Hydrophobic Surface modification of biofibers to reduce water/moisture absorption of the biofiber or biofiber-plastic composites has attracted many researchers. In order to reduce the moisture sensitivity of kraft and mechanical pulp fibers, organo-nanoclay particles were adsorbed on the biofiber surfaces. Surface hydrophobicity, in terms of moisture absorption, water uptake, water contact angle and surface energy of the modified fibers were tested. The treated fibers had nano-scale surface roughness and substantially lower surface energy. The thermal stability of the mechanical pulp fibers increased after the nanoclay modification. The organo-nanoclay treated kraft and mechanical pulp fibers were used to make biofiber reinforced high density polyethylene (HDPE) composites. The organo-nanoclay treated kraft fibers had a more uniform dispersion in the HDPE matrix and the resulting composites had a higher Young’s modulus and thermal stability. Similar trend was observed for the mechanical pulp fiber-HDPE composites. The adhesion between the kraft fibers and matrix was greatly improved after adding maleic anhydride polyethylene (MAPE) as a compatibilizer, therefore, improvements in tensile strength, Young’s modulus, and thermal stability of both treated and untreated fiber composites were observed. However, this improvement was more significant for the composites containing the treated fibers. In addition, water absorption was decreased by incorporating the organo-nanoclay treated mechanical pulp fibers in the HDPE composites. The treated kraft fiber-HDPE-MAPE composites also showed a decrease in water absorption. The crystallization behaviors of the organo-nanoclay treated and untreated kraft fiber-HDPE composites with and without MAPE compatibilizer were studied. It was found by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis that both organo-nanoclay treated and untreated kraft fibers could act as nucleating agents. All composites crystallized much faster than the neat HDPE, while their crystallinity levels were lower. The organo-nanoclay treatment of the kraft fibers increased the nucleation rate. However, both the crystallinity level and the nucleation rate of the treated kraft fiber composites were increased by the addition of the MAPE compatibilizer. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis reveled that MAPE could also increase the d-spacing of the organo-nanoclay layers in the composites. When the fiber loading was 40 wt% in the composites, exfoliation of the nanoclays in the composites was observed.

Hydrophobic Surface modification of biofibers to reduce water/moisture absorption of the biofiber or biofiber-plastic composites has attracted many researchers. In order to reduce the moisture sensitivity of kraft and mechanical pulp fibers, organo-nanoclay particles were adsorbed on the biofiber surfaces. Surface hydrophobicity, in terms of moisture absorption, water uptake, water contact angle and surface energy of the modified fibers were tested. The treated fibers had nano-scale surface roughness and substantially lower surface energy. The thermal stability of the mechanical pulp fibers increased after the nanoclay modification. The organo-nanoclay treated kraft and mechanical pulp fibers were used to make biofiber reinforced high density polyethylene (HDPE) composites. The organo-nanoclay treated kraft fibers had a more uniform dispersion in the HDPE matrix and the resulting composites had a higher Young’s modulus and thermal stability. Similar trend was observed for the mechanical pulp fiber-HDPE composites. The adhesion between the kraft fibers and matrix was greatly improved after adding maleic anhydride polyethylene (MAPE) as a compatibilizer, therefore, improvements in tensile strength, Young’s modulus, and thermal stability of both treated and untreated fiber composites were observed. However, this improvement was more significant for the composites containing the treated fibers. In addition, water absorption was decreased by incorporating the organo-nanoclay treated mechanical pulp fibers in the HDPE composites. The treated kraft fiber-HDPE-MAPE composites also showed a decrease in water absorption. The crystallization behaviors of the organo-nanoclay treated and untreated kraft fiber-HDPE composites with and without MAPE compatibilizer were studied. It was found by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis that both organo-nanoclay treated and untreated kraft fibers could act as nucleating agents. All composites crystallized much faster than the neat HDPE, while their crystallinity levels were lower. The organo-nanoclay treatment of the kraft fibers increased the nucleation rate. However, both the crystallinity level and the nucleation rate of the treated kraft fiber composites were increased by the addition of the MAPE compatibilizer. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis reveled that MAPE could also increase the d-spacing of the organo-nanoclay layers in the composites. When the fiber loading was 40 wt% in the composites, exfoliation of the nanoclays in the composites was observed.

