Panels Produced from Thermoplastic Composites Reinforced with Peach Palm Fibers for Use in the Civil Construction and Furniture Industry

In order to cooperate in minimizing the problems of the current and growing volume of waste, this work aim at the production of panels made from industrial waste -thermoplastic (polypropylene; polyethylene and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) reinforced with agro-industrial waste - peach palm waste (shells and sheaths). The properties of the panels like density, thickness swelling, water absorption and moisture content were evaluated using the ASTM D1037; EN 317; and ANSI A208.1 standards regarding particle boards. Good results were obtained with formulations of 100% plastic waste; 70% waste plastics and 30% peach palm waste; and 60% waste plastics and 40% peach palm waste.

Thermogravimetric studies of decomposition kinetics of six different IAC Hevea rubber clones using Flynn-Wall-Ozawa approach

The thermal degradation behaviour of rubber from six new Hevea brasiliensis clones (IAC 40, 56, 300, 301, 302 and 303) from São Paulo State, Brazil was studied by thermogravimetry using the Flynn-Wall-Ozawa approach to assess the kinetic parameters ( reaction order, activation energy and pre-exponential factor) of the decomposition process. This study indicated that the thermal behaviour is a complex multiple step process, which depends on the type of rubber Hevea clones studied. The rubber from these clones can be classified, following the order of decreasing thermal stability, as IAC 303 > 302 > 56 > 40 > 300 > 301.

Vibrational spectroscopy applied to the study of archeological ceramic artifacts from Guarani culture in Brazil

An archeological artifact can be seen as a chronological element, which helps to determine the age of certain society and to understand the thinking, values and the way of life of this society. Thus, the classification of archeological artifacts is one of the approaches used to study the cultural system of antique societies trying to reconstruct their history. The "Centro de Museologia, Antropologia e Argueologia (CEMAARQ)" of the "Unesp Univ Estadual Paulista" in Presidente Prudente, São Paulo state, Brazil, develops projects within this context (identification and preservation). This is the case of the archeological site named "Lagoa São Paulo-02" discovered in 1993 at the margins of the Parana river in the region of Presidente Epitacio city, São Paulo state, Brazil. This site has ceramic fragments of different shapes and sizes that have a strong influence of traces of the Guarani culture, which is one of the Brazilian native populations. These samples were basically characterized via micro-Raman scattering and Fourier transform infrared absorption (FTIR) spectroscopies. The main objective was to identify the pigments used in the manufacture of the ceramic artifacts and to analyze the composition of the ceramic body to understand how the artifacts were made. Three pigments were found: red, black and white. For the red pigment were identified characteristic bands of hematite, an iron oxide found in the red rocks of the river banks that were eroded by water. The black pigment, probably, is due to the use of vegetal charcoal, which is found in nature as the product of burning organic material such as wood. For the white pigment, the FTIR spectra suggested the use of kaolin, either in the ceramic body or in the proper white pigment, due to the presence of the characteristic bands of the kaolinite. Complementary, the additives applied as anti-plastics were identified as charcoal and quartz, being the latter found in the rocks present in the archeological site. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Tailoring the Structural Properties of PVDF and P(VDF-TrFE) by Using Natural Polymers as Additives

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

Assessment of cumulative damage by using ultrasonic C-scan on carbon fiber/epoxy composites under thermal cycling

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

Avaliação da síntese e caracterização de zeólita ZSM-5 ausente de direcionador orgânico estrutural

The catalytic processes play a vital role in the worldwide economy, a business that handles about US$ 13 billion per year because the value of products depends on the catalytic processes, including petroleum products, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, synthetic rubbers and plastics, among others. The zeolite ZSM-5 is used as catalyst for various reactions in the area petrochemical, petroleum refining and fine chemicals, especially the reactions of cracking, isomerization, alkylation, aromatization of olefins, among others. Many researchers have studied the hydrothermal synthesis of zeolite ZSM-5 free template and they obtained satisfactory results, so this study aims to evaluate the hydrothermal synthesis and the physicochemical properties of ZSM-5 with the presence and absence of template compared with commercial ZSM-5. The methods for hydrothermal synthesis of zeolite ZSM-5 are of scientific knowledge, providing the chemical composition required for the formation of zeolitic structure in the presence and absence of template. Samples of both zeolites ZSM-5 in protonic form were obtained by heat treatment and ion exchange, according to procedures reported in the literature. The sample of commercial ZSM-5 was acquired by the company Sentex Industrial Ltda. All samples were characterized by XRD, SEM, FTIR, TG / DTG / DSC, N2 adsorption and desorption and study of acidity by thermo-desorption of probe molecule (n-butylamine), in order to understand their physicochemical properties. The efficiency of the methods applied in this work and reported in the literature has been proved by well-defined structure of ZSM-5. According as the evaluation of physicochemical properties, zeolite ZSM-5 free template becomes promising for application in the refining processes or use as catalytic support, since its synthesis reduces environmental impacts and production costs

Piezo and Dielectric Properties of PHB-PZT Composite

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

Síntese e caracterização de zeólita beta hierarquizada e materiais híbridos micro-mesoporosos aplicados no craqueamento de PEAD

