Characterization and catalytic performance of potassium loaded on rice husk silica and zeolite nay for transesterification of jatropha seed oil

Rice husk silica (RHS) and NaY were used as supports for potassium (K) prepared from acetate buffer (B) and acetate (A) solutions. K loading did not destroy the NaY structure, but it caused a decrease in the surface area; the K species resided in micropores and on the external surface. In contrast, K loading resulted in the collapse and a decrease in the surface area of RHS. It was found that 12K/NaY-B was the most active catalyst for the transesterification of Jatropha seed oil. The minimum K content in K/NaY-B that provided complete conversion of the Jatropha seed oil was 11 wt%, and the biodiesel yield was 77.9%.

Formulation and characterization of poloxamer 407®: thermoreversible gel containing polymeric microparticles and hyaluronic acid

The influence of the composition and preparation method on the sol-gel transition temperature (Tsol-gel) and rheological response of poloxamer-based formulations was determined. Manual and more complex mechanical stirring were found to provide similar results. In addition, a linear dependence of Tsol-gel on the poloxamer content was observed in the range of concentrations analyzed, and a Poloxamer 407® concentration of 18% was selected. The addition of hyaluronic acid did not lead to significant changes in the Tsol-gel values. In contrast, the addition of microparticles caused a reduction in Tsol-gel without a significant reduction in gel strength, and pseudoplastic characteristics were observed, indicating that a thermoreversible gel was obtained with a rheology suitable for application in the treatment of burn wounds.

Imobilização de lipase por encapsulação em sílica aerogel

Lipase from Burkholderia cepacia was immobilized in a silica matrix and dried in high pressure carbon dioxide media (aerogel). The protic ionic liquid (PIL) was used in the immobilization process by encapsulation. The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of the drying technique using supercritical carbon dioxide in biocatalysts obtained through the sol-gel technique by evaluating temperature and pressure and, after selecting the best drying conditions, to investigate the application of the technique for the biocatalyst using ionic liquid as an additive in the immobilization process. The results for immobilized biocatalysts showed that the best conditions of pressure and temperature were 100 bar and 25 ºC, respectively, giving a total activity recovery yield of 37.27% without PIL (EN) and 44.23% with PIL (ENLI). The operational stability of the biocatalysts showed a half-life of 11.4 h for ENLI and 6 h for EN. Therefore, solvent extraction using supercritical CO2, besides shortening drying time, offers little resistance to the immobilization of lipases, since their macropores provide ample room for their molecules. The use of the ionic liquid as an additive in the process studied for the immobilization of enzymes produced attractive yields for immobilization and therefore has potential for industrial applications in the hydrolysis of vegetable oils.

Epoxidação do β-cariofileno com lipases imobilizadas em gel de ágar

The immobilization of enzymes and microorganisms on solid supports has been developed in recent years. These biocatalysts may be used in organic media allowing their storage and reuse, thus reducing costs of the process. Herein, lipases from various sources were immobilized in agar gel and used as catalysts in the chemo-enzymatic epoxidation of β-caryophyllene. Several experimental parameters, such as the use of different organic solvents including ionic liquids, time, temperature, and agitation rate were evaluated. The mono-epoxide was obtained as a single product. The best result was achieved using immobilized F-AP15 lipase, forming the corresponding β-caryophyllene epoxide at a conversion of 96% in an 8h reaction at 35 ºC.

ACIDITY OF MODIFIED MORDENITES SYNTHESIZED FROM RICE HUSK SILICA AND CATALYTIC TRANSFORMATION OF METHYLBUTYNOL

Mordenite (MOR) was synthesized using rice husk silica and modified by base (B), acid (A) or acid-base (AB) and converted to H-form. The modification did not destroy the MOR structure but increased surface area and generated mesopores. Lewis acidity of the parent and modified MOR samples investigated by aluminum NMR and NH3-TPD showed a decrease in the following order: HMOR > BMOR > ABMOR > AMOR. For the catalytic transformation of methylbutynol, ABMOR provided the highest conversion and selectivity of products from acid sites.

SYNGAS PRODUCTION FROM CO2-REFORMING OF CH4 OVER SOL-GEL SYNTHESIZED Ni-Co/Al2O3-MgO-ZrO2 NANOCATALYST: EFFECT OF ZrO2 PRECURSOR ON CATALYST PROPERTIES AND PERFORMANCE

