In this work is presented a versatile system for X-ray excited optical luminescence (XEOL) measurements. The apparatus was assembled from a sample holder connected to an optical fiber responsibly for the acquisition of the scintillation signal. The spectrum is registered with a CCD coupled in a spectrograph provided with diffraction gratings. The system performance was analyzed by exciting GdAlO3:Eu3+ 3.0 at.% with X-rays from a diffractometer and measuring the emission spectra. The system can be used to obtain precise and reliable spectroscopic properties of samples with various conformations without the loss of the required safety when dealing with ionizing radiations.

Health problems related to UV radiation can be minimized by the appropriate use of sunscreens. Different kinds of sunscreens are reported in the literature, even though there is a misleading denomination among them and few discussions are presented about how they work. This paper describes some important aspects in order to understand sunscreen phenomena such as: solar radiation effect, type of solar filters, protection mechanism, formulations and solar protection factor (SPF). Moreover the importance of Chemistry and the interdisciplinary studies related to sunscreens and cosmetic researches are emphasized.

These films were obtained by dip coating. Parameters like dislocation velocity; number of deposits, suspension concentration, and number of deposits followed or not by heat treatment between each deposit and calcination temperature were evaluated for establishing the best homogeneity. The obtained films were characterized in terms of their morphology, optical quality and photoluminescence by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV-vis absorption spectrophotometry and luminescence spectroscopy, respectively. The morphologic and luminescent characteristics showed dip coating as good laboratory technique for development of thin films for optical applications.

Óxido de zinco dopado com gálio (ZnO:Ga) foi preparado pelo método Pechini a partir de citrato de zinco e hidróxido de gálio. Utilizsando este método, foi possível obter ZnO:Ga cristalino pela calcinação do precursor polimérico em ar a 900ºC por 4 horas. A resina homogênea contendo 2% de dopante só pôde ser obtida com a adição de ácido etilenodiaminotetracético (edta). A adição do edta, também, ocasionou a diminuição de tamanho de partícula do óxido.

Gallium-doped zinc oxide (ZnO:Ga) was prepared by the Pechini method from zinc citrate and gallium hydroxide. By this method, it is possible to synthesize crystalline ZnO:Ga by firing the polymeric precursor in air at 900ºC for four hours. The homogeneous resin containing 2% of dopant could be obtained only with the addition of the ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (edta). The size of oxide particles, also, was diminished by the addition of edta.

Partículas esféricas de sílica foram obtidas via microemulsão inversa em sistema AOT / Heptano / H2O, utilizando-se soluções de silicato de sódio como precursor. Variações de condições experimentais durante a precipitação levam à mudanças no tamanho e na forma das partículas. O objetivo deste trabalho é otimizar a obtenção de partículas de sílica com homogeneidade de forma e tamanho, variando-se a ordem de adição dos reagentes, a concentração da solução de silicato de sódio, a razão água/surfactante (W), a ordem de mistura dos reagentes e a purificação do produto obtido. As micrografias evidenciaram que para se obter partículas esféricas, com faixa estreita de tamanho, utiliza-se duas microemulsões inversas a partir das soluções de ácido nítrico e de silicato de sódio, sendo que a mistura destas deve ser feita adicionando-se a microemulsão contendo o silicato de sódio sobre a microemulsão contendo o ácido nítrico. A relação silicato de sódio:água mais adequada de para os objetivos do trabalho é de 1:10. A purificação mais eficiente é aquela feita em duas etapas, com etanol e com água quentes. A partir dos resultados obtidos, pode-se verificar também que quanto maior o W maior será o tamanho médio de partícula.

Silica spherical particles were prepared in reverse microemulsion from sodium silicate solution precursor. Particle shape and size changes were investigated in function of reactants addition order, sodium silicate solution concentration and water to surfactant ratio (W) and product separation and purification. This paper reports on the uniform spherical silica particles preparation in function of the mentioned different experimental conditions. Scanning electron micrographs show uniform spherical silica particle obtained from the mixture of two reverse microemulsion: microemulsion A with soluble sodium silicate was added to a microemulsion B with nitric acid solution. Concentrated sodium silicate solution was diluted to 1:10 (silicate:water) ratio. Separation and purification was carried out in two steps with hot ethanol and water. The average particle size increases as W increases.

