Efeitos do tratamento superficial da sílica ativa com soluções de ácidos nítrico e fosfórico em propriedades do concreto

The addition of active silica potentially improves the quality of concrete due to its high reactivity and pore refinement effect. The reactivity of silica is likely related to its charge density. Variations in surface charge alter the reactivity of the material consequently affecting the properties of concrete. The present study aimed at investigating variations in the charge density of silica as a function of acid treatments using nitric or phosphoric acid and different pH values (2.0, 4.0 and 6.0). Effects on concrete properties including slump, mechanical strength, permeability and chloride corrosion were evaluated. To that end, a statistical analysis was carried out and empirical models that correlate studied parameters (pH, acid and cement) with concrete properties were established. The quality of the models was tested by variance analysis. The results revealed that the addition of silica was efficiency in improving the properties of concrete, especially the electrochemical parameters. The addition of silica treated using nitric acid at pH = 4.0 displayed the best cement performance including highest strength, reduced permeability and lowest corrosion current

Efeito da adição de cargas minerais leves na resistência mecânica de grautes para cimentação de poços offshore

The preparation of cement slurries for offshore well cementing involves mixing all solid components to be added to the mixing water on the platform. The aim of this work was to study the formulation of pre-prepared dry mixtures, or grouts, for offshore oilwell cementing. The addition of mineral fillers in the strength of lightweight grouts applied for depths down to 400 m under water depths of 500 m was investigated. Lightweight materials and fine aggregates were selected. For the choice of starting materials, a study of the pozzolanic activity of low-cost fillers such as porcelain tile residue, microsilica and diatomaceous earth was carried out by X-ray diffraction and mechanical strength tests. Hardened grouts containing porcelain tile residue and microsilica depicted high strength at early ages. Based on such preliminary investigation, a study of the mechanical strength of grouts with density 1.74 g/cm3 (14.5 lb/gal) cured initially at 27 °C was performed using cement, microsilica, porcelain tile residue and an anti-foaming agent. The results showed that the mixture containing 7% of porcelain tile residue and 7% of microsilica was the one with the highest compressive strength after curing for 24 hours. This composition was chosen to be studied and adapted for offshore conditions based on testes performed at 4 °C. The grout containing cement, 7% of porcelain tile residue, 7% of active silica and admixtures (CaCl2), anti-foaming and dispersant resulted satisfactory rheology and mechanical strength after curing for 24 hours of curing

Physicochemical properties and morphology of spongolite from Mato Grosso do Sul (Brazil)

The physicochemical properties and morphology of spongolite, a fibrous hollow material from Mato Grosso do Sul State (Brazil) have been studied. The results of thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction and NMR spectroscopy indicated that external and internal surfaces of silica spicules are covered by silica gel layers. The water evolved in the range 120-350degreesC is the result of silanol groups condensation to siloxane bonds. Total homogenization of the needles is achieved by heating spongolite over 900degreesC. This mineral may be considered as a natural composite material containing surface-immobilized reactive species. The presence of active silica gel layers opens the possibilities of attaching functional groups to spongolite surface. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Concretes with red mud coarse aggregates

Red mud (RM) is a mineral waste, residue of the Bayer process used to obtain alumina from bauxite. While the exploration of rolled pebble damages the environment and is much more controlled by the government, the huge RM disposal areas do not stop increasing and polluting soil, rivers and groundwater sources in Amazon. In this work, the material mixtures used to produce coarse aggregates presented up to 80% of RM, 30% of metakaolin and 30% of active silica as recycled waste. Several tests were carried out to determine the aggregates physical properties and to evaluate the mechanical performance of the concretes with the new aggregates, including hydraulic abrasion strength, and the results were compared to the reference ones, i.e. rolled pebble concretes. Additionally, the sintering process neutralizes any toxic substance as occur in some RM products like tiles and bricks, and these results have encouraged an industrial or semi-industrial production of RM aggregates for concretes.

Análise da durabilidade do concreto de alto desempenho com adição de cinza de casca de arroz e borracha de pneu

Since the Seventies, there has been a growing degradation of concrete structures in Brazil. For that reason, much research has been made on the durability of those structures, aiming at contributing towards quality improvement and reduction of maintenance and repair costs. This study evaluates the behavior of the durability of high-performance concrete with additions, replacing part of the cement and aggregates with rice husk ash and tire rubber, respectively. Durability tests were carried out in which concrete was subjected to several degradation processes, such as the action of water, temperature, salts and acid solution. The results indicated that the addition of active silica or rice husk ash, both with tire rubber did not worsen the durability of concrete. In fact, rubber proved to be very effective in preventing the action of chemical agents, high temperatures and the penetration of water. Rice husk ash, despite the larger diameter of particles, had similar results to that of the active silica.

