This work describes the synthesis of hydrogels of cellulose acetate (AC) crosslinked with 1,2,4,5-benzenotetracarboxylic dianhydride (PMDA). The crosslinking reaction was monitored by FTIR. Analysis of aromatic fragments from the alkaline hydrolysis of the gels by UV spectroscopy indicated that an increase in the stoichiometric ratio of dianhydride resulted in higher degrees of crosslinking. The non-porous nature of the gels was confirmed by analysis of nitrogen adsorption. Water absorption isotherms showed that as the temperature and degree of crosslinking increased, the percentage of water absorbed at equilibrium (%Seq) also increased. The hydrogels presented second order swelling kinetics.

Três origens diferentes de biodiesel (algodão, mamona e palma) foram adulteradas com óleo de soja cru, em concentrações variando de 1 a 40% (m/m). Estas amostras foram analisadas por espectrometria de infravermelho médio (MIR) e os seus espectros foram estudados em três diferentes faixas espectrais: espectro inteiro (4000-665 cm-1), e nas faixas de 1800-1700 cm-1 e 1800-1000 cm-1. Para determinar a origem do biodiesel utilizado no sistema adulterado, os dados espectrais foram analisados pela ferramenta análise de componentes principais (PCA) e a melhor segregação das origens foi obtida para o espectro inteiro (4000-665 cm-1). A variância explicada foi de 99%, para os três primeiros componentes. Para quantificar o óleo de soja cru foi aplicada a ferramenta mínimos quadrados parciais (PLS). Os melhores resultados foram obtidos para a região espectral de 1800-1000 cm-1, com valores de RMSEP (erro médio quadrático de previsão) variando de 1,10 a 1,47% (m/m).

Three different biodiesel sources (cotton, castor and palm) were adulterated with raw soybean oil at concentrations ranging from 1-40% (m/m). These samples were analyzed by infrared spectrometry (MIR) and their spectra were studied at three different spectral ranges: full spectrum (4000-665 cm-1), and the spectral ranges of 1800-1700 cm-1 and 1800-1000 cm-1. To determine the source of biodiesel used in the adulterated system, the data were analyzed by PCA (principal components analysis) spectral analysis tool and the best segregation of the sources was obtained at the range of 4000-665 cm-1. The explained variance was of 99% for the first three components. To quantify the raw soybean oil partial least squares (PLS) tool was applied. The best results were obtained for the spectral range of 1800-1000 cm-1, with values of RMSEP (root mean square error of prediction) varying from 1.10 to 1.47% (m/m).