Compósitos de Poli (óxido de etileno) (PEO) com diferentes concentrações de argila montmorilonita SWy-1 foram preparados pelo método de intercalação em solução. Os filmes obtidos foram caracterizados por difração de raios X (DRX), microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) e espectrocopia de infravermelho com transformada de Fourier (FTIR). Os resultados de DRX mostraram que os compósitos obtidos foram do tipo intercalados. As imagens de MEV indicaram a existência de agregados de argila SWy-1 dispersos na matriz polimérica. A influência da argila na estabilidade térmica e na cristalização do PEO foi estudada por termogravimetria (TG) e calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC). As curvas TG mostraram que a temperatura inicial de degradação térmica (Ti) diminui com o aumento da concentração de SWy-1. Além disso, uma pequena diminuição na amplitude do pico de fusão do PEO foi observado nos resultados de DSC. Os filmes de PEO e dos compósitos de PEO/SWy-1 foram irradiados com luz UV e a fotooxidação foi acompanhada por cromatografia de exclusão por tamanho (SEC). Os resultados de SEC mostraram que a taxa de oxidação do PEO puro foi mais rápida em comparação aos compósitos de PEO/SWy-1. Nesse caso a argila pode ser considerada como um estabilizante contra a irradiação UV. O efeito de estabilizantes do tipo absorverdores de UV (moléculas derivadas da 2-hidroxibenzofenona) e do tipo HALS (Tinuvin 770), quando adicionados ao PEO e ao compósito de PEO/SWy-1, também foi analisado por SEC após a fotooxidação dos filmes. Os resultados mostraram que a adição do estabilizante Tinuvin 770 proporcionou maior estabilidade a matriz polimérica durante o processo degradativo, comparado ao estabilizante 2-hidroxibenzofenona. / Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) composites with different concentrations of SWy-1 montmorillonite clay were prepared by solution intercalation method. The thin films obtained were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The XRD results showed that the composites obtained were of the type intercalated. The SEM images have indicated that there are SWy-1 clay aggregates scattered in the polymer matrix. The influence of clay on thermal stability, melting and polymer crystallization processes was studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and differential scanning calorimetric (DSC). The TG curves showed that the initial thermal degradation temperature (Ti) decrease with increasing concentration of SWy-1. Besides, a small decrease in the amplitude of the melting peak of PEO was observed in the DSC results. The thin films of PEO and PEO/SWy-1 composites were exposed to UV irradiation and the photodegradation was accompanied by size exclusion chromatography (SEC). The SEC results showed that the rate of oxidation of pristine PEO was faster compared to PEO/SWy-1 composites. In this case the clay can be considered as a stabilizer against UV irradiation. The effect of UV absorbers (2-hydroxybenzophenone derivated molecules) and HALS (Tinuvin 770) stabilizers, when added to PEO and PEP/SWy-1 composites, also were studied by SEC after the thin films photodegradation. The results allowed to conclude that the polymer matrix became more stable for degradation with adition of Tinuvin 770 stabilizer when compared to 2-hydroxybenzophenone.

Em âmbito hospitalar é crescente o emprego de dispositivos confeccionados de distintos materiais termossensíveis. Assim, o emprego de metodologias esterilizantes compatíveis tem sido o foco de muitas pesquisas, dentre as quais destacam-se estudos envolvendo o plasma. O mecanismo de ação deste desenvolve-se com a aplicação de Rádio-Freqüência a gases precursores, resultando na inativação microbiana por espécies altamente reativas. Este método inovador caracteriza-se por não gerar riscos de toxicidade ocupacional e aos pacientes, e ser processado em temperatura próxima ao ambiente. Para análise comparativa foi utilizado o método de esterilização por óxido de etileno (agente químico na forma gasosa). Este gás apresenta características de elevada inflamabilidade, explosividade e toxicidade, por isso é usado diluído em gases inertes, além de deixar residual no material esterilizado, tendo que ter um controle rigoroso no processo de aeração; porém atualmente é um dos métodos mais utilizados para esterilização de materiais odonto-médico-hospitalares, particularmente os termossensíveis. O principal objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar diferentes parâmetros do processo e seus respectivos resultados, que influenciam na esterilização empregando plasma e compará-los com os obtidos empregando óxido de etileno. O equipamento utilizado para