Adeilton Pereira Maciel

Ordering and phonons in Ba3CaNb2O9 complex perovskite

Abstract In this work we performed a detailed investigation about ordering in Ba 3 CaNb 2 O 9 perovskite. The sintering temperature and time were changed to obtain samples with different ordering. The order parameters were probed by Raman spectroscopy based on a partial disordered model. To use the partial disordered model correctly we performed ab initio calculations in Ba 3 CaNb 2 O 9 to assign the optical phonons. The results showed that sintering temperature improves order while sintering time is not so efficient to promote order.

Production of biodiesel from babassu oil using methanol-ethanol blends

Maranhao state in Brazil presents a big potential for the cultivation of several oleaginous species, such as babassu, soybean, castor oil plant, etc... These vegetable oils can be transformed into biodiesel by the transesterification reaction in an alkaline medium, using methanol or ethanol. The biodiesel production from a blend of these alcohols is a way of adding the technical and economical advantages of methanol to the environmental advantages of ethanol. The optimized alcohol blend was observed to be a methanol/ethanol volume ratio of 80 % MeOH: 20 % EtOH. The ester content was of 98.70 %, a value higher than the target of the ANP, 96.5 % (m/m), and the biodiesel mass yield was of 95.32 %. This biodiesel fulfills the specifications of moisture, specific gravity, kinematic viscosity and percentages of free alcohols (methanol plus ethanol) and free glycerin.

Adhesives Doped with Bioactive Niobophosphate Micro-Filler: Degree of Conversion and Microtensile Bond Strength

To evaluate the effect of incorporating niobium phosphate bioactive glass (NbG) into commercial etch-and-rinse adhesive systems, with and without silane, on their degree of conversion (DC) (%) and microtensile bond strength (μTBS). The NbG micro-filler was added to two etch-and-rinse adhesive systems: One Step (OS) and Prime & Bond (PB) at 40% concentration. The following groups were formed: control without glass addition OS; addition of unsilanized NbG (OSNbG); addition of silanized NbG (OSNbGS); control without glass PB; addition of unsilanized NbG (PBNbG); addition of silanized NbG (PBNbGS). The DC was determined using total Fourier spectroscopy reflection (FTIR/ATR). For μTBS testing, 48 human third molars (n=8) were restored and sliced to obtain specimens (0.8 mm2) and they were tested at two different time intervals: immediately and after 6 months. The fracture mode was evaluated with a stereoscopic loupe (40×) and by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The data were subjected to ANOVA and Tukey tests (a=0.05). NbG addition did not compromise the adhesive system DC values (p>0.05). Furthermore, the NbG added to the adhesive systems did not affect μTBS values (p>0.05). Fracture occurred predominantly at the dentin-adhesive interface. NbG bioactive glass did not affect the DC or microtensile bond strength results.

Chemical modification of the surface of alumina with alkaline earth metal oxides using the polymeric precursor method for catalysis application

In this study, modifications of alumina surface with of alkaline earth metal oxides were studied, using the polymeric precursor method. The modified compounds were characterized by X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption-desorption and scanning electron microscopy. The catalytical properties of these new catalysts were evaluated for the transesterification reaction of babassu oil. It is observed that the transesterification reaction of babassu oil with methanol was successfully carried out using the modified alumina samples.

Airborne-particle abrasion with niobium phosphate bioactive glass on caries-affected dentin: effect on the microtensile bond strength

Abstract This study evaluated the effect of airborne-particle abrasion with niobium phosphate bioglass (NbG) microparticles on the bond strength (μTBS) and longevity of an adhesive system to different dentin substrates. In this study, 18 Caries-free molars were used, of which 12 were microbiologically processed for caries induction. The dentin surfaces were evaluated in three groups: (1) Control – Healthy Dentin; (2) Partial removal of carious tissue; (3) complete removal of carious tissue. Half the teeth in each group were submitted to airborne-particle abrasion with NbG microparticles (15 s/1 cm/5 bar). After this, the adhesive Clearfil S3 was applied and composite buildups were constructed incrementally; and specimens were longitudinally sectioned to obtain bonded sticks (1.0 mm2) to be tested in tension (0.5 mm/min) immediately or after 6 months of storage in water. The fracture patterns were evaluated by stereomicroscope (40×) and then by scanning electron microscopy. The data were analyzed by the Kruskal-Wallis (post hoc Dunn) and Mann-Whitney tests (α = 0.05). Healthy dentin showed the highest bond strength (μTBS). Airborne-particle abrasion with NbG increased the μTBS values in the Group with complete caries removal. The bond strength values in the 24-h period were higher than those at 6 months. In the majority of the specimens the fracture mode was adhesive/mixed. The authors concluded that airborne-particle abrasion on dentin with NbG particles increased the μTBS in the group in which carious dentin was completely removed.

