The objective of this paper was to study the effect of pH, concentration and ionic species on the water absorption of the bionanocomposite hydrogels based on carboxymethylcellulose polysaccharide and laponite nanoclay. Bionanocomposite hydrogels were obtained via free radical polymerization. It was possible to observe that the swelling degree (Q) and kinetic properties were strongly influenced, and controlled, by the presence and quantity of ionic species, decreasing their water uptake when compared to the same values obtained in distilled water. Furthermore, the addition of nanoclay decreased the water uptake sensibility of the hydrogel in ionic media. It was also observed that the presence of the nanoclay decreased the Qeq distilled water values from 32.5 g g-1 to 22.5 g g-1. The pKa variation of the bionanocomposites was a good indication of the possible interaction of the nanoclay-polymeric chains. The possibility of the control of water absorption (velocity and quantity) whereas these nanocomposites are pH- and salt-responsive may potentiate their application in agriculture. Agronomical studies are in progress, which can confirm its applicability in this area.

The sodium alginate is a linear polymer used in industry and in medicine for many applications such as dressings for wounds, due to low toxicity and maintains a proper moist environment. The essential oils are materials that have antimicrobial activity and are active materials, which may be incorporated in polymeric films. This study has as objective the produce alginate films incorporated with nanoemulsions of melaleuca, copaiba and lemon oil and investigate water vapor permeability (WVP) analysis of the films, particle size and ζ-potential of nanoemulsions. Particle size analyzes showed formation of large and small particles nanoemulsion depending on the agitation speed used during production of nanoemulsions. Results of the WVP analyzes showed that the film with alginate 3 % w/v and nanoemulsions with little particle prepared with agitation speed of 15000 rpm showed better WVP. Produced films show good quality for a future application as dressings because it has good WVP. This is very interesting because the skin needs to breathe.

Estudos do comportamento morfológico dos ácidos fúlvicos foram realizados utilizando a técnica de microscopia de força atômica aliada às técnicas de potencial zeta e espectroscopia de fluorescência. Os resultados mostraram que o ácido fúlvico (AFA) de um rio tropical mudou a sua morfologia quando variado o pH da solução aquosa dos AFA. Em pH ácido a morfologia é mais granular formando aglomerados de altura entre 10-55 nm. Em pH alcalino os valores foram de 2,5-4,0 nm, sendo que a morfologia em condições alcalinas é aberta formando estruturas não granulares. Estes resultados sugerem que para pH 3,5 as interações eletrostáticas são fracas e as ligações de hidrogênio são responsáveis pela formação de agregados, enquanto em pH 9,0 as interações eletrostáticas são fortes devido ao aumento da ionização de grupos fenólicos e ocorrem poucas ligações hidrogênio formando estruturas mais abertas. Os resultados de espectroscopia de fluorescência mostraram mudança na estrutura do AFA de rio tropical em pH alcalino em comparação com a estrutura em pH ácido, corroborando com os resultados obtidos pela AFM.

Studies of the morphological behavior of fulvic acids were carried out using the Atomic Force Microscopy technique together with zeta Potential techniques and fluorescence spectroscopy. Results showed that the aquatic fulvic acid (AFA) of a Brazilian River changed its morphology when the AFA aqueous solution had its pH changed. In acid pH the morphology is granular forming 10-55 nm high agglomerates. In alkaline pH values were 2.5-4.0 nm, and the morphology forms non granular structures. These results suggest that for pH 3.0 electrostatic interactions are weak and hydrogen bonding is responsible for the aggregates formation; while at pH 9.0 electrostatic interactions are strong due to the increase in phenolic groups ionization and low hydrogen interaction forming open structures. Fluorescence spectroscopy results confirmed the AFM, that is, a change in the AFA in tropical river in alkaline pH compared to the structure in acid pH.