Efeitos do tratamento superficial da sílica ativa com soluções de ácidos nítrico e fosfórico em propriedades do concreto

The addition of active silica potentially improves the quality of concrete due to its high reactivity and pore refinement effect. The reactivity of silica is likely related to its charge density. Variations in surface charge alter the reactivity of the material consequently affecting the properties of concrete. The present study aimed at investigating variations in the charge density of silica as a function of acid treatments using nitric or phosphoric acid and different pH values (2.0, 4.0 and 6.0). Effects on concrete properties including slump, mechanical strength, permeability and chloride corrosion were evaluated. To that end, a statistical analysis was carried out and empirical models that correlate studied parameters (pH, acid and cement) with concrete properties were established. The quality of the models was tested by variance analysis. The results revealed that the addition of silica was efficiency in improving the properties of concrete, especially the electrochemical parameters. The addition of silica treated using nitric acid at pH = 4.0 displayed the best cement performance including highest strength, reduced permeability and lowest corrosion current

Efeito da adição de cargas minerais leves na resistência mecânica de grautes para cimentação de poços offshore

The preparation of cement slurries for offshore well cementing involves mixing all solid components to be added to the mixing water on the platform. The aim of this work was to study the formulation of pre-prepared dry mixtures, or grouts, for offshore oilwell cementing. The addition of mineral fillers in the strength of lightweight grouts applied for depths down to 400 m under water depths of 500 m was investigated. Lightweight materials and fine aggregates were selected. For the choice of starting materials, a study of the pozzolanic activity of low-cost fillers such as porcelain tile residue, microsilica and diatomaceous earth was carried out by X-ray diffraction and mechanical strength tests. Hardened grouts containing porcelain tile residue and microsilica depicted high strength at early ages. Based on such preliminary investigation, a study of the mechanical strength of grouts with density 1.74 g/cm3 (14.5 lb/gal) cured initially at 27 °C was performed using cement, microsilica, porcelain tile residue and an anti-foaming agent. The results showed that the mixture containing 7% of porcelain tile residue and 7% of microsilica was the one with the highest compressive strength after curing for 24 hours. This composition was chosen to be studied and adapted for offshore conditions based on testes performed at 4 °C. The grout containing cement, 7% of porcelain tile residue, 7% of active silica and admixtures (CaCl2), anti-foaming and dispersant resulted satisfactory rheology and mechanical strength after curing for 24 hours of curing

Colloidal gold immobilized on mesoporous silica as a highly active and selective catalyst for styrene epoxidation with H2O2

Colloidal gold nanoparticles were synthesized by different procedures affording suspensions with two different mean sizes (2 and 5 nm). Au catalysts were prepared by sol immobilization onto several silica frameworks with different 2D and 3D mesoporosities. The catalysts were tested in styrene oxidation reactions showing excellent efficiency and selectivity. The effect of nanoparticle size and mesoporous framework on the physical and catalytic properties of the final materials was studied. The most selective catalyst was prepared from the 5 nm Au nanoparticles and the more interconnected silica framework (3D mesoporosity).

Photocatalytic degradation of gaseous toluene by using immobilized titania/silica on aluminum sheets

The aim of this study was to prepare a highly active immobilized titania/silica photocatalyst and to test its performance in situ toward degradation of toluene as one of the major toxic indoor contaminants. In this work, two different titania layers immobilized on Al sheets were synthesized via low temperature sol-gel method employing presynthesized highly active titania powders (Degussa P25 and Millennium PC500, mass ratio 1:1): (a) with a silica/titania binder and a protective layer and (b) without the binder. The photocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, nitrogen sorption measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), infrared spectroscopy, and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The in situ photocatalytic degradation of gaseous toluene was selected as a probe reaction to test photocatalytic activity and to verify the potential application of these materials for air remediation. Results show that nontransparent highly photocatalytically active coatings based on the silica/titania binder and homogeneously dispersed TiO2 powders were obtained on the Al sheets. The crystalline structure of titania was not altered upon addition of the binder, which also prevented inhomogeneous agglomeration of particles on the photocatalyst surface. The photoactivity results indicate that the adsorption properties and photocatalytic activity of immobilized photocatalysts with the silica/titania binder and an underlying protective layer were very effective and additionally, they exhibited considerably improved adhesion and uniformity. We present a new highly photocatalytically active immobilized catalyst on a convenient metallic support, which has a potential application in an air cleaning device.

