A new treatment technology, called Advanced Reduction Process (ARP), was developed by combining UV irradiation with reducing reagents to produce highly reactive species that degrade contaminants rapidly. Vinyl chloride (VC) and 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCA) pose threats to humans and the environment due to their high toxicity and carcinogenicity. In this study, batch experiments were conducted under anaerobic conditions to investigate the degradations of VC and 1,2-DCA with various ARP that combined UV with dithionite, sulfite, sulfide or ferrous iron. Complete degradation of both target compounds was achieved by all ARP and the reactions were found to follow pseudo-first-order decay kinetics. The effects of pH, sulfite dose, UV light intensity and initial contaminant concentration on the degradation kinetics were investigated in the photochemical degradation of VC and 1,2-DCA by the sulfite/UV ARP. The rate constants were generally promoted by raising the solution pH. The optimal pH conditions for VC and 1,2-DCA degradation were pH 9 and pH 11,respectively. Higher sulfite dose and light intensity were found to increase the rate constants linearly for both target contaminants. A near reciprocal relation between the rate constant and initial concentration of target compounds was observed in the degradation of 1,2-DCA. The rate constant was observed to be generally independent of VC concentration, but with a slight increase at lower concentrations. A degradation mechanism was proposed that described reactions between target contaminants and reactive species such as the sulfite radical and hydrated electron that were produced in the photolysis of sulfite solution. A mechanistic model that described major reactions in the ARP system was developed and explained the dependence of the rate constant on those experimental factors. Chloride ion and chloroethane were detected as the major degradation products at acid and neutral pH. An increase in pH promoted the extent of dechlorination with complete dechlorination being observed at pH 11 for both VC and 1,2-DCA. Due to the rapid degradation kinetics in these ARPs, this new treatment technology may be applied to remove various contaminants in water and wastewater.

Abstract This work investigates the kinetics of the emulsion polymerization of vinyl acetate. Several aspects of this system have been clarified, including the induced decomposition of persulfate, retardation by oxygen and entry by, and analysis of, the aqueous phase oligomeric radicals. It has been shown that the retardation period observed in the emulsion polymerization of VAc can be explained by the effect of traces of oxygen (< 10-6 M) on the entry efficiency of the initiator-derived aqueous-phase oligomeric radicals. Comparison of rates of polymerization in V and persulfate -initiated polymerizations together with electrospray mass spectrometry of aqueous phase oligomers, has shown that the mechanism for the induced decomposition of persulfate by vinyl acetate is chain transfer to initiator from aqueous-phase oligomeric radicals. A value has been determined for the rate coefficient for transfer to initiator, by fitting literature data to a model based on this mechanism. The reported independence of the rate of polymerization from the monomer concentration in the emulsion polymerization of vinyl acetate has been investigated. Possible explanations for this behaviour have been proposed and tested in this work, by measuring radical-loss rates directly with y-relaxation techniques. Although the Y relaxations were found to be affected by experimental artefacts, it has been demonstrated that rapid exit is not responsible for the high radical-loss rates in this system. The major artefact identified in the y relaxations was the significant effect of relatively small exotherms on relaxation behaviour, Methodologies were developed for correcting affected data and for avoiding exotherms under certain conditions. Arrhenius parameters were determined for the rate coefficient for chain transfer to monomer using the In^M method, which utilises the whole MWD. This section of the work is incomplete, for reasons detailed in chapter 5. However, as a preliminary indication it was found that the frequency factor was 106.38 M-1 s-1 and the activation energy was 38.8 kJ mol-1.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--McMaster University (Canada), 1991. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 54-02, Section: B, page: 0820.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--McMaster University, 2005. / Supervisor: John F. MacGregor. Includes bibliographical references (p. 138-152). Also available online.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Florida, 1981. / Description based on print version record. Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 204-213).

