in English This master thesis is focused on verifying the possibility of optimizing FTIR spectrometric analysis of terpenic resins using derivatized (fluorinated) samples using XtalFluor-E in combination with triethylamine trihydrofluoride as an agent. Terpenic resins have very similar FTIR spectra, so for their better differentiation, they need to be derivatized to minimize the influence of overlapping spectral bands in FTIR spectra. This work aimed to create a methodology for derivatization of samples of natural polymers for the National Technical Museum in Prague, where the work was performed. Samples of terpenic resins were measured non-fluorinated by the ATR crystal method and by transmission, after fluorination, only the ATR crystal method was used. Different fluorination conditions, different times (2, 4, 6, 24 and 96 hours), the effect of sample rinsing (diethyl ether, ethylene tetrachloride) and the effect of matrix on the sample (KBr pellet) were tested. Fluorination has shown to be effective. Four hours of fluorination and the need to rinse the sample with diethyl ether were chosen as the optimal fluorination conditions. After testing the resins themselves, fluorinated samples of violin varnishes and samples of historical varnishes from harp and piano were analyzed. Their spectra before...

Le projet vise à développer de nouvelles méthodologies exploitant le caractère intensif et éco-compatible de l'extrusion réactive appliquée à des polymères issus de la biomasse. Les polymères naturels possèdent des propriétés physico-chimiques à l'état natif qui limitent leur utilisation dans un grand nombre de secteurs industriels. Des modifications chimiques même limitées permettent de modifier radicalement les propriétés de ces objets macromoléculaires. Les modifications chimiques couramment effectuées en solution ou en batch posent des problèmes de mise en œuvre, de contrôle réactionnel, de coût énergétique et environnemental (coproduits, utilisation de réactifs posant problèmes). Le projet vise à étudier et mettre au point d'une part les paramètres de composition (polymères, plastifiants, réactifs...) et d'autre part les conditions opératoires de la modification chimique réalisée en extrudeuse : taux d'hydratation, pression et température. Trois familles des biopolymères d'intérêt pour les grandes filières des bioraffineries seront considérées, avec des réactions de modification spécifiques visant à répondre aux spécifications d'applications : amidon et maltodextrines, lignines et dérivés thermoplastiques de la cellulose / The project involves developing new chemical modifications methodologies using the ecologically compatible and intensive characteristics of reactive extrusion applied to polymers from biomass. With the prospect of worldwide exhaustion of oil supply, the use of renewable natural polymers as potential substitution candidates for oil based application polymers appears as a sustainable alternative. Natural polymers possess physicochemical properties in the native state, which limit their use in many industrial sectors. Even limited chemical modifications radically change the properties of these macromolecular entities. Chemical modifications commonly performed at industrial level in solution or in batches are often very laborious to implement, control, and in addition suffer from energy and environmental cost problems (co-products, use of reagents posing problems). The project aims at studying and developing the composition parameters (polymers, plasticizers, reagents ...), and secondly examining the operating conditions of the chemical modification carried out in an extruder: hydration rate, pressure and temperature kinetics and other parameters with reactions of specific modifications to meet the requirements of industrial applications. Three families of biopolymers of interest to large sectors of biorefineries will be considered: starch and maltodextrins, thermoplastic lignin and cellulosic derivatives.

