Study of poly(o-Ethoxyaniline) interactions with herbicides and evaluation of conductive polymer potential used in electrochemical sensors

Interactions of four aromatic nitrogen-heterocyclic herbicides (atrazine, imazaquin, metribuzin and paraquat) with the conductive polymer poly(o-ethoxyaniline)-POEA, were studied with atomic force microscopy (AFM), UV-visible spectrophotometry (UV-Vis) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. AFM profiles of self-assembled (SA) films of POEA revealed that the polymer surface became rougher (on the nanoscale) when exposed to atrazine, imazaquin and metribuzin, but slightly smoother in contact with paraquat. This suggested that specific chemical interactions, possibly electroscopic, have occurred between nitrogen atoms in the polymer chain and the dissimilar groups in the various herbicide molecules, during adsorption of the latter onto the film. The UV-Vis analyses indicated a stronger interaction of POEA in solution with imazaquin, that has a special importance for the intended application. Sensors produced by coating microelectrodes with SA films of POEA were used to perform impedance spectroscopy in aqueous solutions of each herbicide. With the resulting data, it was possible to distinguish and set detection limits for each herbicide in water, corroborating AFM and UV-Vis results

Caracterização morfológica de nanocristais de celulose por microscopia de força atômica

RESUMO O isolamento de nanocristais de celulose (CNCs) de fibras vegetais é uma alternativa promissora para sua aplicação como reforço em matrizes poliméricas. A caracterização dos CNCs é fundamental para a confiabilidade da técnica, além de determinar as aplicações possíveis a partir de cada tipo de fibra. A partir da técnica de microscopia de força atômica, um estudo da morfologia e distribuição dos CNCs de semente de manga, vagem de algaroba, pseudocaule da bananeira e fibra do mesocarpo de dendê foi realizado neste trabalho. Os CNCs foram obtidos via reação hidrolítica com ácido sulfúrico em concentrações que variaram de acordo com a fonte da fibra. Os resultados obtidos revelaram dimensões variando de 300 a 500 nm em comprimento e 4 a 16 nm em diâmetro. A apresentação morfológica em forma de agulha demonstrou que o isolamento das fibras de celulose em CNCs foi efetiva. A razão de aspecto associada à formação cilíndrica em agulha dos CNCs isolados evidenciou o alto potencial das fontes de dendê e de vagem de algaroba para o reforço de bionanocompósitos

Monitoramento e avaliação da borracha natural crua utilizando a técnica de análise térmica dinâmico-mecânica

A borracha natural obtida do látex sangrado de quatro clones de seringueira (Hevea brasiliensis) foi preparada pela coagulação do látex com ácido acético (10%) e seca ao ar a 65 ºC (48 horas). Os dados de DMTA foram utilizados para monitorar e avaliar as propriedades termo dinâmico-mecânicas. Os resultados sugerem um possível aumento na massa molecular média do poliisopreno e, também, uma variação em sua distribuição para a borracha natural dos quatro clones de seringueira.Natural rubber of latex tapping of four rubber tree clones (Hevea brasiliensis) were prepared by coagulated latex with acetic acid (10%) and air drying at 65 °C (48 hours). DMTA data were used to monitor and evaluate the thermo dynamic-mechanical properties. The results suggest a possible increase in the average molecular mass of polyisoprene and also a variation in its distribution of natural rubber for four rubber tree clones.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

