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Os materiais reativos orgânicos, como turfas e compostos, apresentam um considerável potencial efetivo de utilização na remediação de áreas contaminadas por metais potencialmente tóxicos, haja vista sua elevada capacidade de adsorção, comumente associada a altos teores de matéria orgânica. O emprego do composto orgânico se torna vantajoso por ser uma possibilidade de destinação final correta dos resíduos sólidos urbanos compostáveis, conforme as políticas públicas, podendo agregar valor econômico e ambiental ao resíduo. Nessa perspectiva, na seleção dos materiais reativos mais viáveis para serem empregados na retenção de metais é imprescindível sua caracterização (geológica e geotécnica) e o estudo de sua real capacidade adsortiva, através de ensaios de adsorção. Assim, o objetivo desta pesquisa foi a caracterização geológica e geotécnica de uma turfa (proveniente da bacia hidrográfica do rio Mogi Guaçu, município de Cravinhos) e de quatro compostos (compostos total, indiano, estático e alambrado, advindos de composteiras localizadas na Universidade de São Paulo - São Carlos), bem como ensaios de adsorção (equilíbrio em lote) com chumbo (Pb), zinco (Zn) e cádmio (Cd). Para tanto foram realizados os seguintes ensaios de caracterização: granulometria, massa específica dos sólidos, densidade, teor de umidade, parâmetros físico-químicos (potencial hidrogeniônico (pH), &Delta;pH, potencial de oxi-redução (Eh) e condutividade elétrica (CE), ponto de efeito salino nulo (PESN), matéria orgânica (MO), teor de cinzas (Cz), capacidade de troca catiônica (CTC), capacidade de retenção de água (CRA), composição elementar (C, H e N), carbono orgânico, Difratometria de Raios-X (DRX), Fluorescência de Raios-X (FRX), Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura/Espectroscopia de Energia Dispersiva por Raios-X (MEV/EDS) e Análise Térmica Diferencial (ATD). A partir do conhecimento minucioso dos parâmetros físicos e químicos dos materiais foi possível proceder o ensaio de equilíbrio em lote com soluções monoelementares de Pb, Zn e Cd com oito concentrações distintas e inferiores a 220 mg L-1 e razão material reativo/solução de 1/50 (conforme definido em etapa preliminar). Quanto aos resultados de caracterização, turfa e compostos apresentaram características promissoras para a adsorção. A turfa revelou um pH moderadamente ácido (5,1), um &Delta;pH negativo (-1,0) atestando para a presença majoritária de cargas negativas na superfície das partículas, o que foi confirmado pelo PESN (3,6) < pH (5,1), um considerável teor de MO (520,43 mg kg-1) e uma CTC elevada (91,00 cmolc kg-1). Já os compostos exibiram valores de pH ligeiramente ácidos a ligeiramente básicos (6,4 a 7,7), &Delta;pH negativo (-0,4 a -1,0), MO promissora (193,92 a 418,70 mg kg-1) e CTC variável (29,00 a 75,00 cmolc kg-1). Em termos gerais, os compostos total e indiano apresentaram características mais favoráveis para a retenção metálica o que foi confirmado por etapa preliminar do ensaio de adsorção. Como o composto indiano sobressaiu levemente na imobilização de Cd e Zn e por ele apresentar maior controle no processo de compostagem ele foi o escolhido para a realização do ensaio de equilíbrio em lote com variadas concentrações de Pb, Zn e Cd, assim como a turfa. Os resultados finais de adsorção atestaram que a turfa e o composto indiano apresentaram a mesma ordem de afinidade metálica: Pb > Cd > Zn, sendo que o composto revelou uma tendência superior de adsorção. A turfa revelou uma porcentagem de remoção metálica (A%) superior a 90% para concentrações de Pb de até 137 mg L-1, enquanto o composto adsorveu mais de 98% do Pb em todas as concentrações estudadas (26 a 214 mg L-1), não atingindo o estado de saturação. Dessa forma, turfa e compostos, caracterizados por um baixo custo e uma significativa disponibilidade, podem