Oil-spill cleanup: the influence of acetylated curaua fibers on the oil-removal capability of magnetic composites

A magnetic resin based on cardanol, furfural, and curaua fibers was prepared and characterized. The material could be used in oil-spill cleanup processes, because of its aromatic/aliphatic balance. The resin was prepared through bulk polycondensation of cardanol and furfural in the presence of curaua fibers and maghemite nanoparticles. Hydrophobicity of the curaua fibers was improved by acetylation, increasing the oil-absorbing capability of the composites. The obtained magnetic composites were studied by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis. Degree of cure, magnetic force, and oil-removal capability tests were also performed. The results show that the composites possess an elevated cure degree in addition to a considerable magnetic force. The materials exhibit a good oil removal capability in the presence of a magnetic field, which is improved by the use of acetylated curaua. In the best case, the composite filled with maghemite and curaua can remove 12 parts of oil from water.

Phase morphology, thermomechanical, and crystallization behavior of uncompatibilized and PP-g-MAH compatibilized polypropylene/polystyrene blends

In this article, we discuss the phase morphology, thermal, mechanical, and crystallization properties of uncompatibilized and compatibilized polypropylene/polystyrene (PP/PS) blends. It is observed that the Young's modulus increases, but other mechanical properties such as tensile strength, flexural strength, elongation at break, and impact strength decrease by blending PS to PP. The tensile strength and Young's modulus of PP/PS blends were compared with various theoretical models. The thermal stability, melting, and crystallization temperatures and percentage crystallinity of semicrystalline PP in the blends were marginally decreased by the addition of amorphous PS. The presence of maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene (compatibilizer) increases the phase stability of 90/10 and 80/20 blends by preventing the coalescence. Hence, finer and more uniform droplets of PS dispersed phases are observed. The compatibilizer induced some improvement in impact strength for the blends with PP matrix phase, however fluctuations in modulus, strength and ductility were observed with respect to the uncompatibilized blend. The thermal stability was not much affected by the addition of the compatibilizer for the PP rich blends but shows some decrease in the thermal stability of the blends, where PS forms the matrix. On the other hand, the % crystallinity was increased by the addition of compatibilizer, irrespective of the blend concentration.

Thermal and rheological characteristics of biobased carbon fiber precursor derived from low molecular weight organosolv lignin

In the present work, electrospinnability as well as thermal, rheological, and morphological characteristics of low molecular weight hardwood organosolv lignin, as a potential precursor for carbon fiber, was investigated. Submicromter biobased fibers were electrospun from a wide range of polymer solutions with different ratios of organosolv lignin to polyacrylonitrile (PAN). Rheological studies were conducted by measuring viscosity, surface tension, and electrical conductivity of hybrid polymer solutions, and used to correlate electrospinning behavior of solutions with the morphology of the resultant electrospun composite fibers. Using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images, the solutions that led to the formation of bead-free uniform fibers were found. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis revealed that lignin-based fibers enjoy higher decomposition temperatures than that of pure PAN. Thermal stability of the lignin-based fibers was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicating a high carbon yield of above 50% at 600 °C, which is highly crucial in the production of low-cost carbon fiber. It was also observed that organosolv lignin synergistically affects thermal decomposition of composite fibers. A significant lower activation energy was found for the pyrolysis of lignin-derived electrospun fibers compared to that of pure PAN.

Ionic transport through a composite structure of N-ethyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium tetrafluoroborate organic ionic plastic crystals reinforced with polymer nanofibres

The incorporation of polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) electrospun nanofibres within N-ethyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium tetrafluoroborate, [C2mpyr][BF4] was investigated with a view to fabricating self-standing membranes for various electrochemical device applications, in particular lithium metal batteries. Significant improvement in mechanical properties and ionic conduction was demonstrated in a previous study, which also demonstrated the remarkably high performance of the lithium-doped composite material in a device. We now seek a fundamental understanding of the role of fibres within the matrix of the plastic crystal, which is essential for optimizing device performance through fine-tuning of the composite material properties. The focus of the current study is therefore a thorough investigation of the phase behaviour and conduction behaviour of the pure and the lithium-doped (as LiBF4) plastic crystal, with and without incorporation of polymer nanofibres. Analysis of the structure of the plastic crystal, including the effects of lithium ions and the incorporation of PVDF fibres, was conducted by means of synchrotron XRD. Ion dynamics were evaluated using VT solid-state NMR spectroscopy. ATR-FTIR spectroscopy was employed to gain insights into the molecular interactions of doped lithium ions and/or the PVDF nanofibres in the matrix of the [C2mpyr][BF4] composites. Preliminary measurements using PALS were conducted to probe structural defects within the pure materials. It was found that ion transport within the plastic crystal was significantly altered by doping with lithium ions due to the precipitation of a second phase in the structure. The incorporation of the fibres activated more mobile sites in the systems, but restricted ion mobility with different trends being observed for each ion species in each crystalline phase. In the presence of the fibres a strong interaction observed between the Li ion and the pyrrolidinium ring disappeared and formation of the second phase was prevented. As a result, an increased number of mobile lithium ions are released into the solid solution structure of the matrix, simultaneously removing the blocking effect of the second phase. Thus, ion conduction was remarkably improved within the Li-doped composite compared to the neat Li-doped plastic crystal.