A new route to obtain PVDF/PANI conducting blends

Electrically conductive poly(vinylidene fluoride)(PVDF) - polyaniline blends of different composition were synthesized by chemical polymerization of aniline in a mixture of PVDF and dimethylformamide (DMF) and studied by electrical conductivity measurement, UV-Vis-NIR and FTIR spectroscopy. The samples were obtained as flexible films by pressing the powder at 180 degrees C for 5 min. The electrical conductivity showed a great dependence on the syntheses parameters. The higher value of the electrical conductivity was obtained for the oxidant/aniline molar ratio equal to 1 and p-toluenesulfonic acid-TSA/aniline ratio between 3 and 6. UV-Vis-NIR and FTIR spectra of the blend are similar to the doped PANI, indicating that the PANI is responsible for the high electrical conductivity of the blend. The electrical conductivity of blend proved to be stable as a function of temperature decreasing about one order at temperature of 100 degrees C. The route used to obtain the polymer blend showed to be a suitable alternative in order to obtain PVDF/PANI-TSA blends with high electrical conductivity. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Nanostructured antimicrobials in food packaging-recent advances

Active food packaging systems promote better food quality and/or stability, such as by releasing antimicrobial agents into food. Advantages of adding antimicrobials to the packaging material instead of into the bulk food include controlled diffusion, reduced antimicrobial contents, and improved cost effectiveness. Nanostructured antimicrobials are especially effective due to their high specific surface area. The present review is focused on recent advances and findings on the main nanostructured antimicrobial packaging systems for food packaging purposes. Several kinds of nanostructures, including both inorganic particles and organic structures, have been proven effective antimicrobials by different mechanisms of action and with different application scopes. Moreover, there are systems containing nanocarriers to protect antimicrobials and deliver them in a controlled fashion. On the other hand, scientific data about migration of nanostructures onto food and their toxicity are still limited, requiring special attention from researchers and regulation sectors1412CNPQ - Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e TecnológicoEMBRAPA – Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa AgropecuáriaFAPESP – Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa Do Estado De São Paulo01140300103002017/07013‐1; 2017/12174‐4302381/2016‐3; 303796/2014‐6; 304109/2017‐7; 306138/2015‐8; 310355/2015‐0; 402287/2013‐

Different Zn loading in Urea–Formaldehyde influences the N controlled release by structure modification

Nitrogen fertilization has been a critical factor for high crop productivity, where urea is currently the most used N source due to its high concentration and affordability. Nevertheless, urea fast solubilization leads to frequent losses and lower agronomic efficiency. The modification of urea structure by condensation with formaldehyde has been proposed to improve nutrient uptake by plants and to reduce environmental losses. Herein we show that the co-formulation with Zn strongly modifies the N release (in lab conditions) and, more important, the Zn source-ZnSO4 or ZnO-has a critical role. Urea-formaldehyde (UF) served as a matrix for the zinc sources, and chemical characterizations revealed that Zn particles influenced the length of the polymeric chain formation. Release tests in an aqueous medium showed that the UF matrix favors ZnO release and, on the other hand, delays ZnSO4 delivery. Soil incubation with the fertilizer composites proved the slow-release of N from UF, is ideal for optimizing nutritional efficiency. Our results indicated that the ZnO-UF system has beneficial effects for both nutrients, i.e., reduces N volatilization and increases Zn release

Effect of Tannic Acid and Cellulose Nanocrystals on Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties of Gelatin Films

This work explored gelatin films incorporated with cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and tannic acid as bio-based multifunctional food packaging materials. The effects of nonoxidized tannic acid (nTA), oxidized tannic acid (OTA), and CNC on the physical, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties of gelatin films were investigated. Rheological and ultraviolet (UV)–visible measurements showed that gelatin films with nTA and CNC presented a lower chemical cross-linking and more noncovalent intermolecular interactions in comparison with those containing OTA. When compared to the film containing only nTA, the one with nTA and CNC presented substantial increases in the antioxidant capacity (52%), UV barrier (76%), tensile strength (79%), and water vapor barrier (67%) properties of gelatin. This evidence suggested that noncovalent interactions from nTA molecules and CNC play an important role in the modification of gelatin. The gelatin films designed with nTA and CNC also exhibited antimicrobial effects against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Overall, the incorporation of CNC and nTA as active components to gelatin films is a suitable approach for producing sustainable, multifunctional materials for food packaging and other applications