Temporal patterns in the abundance, type and composition of microplastics on the coast of the Río de la Plata estuary.

The objective was to establish possible temporal patterns in the microplastics (MPs) abundance in the water and in the intertidal sediment in an urbanized location of the Río de la Plata estuary (Argentina), in relation to environmental factors. The site was sampled monthly for a year (February 2019-January 2020). The presence of MPs was recorded, being more abundant in February in the water (110 MPs m-3) and in April in the sediment (613 MPs m-2). The types of MPs found were fibers, fragments, pellets, film and foam; while the polymers identified were polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). Regarding the environmental variables, the predominance of wind from the NE direction was related to a greater accumulation of MPs in the sediment, while wind from the NO direction was associated with a lower abundance of MPs in the water. Also, MPs abundance was negatively related to the larger sizes of sediment particles.

Estudio de envejecimiento de poliamida de alto impacto marca Deflex® en saliva artificial comercial / Deflex® brand high impact polyamide aging study in commercial artificial saliva

Este trabajo presenta los resultados de un estudio de envejecimiento natural y acelerado en saliva artificial, de un material para uso odontológico de la marca Deflex® a base de poliamida de alto impacto, según lo establece la norma UNE EN IS0 10993-13 (2009) (AU)

is work presents the results of the study of natural and accelerated aging in artificial saliva, of a material for dental use of the brand Deflex® based on high impact polyamide, as established by the standard UNE EN IS0 10993-13 (2009) (AU)

Estudio de la solubilidad in vitro de un sellador de uso en endodoncia (MTA / Study of the in vitro solubility of a sealant for use in endodontics (MTA)

Se determinó la solubilidad en agua en ensayos in-vitro de un sellador para uso endodóntico a base de un conglomerado de trióxidos minerales (MTA), marca Endosealer® (Densell SA) de acuerdo a la norma UNE-EN ISO 6876:2012. En el ensayo de solubilidad en agua durante 24 hs se encontró pérdida de masa (3,3 %) y la presencia de sólidos en las aguas de lavado (6,4 %). Esto indica que durante el ensayo ocurre la solubilización de parte del material y la incorporación de agua, lo que no permite establecer un valor real de la solubilidad.(AU)

Solubility of a commercial endodontic sealer (Endosealer® (Densell SA)) was performed according to the UNE-EN ISO 6876:2012. The results show a mass loss of 3.3 % and 6.4 % of solid in the test solution. These indicate that during the solubility test part of the material solubilizes and an actual value of solubility cannot feasible be determined

Corn starch-based coating enriched with natamycin as an active compound to control mold contamination on semi-hard cheese during ripening.

The effectiveness of natamycin supported in corn starch-based films to control environmental molds (mainly Penicillium spp) activity that could colonize the surface of semi-hard cheese during ripening, was evaluated. The starch amount was maximized, and this was achieved by adding polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and also polyurethane (PU) to the formulation. The PU acted as plasticizer and also provided functional groups that interacted with the natamycin and affected its diffusion. When 5 % PU was added, the natamycin migration of the coating doped with 1% natamycin was reduced by half. The natamycin distribution on both sides of the film was also evaluated, concluding that, in line with the reduced migration, when polyurethane is included, the formulation presents high hydrophobicity and natamycin is left with a preferential distribution towards the air face (exterior). For microbiological tests, microorganisms were isolated from cheese factories. Natamycin solutions showed inhibitory effect against environmental molds including Penicillium spp. Accordingly, films loaded with 0.1 % natamycin showed a significant inhibitory effect against Penicillium spp. The polymer combination in this work was optimized to obtain an active coating with good physicochemical properties and enriched with natamycin that has proven to be available for acting against molds and preferentially on the surface exposed to potential mold attack during ripening.

A study of the structural changes in a chitosan matrix produced by the adsorption of copper and chromium ions.

A study of the structural changes at micro- and nano-scale in a chitosan matrix after the adsorption of different metal ions is presented. Toward this aim, samples of chitosan films soaked in different concentrations of copper(II) and chromium(VI) aqueous solutions were prepared. Cu and Cr ions were selected as sorbates since they have different ionic properties. The effect of the adsorbed metal ions on the microstructure of the chitosan matrices were studied using Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. To go further into the study of the samples at the molecular level, the nuclear technique positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy was used. Results are discussed in terms of the interaction between the metal ions and the chitosan functional groups.

Chitosan-graft-poly(n-butyl acrylate) copolymer: Synthesis and characterization of a natural/synthetic hybrid material.

