Vagner Roberto Botaro

Adsorção de metais pesados em serragem de madeira tratada com ácido cítrico

In the present work, the exchange capacity of Manilkara longifolia sawdust, chemically modified, was studied. The modification was carried out by a chemical treatment with citric acid, which introduced carboxilate groups in the material surface. The introduction of these groups was confirmed by infrared spectroscopy. Cadmium and copper sorption was studied batchwise. Isotherms were drawn and adjusted to the Langmuir model. Maximum loadings of 0.56 mmolCd/g and 0.94 mmolCu/g were achieved in single metal adsorption. Cadmium uptake was reduced from 0.56 mmolCd/g to 0.21 mmolCd/g as the copper concentration increased in the reaction system. These results show that there is a competition between the two metals for the exchange sites.

Hydrogels of cellulose acetate crosslinked with pyromellitic dianhydride: part I: synthesis and swelling kinetics

This work describes the synthesis of hydrogels of cellulose acetate (AC) crosslinked with 1,2,4,5-benzenotetracarboxylic dianhydride (PMDA). The crosslinking reaction was monitored by FTIR. Analysis of aromatic fragments from the alkaline hydrolysis of the gels by UV spectroscopy indicated that an increase in the stoichiometric ratio of dianhydride resulted in higher degrees of crosslinking. The non-porous nature of the gels was confirmed by analysis of nitrogen adsorption. Water absorption isotherms showed that as the temperature and degree of crosslinking increased, the percentage of water absorbed at equilibrium (%Seq) also increased. The hydrogels presented second order swelling kinetics.

Monodisperse lignin fractions as standards in size-exclusion analysis Comparison with polystyrene standards

The difficulty of preparing monodisperse lignin fractions on a large scale is a limiting factor in many applications. The present paper addresses this problem by examining the properties and size-exclusion behavior of lignin isolated by the acetosolv pulping process from post-extraction crushed sugarcane bagasse. The isolated lignin was subjected to a solvent pretreatment, followed by preparative gel permeation chromatography fractionation. The fractions were analyzed by high-performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) and these samples showed a great decrease in polydispersity, compared to the original acetosolv lignin. Several fractions of very low polydispersity, close to unity, were employed as calibration curve standards in HPSEC analysis. This original analytical approach allowed calibration with these lignin fractions to be compared with the polystyrene standards that are universally employed for lignin molecular mass determination. This led to a noteworthy result, namely that the lignin fractions and polystyrene standards showed very similar behavior over a large range of molecular masses in a typical HPSEC analysis of acetosolv lignin.

Hidrogéis superabsorventes a base de acetato de celulose modificado por dianidrido 3,3', 4,4' benzofenona tetracarboxílico (BTDA): síntese, caracterização e estudos físico-químicos de absorção

This work describes the synthesis of hydrogels of cellulose acetate (AC), with a nominal degree of substitution DS = 2.5, cross-linked with 3,3’,4,4’ benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA). The raw materials were characterized by thermal analysis (TG/DTG) and by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). DS of cellulose acetate was determined by titration with a known amount of standard NaOH solution. Hydrogels of BTDA were synthesized with 0.5, 0.75 and 1.0 mol of BTDA/mol of AC. FTIR proved to be a suitable method to monitor the course of reactions and the progress of purification. UV-vis spectroscopy and analysis confirmed the esterification of the free hydroxyl groups. Surface modification of AC structure after the cross-linking reaction was analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and density and porosity of the hydrogels were determined by BET. The influence of the concentration of dianhydride on the time necessary for formation of the gel was investigated. The influence from the increase in the degree of cross-linking on the thermal behavior of the material was also documented. Water absorption isotherms were obtained for hydrogels with different reticulating agents and reticulation degrees at different temperatures. The Arrhenius equation was used to determine the diffusion coefficient of the different hydrogels at distinct temperatures and the threshold energy for the swelling process. The enthalpy of mixture was determined through the measurement of the maximum quantity of water absorbed at equilibrium at different temperatures, with the Gibbs/Helmholtz equation.

Concreto impregnado com polímero (CIP): uso e aplicação do EPS reciclado para redução da permeabilidade de superfícies de concreto

A reduction in porosity, with a consequent reduction in permeability, could be an option for increasing the durability of the concrete and preserving its surface characteristics. This research was developed in order to identify a new material to be economically, efficiently and easily applied, as part of the PIC (Polymer Impregnated Concrete) system, so as to reduce the permeability of pre-cast concrete surfaces, thereby, reducing the rate of degradation and increasing overall durability. Addition aims are: a) using materials which do not affect the visual aspect of the concrete, so that the system can be used on monuments and other elements that are exposed to inclement weather; b) developing a new technology that makes use of recycled polymers, thereby contributing both socially and environmentally. Polystyrene is widely used in industry, principally in the packaging sector. This material presents a number of significant features, including: a low water absorption coefficient; a slow aging process; pathogenic innocuousness (i.e. it does not possess substrata for the proliferation of animals and/or microorganisms; among others. On the other hand, in most cases, final disposal of the material is extremely detrimental to the environment: recycling is limited, and there is a real need for alternative applications of waste EPS. The treated test cylinders were subjected to the following tests: water absorption; verification of the treatment depth by ultraviolet and electronic microscope sweeps (MEV); The results were promising and showed a significant reduction in water permeability, reduction in porosity and, consequently, a future reduction in the proliferation of fungus on the surface of the concrete treated with EPS should be demonstrated.

An example of sustainability: use of recycled polystyrene for treating wood of Pinus sp. and Eucalyptus sp.

For many years the expanded polystyrene has been manufactured and became common in our environment. This commercial material is a low density one that takes hundreds of years to decompose and can occupies significant space. The main objective of this work is related to modification of wood of pinus and eucalyptus with solutions prepared by dissolving recycled polystyrene normally thrown in the environment. Similarly, confers to modified wood grater hygroscopicity, improvements in dimensional stability and greater resistance to attack by microorganisms. In addition, the use of recycled polystyrene has a fundamental importance on the point of view of sustainability and recycling. Pinus showed positive response to treatment with polystyrene. The main results showed that the treated pines have showed lower water absorption even in extreme conditions of immersion. Eucalyptus showed no significant response to treatment, since absorbed significantly lower amounts of the polymer. Fungal degradation analysis has showed that the presence of polymer hindered the proliferation of colonies.