Abstract The Brazilian Buriti oil presents low extraction costs and relevant antioxidant properties. Thus, this work aimed to analyze Buriti oil biomaterial (BB), within its physicochemical properties, biocompatibility and cellular integration, with the purpose to the use as a growth matrix for Goat Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells. Biomaterials were produced from Buriti oil polymer (Mauritia flexuosa), for it’s characterization were performed Infrared Region Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TG and DTG). The biointegration was analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and histological techniques. In order to investigate biocompatibility, MTT (3-(4,5-dimetil-2-tiazolil)-2,5-difenil-2H-tetrazólio) test and hemolytic activity tests were performed. The activation capacity of immune system cellswas measured by phagocytic capacity assay and nitric oxide synthesis . The BB presented an amorphous composition, with high thermal stability and high water expansion capacity, a surface with micro and macropores, and good adhesion of Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells (MSCWJ). We verified the absence of cytotoxicity and hemolytic activity, in addition, BB did not stimulate the activation of macrophages. Proving to be a safe material for direct cultivation and also for manufacturing of compounds used for in vivo applications.

Abstract To analyze the surface topography and mechanical properties of a polyurethane derived from castor oil reinforced with hydroxyapatite (PU–HA) for bone fixation. The surface analysis was performed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and the mechanical properties by Vickers microhardness and tensile tests. The SEM images showed that the PU surface presented important characteristics for materials intended for bone fixation, such as an irregular and porous surface. The analysis showed a surface with alternating areas with depressions and elevations of approximately 80±100 µm, presence of pores of 12 µm in size. The microhardness analysis showed values of 0.42±1.01 HV for PU–HA plates, lower in relation to the poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) plate (control group). The elastic modulus and ultimate tensile strength of 317.4 MPa, and 35.57 MPa for PLGA sample, 1.187 MPa, and 0.29 MPa for PU–HA sample. The PU produced showed good surface properties, however demands better mechanical properties.

RESUMO A indústria da cerâmica de argila compreende materiais empregados na construção civil (tijolos, telhas, argila expandida, entre outros), é de grande importância para o desenvolvimento econômico brasileiro, e busca novas fontes de matéria-prima, principalmente argila. O presente trabalho tem por objetivo caracterizar uma jazida de argila localizada na região central do estado do Piauí, para viabilizar seu uso como matéria-prima cerâmica, buscando impulsionar a indústria de cerâmica de argila. A composição química, as fases cristalinas e a plasticidade da argila foram analisadas. As amostras foram preparadas por prensagem uniaxial, secas em estufa a 110 °C e depois queimadas a 900 °C, 1000 °C e 1100 °C. Determinou-se então a resistência à flexão, porosidade aparente, retração linear, absorção de água, além de análise mineralógica, macroestrutural e microestrutural. Os resultados mostraram uma melhora nos índices com o aumento da temperatura de queima e que as amostras apresentaram coloração avermelhada devido à presença de ferro, bem como quartzo e caulinita. Assim, o depósito de argila tem potencial para se transformar em matéria-prima para a indústria de cerâmica de argila no estado do Piauí.

ABSTRACT The clay ceramics industry comprises materials used in construction (bricks, tiles, and expanded clay, among others), is of great importance for Brazilian economic development, and the industry is seeking new sources of raw material, mainly clay. The present work aims to characterize a clay deposit located in the central region of the state of Piauí, to make feasible its use as ceramic raw material, seeking to boost the clay ceramics industry. The chemical composition, the crystalline phases, and the plasticity of the clay were analyzed. Specimens were prepared by uniaxial pressing, dried in an oven at 110 °C, and then heated to 900 °C, 1000 °C, and 1100 °C. Bending strength, apparent porosity, linear shrinkage, water absorption, and mineralogical, macrostructural, and microstructural analyses were determined. The results showed an improvement in the indices with the increase in the firing temperature and that the samples showed a reddish coloration due to the presence of iron, as well as quartz and kaolinite. Thus, the clay deposit has the potential to become raw material for the clay ceramics industry in the state of Piauí.

