Recycling of styrene-divinylbenzene via mass-suspension polymerization process

O presente trabalho trata da reutilização de resinas de troca iônica a base de estireno-divinil benzeno (Sty-DVB) na síntese de materiais poliméricos. Partículas micrométricas de poliestireno e poli(estireno-acrilato de etila) foram obtidas via processo de polimerização sequencial do tipo massa-suspensão. A técnica experimental proposta mostrou-se bastante apropriada para uma boa dispersão da carga microparticulada de Sty-DVB na matriz polimérica termoplástica. O material final apresentou boa estabilidade térmica, e perfil de degradação similar ao do poliestireno puro. Observou-se também que partículas poliméricas com morfologia esférica podem ser obtidas. Além disso, a incorporação de acrilato de etila à cadeia polimérica do poliestireno minimiza o efeito indesejável de fratura nas partículas poliméricas, melhorando as propriedades mecânicas do material final.This work illustrates the reuse of ion exchange resins based on crosslinked styrene-divinyl benzene copolymer (Sty-DVB) for the production of polymeric materials. Micro-sized particles of polystyrene and poly(styrene-ethyl acrylate) were obtained by mass-suspension sequential polymerization process. With the proposed experimental technique it was possible to perform proper dispersion of the Sty-DVB in the thermoplastic matrix of polystyrene. The final material showed good thermal stability, and a degradation profile similar to that for pure polystyrene. It was also observed that polymer particles with spherical morphology can be obtained. In addition, the incorporation of ethyl acrylate into the polystyrene chains minimizes the undesirable effect of fracture in polymeric particles, improving the mechanical properties of the final material

Reciclagem de poli(estireno-divinilbenzeno) via processo de polimerização em massa-suspensão Recycling of styrene-divinylbenzene via mass-suspension polymerization process

O presente trabalho trata da reutilização de resinas de troca iônica a base de estireno-divinil benzeno (Sty-DVB) na síntese de materiais poliméricos. Partículas micrométricas de poliestireno e poli(estireno-acrilato de etila) foram obtidas via processo de polimerização sequencial do tipo massa-suspensão. A técnica experimental proposta mostrou-se bastante apropriada para uma boa dispersão da carga microparticulada de Sty-DVB na matriz polimérica termoplástica. O material final apresentou boa estabilidade térmica, e perfil de degradação similar ao do poliestireno puro. Observou-se também que partículas poliméricas com morfologia esférica podem ser obtidas. Além disso, a incorporação de acrilato de etila à cadeia polimérica do poliestireno minimiza o efeito indesejável de fratura nas partículas poliméricas, melhorando as propriedades mecânicas do material final.This work illustrates the reuse of ion exchange resins based on crosslinked styrene-divinyl benzene copolymer (Sty-DVB) for the production of polymeric materials. Micro-sized particles of polystyrene and poly(styrene-ethyl acrylate) were obtained by mass-suspension sequential polymerization process. With the proposed experimental technique it was possible to perform proper dispersion of the Sty-DVB in the thermoplastic matrix of polystyrene. The final material showed good thermal stability, and a degradation profile similar to that for pure polystyrene. It was also observed that polymer particles with spherical morphology can be obtained. In addition, the incorporation of ethyl acrylate into the polystyrene chains minimizes the undesirable effect of fracture in polymeric particles, improving the mechanical properties of the final material

NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans—anteaters, sloths, and armadillos—have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, 10 anteaters, and 6 sloths. Our data set includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the southern United States, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to the austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n = 5,941), and Cyclopes sp. have the fewest (n = 240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n = 11,588), and the fewest data are recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n = 33). With regard to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n = 962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n = 12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other data sets of Neotropical Series that will become available very soon (i.e., Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans data set. Please cite this data paper when using its data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us of how they are using these data

NEOTROPICAL CARNIVORES: a data set on carnivore distribution in the Neotropics

Mammalian carnivores are considered a key group in maintaining ecological health and can indicate potential ecological integrity in landscapes where they occur. Carnivores also hold high conservation value and their habitat requirements can guide management and conservation plans. The order Carnivora has 84 species from 8 families in the Neotropical region: Canidae; Felidae; Mephitidae; Mustelidae; Otariidae; Phocidae; Procyonidae; and Ursidae. Herein, we include published and unpublished data on native terrestrial Neotropical carnivores (Canidae; Felidae; Mephitidae; Mustelidae; Procyonidae; and Ursidae). NEOTROPICAL CARNIVORES is a publicly available data set that includes 99,605 data entries from 35,511 unique georeferenced coordinates. Detection/non-detection and quantitative data were obtained from 1818 to 2018 by researchers, governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, and private consultants. Data were collected using several methods including camera trapping, museum collections, roadkill, line transect, and opportunistic records. Literature (peer-reviewed and grey literature) from Portuguese, Spanish and English were incorporated in this compilation. Most of the data set consists of detection data entries (n = 79,343; 79.7%) but also includes non-detection data (n = 20,262; 20.3%). Of those, 43.3% also include count data (n = 43,151). The information available in NEOTROPICAL CARNIVORES will contribute to macroecological, ecological, and conservation questions in multiple spatio-temporal perspectives. As carnivores play key roles in trophic interactions, a better understanding of their distribution and habitat requirements are essential to establish conservation management plans and safeguard the future ecological health of Neotropical ecosystems. Our data paper, combined with other large-scale data sets, has great potential to clarify species distribution and related ecological processes within the Neotropics. There are no copyright restrictions and no restriction for using data from this data paper, as long as the data paper is cited as the source of the information used. We also request that users inform us of how they intend to use the data