Microbial biosensor systems (MBS) are useful for analyte detection owing to their low cost, sensitivity, and selectivity for bioavailable analytes. Due to typically poor shelf-life and sensitivity to external conditions, there are few reports of MBS technology applied to simple analytical devices. The effectiveness of air-drying MBS in natural polymers was investigated as a novel preservation technique. Two colorimetric Escherichia coli MBS, a tetracycline-inducible reporter and an arsenate-inducible reporter, were dried on various substrates yielding novel MBS platforms. In proof-of-concept experiments performed in 96-well microplates, both systems demonstrated responsivity after air-drying in low concentrations of pullulan. However, the MBS were unresponsive following brief storage of 1 week. To improve the preservation of MBS, sensing strips were created by air-drying concentrated acacia gum-based MBS suspensions onto paper. Cells dried on these strips demonstrated responsivity upon solubilization in various tube-based assays. MBS sensing strip responsivity was demonstrated following storage for 6 weeks at 4 °C. Tetracycline-responsive sensing strips also performed well in assays using spiked lake water samples. Air-drying in natural polymers was an effective MBS preservation technique, and allowed for the creation of “mix and read” style assays which were simple, equipment-free and ready-to-use. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

Le bore est nécessaire pour le développement des plantes supérieures (structuration de la paroi végétale). Il pose cependant des problèmes (défoliation, pourriture et chute des fruits mûrs). Pour l’homme, sa toxicité se traduit par des nausées, des diarrhées, des troubles du développement intellectuel, neurologique et physique. La pénurie en eau douce conduit à dessaler l’eau de mer pour augmenter la quantité en eau destinée à la consommation humaine, l’industrie et l’agriculture. Lors de ce procédé, il faut éliminer les ions majeurs mais aussi le bore présent à des concentrations élevées (> 4,5 mg L–1, environ 0,45 mM). Son usage dans l’industrie et son rejet dans l’environnement conduisent à la pollution des eaux souterraines et de surface. Son élimination est donc indispensable, sachant que l’Organisation Mondiale de la Santé recommande une valeur guide de 0,5 mg L–1 dans l’eau potable et une valeur maximale de 0,3 mg L–1 dans l’eau utilisée pour l’irrigation. Cette thèse porte sur l’étude cinétique et thermodynamique des échanges du bore à la surface de différents matériaux en fonction de paramètres physico-chimiques (pH, concentration initiale …) à l’aide d’essais en réacteurs fermés et en colonnes. Deux types de résines commerciales ont été choisies : (i) les résines échangeuses d’anions Ambersep 900-OH et Amberlite IRA 402 Cl avec des fonctions ammonium, (ii) les résines spécifiques Amberlite IRA 743 et Diaion CRB 03 ayant des fonctions méthylglucamine. Les premières essais en réacteurs fermés montrent que les échanges liquide-solide sont rapides avec une élimination du bore > 96 % pour t < 30 min pour Amberlite IRA 743, Diaion CRB 03 et Ambersep 900-OH. Pour t > 2 h, un équilibre est observé pour toutes les résines. Le modèle du pseudosecond ordre permet de décrire la cinétique de sorption pour les 4 résines. A l’équilibre, l’adsorption est maximum d’une part dans une gamme de pH compris entre 6 et 12 pour les 2 résines sélectives Amb IRA 743 et CRB 03, et d’autre part pour un pH de 8 pour la résine Ambersep 900-OH et un pH 10 pour la résine Amberlite IRA 402 Cl. A pH 8 et pour les concentrations en bore < 20 mM, la sorption du bore est représentée par le modèle de type Langmuir pour Amberlite IRA 743, Ambersep 900-OH et Diaion CRB 03. Par contre, la rétention du bore sur Amberlite IRA 402 Cl suit une isotherme de type linéaire. A pH 8 et pour des concentrations en bore < 20 mM, les capacités de sorption sont : 1, 0,7, 0,3 et 0,05 mmol g–1 pour Diaion CRB 03, Amberlite IRA 743, Ambersep 900-OH et Amberlite IRA 402 Cl, respectivement. Les résines Ambersep 900-OH, échangeuse d’anions, et Amberlite IRA 743, sélective, ont été utilisées pour les essais en colonnes en fonction de la concentration en bore et du temps de séjour. Pour la résine spécifique, le temps