o estudo dos processos de esterilização por plasma foi o ICP (Inductively Coupled Plasma). Analisou-se assim para o plasma algumas distintas combinações de parâmetros, tais como: gases (oxigênio puro e mistura deste com peróxido de hidrogênio a 5,10 e 20%), pressão (330 mTor), vazão do gás (100sccm), temperatura (próxima ao ambiente), potência de rádio-freqüência (300, 350 e 400W), tempos de exposição (com intervalos de 3 a 60 min) e umidade relativa (80±5%). No ICP foram desenvolvidas duas fases planejadas para os processos, seguindo uma programação experimental, já no óxido de etileno foram realizadas três séries de exposições sub–letais utilizando mistura esterilizante Oxyfume® 2002 (10% Óxido de Etileno, 63% HCFC 124 e 27% HCFC 22), sendo os parâmetros padronizados: umidade relativa (40 a 60%), concentração do gás (450 mg/L), temperatura (55° C) e tempos de exposição (com intervalos de 3 a 15 min.). Todos os ciclos foram realizados em triplicata. Esporos de Bacillus subtilis var. niger ATCC 9372 foram obtidos a partir de suspensões de microrganismos e inoculados em suportes na concentração de 107 UFC/suporte para serem utilizados nos estudos dos processos de esterilização. Empregou-se a técnica de Pour Plate (incubação em estufa por 24hs a 37 °C) para a quantificação dos esporos. Para o processo de esterilização por plasma os resultados obtidos forneceram valores D que variaram entre 8 e 3 min., dependendo dos parâmetros testados, e para o processo de esterilização por óxido de etileno o Valor D foi de 2,80 min. Concluiu-se que o processo de esterilização por plasma apresentou resultados interessantes e promissores e os melhores resultados foram obtidos com as potências maiores de 350 e 400W para o gás oxigênio puro, caracterizando o plasma como alternativa promissora de esterilização, devido às suas características positivas frente ao óxido de etileno, pois os valores D entre os dois processos de esterilização não apresentaram uma diferença significativa. / The gas Plasma sterilization technology has been emerging as an alternative to conventional low temperature processes since the advent of new therapies using heat sensitive materials in the healthcare field is greater than ever. The gas Plasma mechanism of action includes the generation of actives species by an electrical discharge, which is able to promote lethal effect on microorganisms. The sterilization techniques using gas plasma are under intense investigation and it has already been demonstrated by recent studies that this technology is simple, cost-effective, suitable for microbicidal activity and absent of toxic residuals. Ethylene oxide is the sterilization agent most widely applied to medical devices. However, its explosiveness, inflammability and toxicity led to the search for other sterilization methods at low temperature and it has been used associated to non active gases which inhibit these properties and it is necessary to have the control at the occupational safety and environmental monitoration. Therefore, the aim of this work was to explore possible microbicidal application of the gas plasma sterilization generated by an inductively coupled system and to compare this sterilization method with ethylene oxide (chemistry substance in gaseous form), observing their D value. It was used distinct combinations of process parameters to sterilization by plasma, as follows: radio-frequency powers (300, 350 and 400 watts), exposition times (in the range of 3 to 60 minutes), gas (pure oxygen and mixture with hydrogen peroxide 5,10 and 20%), gas flow (100 sccm), pressure (330 mTorr), temperature (close to the environmental one) and relative humidity 80±5%. For ethylene oxide, Oxyfume 2002® was used (mixture of ethylene oxide, HCFCs 22 and 124), under the concentration of 450mg/L, at the temperature of 55°C and relative humidity of 50±5% and it was submitted to a time of exposition between 3 to 15 minutes. Both processes were submitted to exposition cycles in triple. Bacillus subtilis var. niger ATCC 9372 inoculated in a standard load of 107 spores per carrier was used as biological indicator. After the exposition, the biological indicator\'s spore survivors were counted by the \"Pour Plate\" technique (incubation temperature of 35 ± 2ºC for 24 hours). Significant microbial reduction was observed in some cases where the plasma D value was between 3 and 8 min and 3,08 min, 3,04 min. to 350 and 400W powers respectively. In the ethylene oxide process the D value was 2,80 min. These results evidenced the higher effectiveness of ethylene oxide comparatively to plasma. However the latter presents advantages that make it an interesting alternative to low temperature sterilization processes.