Understanding physicochemical changes in pretreated and enzyme hydrolysed hemp (Cannabis sativa) biomass for biorefinery development

The physicochemical properties of hemp biomass structure to pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis were investigated to improve upon reducing sugar production for biofuel development. Sodium hydroxide pretreated biomass (SHPB) yielded maximum conversion of holocellulose into reducing sugar (72 %). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that enzymatic hydrolysis generated regular micropores in the fragmented biomass structure. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) curve suggested the degradation of hemicellulose and cellulose, which conformed well to the subsequent nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies indicating the presence of α- and β-glucose (28.4 %) and α- and β-xylose (10.7 %), the major carbohydrate components commonly found in hydrolysis products of hemicellulose and cellulose. Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectra showed stretching modes of the lignin acetyl group, suggesting the loosening of the polymer matrix and thus the exposure of the cellulose polymorphs. X-ray diffraction pattern indicated that enzymatic hydrolysis caused a higher crystallinity index (36.71), due to the fragmentation of amorphous cellulose leading to the reducing sugar production suitable for biofuel development.

Caracterização de atapulgita visando aplicação para reforço de materiais poloméricos

The clay mineral attapulgite is a group of hormitas, which has its structures formed by microchannels, which give superior technological properties classified the industrial clays, clays of this group has a very versatile range of applications, ranging from the drilling fluid for wells oil has applications in the pharmaceutical industry. Such properties can be improved by activating acid and / or thermal activation. The attapulgite when activated can improve by up to 5-8 times some of its properties. The clay was characterized by X-ray diffraction, fluorescence, thermogravimetric analysis, differential thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy before and after chemical activation. It can be seen through the results the efficiency of chemical treatment, which modified the clay without damaging its structure, as well as production of polymer matrix composites with particles dispersed atapugita

Degradação do PMMA através da reação despolimerização uitlizando catalisadores de óxidos mistos

In this work, mixed oxides were synthesized by two methods: polymeric precursor and gel-combustion. The oxides, Niquelate of Lanthanum, Cobaltate of Lanthanum and Cuprate of Lanthanum were synthesized by the polymeric precursor method, and treated at 300 º C for 2 hours, calcined at 800 º C for 6h in air atmosphere. In gel-combustion method were produced and oxides using urea and citric acid as fuel, forming for each fuel the following oxides Ferrate of Lanthanum, Cobaltato of Lanthanum and Ferrato of Cobalt and Lanthanum, which were submitted to the combustion process assisted by microwave power maximum of 10min. The samples were characterized by: thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction; fisisorção of N2 (BET method) and scanning electron microscopy. The reactions catalytic of depolymerization of poly (methyl methacrylate), were performed in a reactor of silica, with catalytic and heating system equipped with a data acquisition system and the gas chromatograph. For the catalysts synthesized using the polymeric precursor method, the cuprate of lanthanum was best for the depolymerization of the recycled polymer, obtaining 100% conversion in less time 554 (min), and the pure polymer, was the Niquelate of Lanthanum, with 100% conversion in less time 314 (min). By gel-combustion method using urea as fuel which was the best result obtained Ferrate of Lanthanum for the pure polymer with 100% conversion in less time 657 (min), and the recycled polymer was Cobaltate of Lanthanum with 100 % conversion in less time 779 (min). And using citric acid to obtain the best result for the pure polymer, was Ferrate of Lanthanum with 100% conversion in less time 821 (min and) for the recycled polymer, was Ferrate of Lanthanum with 98.28% conversion in less time 635 (min)

Desenvolvimento e caracterização de nanocompósito de resina epóxi com nanopartículas de sílica para revestimento de dutos para transporte de petróleo

