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Fibers obtained from fallen leaves of the almond tree (Terminalia catappa L.) were incorporated into sustainable composites with recycled polypropylene (PPr) as a matrix. The fibers were used in two conditions: (i) as-collected from fallen leaves and (ii) after treatment by the steam explosion process. PPr composites with concentrations of 1, 5, 10, and 15 wt.% of raw or treated fibers. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the addition of 1 wt.% of treated fibers of almond tree leaves increased the thermal stability of the PPr. Moreover, the composite residue at 700 °C decreased due to the lower content of lignin in the fiber. X-ray diffraction disclosed that the treated fiber had increased crystallinity, and the composites with 1 and 5 wt.% of theses fibers acted as β-nucleating agent, promoting its preferential growth on the (041) crystal face in α-PP. Tensile tests revealed that PPr composite with 1 wt.% of team-exploded, although less ductile, display superior tensile strength and elastic modulus, which characterizes a reinforcement effect. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the less ductility of fibers treated composites. Moreover, voids in the fiber/matrix interface were attributed to fibers agglomeration for higher contents in the composite. It was concluded that the best obtained results for the reinforcement of 1 wt.% of fiber treated by steam explosion indicated a promising all recycled novel PPr composite.

In this study, new composites were prepared with coffee capsule residue as polymeric matrix reinforced with amounts of 5 or 10% m/m sugarcane bagasse fibers (untreated and treated with 4% NaOH solution). The influence of the bagasse fibers on the thermal properties as well as on the dynamic mechanical behavior of composites was evaluated by Thermogravimetric Analysis (TG), Derivative Thermogravimetry (DTG), Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) and Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA). TG results of the composites indicated that the thermal stability was influenced by the fiber content. In addition, the alkali fiber treatment decreased the thermal stability of the composites. By the DTA curves, it was possible to assume that polypropylene was the main polymer that constitutes the capsule through the appearance of the melting temperature event. It could be also observed that the samples showed different thermal behavior in the range of 300 and 410 °C due to the fiber content and the use or not of compatibilizer. Based on the results of thermomechanical analysis, it was found that the viscoelastic properties were also influenced by the addition of fiber (untreated or treated) and the presence or absence of compatibilizer. Furthermore, the scanning electron microscopy images of the samples revealed greater adherence between fiber and matrix in the composites that were used compatibilizer.

People's concern with the health of their animals has grown as the concern with their own health. The phenomenon known as humanization of animals has contributed to the emergence of this awareness about the care that animal owners need to have in relation with food, thus creating a new market nourishment, of natural and healthy foods. With revenues of US$ 91 billion in 2018, the pet food market is seen as a valuable market with great growth prospects for years to come. Nutrition is one of the most important parameters for the maintenance of animal health. Paying close attention to this new trend, the pet industry has been launching and betting on new products that work for the improvement of the quality of life of domestic animals. The present work carries out a national and international technological review on natural food, interesting components and their benefits in pet food, definitions, food market and their trends.

Anacardium occidentale, more commonly known as cashew tree, is a tropical tree native from South America. The industrial use of the cashew is basically aimed at the processing of the nut and, minor extent, the use of the peduncle, generating high losses due to the large quantity of cashew apple bagasse that are discarded. Another cashew’s tree reject is the exudate, a yellowish-colored resin obtained by natural exudation or by incisions made on the stem of the cashew, which serves as raw material for the cashew gum production. In this context, the present work carries out a technological prospection in databases of patents and scientific articles mapping the cashew’s rejects applications, such as cashew apple bagasse and cashew gum as a byproduct. After the analysis of patents and scientific articles, it was possible to perceive that cashew apple bagasse presents a good potential, as an abundant and low-cost source of bioactive compounds, being an excellent raw material for functional food composition. In particular, many studies involving the cashew gum are in the area of medicine. Thus, the present study mapped the potentiality of the cashew rejects that can add environmental and social dimensions that are often overlooked in the context of small-scale agricultural production.

The thermal behavior of the petroleum asphalt binder (PA 50–70) modified with mixture of rubber tires and oily sludge, in the proportions of 15/85% m/m (M1) and 85/15% m/m (M2), was evaluated. For this purpose, M1 and M2 were added to PA 50–70, at concentrations of 10% and 20% m/m with and without 1% m/m of cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL). Results from thermogravimetric analysis (TG/DTG) of the PA 50–70 revealed initial degradation temperature at 290 °C, while with M1, without and with 1% CNSL the temperature was 270 °C and 240 °C at 10% addition, and 194 °C and 240 °C at 20% addition, respectively, and modified with M2, 270 °C and 247 °C, for 10% addition, and 230 °C and 247 °C, for 20% addition, respectively. All these temperatures of degradation were higher than the temperature (160 ± 5 °C) of processing asphalt mixtures. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results showed the occurrence of melting of crystalline fractions only for those modified with the M1 mixture. Results of absorption spectroscopy in the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) region revealed the existence of chemical interaction between the components of the mixture and PA 50–70 supported by the antioxidant action of CNSL. The evaluation of the thermal susceptibility by flow activation energy (Ef), at a temperature of 160 ± 5 °C of the modified binders without and with 1% of CNSL, showed a reduction of 25% in relation to the PA 50–70, signaling a need for lower energy consumption when it is used in the process of obtaining asphalt mix for road pavement.