A água exerce papel fundamental nas diferentes fases do processo de fabricação de artigos para saúde (médico-hospitalares, farmacêuticos, e clínicos), exigindo elevado grau de pureza, que certifique a sua inocuidade. Portanto, se faz necessário maior controle dos sistemas de purificação de água e suas etapas de tratamento, onde a formação de biofilmes pode contaminar os artigos para saúde e, consequentemente, causar injúria a pacientes submetidos à aplicação dos mesmos. Embora os artigos médicos sejam esterilizados por óxido de etileno (ETO), seu processo de manufatura deve prever o mínimo acréscimo possível de contaminantes. Considerando que a água purificada e a esterilização dos artigos para saúde são fatores determinantes para o sucesso de sua aplicação, este trabalho foi dividido em duas partes distintas. A primeira parte aborda o controle das etapas de purificação da água, que é destinada à lavagem de componentes termoplásticos, que são utilizados na fabricação de artigos para saúde. Os níveis máximos de carga microbiana (expressos em ciclos de log10 UFC/100mL) encontrados ao longo do sistema de purificação de água foram: 3,48 log10 na água de entrada; 3,57 log10 nos filtros multimeios; 3,75 log10 nos abrandadores; 4,97 log10 no filtro de carvão ativado; 2,53 log10 na osmose reversa; 2,70 log10 no tanque de estocagem e distribuição; 2,56 log10 na lâmpada ultravioleta; 2,53 log10 nos filtros 0,05 µm; 1,98 log10 nos pontos de uso. Flavimonas oryzihabitans e Micrococcus luteus foram as bactérias Gram-negativa e Grampositiva, respectivamente, isoladas e identificadas com maior freqüência na água, em diferentes estágios do sistema, inclusive após a passagem dessa através das membranas de osmose reversa. A segunda parte do estudo teve como objetivo determinar o tempo de aeração necessário para que os oxigenadores de sangue e conjuntos de tubos de PVC, após esterilização por ETO, permaneçam em aeração, para dissipação dos resíduos de ETO. Avaliou-se também a potencialidade da proteína verde fluorescente (GFP) como biossensor no processo de esterilização. O processo de esterilização destes artigos médicos foi monitorado com indicadores biológicos Bacillus atrophaeus, proteína verde fluorescente (GFP) e controles de temperatura, pressão e umidade em ciclos de 2 h (ciclo curto), 4 h (meio ciclo) e 8 h (ciclo longo). As curvas de dissipação, determinadas por cromatografia gasosa, confirmaram níveis residuais menores que 25 ppm para ETO e etileno cloridrina (EC); e inferiores a 250 ppm para etileno glicol (EG), ao final do processo de esterilização para os oxigenadores; e, após 221 horas de aeração, para os conjuntos de tubos de PVC. Nos ciclos de esterilização, as reduções na intensidade de fluorescência da GFP ocorreram em função do tempo de exposição ao ETO; enquanto germinação de esporos e/ou crescimento de B. atrophaeus não foi observado. / The water exerts important paper in different phases of critical items manufacture in the health care units, pharmaceutical industries, hospitals and clinics, becoming necessary a rigorous control of the water purification systems, storage and distribution, in order to prevent biofilms formation and cross-contamination between devices and patients, who are submitted to critical articles and parenteral solution application. The sterilization of critical devices by ethylene oxide (ETO) should predict minimum addition of possible contaminants and residues. Considering that the purified water and the sterilization are crucial factors for medical devices, this work was divided in two parts. The first part evaluated continuously the stages of the system for the purification of the water, which purity level is critical and determines the quality of the washing of thermoplastic components used in the manufacture of critical items. The maximum levels of heterotrophic load (log10 UFC/100mL) found throughout the water purification system were: 3.48 log10 in the water inlet; 3.57 log10 in the multimedium filters; 3.75 log10 in the softeners; 4.97 log10 in the activated carbon filter; 2.53 log10 in the reverse osmosis; 2.70 log10 in the tank of storage and distribution; 2.56 log10 in the UV lamp; 2.53 log10 in the 0.05µm filters; 1.98 log10 in the consumption points. Flavimonas oryzihabitans and Micrococcus luteus were the main Gram-negative and Grampositive bacteria, respectively found in the purified water after reverse osmosis. The second part of this study had as objective the determination of the needed aeration time for blood oxygenators and sets of PVC tubing must be kept in aeration room for dissipation of ETO residues; and also evaluated the possibility of GFP as biosensor. ETO is used as in a mixture (10% ETO and 90% CO2). Residual levels of ETO and its derivatives, ethylene chloridrin (ECH) and ethylene glycol (EG), which remain in these devices, must be controlled to prevent serious injuries to the patients. The sterilization process of the oxygenators and sets of PVC tubing was monitored with Bacillus atrophaeus and fluorescent green protein (GFP). The temperature, pressure and humidity were controlled in the sterilization cycles of 2 h (short cycle), 4 h (half cycle) and 8 h (long cycle). The dissipation curves of the residues were determined by gaseous chromatography and the residual concentrations were lower than 25 ppm of ETO and ECH and lower than 250 ppm of EG immediately after the sterilization processes for oxygenators and after 221 hours of aeration for the sets of PVC tubing. Reductions in the fluorescence intensity of GFP were observed as a function of the exposition time to the ETO. No growth of B. atrophaeus spores was observed after cycles.