de séjour dans la colonne affecte fortement le comportement du bore : lorsqu’il diminue, son élution est rapide suivie d’une longue traînée ; lorsqu’il augmente, la courbe de percée correspond à un système à l’équilibre. Pour un temps de séjour élevé, les résultats confirment la non-linéarité observée lors des essais en réacteurs fermés. Pour la résine échangeuse d’anions, la non-linéarité est aussi confirmée. Ces essais permettent de différencier le comportement du bore lors de sa désorption. La régénération est obtenue après des traitements acides et basiques pour la résine spécifique alors qu’un traitement alcalin est suffisant pour la résine anionique. Une étude plus détaillée des mécanismes est en cours et permettra de les intégrer dans un même modèle. La fixation du bore sur des pectines et sa rétention par des membranes d’ultrafiltration (membranes de seuil de coupure différent) a aussi été étudiée. Les pectines ont été caractérisées (composition en sucre et en bore présent initialement) et la viscosité des solutions pectiques mesurée. Des essais de filtration ont permis de déterminer l’efficacité de production et de rétention du bore sur ces matériaux. / Boron is an element, which is necessary as essential nutrient for living organisms, especially for plants where it is involved in cell wall composition. But boron excess can cause some problems on the development of plants (defoliation, decay and fall unripe fruits), of humans and animals such as nausea, diarrhoea, dermatitis, lethargy. Boron toxicity also changes blood composition, caused disorder in neurological, physical, intellectual development. Nowadays, due to the shortage of fresh water sources, seawater desalination has been becoming an alternative fresh water supply. However, the presence of boron in seawater is quite high (4.5 mg L–1, around 4.5 mM). Moreover, the increasing use of boron in industries and its discharge to the environment has led to the contamination of surface and ground waters. As the result, boron removal, in production of drinking water becomes very important. Therefore, the World health organization has recommended a guideline of 0.5 mg L–1 B in drinking water and a maximum limit of 0.3 mg L–1 B in fresh water used for irrigation. The objective of this thesis is to study the mechanisms of boron surface exchange on different materials versus time and at equilibrium depending on some physicochemical parameters such as pH, initial boron concentration, reaction time in order to find a new exchanger for boron removal. Boron removal was carried out by ion exchange process using 2 types of resins: Amberlite IRA 743, Diaion CRB 03 as boron selective resins with methylglucamine functions, and Ambersep 900-OH and Amberlite IRA 402 Cl as anionic exchange resins with ammonium functions. From batch studies, fast exchange between resin surface and liquid phase was observed with boron removal up to at least 96 % within 30 min for Amberlite IRA 743, Diaion CRB 03 and Ambersep 900- OH. The reaction between resin surface and boron solution reached equilibrium after 2 h for all the resins. The pseudo-second order kinetic model was used to well describe the sorption kinetic process of the resins. At equilibrium, the experimental results showed that the maximum adsorption was observed to be achieved at pH 8 for Ambersep 900- OH, pH 10 for Amberlite IRA 402 Cl and independent on pH range from 6 to 12 for the 2 boron selective resins Amberlite IRA 743 and Diaion CRB 03. At pH 8 and for boron concentrations < 20 mM, the Langmuir-type relationship was used to fit the experimental data for Amberlite IRA 743, Ambersep 900- OH and resin Diaion CRB 03. In the range of studied boron concentration, the boron sorption onto Amberlite IRA 402 Cl followed linear-type behaviour. At pH 8 and for boron concentrations < 20 mM, the sorption capacities are: 1, 0,7, 0,3 et 0,05 mmol g–1 for Diaion CRB 03, Amberlite IRA 743, Ambersep 900- OH and Amberlite IRA 402 Cl, respectively. Column experiments were performed with the anionic resin Ambersep 900-OH and the selective one Amberlite IRA 743 by studying both the influence of boron concentration and the residence time. For the selective resin, if the residence time decreases, the boron breakthrough is fast followed