Clodomiro Alves

BC nanofibres: In vitro study of genotoxicity and cell proliferation

Nanomaterials have unusual properties not found in the bulk materials, which can be exploited in numerous applications such as biosensing, electronics, scaffolds for tissue engineering, diagnostics and drug delivery. However, research in the past few years has turned up a range of potential health hazards, which has given birth to the new discipline of nanotoxicology. Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a promising material for biomedical applications, namely due its biocompatibility. Although BC has been shown not to be cytotoxic or genotoxic, the properties of isolated BC nanofibres (NFs) on cells and tissues has never been analysed. Considering the toxicity associated to other fibre-shaped nanoparticles, it seems crucial to evaluate the toxicity associated to the BC-NFs. In this work, nanofibres were produced from bacterial cellulose by a combination of acid and ultrasonic treatment. The genotoxicity of nanofibres from bacterial cellulose was analysed in vitro, using techniques previously demonstrated to detect the genotoxicity of fibrous nanoparticles. The results from single cell gel electrophoresis (also known as comet assay) and the Salmonella reversion assays showed that NFs are not genotoxicity under the conditions tested. A proliferation assay using fibroblasts and CHO cells reveals a slight reduction in the proliferation rate, although no modification in the cell morphology is observed.

Effect of workpiece geometry on the uniformity of nitrided layers

The growth behavior of plasma-nitrided layers on workpieces with complex geometry was systematically investigated. AISI 316 stainless steel pellets with different heights were nitrided under a mixture of N2–80% H2 at different temperatures (673, 773 and 843 K) and pressures (100 and 500 Pa). Significant differences in thickness and hardness of the resulting nitrided layers were observed as a function of nitriding parameters. The thickness of nitrided layers increased with sample height, excepted those nitrided at 843 K. The diameter of eroded rings, commonly observed on nitrided samples, varied with coupon height. Changes in both layer thickness and eroded ring diameter are presently addressed based on the thermal balance and charge density that take place near the edges of the samples.

Growth of nitrided layers on Fe–Cr alloys

Abstract Chromium is an important alloying element present in numerous commercial steels. A systematic study on the nitriding behavior of Fe–Cr alloys is helpful in predicting the properties of nitrided Cr-alloyed steels. Aspects such as microstructural evolution, growth kinetics, and mechanical properties should be particularly emphasized. Fe–Cr alloys containing 5, 10, and 20 wt.% Cr have been arc melted and subsequently plasma nitrided under a N 2 –80% H 2 atmosphere. The microstructure of the resulting nitrided layers was characterized and the microhardness profiles evaluated. Thicker layers developed on low chromium alloys. Differences in hardness profiles were also observed as a function of chromium contents. Nitriding Fe–5% Cr alloys resulted in two discrete fronts, refereed to as the diffusion front and the transformation front. Transformed regions sustained a decrease in hardness from 1000 down to 600 HV, associated with the conversion of homogeneously dispersed fine precipitates into coarser needle like particles immersed in the ferritic matrix. Similar behavior was not observed for the other alloys, where both fronts developed simultaneously.

Inhibition of Microbial Growth on Chitosan Membranes by Plasma Treatment

The use of polymeric medical devices has stimulated the development of new sterilization methods. The traditional techniques rely on ethylene oxide, but there are many questions concerning the carcinogenic properties of the ethylene oxide residues adsorbed on the materials after processing. Another common technique is the gamma irradiation process, but it is costly, its safe operation requires an isolated site, and it also affects the bulk properties of the polymers. The use of gas plasma is an elegant alternative sterilization technique. The plasma promotes efficient inactivation of the microorganisms, minimizes damage to the materials, and presents very little danger for personnel and the environment. In this study we used plasma for microbial inhibition of chitosan membranes. The membranes were treated with oxygen, methane, or argon plasma for different time periods (15, 30, 45, or 60 min). For inhibition of microbial growth with oxygen plasma, the time needed was 60 min. For the methane plasma, samples were successfully treated after 30, 45, and 60 min. For argon plasma, all treatment periods were effective.

MC3T3‐E1 Cells Behavior on Surfaces Bombarded by Argon Ions in Planar Cathode Discharge

To evaluate the effect of topography in nanoscale, titanium surfaces were bombarded by argon ions (a chemically inert gas), in an atmosphere of plasma. The effects of surface parameters on morphology, adhesion, proliferation, and MC3T3-E1 preosteoblasts differentiation were analyzed. Nontreated (smooth) surfaces were used as a control. The levels of average roughness (Ra) observed in bombarded and smooth titanium surfaces were of 95 and 14 nm, respectively. The wettability increased on treated surfaces. The number of attached cells (30 and 60 min) was significantly higher on the bombarded surface. The cell proliferation after 3 and 7 days was also significantly higher on the ion-bombarded surface. In addition, the ALP activity and expression of osteocalcin were higher in cells grown on the treated surface. The results showed that bombardment with argon ions increased the roughness and the wettability of the Ti surface, promoting a significant increase in the adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation of preosteoblasts.