Foi desenvolvido modelo matemático para o processo de produção de álcoois etoxilados em um reator batelada com spray da fase líquida na fase gasosa. O modelo considera a cinética da polimerização iônica e a transferência de massa de óxido de eteno entre as fases gasosa e líquida. A cinética foi estudada a partir de dados previamente obtidos em laboratório. Para modelagem da transferência de massa, foram utilizados dados de bateladas industriais. Foram testados vários modelos de transferência de massa encontrados na literatura, sendo que o modelo que se mostrou mais adequado para este reator industrial foi o de gotas com circulação interna. A partir do modelo obtido da cinética e da transferência de massa, foi analisada a influência de parâmetros de projeto, como a vazão de recirculação de líquido, a relação entre a altura e o raio do reator e o tipo de spray na produtividade deste. Observou-se que a maior vazão de recirculação aumenta a produtividade do reator, assim como o aumento da altura do reator. O tipo e o diâmetro da gota do spray também influenciam a produtividade do reator. / A mathematical model for the production of ethoxylated alcohols in a spray tower loop reactor was developed. The model considers the reaction as an ionic polymerization and the ethylene oxide mass transfer from the vapor phase to the liquid phase. The kinetics was obtained from a laboratory scale reactor data. The mass transfer model was obtained from the industrial reactor data. Several models for the mass transfer of ethylene oxide from gas phase to the liquid droplets were tested, and it was found that the most appropriate mass transfer model for this industrial reactor was the internally well-mixed drop model. From the kinetics and the mass transfer model, the influence of the pump recirculation flow rate, the ratio between the reactor height and radius and the spray performance was analyzed. The results show that higher reactor productivity can be obtained using higher recirculation flow and higher reactor height. The spray nozzle performance and the drop diameter also influence the reactor productivity.

Compósitos de Poli (óxido de etileno) (PEO) com diferentes concentrações de argila montmorilonita SWy-1 foram preparados pelo método de intercalação em solução. Os filmes obtidos foram caracterizados por difração de raios X (DRX), microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) e espectrocopia de infravermelho com transformada de Fourier (FTIR). Os resultados de DRX mostraram que os compósitos obtidos foram do tipo intercalados. As imagens de MEV indicaram a existência de agregados de argila SWy-1 dispersos na matriz polimérica. A influência da argila na estabilidade térmica e na cristalização do PEO foi estudada por termogravimetria (TG) e calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC). As curvas TG mostraram que a temperatura inicial de degradação térmica (Ti) diminui com o aumento da concentração de SWy-1. Além disso, uma pequena diminuição na amplitude do pico de fusão do PEO foi observado nos resultados de DSC. Os filmes de PEO e dos compósitos de PEO/SWy-1 foram irradiados com luz UV e a fotooxidação foi acompanhada por cromatografia de exclusão por tamanho (SEC). Os resultados de SEC mostraram que a taxa de oxidação do PEO puro foi mais rápida em comparação aos compósitos de PEO/SWy-1. Nesse caso a argila pode ser considerada como um estabilizante contra a irradiação UV. O efeito de estabilizantes do tipo absorverdores de UV (moléculas derivadas da 2-hidroxibenzofenona) e do tipo HALS (Tinuvin 770), quando adicionados ao PEO e ao compósito de PEO/SWy-1, também foi analisado por SEC após a fotooxidação dos filmes. Os resultados mostraram que a adição do estabilizante Tinuvin 770 proporcionou maior estabilidade a matriz polimérica durante o processo degradativo, comparado ao estabilizante 2-hidroxibenzofenona. / Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) composites with different concentrations of SWy-1 montmorillonite clay were prepared by solution intercalation method. The thin films obtained were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The XRD results showed that the composites obtained were of the type intercalated. The SEM images have indicated that there are SWy-1 clay aggregates scattered in the polymer matrix. The influence of clay on thermal stability, melting and polymer crystallization processes was studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and differential scanning calorimetric (DSC). The TG curves showed that the initial thermal degradation temperature (Ti) decrease with increasing concentration of SWy-1. Besides, a small decrease in the amplitude of the melting peak of PEO was observed in the DSC results. The thin films of PEO and PEO/SWy-1 composites were exposed to UV irradiation and the photodegradation was accompanied by size exclusion chromatography (SEC). The SEC results showed that the rate of oxidation of pristine PEO was faster compared to PEO/SWy-1 composites. In this case the clay can be considered as a stabilizer against UV irradiation. The effect of UV absorbers (2-hydroxybenzophenone derivated molecules) and HALS (Tinuvin 770) stabilizers, when added to PEO and PEP/SWy-1 composites, also were studied by SEC after the thin films photodegradation. The results allowed to conclude that the polymer matrix became more stable for degradation with adition of Tinuvin 770 stabilizer when compared to 2-hydroxybenzophenone.