by a long tail. For larger residence time, local equilibrium seems to be assumed. Results are thus consistent with batch experimental data. For the anionic resin, the nonlinear behaviour is also confirmed. Moreover, column experiments showed a strong difference during desorption. To regenerate resins, acid and basic treatments are necessary for the selective resin although a basic solution is enough for the anionic resin. A more detailed study of mechanisms is in progress in order to build a exchange model for predicting boron fate. Finally, characterization of pectins was also performed. Its composition (sugar and boron content) and the viscosity of pectin solutions were quantified. Filtration experiments allowed testing the efficiency of such material to remove boron too

Este trabalho teve como objetivo principal a preparação e caracterização de filmes de alginato de sódio plastificado com glicerol. Foram preparadas amostras de filmes variando-se a concentração de ácido acético ou de perclorato de lítio, com a finalidade de otimizá-los como eletrólitos sólidos poliméricos (ESP) em dispositivos eletroquímicos, como sensores e baterias. Após o preparo dos filmes, estes foram caracterizados por análise elementar (AE), microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), difração de raios-X, termogravimetria (TG), análise térmica mecânico dinâmica (DMTA), espectroscopia no UV-VIS, espectroscopia de infravermelho (IR) e espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica (EIE). Os filmes preparados com alginato de sódio foram plastificados com 0,6 g de glicerol e apresentaram transparência nos comprimentos de onda da luz visível, boa condutividade iônica e maleabilidade. Através dos difratogramas de raios-X pode-se observar que os filmes possuem predominantemente caráter amorfo. O filme de alginato de sódio dopado com 0,3 mL ácido acético apresentou a melhor condutividade (8,7x10-5 S cm-1 a temperatura ambiente e de 1,15x10-3 S cm-1 a 80°C). Para amostras com quantidades maiores de ácido acético os filmes tornaram-se quebradiços e opacos. Para as amostras preparadas com perclorato de lítio a melhor condutividade obtida foi com o filme preparado utilizando 15% em massa de perclorato de lítio: 3,1x10-4 S cm-1 a temperatura ambiente e 1,2x10-3 S cm-1, a 80°C. As análises dos valores de condutividade em função da temperatura das amostras de alginato de sódio revelaram que este segue o modelo Vogel-Tamman-Fulcher (VTF) de condução, onde a movimentação das cadeias poliméricas auxilia na condução iônica. O valor de energia de ativação foi de 36,14 kJ mol-1 para a amostra com 0,3 mL de ácido acético foi de 36 kJ mol-1 para a amostra com 0,4 mL de ácido. Para os filmes preparados com 15% em massa de perclorato de lítio foi de 18,43 kJ mol-1. Essas novas membranas demonstraram ser candidata promissora para aplicação em diversos dispositivos eletroquímicos. / The aim of this study was the preparation and characterization of sodium alginate membranes plasticized with glycerol. The samples were obtained with different concentration of acetic acid or lithium perchlorate in order to use them as solid polymer electrolytes (SPE) in electrochemical devices, such as sensors and batteries. The films were characterized by elemental analysis (EA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray, thermogravimetry (TG), dynamic-mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), UV-visible spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy (IR) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (IES). The samples plasticized with 0.6 g of glycerol showed good transparency, good ionic conductivity and flexibility. X-ray diffractograms evidenced predominantly amorphous state of the samples. The best ionic conductivity results of 8.7 x 10 -5 S cm -1 at room temperature and 1.15 x 10 - 3 S cm -1 at 80 ° C were obtained with sodium alginate samples containing 0.3 mL of acetic acid. Samples with larger amounts of acid became brittle and opaque. The best conductivity values of 3.1 x10 -4 S cm -1 at room temperature and 1, 2 x10 -3 S cm -1 at 80 ° C were obtained for the samples containing 15 wt.