Biosorbents: an integrated proposal
In this project we are trying to increase the value of waste from the brewing industry using barley bagasse and yeast as natural biosorbents of the Cu (II) ion. In order to avoid the problem of biomass discard after the adsorption, we are testing its use as filler in alginate composites, trying to use the Cu (II) saturated surface of the biomass for greater interaction with the carboxylate ions of the alginate.
Carolina Estefania Duque Aldana (master student - PPGPUR)
Polymer degradation and Stabilization
The study of the degradation of polymeric materials/systems offers many opportunities for increasing sustainability. Some examples are the use of renewable antioxidant additives, such as lignin or quercetin, and the increase of the thermooxidative stability of polymeric composites with environment-friendly reinforcements, such as natural fibers or clays. Another approach is the deposition, by plasma, of organosilicon thin films on the surface of polymeric materials to minimize the photodegradation when exposed to weather.
Sérgio Roberto de Oliveira (master student - PPGCM)
Amanda de Sousa Querubina (master student - PPGCM)
Freeze casting
Freeze casting is a process to make porous structures through a two-step process: 1) freeze a polymer solution and precipitate the polymer, "molding" it by the pressure of the ice crystal spikes; and 2) lyophilization, evaporating the frozen solvent at low pressure, leaving only the porous polymer. We are working in a methodology that generates a porous alginate gel through a slow multidirectional freezing, but without the need of lyophilization, which simplifies the process, although producing a more fragile material. One application we are currently testing is the gel formation by freezing inside other porous solids.
Jeniffer da Silveira Gonçalves (master student - PPGPUR)
Natália Reigota Cesar (PhD student - PPGPUR)
João Carlos Alves Macedo (undegraduate student)
pH-triggered systems
We are developing a biodegradable device, using only unmodified commercial alginate and chitosan, which remains integral at pHs higher and lower than 7, but opens or wrinkles at around neutral pH. We are currently attempting to modulate this effect to other pH values and testing this system for controlled release of chemicals.
Thiago Aguiar Cacuro (PhD student - PPGBMA)
Bruna Aparecida Cardoso (undergraduate student)
Green synthesis of metallic oxides
In this project we developed a burning process using alginate egg-box structures as templates for the synthesis of micro/nanoparticles of metallic oxides. Size and shape are important parameters for the applications of metallic oxides and we are investigating the influence of the egg-box formation on the final morphology of the metallic oxides.
Patrícia dos Santos Araújo (master student - PPGCM)