Empregaram-se nanopartículas de aluminofosfatos amorfos, com diâmetro de 23 a 30 nm, para adsorção de íons chumbo (Pb2+) em soluções aquosas. Os materiais foram preparados por meio de biossíntese usando como modelos biológicos Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Os estudos de adsorção foram feitos empregando-se o método batch, usando 100 mg do sólido nanométrico e 200 µg L-1 de íons chumbo. A determinação quantitativa de Pb2+ foi realizada por meio de espectrometria de absorção atômica com atomização eletrotérmica (EAA-HG). Os valores obtidos para a percentagem de remoção (% EF), capacidade de adsorção qe (µg g-1) e grau de remoção Kd (mL g-1) foram de 40; 90 e 800 em média, respectivamente. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram as potencialidades destes materiais para a adsorção de íons Pb2+ e para a remediação de águas poluídas.

Amorphous aluminophosphates nanoparticles with diameter sizes from 23 to 30 nm were used for the adsorption of lead ions (Pb2+) in aqueous solutions. The materials were biosynthesized using Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a biological template. Adsorption studies were conducted using the batch method, employing 100 mg of the solid and 200 µg L-1 of lead ions. The quantitative determination of Pb2+ was carried out by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). The percentage of removal (EF), adsorption capacity qe (µg g-1) and removal coefficient Kd (mL g-1) averaged 40, 90 and 800, respectively. The results showed the potential of these materials for the adsorption of Pb2+ ions, and that these materials are good candidates for use in the remediation of contaminated water.

Se emplearon nanopartículas de aluminofosfatos amorfos entre 23 a 30 nm de diámetro para la adsorción de iones plomo (Pb2+) en soluciones acuosas. Los materiales fueron sintetizados mediante biosíntesis utilizando como plantillas biológicas las células de levadura Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Los estudios de adsorción se llevaron a cabo empleando el método batch, utilizando 100 mg del sólido nanométrico y 200 µg L-1 de iones plomo. La determinación cuantitativa de Pb+2 fue realizada mediante espectrometría de absorción atómica con atomización electrotérmica (EAA-HG). Los valores obtenidos para el porcentaje de remoción (% EF), capacidad de adsorción qe (µg g-1) y coeficiente de remoción Kd (mL g-1) fueron de 40; 90 y 800 en promedio, respectivamente. Los resultados obtenidos demostraron las potencialidades que presentan estos materiales para la adsorción de iones Pb2+, siendo excelentes candidatos para la remediación de aguas contaminadas.

ABSTRACT: The growing need to develop environmentally friendly technologies for nanomaterials synthesis, has given rise to a beneficial process in the areas of research and development: green nanotechnology. A new approach to improve product manufacturing, with sustainable commercial viability, develops new routes for its preparation, where they establish a connection between biotechnology and nanotechnology. This document discusses some recent developments in the biosynthesis of nanomaterials, emphasizing important aspects in preparation methodologies.

RESUMEN: La creciente necesidad de desarrollar tecnologías ambientalmente amigables para las síntesis de nanomateriales ha dado lugar a un beneficioso proceso en las áreas de investigación y desarrollo: la nanotecnología verde. Un nuevo enfoque para la fabricación de estos productos, con viabilidad comercial sostenible, plantea nuevas rutas en su preparación, donde se establezca una conexión entre la biotecnología y la nanotecnología. El presente documento discute algunos de los últimos avances en la biosíntesis de nanomateriales, destacando aspectos relevantes en las metodologías de preparación de óxidos metálicos.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were prepared by means of the polyol method in the absence of stabilizing polymers. To accomplish this objective, AgNO3 was added to ethylene glycol in the presence of NaOH (1 mol.L-1), the suspension formed was irradiated with a microwave source for 60 seconds at a power of 465 watts. It was found that under these conditions AgNPs of sizes between 4-18 nm are formed. Also the results indicate that part of the ethylene glycol is oxidized to carbonyl compounds that reduce the Ag+. These organic compounds are adsorbed on the surfaces of AgNPs, forming a protective film that prevents their aggregation.