% of lithium perchlorate.. The analysis of the conductivity as a function of temperature revealed that they follow the Vogel-Tamman-Fulcher (VTF) conductivity model. The activation energy were 36, 14 kJ mol -1 for the sample with 0.3 mL of acetic acid and 36 kJ mol -1 for the sample with 0.4 mL of acid. The sample with 15 wt.% of lithium perchlorate showed activation energy of 18.43 kJ mol -1. This new ionic conducting membranes are good candidates to be used as electrolytes in electrochemical devices.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo principal a preparação e caracterização de filmes de alginato de sódio plastificado com glicerol. Foram preparadas amostras de filmes variando-se a concentração de ácido acético ou de perclorato de lítio, com a finalidade de otimizá-los como eletrólitos sólidos poliméricos (ESP) em dispositivos eletroquímicos, como sensores e baterias. Após o preparo dos filmes, estes foram caracterizados por análise elementar (AE), microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), difração de raios-X, termogravimetria (TG), análise térmica mecânico dinâmica (DMTA), espectroscopia no UV-VIS, espectroscopia de infravermelho (IR) e espectroscopia de impedância eletroquímica (EIE). Os filmes preparados com alginato de sódio foram plastificados com 0,6 g de glicerol e apresentaram transparência nos comprimentos de onda da luz visível, boa condutividade iônica e maleabilidade. Através dos difratogramas de raios-X pode-se observar que os filmes possuem predominantemente caráter amorfo. O filme de alginato de sódio dopado com 0,3 mL ácido acético apresentou a melhor condutividade (8,7x10-5 S cm-1 a temperatura ambiente e de 1,15x10-3 S cm-1 a 80°C). Para amostras com quantidades maiores de ácido acético os filmes tornaram-se quebradiços e opacos. Para as amostras preparadas com perclorato de lítio a melhor condutividade obtida foi com o filme preparado utilizando 15% em massa de perclorato de lítio: 3,1x10-4 S cm-1 a temperatura ambiente e 1,2x10-3 S cm-1, a 80°C. As análises dos valores de condutividade em função da temperatura das amostras de alginato de sódio revelaram que este segue o modelo Vogel-Tamman-Fulcher (VTF) de condução, onde a movimentação das cadeias poliméricas auxilia na condução iônica. O valor de energia de ativação foi de 36,14 kJ mol-1 para a amostra com 0,3 mL de ácido acético foi de 36 kJ mol-1 para a amostra com 0,4 mL de ácido. Para os filmes preparados com 15% em massa de perclorato de lítio foi de 18,43 kJ mol-1. Essas novas membranas demonstraram ser candidata promissora para aplicação em diversos dispositivos eletroquímicos. / The aim of this study was the preparation and characterization of sodium alginate membranes plasticized with glycerol. The samples were obtained with different concentration of acetic acid or lithium perchlorate in order to use them as solid polymer electrolytes (SPE) in electrochemical devices, such as sensors and batteries. The films were characterized by elemental analysis (EA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray, thermogravimetry (TG), dynamic-mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), UV-visible spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy (IR) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (IES). The samples plasticized with 0.6 g of glycerol showed good transparency, good ionic conductivity and flexibility. X-ray diffractograms evidenced predominantly amorphous state of the samples. The best ionic conductivity results of 8.7 x 10 -5 S cm -1 at room temperature and 1.15 x 10 - 3 S cm -1 at 80 ° C were obtained with sodium alginate samples containing 0.3 mL of acetic acid. Samples with larger amounts of acid became brittle and opaque. The best conductivity values of 3.1 x10 -4 S cm -1 at room temperature and 1, 2 x10 -3 S cm -1 at 80 ° C were obtained for the samples containing 15 wt.% of lithium perchlorate.. The analysis of the conductivity as a function of temperature revealed that they follow the Vogel-Tamman-Fulcher (VTF) conductivity model. The activation energy were 36, 14 kJ mol -1 for the sample with 0.3 mL of acetic acid and 36 kJ mol -1 for the sample with 0.4 mL of acid. The sample with 15 wt.% of lithium perchlorate showed activation energy of 18.43 kJ mol -1. This new ionic conducting membranes are good candidates to be used as electrolytes in electrochemical devices.