ser enquadrados como potenciais materiais reativos orgânicos para a imobilização de cátions metálicos, principalmente Pb2+ e Cd2+. / Organic reactive materials, such as peat and compounds, have a considerable potential for use in the remediation of contaminated areas by potentially toxic metals, due to their high adsorption capacity, commonly associated with high organic matter content. The use of organic compound becomes advantageous because it is a possibility of final destination for the compostable municipal solid waste, according to the public policies, being able to add economic and environmental value to the waste. In this perspective, the selection of the most viable reactive materials to be used in the retention of metals is needful, its characterization (geological and geotechnical) and the study of its real adsorptive capacity through adsorption tests are essential. Thus, the objective of this research was to characterize the geological and geotechnical characteristics of a peat (from Mogi Guaçu\'s basin in the city Cravinhos) and four compounds (total, indian, static and wired, from composters located at the University of São Paulo), besides batch tests with lead (Pb), zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd). To achieve the objectives, the following tests were done: particle size analysis, solids specific mass\' determination, density, moisture content, physico-chemical parameters (potential hydrogenion - pH, &Delta;pH, oxy-reduction potential - Eh and electrical conductivity - EC), point of zero salt effect (PZSE), organic matter (OM), ash content, cation exchange capacity (CEC), water retention capacity (WRC), elemental composition (C, H and N), organic carbon, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), Scanning Electron Microscopy/X-Ray Dispersive Energy Spectroscopy (SEM/DES) and Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA). From the detailed knowledge of the physical and chemical parameters of the materials was possible to perform the batch equilibrium test with monoelemental solutions of Pb, Zn and Cd with different concentrations below 220 mg L-1 and reactive material/solution ratio of 1/50 (as defined in the preliminary stage). Regarding the characterization results, peat and compounds presented promising characteristics for adsorption. The peat showed moderately acidic pH (5.1), negative &Delta;pH (-1.0) attesting to a majority presence of negative charges on the surface of the particles, which was confirmed by the PZSE (3.6) < pH (5.1), a considerably high OM content (520.43 mg kg-1) and a high CEC (91.00 cmolc kg-1). The compounds exhibited from slightly acidic to slightly basic pH values (6.4 to 7.7), negative &Delta;pH (-0.4 to -1.0), promising OM (193.92 to 418.70 mg kg-1) and variable CEC (29.00 to 75.00 cmolc kg-1). In general, terms, the total and indian compounds presented more favorable characteristics for metal retention, what was confirmed by the preliminary step of the adsorption test. As the Indian compound had a small enhancement on the immobilization of Cd and Zn and due, it showed greater control in the composition process, it was chosen for a batch equilibrium test with varying concentrations of Pb, Zn and Cd, as well as a peat. The final adsorption results showed that the peat and the indian compound had the same order of metal affinity: Pb > Cd > Zn, whereby the compound showed a higher adsorption tendency. The peat showed a metal removal percentage (A%) higher than 90% for Pb concentrations up to 137 mg L-1, while the compound adsorbed more than 98% at all concentrations studied (26 to 214 mg L-1) not reaching the saturation state. Thus, peat and organic compounds, characterized by a low cost and a significant availability, can be classified as potential organic low-cost reactive materials for metal cations immobilization, mainly Pb2+ and Cd2+.

