Reduction of silver cations followed by nanoparticle (Ag-NPs) synthesis is a model process to understand the reduction mechanism induced by a discharge over an aqueous surface, termed electrochemical plasma. This work aims at studying the silver reduction reaction steered by electrochemical plasma in the presence of other chemically active plasma-related interfaces, namely the plasma-gas and the liquid-gas interfaces. As no other plasma-induced species are able to reduce silver cations, the reduction of silver cations is employed as strategy to selectively detect the presence of hydrated electrons (e-h). The results demonstrate that the global rise of pH (increase in the content of OH-), observed for discharge in the helium gas phase, occurs in connection with the silver reduction, which is interpreted as a vivid experimental evidence of the second-order recombination reaction of the e h − 2 e aq − + 2 H 2 O → H 2 + 2 OH −. On the other hand, the global decrease of pH (increase in the content of H+) observed for discharge in mixed oxygen and nitrogen gas phase, is an event primarily driven by the Birkeland-Eyde process, and it is concomitant but spatially distinct from the electron injection. The acidification interferes in the NP formation, as NPs promptly dissolve in presence of HNO3. Only in complete suppression of the acidification, an experimental evidence of the reaction pathways for hydrated electron could be captured: e-h is competitively consumed through a scavenger-like reaction (reduction of silver cations in this work) and through the second-order recombination reactions of the e-h. The kinetic model proposed in this work further corroborates this interpretation.

RESUMO A tecnologia de plasma constitui-se em um método rápido, econômico e livre de poluição que pode ser utilizada na superação de dormência de sementes em substituição aos métodos convencionais. O objetivo com esse estudo foi verificar o efeito do tempo de aplicação de plasma atmosférico sobre a embebição e germinação de sementes de Hybanthus calceolaria visando à aceleração destes processos. Jato de plasma de gás hélio, produzido por descarga em barreira dielétrica (DBD), foi utilizado para tratar as sementes de H. calceolaria por 1, 5 e 10 minutos de aplicação. As sementes tratadas foram caracterizadas quanto à variação de peso durante a embebição, variações da condutividade elétrica e pH. Verificou-se que a germinação depende do tempo de aplicação do plasma. O tratamento de sementes de H. calceolaria com plasma atmosférico por 1 min. proporcionou incremento na germinação de 3,5 vezes em comparação com as não tratadas. A tecnologia de plasma atmosférico, obtido por barreira dielétrica, apresenta potencial de utilização como acelerador da germinação de sementes de H. calceolaria. O tratamento de sementes de H. calceolaria à plasma atmosférico durante 1 minuto favorece a germinação.

ABSTRACT Plasma technology is a fast, cost-effective, and pollution-free method that can be used in place of conventional methods to overcome seed dormancy. The goal of the present study was to determine the effect of different application times of atmospheric plasma on soaking and germination of Hybanthus calceolaria seeds in order to accelerate these processes. Helium plasma jet produced by dielectric barrier discharge was used to treat H. calceolaria seeds with applications of 1, 5, and 10 minutes. The treated seeds were characterized considering their weight variation during soaking, changes in electrical conductivity, and pH. It was found that germination depended on the plasma application time. The treatment of H. calceolaria seeds with atmospheric plasma for 1 minute provided 3.5 times greater germination in comparison to untreated seeds. Atmospheric plasma technology obtained by dielectric barrier discharge had potential of being used as a germination accelerant in H. calceolaria seeds. The treatment of H. calceolaria seeds using atmospheric plasma for 1 minute favored germination.

This study aimed to obtain a bifunctional fabric from the point of view of hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity for biomedical applications. To achieve this, both sides of a fabric of polylactic acid (PLA) were subjected to a plasma treatment. While in a side the oxygen was introduced to the other side, simultaneously, was added methane. The plasma treatment was performed at 100 W, 1.8 mbar, during 30 minutes. By Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) morphological analysis, it became evident that the fabric side facing the oxygen inlet showed micropittings, while the reverse side had smooth surfaces. Analysis by X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) revealed an increase in the amount of oxygen in the surface of the PLA on both sides of the fabric. The surface function was characterized by measurements of water absorption rate, where it was determined that one fabric side was more hydrophilic than the other side. The results indicated achievement of a bifunctional fabric through orientation of working gases during a plasma treatment.