Neste trabalho, dois macro-agentes de transferência de cadeia para polimerizações via RAFT, à base de poli(óxido de etileno), isto é, PEO-CPADB e PEO-CPP, foram sintetizados via duas rotas químicas e utilizados como estabilizantes coloidais e como agentes de controle de massa molecular na polimerização em miniemulsão do estireno. Látices de poliestireno (PS), estabilizados estericamente pelos segmentos de PEO, foram obtidos utilizando 2,2\'-azobis(isobutironitrila) como iniciador e hexadecano como co-estabilizador. O consumo de monômero foi determinado via análise gravimétrica. O tamanho de partícula e a distribuição de tamanhos de partículas (PSD) foram determinados por espalhamento de luz (LS). As massas moleculares e a distribuição de massas moleculares (nwMM) dos polímeros foram determinadas por cromatografia de exclusão de tamanho (SEC). Os resultados mostraram que o diâmetro das gotas e das partículas de polímero, assim como a estabilidade coloidal dos látices são fortemente dependentes do tipo e da quantidade de agente de transferência de cadeia utilizado nas polimerizações. Deslocamentos das curvas de distribuição de massas moleculares para massas moleculares maiores, em função da conversão, indicaram que a maioria das cadeias poliméricas apresentava características de cadeias vivas. Análises de GPC também mostraram que a polimerização foi bem controlada quando uma quantidade do macro-agente RAFT PEO-CPP, igual a 4,4 x 10-3 mol.L-1 foi utilizada, o que foi indicado pelo baixos índices de polidispersão obtidos (1,05-1,42). / In this work, two poly(ethylene oxide)-based macro-RAFT agents, ie, PEO-CPADB and PEO-CPP, were synthesized via two chemical routes and used as a stabilizer and a control agent in the miniemulsion polymerization of styrene. Polystyrene (PS) latexes sterically stabilized by the PEO segments were obtained using 2,2?-azobis(isobutyronitrile) as initiator and hexadecane as co-stabilizer. Monomer consumption was monitored by gravimetric analysis. The latex particle size and the particle size distribution (PSD) were measured by light scattering (LS). Molar masses and molar mass distributions (nwMM) of the polymers were determined by size exclusion chromatography (SEC). The results showed that the droplet/particle sizes and the latexes stability are strongly dependent on the type and on the amount of macro-RAFT agent used in the polymerizations. Shifts of the SEC chromatograms toward higher molar masses with conversion indicated that the majority of the polymer chains are living chains. Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) analysis also showed that polymerization was well controlled when an amount of macro-RAFT PEO-RAFT agent equal to 4.4 x 10-3 mol. L-1 was used, since low polidispersity indices (1.05-1.42) was achieved.

A água exerce papel fundamental nas diferentes fases do processo de fabricação de artigos para saúde (médico-hospitalares, farmacêuticos, e clínicos), exigindo elevado grau de pureza, que certifique a sua inocuidade. Portanto, se faz necessário maior controle dos sistemas de purificação de água e suas etapas de tratamento, onde a formação de biofilmes pode contaminar os artigos para saúde e, consequentemente, causar injúria a pacientes submetidos à aplicação dos mesmos. Embora os artigos médicos sejam esterilizados por óxido de etileno (ETO), seu processo de manufatura deve prever o mínimo acréscimo possível de contaminantes. Considerando que a água purificada e a esterilização dos artigos para saúde são fatores determinantes para o sucesso de sua aplicação, este trabalho foi dividido em duas partes distintas. A primeira parte aborda o controle das etapas de purificação da água, que é destinada à lavagem de componentes termoplásticos, que são utilizados na fabricação de artigos para saúde. Os níveis máximos de carga microbiana (expressos em ciclos de log10 UFC/100mL) encontrados ao longo do sistema de purificação de água foram: 3,48 log10 na água de entrada; 3,57 log10 nos filtros multimeios; 3,75 log10 nos abrandadores; 4,97 log10 no filtro de carvão ativado; 2,53 log10 na osmose reversa; 2,70 log10 no tanque de estocagem e distribuição; 2,56 log10 na lâmpada ultravioleta; 2,53 log10 nos filtros 0,05 µm; 1,98 log10 nos