Rare-earth-doped silica microchip laser fabricated by sintering nanoporous glass

We report a new method for fabricating rare-earth-doped silica glasses for laser materials obtained by sintering nanoporous silica glasses impregnated with rare-earth-doped ions. The fabricated materials have no residual pores and show good optical and mechanical properties. Good performance from a Nd3+-doped silica microchip laser operating at 1.064 mum is successfully demonstrated, suggesting that the fabricated silica glasses have potential for use as active materials for high-power solid-state lasers. (C) 2005 Optical Society of America.

Direct synthesis of ordered N-methylimidazolium functionalized mesoporous silica as highly efficient anion exchanger of Cr(VI)

Ordered N-methylimidazolium functionalized mesoporous silica (SBA-15) anion exchangers were directly synthesized by co-condensation of tetraethoxysilane with 1-methyl-3(triethoxysilylpropyl)imidazolium chloride. The prepared samples with rod-like morphology showed high surface areas (> 400 m(2) g(-1)), well-ordered pores (> 58 angstrom), and excellent thermal stability up to 387 degrees C. The adsorption behaviors of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution on the anion exchangers were studied using the batch method. The anion exchangers had high adsorption capacity ranging from 50.8 to 90.5 mg g(-1), over a wider pH range (1-8) than amino functionalized mesoporous silica. The adsorption rate was fast, and the maximum adsorption was obtained at pH 4.6. The adsorption data for the anion exchangers were consistent with the Langmuir isotherm equation. Most active sites of the anion exchangers were easily accessible. The mixed solution of 0.1 mol L-1 NH3 center dot H2O and 0.5 mol L-1 NH4Cl was effective desorption solution, and 95% of Cr(VI) could be desorbed.

Preparation of poly (styrene-co-4-vinyl pyridine) /silica nanoscale hybrids supported cyclopentadienyltitanium trichloride (CpTiCl3) catalyst and styrene polymerization

To obtain a novel support with practical value for metallocene catalyst (eta -C5H5)TiCl3 (CpTiCl3), poly (styrene-co-4-vinylpyridine) /SiO2 nanoscale hybrid material (SrP/SiO2) was firstly produced as support. After pretreatment by methylaluminoxane (MAO), the hybrid materials reacted with CpTiCl3. The results from SAXS, SEM and TEM indicated the morphology and structure of organic/inorganic hybrid materials, and the size of inorganic particle in hybrid was nanoscale. The results from IR and XPS showed that there were two possible cationic active species in the hybrid-supported catalyst, the polymerization results of styrene proved this possibility.

Preparation of poly(4-vinylpyridine)/silica hybrids supported cyclopentadienyltitanium trichloride (CpTiCl3) catalyst and styrene polymerization

Poly(4 - vinylpyridine)/silica( PVP/SiO2) organic - inorganic nanoscale hybrid was prepared using sol - gel method, in which PVP was used as an organic component and TEOS as a SiO2 precusor, This hybrid was used as CpTiCl3 support. The XPS and IR measurements showed that two kinds of catalytic active site were formed through analyzing the interaction mode between support and CpTiCl3. The results of styrene polymerization showed that syndiotactic was the highest at 50 degreesC. The catalytic activity was 1.09 x 10(6) g PS/ (mol Ti . h) at 70 degreesC when n(Al)/n(Ti) = 1500. GPC results showed a bimodal molecular weight distribution.

Electrochemical behavior of heteropoly acid anions adsorbed in electrodes modified with mesoporous molecular sieve silica

Heteropoly acid H4SiW12O48 (denoted as SiW12) was assembled with the mesoporous materials MCM-41 modified with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) (denote MCM-41((m))). The electrochemical behavior of SiW12/MCM-41((m)) complexes-based electrode indicated SiW12 anion was adsorbed by MCM-41((m)). In MCM-41((m)) electrode, large voltammetric waves, showing that the electrostatic bound ions adsorbed in MCM-41((m)) were electrochemically active. The potential application as amperometric sensors for nitrite is anticipated.