Oil sorbers based on renewable sources and coffee grounds

This work presents useful composites for oil spill cleanup processes. These systems are composed of a polyester matrix loaded with coffee ground powder and maghemite. They were prepared by in situ polymerization. The aliphatic monomers proportion—castor oil and glycerin—was studied with the aim of understanding the effect of feed ratio on the product properties. The materials were studied using several techniques, including Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Ultraviolet‐visible Spectrophotometry, and Wide Angle X‐ray Scattering, with magnetic force tests used for the characterization of materials. Density tests showed the presence of coffee grounds causes an important reduction in the density values of composites, improving their flotation. The interaction between composites and petroleum is more than twice that between composites and water. Moreover, for all magnetizable composites, the removal capability was (25.1 ± 1.2) g/g (petroleum/composite), allowing us to state that this is a promising material for use in oil spill cleanup processes. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43127.     

Thermodynamic Analyses on Nanoarchitectonics of Perovskite from Lead Iodide: Arrhenius Activation Energy

Amongst the different perovskites being investigated for application in solar cells, one of the most frequently scrutinized is methylammonium lead iodide CH₃NH₃PbI₃ (or MAPbI₃), which is usually obtained by the reaction of lead iodide (PbI₂) with methylammonium iodide (MAI). Although this perovskite has been extensively studied and utilized in the manufacture of high-efficiency solar cells, its formation chemistry is still not well understood. Reliable experimental determination of the activation energy between PbI₂ and MAI has been difficult due to the rapid reaction at room temperature. In this work, we determined the activation energy by adopting the Arrhenius equation. This was possible by controlling the reaction using MAI vapor, instead of liquid solution. This procedure allowed the reaction to be carried out at temperatures of up to 150 °C. The formation of MAPbI₃ films was obtained by a two-step process: deposition of thin PbI₂ film by thermal evaporation and subsequent conversion into perovskite by exposure to MAI vapor. The conversion of PbI₂ to MAPbI₃ as a function of temperature was probed by X-ray diffraction. An activation energy of 0.12?±?0.02 eV was obtained. This low value explains the ease of MAPbI₃ formation at low temperatures, and partially explains its instability in environmental conditions.

     

Tubular dentin sealer penetration after different final irrigation protocols: A confocal laser scanning microscopy study

The aim of this study was to evaluate tubular dentin sealer penetration, comparing different final irrigation protocols using a conventional needle (CONV), EndoActivator system (EAS), EndoVac system (EVS), and ultrasound (PUI). Initially, fifty‐two first maxillary molars with a single canal in the palatal root, without abrupt curvatures, resorptive processes, or previous endodontic treatment were selected for this study. Then, the crowns were sectioned to obtain palatal roots 15 mm in length. The root canals were prepared with the ProTaper Universal System and irrigated with 5% NaOCl. Afterwards, the specimens were divided into four groups (n. 13), according to the final irrigation protocol: CONV, EAS, EVS, and PUI. After filling, slices at 3 mm and 5 mm from the apex were obtained for analysis by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Two‐way comparisons between the groups and the levels were performed with Games Howell's test (p < .05). Tubular dentin sealer penetration was higher at 5 mm compared with 3 mm from the apex (p < .05). The EAS group showed a higher percentage of tubular dentin sealer penetration, compared with the CONV group, at both levels. At 3 mm, there was no statistically significant difference among EAS, EVS, and PUI; however, these groups showed better performance, compared with the CONV group. At 5 mm, there was no statistically significant difference between the EAS and EVS groups, but both showed higher sealer penetration than the PUI group (p < .05). The EAS and EVS groups achieved better degrees of tubular dentin sealer penetration, compared with the other groups.     

Time-resolved GISAXS and cryo-microscopy characterization of block copolymer membrane formation

Time-resolved grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS) and cryo-microscopy were used for the first time to understand the pore evolution by copolymer assembly, leading to the formation of isoporous membranes with exceptional porosity and regularity. The formation of copolymer micelle strings in solution (in DMF/DOX/THF and DMF/DOX) was confirmed by cryo field emission scanning electron microscopy (cryo-FESEM) with a distance of 72 nm between centers of micelles placed in different strings. SAXS measurement of block copolymer solutions in DMF/DOX indicated hexagonal assembly with micelle-to-micelle distance of 84–87 nm for 14–20 wt% copolymer solutions. GISAXS in-plane peaks were detected, revealing order close to hexagonal. The d-spacing corresponding to the first peak in this case was 100–130 nm (lattice constant 115–150 nm) for 17 wt% copolymer solutions evaporating up to 100 s. Time-resolved cryo-FESEM showed the formation of incipient pores on the film surface after 4 s copolymer solution casting with distances between void centers of 125 nm.     