Thin nitride and titanium dioxide films were produced using an innovative technique called cathodic cage depositon. Uniformity, three-dimensionality and high rate deposition are some of the advantages of this technique. In this study we discuss the influences of temperature, treatment time and gaseous atmosphere on the characteristics of the deposited films. The TiN (titanium nitride) and TiO2 (titanium dioxide) films were produced using a high deposition rate of 2,5 µm/h at a work temperature and pressure of 400°C and 150 Pa respectively. EDS technique was used to identify the chemical composition of the thin film deposited, whilst Raman spectroscopy indicated the phases present confirmed by DRX analysis. The thickness of the deposited films was studied using electron microscopy scanning. The results based on the deposition parameters confirm the great efficiency and versatility of this technique, which allows a uniform three-dimensional film deposition on any material without the appearance of stress. Compared to other techniques, cathodic cage deposition enables deposition at lower temperatures and higher pressures.

AIM: To evaluate the proliferative capacity of mesenchymal cells derived from human periodontal ligament on polished and plasma-treated titanium surfaces. METHODS: Eighteen titanium disks were polished and half of them (n=9) were submitted to plasma nitriding using the cathodic cage technique. Mesenchymal cells were isolated from periodontal ligament of impacted third molars (n=2) and cultured on titanium disks (polished and nitrided) and on a plastic surface as a positive control of cell proliferation. Cell proliferation was analyzed and growth curves were constructed for the different groups by determining the number of cells adhered to the different surfaces at 24, 48 and 72 h after plating. RESULTS: Higher cell number was observed for the nitrided surface at 24 and 48 h. However, no statistically significant difference in cell proliferation was observed between the two different surface treatments (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that plasma nitriding produced surfaces that permitted the proliferation of human periodontal ligament mesenchymal cells. Associated to other physical and chemical properties, it is possible to assume the feasibility of plasma nitriding method and its positive effect on the early cellular events of osseointegration.

Nesse trabalho, apresentamos a caracterização estrutural de regiões soldadas em aço austenítico AISI-304, que foram submetidas a processo de nitretação a plasma (20%N2 + 80%H2). Posteriormente as amostras foram hidrogenadas catodicamente. As temperaturas de nitretação foram de 400, 500 e 550°C. As regiões da solda e fora da solda hidrogenadas após a nitretação foram comparadas por DRX, microscopia ótica e microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). As fases austenita-γ, martensita-α', martensita-ε, ferrita-α e os nitretos CrN, γ'-Fe4N e e-Fe2+xN foram identificados. As microestruturas de ambas as regiões e da zona termicamente ativada (ZTA) foram similares. Para 400°C, a estequiometria das fases formadas foi diferente das observadas em 500°C e 550°C. Os efeitos provocados pela hidrogenação foram mais acentuados em 550°C, com o arrancamento da camada nitretada.

Structural characterization of weld and outside weld regions of AISI-304 nitrided (20%N + 80%H) and cathodically hydrogenated is presented. Nitriding temperatures were 400, 500 e 550°C. The weld and outside weld regions were compared by XRD, optical microscopy and SEM. The phases γ-austenite, α'-martensite, ε-martensita and α-ferrite and the nitrides: CrN, γ'-Fe4N e e-Fe2+xN were identified. Microstructures of both regions and the thermal active zone were similar. For 400°C the stoichiometry of the formed phases was different from that formed at 500°C and 550°C. Hydrogen effects were more intense for 550°C, due to chipping occurrence.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo determinar os melhores parâmetros para brasagem de juntas cerâmicas de Al2O3 pré-metalizadas com Ti por processo a plasma utilizando fitas amorfas de ligas Cu49Ag45Cx e como metal de adição. As ligas foram preparadas em forno a arco, e, posteriormente processadas por melt-spinning, variando conteúdo Ce de 4-6. %. A brasagem foi realizada em forno à vácuo e as seguintes variáveis analisadas: tempo de deposição do filme de Ti e temperatura e tempo de brasagem , que foram relacionados com a resistência à flexão em 3 pontos da junta brazada. A equação de regressão linear foi obtida, e verificou-se a interação entre estes fatores. As superfícies cerâmicas metalizadas apresentaram excelente uniformidade e as juntas brasadas muito boa adesão atingindo valores de resistência à flexão de até 176,8 MPa.