The prevalence of obesity and diseases related to the high consumption of sugars has resulted in a high demand for sugar substitutes. Non-nutritive sweeteners have been highlighted in the market by their potential for moderating energy and sugar consumption, maintaining the palatability of the diet and its vital importance for people with low-calorie and diabetic diets. Aspartame, saccharin, steviol glycosides and sucralose are the most prominent sweeteners in the global market in terms of consumption. Since tabletop sweeteners are one of their main uses, this study aimed to evaluate the thermal and rheological properties of commercial samples with aspartame, saccharin, steviol glycosides and sucralose. The analytical thermal study was performed for all samples by TG/DTG, DTA and DSC. The results of thermal analysis showed that the sample containing steviol glycosides had a higher thermal stability, with an initial decomposition temperature about 137 °C and lower residue content. This sample also needed more energy to decompose, as shown in the DSC curve. The rheological data showed that all samples presented a viscoelastic behavior in the frequency range evaluated. Also elastic modulus was higher than storage modulus from 0.01 to 10 Hz for all samples studied.

The thermal decomposition kinetics of cashew gum, an exudate polysaccharide from A. occidentale L., has been investigated by thermogravimetric analysis in nitrogen and air atmospheres and non-isothermal conditions. The heating rates were of 5, 10, and 20 K min−1 and gas flow of 20 mL min−1. The NETZSCH Thermokinetics 3 software estimated the activation energy and pre-exponential factor with Friedman and Ozawa–Flynn–Wall methods. Multivariate nonlinear regression analysis was applied to estimate a probable mechanism and lifetime prediction and to describe the thermal decomposition. The results obtained showed that the energy activation is dependent on the conversion degree for both atmospheres. For nitrogen, the most appropriate kinetic model was estimated with two consecutive stage reactions (FnF1 model). For air, the best model was estimated with six stages consecutive and completive reactions (FnFnFnFnFnFn model).

The Brazilian productive chain of poultry meat is one of the most important of the agro-industrial complex in the country. However, this production generates large amounts of residue, causing environmental impacts. After its processing, poultry industry waste can be considered a great potential by-product and a sustainable alternative for animal food and to applications in the cosmetics industry. It can be estimated that the number of produced feathers in Brazil reaches up to around 670 thousand tons annually. This study aimed to obtain keratin from chicken feathers and their characterization by thermal analysis, as well as adding the product into shampoo formulation as well its application on hair samples and compare it to commercial shampoo. Thermal analytical study was performed for all samples by TG/DTG, DTA and DSC. Rheology and FTIR analyses of extracted keratin samples and commercial keratin solution were also performed. Results showed that the extraction process used was efficient, once the TG curves of the samples presented one decomposition stage referring to proteins and DSC curves showed endothermic events suggesting protein denaturation. The shampoo formulations with keratin applied to hair samples showed satisfactory results, such as increased brightness, smoothness and reduced frizz.

Pyrolysis process of coconut fiber and rice husk was studied with the purpose of determining the kinetic parameters activation energy (E) and logarithm of pre-exponential factor (log A) in agreement with converted fraction (α). The determination of kinetic parameters was done through software Thermokinetics by NETZSCH, which associated ‘‘Model Free’’ package enabled the determination of these parameters by Friedman and Ozawa–Flynn–Wall isoconversion models and a probable mechanism that describes the thermal decomposition process of these materials. The thermal degradation of coconut fiber and rice husk was carried out in the range of 303–1073 K under nitrogen flow, and the heating rate used was 2.5, 5, 10, 15 and 20 K min−1. The obtained results showed that the most appropriate kinetic model to describe the thermal decomposition of coconut fiber and rice husk was the autocatalytic reactions model in two parallel reactions (F n C n model).

Cashew gum can be obtained from the exudate released from the stem of the species "Anacardium occidentale", commonly called cashew tree, a tree typical of Brazil and subtropical countries. It is a heteropolysaccharide complex that after hydrolysis presents a high content of monosaccharides with a varied composition depending on its origin. Due to its biological origin, the ability to form gels and the fact that it has properties similar to synthetic polymers, it is a great option for the application in several sectors of industry. In the food industry it can be used as a thickener and a stabilizer for juices, an emulsifier in salad sauces, a stabilizer in the emulsions of meats such as sausage, and in food compositions containing chocolate. In the manufacture of pharmaceuticals it may be used as an agent for suspending, emulsifying, disintegrating, binding, gelling, tabletting drugs with release control and also as a mucoadhesive agent. In medicine, studies also indicate a phytotherapeutic potential in the reduction of blood pressure and even in some types of cancer.