The use of polymer based coatings is a promising approach to reduce the corrosion problem in carbon steel pipes used for the transport of oil and gas in the oil industry. However, conventional polymer coatings offer limited properties, which often cannot meet design requirements for this type of application, particularly in regard to use temperature and wear resistance. Polymer nanocomposites are known to exhibit superior properties and, therefore, offer great potential for this type of application. Nevertheless, the degree of enhancement of a particular property is greatly dependent upon the matrix/nanoparticle material system used, the matrix/nanoparticle interfacial bonding and also the state of dispersion of the nanoparticle in the polymer matrix. The objective of the present research is to develop and characterize polymer based nanocomposites to be used as coatings in metallic pipelines for the transportation of oil and natural gas. Epoxy/SiO2 nanocomposites with nanoparticle contents of 2, 4, and 8 wt % were processed using a high-energy mill. Modifications of the SiO2 nanoparticles‟ surfaces with two different silane agents were carried out and their effect on the material properties were investigated. The state of dispersion of the materials processed was studied using Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy (SEM and TEM) micrographs. Thermogravimetric analysis (TG) were also conducted to determine the thermal stability of the nanocomposites. In addition, the processed nanocomposites were characterized by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) to investigate the effect of nanoparticles content and silane treatment on the viscoelastic properties and on the glass transition temperature. Finally, wear tests of the pin-on-disc type were carried out to determine the effects of the nanoparticles and the silane treatments studied. According to the results, the addition of SiO2 nanoparticles treated with silane increased the thermal stability, the storage modulus and Tg of the epoxy resin and decreased wear rate. This confirms that the interaction between the nanoparticles and the polymer chains plays a critical role on the properties of the nanocomposites

Avaliação tribológica dos polímeros NBR, PTFE e PTFE gravitado em contato com aço AISI 52100

Low cost seals are made of NBR, Nitrile Butadiene Rubber, a family of unsaturated copolymers that is higher resistant to oils the more content of nitrile have in its composition, although lower its flexibility. In Petroleum Engineering, NBR seal wear can cause fluid leakage and environmental damages, promoting an increasing demand for academic knowledge about polymeric materials candidate to seals submitted to sliding contacts to metal surfaces. This investigation aimed to evaluate tribological responses of a commercial NBR, hardness 73 ± 5 Sh A, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), hardness 60 ± 4 HRE and PTFE with graphite, 68 ± 6 HRE. The testings were performed on a sliding tribometer conceived to explore the tribological performance of stationary polymer plane coupons submitted to rotational cylinder contact surface of steel AISI 52100, 20 ± 1 HRC Hardness, under dry and lubricated (oil SAE 15W40) conditions. After screening testings, the normal load, relative velocity and sliding distance were 3.15 N, 0.8 m/s and 3.2 km, respectively. The temperatures were collected over distances of 3.0±0.5 mm and 750±50 mm far from the contact to evaluate the heating in this referential zone due to contact sliding friction by two thermocouples K type. The polymers were characterized through Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA). The wear mechanisms of the polymer surfaces were analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and EDS (Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy). NBR referred to the higher values of heating, suggesting higher sliding friction. PTFE and PTFE with graphite showed lower heating, attributed to the delamination mechanism

Análise do comportamento mecânico de espumas cerâmicas a base de alumina obtidas pelo método da réplica

Ceramics with porous cellular structure, called ceramic foams, have a potential use in several applications, such as: thermal insulation, catalyst supports, filters, and others. Among these techniques to obtain porous ceramics the replication method is an important process. This method consists of impregnation of a sponge (usually polymer) with ceramic slurry, followed by a heat treatment, which will happen the decomposition of organic material and sintering the ceramic material, resulting in a ceramic structure which is a replica of impregnated sponge. Knowledge of the mechanical properties of these ceramics is important for these materials can be used commercially. Gibson and Ashby developed a mathematical model to describe the mechanical behavior of cellular solids. This model wasn´t for describing the ceramics behavior produced by the replica method, because it doesn´t consider the defects from this type of processing. In this study were researched mechanical behavior of porous alumina ceramics obtained by the replica method and proposed modifications to the model of Gibson and Ashby to accommodate this material. The polymer sponge used in processing was characterized by thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The materials obtained after sintering were characterized by mechanical strength tests on 4-point bending and compression, density and porosity and by scanning electron microscopy. From these results it was evaluated the mechanical strength behavior compared to Gibson and Ashby model for solid cellular structure and was proposed a correction of this model through a factor related to struts integrity degree, which consider fissures present in the structure of these materials besides defects geometry within the struts

