Fernanda M. B. Coutinho

Synthesis and application of a functionalized resin for flow injection/F AAS copper determination in waters.

This paper reports the development of a new strategy for low-level determination of copper in water samples by using a flow-injection system coupled to solid-phase extraction (SPE) using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (F AAS) as detector. In order to preconcentrate copper from samples, a minicolumn packed with a styrene-divinylbenzene resin functionalized with (S)-2-[hydroxy-bis-(4-vinyl-phenyl)-methyl]-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid ethyl ester was used and the synthesis procedure is described. System operation is based on the on-line retention of Cu(II) ions at pH 9.0+/-0.2 in a such minicolumn with posterior analyte elution with 2moll(-1) HCl directly to the F AAS nebulizer. The influence of several chemical (sample pH, buffer concentration, HCl eluent concentration and effect of the ionic strength) and flow (sample and eluent flow rates and preconcentration time) variables that could affect the performance of this system were investigated as well as the possible interferents. At optimized conditions, for 2min of preconcentration time (13.2ml of sample volume), the system achieved a detection limit of 1.1mugl(-1), a R.S.D. 1% at 20muggl(-1) and an analytical throughput of 25h(-1), whereas for 4min of preconcentration time (26.4ml of sample volume), a detection limit of 0.93mugl(-1), a R.S.D. 5.3% at 5mugl(-1) and a sampling frequency of 13h(-1) were reported.

Polietileno: principais tipos,propriedades e aplicações

The structure of each polymer has a direct influence on its density and mechanical properties. Long- chain branches, such as those present in low density polyethylene, for example, increase its impact strength, decrease density and improve processing. Short-chain branches present in linear low density polyethylene, on the other hand, increase crystallinity and tensile strength in comparison to low density polyethylene (produced by free radical initiators). The main applications and the type of processing used for each type of polyethylene are also presented in this work. A comparison between Ziegler-Natta and metallocene catalysts is carried out. The polyethylene produced by metallocene catalysts presents narrow molecular weight distribution and a uniform distribution of comonomer incorporated into the polymer chain. Those characteristics provide an enhancement on the tensile properties and impact strength of final products.

Resinas sulfônicas: síntese, caracterização e avaliação em reações de alquilação

Three cationic resins (commercial Amberlyst 15 and Lewatit SPC112, and MLS 07, synthesized in our laboratory) were utilized as catalysts in alkylation reactions. MLS07 resin, prepared by suspension copolymerization of styrene and divinylbenzene, was produced in selected conditions in order to present average particle size and porosity close to those of Amberlyst 15. The SO3H active groups were introduced in the MLS07 resin by sulfonation of the aromatic rings. Samples of the three resins, of two granulometric ranges each, were charactherized by nitrogen adsorption (specific surface area, pore volume and average pore diameter), electron scanning microscopy (morphology) and by their ion exchange capacity. The catalysts were used in alkylation reactions of toluene with benzyl alcohol. The influence of parameters such as avarage particle size, morphology, catalyst type and reaction temperature on the conversion of the benzyl alcohol and on the reaction selectivity relative to the formation of benzyl-toluene, was sutdied. The data obtained show that Amberlyst 15 and MLS 07 presented better performance as compared to that of Lewatit SPC112. In all the reaction conditions employed Lewatit SPC 112 showed the lowest activity and selectivity in the formation of the desired product (o-, m-, p- benzyltoluene). This behavior may be mainly attributed to the fact that Lewatit SPC112 has the lowest surface area of the three resins.

Estudo comparativo de diferentes tipos de polibutadieno na tenacificação de poliestireno

In this work, an evaluation was made of the toughening of polystyrene (PS) with three types of polybutadiene (PB): low-cis polybutadiene (PBl), high-cis polybutadiene (PBh ) and styrene-butadiene block (SBS) copolymer (PBco). The impact strength increased 138, 208 and 823% when low-cis polybutadiene, high-cis polybutadiene and styrene-butadiene block copolymer, were used, respectively. The materials presented dispersed morphology with domains smaller than 1 µm, randomly distributed in the polystyrene matrix. The flow activation energy, calculated by Arrhenius equation, varied from 34 to 71 kJ/mol. In the rheological experiments all polymer blends presented pseudoplastic behavior.