The cashew tree or Anacardium occidentale, a tropical tree native from Brazil, was introduced to Asia and Africa by European explorers in the sixteenth century. The world production of cashew nuts reached 4.89 million tons in 2016, with Vietnam being the largest producer of nuts. The cashew market is expected to remain strong due to high production growth in some areas, such as West Africa. Cashew production is potentially an important value for small farmers in emerging countries and there is an immense potential for cashew by-product exploitation that can add value to cashew agribusiness. The present work carries out a technological prospection in databases of patents and scientific papers mapping the applications of cashew nuts and cashew apple. It was possible to identify 2376 patent applications and 586 scientific publications on cashew nuts and cashew apple together. After the analysis of patents and scientific papers, it was possible to note that the cashew tree is a tree of multiple uses that can contribute in several industry sectors. Thus, the present study mapped the potentiality of applications of the various parts of the cashew, which allows adding value to the cashew agribusiness.

Crude oil represented 50% of primary energy consumption in the world at the beginning of this decade. For each reservoir existent of conventional petroleum or gas there is three times the amount of heavy crude oil in the planet. The present work investigates the thermal behavior of three heavy crude oils from Brazilian basins. It was possible to make an interesting comparison for the same petroleum due to the use of different DSC equipment, especially for the extra heavy crude oils. The petroleum sample with the lowest °API exhibited the highest value for specific heat capacity between all studied samples.

Thermal properties, as well as the dynamic mechanical behavior of recycled polypropylene composites with vegetal leaves contents, were studied by thermal analysis techniques: TG/DTG, DTA, and DMA. Composites made of polypropylene recycled with 1%, 5%, 10%, and 15% ww?1 vegetal leaves were prepared using the melt blending technique. The results revealed that the viscoelastic properties were influenced by fiber content; however, the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the composite did not show significant changes to the fiber content. In the end, the composite with 5% of palm leaves and PP recycled presented the most promising results since this one kept the solid characteristic on the dynamic mechanical properties. This work presents an environmental friendly alternative to manage natural waste, also being a form of reducing polymeric materials waste.

This paper aims to discuss the importance of patenting and publishing as an instrument of incentive to technological innovation in the petroleum chemistry area. The present study has examined the publications and the patent applications published from 1974 to 2014. A technological monitoring methodology for patents in drilling fluid with xanthan gum has been compared using profiles of patent application in the world, with emphasis on Industrial Property Databases available on the internet (INPI-Br, Derwent, Espacenet, Patent Scope and USPTO) with intention to assess the main inventors, applications, applications’ countries, the IPC classification, years of application and category of claims as well as discuss the importance of patents as a means of encouraging technological innovation of xanthan gum. The United States and China stand out both in relation to the publication of papers as well as in the amount of patent filing in scientific publications with the theme drilling fluid with additive xanthan gum classified by the authors’ country of origin. It is observed that Brazil and the US lead the ranking with 15 publications (about 23.1% of the total). Among the 72 institutions obtained as a result, both Petrobras SA and Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil, lead the world ranking, with 6 publications each; in relation to the areas of knowledge, it is observed that engineering stands out in the publication of papers and the areas of chemistry, engineering, energy fuels and polymer science are noticeable in numbers of patent applications. The analysis of patent filings in the periods proposed features a significant percentage associated with the classification C09K.

This paper aims at establishing a global landscape by means of the technological monitoring of cyclodextrin. In order to achieve this objective, the databases of the Web of Science were used for the survey of the scientific literature and the databases of the patents for the survey of the filings of patent applications. The data were obtained using suitable keywords. The present study has examined the publications and the patent applications published from 1981 to 2011. This has allowed us to assess, among other aspects, the main inventors, depositors and the country of the depositors, the main International Patent Classifications, the year of the publication, the country of the publication, as well as discuss the importance of patents as a means of encouraging technological innovation of cyclodextrin technologies.

In this work a continuous investigation of the thermal behavior of two heavy crude oils, P2 and P4, from Brazilian basin was performed using simultaneous technique TG-DSC-FTIR. In previous publication—Part 1, about these same oils at nitrogen atmosphere, it was identified for P2 sample that the main evolved component was 1-dodecyl-4-octyl-cyclohexane at 450 °C and for P4 sample the main component was evolved at 340 °C referent to 1-methyl cyclohexene. The simultaneous technique TG/FTIR was also performed for the present study in synthetic air atmosphere and was more elucidative than analysis in nitrogen atmosphere. For heavy oil P2, there was identified the presence of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and 4-methylcyclohexanone at 382 °C. Whilst for sample P4 the gaseous components evolved at 454 °C were carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and 1-methylcyclohexene. Also differences in TG analysis for both samples were observed regarding the number of components. In air atmosphere crude oil P2 exhibited three decomposition stages, in nitrogen were only two. Four stages were exhibited on the thermogravimetric curve for oil P4 in synthetic air, while in nitrogen atmosphere there were three stages. Thus, this study has a unique character regarding the use of combined simultaneous techniques as STA/FTIR to identify components in heavy oil which may contribute to upgrade methods referring to crude oil composition.