Submitted by UILIAN GABALDI YONEZAWA null (uilian_yonezawa@yahoo.com.br) on 2016-05-16T21:16:30Z No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertação Final.pdf: 3612402 bytes, checksum: b582b0fd2450b9deae8e2a4e625add5a (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ana Paula Grisoto (grisotoana@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2016-05-17T18:33:33Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 yonezawa_ug_me_ilha.pdf: 3612402 bytes, checksum: b582b0fd2450b9deae8e2a4e625add5a (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-05-17T18:33:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 yonezawa_ug_me_ilha.pdf: 3612402 bytes, checksum: b582b0fd2450b9deae8e2a4e625add5a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-03-04 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Os hidrogéis são polímeros hidrorretentores reticulados, que são capazes de reter e absorver grande quantidade de água. A combinação de polissacarídeos e nanoargila na matriz polimérica otimiza o desenvolvimento de materiais biodegradáveis e nanoestruturados que podem ser utilizados na agricultura. Nesta dissertação foram preparados e caracterizados hidrogéis nanoestruturados biodegradáveis, afim de aplicá-lo como um acelerador no crescimento de mudas de hortaliça. Os hidrogéis foram preparados fixando as concentrações de acrilamida (AAm) em 6% m/v e carboximetilcelulose (CMC) em 1% m/v, e incorporando diferentes concentrações de nanoargila cloisita-Na+. Diferentes quantidades de hidrogéis foram incorporadas ao substrato e investigado a sua eficiência no cultivo de alface. Foram analisadas as propriedades hidrofílicas e cinéticas em água destilada e em soluções salinas. Os hidrogéis demonstraram excelentes resultados de intumescimento. A incorporação de nanoargila na matriz do polímero aumentou a velocidade de absorção de água (indicada pelo aumento da constante cinética k) quando intumescido em água destilada. A formação das redes poliméricas foi confirmada pela análise de espectroscopia no infravermelho com transformada de Fourier (FTIR). A difração do raios-x (DRX) e a espectroscopia de energia dispersiva de Raios-X (EDX) permitiu avaliar a conformação das plaquetas de nanoargila e os elementos químicos presente nos nanocompósitos, respectivamente. A microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) demonstrou uma morfologia de estruturas porosas, com formas bem definidas e tamanhos de poros heterogêneos. A análise térmica evidenciou uma estabilidade térmica abaixo de 200 ºC para todas as amostras analisadas. A aplicação do hidrogel como condicionador de solo demonstrou ser eficiente no cultivo de alface, se aplicado na dose ideal. A presença de nanoargila na matriz polimérica melhorou a germinação, o desenvolvimento e a qualidade das mudas testadas. Os resultados demonstram que os nanocompósitos são produtos promissores em meio de cultura que precisam de liberação controlada e de condicionadores de solo. / Hydrogels are water-retainer crosslinked polymers which are able to retain and absorb large quantities of water. The combination of polysaccharides and nanoclay in the polymeric matrix enhanced the development of nanostructured and biodegradable materials and it can be used in agriculture. In this work, nanostructured biodegradable hydrogels was prepared in order to improve germination and seedling quality of lettuce cultivation. The hydrogels were prepared by fixing the concentrations of acrylamide (AAm) in 6% w/v carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) in 1% w/v, containing different nanoclay Cloisite-Na+ concentrations. Different amounts of hydrogel were incorporated to the substrate and investigated their efficiency in lettuce cultivation. Hydrophilic and kinetic properties were investigated in distilled water and in saline solutions. The hydrogels showed excellent swelling degree results. Also, the incorporation of nanoclay in the polymer matrix increased the water absorption speed (indicated by an increase in kinetic constant k) when swollen in distilled water. The formation of polymer networks was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. The x-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive spectroscopy X-ray (EDX) corfimed the conformation of the nanoclay platelets and chemical elements present in the nanocomposite, respectively. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed porous structures morphology with well-defined shapes, but with heterogeneity in the size. Thermal analysis showed thermal stability for all samples below 200 °C. The application of hydrogel as a soil conditioner confirmed the efficiency in lettuce cultivation if applied in an optimal dose. The presence of nanoclay in the polymeric matrix enhanced the germination, the development and the quality of the tested seedlings. The results showed that nanocomposites are promising products in a culture medium that need controlled release and soil conditioners.

