Oxidação de glicerol sobre nanopartículas de ouro suportadas em carvão ativado: monitoramento quimiométrico da reação por ESI-MS e MIR

A study on the monitoring of glycerol oxidation catalyzed by gold nanoparticles supported on activated carbon under mild conditions by chemometric methods is presented. The reaction was monitored by mass spectrometry-electrospray ionization (ESI-MS) and comparatively by mid infrared spectroscopy (MIR). Concentration profiles of reagent and products were determined by chemometric tools such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Evolving Factor Analysis (EFA) and Multivariate Curve Resolution (MCR). The gold nanoparticle catalyst was relatively active in glycerol oxidation, favoring formation of high added value products. It was found that the reaction stabilization was reached at four hours, with approximately 70% glycerol conversion and high selectivity for glycerate.

Influência dos precursores de prata no crescimento de nanopartículas metálicas em vidros óxidos de metais pesados

In this work we report a systematic study on the influence of the chemical nature of silver precursors on the formation of glass-ceramics from oxide glasses. Thermal, structural and optical properties were analyzed as a function of the glass composition. Controlled crystallization was achieved by thermal treatment of the samples above glass transition. The influence of time of treatment on both nanoparticle growth and optical properties of the samples was studied by transmission electron microscopy and UV-Vis spectroscopy, respectively. Results showed that only glasses containing AgCl and AgNO3 led to glass-ceramics growth after thermal treatment.

Preparação, caracterização e aplicação de fases estacionárias tipo C8 modificadas por óxidos metálicos para cromatografia líquida

This work describes three C8-stationary phases for high performance liquid chromatography based on silica metallized with ZrO2, TiO2 or Al2O3 layers, having poly(methyloctylsiloxane) immobilized onto their surfaces. The stationary phases were characterized using XRF, XAS, FTIR, SEM and elemental analysis to determine the physical characteristics of the oxide and polysiloxane layers formed on the surfaces and chromatographically to evaluate the separation parameters. The results show the changes on the silica surface and allowed proposing a structure for the oxide layer, being observed tetrahedral and octahedral structures, what is completely new in the literature. The formation of a homogeneous layer of metallic oxide (TiO2 and ZrO2) was observed on the silica. The C8-titanized and C8-aluminized stationary phases presented good chromatographic performances, with good values of asymmetry and efficiency. All stationary phase presented few loss of the polymeric layer after the HPLC, indicating that this layer is well attached on the metalized support.

Nanocompósito de polpa de mamão e nanopartículas de quitosana para aplicação em embalagens

Nanocomposite materials have been incorporated into biopolymers, (e.g. hydroxypropyl methylcellulose), to improve their physical and chemical properties and enable them to be applied in food packaging, especially for their biodegradable and renewable properties. With this addition, fruit puree has been incorporated into the films to confer nutritional properties besides color and flavor. Chitosan is of interest in the packaging field since it is a biodegradable, bioabsorbable, antimicrobial agent. Furthermore, chitosan nanoparticles have been widely explored for their interesting properties and potential applications in food packaging. This work was divided into two stages: (1) chitosan nanoparticle synthesis; (2) addition of nanoparticles into HPMC and papaya puree films. Addition of chitosan nanoparticles to HPMC and papaya puree films improved film properties: mechanical, thermal and water vapor barrier. We have developed a novel nanomaterial with great potential for application in packaging to prolong the shelf life of food.

Development and validation of a RP-HPLC method to determine the xanthyletin content in biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles

Xanthyletin is used as an inhibitor of the symbiotic fungus (Leucoagaricus gongylophorus) of the leaf-cutting ant (Atta sexdens rubropilosa), one of the most significant agricultural plague insects. The incorporation of this compound into nanoparticles is a promising approach to effectively control leaf-cutting ants. This study presents the development and validation of a specific analytical method using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for quantification of the xanthyletin content in biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles. The analytical methodology developed was specific, linear, accurate, precise, and robust. The absolute recovery of xanthyletin in colloidal suspensions was nearly 100%. The HPLC method proved reliable for the quantification of xanthyletin content in nanoparticle formulations.

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.