Abstract Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) are widely used and may impact the environment. Thus, this study used a high concentration of TiO2NP (1000 mg/L) to verify the defense mechanisms triggered by a plant system – an indicator of toxicity. Furthermore, this study aimed at completely characterizing TiO2NP suspensions to elucidate their toxic behavior. TiO2NPs were taken up by meristematic cells of Allium cepa, leading to slight inhibition of seed germination and root growth. However, severe cellular and DNA damages were observed in a concentration-dependent manner (10, 100, and 1000 mg/L). For this reason, we used the highest tested concentration (1000 mg/L) to verify if the plant cells developed defense mechanisms against the TiO2NPs and evaluated other evidences of TiO2NP genotoxicity. Nucleolar alterations and plant defense responses (i.e., increased lytic vacuoles, oil bodies and NP phase change) were observed in meristematic cells exposed to TiO2NP at 1000 mg/L. In summary, TiO2NPs can damage the genetic material of plants; however, plants displayed defense mechanisms against the deleterious effects of these NPs. In addition, A. cepa was found to be a suitable test system to evaluate the cyto- and genotoxicity of NPs.

Abstract: The high versatility of nanostructured ZnO has drawn considerable attention from the scientific community since the second half of the two thousand decade. Within this timeframe, electrospinning became one of the simplest ways to produce nanostructured ZnO. In this work, we present the production and characterization of ZnO nanoparticles obtained from electrospun fiber mats using the highest (1:2) PVOH/ZnAc proportion reported so far. The thermally annealed samples were characterized using , X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), High Resolution Scanning Electron Microscopy (HRSEM), Energy Dispersive X-Ray analysis (EDS) and Cathodoluminescence (CL). The results obtained show that all annealed samples present excess zinc as oxygen vacancies (VO, VO +) or oxygen antisites (OZn) which contribute to a considerable change in the CL spectra. This change evidences the presence of defect levels within the ZnO gap, which might be an indication that our nanoparticles present higher catalytic activity within the visible spectrum.

Espécies aniônicas absorvedoras de radiação ultravioleta (UV) (4-metoxibenzoato, N-acetilantranilato, 4-metoxicinamato e 4,4'-diamino-2,2'-estilbenodissulfonato) foram intercaladas em hidroxinitrato de zinco pelo método de co-precipitação ou reação de troca aniônica topotática. A intercalação foi confirmada por difratometria de raios X de pó (XRPD), espectroscopia na região do infravermelho com transformada de Fourier (FTIR), análise térmica (TGA/DTA), microscopia eletrônica de varredura (SEM), difração de elétrons em área selecionada (SAED), análise elementar e espectroscopia eletrônica na região do ultravioleta-visível (UV-Vis). Na reação de co-precipitação uma intercalação completa foi observada, enquanto na reação de troca aniônica os íons nitrato só foram parcialmente substituídos pelos ânions orgânicos. Após a intercalação, a capacidade de absorção de radiação UV foi similar à dos sais e ácidos sólidos, sendo o efeito atribuído ao confinamento das espécies aniônicas na galeria bidimensional da matriz hospedeira. Essa observação abre novas oportunidades para o uso de matrizes lamelares alternativas para a imobilização de ânions, na formulação de protetores solares

Anionic ultraviolet (UV) ray absorbers (4-methoxybenzoate, N-acetylanthranilate, 4-methoxycinnamate and 4,4'-diamino-2,2'-stilbenedisulfonate) were intercalated into zinc hydroxide nitrate, either by direct alkaline co-precipitation or topotactic exchange reactions. The intercalation was confirmed by X-ray powder diffractometry (XRPD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal analysis (TGA/DTA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), elemental analysis and ultraviolet visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. In the co-precipitation reactions full intercalation was achieved, while during the exchange reactions nitrate anions were not completely replaced by the organic anions. After the intercalation, the UV absorption capacity was similar to that of the solid salts and acids, the effect being attributed to the confinement of the anionic species in the host two-dimensional gallery. This observation opens new opportunities for the use of organic anions immobilized in alternative layered matrixes for the formulation of sunscreens.

Caulinita natural proveniente da região amazônica (PP-0559) foi caracterizada morfologica e estruturalmente com o objetivo de contribuir para o entendimento do papel da caulinita em reações redox no meio ambiente. Através de microscopia eletrônica de transmissão e difração de elétrons, confirmou-se a estrutura triclínica em cristais orientados, com diâmetros entre 0,2 e 2 mim e cerca de 50 nm de espessura. Os cristais anisotrópicos após orientação foram estudados por ressonância paramagnética eletrônica em função da direção do campo magnético aplicado. Foram estudadas as principais linhas da impureza de Fe+3 substitucional e centros paramagnéticos induzidos por radiação, possíveis centros oxidantes da caulinita.

We report a structural and morphological characterization of the natural kaolinite PP-0559, from the Brazilian Amazon region, with the aim to contribute to the understanding of this clay mineral in environmental redox reactions. The triclinic structure was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction studies. It exhibits oriented crystals, with diameters between 0.2 and 2 mum and about 50 nm of thickness. The anisotropic crystals after orientation were studied by electron paramagnetic resonance as a function of the applied magnetic field. The main EPR absorption lines of the substitutional Fe+3 impurity and radiation induced paramagnetic centers were studied as possible oxidizing centers of kaolinite.