Ni-Co/Al2O3-MgO-ZrO2 nanocatalyst with utilization of two different zirconia precursors, namely, zirconyl nitrate hydrate (ZNH) and zirconyl nitrate solution (ZNS), was synthesized via the sol-gel method. The physiochemical properties of nanocatalysts were characterized by XRD, FESEM, EDX, BET and FTIR analyses and employed for syngas production from CO2-reforming of CH4. XRD patterns, exhibiting proper crystalline structure and homogeneous dispersion of active phase for the nanocatalyst ZNS precursor employed (NCAMZ-ZNS). FESEM and BET results of NCAMZ-ZNS presented more uniform morphology and smaller particle size and consequently higher surface areas. In addition, average particle size of NCAMZ-ZNS was 15.7 nm, which is close to the critical size for Ni-Co catalysts to avoid carbon formation. Moreover, FESEM analysis indicated both prepared samples were nanoscale. EDX analysis confirmed the existence of various elements used and also supported the statements made in the XRD and FESEM analyses regarding dispersion. Based on the excellent physiochemical properties, NCAMZ-ZNS exhibited the best reactant conversion across all of the evaluated temperatures, e.g. CH4 and CO2 conversions were 97.2 and 99% at 850 ºC, respectively. Furthermore, NCAMZ-ZNS demonstrated a stable yield with H2/CO close to unit value during the 1440 min stability test.

APPLICATION OF SULFONIC ACID FUNCTIONALIZED NANOPOROUS SILICA (SBA-Pr-SO3H) FOR THE PREPARATION OF 4,6-DIARYLPYRIMIDIN-2(1H)-ONES

In this work, we report the Biginelli-type reaction between various aldehydes, acetophenones and urea systems in the presence of sulfonic acid functionalized silica (SBA-Pr-SO3H) under solvent-free conditions, which led to 4,6-diarylpyrimidin-2(1H)-ones derivatives. SBA-Pr-SO3H with a pore size of 6 nm was found to be an efficient heterogeneous solid acid catalyst for this reaction which led to high product yields, was environmentally benign with short reaction times and easy handling.

Estudo da secagem de materiais híbridos siloxano-PMMA preparados pelo processo sol-gel

Híbridos siloxano-PMMA apresentando ligações covalentes entre as fases orgânica e inorgânica foram preparados a partir do processo sol-gel. O efeito da fração em massa de fase siloxano no mecanismo de secagem dos géis a 50ºC foi estudado através de medidas de perda de massa e retração linear. Pode-se distinguir os três períodos clássicos de secagem já observados em géis inorgânicos. A duração do primeiro período (estágio de velocidade constante) aumenta com o teor de polímero, o que pode ser explicado pelo menor tamanho dos poros presentes nos géis contendo concentrações elevadas de PMMA. Com o aumento da concentração da fase siloxano observou-se o aumento da perda de massa total e da retração linear final do material após o terceiro período de secagem. Este comportamento deve-se ao aumento do teor de água livre resultante da policondensação das espécies siliciosas nestes sistemas, o que leva a uma maior plasticidade do material. O volume poroso do material aumenta com o teor de fase siloxano, o que é consistente com a perda de massa observada durante a secagem.

Síntese de hidroxiapatita pelo método sol-gel utilizando precursores alternativos: nitrato de cálcio e ácido fosfórico

A hidroxiapatita [Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2, HA] foi sintetizada utilizando-se a rota sol-gel partindo-se de ácido fosfórico e nitrato de cálcio como precursores de cálcio e fósforo, respectivamente e como solvente utilizou-se o metanol na preparação do sol que posteriormente será utilizado na obtenção de recobrimentos de hidroxiapatita sobre substratos de ligas de titânio. O sol permaneceu estável e não ocorreu gelatinização em temperatura ambiente durante sete dias. O sol transformou-se em um gel branco somente após a remoção do solvente a 100ºC. O produto assim obtido foi calcinado em 300°C, 500°C e 700°C e caracterizou-se por DRX, FT-IR, MEV/EDS e TGA/DSC. As fases de HA sintetizada tornaram-se estáveis sem sub-produtos a 700°C. A difração de raios X mostrou que a estrutura apatita é aparente em 300°C. O tamanho do cristal e o teor de HA aumentaram com o aumento da temperatura de calcinação. A análise por MEV mostrou a presença de poros que são importantes para aplicações biomédicas, favorecendo a adesão entre o tecido ósseo neoformado e a apatita sintética, ou seja, osseointegração.

Síntese e caracterização textural do catalisador CeO2/TiO2 obtido via sol-gel: fotocatálise do composto modelo hidrogenoftalato de potássio

Este trabalho descreve um método de modificação do TiO2 obtido pelo processo sol-gel, através da adição de óxido de cério no momento da síntese. O material foi caracterizado por adsorção de N2 a 77K. A adição de CeO2 aumenta a área específica do catalisador em 135% e reduz o diâmetro de poros. A atividade catalítica desses materiais foi verificada frente à reação de foto-decomposição do hidrogenoftalato de potássio e comparada ao TiO2 comercial P25 da Degussa.

A water soluble 3-n-propyl-1-azonia-4-azabicyclo[2.2.2]octanechloride silsesquioxane grafted onto Al/SiO2 surface: chromium adsorption study

The water soluble material, 3-n-propyl-1-azonia-4-azabicyclo[2.2.2]octanechloride silsesquioxane (dabcosil silsesquioxane) was obtained. The dabcosil silsesquioxane was grafted onto a silica surface, previously modified with aluminum oxide. The resulting solid, dabcosil-Al/SiO2, presents 0.15 mmol of dabco groups per gram of material. The product of the grafting reaction was analyzed by infrared spectroscopy and N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms. The dabcosil-Al/SiO2 material was used as sorbent for chromium (VI) adsorption in aqueous solution.

