Janaina S. Crespo

Characterization of Microwave-Devulcanized Composites of Ground SBR Scraps

The recycling of waste rubber has considerable significance in terms of environmental protection and energy conservation. Considering that most of the relevant literature is concerned with tire recycling, the objective of this study is to develop and characterize styrene-butadiene rubber composites containing only industrial rubber scraps devulcanized by microwave. The styrene-butadiene rubber extruded profile scraps were collected and ground under ambient conditions. The obtained powder styrene-butadiene rubber-r was physically, thermally, and chemically characterized. From the devulcanized styrene-butadiene rubber-r two composites were prepared, varying the exposure time of the powder in the microwave (3 and 4 min). These composites were compared to a control sample supplied by the industry from which the styrene-butadiene rubber extruded profile scraps were collected. Vulcanization parameters were determined by oscillatory disk rheometry. Vulcanized composites were characterized by crosslink density and physical-mechanical properties (Shore A hardness, tensile and tear strength, and compression set) before and after a postcure process. The mechanical properties of the compositions were ∼25% for tensile strength and 41% for tear strength compared to the control sample. The results for the crosslink density verified those for the mechanical properties of the composites.

Grinding and Characterization of Scrap Rubbers Powders

SBR and EPDM extruded profile scraps are ground under ambient conditions for further utilization in recycling and reclaiming processes. The obtained powders (SBR-r and EPDM-r, respectively) are physically, thermally, and chemically characterized and the results are analyzed as for its suitability for reuse methods. It is possible to obtain powdered SBR and EPDM rubber with irregular shape and high surface roughness. The grinding process has not deteriorated the material. The obtained powder is suitable for utilization in new formulations and in regeneration processes.

Morphological and structural characterization of PHBV/organoclay nanocomposites by small angle X-ray scattering.

In this work, the morphological and structural behaviors of poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) nanocomposites were investigated using small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The nanocomposites with 1, 3 and 5 wt.% of organically modified montmorillonite Cloisite® 30B (OMMT) were prepared by melt processing in a twin screw extruder using two different processing conditions (low and high shear intensity). The lamellar long period of the polymer was lower for the nanocomposites, with high polydispersity values. However, the crystalline thickness increased with the clay content and was independent of the processing conditions. This behavior resulted in a high linear crystallinity of the nanocomposites with 3 and 5 wt.% OMMT. The disruption factor (β) was in agreement with the WAXD and TEM findings, indicating a good dispersion of the nanoparticles in the PHBV matrix with 3 wt.% of OMMT during the high shear intensity of melt processing.

Nutrient contents in bottom sediment samples from a southern Brazilian microbasin

The nutrients, carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus, significantly affect the quality of aquatic environments, especially when present at concentrations above natural levels. In this context, the sedimentary column can act as an environment for storage or accumulation of these nutrients and for the reprocessing of such substances in the water column and aquatic biota. In this context, this study aimed to estimate the concentration of total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), inorganic phosphorus (IP) and organic phosphorus (OP) in seven sediment samples that were collected from the Marrecas Stream microbasin (Caxias do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil). The relationships among the sediment nutrient concentrations and the levels of organic matter (OM), fine material (silt–clay) and the concentration of the metal species, Al, Fe and Mn, as well as the possible nutrient sources to the stream studied were also evaluated. The data set suggest that the TOC and IP appear to have a direct correlation with the vast riparian vegetation present in areas adjacent to the sampling points and to the physico-chemical properties of the water and sedimentary column. Moreover, the results obtained for TN suggest that its concentration possibly suffers interference from the temperature of the water and its oxygenation, in addition to other biological activities. On the other hand, one cannot rule out human interference, mainly in the levels of OP, possibly due to the inflow of domestic sewage to the stream.

Bactericidal Performance of Chlorophyllin-Copper Hydrotalcite Compounds

Copper hydrotalcites with and without adsorbed chlorophyllin exhibit a bactericidal effect that depends on the copper release and the basicity, which can be tuned through the chlorophyllin adsorption. The prepared solids performed well for the elimination of Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, Salmonella enterica, and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. The results showed that the copper-containing hydrotalcite with the adsorbed chlorophyllin is the most active material. Wastewaters from a metal industry were treated with these hybrid compounds, and the bactericidal effect was comparable with the results reported using more complex methods such as photocatalysis. Furthermore, one main advantage of these hybrid compounds is its low human toxicity compared with silver-containing materials.

Removal of Congo red dye from aqueous solutions using a halloysite-magnetite-based composite

Adsorption has been considered as one of the most effective methods to remove dyes from aqueous solutions due to its ease of operation, high efficiency and wide adaptability. In view of all these aspects, this study aimed to evaluate the adsorption capacity of a halloysite-magnetite-based composite in the removal of Congo red dye from aqueous solutions. The effects of stirring rate, pH, initial dye concentration and contact time were investigated. The results revealed that the adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second-order model, and equilibrium was well represented by the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller isotherm. The thermodynamic data showed that dye adsorption onto the composite was spontaneous and endothermic and occurred by physisorption. Finally, the composite could also be regenerated at least four times by calcination and was shown to be a promising adsorbent for the removal of this dye.

Development of chlorobutyl rubber/natural rubber nanocomposites with montmorillonite for use in the inner liner of tubeless ride tires

The aim of this work was to combine the properties of chlorobutyl rubber (CIIR) and natural rubber (NR) in a binary blend for application in the inner liner of tubeless tires, using organomodified montmorillonite (Cloisite® 15A) as filler in order to improve the barrier property of the material. The maintenance of the mechanical and barrier properties of CIIR/NR 60/40 indicated that this blend can be used in the inner liner of tubeless tires, thereby reducing the cost of the final product, since the CIIR is 80% more expensive than NR.

Removal of Zinc(II) from Aqueous Solutions using an Eco-Friendly Biosorbent Originating from the Winery Industry

The aim of this work was to evaluate the morphological and chemical characteristics of Isabel grape bagasse (Vitis labrusca × Vitis vinifera) through instrumental techniques, including scanning electron microscopy, Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy, and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance, and to describe the adsorption of zinc(II) from aqueous solutions by this biosorbent. In general, the grape bagasse was constituted mainly of particles with heterogeneous shapes and sizes that were also rich in oxygenated functional groups, especially –OH. With respect to the equilibrium of the adsorption process, the Freundlich isotherm provided the better fit for the experimental data. The rate-controlling step, on the other hand, was better described using a pseudo-second-order kinetic model, and the removal percentage (˜ 50%) was similar for all tested concentrations. Finally, the thermodynamic data showed that the adsorption occurred via an exothermic process accompanied by a decrease in the randomness at the solid/solution interface.