Effect of Storage Time on Microtensile Bond Strength of Self-Adhesive and Multi-Step Resin Cements to Dentin

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of long-term storage on the microtensile bond strength (µTBS) to dentin of two self-adhesive and three multi-step resin cements. Two self-adhesive cements RelyX U100 (U100) and seT PP (SET), and 3 multi-step resin cements, one using 2-step etch-and-rinse adhesive AllCem (ALC), and two conventional resin cements with self-etching primer Panavia F (PAN) and Multilink (MULT) were used. Human molars were restored (n=5), sectioned and subjected to the μTBS test after 24 h and 6 months. Fractured specimens were examined by stereomicroscope and SEM. The µTBS were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey test (α=0.05). ANOVA revealed a difference between groups (p<0.0001). All multi-step resin cements ALC, MULT and PAN showed statistically similar bond strength values that were higher than those of the U100 and SET groups. The bond strength value of ALC, MULT and PAN decreases significantly after 6 months. The majority of the failures were adhesive for all the groups. The µTBS produced by the self-adhesive cements were significantly lower than those observed for multi-step luting agents. Regardless of the numbers of steps of resin cements, the storage time reduces µTBS values to dentin only to multi-step luting agents.

Optical Spectroscopy and Its Applications in Inorganic Materials

Light-matter interaction is a research field under permanent investigation. Such studies have encouraged new research as well as have effectively contributed to the development of new materials for different applications. The optical properties of materials derive from interactions with electromagnetic radiation, and they include absorption, emission, diffraction, scattering, reflection, and refraction. Thus, optical measurements are crucial for the better understanding of such properties due to structural changes in the properties of these materials. Optical measurements enable interpreting the electronic transitions, estimating the band gap values through the absorption coefficient or the Kubelka-Munk function, or even conducting lattice vibration (phonons) studies. It is worth analyzing the collected data in order to obtain light-activated catalysts, as well as to develop optical devices and scintillators, among other technological equipment.

Evaluating the Electrochemical Characteristics of Babassu Coconut Mesocarp Ethanol Produced to Be Used in Fuel Cells

The aim of the present study is to assess the potential of ethanol deriving from the mesocarp of babassu coconut to be used in fuel cells. Babassu ethanol was generated through hydrolysis and fermentation processes. The Pt, PtRh and PtRu electrodes were prepared in carbon Vulcan XC72R through the reduction method and applied as electrocatalysts in ethanol oxidation reaction. X-Ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), stripping CO, cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and online differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS) were used to characterize the synthesized eletrocatalysts. The electrocatalyst Pt80Ru20/C presented larger active area and higher catalytic activity than other studied materials. The current efficiency of CO2 production rated less than 1% in all studied electrocatalysts, thus showing that babassu ethanol oxidation produces less pollutants than the commercial ethanol.

Caracterização de materiais cerâmicos à base de CuCr 2 O 4 preparados pelo método da reação de combustão em solução para uso como pigmentos

CuCr2O4-based ceramic pigments were prepared by the method of solution combustion synthesis starting at calcination in the range of 500 to 1100 °C, aiming to the application as ceramic pigment. The structural, morphological, chemical and optical properties of the material were studied using the techniques of X-ray diffraction, Rietveld refinement, field emission gun scanning electron microscopy, X-ray fluorescence, diffuse reflectance and L*, a*, b* colorimetric coordinates based on the CIE-L*a*b* method. The synthesized powders were mixed with matte and transparent glazes and applied in ceramic matrices. The results indicated that an increase in temperature led to the conversion of the chromite phase, in which regular polyhedra were observed, to delafossite, presenting a hexagonal platelike morphology. Diffuse reflectance revealed the formation of dark colored powders, confirmed by the colorimetric data. The synthesized powders exhibited green pigmenting ability when mixed into the ceramic glazes.

Utilização do método hidrotérmico assistido por micro-ondas na síntese de catalisadores a base de SnO2 dopados com nióbio

Microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis of niobium-doped tin oxide nanoparticles, using niobium ethoxide and niobium pentoxide as precursors, was investigated. The prepared catalysts were used in the esterification reaction of oleic acid. The structural and morphological characteristics of the powders were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The application of catalysts resulted in a yield of 41.6% of methyl oleate.