Estudo viscosimétrico de prepolímeros uretânicos

In this study the behavior of urethane prepolymers based on poly(propylene glycol) (PPG) and isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), in diluted solutions, were studied by viscosimetric measurements, at 30 °C, in two types of solvents with different polarities: isopropyl alcohol and toluene. Five different equations were used to determine intrinsic viscosities values: Huggins; Kraemer and Schulz-Blaschke, by graphic extrapolation; and Solomon-Ciuta; Deb-Chanterjee and; again, Schulz-Blaschke, by a single point determination. The intrinsic viscosities were obtained with two methods (graphic extrapolations and through a single point determination). Viscometric constants from Huggins; Kraemer and Schulz-Blaschke equations were also determined to verify the solvent quality. Regardless of the formulation, isopropyl alcohol was the best solvent for the samples and Solomon-Ciuta equation was the most suitable for the single point determination.

Principais copolímeros elastoméricos à base de butadieno utilizados na indústria automobilística

Elastomer copolymers based on butadiene are widely applied in the automotive industry. Among those copolymers the most important ones are styrene-butadiene (SBR) and nitrile-butadiene (NBR). SBR presents higher commercial interest, due to its application in the tire production. When SBR is mixed with high cis-1,4 polybutadiene, excellent properties are attained for application on the pneumatics treads. NBR can be used in a wide variety of application areas requiring oil, fuel, and chemical resistance. In the last years, the automotive and pneumatic industries have been increasingly concerned with environmental issues, and have invested in synthesis processes for elastomers that are less aggressive to the environment. Thus, the purpose of this article is to present a review on two important butadiene elastomer copolymers, SBR and NBR, with emphasis on the polymerization processes. The main characteristics, processing and applications of these elastomers are also presented.

Principais aspectos da polimerização do 1,3-Butadieno

Nowadays, there is a great demand for polybutadiene with high contents of cis groups owing to its excellent physical properties, such as high abrasion resistance and low heat build up. These characteristics make this elastomer one of the most used in pneumatic industry. Thus, this paper presents a brief review about the 1,3-butadiene polymerization by different catalysts systems, with the systems based on lanthanides being the main focus, as they are the most stereospecific for cis-1,4 polymerization of butadiene.

Desenvolvimento de Materiais à Base de Poliolefinas e Elastômeros Metalocênicos

The aim of this work was to evaluate the mechanical, thermal and morphological properties of systems based on polyolefins (PP and HDPE) and ethylene/1-octene metallocene copolymer (EOC), produced by Dow Chemical. The effect of a propylene/1-octene metallocene copolymer (POC), obtained in the laboratory was also investigated as a compatibilizer agent for the PP/EOC blend. The results showed that the addition of certain contents of EOC to PP and HDPE may carry the production of materials with good mechanical properties. The data obtained also revealed that the POC copolymer can be used as compatibilizer agent of the PP/EOC blends.

Analysis of the fracture behavior of polypropylene: sawdust composites

Natural fiber reinforced composite is an emerging area in Polymer science. The use of lignocellulosic materials in thermoplastic composites may contribute to reduce the waste of vegetal biomass. The natural fibers are biodegradable, low cost materials having density and specific properties comparable to those of conventional fiber composites. In this work composites of polypropylene (PP) plus maleated polypropylene (MAPP) filled with sawdust were prepared under fixed processing conditions (mixing temperature, mixing time and rate of rotation). The composites were fractured by tension and the fracture mechanisms were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The SEM studies of the fractured surfaces of the composites indicate that the failure is due to fiber pull-out accompanied by tearing of the matrix; the pull- out increases with MAPP content.

Efeito de doadores de elétrons na polimerização de butadieno com catalisadores à base de neodímio

A laboratory scale process for producing polybutadiene with high content of cis-1,4 repeating units was studied. A Ziegler-Natta catalytic system constituted of neodymium versatate (catalyst), diisobutylaluminium hydride (cocatalyst) and tert-butyl chloride (chlorinating agent) was used. The solvent employed was a mixture of hexane and cyclohexane (80/20 v/v). The effect of two electron donors, tetrahydrofuran (THF) and tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA), was studied. The electron donors were added to the polymerization medium and/or to the solvent employed in the catalyst preparation. The proportion of electron donors was varied between 20 and 200 ppm for THF and between 0 and 15 ppm for TMEDA. The influence of electron donors on the stereoselectivity, catalytic activity, molar mass and molar mass distribution of polybutadiene was evaluated. The polymers were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, size exclusion chromatography and differential scanning calorimetry. Polymers with cis-1,4 units content varying between 99.2% and 93% were produced. The weight-average molar mass, , varied from 2.2 to 7.0x105. The polymers glass transition temperature was kept around -110oC.