O processamento da cana gera vários co-produtos tais como, o bagaço e a palha, sendo esta considerada um dos principais resíduos gerados devido à mecanização da colheita. Assim, a disponibilidade e a composição desse resíduo de cana-de-açúcar têm impulsionado muitas pesquisas para o desenvolvimento de tecnologias que proporcionem o seu aproveitamento efetivo. Este trabalho teve como objetivo a separação dos principais componentes da palha de cana-de-açúcar para a obtenção de insumos químicos com maior valor econômico, sendo proposta a obtenção, caracterização e modificação da celulose desta biomassa vegetal, a ser utilizada na síntese da carboximetilcelulose (CMC) partindo da celulose branqueada por meio da combinação do processo químico com o enzimático, utilizando xilanase. Foi também avaliada a influência nas propriedades mecânicas, termogravimétricas e morfológicas das poliuretanas, ao adicionar-se celulose a esses polímeros obtidos a partir de óleo de mamona (Ricinus communis L.). A palha de cana foi pré-tratada por explosão a vapor e submetida à deslignificação alcalina. Foi realizado, posteriormente, o tratamento utilizando-se xilanase e então, a polpa foi branqueada com peróxido de hidrogênio. A polpa branqueada obtida foi utilizada para obtenção de CMC. Foi determinado o ganho de massa após a reação de obtenção e o grau de substituição da CMC obtida. A polpa deslignificada (celulose) foi utilizada como reforço para obtenção de biocompósitos com poliuretana obtida a partir do óleo de mamona. Os biocompósitos obtidos foram analisados por calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC), termogravimetria (TGA), foram determinadas as propriedades mecânicas, microscopia eletrônica de varredura e estudo de absorção de água. A adição de fibras de palha em matriz de PU de óleo de mamona melhorou as propriedades mecânicas comparado à matriz pura, e uma possível redução no custo sugere uma aplicação industrial do produto final. / The sugarcane processing generates various agricultural byproducts such as bagasse and straw, which is considered one of the main waste generated due to the mechanization of the harvest in Brazil. Thus, the availability and composition of sugarcane straw have driven a great effort to develop technologies that provide its effective utilization. This study aimed to separate the main components of sugarcane straw to obtain chemical products with higher economic value, and the proposed obtainment is the modification and characterization of cellulose biomass to be used in the synthesis of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) based on the bleached pulp through a combination of chemical process with the enzyme, using xylanase. It was also studied the influence in mechanical, thermal and morphological properties of polyurethane obtained from castor oil (Ricinus Communis L.) reinforced composites. Sugarcane straw was pretreated by steam explosion, delignified, treated with xylanase and bleached with hydrogen peroxide. The bleached cellulose obtained was used to produce CMC. It was determined the mass gain and the degree of substitution of the obtained CMC. The delignified pulp (cellulose) was used as reinforcement in composites of polyurethane obtained from castor oil. The biocomposites were analysed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TGA), and it was also determined the mechanical properties, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and water absorption. The incorporation of sugarcane straw fibers in the polyurethane matrix improved the mechanical properties compared with the pure matrix, and a possible reduction in the costs of production suggests a industrial application of the material.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi a produção de blendas a partir de zeína e amido de milho, procurando unir de forma otimizada as propriedades dos polímeros e suas características de processabilidade e o entendimento da correlação estrutura-propriedades destas blendas. Misturas de amidolzeína foram preparadas nas proporções de 0/100, 10190, 20180, 30170, 50150, 80120 e 10010 massa/massa%, utilizando glicerol como plastificante nas proporções de 22, 30 e 40% em relação a massa total dos polímeros. As formulações foram processadas em um misturador interno, tipo Haake, conectado ao reômetro de torque a 160°C. As misturas obtidas foram moldadas por compressão a 160°C. As propriedades das blendas foram aliadas por ensaios de absorção de umidade, difração de raios X, ensaios mecânicos (tração), calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC), termogravimetria (TG), análise termo dinâmica-mecânica, microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) e microscopia ótica. As blendas com 22% de glicerol foram avaliadas também quanto a biodegradabilidade, utilizando a técnica de biodegradação aeróbia. A adição da zeína facilitou o pmcessamento das misturas, conforme o observado durante o processamento no reômetro de torque. A presença da zeína não afeta a cristalinidade do amido nas blendas e não ocorre a formação de novas estruturas cristalinas devido a mistura. As blendas amidolzeína apresentaram menor estabilidade térmica que o amido termoplástico e zeína plastificada separadamente e a estabilidade térmica das blendas diminuiu com o aumento do teor de glicerol. As propriedades mecânicas das blendas foram dependentes do teor de zeína e de glicerol. A adição de zeína na lenda provocou aumento no módulo de elasticidade e na resistência a tração e diminuição da deformação , enquanto que o gliceml provocou diminuição em todas estas propriedades. As blendas apresentaram-se imiscíveis em todas as composições estudadas. A zeína plastificada mostrou biodegradação mais acentuada que o amido termoplástico e as blendas apresentaram biodegradação intermediária entre o amido e a zeína. / In this