A superfície de uma borracha de etileno-propileno-dieno (EPDM) vulcanizada foi modificada via plasma por microondas, com gases Ar, Ar/O2, N2/O2 e N2/H2, tendo como objetivo melhorar as propriedades adesivas da superfície. A técnica FT-IR/UATR foi escolhida para caracterizar as superfícies após tratamento, pois apresentou menor interferência dos ingredientes da formulação da EPDM, dentre as técnicas analisadas (ATR/KRS-5 e Ge). Grupos oxigenados foram inseridos na superfície da amostra tratada, mesmo quando não foi utilizado o oxigênio, pois estes grupos foram formados quando a superfície ativada foi exposta à atmosfera. Já em tratamentos contendo N2, grupos oxigenados e possíveis grupos nitrogenados foram identificados por FT-IR. Redução nos valores do ângulo de contato, aumento no trabalho de adesão e aumento no ensaio de resistência ao descascamento (EPDM × Poliuretano) foram observados após tratamento com Ar e N2/H2, resultando em melhora nas propriedades adesivas da superfície tratada.

The surface of a vulcanized ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber was modified by microwave plasma in Ar, Ar/O2, N2/O2 and N2/H2 in order to improve the adhesion properties. Surface modification was characterized by FT-IR/UATR, because this technique showed smaller interference of ingredients of EPDM formulation in comparison with other techniques used (ATR KRS-5 and Ge). Oxygenated groups were introduced in the EPDM surface after treatment, even in treatments without oxygen. Theses groups were formed when the activated surface was exposed to the atmosphere. In treatments with nitrogen, oxygenated and possible nitrogenated groups were identified by FT-IR. Reduction in the contact angle, increase in the work of adhesion and increase in the peel strength (EPDM × Polyurethane) were observed after treatment with Ar and N2/H2, resulting in improved adhesion properties of the modified surface.

Abstract: 2,2’, 4,4’, 6,6’- hexanitrostilbene (HNS) is an energetic material, a nitroaromatic compound, with thermal and chemical stabilities, which is employed in the aerospace industry. In this work, the Arrhenius parameters (activation energy and pre-exponential factor) of thermal decomposition reaction were studied and the results were compared with the values reported in the literature. The Kissinger method, applied to DSC’s nonisothermal data of the decomposition temperature was chosen for this study. The activation energy determined for the thermal decomposition of HNS revealed values from 428 kJ.mol-1 to 477 kJ.mol-1, under the experimental conditions employed.

Abstract: A new methodology was developed to characterize and to quantify the polymer content in PBX (HMX/Viton) by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), using the Termogravimetric analysis (TG) as reference techniques for the quantitative method. The quantification methodology, proposed by us, using the Fourier transform infrared-attenuated total reflectance (FT-IR/ATR) showed excellent results, being faster than the usual methodologies and can eliminate the generation of chemical residues.

A new method has been developed for determining the content of mixtures of octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) and hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX), the HMX/RDX ratio, in explosive compositions by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), in the regions MIR (mid infrared) and NIR (near infrared) with reference values obtained by chromatographic analysis (HPLC). Plots of relative MIR (A917 / A783) or NIR absorbance values (A4412 / A4317) versus HMX/RDX ratio determined by HPLC analysis revealed good linear relationships.

Técnicas FT-IR de transmissão, reflexão e fotoacústica (PAS) foram utilizadas para a caracterização da cobertura polimérica do hexahidro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazina (RDX) usando um poliuretano (Estane). Verificou-se no decorrer deste trabalho que, embora seja possível observar as bandas do polímero por meio das diferentes técnicas, as de transmissão (filme vazado) e fotoacústica foram aquelas que melhor evidenciaram as absorções do poliuretano na amostra analisada da cobertura polimérica do material energético. Entre as técnicas consideradas de análise de superfície, a espectroscopia PAS apresentou melhor resultado, provavelmente em função da espessura de poucos micra da camada polimérica.

The transmission, reflection and photoacoustic FTIR techniques have been used for characterization of polymeric coating of hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) using a polyurethane (Estane). Although the bands characteristic of the polymer were indicated by the various techniques, the transmission (casting film) and photoacoustic techniques showed better evidence of polyurethane absorptions in the polymer coating of energetic material. Among the surface-sensitive techniques, PAS spectroscopy shows better result, probably because the polymer coating is at few microns from the surface.

Durante um período de cinco anos, foram isoladas 163 amostras de Corynebacterium sp. a partir de espécimes clínicos obtidos de pacientes de um Hospital Universitário brasileiro. Os microrganismos foram predominantemente observados (46.62%) em materiais oriundos de sítios intravenosos e trato geniturinário. Amostras de Corynebacterium amycolatum (29.55%), Corynebacterium minutissimum (20.45%) e Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum (13.63%) foram predominantemente isoladas do trato geniturinário; C. minutissimum (24.14%) e Corynebacterium propinquum (17.24%) de feridas cirúrgicas e/ou outras lesões cutâneas e abscessos; Corynebacterium xerosis (25%), C. amycolatum (21.87%) e C. pseudodiphtheriticum (18.75%) de sítios intravenosos; C. pseudodiphtheriticum (33.33%) e C. propinquum (33.33%) do trato respiratório inferior. A maioria das espécies exibiu resistência a antimicrobianos do grupo dos beta-lactâmicos e todas as amostras foram vancomicina-sensíveis. Dentre as espécies de corinebactérias isoladas, as amostras exibiram perfis heterogêneos de susceptibilidade aos antimicrobianos. Além de C. jeikeium, a multirresistência aos antimicrobianos também foi observada em amostras de C. xerosis, C. minutissimum, C. afermentans, C. propinquum, C. amycolatum e C. pseudodiphtheriticum. Os dados enfatizam a necessidade de clínicos e microbiologistas permanecerem atentos à possibilidade de processos infecciosos nosocomiais serem ocasionados por Corynebacterium sp., particularmente por amostras multiresistentes aos antimicrobianos.

Over a five-year period, 163 strains of Corynebacterium sp. were recovered from different clinical specimens of patients from a Brazilian University hospital. Genitourinary tract and intravenous sites specimens were the most frequent sources of corynebacteria (46.62%). Corynebacterium amycolatum (29.55%), Corynebacterium minutissimum (20.45%) and Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum (13.63%) were the predominant species found in genitourinary tract. C. minutissimum (24.14%) and Corynebacterium propinquum (17.24%) in surgical and/or other skin wounds and abscesses; Corynebacterium xerosis (25%), C. amycolatum (21.87%) and C. pseudodiphtheriticum (18.75%) in intravenous sites; C. pseudodiphtheriticum (33.33%) and C. propinquum (33.33%) in lower respiratory tract. Microorganisms were all susceptible to vancomycin and most of the species was predominantly resistant to beta-lactams. Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of corynebacteria were not predictable. Multiple antibiotic resistance observed in C. jeikeium was also found among C. xerosis, C. minutissimum, C. afermentans, C. propinquum, C. amycolatum and C. pseudodiphtheriticum strains. Data suggest awareness of clinicians and microbiologists to nosocomial infections especially due to antimicrobial multiresistant strains of Corynebacterium sp.