pontos de uso. Flavimonas oryzihabitans e Micrococcus luteus foram as bactérias Gram-negativa e Grampositiva, respectivamente, isoladas e identificadas com maior freqüência na água, em diferentes estágios do sistema, inclusive após a passagem dessa através das membranas de osmose reversa. A segunda parte do estudo teve como objetivo determinar o tempo de aeração necessário para que os oxigenadores de sangue e conjuntos de tubos de PVC, após esterilização por ETO, permaneçam em aeração, para dissipação dos resíduos de ETO. Avaliou-se também a potencialidade da proteína verde fluorescente (GFP) como biossensor no processo de esterilização. O processo de esterilização destes artigos médicos foi monitorado com indicadores biológicos Bacillus atrophaeus, proteína verde fluorescente (GFP) e controles de temperatura, pressão e umidade em ciclos de 2 h (ciclo curto), 4 h (meio ciclo) e 8 h (ciclo longo). As curvas de dissipação, determinadas por cromatografia gasosa, confirmaram níveis residuais menores que 25 ppm para ETO e etileno cloridrina (EC); e inferiores a 250 ppm para etileno glicol (EG), ao final do processo de esterilização para os oxigenadores; e, após 221 horas de aeração, para os conjuntos de tubos de PVC. Nos ciclos de esterilização, as reduções na intensidade de fluorescência da GFP ocorreram em função do tempo de exposição ao ETO; enquanto germinação de esporos e/ou crescimento de B. atrophaeus não foi observado. / The water exerts important paper in different phases of critical items manufacture in the health care units, pharmaceutical industries, hospitals and clinics, becoming necessary a rigorous control of the water purification systems, storage and distribution, in order to prevent biofilms formation and cross-contamination between devices and patients, who are submitted to critical articles and parenteral solution application. The sterilization of critical devices by ethylene oxide (ETO) should predict minimum addition of possible contaminants and residues. Considering that the purified water and the sterilization are crucial factors for medical devices, this work was divided in two parts. The first part evaluated continuously the stages of the system for the purification of the water, which purity level is critical and determines the quality of the washing of thermoplastic components used in the manufacture of critical items. The maximum levels of heterotrophic load (log10 UFC/100mL) found throughout the water purification system were: 3.48 log10 in the water inlet; 3.57 log10 in the multimedium filters; 3.75 log10 in the softeners; 4.97 log10 in the activated carbon filter; 2.53 log10 in the reverse osmosis; 2.70 log10 in the tank of storage and distribution; 2.56 log10 in the UV lamp; 2.53 log10 in the 0.05µm filters; 1.98 log10 in the consumption points. Flavimonas oryzihabitans and Micrococcus luteus were the main Gram-negative and Grampositive bacteria, respectively found in the purified water after reverse osmosis. The second part of this study had as objective the determination of the needed aeration time for blood oxygenators and sets of PVC tubing must be kept in aeration room for dissipation of ETO residues; and also evaluated the possibility of GFP as biosensor. ETO is used as in a mixture (10% ETO and 90% CO2). Residual levels of ETO and its derivatives, ethylene chloridrin (ECH) and ethylene glycol (EG), which remain in these devices, must be controlled to prevent serious injuries to the patients. The sterilization process of the oxygenators and sets of PVC tubing was monitored with Bacillus atrophaeus and fluorescent green protein (GFP). The temperature, pressure and humidity were controlled in the sterilization cycles of 2 h (short cycle), 4 h (half cycle) and 8 h (long cycle). The dissipation curves of the residues were determined by gaseous chromatography and the residual concentrations were lower than 25 ppm of ETO and ECH and lower than 250 ppm of EG immediately after the sterilization processes for oxygenators and after 221 hours of aeration for the sets of PVC tubing. Reductions in the fluorescence intensity of GFP were observed as a function of the exposition time to the ETO. No growth of B. atrophaeus spores was observed after cycles.