This work had as objective to establish de best brazing parameter to joint Al2O3 pre-metalized with Ti by plasma process using amorphous ribbons of Cu49g45Ce x alloys as filler metals. The alloys were prepared in arc furnace and processed by melt-spinning process varying the Ce percentiles from 4 to 6. % . The brazing was accomplished in vacuum furnace and the following variables analyzed: deposition time of Ti film, brazing temperature and brazing times which were related to the brazed joint 3-point bending resistance. The interaction between those factors was obtained by linear regression equation. The metalized ceramic surfaces presented an good uniformity and the joint a very good adhesion reaching bending resistance up to 176,8 MPa.

The electrocatalytic properties of steel-FeNbC composites were evaluated after potentiostatic ageing with the purpose of establishing the potential use of such materials as electrodes for the industrial production of oxygen. The effect of processing parameters, involved in the production of the composites by powder metallurgy, such as milling conditions and compaction pressure, on the performance of the electrodes was also studied. The electrodes were characterized according to their electrical resistance in NaOH 1M solution, considering that the purpose of the application requires this value to be ~ 0.5 omega.cm². This parameter was evaluated from repetitive electrochemical measurements carried out from 0.7 V to 1.5 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) by electrode anodization. Changes in the electrochemical behavior of the electrodes, especially concerning the O2 evolution in alkaline medium, were studied as a function of the applied potential. The results revealed that the electrocatalytic activity of the electrodes increased upon ageing, probably as a consequence of the growth of oxide layers and/or increase in the conductivity of the material, resulting in current gain and corresponding decrease in the polarization resistance to 0.75 omega cm².

Algumas técnicas consideradas inovadoras de sinterização são capazes de sinterizar estruturas em curtíssimos intervalos de tempo. Por outro lado, é sabido que, quando se emprega altas taxas de aquecimento, obtém-se igualmente altas taxas de sinterização. Tem-se a sinterização rápida. Este artigo introduz estas técnicas inovadoras de sinterização, assim como faz uma revisão sobre a sinterização rápida, abordando alguns resultados, mecanismos de sinterização rápida em fases líquida e sólida e discute sobre sua aplicabilidade como forma de sinterização e conclui que os resultados produzidos pelas técnicas inovadoras abordadas são apenas o resultado da sinterização rápida, provocada pelo rápido aquecimento associado a estas técnicas.

Recently some innovative sintering techniques have been reported. They are able to densify structures in rather short times. Moreover it is known that samples heated up fastly present high sintering rates. This paper presents these innovative sintering techniques as well as reviews the rapid sintering process. The main topics are: results of rapid sintering, rapid sintering mechanisms in solid and liquid phases, and its applicability. It is concluded that the attractive results of the innovative sintering techniques are just consequence of the fast heating which is their characteristic. In other words, these techniques are only a way to obtain fast sintering.

A sinterização por fase sólida é um processo muito complexo. A teoria que trata o fenômeno não oferece respostas satisfatórias e, além disso, sua aplicação contém uma série de enganos que levam a conclusões equivocadas. Este trabalho apresenta a estrutura da teoria tradicional de sinterização por fase sólida, comenta seus limites, critica seu uso e propõe uma forma de investigar e interpretar este processo de sinterização.

Solid phase sintering is a very complex phenomenon. Theories describing sintering are unsatisfactory. Furthermore, their practical use leads to a series misunderstandings with consequent misleading conclusions. This work presents the structure of the traditional theory of single phase solid state sintering, makes an analysis of its limits and criticizes its use, proposing a way of approaching the sintering process