Le caractère fortement hydrophile des isolants thermiques bio-sourcés, a montré que les modèles classiques de transfert thermique ne sont pas suffisamment adaptés pour leur caractérisation thermique. Ce travail de thèse vise à répondre à cette problématique par des approches expérimentale et théorique des transferts couplés chaleur-humidité. Dans l’approche expérimentale, un isolant thermique en feutre de fibres de lin (FFL) a été développé puis caractérisé, dans différents états hygrométriques, au moyen d’un dispositif Plan Chaud asymétrique. Des isothermes d’adsorption de l’humidité corrélés aux modèles théoriques GAB, GDW et Park permettent une caractérisation hydrique de cet isolant. Dans l’approche théorique, un modèle physique, de transfert couplé chaleur-humidité au sein de l’isolant FFL humide, est proposé. Il est résolu numériquement, en configuration 3D transitoire, par la méthode de éléments finis sous COMSOL Multiphysics et par la méthode des différences finies, en configuration 1D transitoire, sous MATLAB. La méthode de Levenberg-Marquardt couplée avec le modèle direct 1D transitoire et les températures mesurées a permis d’estimer la conductivité thermique apparente de l'échantillon étudié avec une erreur relative inférieure à 6% par rapport aux mesures expérimentales, validant ainsi les modèles théoriques. / The conventional heat transfer models are not sufficiently suitable for thermal characterization of bio-sourced thermal insulating materials due to their strongly hydrophilic nature. The proposed work in this PhD thesis aims to answer this problem with experimental and theoretical approaches of coupled heat-moisture transfers. In the experimental approach, a thermal insulating material based on Flax Fiber Felt (FFF) is developed and then characterized at different hygrometric conditions with an asymmetric hot plate device. The humidity diffusion characterization of the samples is done using the GAB, GDW and Park theoretical moisture adsorption isotherm models. In the theoretical approach, a physical model of heat and mass transfer is proposed. It is solved numerically, in transient 3D configuration, by the finite element method under COMSOL Multiphysics and, in transient 1D configuration, by the finite difference method under MATLAB. The Levenberg-Marquardt method coupled with the 1D transient direct model and the measured temperatures made it possible to estimate the apparent thermal conductivity of the studied sample with a relative error of less than 6% compared to the experimental measurements, thus validating the theoretical models.

<p>To improve the adsorption capacity of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibres, hydrophilic amidoxime fibres were prepared by subsequent conversion of the cyano groups to an amidoxime group by reacting with hydroxylamine at 80&deg / C at an optimum amidoximation time of 2 hrs. The amidoxime fibre was hydrolyzed/alkali treated in a solution of sodium hydroxide to enhance or improve the adsorption properties. This was followed by characterization of the amidoxime and hydrolyzed fibres using Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) / Fourier transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and exchange capacity (cationic and anionic). SEM showed that the hydrolysis process made the surface of Amidoxime fibre rougher than that of Polyacrylonitrile fibre. FTIR revealed that the hydrolyzed Amidoxime fibres contained conjugated imine (-C=N-) sequences. Functionalization enhanced the sorption of amidoxime fibres by an increase of 20 % in the cationic exchange capacity. This was achieved by the part conversion of the cyano groups into the carboxylic acid groups. The fibres showed faster kinetics largely due the available exchange sites on the surface of the fibres hence the equilibration was achieved much quicker.</p>