The interaction of materials with biological systems is of critical importance to a vast number of applications from medical implants, tissue engineering scaffolds, blood-contacting devices, cell-culture products, as well as many other products in industries as diverse as agriculture. This thesis describes a method for the modification of biomaterial surfaces and the generation of tissue engineering scaffolds that utilises the self assembly of poly (styrene)-block-poly (ethylene oxide) (PS-PEO) block copolymers. Block copolymers consist of alternating segments of two or more chemically distinct polymers. The salient feature of these materials is their ability to self organise into a wide range of micro-phase separated structures generating patterned surfaces that have domain sizes in the order of 10-100nm. Further, it is also possible to specifically functionalise only one segment of the block copolymer, providing a means to precisely locate specific biological signals within the 10-100nm domains of a nano-patterned surface, formed via the programmed micro-phase separation of the block copolymer system. The density and spatial location of signalling molecules can be controlled by altering several variables, such as block length, block asymmetry, as well as processing parameters, providing the potential to authentically emulate the cellular micro to nano-environment and thus greatly improving on existing biomaterial and tissue engineering technologies. This thesis achieved several aims as outlined below; Developed methods to control the self-assembly of PS-PEO block copolymers and generate nano-patterned surfaces and scaffolds with utility for biomaterials applications. PS-PEO diblock copolymers were blended with polystyrene (PS) homopolymer and spin cast, resulting in the rapid self-assembly of vertically oriented PEO cylinders in a matrix of PS. Due to the kinetically constrained phase-separation of the system, increasing addition of homopolymer is shown to reduce the diameter of the PEO domains. This outcome provides a simple method that requires the adjustment of a single variable to tune the size of vertically oriented PEO domains between 10-100nm. Polymeric scaffolds for tissue engineering were manufactured via a method that combines macro-scale temperature induced phase separation with micro-phase separation of block copolymers. The phase behaviour of these polymer-solvent systems is described, and potential mechanisms leading to this spectacular structure formation are presented. The result is highly porous scaffolds with surfaces comprised of nano-scale self-assembled block copolymer domains, representing a significant advance in currently available technologies. Characterised the properties of these unique nano-structured materials as well as their interaction with proteinaceous fluids and cells. Nano-patterned PS-PEO self-assembled surfaces showed a significant reduction in protein adsorption compared to control PS surfaces. The adhesion of NIH 3T3 fibroblast cells was shown to be significantly affected by the surface coverage of PEO nano-domains formed by copolymer self-assembly. These nano-islands, when presented at high number density (almost 1000 domains per square micron), were shown to completely prevent cellular attachment, even though small amounts of protein were able to bind to the surface. In order to understand the mechanism by which these surfaces resisted protein and cellular adsorption we utilised neutron reflection to study their solvation and swelling properties. The results indicate that the PEO domains are highly solvated in water; however, the PEO chains do not extend into the solvent but remain in their isolated domains. The data supports growing evidence that the key mechanism by which PEO prevents protein adsorption is the blocking of protein adsorption sites. Control the nano-scale presentation of cellular adhesion and other biological molecules via the self-assembly of functionalised PS-PEO block copolymers Precise control over the nano-scale presentation of adhesion molecules and other biological factors represents a new frontier for biomaterials science. Recently, the control of integrin spacing and cellular shape has been shown to affect fundamental biological processes, including differentiation and apoptosis. We present the self-assembly of maleimide functionalised PS-PEO copolymers as a simple, yet highly precise method for controlling the position of cellular adhesion molecules. By controlling the phase separation of the functional PS-PEO block copolymer we alter the nano-scale (on PEO islands of 8-14 nm in size) presentation of the adhesion peptide, GRGDS, decreasing lateral spacing from 62 nm to 44 nm and increasing the number density from ~ 450 to ~ 900 islands per um2. The results indicate that the spreading of NIH-3T3 fibroblasts increases as the spacing between islands of RGD binding peptides decreases. Further, the same functional PS-PEO surfaces were utilised to immobilise poly-histidine tagged proteins and ECM fragments. The technologies developed in this thesis aim to improve on several weaknesses of existing biomaterials, in particular, directing cellular behaviour on surfaces, and within tissue engineering scaffolds, but also, on the prevention of fouling of biomaterials via non-specific protein adsorption. The application of block copolymer self-assembly for biomaterial and tissue engineering systems described in this thesis has great potential as a platform technology for the investigation of fundamental cell-surface and protein-surface interactions as well as for use in existing and emerging biomedical applications.