Aluminothermic Reduction of Niobium Pentoxide in a Hydrogen Plasma Furnace

The aluminothermic reduction is a highly exothermal reaction between a metal oxide and aluminium. Conventionally this reaction is ignited by an electric resistance and the reaction products after cooling are in the form of a rigid block of mixed metal and aluminium oxide. In this work a new process of aluminothermic reduction is presented, in which the reaction is ignited by a hydrogen plasma. The niobium oxide and aluminium powders are high energy milled for six hours to form particles constituted of oxide and aluminum. Stoichiometric, substoichiometric and superstoichiometric mixtures were prepared. The mixture was placed in a stainless steel tube (the hollow cathode) inside the reactor chamber. The chamber was firstly evacuated. Then hydrogen at low pressure was introduced. In the following an electric discharge between the cathode and the anode localized just above the cathode ignites the plasma. The plasma heats the particles on the surface of the powder layer and starts the reaction that proceeds in each particle since the reactants are intimately mixed. The heat generated by the reaction propagates deeper in the layer until the whole mixture reacts. Substoichiometric mixtures can be used because hydrogen takes part of the reduction. The Nb2O5 – Al starting powder mixture and the products of the reaction are characterized by laser grain size measurement and X-Ray diffraction (XRD). The products are in form of powder or agglomerates of particles. Phases of reaction products was determined by XRD analysis and the particle size trough SEM.

PROCESSAMENTO POR PLASMA DE AMOSTRAS DE AÇO IF UTILIZANDO DIFERENTES MONTAGENS DE ELETRODOS

Neste trabalho amostras de aco IF, (intersticial free), obtidas atraves da metalurgia convencional, foram processadas por plasma nas configuracoes catodo oco e catodo fechado, e em forno resistivo convencional. As amostras foram processadas nas mesmas condicoes para as duas rotas de processamento. Foi verificado, no entanto, que as amostras tratadas por plasma, apresentaram caracteristicas microestruturais bem diferentes, como graos grandes e irregulares, diferentes daquelas que foram tratadas no forno resistivo, o que caracteriza que o campo magnetico gerado pelo plasma tem influencia sobre a recristalizacao do material. Palavras-chave: processamento por plasma, catodo oco, catodo fechado e campo magnetico.

Microstructure of Plasma-Sintered Aluminum Bronze Powder Compacts

Porous materials are successfully utilized for fabrication of many industrial components such as filters and selflubricating bearings. These products are made by powder metallurgy, where mixtured or prealloyed powders can be used. The aluminum bronze is one of the most wanted due its excellent properties in combination with low cost of the raw materials. In this work, single action compacted (100 MPa) prealloyed aluminum bronze (Cu- 9wt%Al-1wt%Fe) cylinders were sintered using a hollow cathode discharge at temperatures between 400 and 750°C with duration on the isotherm for 12 min. Microstructure changes, homogeneity, porosity and composition were analyzed after the treatment. Sintering below 550° C led to uniform but porous structure. Above 550 °C it was observed a solidified central region and a porous structure that changes slightly through out the cross-section. The diameter of the central region increased with treatment temperature. It is concluded that due to the intense plasma heating and subsequent surface melt formation a mass flow direction to the center of compacts occurred.

Sintering Behavior of NbC-Reinforced Steel

Powdered steel reinforced by NbC dispersed particles was sintered both in resistive furnace at 1180°C or in plasma reactor at 850°C (reference temperature) using heating rates that ranged from 10 to 100°C/min. Fe3P was used as liquid phase sintering additive. The microstructure of the resulting materials was visualized by scanning electronic microscopy. Distinctive microstructural features were observed as a function of the heating source and heating rate. Plasma sintering at rates ~ 30°C/min revealed different microstructural features comparing edge and sample bulk. Homogeneous mixtures of Fe and NbC could be sintered in resistive furnace and plasma reactor using relatively low heating rates. Plasma sintering at 800°C for 1 h (heating rate of 10°C/min) resulted in relative densities of ~ 91% of the theoretical density of the composite. Sintering in resistive furnace for 1150°C resulted in relative densities ~ 94%.

Plasma Sintering of Fe-NbC Composites

Ferrous alloys have been reinforced by particle dispersion using hard ceramics such as niobium carbide, tantalum carbide, or titanium carbide. The resulting composites have a number of potential applications in the ceramic and textile fields where abrasion plays an important role. Their cost-efficient production allows them to exceed the capabilities of conventional non-reinforced tool steels. The present study presents some of the results obtained sintering Fe-NbC composites either in a resistive oven or in a d.c. plasma furnace. Final densities of approximately 95% TD were obtained in the latter atmosphere at temperatures as low as 750°C. Dilatometric studies carried out in resistive furnace indicated that this composite did not show significant densification below 1240°C in the presence of a liquid phase formed by the addition of small amounts of Fe 3 P. The differences between conventional and plasma sintering are discussed herein along with the effect on the microstructure of the composite.