Στην εργασία αυτή μελετήθηκε η ρόφηση και η εκρόφηση του παρασιτοκτόνου ατραζίνη (atrazine) σε πρότυπες εδαφικές ουσίες καθώς και σε ένα τυπικό δείγμα εδάφους, τόσο σε αντιδραστήρες διαλείποντος έργου (batch) όσο και σε πληρωμένες κλίνες (bed). Ως πρότυπες ουσίες επιλέχθηκαν η πυριτία (silica-gel, SiO2), η αλούμινα (γ-alumina, Al2O3), το ανθρακικό ασβέστιο (calcite, CaCO3) και το χουμικό οξύ (humic acid). Η ατραζίνη ροφείται σημαντικά στο χουμικό οξύ στην πυριτία και στο έδαφος, όμως βρέθηκε ότι έχει πολύ μεγαλύτερη συγγένεια για το χουμικό οξύ σε σύγκριση με την πυριτία. Η ατραζίνη δεν έδειξε να ροφείται στη γ-αλούμινα και το CaCO3, ανεξαρτήτως από τις πειραματικές συνθήκες που χρησιμοποιήθηκαν. Σε όλες τις περιπτώσεις, η κινητική μελέτη έδειξε δύο διακριτά στάδια: ένα πρώτο γρήγορο στάδιο ρόφησης της ατραζίνης, διαδεχόμενο από ένα δεύτερο πιο αργό στάδιο. Η κινητική της ρόφησης υπακούει ικανοποιητικά στο μοντέλο Elovich. Στα χρονικά πλαίσια που μελετήθηκε η ρόφηση και η εκρόφηση, η διεργασία είναι αντιστρεπτή και η ατραζίνη εκροφείται ποσοτικά. Οι ισόθερμοι ρόφησης της ατραζίνης λήφθηκαν σε διαφορετικές τιμές ιοντικής ισχύος, pH και θερμοκρασίας και υπακούουν στο μοντέλο Freundlich. Σε όλες τις περιπτώσεις που μελετήθηκαν, η αύξηση της ιοντικής ισχύος του διαλύματος προκάλεσε αύξηση της ροφημένης ποσότητας της ατραζίνης. Η ρόφηση της ατραζίνης μειώνεται καθώς το pH του διαλύματος αυξάνεται. Όσον αφορά στην πυριτία, η ρόφηση της ατραζίνης φαίνεται ότι γίνεται κυρίως μέσω δεσμών υδρογόνου με τις υδροξυλομάδες της επιφάνειας. Όσον αφορά στο χουμικό οξύ, το σημαντικότερο ρόλο στη ρόφηση παίζει η διάχυση της ατραζίνης προς το εσωτερικό του στερεού όπου η ρόφηση επιτυγχάνεται κυρίως μέσω υδρόφοβων αλληλεπιδράσεων. Η προσρόφηση της ατραζίνης στην πυριτία αυξάνεται σημαντικά καθώς αυξάνεται η θερμοκρασία του διαλύματος, μια τάση που δεν παρατηρείται κατά τη ρόφηση της ατραζίνης στο χουμικό οξύ. Η θερμοδυναμική ανάλυση έδειξε ότι η ρόφηση στα μοντέλα εδάφους είναι φυσική αφού παρατηρήθηκαν τιμές της ενθαλπίας ρόφησης στην περιοχή των 10 kJ mol-1. Οι λαμβανόμενες ισόθερμοι ρόφησης από τα πειράματα σε πληρωμένες κλίνες ήταν σε καλή συμφωνία με αυτές που λήφθηκαν από τα πειράματα στους αντιδραστήρες διαλείποντος έργου. Η παρουσία χουμικού οξέος στις κλίνες προκαλεί με το χρόνο δραστική μείωση της διαπερατότητας. / Adsorption and desorption of the herbicide atrazine was investigated on the principal inorganic constituents of soil, as well as on a typical Greek soil sample. The studies were conducted both in batch, stirred reactors and in packed beds. Silica-gel (SiO2), γ-alumina (Al2O3) and calcite (CaCO3), were selected as model inorganic substances. Humic acid was selected as a model substance representative of the organic part of soil. Significant adsorption of atrazine was measured on the humic acid, silica and on the soil suspensions in electrolyte solutions. Atrazine exhibited higher affinity for humic acid rather than for silica. Atrazine did not adsorb on γ-alumina and on CaCO3 regardless the experimental conditions (pH range or total solid available for adsorption). In all cases, kinetic results have shown two distinct features: a first, fast sorption step, followed by a second, slow step. The kinetics data of atrazine uptake on both substrates yielded satisfactory fit to the Elovich model. Atrazine was found to be completely desorbed from both the humic acid and the silica substrates. Adsorption isotherms for atrazine were obtained at different values of ionic strength, pH and temperature. The adsorption data gave the best fit to the Freundlich model. In all cases investigated, the amount of adsorbed atrazine increased upon increasing the ionic strength of the solution. The adsorption of atrazine decreased with increasing solution pH. The adsorption of atrazine on silica was primarily dominated by the formation of hydrogen bonds with the surface hydroxyl groups. In the case of humic acid, the diffusion of atrazine to the interior of the solid seemed to play the most significant role. Inside the organic substance particles, sorption took place mainly through hydrophobic interactions. The sorption of atrazine on silica surface increased considerably with increasing temperature, a trend not found in the case of humic acid. The thermodynamic analysis yielded adsorption energy values of the order of 10 kJ mol-1 suggesting physical adsorption. The isotherms obtained from the packed bed experiments were in a good agreement with those obtained from batch experiments. Finally, humic acid grains, mixed with silica in packed beds, were found to change morphology upon hydration which resulted to swelling. The humic substances clogged a large portion of the pores of the packed beds, decreasing drastically their permeability.