The reactions which give the products ethylene oxide, vinyl alcohol, vinyl aldehyde and vinyl radical for ethylene oxidation and the reactions which give propylene oxide, propanal, acetone and pi-allyl radical for propylene oxidation were investigated by using Density Functional Theory (DFT) method with B3LYP/LanL2DZ and 6-31g(d,p) basis sets in Gaussian&rsquo / 03 software. Silver and silver oxide were used as catalyst surface cluster models. Surface comparison was made for silver (111), (110) and (100) surfaces. Ethylene oxidation reaction was studied on these silver surfaces. Oxygen effect on ethylene oxide formation reaction was also investigated on silver (111) surface. Ethylene and propylene oxidation reactions were completed on both Ag13(111) and Ag14O9(001) surface clusters. VASP software which utilizes periodic plane wave basis sets was also used to compare trends of reactions for ethylene and propylene oxidations obtained by using Gaussian&rsquo / 03 software. According to results, silver (110) surface is more active for ethylene oxide formation than (111) and (100) surfaces. Hill site of (110) surface is much more active than hollow site of (110) surface since oxygen atom weakly adsorbed on hill site. Ethyl aldehyde and vinyl alcohol can not be formed on Ag(111) surface because of those higher activation barriers while ethylene oxide can be formed on cluster. Activation barrier for ethylene oxide formation decreases with increasing oxygen coverage on Ag(111) surface. Ethylene oxametallocycle intermediate molecule was not formed on Ag2O(001) surface while it is formed on surface oxide structure on Ag(111). Ethyl aldehyde and vinyl alcohol are not formed on silver oxide (001) surface. For propylene oxidation, &amp / #928 / -allyl formation path has the lowest activation barrier explaining why silver is not a good catalyst for the propylene oxide formation while it is a good catalyst for the ethylene oxide formation. This situation is valid for silver oxide. Propylene oxide selectivity increased in the gas phase oxidation. The qualitative relative energy trend obtained by VASP software is the similar with that of calculations obtained by using GAUSSIAN&rsquo / 03 software.

Vienas iš šiuolaikinės polimerų chemijos uždavinių – gauti numatytos molekulinės masės ir architektūros polimerines medžiagas. Neseniai buvo sukurti nauji radikalinės polimerizacijos metodai, kurie priskiriami gyvybingajai (valdomai) polimerizacijai (GRP). Makromonomerų (MM) gyvybingoji radikalinė polimerizacija yra efektyvus būdas gauti šepetinius (cilindrinius) polimerus). Šepetiniai polimerai – tai makromolekulės, kuriose prie pagrindinės polimerinės grandinės prijungta daug šoninių mažesnės molekulinės masės polimerinių (oligomerinių) grandinių. Dėl tarp šoninių grandinių esančių erdvinės stūmos jėgų tokios makromolekulės įgauna neįprastų savybių, pvz., standumą, cilindrinę formą, didelį segmentų tankį. Pagrindinis šio darbo tikslas buvo susintetinti norimos sudėties šepetinius polielektrolitinius polimerus, sudarytus iš krūvį turinčios poli(met)akrilato pagrindinės grandinės ir šoninių polietilenoksido grandinių, ir ištirti jų savybes. Svarbiausieji šio darbo rezultatai, atspindintys jo naujumą, originalumą ir svarbą: Pirmą kartą nuodugniai ištirta metakrilo rūgšties (MAR) ir dviejų skirtingų molekulinių masių polietilenoksido metakrilatų PEOnMEMA (n = 5, 45) kopolimerizacija įprastiniu radikaliniu ir RAFT metodais. Sukurta metodika PEO makromonomerų kopolimerizacijos kinetikai tirti, užrašant 1H BMR spektrus in situ ir įvertinant likutinę monomerų koncentraciją reakcijos mišinyje bei momentinę kopolimero sudėtį iki gilių konversijų. Netiesiniu kintamųjų paklaidų metodu... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The main goal of this work was to synthesize polyelectrolyte brushes containing poly(ethylene oxide) side chains by living polymerization. Brush-like macromolecules are unique polymer molecules whose conformation and physical properties are controlled by steric repulsion of densely grafted side chains. Molecules can be either flexible or stiff, depending on the grafting density and the length of the side chains. Polymerization of macromonomers is one of the most useful ways to prepare brush copolymers. However, with the macromonomer method, the distribution of the spacing of the side chains cannot be entirely controlled which along with broad and multimodal molecular weight distribution makes these polymers heterogeneous. These problems were considered to be overcome with the use of controlled/living polymerization. Conventional free-radical and RAFT copolymerization of poly(ethylene oxide) substituent containing methacrylate macromonomers, PEO5MEMA and PEO45MEMA, with methacrylic acid (MAA) was studied by the use of 1H NMR spectroscopy for an analysis of residual monomers. RAFT copolymerization of PEO45MEMA and MAA enabled to synthesize comb copolymers with low composition distribution and more homogeneous distribution of PEO side chains along the mainchain. Amphiphilic non-ionic blockcopolymers poly(lauryl methacrylate) (PLMA) – P(PEOnMEMA) and amphiphilic anionic blockcopolymers PLMA – PMAA were prepared by the RAFT method, and their properties in aqueous and THF... [to full text]