Micro/nanoreservoirs for controlled release of active species in smart functional coatings

This work reports one possible way to develop new functional coatings used to increase the life time of metallic structures. The functionalities selected and attributed to model coatings in the frame of this work were corrosion protection, self-sensing and prevention of fouling (antifouling). The way used to confer those functionalities to coatings was based on the encapsulation of active compounds (corrosion inhibitors, pH indicators and biocides) in micro and nanocontainers followed by their incorporation into the coating matrices. To confer active corrosion protection, one corrosion inhibitor (2-mercaptobenzothiazole, MBT) was encapsulated in two different containers, firstly in silica nanocapsules (SiNC) and in polyurea microcapsules (PU-MC). The incorporation of both containers in different models coatings shows a significant improvement in the corrosion protection of aluminum alloy 2024 (AA2024). Following the same approach, SiNC and PU-MC were also used for the encapsulation of phenolphthalein (one well known pH indicator) to introduce sensing properties in polymeric coatings. SiNC and PU-MC containing phenolphthalein acted as corrosion sensor, showing a pink coloration due to the beginning of cathodic reaction, resulting in a pH increase identified by those capsules. Their sensing performance was proved in suspension and when integrated in coatings for aluminium alloy 2024 and magnesium alloy AZ31. In a similar way, the biocide activity (antifouling) was assigned to two polymeric matrices using SiNC for encapsulation of one biocide (Dichloro-2-octyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one, DCOIT) and also SiNC-MBT was tested as biocide. The antifouling activity of those two encapsulated compounds was assessed through inhibition and consequent decrease in the bioluminescence of modified E. coli. That effect was verified in suspension and when incorporated in coatings for AISI 1008 carbon steel. The developed micro and nanocontainers presented the desired performance, allowing the introduction of new functionalities to model coatings, showing potential to be used as functional additives in the next generation of multifunctional coatings.

Identificação das condições gerais de conservação dos reservatórios integrantes do sistema de abastecimento de água de Natal

Infrastructure works are included in strategic areas for the social development. For that matter that all of the investments are very important for the social development. When the population has enough water and an acceptable quality, and it includes a wastewater gathering and its treatment, the whole society became less susceptible to the water diseases. Even the Water Supply and the Sewage depend for its perfect operation of reservoirs, or of the accumulation of water to provide the popular necessity, either due to retention or for the treatment wastewarer. These structures present very specific environmental conditions, because the microclimate created around them, like high environmental humidity and for the existence of many harmful substances for the concrete, such as chloride ions presents in water. The reservoir that compose the System of Water Supply of Natal were built between 1970s and 1980s, a period whom the technical and scientific community did not have in-depth studies about the reinforced concrete mechanism of deterioration. Therefore, these reservoirs have been suffered accelerated deterioration progress, and they have been shown many pathological manifestations strikingly visible. In front of all these problems this academic work aims to identify the generally conditions of conservation of all the reservoirs components of the Water Supply System of Natal. This academic work objectives to develop a recuperation plan for use in these reservoirs, in this academic work it was achieved all the survey of pathological manifestation existing in each reservoir. It was made with local visits, photographic recorders of all manifestations viii and realization of in loco tests. The other step consisted in a application of GDE/UnB metodolgy reformulated by Fonseca (2007). In the step of local visits in each reservoir it was evaluated carbonation depth, by spreading a phenolphthalein solution with 1% of concentration; evaluation of contamination of chlorides, by spreading silver nitrate solution with 1% of concentration, and evaluation of width cracks. After the conclusion of all the testings, it was established that all reservoir, studied in this academic work, have showed an advanced deteriorating condition. It´s presents prevalent pathological manifestations as unacceptable cracks, spots, efflorescence and reinforcement corrosion, and in some cases, chlorides contamination. After the conclusion of the testings and its concatenation it was able to implementing, using GDE/UnB methodology, the order of the restoration its service life and initial safety conditions

Atividade microbiana em solos, influenciada por resíduos de algodão e torta de mamona

Microbial activity constitutes a good indicator of soil quality, and is influenced by the addition of carbon in the system serving as a substrate for microorganisms that increase their activity and release of CO2, comprising the edaphic respiration of the soil. The objective of this study was to evaluate the microbial activity in different soil types with the addition of cake press of castor bean and cotton textile residue. The study was conducted in a greenhouse at the headquarters of Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (EMBRAPA) Cotton in randomized block design in 4 x 3 factorial arrangement with four replications. At predetermined intervals of 4 days, the containers were opened and the solution of NaOH titrated with HCl 2N in the presence of acid/base indicator phenolphthalein. After reading, the same amount of NaOH was added and the containers were closed again. The difference between the amounts of acid needed to neutralize the sodium hydroxide in a control container and the treatments was equivalent to the amount of carbon dioxide produced by soil microorganisms. It was found that the residues influenced the microbial activity in different soil types, especially in the initial determinations, presenting themselves as good sources for mineralization and nutrient supply, the castor bean proportionating higher cumulative release of CO2 by microorganisms.

Produção e obtenção de ciclodextrinas produzidas por CGTases bacterianas

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

Acidez titulable del suelo a pH = 7, al filtrar el extracto y controlar el pH con electrodo

Generalmente, al determinar la acidez titulable a pH7 (AT_pH7) se coloca al suelo en una solución tampón de pH=7 y la acidez liberada se mide con álcali. No hay información comparativa de diferentes métodos analíticos utilizados en Uruguay. Se cuantificó la AT_pH7 por tres procedimientos: a) se agitó la mezcla acetato de calcio:suelo y se dejó reposar 16 horas, se filtró el extracto y la titulación a pH = 7 se controló con electrodo (AT_pH7_fil); b) igual al anterior pero se tituló el sobrenadante del extracto, sin filtrar (AT_pH7_sob); c) se hicieron cuatro extracciones sucesivas con acetato de bario, se filtró el extracto y se controló el pH = 7 con fenolftaleína (AT_pH7fen) como indicador. Consideramos los valores AT_pH7fen como referencia. Al comparar AT_pH7_sob con AT_pH7_fil consideramos a los primeros como indicador de referencia. El ajuste entre AT_pH7_sob y AT_pH7_fil fue satisfactorio. La diferencia promedio fue de 0,36 meq.100g-1, pero hubo diferencias de -1,00 a 1,70 meq.100g-1. No existió sesgo en las diferencias. Algunas fuentes de acidez pudieron permanecer en el sedimento y no fueron evaluadas al titular el sobrenadante. Las mediciones AT_pH7_fil sobreestimaron 0,73 meq.100g-1 el promedio de AT_pHfen. Los valores promedio de AT_pH_sob y AT_pHfen no difirieron. Las muestras tuvieron la misma clasificación acorde a su saturación en bases independientemente del método utilizado. Ni la medición del pH = 7 con electrodo en vez de con fenolftaleína, ni el mayor tiempo de extracción, ni tampoco la utilización de acetato de calcio como extractante introdujeron significativos errores de interpretación. El método AT_pH_fil tuvo precisión y exactitud aceptables.