<p>To improve the adsorption capacity of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibres, hydrophilic amidoxime fibres were prepared by subsequent conversion of the cyano groups to an amidoxime group by reacting with hydroxylamine at 80&deg / C at an optimum amidoximation time of 2 hrs. The amidoxime fibre was hydrolyzed/alkali treated in a solution of sodium hydroxide to enhance or improve the adsorption properties. This was followed by characterization of the amidoxime and hydrolyzed fibres using Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) / Fourier transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and exchange capacity (cationic and anionic). SEM showed that the hydrolysis process made the surface of Amidoxime fibre rougher than that of Polyacrylonitrile fibre. FTIR revealed that the hydrolyzed Amidoxime fibres contained conjugated imine (-C=N-) sequences. Functionalization enhanced the sorption of amidoxime fibres by an increase of 20 % in the cationic exchange capacity. This was achieved by the part conversion of the cyano groups into the carboxylic acid groups. The fibres showed faster kinetics largely due the available exchange sites on the surface of the fibres hence the equilibration was achieved much quicker.</p>

Orientador: Newton Luiz Dias Filho / Resumo: No presente trabalho, a 3-cloropropil sílica gel (SG) foi preparada e organofuncionalizada com dois grupos funcionais, 2-aminotiazol (SATZ) e 5-amino-1,3,4-tiadiazol-2-tiol (SATT). Com o objetivo de produzir novos materiais através da modificação química da superfície da sílica gel, com aplicabilidade na remoção de íons metálicos em meio etanólico, tendo a possibilidade de serem aplicados na remoção de metais pesados em combustível etanol e aguardente. Esses novos materiais também podem ser trabalhados como novos eletrodos quimicamente modificados na detecção de nitrito encontrado na urina e em águas naturais. Esses materiais foram caracterizados por técnicas de espectroscopia na Região do Infravermelho (FTIR), ressonância magnética nuclear (RMN) e microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). Posteriormente foram realizados estudos de adsorção de íons metálicos (Cu+2, Cd+2 e Zn+2) para o SATZ e SATT em solvente etanólico (99%). Para testar a capacidade de adsorção de íons metálicos, determinou-se a cinática de adsorção para todos íons Cu+2, Cd+2 e Zn+2 (40 minutos), determinou-se a capacidade de adsorção (Nf) através de isotermas com diferentes concentrações molares dos íons metálicos. Ambos os adsorventes tiveram uma capacidade máxima de adsorção maior para os íons Zn2+ do que para os íons Cd2+ e Cu2+, de acordo com a seguinte ordem: Zn2+>Cd2+>Cu2+. Em uma segunda etapa do trabalho após a adsorção dos íons cúpricos (Cu2+) pelo SATT, reagiu-se o SATT com hexacianoferrato (III) ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: In the present work, 3-chloropropyl silica gel (SG) was prepared and organofunctionalized with two functional groups, 2-aminothiazole (SATZ) and 5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-thiol (SATT). With the objective of producing new materials through the chemical modification of the silica gel surface, with applicability in the removal of metallic ions in ethanolic medium, having the possibility of being applied in the removal of heavy metals in fuel ethanol and brandy. These new materials can also be worked as new chemically modified electrodes in the detection of nitrite found in urine and in natural waters. These materials were characterized by Infrared Region Spectroscopy (FTIR), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) techniques. Subsequently, adsorption studies of metal ions (Cu + 2, Cd + 2 and Zn + 2) were performed for SATZ and SATT in ethanolic solvent (99%). The adsorption kinetics were determined for all metal ions Cu + 2, Cd + 2 and Zn + 2 (40 minutes), the adsorption capacity (Nf) was determined through isotherms with different molar concentrations of the metal ions. Both adsorbents had a maximum adsorption capacity it was higher for Zn2 + ions than for Cd2 + and Cu2 + ions, according to the following order: Zn2 +> Cd2 + > Cu2+ . In a second step of the work after the copper ions (Cu2+) adsorption by SATT, the SATT was reacted with potassium hexacyanoferrate (III), thus forming the CuSATTH complex. The graphite paste electrode chemically mod... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Os materiais reativos orgânicos, como turfas e compostos, apresentam um considerável potencial efetivo de utilização na remediação de áreas contaminadas por metais potencialmente tóxicos, haja vista sua elevada capacidade de adsorção, comumente associada a altos teores de matéria orgânica. O emprego do composto orgânico se torna vantajoso por ser uma possibilidade de destinação final correta dos resíduos sólidos urbanos compostáveis, conforme as políticas públicas, podendo agregar valor econômico e ambiental ao resíduo. Nessa perspectiva, na seleção dos materiais reativos mais viáveis para serem empregados na retenção de metais é imprescindível sua caracterização (geológica e geotécnica) e o estudo de sua real capacidade adsortiva, através de ensaios de adsorção. Assim, o objetivo desta pesquisa foi a caracterização geológica e geotécnica de uma turfa (proveniente da bacia hidrográfica do rio Mogi Guaçu, município de Cravinhos) e de quatro compostos (compostos total, indiano, estático e alambrado, advindos de composteiras localizadas na Universidade de São Paulo - São Carlos), bem como ensaios de adsorção (equilíbrio em lote) com chumbo (Pb), zinco (Zn) e cádmio (Cd). Para tanto foram realizados os seguintes ensaios de caracterização: granulometria, massa específica dos sólidos, densidade, teor de umidade, parâmetros físico-químicos (potencial hidrogeniônico (pH), &Delta;pH, potencial de oxi-redução (Eh) e condutividade elétrica (CE), ponto de efeito salino nulo (PESN), matéria orgânica (MO), teor de cinzas (Cz), capacidade de troca catiônica (CTC), capacidade de retenção de água (CRA), composição elementar (C, H e N), carbono orgânico, Difratometria de Raios-X (DRX), Fluorescência de Raios-X (FRX), Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura/Espectroscopia de Energia Dispersiva por Raios-X (MEV/EDS) e Análise Térmica Diferencial (ATD). A partir do conhecimento minucioso dos parâmetros físicos e químicos dos materiais foi possível proceder o ensaio de equilíbrio em lote com soluções monoelementares de Pb, Zn e Cd com oito concentrações distintas e inferiores a 220 mg L-1 e razão material reativo/solução de 1/50 (conforme definido em etapa preliminar). Quanto aos resultados de caracterização, turfa e compostos apresentaram características promissoras para a adsorção. A turfa revelou um pH moderadamente ácido (5,1), um &Delta;pH negativo (-1,0) atestando para a presença majoritária de cargas negativas na superfície das partículas, o que foi confirmado pelo PESN (3,6) < pH (5,1), um considerável teor de MO (520,43 mg kg-1) e uma CTC elevada (91,00 cmolc kg-1). Já os compostos exibiram valores de pH ligeiramente ácidos a ligeiramente básicos (6,4 a 7,7), &Delta;pH negativo (-0,4 a -1,0), MO promissora (193,92 a 418,70 mg kg-1) e CTC variável (29,00 a 75,00 cmolc kg-1). Em termos gerais, os compostos total e indiano apresentaram características mais favoráveis para a retenção metálica o que foi confirmado por etapa preliminar do ensaio de adsorção. Como o composto indiano sobressaiu levemente na imobilização de Cd e Zn e por ele apresentar maior controle no processo de compostagem ele foi o escolhido para a realização do ensaio de equilíbrio em lote com variadas concentrações de Pb, Zn e Cd, assim como a turfa. Os resultados finais de adsorção atestaram que a turfa e o composto indiano apresentaram a mesma ordem de afinidade metálica: Pb > Cd > Zn, sendo que o composto revelou uma tendência superior de adsorção. A turfa revelou uma porcentagem de remoção metálica (A%) superior a 90% para concentrações de Pb de até 137 mg L-1, enquanto o composto adsorveu mais de 98% do Pb em todas as concentrações estudadas (26 a 214 mg L-1), não atingindo o estado de saturação. Dessa forma, turfa e compostos, caracterizados por um baixo custo e uma significativa disponibilidade, podem ser enquadrados como potenciais materiais reativos orgânicos para a imobilização de cátions metálicos, principalmente Pb2+ e Cd2+. / Organic reactive materials, such as peat and compounds, have a considerable potential for use in the remediation of contaminated areas by potentially toxic metals, due to their high adsorption capacity, commonly associated with high organic matter content. The use of organic compound becomes advantageous because it is a possibility of final destination for the compostable municipal solid waste, according to the public policies, being able to add economic and environmental value to the waste. In this perspective, the selection of the most viable reactive materials to be used in the retention of metals is