The Brazilian energy sector has undergone significant changes in recent decades. In particular, consumption and production of natural gas have intensified, and more infrastructures for its transport and importation have been built. In addition, recent discoveries (such as the huge natural gas volumes located in offshore fields) and new research into unconventional deposits indicate a rise in Brazil's proven natural gas reserves in the near future. However, Brazil lacks the geological or underground storage facilities to support its rapidly expanding gas industry, as well as important tools for meeting fluctuating demand and production and improving supply security. To assess the required storage capacity for Brazil, it is useful to analyze the international experience, clarifying the development of several aspects of the gas industry in gas storing nations. To this end, we investigated the relationships between storage and various characteristics of the gas sector by linear regression analysis. The research, conducted on all 38 countries with operational underground natural gas storage, evaluated the extent to which storage capacity is affected by proven reserves, production, consumption, infrastructure, total gas imports and exports, and the use of natural gas as a percentage of total national energy consumption. A very strong relationship emerged between underground natural gas working storage capacity and gas consumption (R2 = 0.8825) and gas infrastructure (R2 = 0.9130). Another important relationship was identified between storage and gas production volume (R2 = 0.8239). The remaining aspects did not significantly affect the development of gas storage activity. We estimated the deviations between the values calculated by the linear regression equations and those reported in the technical literature. The errors varied from 89.1%, when all 38 countries were involved, to 31.4%, considering the 13 nations with the highest working gas storage capacities. The average deviation was significantly higher for the 12 nations with little storage capacity (as high as 288%); excluding these 12 countries, the average error reduced to 37.4%. Thus, the equations obtained by the correlations more accurately predicted the outcome in countries with higher storage capacity. The large deviations for countries such as Argentina, China, and Sweden are discussed. Finally, the required storage for the Brazilian gas sector was determined at two intervals: (i) 0.34–9.22 billion m3, based on the error of 89.1%, and (ii) 1.98–6.70 billion m3, based on the deviation of 37.4%. It is important to mention that high errors were expected, since gas storage depends on factors such as geology and demand seasonality, which were not considered in this work, but which could be analyzed in future researches.

Cashew gum, an exudate polysaccharide from Anacardium occidentale L., was purified by alcohol precipitation. Thermal behavior of this polysaccharide was investigated by simultaneous TG/DTG/DSC-FT-IR analysis performed under nitrogen and air atmospheres and heating rate of 10 K min−1. TG/DTG curves under oxidative atmosphere were similar to the curves under N2 atmosphere until 340 °C, however, it was observed a profile difference due to the presence of two DTG peaks at 430 and 460 °C. DSC results showed endothermic and exothermic events corroborating with TG/DTG curves. The Simultaneous TG/DSC-FTIR analysis revealed that evolved gases from the decomposition of cashew gum sample were CO2, CO, and groups: O–H, C–H, C=O, C–C, and C–O, in nitrogen and air atmospheres. Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis from the ash showed that the elements in larger amounts are CaO, MgO, and K2O.

Pyrolysis process of sugarcane bagasse and sugarcane straw was studied with the objective of determining the kinetic parameters activation energy (E), logarithm of pre-exponential factor (log A) in agreement with converted fraction (α). The determination of kinetic parameters was done through software thermokinetics by NETZSCH, which associated “Model Free” package enabled the determination of these parameters by Friedman and Ozawa–Flynn–Wall isoconversion models and a probable mechanism that describes the thermal decomposition process of these materials. The thermal degradation of sugarcane bagasse and sugarcane straw was carried out in the range of 303–1073 K under nitrogen flow and the heating rate used was 5, 10, 15, and 20 K min−1. The obtained results showed that the most appropriate kinetic model to describe the thermal decomposition of sugarcane bagasse was the autocatalytic reactions model in three parallel stages (F n C n C n model) and for sugarcane straw was also the autocatalytic reactions model for two parallels reactions (F n C n model).

Present study investigates thermal behavior of two heavy crude oils with different °API values by simultaneous thermogravimetry–differential scanning calorimetry–fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (TG–DSC–FTIR), and an evaluation of the chemical element levels present in the oils’ ashes was done by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. TG and DSC curves were obtained for two samples in nitrogen atmosphere. Among all inorganic components evaluated, the highest concentration in the two oils was SO3. Thus this study may contribute to a better understanding of the thermal behavior of heavy crude oils and their composition.

In this study, phenolic resins from cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) were applied as coating on Carbon Steel 1020 samples and successfully cured by plasma treatment or with hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA). The crosslinked samples were characterized by thermal analysis using thermogravimetry (TG), derivative thermogravimetry (DTG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques in order to evaluate the thermal stability of these samples, as well as understand and study the curing process. TG/DTG curves showed that the thermal stability of the HMTA-cured resin was slightly higher than the resin treated by plasma. According to the DSC curves, HMTA-cured resin and plasma-treated resin exhibited only transition temperatures, so both resins were predominantly amorphous. Images generated by AFM provided qualitative evaluation of the resin surfaces, demonstrating that the coating surface with best homogeneity was cured by plasma treatment.