Two chitosan polymers with different deacetylation degree and molecular weight were subjected to grafting reactions with the aim to enhance the properties of these bio-based materials. Specifically, n-butyl acrylate in different proportions was grafted onto two different deacetylation degree (DD%) chitosan using radical initiation in a surfactant free emulsion system. Infrared spectroscopy was used to confirm grafting and products grafting percentage and efficiency were evaluated against acrylate/chitosan ratio and DD%. Thermal and structural properties and the behavior against water of the raw and grafted biopolymers were studied using several experimental techniques: differential scanning calorimetry, transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, water swelling, contact angle and positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy. The influence of the grafting process on the morphological and physicochemical properties of the prepared natural/synthetic hybrid materials is discussed.

The role of nanocrystalline cellulose on the microstructure of foamed castor-oil polyurethane nanocomposites.

Nanocrystalline cellulose (CNC), obtained by sulphuric acid hydrolysis, was used to synthesize polyurethane foams (PUFs) based on a functionalized castor oil polyol and a Methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI). Formulations with varying isocyanate index (FI) and NCO number were prepared. At 0.5 wt.%, SEM's of the fractured surface underlined that the CNC acted both as a nucleation agent and as a particulate surfactant with cell geometries and apparent density changing selectively. The chemical structure of the PUF (FTIR) changed after the incorporation of CNC by a relative change of the amount of urea, urethane and isocyanurate groups. A low NCO number and isocyanate index contributed to the migration of the CNC to the Hard Segment (HS), acting as reinforcement and improving substantially the compressive mechanical properties (Ec and σc improvements of 63 and 50%, respectively). For a high NCO number or isocyanate index, the CNC migrated to the Soft Segment (SS), without causing a reinforcement effect. The migration of the CNC was also detected with DSC, TGA and DMA, furtherly supporting the hypothesis that a low NCO number and index contributed both to the formation of a microstructure with a higher content of urethane groups.

Photophysical properties of blue - emitting silicon nanoparticles.

Silicon nanoparticles with strong blue photoluminescence were synthesized by electrochemical etching of silicon wafers and ultrasonically removed under N(2) atmosphere in organic solvents to produce colloids. Thermal treatment leads to the formation of colloidal Si particles of 3 ± 1 nm diameter, which upon excitation with 340 - 380 nm light exhibited room temperature luminescence in the range from 400 to 500 nm. The emission and the one- and two-photon excitation spectra of the particles are not sensitive to surface functionalization with methyl 2-methylprop-2-enoate. However, the derivatized particles show higher emission quantum yields in air-saturated suspensions (44%) than the underivatized particles (27%), as well as higher stability of its dispersions.FTIR and XPS spectra indicate a significant surface oxidation of the particles. The Si:O:C ratio at the surface of the derivatized particles estimated from XPS is Si(3)O(6)(C(5)O(2)H(y))(1), with y = 7 - 8. Vibronic spacing is observed in both the emission and excitation spectra. The information obtained from one-photon excitation experiments (emission and excitation spectra, photoluminescence quantum yields, luminescence decay lifetimes and anisotropy correlation lifetimes), as well as from two-photon excitation fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (brightness and diffusion coefficients) and TEM indicate that the blue-emitting particles are monodisperse and ball-shaped. Particle size clearly determines the emission and excitation spectral region, as expected from quantum confinement, but the presence and extent of Si-O species on the silicon networks seem crucial for determining the spectrum features and intensity of emission. The nanoparticles could hold great potential as quantum dots for applications as luminescence sensors in biology and environmental science.

Film-forming microgels for pH-triggered capture and release.

The pH-responsive behavior for a series of lightly cross-linked, sterically stabilized poly(tertiary amine methacrylate)-based latexes adsorbed onto mica and silica was investigated using in situ tapping mode AFM at room temperature. The adsorbed layer structure was primarily determined by the glass transition temperature, T(g), of the latex: poly[2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate]-based particles coalesced to form relatively featureless uniform thin films, whereas the higher T(g) poly[2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl methacrylate] latexes retained their original particulate character. Adsorption was enhanced by using a cationic poly[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] steric stabilizer, rather than a nonionic poly(ethylene glycol)-based stabilizer, since the former led to stronger electrostatic binding to the oppositely charged substrate. Both types of adsorbed latexes acquired cationic microgel character and swelled appreciably at low pH, even those that had coalesced to form films. Fluorescence spectroscopy was used to study the capture of a model hydrophobic probe, pyrene, by these adsorbed latex layers followed by its subsequent release by lowering the solution pH. The repeated capture and release of pyrene through several pH cycles was also demonstrated. Since these poly(tertiary amine methacrylate) latexes are readily prepared by aqueous emulsion polymerization and adsorption occurs spontaneously from aqueous solution, this may constitute an attractive route for the surface modification of silica, mica and other oxides.