work were investigated blends from zein, which is a com protein, with com starch. The objective of this work was optimizing the polymers properties and their processing characteristics and looking for a structure-properties correlation of these blends. The mixtures of pure polymers and starchlzein blends were prepared using glycerol as plasticizer in a batch mixer connected to a torque rheometer. The zein content varied from 20 to 80% and three levels of glycerol were used, 22, 30 and 40 % of total starch plus zein weight, on a dry basis. The mixtures obtained were molded by compression at 160 OC. The blends were characterized by water absorption experiments, wide-angle X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), tensile test, dynamical mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), optical microscopy. Additionally the biodegradability of starchtzein blends were evaluated by aerobic test. The torque behavior of the starchtzein blends shows that zein acts as a processing agent, reducing the melt viscosity of the mixture and facilitating the plasticization of starch. No evidence of the zein affecting the type or amount of crystal structure of thermoplastic starch was observed. The zein proved to be effective to reduce the water absorption of the blends. Mechanical properties of blends depends on the glycerol and zein contents. Young\'s modulus and ultimate tensile strength increase sharply with increasing zein content, while that the glycerol caused reduction on these properties. The blends were immiscible and phase invesion was observed. The results of biodegradation aerobic showed that after 45 days the zeína unfastened greater COz mass than the starch. This indicates that the zein biodegradation occurs more easily than the starch. The blends presented intermediate biodegradtion between the starch and the zein.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi a produção de blendas a partir de zeína e amido de milho, procurando unir de forma otimizada as propriedades dos polímeros e suas características de processabilidade e o entendimento da correlação estrutura-propriedades destas blendas. Misturas de amidolzeína foram preparadas nas proporções de 0/100, 10190, 20180, 30170, 50150, 80120 e 10010 massa/massa%, utilizando glicerol como plastificante nas proporções de 22, 30 e 40% em relação a massa total dos polímeros. As formulações foram processadas em um misturador interno, tipo Haake, conectado ao reômetro de torque a 160°C. As misturas obtidas foram moldadas por compressão a 160°C. As propriedades das blendas foram aliadas por ensaios de absorção de umidade, difração de raios X, ensaios mecânicos (tração), calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC), termogravimetria (TG), análise termo dinâmica-mecânica, microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) e microscopia ótica. As blendas com 22% de glicerol foram avaliadas também quanto a biodegradabilidade, utilizando a técnica de biodegradação aeróbia. A adição da zeína facilitou o pmcessamento das misturas, conforme o observado durante o processamento no reômetro de torque. A presença da zeína não afeta a cristalinidade do amido nas blendas e não ocorre a formação de novas estruturas cristalinas devido a mistura. As blendas amidolzeína apresentaram menor estabilidade térmica que o amido termoplástico e zeína plastificada separadamente e a estabilidade térmica das blendas diminuiu com o aumento do teor de glicerol. As propriedades mecânicas das blendas foram dependentes do teor de zeína e de glicerol. A adição de zeína na lenda provocou aumento no módulo de elasticidade e na resistência a tração e diminuição da deformação , enquanto que o gliceml provocou diminuição em todas estas propriedades. As blendas apresentaram-se imiscíveis em todas as composições estudadas. A zeína plastificada mostrou biodegradação mais acentuada que o amido termoplástico e as blendas apresentaram biodegradação intermediária entre o amido e a zeína. / In this work were investigated blends from zein, which is a com protein, with com starch. The objective of this work was optimizing the polymers properties and their processing characteristics and looking for a structure-properties correlation of these blends. The mixtures of pure polymers and starchlzein blends were prepared using glycerol as plasticizer in a batch mixer connected to a torque rheometer. The zein content varied from 20 to 80% and three levels of glycerol were used, 22, 30 and 40 % of total starch plus zein weight, on a dry basis. The mixtures obtained were molded by compression at 160 OC. The blends were characterized by water absorption experiments, wide-angle X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), tensile test, dynamical mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), optical microscopy. Additionally the biodegradability of starchtzein blends were evaluated by aerobic test. The torque behavior of the starchtzein blends shows that zein acts as a processing agent, reducing the melt viscosity of the mixture and facilitating the plasticization of starch. No evidence of the zein affecting the type or amount of crystal structure of thermoplastic starch was observed. The zein proved to be effective to reduce the water absorption of the blends. Mechanical properties of blends depends on the glycerol and zein contents. Young\'s modulus and ultimate tensile strength increase sharply with increasing zein content, while that the glycerol caused reduction on these properties. The blends were immiscible and phase invesion was observed. The results of biodegradation aerobic showed that after 45 days the zeína unfastened greater COz mass than the starch. This indicates that the zein biodegradation occurs more easily than the starch. The blends presented intermediate biodegradtion between the starch and the zein.