The present work investigates the thermal behavior and kinetic of four types of petroleum samples: a medium crude oil—P1, one heavy oil—P2, and two extra heavy oils—P3 and P4 by TG, DTG, and DSC methods. Thus, this study may contribute to the characterization of petroleum with different °API values.

Biodiesel is a fuel derived from vegetable oils or wastes. It has a lot of advantages such as less offensive exhaust, more complete combustion, reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and sulfur in addition to generating employment and wealth. This biofuel can be produced through the transesterification reaction of an alcohol with a triglyceride, with the aid of a catalyst, resulting on a biodiesel as main product, glycerol, and other byproducts. The objective of this study is to determine the optimal reaction conditions for transesterification of waste frying oil and fish, varying the reaction time, the amount of catalyst and temperature, to determine which of these variables exert a greater influence on the reaction yield, and characterize biofuels obtained. For a more accurate assessment of the influence of a given variable on the reaction yield, it was performed a statistical experimental design, the full factorial of two levels with three parameters (23) and three central points, implemented in Statistica 7.0. Regarding the transesterification of waste of the fish oil, the amount of catalyst was the variable that most influenced the reaction yield, the parameters time and temperature had negligible impact on income. Biofuels were also characterized using thermal analysis techniques and FTIR. Most reactions obtained thermogravimetric yield above 90%, a promising result.

Amphiphilic triblock copolymers, based on hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) blocks and hydrophobic poly(l,l-lactide) (PLLA) blocks, were used as the matrix material for the preparation of tetracycline-loaded microspheres. The morphology and thermal properties of the biodegradable microspheres were evaluated. SEM showed the predominance of the spherical shape, however, it was possible to distinguish three patterns: rough or smooth surface or uneven collapsed volume. The FTIR analysis indicated good mechanical stability and structural integrity of the PLLA-PEG-PLLA copolymer’s microspheres enclosing tetracycline. By thermal analysis it was possible to see the marginal influence of tetracycline on the glass transition and melting temperatures of the PLLA-PEG-PLLA triblock copolymer, while the results by TG indicated the presence of tetracycline in the inner structure of the microspheres, which thermal decomposition leading to char formation was triggered by the drug’s presence.

The current study intends to present the relevance of omeprazole, esomeprazole, rabeprazole, pantoprazole and lansoprazole by means of the technological foresight study, through invention patent documents from Brazilian applicants as indicators of innovation. The European database of patents (Espacenet), Word Patent Index (DERWENT) and the Brazilian Patent Base of INPI were used, combining keywords and International Patent Classifications. The major applicants, countries of publication and claims categories were mapped. The 212 patent requests collected are mainly distributed in Chemistry, Pharmacy and Pharmacology areas. The results obtained revealed that the US was the main country with studies directed to this technological area (59 patent applications) and the major applicant was the company Astrazeneca AB. Therefore, we can understand that this is a promising technology that may reflect in an increase of R&D activities and patent applications in this area.

Samples of poly(l,l-lactide)-block-poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(l,l-lactide) (PLLA-PEG-PLLA) were synthesized from l,l-lactide polymerization using stannous 2-ethylhexanoate, Sn(Oct)2 as initiator and di-hydroxy-terminated poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) (M n = 4000 g mol−1) as co-initiator. The chemical linkage between the PEG segment and the PLA segments was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Thermogravimetry analysis (TG) revealed the copolymers composition and was capable to show the deleterious effect of an excess of Sn(Oct)2 in the polymer thermal stability, while Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) allowed the observation of the miscibility between the PLLA and PEG segments in the different copolymers.

The effects of cashew gum over heart samples of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were studied by Thermal Analysis and Micrographs. During the experiment, ten rats received daily by gavage 500 mg/kg of cashew gum (CG groups) and the other ten rats received only fresh water (Control groups). After 17 weeks of experiment, blood pressure in CG groups was approximately 8% lower and after 24 weeks it was 20% lower than Control groups. At seven months of experiment ten rats (five of each group: Control 7 and CG 7) and at nine months of experiment the other rats (Control 9 and CG 9) were sacrificed. Pieces of left ventricle were studied by thermogravimetry (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and microscopy. The myocardial appearance of CG groups showed the presence of greater number of cardiomyocytes and more capillaries among the cells. The myocardium of Control groups showed more areas with diffuse interstitial fibrosis and hypertrophied cardiomyocytes. TG curves depict two steps for all samples. CG 7 and CG 9 presented the least amount of residues (6.0 ± 0.5) in the heart. DTA curves depict two endothermic events (Tpeak1: 85 °C; Tpeak2: 298 °C). The results suggest that cashew gum contributes to improve cardiovascular health of SHR and to postpone the aging process of their hearts.

Pyrolysis of sugarcane bagasse and coconut fiber was studied by thermal analysis in order to characterize their thermal behavior and to identify their constituents by the aid of their thermogravimetric curves and to determine their heat capacity by means of DSC. The Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrum (FTIR) was used to determine the main constituents present in both residues. The thermal degradation of sugarcane bagasse and coconut fiber presents two mass loss steps attributed to the release of humidity and to the decomposition of organic material (hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin). It was expected that the results of DSC analysis were almost the same for both types of biomasses.

