The synthesis of porous materials has attracted interest for decades due to their applications in catalysis and gas adsorption. Clay obtained by insertion of mesoporous oligomer [La xAl13-xO4 (OH)24 (H2O)12]7 + (where x equals the molar amount of lanthanum), followed by calcination, may cause variation in the acidic properties. The analyzes showed that increasing the amount of La on oligomer results in a higher acidity shown in the spectrum a characteristic band in the region of 1445 and 1545cm-1 to Lewis and Brönsted respectively, predominantly of the last one. The Mössbauer spectroscopy results showed a relationship between increased symmetry of the octahedral site of iron (Fe3+) and increased lanthanum doping, and consequently a sharp increase in acidity.

Systematic studies were undertaken in the intra zeolitic media to better understand the ability of zeolite type LTA in occluded nitrogen used in fertilizer and soil conditioning. We have measured the dry matter production from the cultivation of corn in a greenhouse for about 40 days, and also the amounts of nitrogen absorbed, retained and lost by leaching. The dry matter production in the cultivation with different concentrations of nitrogen occluded in the zeolite, was more efficient than the traditional fertilizer, which demonstrated better use of nitrogen to reduce leaching losses, which implies a possible reduction of costs for nitrogen.

The zeolite 4A was used to evaluate the thermo kinetics parameters of NH4+ and NO3- ions occluded in its structure. The Osawa method for activation energy calculation was used to evaluate its thermal stability, and the results shown that the ion species interact differently depending on the zeolite pores, which determines the controlled release by its structure.

Studies of the use of a soil from river Pardo basin located at the Ribeirão Preto region, were realized with the aim of preparing catalysts. A clay, high purity kaolin type, was obtained after purification followed by treatment with acid and then calcined. The activity and selectivity of the catalysts were determined using cycloexene as substrate. The majority of the catalysts obtained yield a conversion higher than 70%.