Ethylene-vinyl acetate co-polymers are widely used as cold-flow improving additives in diesel fuels. Although their functionality is undisputed, the mechanisms of action at a molecular level are not fully understood. Theories that EVA acts as both a nucleating agent for small wax crystals and as a crystal growth inhibitor are generally acknowledged, however the understanding of the effect of structure on additive performance is limited. Studies have been carried out using molecular simulation techniques with the aims of improving the understanding of the interactions between EVA and diesel fuels, and assessing the potential of these methods for the analysis of different additive structures and fuel compositions. Firstly, the ability of Monte Carlo simulations to predict the chemical potentials of n-alkanes in organic solvents was studied. This information would be of use in determining the characteristics of different fuel compositions. It was found that the particle insertion method used becomes more efficient as the aspect ratio of the solvent increases relative to that of the solute. Despite the identification of expected linear trends in the chemical potential of n-alkanes, it was not possible to produce high quality quantitative data using this method. The effect of vinyl acetate spacing and solvent environment on the configuration of lone EVA molecules in the liquid phase was studied. Molecular dynamics showed that closely spaced vinyl acetate groups increase the tendency of the molecule to fold at that point, whilst molecules with 2 or 3 ethylene groups in between show resistance to folding. It was shown that n-hexane as a solvent produced more folded configurations than benzene and n-hexadecane respectively. Monte Carlo simulations were also performed but were largely unsuccessful. Finally, molecular dynamics simulations were performed to study the effect of different EVA structures on the spontaneous crystallisation of n-hexadecane, and the interaction of the EVA with the resulting structures at a molecular level. It was shown that different EVAs had varying effects on the crystallisation, with trends attributed to the spacing of the vinyl acetate groups and the length and position of extended aliphatic sections of the EVA molecules. One molecule, with evenly spaced side-groups and no extended aliphatic sections was shown to fully prevent the formation of any crystalline structure within the time of the simulation where all other EVA molecules allowed some degree of wax formation to occur.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:22:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2012-06-28Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:49:57Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 semenzim_vl_me_sjrp_parcial.pdf: 77605 bytes, checksum: f58727b3dd34087fa9d922f29bac067e (MD5) Bitstreams deleted on 2014-11-14T12:16:55Z: semenzim_vl_me_sjrp_parcial.pdf,Bitstream added on 2014-11-14T12:17:43Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000696944.pdf: 398566 bytes, checksum: 3105a99c9e8591292c70a0dc96958d0a (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Partículas poliméricas com tamanho e morfologia controlados e propriedades físico-químicas adequadas são amplamente utilizadas em várias aplicações biomédicas, especialmente em embolização, uma técnica cirúrgica minimamente invasiva utilizada em tratamentos de diversas doenças vasculares e quimioembolização, que associa a embolização e a quimioterapia. Ela é realizada com uso de materiais denominados agentes embólicos, sendo as partículas de poli(vinil álcool) (PVA) amplamente utilizadas por apresentarem um alto grau de desempenho. As partículas de PVA estão disponíveis no mercado nas morfologias esféricas e floculares, sendo as esféricas as que apresentam menores riscos para o procedimento. Dessa forma, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo sintetizar e caracterizar microesferas de PVA para serem utilizadas em embolização e quimioembolização. Juntamente com a equipe de pesquisadores da empresa Braile Biomédica, a intenção é desenvolver um produto que ainda não é fabricado pela indústria nacional para ser comercializado a menores custos. Materiais e Métodos: As microesferas de poli(vinil álcool) (PVA) foram sintetizadas pelo método de polimerização em suspensão, seguida de hidrólise alcalina (ou saponificação). Na etapa de saponificação, diferentes concentrações de NaOH foram utilizadas. As amostras sintetizadas foram caracterizadas por Microescopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV), Difração de Raios-X (DRX), Calorimetria Diferencial de Varredura (DSC), Ressonância Magnética Nuclear de 13 C - cross polarization / magic angle spinning ( 13 C RMN CP/MAS) e Potencial Zeta (ζ). Resultados: A análise de MEV indicou que foram obtidas partículas esféricas. Os dados complementares de DRX, DSC e 13 C RMN CP/MAS indicam que à medida que se aumenta a concentração... / Polymeric particles with size and morphology controlled and appropriate physicochemical properties are widely used in several biomedical applications, especially in embolization, a minimally invasive procedure routinely used in treatments of some vascular diseases, and chemoembolization, which combines embolization and chemotherapy. It is performed using materials called embolic agents, being poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) particles