Commercial light-cured dental composites were used in this study. Two laboratorial composites, Resilab (Wilcos/Brazil), Epricord (Kuraray/Japan) were compared under cured and uncured conditions. Thermal analysis, infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to evaluate the dental composites. The mass change and heat flow signals (TG–DSC) were recorded simultaneously by using STA 409 PC Luxx (NETZSCH), in the 25–800 °C temperature range at a heating rate of 10 °C/min under nitrogen atmosphere (70 mL/min). Employing thermo-microbalance TG 209 C F1 Iris (NETZSCH) coupled to the BRUKER Optics FTIR TENSOR, the samples were analyzed by combined thermogravimetric and spectroscopic methods (TG–FTIR). The initial sample mass was about ~12 mg, the data collection have been done in the 35–800 °C temperature range at a heating rate of 20 K/min in nitrogen atmosphere (flow rate: 40 mL/min). Finally, superficial topographic was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Dental composite evaluation suggests a high thermal stability and inorganic content in RES D sample. Degrees of conversion (DC) values were almost the same and there was no direct relationship between DC and amount of particles and size. Similar compositions were found in all samples.

Polyurethane composites reinforced with curaua fiber at 5, 10 and 20% mass/mass proportions were prepared by using the conventional melt-mixing method. The influence of curaua fibers on the thermal behavior and polymer cohesiveness in polyurethane matrix was evaluated by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) and by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). This specific interaction between the fibers and the hard segment domain was influenced by the behavior of the storage modulus E′ and the loss modulus E″ curves. The polyurethane PU80 is much stiffer and resistant than the other composites at low temperatures up to 70°C. All samples were thermoplastic and presented a rubbery plateau over a wide temperature range above the glass transition temperature and a thermoplastic flow around 170°C.

Two series of poly(L,L-lactide-b-ethylene glycol-b-L,L-lactide) copolymers, PLA-PEO-PLA, were synthesized by polymerization of L,L-lactide using a dihydroxy-terminated poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) (M n = 4000 or 600 g/mol) as coinitiator and stannous 2-ethylhexanoate, Sn(Oct) 2 , as initiator. The synthesized copolymers have shown high stereoregularity as observed by 13 C NMR analyses. The nanoparticles were prepared by using a solvent diffusion method and the self-assemblage process and were characterized by NMR and SEM. It was possible to conclude that the self-assembled particles presented a core-shell structure characterized by a hydrophobic PLA core and a hydrophilic PEG shell, thus the NMR of the aqueous solutions indicated a quasi-solid behavior for the particles' interior. The diameters of the spherical particles as observed by SEM were in the 50-250 nm range, depending on the copolymer composition and the preparation procedure.

The quality of a road relies on the good use of the on road surface and its maintenance along the years. The technology used and the corrections contributes to the prevention of early road destructions. Pavement with polmyer and others additives exhibits greater resistance to rutting, thermal cracking, and decreased fatigue damage, stripping and temperature susceptibility. Samples of CAP 40, SBS 440/02, L 1861/04, L 784/05 and L 2000/04 were analyzed by thermogravimetry (TG), derivative thermogravimetry (DTG), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and FTIR. Thermal characterizations showed that the main decomposition stage refers to asphaltenes and samples with additives exhibited a slight increase in thermal stability. The kinetic study, by Kissinger, showed that the sample with the highest stability was the SBS 440/02. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis suggested that these asphalt samples were originated from light oil.

The study of fossil materials is very important in the geological and biological researches. They can involve ancient past, evolution or extinction of species, oil prospecting and the understanding of different areas such as: paleoclimate, paleoecology, paleogeography, in addition of climate, environmental changes and life. Araripe Geopark is located in the south area of the Ceara state in the Northeast of Brazil and it provides a general overview of the Earth’s History. In this study the vertebral column extinct fish, Cladocyclus ferox and its nodule from Santana Formation, Northeast of Brazil, calcite and apatite minerals, and vertebral column of recent fish, Opisthonema oglinum were investigated by means of thermal analysis. TG/DTG and DTA curves showed decomposition processes, suggesting water evolution, calcium carbonate and phosphate decomposition and thermal transitions indicated that fossilization processes of fish, carbonaceous material involved the fossil after its death and the organic substance was replaced by inorganic compounds.

Ceramic blocks with high porosity and low heat conductivity are effective tools to improve the indoor comfort level and also to reduce energy consumption. The main objective of this study was focused on the development of the porous ceramic blocks processing with different pore forming agents by adapting a German technology to the Brazilian environmental conditions. In this process, the clay mixtures are homogenized before sampling as the sintering of porous ceramic materials was about 900–1100°C. TG/DTG, DSC and coupled MS experiments were carried. The formed products have low apparent density, high porosity and reasonable mechanical strength with a good heat and acoustic insulation properties.

