is limited in some fields. In order to optimize PLA properties, organo-modified montmorilonites have been extensively used to obtain nanocomposites. Although PLA nanocomposites studies are widely reported in the literature, there is still few information about the influence of organoclays on de biodegradation process, which is a relevant information, since one of the main purposals related to the final disposal of biopolymers as PLA is composting. Besides, in the last years some research has been conducted in order to evaluate the potential toxicity of montmorilonite, unmodified or organo-modified. Since the use of montmorilonite is expanding in different applications, human exposure and risk assessment are important issues to be investigated. In this context, this review intends to compile available information related to common organoclays used for PLA nanocomposites, its properties, biodegradation analysis and potential toxicity evaluation of nanocomposites, focused on montmorilonite as filler. Two issues of relevance were pointed out. The first is food safety and quality, and the second consideration is the environmental effect. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York.

Degree of conversion and hardness of two different systems of the vitrebond™ glass ionomer cement light cured with blue LED

This study investigated the physicochemical properties of the new formulation of the glass ionomer cements through hardness test and degree of conversion by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Forty specimens (n = 40) were made in a metallic mold (4 mm diameter × 2 mm thickness) with two resin-modified glass ionomer cements, Vitrebond™ and Vitrebond™ Plus (3M/ ESPE). Each specimen was light cured with blue LED with power density of 500 mW/cm2during 30 s. Immediately after light curing, 24h, 48h and 7 days the hardness and degree of conversion was determined. The Vickers hardness was performed by the MMT-3 microhardness tester using load of 50 gm force for 30 seconds. For degree of conversion, the specimens were pulverized, pressed with KBr and analyzed with FT-IR (Nexus 470). The statistical analysis of the data by ANOVA showed that the Vitrebond™ and Vitrebond™ Plus were no difference significant between the same storage times (p > 0.05). For degree of conversion, the Vitrebond™ and Vitrebond™ Plus were statistically different in all storage times after light curing. The Vitrebond™ showed higher values than Vitrebond™ Plus (p < 0.05). The performance of Vitrebond™ had greater results for degree of conversion than Vitrebond™ Plus. The correlation between hardness and degree of conversion was no evidence in this study.

Influência da composição de resinas compostas no grau de conversão e degradação hidrolítica

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Avaliação da dureza e do grau de conversão de uma resina composta em função do pré-tratamento térmico e da fonte de luz fotopolimerizadora

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Nanocompósitos com atividade antioxidante de amido de milho/isolado proteico de soro de leite/ óleo essencial de alecrim obtidos por extrusão termoplástica

In order to improve the quality and safety of food, the active packaging emerges as a new technology based on the release of composites beneficial to food products. Thus, biodegradable films incorporated with active substances have the function of acting as a barrier to external elements, protecting the product and increasing its shelf life. They are formulated from proteins, polysaccharides, lipids or from the combination of these compounds. However, there is a need to improve the performance properties of these packages. Nanotechnologies, then, emerges with the study of many nanoparticles as additives to modify the performance of biodegradable polymers. With this, we aimed at developing and active antioxidant film of corn starch blenders and whey protein isolate with rosemary essential oil or microcapsules of rosemary essential oil reinforced with sodium montmorillonite (MMTNa + ) nanoparticles by extrusion. The films were developed and characterized in a first stage for the selection of the best polymeric blender using the following analyses: water vapor permeability (WVP), machanical properties; optical, thermogravimetry (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), x-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In the second stage, montmorillonite clay nanoparticles and rosemary essential oil were added as reinforcement to evaluate its antioxidant effect. In a third stage, we studied the addition of microcapsules of rosemary essential oil (MR) as a form of protecting the active agent and its antioxidant potential in the films. The results indicate that the development of p olymeric blender with 30% of corn starch substitution is the most indicated for future work. The addition of rosemary essential oil or microcapsule of rosemary essential oil allowed for the obtaining of nanocomposites with antioxidant potential for application in food packages.

Influência dos diferentes cátions metálicos (Cu 2+ , Ni 2+ , Pb 2+ , Cd 2+ ) na formação do hidrogel bentonita – poli (vinil álcool)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Caracterização de argilas e biomassa da cana-de-açúcar e utilização como adsorventes na remoção de BTX

Pós-graduação em Química - IBILCE