High activity photocatalyst powder formed by three ceramic oxides

A Photocatalyst ceramic powder that presented high photoactivity based on TiO2 modified with 25% molar of SnO2 and up to 5% molar of Ag2O was obtained in the present work. The aforementioned ceramic powder was obtained using all commercial oxides as well as the oxides mixture technique. The powders were ground in high energy mill for one hour with subsequent thermal treatment at 400°C for four hours. They were, furthermore, characterized using surface area of around 6m2/g, where the X-Ray diffraction results provided evidence for the presence of anatase and rutile phases, known to be typical characteristics of both the TiO2 and SnO2 used. During the thermal treatment, Ag2O was reduced to metallic silver. The photodegradation rehearsals were carried out using a 0.01 mmol/L Rhodamine B solution in a 100mg/L photocatalyst suspension in a 500ml beaker, which was irradiated with 4W germicide Ultraviolet light of 254nm. In addition, samples were removed after duration of about 10 minutes to an hour, where they were analyzed thoroughly in UV-vis spectrophotometer. The analysis of the results indicated that for the compositions up to 2.5% molar of Ag2O, the photoactivity was found to be greater than that of Degussa P25 photocatalyst powder, and as such it was then used as a reference. Taking into account 90% degradation of Rhodamine B, a duration period of 11 minutes was obtained for the developed photocatalyst powder compared to the 38 minutes observed for the Degussa P25. FEG-SEM micrographies enabled the verification of the morphology as well as the interaction of the oxide particles with the metallic silver, which led us to propose a model for the increase in photoactivity observed in the photocatalyst powder under investigation.

Bromofhenol blue discoloration using peroxidase immobilized on highly activated corncob powder

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of peroxidase immobilized on corncob powder for the discoloration of dye. Peroxidase was extracted from soybean seed coat, followed by amination of the surface of the tertiary structure. The aminated peroxidase was immobilized on highly activated corncob powder and employed for the discoloration of bromophenol blue. Amination was performed with 10 or 50 mmol.L-1 carbodiimide and 1 mol.L-1 ethylenediamine. The amount of protein in the extract was 0.235 ± 0.011 mg.mL-1 and specific peroxidase activity was 86.06 ± 1.52 µmol min-1 . mg-1, using 1 mmol.L-1 ABTS as substrate. Ten mmol.L-1 and 50 mmol.L-1 aminated peroxidase retained 88 and 100% of the initial activity. Following covalent immobilization on a corncob powder-glyoxyl support, 10 and 50 mmol.L-1 aminated peroxidase retained 74 and 86% of activity, respectively. Derivatives were used for the discoloration of 0.02 mmol.L-1 bromophenol blue solution. After 30 min, 93 and 89% discoloration was achieved with the 10 mmol.L-1 and 50 mmol.L-1 derivatives, respectively. Moreover, these derivatives retained 60% of the catalytic properties when used three times. Peroxidase extracted from soybean seed coat immobilized on a low-cost corncob powder support exhibited improved thermal stability.

Effect of calcium chloride on the pH values of several formulations of calcium hydroxide mixed with chlorhexidine digluconate

This study evaluated the effect of the addition of 5% calcium chlorite (CaCl2) on pH values in calcium hydroxide pastes (CH), with or without 2% chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) used as vehicle, in several periods analysis. Polyethylene tubes were filled with CH mixed with water (G1), 2% CHX solution (G2) or gel (G3), or CHX solution or gel with 5% CaCl2 (G4 and G5, respectively). All tubes were individually immersed in distilled water. After 12, 24 hours, 7, 14 and 28 days, pH value was evaluated directly in water which the tubes were stored. Data were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey tests (α=0.05). In 24 hs and 14 days, pH values were similar to all groups. In 12 hs, the G1 presented lower pH value than other groups except to G4 (p < 0.05), and G4 presented lower pH value than G5 (p < 0.05). In 7 days, G1 presented lower pH value than G4 and G5 (p < 0.05). In 28 days, G1 and G5 presented lower pH values than G2 and G4 (p < 0.05) and among other groups there are no statistical differences (p > 0.05). The pH values increased in long-term analysis to all CH pastes. The association of 5% calcium chloride with 2% CHX solution as vehicle of CH paste provided a pH value increase in relation to CH mixed with distilled water. The CHX gel interfered negatively on pH value in comparison to CHX solution when mixed with CaCl2.