Submitted by RENAN DA SILVA FERNANDES null (r.feernandes@yahoo.com.br) on 2016-05-06T16:01:09Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Renan.pdf: 4246909 bytes, checksum: 19c74f241fc5b3a706f6c977c778131d (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Felipe Augusto Arakaki (arakaki@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2016-05-09T19:06:55Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 fernandes_rs_me_ilha.pdf: 4246909 bytes, checksum: 19c74f241fc5b3a706f6c977c778131d (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-05-09T19:06:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 fernandes_rs_me_ilha.pdf: 4246909 bytes, checksum: 19c74f241fc5b3a706f6c977c778131d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-03-01 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Com a grande visibilidade e avanços que a área médica recebe, esta necessita de grande investimento para adquirir equipamentos sofisticados, porém existem materiais comumente encontrados no dia a dia que se destacam para aplicação no ramo medicinal devido suas propriedades satisfatórias e principalmente o baixo custo. Um desses materiais são os hidrogéis, nos quais são polímeros altamente hidrofílicos que quando obtidos por meio de fontes naturais possuem características atrativas para utilização nesta área. A combinação de hidrogéis com nanoestruturas resulta na produção de nanocompósitos que são materiais promissores para o uso em sistemas que necessitam de processo de liberação controlada. Tais sistemas têm o intuito de aumentar o tempo de liberação seja do fármaco, pesticida, água, fertilizante e minimizar perdas expressivas. Com isso, a proposta do trabalho é desenvolver e caracterizar hidrogéis nanocompósitos a base de polissacarídeos para possível utilização como veículos carreadores em sistemas de liberação controlada de fármacos. Os hidrogéis foram obtidos gotejando controladamente a solução de alginato de sódio e alginato de sódio com nanocargas em diferentes concentrações de cloreto de cálcio (CaCl2) ou cloreto de alumínio (AlCl3). Para caracterização, as propriedades hidrofílicas foram determinadas por medidas de grau de intumescimento, as morfológicas e espectroscópicas foram avaliadas por meio das técnicas de Espectroscopia de Absorção no Infravermelho com Transformada de Fourier (FTIR) e Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV) acoplada a EDX (Espectroscopia de Energia Dispersiva de Raios-X), respectivamente. Além disso, as propriedades térmicas foram estudadas por meio de Análise Termogravimétrica (TG); e por fim a técnica de Difração de Raios-X foi utilizada para determinar a propriedade estrutural e o grau de intercalação da nanoargila. Com base nos resultados obtidos foi possível determinar a concentração ideal do polissacarídeo, o melhor agente reticulador e a nanocarga que melhor se adequou a matriz do hidrogel. As análises de MEV, EDX e FTIR confirmam a incorporação e a boa dispersão da nanocarga nos hidrogéis. Além disso, a nanoargila melhorou a estabilidade térmica dos hidrogéis. Os resultados demonstraram que os hidrogéis nanocompósitos a base de polissacarídeo podem ser considerados materiais promissores em sistemas de liberação controlada como carreadores de fármacos. / With the high visibility and advances in the medical field, needing that high investment to get sophisticated equipments, however there are materials generally found daily that stand out for application in the medical field due its satisfactory properties and mainly the low cost. One of these materials is the hydrogels, which are highly hydrophilic polymers that when obtained from natural sources have attractive characteristics for use in this field. The combination of hydrogels with nanofillers , i.e., nanoclay and zeolite, result in the production of promising nanocomposites for the use in system that require of controlled release process. Such systems have objective to increase the release time of drug, pesticide, water, fertilizer and minimize the significant losses. Thus, the proposal of this study is to develop and characterize nanocomposite hydrogels based on polysaccharide for possible utilization as carrier vehicles in controlled release systems of drugs. The hydrogels were obtained dripping controllably the sodium alginate and sodium alginate with nanofillers solutions in different concentration of calcium chloride and aluminum chloride. Hydrophilic properties were determined by degree of swelling measurements, and the morphological and spectroscopic were evaluated by means of techniques Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with