often used because its high performance. These particles are commercially available in spherical and flocculate morphologies, however spherical particles present lower risks than flocculates ones during the procedure. Thus, this study proposes to develop and improve spherical PVA particles to be used in embolization and chemoembolization. The development are being conducted by the researchers group from Braile Biomédica, the goal is to develop a product that is not yet produced in the national industry, commercializing it at lower costs. Materials and Methods: PVA microspheres were synthesized by suspension polymerization method, followed by alkali hydrolysis (or saponification). In the saponification step, different concentrations of NaOH were used. The samples synthesized were characterized by Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), 13 C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance - cross polarization / magic angle spinning ( 13 C CP/MAS NMR) and Zeta Potential (ζ). Results: SEM analysis indicated that spherical particles were obtained. The complementary data of XRD, DSC and 13 C CP/MAS NMR indicate that the use of high NaOH concentrations (in the saponification process) determines reordering in the lateral chains of the polymer, which causes an increase of material’s crystallinity. Zeta Potential (ζ) data of the samples indicated that, in an... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Orientador: Hermes Adolfo de Aquino / Banca: Newton Luiz Dias Filho / Banca: Aldo Eloizo Job / Resumo: Neste trabalho foram obtidos e caracterizados filmes de polivinil álcool (PVAl) puro e híbrido polivinil álcool/sulfeto de cádmio (PVAl/CdS). A síntese foi realizada usando o método "hidrotérmico in situ". O híbrido é composto pela matriz orgânica o PVAl e a outra fase inorgânica é o CdS. As amostras foram obtidas na forma de filmes pelo método "casting" a partir de soluções de PVAl/CdS sintetizadas, as quais possuem concentrações de (0.05 %); (0.1 %); (0.2 %); (0.4 %) e (0.7 %) em peso de CdS. A morfologia e as propriedades ópticas, térmicas e elétricas do filme de PVAl e do híbrido PVAl/CdS foram caracterizadas pelas técnicas de Difração de Raios -X (DRX), Espectroscopia na Região do Ultravioleta-visível (UV-vis), Calorimetria Diferencial Exploratória (DSC) e Espectroscopia de Impedância. A análise de DRX utilizando o software composto por um banco de dados de cristalografia indicou a formação de nanopartículas de CdS que possuem estrutura hexagonal. Através de cálculos usando a equação de Scherrer obteve-se o tamanho das nanopartículas que variaram entre (70 e 113 nm). As medidas de UV-vis também confirmaram que as partículas possuem diferentes tamanhos. A presença das nanopartículas é indicada por um pequeno deslocamento da banda de absorção característica do material em determinado comprimento como o CdS "bulk" (490 nanômetro (nm)). O deslocamento desta banda, característica para comprimento de onda menor (de 490 para 485 nm) indica que os tamanhos das partículas são suficientemente pequenos para produzir o chamado efeito quântico. A análise térmica de DSC indicou o comportamento térmico e a influência das partículas CdS sobre os tipos de transformações básicas do polímero como a temperatura de transição vítrea (Tg), temperatura de fusão (Tm), temperatura... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: In this work were obtained and characterized films of pure polyvinyl alcohol (PVAl) and hybrid PVAl/CdS. The synthesis was performed using the "hydrothermal in situ" method. The hybrid is composed by one organic part, called matrix polyvinyl alcohol (PVAl) and an inorganic phase, cadmium sulfide (CdS). The samples were obtained as films by the "casting" method from PVAl/CdS solutions with (0.05 %); (0.1 %); (0.2 %); (0.4 %) and (0.7 %) concentration of CdS. The morphology, optical properties, thermal properties and electrical properties of pure PVAl film and hybrid PVAl/CdS were characterized by techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy in the ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and impedance spectroscopy. The analysis of XRD using programs with crystallography data stored shows the formation of CdS nanoparticles which have hexagonal structure. Through calculation using the Scherrer equation, the sizes of the nanoparticles were obtained in a gap between (70 and 113 nm). The measurements of UV-vis also showed that the particles have different sizes and that the CdS particles have dimensions in nanometric scale. The presence of nanoparticles is indicated by a small shift of the absorption band of the material characteristic as in the CdS bulk, (490 nm). When such characteristic band shift occurs to shorten wavelength from (490 to 485 nm), it indicates that the particle size decreased due to quantum effects. It is confirmed by the XRD technique. The thermal analysis of DSC studied the thermal behavior and the influence of CdS particles on the types of transformations as the basic polymer glass transition temperature (Tg), melting temperature (Tm), crystallization temperature (Tc). The external factor that most affect the T m and Tg is the presence of plasticizers. It could be noted when intentionally added the CdS... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Vinyl chloride (VC) is a common groundwater pollutant and known human carcinogen that is commonly produced from the incomplete reductive dechlorination of tetrachloroethene and trichloroethene, chlorinated solvents often used in plastics and dry cleaning solvent manufacturing. The treatment of VC-contaminated sites by bacteria that can biodegrade VC has been demonstrated to be a practical and potentially cost-effective alternative to traditional "pump and treat" site cleanup options. However, little is known about the biochemical pathways involved in VC-assimilation within these strains and their distribution and activity in situ in the environment. This work uses mass-spectrometry-based proteomics to contribute to the understanding of these microbial communities in both pure cultures and in the environment. The biochemical pathways of VC and ethene oxidation in Nocardioides sp. strain JS614 were studied using proteins identified with a peptide mass fingerprinting approach. New insights into a previously proposed pathway were made using mass spectrometry (MS)-based protein identifications, and potential protein biomarkers for the presence and activity of VC-assimilating bacteria in the environment were identified. Techniques to extract proteins from various environmental samples such as activated sludge, sediments, soils, and water samples were developed based on preliminary experiments with protein extraction from strain JS614. The results of these studies demonstrated the successful extraction and identification of proteins involved in VC-assimilation from ethene-enriched groundwater samples. The presence and diversity of VC-assimilating bacteria in several ethene-enriched groundwater samples were examined using tandem mass spectrometry analysis to identify the protein biomarkers EtnC and EtnE. VC-assimilating organisms can evolve in vitro from bacteria that grow on ethene but very little is known about the molecular changes involved. Proteomic investigations comparing three strains of Mycobacterium strain JS623, a wild type and two VC-adapted strains, validated previous studies indicating that protein expression changes are involved in VC-adaptation. Tandem mass spectrometry and spectral counting were used to identify proteins and semi-quantitatively estimate protein expression levels in the three ethene-grown JS623 variants. The results of this study suggest that multiple VC-adaptation mechanisms are involved in the two VC-adapted strains

Orientador: Beatriz Eleutério Goi / Coorientador: Valdemiro Pereira de Carvalho Júnior / Banca: Pedro Ivo da Silva Maia / Banca: Ana Maria Pires / Resumo: Nas últimas décadas, a polimerização radicalar controlada (CRP) tem se tornado muito importante, pois permite a síntese de macromoléculas de arquiteturas específicas com um controle sobre as propriedades químicas e físicas. Sendo assim, este trabalho apresenta a síntese de novos complexos de Mn(II) e Fe(II) coordenados à ligantes bases de Schiff bidentados, que são resultantes da condensação do salicilaldeído com as seguintes cicloalquilaminas: (1) Ciclopentilamina, (2) Cicloexilamina, (3) Cicloeptilamina e (4) Ciclooctilamina, de forma que estes possam ser utilizados como mediadores da polimerização radicalar mediada por organometálicos. Os ligantes foram caracterizados pelas seguintes técnicas: espectroscopia de ressonância magnética nuclear de hidrogênio (RMN de 1H), espectroscopia de absorção na região do ultravioleta-visível (UV-Vis) e espectroscopia vibracional na região do infravermelho (FTIR). Já os complexos de Mn(II) e Fe(II) foram caracterizados pelas técnicas de FTIR, UV-Vis, voltametria cíclica (VC) e ponto de fusão (p.f.). Os estudos cinéticos de polimerização foram realizados para os complexos de manganês e ferro. O complexo [MnIIbis(N-Salicilideno-Ciclopentilamina)], Mn(L1)2, apresentou um melhor controle na polimerização do acetato de vinila com menores valores de polidispersidade e a curva de massa molecular (Mn) mais próxima aos valores da curva teórica. Já os complexos de ferro mediadores apresentaram um comportamento mais similar, não havendo muita... / Abstract: In the last decades, controlled radical polymerization (CRP) has become very important, since it facilitates the synthesis of macromolecules of specific architectures with excellent control over the chemical and physical properties. Thus, this work presents the synthesis of new Mn(II) and Fe(II) complexes coordinated with the bidentate Schiff bases ligands, which are the result of the condensation of salicylaldehyde with cycloalkylamines: (1) cyclopentylamine, (2) cyclohexylamine, (3) cycloheptylamine and (4) cyclooctylamine, so that they can be used as mediators of radical polymerization mediated by organometallic (OMRP). The ligands synthesized were characterized by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) absorption spectroscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques. The synthesized Mn(II) and Fe(II) complexes were studied by FTIR, UV-Vis, cyclic voltammetry (CV) and melting point (m.p.). Kinetic polymerization studies were performed for the manganese and iron complexes. The [MnIIbis (N-Salicylidene-Cyclopentylamine)], Mn(L1)2, complex showed a better control in the polymerization of vinyl acetate with lower values of polydispersity and the molecular mass curve (Mn) closer to the values of the theoretical curve. However, the iron mediator complexes presented a more similar behavior, not having much difference in the kinetic curves / Mestre