Neste trabalho, a termossensibilidade dos hidrogéis do tipo semi-IPN baseados em rede de alginato-Ca2+com poli(N-isopropil acrilamida) (PNIPAAm) entrelaçado, com diferentes teores de alginato e de PNIPAAm, foi caracterizada por meio de medidas de grau de intumescimento (Q), microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) e propriedades mecânicas [tensão máxima de compressão (σ), densidade aparente de reticulação (νe) e módulo de elasticidade (E)]. Os valores de Q variam inversamente com νe. Para o parâmetro νe contribuem as concentrações de retículos alginato-Ca2+ e de cadeias de PNIPAAm. Hidrogéis com maiores valores de Q possuem maiores poros. Resultados de propriedades mecânicas demonstraram que hidrogéis com maior νe apresentam maior rigidez e resistência à compressão, sendo este efeito mais intenso acima da LCST do PNIPAAm. O controle dessas propriedades nesses hidrogéis termos-sensíveis torna esses materiais potencialmente viáveis para aplicação em sistemas carreadores para liberação controlada e/ou prolongada de fármacos e substratos para crescimento e cultura de célula.

In this study, the thermosensitivity of semi-IPN hydrogels based on alginate-Ca2+ network and having PNIPAAm entangled was characterized by swelling degree (Q), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and mechanical properties [compressive stress (σ), apparent cross-linking density (νe) and modulus of elasticity (E)]. The Q values change inversely to the νe ones. The concentrations of the alginate-Ca2+ cross-linking and of the PNIPAAm chains contribute to the νe parameter. Higher values of Q correlate to larger pores size in the hydrogel. Hydrogels richer in alginate and PNIPAAm were more rigid, highly resistant to deformation because of their higher compressive modulus of elasticity. This is more intense at temperatures above the LCST of PNIPAAm in water (32-35 °C). The control of thermosensitive properties by tailoring the alginate-Ca2+/PNIPAAm ratio and temperature allows the hydrogels studied in this paper to be applied as drug delivery devices and/or as substrate for cell growth.

Neste trabalho, hidrogéis condutores do tipo semi-IPN constituídos por poliacrilamida (PAAm) e polímero intrinsecamente condutor poli(3,4-etileno dioxitiofeno)/poli(estireno-sulfonato) (PEDOT/PSS) foram sintetizados e suas propriedades hidrofílicas, mecânicas, condutoras e ópticas foram caracterizadas por meio de planejamento fatorial completo 2³ com ponto central. Para isso, utilizaram-se três fatores: concentrações de acrilamida (AAm) e N,N’-metileno-bis-acrilamida (MBAAm), e quantidade de PEDOT/PSS, em três níveis, sendo um deles o ponto central. O planejamento foi construído para avaliar os efeitos desses fatores (efeitos principais e efeitos de interação entre os fatores) nas seguintes propriedades dos hidrogéis estudados (respostas): grau de intumescimento, tensão máxima de compressão, condutância iônica e intensidade relativa de luz transmitida através dos hidrogéis estudados. Os resultados demonstraram que a estabilidade mecânica dos hidrogéis semi-IPN é preservada e a presença de PEDOT/PSS aumenta o entrelaçamento na matriz de PAAm. Observou-se também que as propriedades ópticas são fortemente influenciadas com a presença de PEDOT/PSS. Dessa forma, torna-se possível obter hidrogéis com hidrofilicidade, estabilidade mecânica e transparência controladas, o que é importante para a aplicação desses materiais, principalmente como dispositivos ópticos.

Conductive semi-IPN hydrogels made with polyacrylamide (PAAm) and the conductive polymer poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene)/poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT/PSS) were synthesized and the hydrophilicity, mechanical, ionic conductivity and optical properties were characterized through the 2³ factorial design. The experiments concerning the factorial design were randomly performed. The inputs were acrylamide (AAm), N,N’-methylene-bis-acrylamide (MBAAm) and PEDOT/PSS contents, each fixed in three levels, one being the central point. The outputs were the swelling degree, maximum compression stress, ionic conductance and relative intensity of light transmitted through the hydrogel. ANOVA was obtained using Statistical Software®. The results of the twelve runs from the factorial design (eight runs from 2³ plus four central point replicates) were applied to evaluate the main effects and their interaction, in addition to decide if they are statistically significant. The results demonstrated that mechanical stability of semi-IPN hydrogels is preserved, with PEDOT/PSS creating additional entanglements within the PAAm network. In addition, the optical properties are strongly influenced by the presence of PEDOT/PSS. In summary, hydrogels could be synthesized with controlled hydrophilicity, transparency and mechanical stability, which is important for optical devices.