RESUMO A indústria da cerâmica vermelha compreende materiais empregados na construção civil (tijolos, telhas, argila expandida, entre outros) e tem grande importância para o desenvolvimento econômico brasileiro, assim tem crescido a procura por seus produtos, causando um problema de escassez de reservas de matérias-primas de boa qualidade e em locais economicamente adequados. Outros materiais também utilizados na construção civil, como o granito (principal produto da indústria de rochas ornamentais) e gesso de revestimento tem apresentado crescimento em sua demanda, gerando, em seu processo de beneficiamento, grande quantidade de resíduos, provocando impacto negativo ao meio ambiente. A reciclagem de resíduos está cada vez mais em evidência em razão do grande volume gerado pelo setor. A indústria de cerâmica vermelha, por sua característica heterogênea, tem se destacado na incorporação de resíduos, tanto por apresentar vantagens, quanto pelo maior rigor das leis atuais. Assim, este trabalho tem por finalidade expor uma visão geral sobre os efeitos da utilização dos resíduos industriais, gesso e granito, em indústria de cerâmica vermelha, apresentando também resultados de trabalhos executados nesta área. Os resultados apontam quantidade escassa de pesquisas na área de reciclagem de resíduos de gesso e granito, e que a utilização dos mesmos em massa cerâmica está em conformidade com a legislação vigente e ainda contribui para a redução dos impactos negativos causados ao meio ambiente devido ao seu descarte em locais indevidos.

ABSTRACT The red ceramics industry comprises materials used in construction (bricks, tiles, expanded clay, among others) and is of great importance for Brazilian economic development, so the demand for its products has grown, causing a problem of scarcity of reserves of good quality raw materials and in economically appropriate places. Other materials also used in construction, such as granite (main product of the ornamental stone industry) and gypsum coating have shown growth in their demand, generating large amounts of waste, causing negative impact on the environment. The recycling of waste is increasingly evident due to the large volume generated by the sector. The red ceramic industry, due to its heterogeneous character, has been prominent in the incorporation of waste, as much to present advantages as the greater rigor of the current laws. The purpose of this work is to present an overview of the effects of the use of industrial waste, gypsum and granite, in the red ceramic industry, and also presents results of work carried out in this area. The results point to a scarce amount of research in the area of waste recycling of gypsum and granite, and that their use in ceramic mass complies with current legislation and also contributes to the reduction of negative impacts caused to the environment due to its disposal in undue places.

Abstract Bone fractures to be corrected need stabilization of their extremities, which is achieved with the use of plates and screws. This research aimed to produce castor bean polyurethane (Ricinus communis), to make resorbable plate, structural and thermal analysis. The production was made by the glycerolysis of the triglycerides present in the oil, after addition of polyol/glycerol and hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) to form urethane structures, with and without addition of hydroxyapatite. The characterization was by FTIR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry. Plates with dimensions of 40 mm X 10 mm X 2 mm were obtained. The SEM showed flat and homogeneous surface. DRX analysis showed the semi-crystallinity of the biomaterial. Glass transition and thermal stability up to 50 °C were observed, followed by thermal decomposition up to 450 °C. The produced polyurethane showed it is possible to be applied in the manufacture of plate.

Neste trabalho, nanopartículas de dióxido de titânio (TiO2) cristalino, com um tamanho de cristalito médio (e.g., 8 nm) e área de superfície (e.g., 192 m² g-1) variáveis, foram sintetizadas em fase anatase pura, utilizando H2O2 como agente de redução da taxa de hidrólise dos íons de titânio, em solução de isopropanol (IP) como meio de reação. As nanopartículas de TiO2 foram caracterizadas por meio das técnicas de difratometria de raios X de pó (XRD), espectroscopia Raman e microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (TEM). A alteração dos parâmetros de síntese permitiu o controle do tamanho das nanopartículas e evitou o processo de coalescência. Foi determinada uma dependência entre o número de onda Raman e o tamanho dos nanocristais, o que é bastante útil para uma rápida verificação do tamanho de nanocristais de TiO2.

In this work, crystalline titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles with variable average crystallite sizes (e.g., 8 nm) and surface areas (e.g., 192 m² g-1) were synthesized in pure anatase phase using H2O2 to reduce the hydrolysis rate of the titanium ions. An isopropanol (IP) solution was employed as the reaction medium. The TiO2 nanoparticles were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). By changing the synthesis parameters it was possible to control nanoparticle size and avoid the coalescence process. A dependence of the Raman wavenumber on the nanocrystal sizes was determined, which is quite useful for a quick check of the size of TiO2 nanocrystals.