Spray Drying of Green Corn Pulp

Maize (Zea mays) is a cereal grown in Brazil, and its availability is limited to the harvest season. An alternative processing route is based on the production of green corn powder, which has a longer shelf-life and increased versatility. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of drying conditions on the physical characteristics, size, and morphology of green corn powder. Drying experiments were performed on a spray dryer according to a central composite rotational design to evaluate inlet air temperature, feed flow rate, and pulp concentration. The yield of dried pulp corn had an average value of 36.19%. The following mean values for the physical properties of the powder were measured: solubility of 94.37 g/100 g, wettability of 128.05 seconds, moisture content of 1.97%, water activity of 0.13, density of 0.79 g/mL, and a particle diameter of 31.02 µm. The powder was also yellow with less intensity, and the particle surface was smooth at higher temperatures and had a tendency to form agglomerates. The estimated optimal conditions for spray drying were 48% (w/w) pulp concentration, 172°C inlet air temperature, and feed flow rate of 0.56 L/h.     

Comparative Analysis of Ozone and Ultrasound Effect on the Elimination of Giardia spp. Cysts from Wastewater

Giardia spp. is a flagellate protozoan that presents two evolution forms, cysts and trophozoites. Cysts are resistant to chlorine, the most employed disinfectant agent in the treatment of water. For this reason, new techniques for the disinfection of waters that contain this parasite are necessary. This work evaluated the efficiency of the disinfection by ozone and ultrasound individually and simultaneously upon wastewater. The data obtained showed that after application, ozone, ultrasound, and combined techniques induced a significant elimination of Giardia spp. cysts. Furthermore, this effect was more accentuated when the two techniques were applied simultaneously.     

Synthesis of polar vinyl monomer–olefin copolymers by α‐diimine nickel catalyst

Vinyl acetate, methyl methacrylate, acrylonitrile and methyl vinyl ketone were investigated for co‐ and terpolymerization with ethylene and ethylene–propylene. Precursor [bis(N,N ′‐dimesitylimino)acenaphthene]dibromonickel, activated by methylaluminoxane was used as a catalyst system and trialkylaluminium was employed to block the polar groups for these polymerizations. Polymerization activities of the order of magnitude of 10⁶ in the case of vinyl acetate and methyl methacrylate, and 10⁵ in the case of acrylonitrile were achieved. Microanalysis and GPC of acrylonitrile copolymers found about 17 units of acrylonitrile per polymer chain. Copolymers with very different properties from the parent homopolymers were obtained in all cases except that of methyl vinyl ketone. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Ornamentation and Structure in the Representation of Renaissance Architecture in Spain

In the Renaissance, geometric perspectives became a method of architectural reasoning. We look at two works: a painting attributed to Pedro Berruguete and an engraving by Juan Bautista Villalpando in order to to discover the complex relationship between geometry and architecture, and in particular, the form of representation. Our analysis is based on the idea that geometric perspective meant architecture of the period was capable of graphically controlling reality through a high degree of geometric precision.     

Intrinsic and extrinsic compositional effects in ceria/carbonate composite electrolytes for fuel cells

Composite ionic conductors for fuel cells were produced by combination of one ceria-based ceramic electrolyte and various mixtures of Na and Li carbonates, using several processing routes. These materials were characterized by impedance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflectance. The chemical composition of the mixed carbonates and the processing route were influential in the development of impressive conductivity levels (close to 0.1 S/cm) at modest temperatures (below 600 °C), suggesting a complex role of chemical composition (Na/Li ratio), phase composition (solid/liquid ratio), processing route (mechanothermal history) and microstructure. Furthermore, exposure to humidity showed formation of OH groups. Such hydrogenated species are believed to increase the complexity of the global surface processes and charge transport mechanisms where several native and foreign species may play a significant role.     

Composite gel-filled giant vesicles: Membrane homogeneity and mechanical properties

We further investigate the properties of composite Poly(NIPAM) (poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)) gel-filled giant vesicles, focusing here on i) the homogeneity of the membrane, ii) its coupling to the inner gel under strong suction pressures, and iii) the relation between the final elastic modulus of the vesicles and the amount of crosslinker in the pre-gel medium. We show that whereas the photo-polymerization process induces a decrease of the membrane homogeneity at the micrometer size range, the membrane still remains strongly coupled to the internal gel network. The vesicles studied here display average moduli in the range [0.5–25] kPa, confirming their potential as biomimetic mechanical systems.