Enhanced oil recovery process is based on the injection of chemical products (e.g. polymers, surfactants, gases) or thermal energy (originating from the injection of e.g. steam, hot water, in situ combustion) to recover crude oil. One of these processes use polymer solution to mobilize the oil in the reservoir. In this work the thermal decomposition kinetic of xanthan gum, guar gum and a blend (50/50 mass/mass%) was studied according to Ozawa–Flynn–Wall method. According to the kinetic analysis, the studied systems were copmpatible. The rheological behavior of the samples was studied in distilled water and seawater at different temperatures. Only the blend was studied in distilled water presented synergism (enhancement in material properties like stability and viscosity) which was confirmed through rheology.

The thermogravimetric analysis (TG) of two series of tri-block copolymers based on poly(L,L-lactide) (PLLA) and poly(ethyleneglycol) (PEG) segments, having molar mass of 4000 or 600 g mol–1, respectively, is reported. The prepared block copolymers presented wide range of molecular masses (800 to 47500 g mol–1) and compositions (16 to 80 mass% PEG). The thermal stability increased with the PLLA and/or PEG segment size and the tri-block copolymers prepared from PEG 4000 started to decompose at higher temperatures compared to those copolymers from PEG 600. The copolymers compositions were determined by thermogravimetric analysis and the results were compared to other traditional quantitative spectroscopic methods, hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry (1HNMR) and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR). The PEG 4000 copolymer compositions calculated by TG and by 1HNMR, presented differences of 1%, demonstrating feasibility of using thermogravimetric analysis for quantitative purposes.

This study describes the miscibility phase behavior in two series of biodegradable triblock copolymers, poly( l -lactide)- block -poly(ethylene glycol)- block -poly( l -lactide) (PLLA–PEG–PLLA), prepared from two di-hydroxy-terminated PEG prepolymers ( M n = 4000 or 600 g mol −1 ) with different lengths of poly( l -lactide) segments (polymerization degree, DP = 1.2–145.6). The prepared block copolymers presented wide range of molecular weights (800–25,000 g mol −1 ) and compositions (16–80 wt.% of PEG). The copolymer multiphases coexistance and interaction were evaluated by DSC and TGA. The copolymers presented a dual stage thermal degradation and decreased thermal stability compared to PEG homopolymers. In addition, DSC analyses allowed the observation of multiphase separation; the melting temperature, T m , of PLLA and PEG phases depended on the relative segment lengths and the only observed glass transition temperature ( T g ) in copolymers indicated miscibility in the amorphous phase.

The aim of this study is to understand some properties and thermal behavior of blood, giving a possible alternative tool which differs from the traditional blood diagnostic methods, and to improve investigations in hematology and artificial bloods. Wistar rat blood samples (WRBS); SHR rat blood samples (SHRBS) and human blood samples (HBS) were analyzed. TG curves showed two decomposition stages for HBS at around 100 and 230°C (Tonset), while three mass degradation stages for WRBS (70, 110, 270°C) and SHRBS (70, 120, 270°C) could be observed. DSC peaks showed five endotherms for HBS at 65, 82, 194, 201 and 309°C and three endotherms for WRBS at 83, 184 and 313°C.

The beneficial effects of edible oils long-term supplementation in blood pressure (BP) and cardiac structure were investigated in spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) and streptozotocin diabetic (Db) SHR (45 mg/rat i.p.). Twenty-five 12-week old male SHR were divided into four SHR-Db groups and one SHR group, SHR-Db groups each receiving, respectively, olive oil, palm oil and fish oil, and another SHR-Db group with placebo by gavage on a daily basis for 6 weeks. Myocardial structures were analyzed through light microscopy and stereology. In SHR-Db, the BP and the myocardium were significantly altered by oil supplementation. The BP, the interstitial fibrosis and cardiomyocyte size showed a significant decrease in treated SHR-Db than in SHR or untreated SHR-Db. The myocardial microvasculature and number of cardiomyocytes were higher in all treated groups, especially in fish oil group. Long-term edible oil supplementation showed beneficial effects decreasing BP levels and offsetting adverse myocardial remodeling in diabetic SHR.

Nowadays preserving nature, recycling or reusing materials are good policies. Around ten million tires are put out by year in Brazil, and it is not known for how long they will remain in environment till their complete degradation. This research used tires to replace coal in ceramic processing. In this way it helps to protect environment, to reduce the consumption of mineral deposits and to save money. Results show that tire powder can replace coal to obtain ceramic material, using one percent of tire. Experiments were carried out using TA instruments SDT 2960, in air or nitrogen atmospheres, at heating rate of 10°C/min., flow 120ml/min. TG/DTA curves of tire and coal have exothermic events at close temperatures between 450-600°C. At range of temperatures clay have endothermic events.