needful, its characterization (geological and geotechnical) and the study of its real adsorptive capacity through adsorption tests are essential. Thus, the objective of this research was to characterize the geological and geotechnical characteristics of a peat (from Mogi Guaçu\'s basin in the city Cravinhos) and four compounds (total, indian, static and wired, from composters located at the University of São Paulo), besides batch tests with lead (Pb), zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd). To achieve the objectives, the following tests were done: particle size analysis, solids specific mass\' determination, density, moisture content, physico-chemical parameters (potential hydrogenion - pH, &Delta;pH, oxy-reduction potential - Eh and electrical conductivity - EC), point of zero salt effect (PZSE), organic matter (OM), ash content, cation exchange capacity (CEC), water retention capacity (WRC), elemental composition (C, H and N), organic carbon, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), Scanning Electron Microscopy/X-Ray Dispersive Energy Spectroscopy (SEM/DES) and Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA). From the detailed knowledge of the physical and chemical parameters of the materials was possible to perform the batch equilibrium test with monoelemental solutions of Pb, Zn and Cd with different concentrations below 220 mg L-1 and reactive material/solution ratio of 1/50 (as defined in the preliminary stage). Regarding the characterization results, peat and compounds presented promising characteristics for adsorption. The peat showed moderately acidic pH (5.1), negative &Delta;pH (-1.0) attesting to a majority presence of negative charges on the surface of the particles, which was confirmed by the PZSE (3.6) < pH (5.1), a considerably high OM content (520.43 mg kg-1) and a high CEC (91.00 cmolc kg-1). The compounds exhibited from slightly acidic to slightly basic pH values (6.4 to 7.7), negative &Delta;pH (-0.4 to -1.0), promising OM (193.92 to 418.70 mg kg-1) and variable CEC (29.00 to 75.00 cmolc kg-1). In general, terms, the total and indian compounds presented more favorable characteristics for metal retention, what was confirmed by the preliminary step of the adsorption test. As the Indian compound had a small enhancement on the immobilization of Cd and Zn and due, it showed greater control in the composition process, it was chosen for a batch equilibrium test with varying concentrations of Pb, Zn and Cd, as well as a peat. The final adsorption results showed that the peat and the indian compound had the same order of metal affinity: Pb > Cd > Zn, whereby the compound showed a higher adsorption tendency. The peat showed a metal removal percentage (A%) higher than 90% for Pb concentrations up to 137 mg L-1, while the compound adsorbed more than 98% at all concentrations studied (26 to 214 mg L-1) not reaching the saturation state. Thus, peat and organic compounds, characterized by a low cost and a significant availability, can be classified as potential organic low-cost reactive materials for metal cations immobilization, mainly Pb2+ and Cd2+.

Magister Scientiae - MSc / To improve the adsorption capacity of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibres, hydrophilic amidoxime fibres were prepared by subsequent conversion of the cyano groups to an amidoxime group by reacting with hydroxylamine at 80°C at an optimum amidoximation time of 2 hrs. The amidoxime fibre was hydrolyzed/alkali treated in a solution of sodium hydroxide to enhance or improve the adsorption properties. This was followed by characterization of the amidoxime and hydrolyzed fibres using Scanning electron microscopy (SEM); Fourier transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and exchange capacity (cationic and anionic). SEM showed that the hydrolysis process made the surface of Amidoxime fibre rougher than that of Polyacrylonitrile fibre. FTIR revealed that the hydrolyzed Amidoxime fibres contained conjugated imine (-C=N-) sequences. Functionalization enhanced the sorption of amidoxime fibres by an increase of 20 % in the cationic exchange capacity. This was achieved by the part conversion of the cyano groups into the carboxylic acid groups. The fibres showed faster kinetics largely due the available exchange sites on the surface of the fibres hence the equilibration was achieved much quicker. / South Africa

MENVSC / Department of Ecology and Resource Management / See the attached abstract below