Effect of two formulations of 10% sodium ascorbate on fracture resistance of endodontically treated tooth submitted to dental bleaching with hydrogen peroxide associated titanium dioxide nanoparticles

Purpose: This study evaluated the effect of 10% sodium ascorbate (10SA), in gel (10SAg) or aqueous solution (10SAs) formulations, on fracture resistance of endodontically treated tooth submitted to dental bleaching procedures with 15% hydrogen peroxide associated with titanium dioxide (15HP-TiO2) nanoparticles and photoactivated by LED-laser. Material and methods: Forty maxillary premolars were endodontically-treated and embedded in acrylic resin up to the cement-enamel junction. The specimens were divided into four groups (n=10): G1 (negative control): no bleaching, coronal access restored with composite resin; G2 (positive control): three dental bleaching sessions using 15HP-TiO2 and LED-laser photoactivation and restored with composite resin (positive control); G3 (10SAg): similar procedures to G2, but applied 10SA, in gel formulation, for 24 hours before restoration; G4 (10SAs): similar procedures to G3, but applied 10SA, in aqueous solution formulation. The 15HP-TiO2 was applied on buccal and lingual surfaces of the crown tooth and inside the pulp chamber and photoactivated by LED-laser. Between each bleaching session, the teeth were maintained in artificial saliva, at 37oC, for 7 days. In sequence, the teeth were submitted to fracture resistance testing using an eletromechanical machine test. The data was analyzed using Kruskal Wallis test (p = 0.05) Results: There are no differences significant among the groups in relation to fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth (p>0.05). Conclusions: The use of 10% sodium ascorbate, in gel or aqueous solution formulations, did not interfered on the fracture resistance teeth after dental bleaching using 15HP-TiO2 and LED-laser photoactivation.

Hydrogen ion and calcium releasing of MTA Fillapex® and MTA-based formulations

MTA is composed of various metal oxides, calcium oxide and bismuth. It has good biological properties and is indicated in cases of endodontic complications. Several commercial formulations are available and further studies are necessary to evaluate these materials. Objective: To evaluate pH and calcium releasing of MTA Fillapex® compared with gray and white MTA. Material and methods: Gray and white MTA (Angelus) and MTA Fillapex® (Angelus) were manipulated and placed into polyethylene tubes and immersed in distilled water. The pH of these solutions was measured at 24 hours, 7 days and 14 days. Simultaneously, at these same aforementioned periods, these materials' calcium releasing was quantified, through atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results were submitted to ANOVA, with level of significance at 5%. Results: Concerning to pH, the materials present similar behaviors among each other at 24 hours (p > 0.05). At 7 and 14 days, MTA Fillapex® provided significantly lower pH values than the other materials (p < 0.05). Regarding to calcium releasing, at 24 hours and 7 days, MTA Fillapex® provided lower releasing than the other materials (p < 0.05). After 14 days, differences were found between MTA Fillapex® and gray MTA (p < 0.05). Conclusion: All materials showed alkaline pH and calcium releasing, with significantly lower values for MTA Fillapex® sealer.

Influence of the addition of calcium hydroxide powder on some physical and chemical properties of the sealer MTA fillapex

Objective: This study evaluated the flow, pH and calcium release of MTA Fillapex (G1) or Fillapex plus 10% in weight of calcium hydroxide powder (G2), compared to AH Plus (G3) and Sealapex (G4). Materials and methods:The flow test was performed according to ISO 6876:2001 requirements. The sealers were placed into plastic tubes and immersed in deionized water. After 24 hours, 7, 14 and 28 days, the water of each tube was removed and tested to evaluate the pH values and the level of released calcium. Calcium release values were analyzed statistically by Kruskal Wallis and Dunn tests and pH values analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey tests (? = 5%). Results:G1 presented higher flow among all sealers. The addition of 10% calcium hydroxide into MTA Fillapex reduced the flow (p < 0.05) but, in a level, that is lower than the one recommended for ISO norms. G2 and G4 presented pH values and calcium release higher than G3 (p < 0.05) in all periods. G1 presented pH value higher than G3 (p < 0.05), except in 7 days period (p > 0.05). G4 presented higher pH values than G1 and G2, but the calcium release was similar for all periods (p > 0.05). G3 presented lower calcium release among all groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The addition of 10% calcium hydroxide in MTA Fillapex caused reduction in flow and no negative interference in pH and/or calcium release. However, the obtained flow is different from ISO requirements. Clinical relevance: MTA Fillapex presents levels of flow above the ISO norms. The addition of calcium hydroxide is a suggestion for solving this problem, but the impact of these procedures should be carefully evaluated.