Estudo da incorporação de resíduo industrial polimérico ao CAP

This work presents the incorporation of an industrial polymeric waste into a petroleum asphalt cement with penetration grade 50-60 (CAP 50-60). The main goal of this research is the development of a polymer-modified asphalt, with improvements in its physical properties, in order to obtain a more resistant material to the traffic loads. Furthermore, the use of this polymeric waste will result in economic and environmental benefits. The CAP 50-60 used in this research was kindly supplied by LUBNOR Lubrificantes e Derivados de Petróleo do Nordeste (produced in Fazenda Belém Aracati - Ceará) and the industrial polymeric waste was provided by a button manufacturer industry, located in Rio Grande do Norte state. This polymeric waste represents an environmental problem due to its difficulty in recycling and disposal, being necessary the payment by the industry to a landfill. The difficulty in its reuse is for being this material a termofixed polymer, as a result, the button chips resulting from the molding process cannot be employed for the same purpose. The first step in this research was the characterization of the polymeric waste, using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) Infrared spectroscopy (IR spectroscopy), and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Based on the results, the material was classified as unsaturated polyester. After, laboratory experiments were accomplished seeking to incorporate the polymeric waste into the asphalt binder according to a 23 experimental factorial design, using as main factors: the polymer content (2%, 7% and 14%), the temperature of the mixture (140 and 180 oC) and the reaction time (20 and 60 minutes). The characterization of the polymer-modified asphalt was accomplished by traditional tests, such as: penetration, ring and ball softening point, viscosity, ductility and flash point temperature. The obtained results demonstrated that the addition of the polymeric waste into the asphalt binder modified some of its physical properties. However, this addition can be considered as a feasible alternative for the use of the polymeric waste, which is a serious environmental and technological problem.

Structure and Physical Properties of EVA/Starch Precursor Materials for Foaming Applications

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

Hyperfine interaction in Zn-Al layered double hydroxides intercalated with conducting polymers

Organic-inorganic hybrid materials based on the assembly between inorganic 2D host structure and polymer have received considerable attention in the last few years. This emerging class of materials presents several applications according to their structural and functional properties. Particularly, among others, layered double hydroxides (LDHs) provide the opportunity of preparing new organically modified 2D nanocomposites. Pyrrole carboxylic acid derivatives, namely 4-(lH-pyrrol-1-yl)benzoate, 3-(pyrrol-i-yl)-propanoate,7-(pyrrol-1-yl)-heptanoate, and aniline carboxylic acid derivative, namely 3-aminobenzoic acid, have been intercalated in LDHs of intralamellar composition Zn2Al(OH)(6). The LDHs were synthesized by the co-precipitation method at constant pH followed by hydrothermal treatment for 72 h. The materials were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction patterns (PXRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and electron spin resonance (ESR). The basal spacing found by the PXRD technique gives evidence of the formation of bilayers of the intercalated anions. ESR spectra present a typical signal with a superhyperfine structure with 6 + 1 lines (g = 2.005 +/- 0.0004), which is assigned to the interaction between a carboxylate radical from the guest molecules and a nearby aluminium nucleus (I = 5/2) from the host structure. Additionally, the ESR data suggest that the monomers are connected to each other in limited number after thermal treatment. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Image analysis of modified cellulose fibers from sugarcane bagasse by zirconium oxychloride

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Obtenção e Caracterização Físico-Química do Sistema Compósito PEG-TiO2

Hybrid systems formed from polymers and transition metals have now their physical and chemical properties extensively investigated for use in electronic devices. In this work, Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) from the precursor of titanium tetrabutoxide and the composite system Poly(Ethylene Glycol)-Titanium Dioxide (TiO2-PEG) were synthesized by sol-gel method. The PEG as acquired and TiO2 and composites powders were analyzed by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Spectroscopy in the Infrared region with Fourier transform (IRFT), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). In the XRD analysis were observed in the TiO2 crystal faces of one of its polymorphs - anatase phase, crystal planes in Poly (Ethylene Glycol) with considerable intensity and in the composite systems the mixture of crystal faces of their precursors isolated and reduction of crystallinity. The TG / DTG suggested increasing the thermal instability of PEG in the composite powders as TiO2 is incorporated into the system. Spectral analysis presented in the infrared overlapping bands for the polymer and metal oxide, reducing the intensity of symmetric stretching of ligand groups in the main chain polymer and angular deformations; were observed using SEM micrographs of the morphological changes suffered by composite systems with the variation of the oxide concentration. Analyses by impedance spectroscopy indicated that the increased conductivity in composite occurs in line with the addition of the metal oxide concentration in the composite system