Evaluation of a carbon paste electrode modified with organofunctionalised SBA-15 silica in the determination of copper

The performance of a carbon paste electrode (CPE) modified with SBA-15 nanostructured silica organofunctionalised with 2-benzothiazolethiol for determination of Cu(II) ions in sugar cane spirit (cachaça) is described, based on differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) procedure. The Cu(II) oxidation peak was observed at 0.03 V (vs. SCE) in phosphate solution (pH 3.0). The results were obtained using optimised conditions such as 100 mV pulse amplitude, 3 min accumulation time, 25 mV s-1 scan rate in phosphate solution pH 3.0, resulting in a linear dynamic range from 8.0 x 10-7 to 1.0 x 10-5 mol L-1 Cu(II) and a limit of detection 2.0 x10-7 mol L-1. Cu(II) spiked in a cachaça sample was determined with 102.5 % mean recovery at mmol L-1 level. Interference from other metallic cations present in the sample was avoided by the standard addition procedure.

Solid phase extraction of zinc with octadecyl silica membrane disks modified by N,N'-disalicylidene-1,2-phenylendiamine and determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

A procedure for separation and preconcentration of trace amounts of Zn(II) from aqueous media is proposed. The procedure is based on the adsorption of Zn2+ on octadecyl bonded silica membrane disk modified with N,N'-disalicylidene-1,2-phenylendiamine at pH 7. The retained zinc ions were then stripped from the disk with a minimal amount of 1.5 mol L-1 hydrochloric acid solution as eluent, and determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Maximum capacity of the membrane disk modified with 5 mg of the ligand was found to be 226 µg Zn2+. The relative standard deviation of zinc for ten replicate extraction of 10 µg zinc from 1000 mL samples was 1.2%. The limit of detection of the proposed method was 14 ng of Zn2+ per 1000 mL. The method was successfully applied to the determination of zinc in natural water samples and accuracy was examined by recovery experiments and independent analysis by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS).

Avaliação da eficiência de um gel hidroretentor como retardante de fogo

Diversas medidas de proteção contra incêndios têm sido adotadas para minimizar os efeitos negativos do fogo. Produtos vêm sendo testados e aplicados na conservação da umidade de materiais combustíveis para evitar ou retardar a propagação do fogo. Este estudo buscou avaliar a capacidade de um polímero hidrorretentor de manter a umidade do material combustível morto, em diferentes dosagens de aplicação, com vistas à sua utilização como retardante de fogo. Foram feitas 40 parcelas de 1 m x 1 m com 1,2 kg de capim-gordura (Melinis minutiflora P. Beauv.) cada, distribuídas uniformemente. Foi utilizada uma calda de concentração de 0,1 g/l do produto nas dosagens de 0; 1,0; 1,5; 2,0; 2,5; 3,0; 3,5; e 4,0 l/m². O estudo foi realizado em parcelas subdivididas com cinco repetições cada e 16 subparcelas. A capacidade de retenção de água foi medida a partir da diferença do peso de matéria úmida e peso de matéria seca do material após ser seco em estufa. Os valores de médias foram estatisticamente diferentes no teste de Tukey a 5% de probabilidade, mas não apresentaram nenhuma correspondência com a sequência de valores dos tratamentos. O Tratamento 6 foi o que obteve a maior média de umidade (35,50%), enquanto o Controle apresentou o menor valor (27,80%). O uso do gel hidrorretentor não conferiu aumento significativo de umidade ao material combustível ao passar dos dias, nas dosagens testadas e nas condições ambientais do estudo, determinando que esse produto não tem uso recomendado na prevenção de incêndios.

Effect of Hevea brasiliensis latex sap gel on healing of acute skin wounds induced on the back of rats

Objective : to evaluate the effect of topical delivery of latex cream-gel in acute cutaneous wounds induced on the back of rats. Methods : we subjected sixteen rats to dermo-epidermal excision of a round dorsal skin flap, with 2.5cm diameter. We divided the animals into two groups: Latex Group: application of cream-gel-based latex throughout the wound bed on postoperative days zero, three, six and nine; Control group: no treatment on the wound. Photographs of the lesions were taken on the procedure day and on the 6th and 14th postoperative days, for analyzing the area and the larger diameter of the wound. We carried out euthanasia of all animals on the 14th postoperative day, when we resected he dorsal skin and the underlying muscle layer supporting the wound for histopathological study. Results : there was no statistically significant difference in the percentage of wound closure, in the histopathological findings or in the reduction of the area and of the largest diameter of the wounds among the groups studied on the 14th postoperative day. Conclusion : according to the experimental conditions in which the study was conducted, latex cream-gel did not interfere in the healing of acute cutaneous wounds in rats.