RESUMO Nanopartículas de óxidos de titânio (TiO2), zinco (ZnO) e ferro (Fe3O4) podem ser utilizadas na foto-oxidação de poluentes orgânicos, e em muitas outras aplicações. No entanto, entre os desafios para aplicação tecnológica dos desenvolvimentos científicos da nanotecnologia dois aspectos ainda são pouco explorados: a investigação sobre os métodos de preparação de nanomateriais compatíveis com o ambiente, e o estudo sobre a variabilidade das propriedades de nanomateriais. Diferentes métodos de síntese de partículas de TiO2, ZnO e Fe3O4 foram usados para obter dispersões coloidais com nano e micropartículas desses semicondutores. As partículas de TiO2, ZnO e Fe3O4 obtidas foram testadas como fotocatalisadores e aumentaram a taxa de fotodegradação do corante orgânico rodamina B (RHB) em até 20,5 vezes. Foram selecionadas as rotas de síntese que melhor atendem aos princípios da Química Verde para obtenção de partículas de ZnO e TiO2. Entretanto, para a aplicação comercial dessas partículas, ainda é preciso reduzir a variação em seus desempenhos fotocatalíticos.

ABSTRACT Titanium (TiO2), zinc (ZnO), and iron (Fe3O4) oxides nanoparticles can be used photo oxidation, of organic pollutants, as well as in many other ways. However, among the challenges for technological application (scale-up) of scientific developments that include nanotechnology, two aspects are still rarely explored: research on environmentally compatible preparation methods of the nanomaterials as well as the study of the variability of the properties of the nanomaterials. Different methods for the synthesis of TiO2, ZnO and Fe3O4 particles were used to obtain sols with these semiconductor nano- and microparticles. The TiO2, ZnO and Fe3O4 particles obtained were tested as photocatalysts, and they increased the photodegradation rate of the organic dye rhodamine B up to 20.5 times. The synthetic routes for obtaining ZnO and TiO2 particles that best met the Green Chemistry principles were selected. However, for commercial application of these particles, it is still necessary to reduce the variation in their photocatalytic performance.

The presence of non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) in the subsurface is a threat to public health as well as a serious environmental issue. NAPLs may remain adsorbed or form lenses floating on aquifers causing long-term contaminations. Surfactants may increase NAPLs solubility, enhancing the pump-and-treatment performance. Size, shape, hydration and ionization degree of the micelles define the affinity and the space available for the solubilization of a particular contaminating agent. The tests carried out at laboratory scale, taking into account the NAPL to be removed and the medium characteristics were useful to select surfactants and evaluate their efficiency as NAPLs solubilizers.