Residues of different gel formulations on dentinal walls: a SEM/EDS analysis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of residues of sodium hypo-chlorite gel, chlorhexidine gel, and EDTA gel on dentina l walls after canal preparat ion throughchemical SEM- elemental chemical microanal ys is (EDS) analysis. Forty-eight single-rootedteeth were selected. They had their crowns sectioned and were instrumented with a reciprocat-ing system. The canals were irrigated with 5 mL of saline solution during root canal preparation.After instrumentation, the root canals were irrigated with 3 mL 17% EDTA followed by 1 min ofultrasonic passive activation (33 20 sec) to remove the smear layer, and then irrigated with3 mL of saline solution. The specimens were randomized into three groups (n 5 12) accord ing tothe chemical substance that filled the root canal for 30 min: GI: 5.5% sodium hypochlorite gel;GII: 2% chlorhexidine gel; GIII: 24% EDTA gel; Negative c ontrol group: no substance was used.Then, the root canals were irrigated with 6 mL of saline solution followed by 1 min of ultrasonicpassive activation (33 20 sec). After ultrasonic activation , the canals were irrigated with 2 mLsaline. The roots were sect ioned, and the perce ntage of each chemical element present in thesamples was analyzed through chemi cal SEM-EDS microanalysis. All expe rimental groupsshowed a significantly higher percentage of chemical elements (Na and/or Cl) than the controlgroup (P < 0.03). This in vitro study has shown that, regardless of chemical solutions used evenafter the final irrigation protocol, chemical residues of d ifferent substances remained attached tothe r oot c anal wa lls. Microsc. Res. Tech. 78:495–49 9, 2015.

Effect of sodium hypochlorite under several formulations on root canal dentin microhardness

Aim The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of three different formulations of sodium hypochlorite on the microhardness of root canal dentin in cervical and apical segments. Methods Twenty-four extracted human teeth had their roots sectioned along their long axes in a buccolingual direction. One half of each root was selected, and transversely sectioned resulting in two segments, cervical and apical, with similar lengths. The specimens were divided into three groups (n = 16), according to the sodium hypochlorite formulation used: (a) group 1, 2.5% sodium hypochlorite; (b) group 2, Chlor-XTRA; and (c) group 3, 5.5% sodium hypochlorite gel. These groups were subdivided in two subgroups (n = 8): cervical and apical root segments. Before testing the substances, dentin microhardness was measured on each section, 100 μm from the root canal with a Knoop tester. After 15 min of application, a new measurement was performed on each segment. Data were collected and registered for statistical treatment. Results In both segments, the substances reduced dentin microhardness. No differences were observed between the groups, independent of the analyzed segment (P > 0.05). Conclusions All substances reduced dentin microhardness. Chlor-XTRA and 5.5% sodium hypochlorite gel promoted a reduction similar to the 2.5% sodium hypochlorite solution.

Characterization of corn (Zea mays) leaf powder and Its adsorption properties regarding Cu(II) and Cd(II) from aqueous samples

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Using ionic liquid combined with HPLC-DAD to analyze semi-permanent hair dyes in commercial formulations

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Multifunction hexagonal liquid-crystal containing modified surface TiO2 nanoparticles and terpinen-4-ol for controlled release

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Rapid synthesis of Mn3O4 powder from pyro-synthesis of ethylene glycol-metal nitrate precursor assisted by nitric acid

The rapid synthesis of Mn3O4 powders by a two-step process of pyro-synthesis of ethylene glycol-metal nitrate precursor assisted by nitric acid is reported. A new strategy that accelerates the synthesis and allows obtaining highly pure crystalline Mn3O4 is discussed. The structural and morphological characteristics of the Mn3O4 powders are presented and discussed. The mechanism of formation of the Mn3O4 is also discussed. In comparison with other synthesis methods, the present method shows that the proposed route of synthesis has the main advantage of high production of the powder material in a very short time.

Rapid turbidimetric assay to potency evaluation of tigecycline in lyophilized powder

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Behavior of rr soybeans subjected to different formulations and rates of glyphosate in the reproductive period

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Monofilamentary Ag/Bi:2212 tapes - Effects of silver powder addition

The Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O system has been one of the most studied superconducting ceramic materials for industry applications. The most of the studies with this aim are on silver/ceramic composites, due to the benefits and great compatibility of this metal with the oxide. Tapes made by the powder in tube (PIT) method have been successfully tested in pilot power plants in many countries but in Brazil. In this paper, 5, 10, and 20-wt% silver powders are introduced to compose the core of the tape along with the Bi:2212 ceramic powder. The results of electrical experiments are compared with those made with no silver addition Ag tapes. The best current density, at 60 K and no applied magnetic field, was found for the 10-wt% silver proportion, doubling the value obtained for the tape with no silver in the core.