O processamento da cana gera vários co-produtos tais como, o bagaço e a palha, sendo esta considerada um dos principais resíduos gerados devido à mecanização da colheita. Assim, a disponibilidade e a composição desse resíduo de cana-de-açúcar têm impulsionado muitas pesquisas para o desenvolvimento de tecnologias que proporcionem o seu aproveitamento efetivo. Este trabalho teve como objetivo a separação dos principais componentes da palha de cana-de-açúcar para a obtenção de insumos químicos com maior valor econômico, sendo proposta a obtenção, caracterização e modificação da celulose desta biomassa vegetal, a ser utilizada na síntese da carboximetilcelulose (CMC) partindo da celulose branqueada por meio da combinação do processo químico com o enzimático, utilizando xilanase. Foi também avaliada a influência nas propriedades mecânicas, termogravimétricas e morfológicas das poliuretanas, ao adicionar-se celulose a esses polímeros obtidos a partir de óleo de mamona (Ricinus communis L.). A palha de cana foi pré-tratada por explosão a vapor e submetida à deslignificação alcalina. Foi realizado, posteriormente, o tratamento utilizando-se xilanase e então, a polpa foi branqueada com peróxido de hidrogênio. A polpa branqueada obtida foi utilizada para obtenção de CMC. Foi determinado o ganho de massa após a reação de obtenção e o grau de substituição da CMC obtida. A polpa deslignificada (celulose) foi utilizada como reforço para obtenção de biocompósitos com poliuretana obtida a partir do óleo de mamona. Os biocompósitos obtidos foram analisados por calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC), termogravimetria (TGA), foram determinadas as propriedades mecânicas, microscopia eletrônica de varredura e estudo de absorção de água. A adição de fibras de palha em matriz de PU de óleo de mamona melhorou as propriedades mecânicas comparado à matriz pura, e uma possível redução no custo sugere uma aplicação industrial do produto final. / The sugarcane processing generates various agricultural byproducts such as bagasse and straw, which is considered one of the main waste generated due to the mechanization of the harvest in Brazil. Thus, the availability and composition of sugarcane straw have driven a great effort to develop technologies that provide its effective utilization. This study aimed to separate the main components of sugarcane straw to obtain chemical products with higher economic value, and the proposed obtainment is the modification and characterization of cellulose biomass to be used in the synthesis of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) based on the bleached pulp through a combination of chemical process with the enzyme, using xylanase. It was also studied the influence in mechanical, thermal and morphological properties of polyurethane obtained from castor oil (Ricinus Communis L.) reinforced composites. Sugarcane straw was pretreated by steam explosion, delignified, treated with xylanase and bleached with hydrogen peroxide. The bleached cellulose obtained was used to produce CMC. It was determined the mass gain and the degree of substitution of the obtained CMC. The delignified pulp (cellulose) was used as reinforcement in composites of polyurethane obtained from castor oil. The biocomposites were analysed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TGA), and it was also determined the mechanical properties, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and water absorption. The incorporation of sugarcane straw fibers in the polyurethane matrix improved the mechanical properties compared with the pure matrix, and a possible reduction in the costs of production suggests a industrial application of the material.