A catalyst of great interest to the scientific community tries to unite the structure of ordered pore diameter from mesoporous materials with the properties of stability and acid activity to microporous zeolites. Thus a large number of materials was developed in the past decades, which although being reported as zeolites intrinsically they fail to comply with some relevant characteristics to zeolites, and recently were named zeolitic materials of high accessibility. Among the various synthesis strategies employed, the present research approaches the synthesis methods of crystallization of silanized protozeolitic units and the method of protozeolitic units molded around surfactant micelles, in order for get materials defined as hierarchical zeolites and micro-mesoporous hybrid materials, respectively. As goal BEA/MCM-41 hybrid catalysts with bimodal pore structure formed by nuclei of zeolite Beta and cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium were developed. As also was successfully synthesized the hierarchical Beta zeolite having a secondary porosity, in addition to the typical and uniform zeolite micropores. Both catalysts were applied in reactions of catalytic cracking of high density polyethylene (HDPE), to evaluate its properties in catalytic activity, aiming at the recycling of waste plastics to obtain high value-added raw materials and fuels. The BEA/MCM-41 hybrid materials with 0 days of pre-crystallization did not show enough properties for use in catalytic cracking reactions, but they showed superior catalytic properties compared to those ordered mesoporous materials of Al-MCM-41 type. The structure of Beta zeolite with hierarchical porosity leads the accessibility of HDPE bulky molecules to active centers, due to high external area. And provides higher conversion to hydrocarbons in the gasoline range, especially olefins which have great interest in the petrochemical industry

Reproductive development and function of female rats exposed to di-eta-butyl-phthalate (DBP) in utero and during lactation

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

Improvement of L(+)-lactic acid production from cassava wastewater by Lactobacillus rhamnosus B 103

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

Rhamnolipids and PHAs: Recent reports on Pseudomonas-derived molecules of increasing industrial interest

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

Thermal behavior of cellulose acetate produced from homogeneous acetylation of bacterial cellulose

Cellulose acetate (CA) is one of the most important cellulose derivatives and its main applications are its use in membranes, films, fibers, plastics and filters. CAs are produced from cellulose sources such as: cotton, sugar cane bagasse, wood and others. One promissory source of cellulose is bacterial cellulose (BC). In this work, CA was produced from the homogeneous acetylation reaction of bacterial cellulose. Degree of substitution (DS) values can be controlled by the acetylation time. The characterization of CA samples showed the formation of a heterogeneous structure for CA samples submitted to a short acetylation time. A more homogeneous structure was produced for samples prepared with a long acetylation time. This fact changes the thermal behavior of the CA samples. Thermal characterization revealed that samples submitted to longer acetylation times display higher crystallinity and thermal stability than samples submitted to a short acetylation time. The observation of these characteristics is important for the production of cellulose acetate from this alternative source. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Polímeros biodegradáveis - uma solução parcial para diminuir a quantidade dos resíduos plásticos

The large use of plastics has generated a waste deposit problem. Today plastic wastes represent 20% in volume of the total waste in the municipal landfills. To solve the disposal problem of plastics methods have been employed such as incineration, recycling, landfill disposal, biodegradation and the use of biodegradable polymers. Incineration of plastic wastes provokes pollution due to the production of poisonous gases. Recycling is important to reduce final costs of plastic materials, but is not enough in face of the amount of discarded plastic. In landfills plastic wastes remain undegraded for a long time, causing space and pollution problems. Biodegradation is a feasible method to treat some plastics, but intensive research is necessary to find conditions for the action of microorganisms. All of these methods are important and the practical application of each one depends on the type and amount of the plastic wastes and the environmental conditions. Therefore, a great deal of research has focused on developing biodegradable plastics and its application because it is an important way for minimizing the effect of the large volume of plastic waste discarded in the world.

Avaliação de painéis produzidos a partir de resíduos sólidos para aplicação na arquitetura

O presente trabalho tem por objetivo o reaproveitamento de resíduos sólidos na preparação de painéis para uso na arquitetura. Para atingir as metas propostas, painéis foram preparados a partir de resíduos provenientes de embalagens cartonadas e plásticas, utilizando-se como elemento de reforço, resíduos lignocelulósicos (casca de amendoim e de arroz). A concentração e a natureza dos resíduos utilizados como matriz e como carga foram variadas gerando doze condições experimentais diferentes. As propriedades avaliadas dos painéis foram o módulo de ruptura, módulo de elasticidade, tração perpendicular à superfície, inchamento em espessura, absorção de água e densidade. Todos os ensaios foram realizados segundo as normas ASTM D1037 e EN 317, referente à chapa de partículas. Os resultados foram analisados segundo a norma ANSI A208.1 que especifica as propriedades de desempenho requeridas para as chapas de partículas. Os painéis foram classificados como de baixa densidade, podendo ser utilizados como forros, divisórias, revestimento decorativos e demais aplicações que requerem as mesmas propriedades físicas e mecânicas. Os painéis a base de embalagem plástica reforçados com casca de arroz apresentaram propriedades superiores do que os demais painéis produzidos. O elemento arquitetônico desenvolvido neste estudo representa um novo mercado potencial, podendo ser empregado no ambiente urbano e rural, atendendo ao conceito de produto ecoeficiente.

The influence of soil and landfill leachate microorganisms in the degradation of PVC/PCL films cast from DMF

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