EDX (Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy). In addition, the thermal properties were studied using the Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA); and finally the X-ray diffraction technique was used to determine the structural property and the degree of interleaving of nanoclay. Based on the results, it was possible to determine the optimal concentration of polysaccharide, the best crosslinking agent and the nanofiller that best suited the hydrogel matrix. The SEM and EDS analyzes and FTIR technique confirmed the incorporation and good dispersion of the nanoclay in the hydrogels. Furthermore, the nanoclay improved thermal stability of hydrogels. The results showed that the polysaccharide-based nanocomposite hydrogels can be considered as promising materials for controlled release systems as carriers of drugs. / CNPq: 132357/2014-3

Orientador: Fauze Ahmad Aouada / Resumo: Com a grande visibilidade e avanços que a área médica recebe, esta necessita de grande investimento para adquirir equipamentos sofisticados, porém existem materiais comumente encontrados no dia a dia que se destacam para aplicação no ramo medicinal devido suas propriedades satisfatórias e principalmente o baixo custo. Um desses materiais são os hidrogéis, nos quais são polímeros altamente hidrofílicos que quando obtidos por meio de fontes naturais possuem características atrativas para utilização nesta área. A combinação de hidrogéis com nanoestruturas resulta na produção de nanocompósitos que são materiais promissores para o uso em sistemas que necessitam de processo de liberação controlada. Tais sistemas têm o intuito de aumentar o tempo de liberação seja do fármaco, pesticida, água, fertilizante e minimizar perdas expressivas. Com isso, a proposta do trabalho é desenvolver e caracterizar hidrogéis nanocompósitos a base de polissacarídeos para possível utilização como veículos carreadores em sistemas de liberação controlada de fármacos. Os hidrogéis foram obtidos gotejando controladamente a solução de alginato de sódio e alginato de sódio com nanocargas em diferentes concentrações de cloreto de cálcio (CaCl2) ou cloreto de alumínio (AlCl3). Para caracterização, as propriedades hidrofílicas foram determinadas por medidas de grau de intumescimento, as morfológicas e espectroscópicas foram avaliadas por meio das técnicas de Espectroscopia de Absorção no Infravermelho com Trans... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: With the high visibility and advances in the medical field, needing that high investment to get sophisticated equipments, however there are materials generally found daily that stand out for application in the medical field due its satisfactory properties and mainly the low cost. One of these materials is the hydrogels, which are highly hydrophilic polymers that when obtained from natural sources have attractive characteristics for use in this field. The combination of hydrogels with nanofillers , i.e., nanoclay and zeolite, result in the production of promising nanocomposites for the use in system that require of controlled release process. Such systems have objective to increase the release time of drug, pesticide, water, fertilizer and minimize the significant losses. Thus, the proposal of this study is to develop and characterize nanocomposite hydrogels based on polysaccharide for possible utilization as carrier vehicles in controlled release systems of drugs. The hydrogels were obtained dripping controllably the sodium alginate and sodium alginate with nanofillers solutions in different concentration of calcium chloride and aluminum chloride. Hydrophilic properties were determined by degree of swelling measurements, and the morphological and spectroscopic were evaluated by means of techniques Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with EDX (Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy). In addition, the thermal properties we... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Creeks and rivers are often polluted as a result of stormwater runoff that carries various contaminants in to open water bodies, causing adverse environmental and health effects. Low impact development (LID) techniques are currently employed to treat this runoff prior to discharge. Nitrate, however, is not consistently removed by these LID techniques. This study analyzed the ability of several nanoclays to remove nitrate in runoff and determined the feasibility of using them as a soil supplement for LID implementation. Six different nanoclays and HCl-treated clays were compared (pre-modified trimethyl stearyl ammonium nanoclay, pre-modified dimethyl dialkyl amine nanoclay, unmodified hydrophilic bentonite, unmodified halloysite nanoclay, HCl modified hydrophilic bentonite and HCL modified kaolin) to the control clay, unmodified kaolin, for their ability to adsorb nitrate solution by batch adsorption experiments. The findings determined that the pre-modified trimethyl stearyl ammonium nanoclay was the most effective adsorbent, decreasing the nitrate concentration up to 86% for a nitrate to clay ratio of 6.25 mg: 1 g under normal pH (5-6) and temperature (25⁰C) conditions. The HCl acid modification did not prove to provide significant additional benefits to the clays. Column studies were also conducted on the most successful clay, pre-modified trimethyl stearyl ammonium nanoclay, to assess the breakthrough point when 0.1% w/w and 1% w/w of the nanoclay were added to Nevada Sand. The results showed a projected breakthrough pore volume of 17 when the larger fraction was added to the sand, and a corresponding hydraulic conductivity of 12.6 in/hr, which is 35% slower than the un-amended Nevada Sand. Such a high hydraulic conductivity indicated that future work can test larger fractions of clay to sand mixtures to achieve a higher number of pore volumes before the soil reaches its breakthrough point. Future studies can also further explore both batch and column experiments to assess the feasibility of implementing soil amendments to a filtration system by changing the experimental parameters, such as base soil material, types of nanoclays used, and the nanoclay to nitrate ratios. Additionally, synthetic stormwater from runoff should be used as the influent instead of a nitrate-only solution to reflect more realistic scenarios for a potential real-world application.

Research into the processing conditions and parameters of polymeric nanocomposites has always been challenging to scientists and engineers alike. Many have developed tools and procedures to allow materials to be exploited and their properties improved with the addition of nanofillers to achieve the desired end material for various applications. Initial trials are mostly conducted using conventional small scale experiments using specialised equipment within the laboratory that can replicate the larger industrial equipment. This is a logical approach as it could save time and costs as many nanocomposites are relatively expensive to produce. Experiments have previously been done using the likes of the Haake twin screw extruder to manufacture nanocomposites within the laboratory but this research project has used a novel minimixer specifically developed to replicate mixing like large twin screw extrusion machines. The minimixer uses a twin paddle system for high shear mixing in conjunction with a single screw thus theoretically allowing an infinitely long recirculation. It is this ability to mix intensely whilst allowing for as long as desired recirculation which enables the replication in this very small mixer (10-30g capacity) of the mixing conditions in a large twin screw extruder. An added feature of the minimixer is that it can undertake inline data analysis in real time. The main experiments were conducted using a comprehensive DOE approach with several different factors being used including the temperature, screw speed, residence time, clay and compatibiliser loading and two polymer MFI¿s. The materials used included PP, Cloisite 20A, Polybond 3200, PET, Somasif MTE, Polyurethane 80A and Single / Multi-walled Carbon nanotubes. Detailed experimental results highlighted that rheological analysis of the nanocomposite materials as an initial testing tool were accurate in determining the Elastic and Loss modulus values together with the Creep and Recovery, Viscosity and Phase Angle properties in the molten state. This approach was also used in an additional set of experiments whereby the temperature, speed, residence time and compatibiliser were kept constant but the clay loading was increased in 1% wt. increments. These results showed that the G¿ & G¿¿ values increased with clay loading. Another important finding was the bi-axial stretching step introduced after the processing stage of the nanocomposite materials which highlighted a further improvement in the modulus values using rheological testing. Other tests included using inline monitoring to look into both the viscosity and ultrasound measurements in real time of the molten polymer nanocomposite through a slit die attachment to the minimixer. / EPSRC

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