Hypertension is a major and growing public health problem. It is responsible for the mortality of millions of people around world, and is increasing each year. Nevertheless, the understanding of the relationship between the composition of the heart's cells, hypertension and health diseases is still very incomplete. The present study focuses on the evaluation of the attributes of some hearts of Spontaneous Hypertension Rats (SHR), comparing with SHR which received additional amounts of polysaccharide (SHR+P) and with wistar rats (normal blood pressure) by Thermal Analysis. Some differences could be seen between groups, as the residue content after 800°C was different for rats from different groups, and of wistar rats hearts samples showed 5.3±0.3p of residues vs. 8.3±1.5p of the SHR. DSC profiles for wistar rats showed one intense endothermic event at 160°C, with enthalpy transition of 450 J g-1 and more three small events. Thermal analyses curves also showed some differences between freezing and no freezing samples, probably associated to the denaturation of proteins and degradation of organic materials.

O fracionamento do farelo de milho desengordurado (fubá grosso), subproduto do processamento industrial do milho, para obtenção de frações de amido, proteínas e fibras, utilizando métodos físicos e químicos, foi investigado. O fracionamento do fubá grosso por meio de tratamento químico com soluções de bissulfito de sódio e de etanol, foi satisfatório, pois produziu fração de amido com aceitável rendimento; já o fracionamento físico não foi muito eficiente, visto que não produziu fração enriquecida de proteínas e amido. Tanto o fubá grosso como as frações obtidas, foram caracterizados por meio de CLAE (Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Eficiência) e Análise Térmica (TG, DTG e DSC). O fubá grosso possui mais de 50% de amido (CLAE), e perda de 52% de sua massa entre 270 e 450ºC (TG e DTG). O estudo cinético, a partir de curvas DSC, mostrou que os processos de gelatinização da fração de amido e de desnaturação da fração de proteínas são eventos endotérmicos, com diferentes valores de entalpia e de energia de ativação.The cracking of the defatted corn germ (thick corn meal), co-product from corn industry processing, to obtain starch, proteins and fiber fractions using physical and chemical methods has been investigated. The chemical separation of the thick corn meal with sodium disulfide and ethanol solutions was satisfactory, since it had product starch fraction with acceptable yield. However, the physical separation (boll mill) was not successful, because it has not yielded enriched fractions of starch and proteins. Both thick corn meal and all the fractions obtained were characterized by HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) and Thermal Analysis (TG, DTG and DSC). The thick corn meal is composed of more than 50% of starch (CLAE). It has showed mass loss of 52% between 270 - 450ºC (TG and DTG). The kinetic parameters from DSC curves exhibited for gelatinization process of the starch fractions and desnaturation process of the protein fractions are both endothermic events having enthalpy and activation energy different values.

Dimension stone industry produces a great amount of effluents, about 200,000 ton/year per solid residue. Espírito Santo State has about 600 companies, and their average consume per industry is around are 10,000 l/ day of water. Those rejects are displaced in decant lagoons, and landfill. In this work was used material provided by marble & granite industry from Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, ES. Those residues were characterized by chemical and mineral composition, physical properties, sintering process, and point load test. The results provided from physical indices and sintering material were compared with the results of commercial granite named in Industry as "granito rosa bavena". Analysis allowed us to get a conclusion about the reject. These analyses showed that reject could be used as a source for ceramic material, with the possibility of choosing for a greater or lower resistance.

O presente trabalho tem por objetivo estudar o comportamento térmico e o mecanismo de decomposição térmica de compósitos de poliuretano nas proporções de: 5, 10 e 20%(p/p) de fibra de curauá. As amostras foram caracterizadas por técnicas de análise térmica (TG, DTG, DTA e DSC) e propriedades mecânicas (resistência à tração, deformação na ruptura e módulo de Young). Os compósitos de poliuretano se decompõem em dois estágios e mostram três temperaturas de transição vítrea, uma vez que o material apresenta segmentos rígidos e flexíveis. A incorporação de fibra nos compósitos de PU com curauá provocou um aumento no módulo de Young e uma diminuição na deformação na ruptura. This work is aimed at investigating the thermal properties, the mechanism of thermal degradation and the reaction mechanisms of polyurethane composites with different proportions of curaua fiber (5, 10 and 15%w/w). The samples were characterized by thermal analysis techniques such as: TG, DTG, DTA and DSC and mechanical properties (tensile strength, elongation at break and Young´s modulus). Polyurethane composites were degraded in two stages and showed three temperatures of glass transition, since the material exhibits flexible and rigid segments. The addition of curaua fiber into PU composites yields an increase in the Young´s modulus and a decrease in the elongation at break.

The preparation of hydrocarbon dispersions of nanospherical silica–silicone hybrids by copolymerization of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and alkylethoxysilanes such as methyltriethoxysilane (MTEOS) and dimethyldiethoxysilane using a sol–gel process was investigated. Particles completely dispersible in hexane with a diameter in the range 10–24 nm were obtained by means of TEOS and MTEOS copolymerization, using ethanol or methanol as a solvent and a terminator. The solubility of the nanospheres was shown to be dependent on the molar ratio of water to silicon, the reaction time, the terminator concentration as well as the stirring condition. The hexane-dispersible particles have hydroxyl and methyl groups on the surface. A higher conversion of organophilic silica–silicon nanoparticles was attained using trimethylchlorosilane as a terminator and a water-to-silicon molar ratio close to 9.