Este trabalho trata da obtenção de SrC2O4, Ce2(C2O4)3, e SrC2O4 dopado com diferentes porcentagens de Ce3+ como precursores do luminóforo azul Sr2CeO4. Os precursores preparados foram estudados por TG e DTA. Uma mistura contendo SrC2O4 e Ce2(C2O4)3 na relação 4:1 respectivamente e SrC2O4 dopado com diferentes porcentagens de Ce3+, foram tratadas termicamente à 1100ºC, 12 horas. Os produtos foram analisados por XRD e espectroscopia de luminescência e apresentam mistura das fases SrCeO3, Sr2CeO4 e SrCO3. Os produtos contendo a fase Sr2CeO4 apresentam luminescência azul de banda larga, com exceção daquele obtido a partir de SrC2O4 dopado com 50% de Ce3+. Neste caso a fase predominante é SrCeO3. Pela curva DTA observa-se um pico endotérmico em torno de 1000ºC para todas as amostras, com exceção da amostra dopada em 50%, evidenciando a temperatura de formação da fase Sr2CeO4. A fase luminescente Sr2CeO4 é preferencialmente obtida partindo-se de SrC2O4:Ce3+ 25% e de misturas mecânicas na proporção de 4:1 de oxalatos de estrôncio e de oxalato de cério.

This work reports on the preparation of SrC2O4, Ce2(C2O4)3, and SrC2O4 doped with different percentages of Ce3+, as precursors for the new blue phosphor Sr2CeO4. Precursors were studied by using TG and DTA curves. A mixture containing SrC2O4 and Ce2(C2O4)3, in 4:1 ratio as well as SrC2O4 doped with different percentages of Ce3+, were heated under 1100ºC, 12 hours and the resulting products were analyzed by XRD and luminescence spectroscopy. All products prepared under 1100ºC, 12 hours were identified as a mixture of SrCeO3, Sr2CeO4 and SrCO3 phases. All products which Sr2CeO4 phase is detected, present blue wide band luminescence, except the one from SrC2O4 doped with 50% of Ce3+. In this case, the majority phase is SrCeO3 one. All samples DTA curves present endothermic peak ca 1000°C except the 50% doped one indicating the Sr2CeO4 phase formation. Therefore, the blue phosphor Sr2CeO4 is better prepared from SrC2O4:Ce3+ 25% or from SrC2O4 and Ce2(C2O4)3 mixtures.

The effects of chloride and nitrate anions and their respective concentrations, as well as urea presence, on solid phase morphologies were investigated. Zinc hydroxide carbonate was prepared by aging diluted zinc salt solution in presence of urea at 90ºC. Samples were identified by X-ray powder diffractograms showing the characteristic patterns of hydrozincite. The crystallinity was correlated with the concentrations of reagents. Spherulitic-type aggregates and single acicular particles were obtained from diluted chloride and nitrate solutions while porous aggregates of uniform size were formed from solutions with high chloride and urea concentrations.

Unusual chemical phenomenon associated with ultrasound is on account of cavitation effect. The ultrasound increase the rate and yield of chemical reaction on account of its ability to emulsify liquids. When the ultrasound is used in metallic catalyst reaction the activity of catalyst is increased because the ultrasound clean the surface of catalyst. Sonogels have a fine porosity and large specific surface improving different properties. This paper deals with ultrasound phenomenon and gives some examples of reactions and properties where this radiation takes an important role.

Domestic microwave oven was modified for laboratory applications. Electronic system was made for controlling magnetron irradiation time. Exhaustion and air circulation systems were installed to clean the internal oven atmosphere during operation. The cavity walls were coated with aluminized thermal paint to avoid chemical corrosion. These modifications allowed the usage of the oven for drying and processes using reflux.