The United Nations (UN) has proclaimed 2019 as the International Year of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements (IYPT 2019). For that reason, it is considered pertinent to highlight the importance of the periodic system in the scientific and technological development of the chemistry; therefore, a discussion of some applications of the periodicity of the elements for designing new materials is carried out. In this work, some periodic trends of both molecules and complex structures of materials are discussed, by selecting different cases of the chemical periodicity applied to improve and design steels with higher wear resistance, prepare refractory materials and synthesize chalcogenides glasses, among others. Finally, the proposed subjects and the regularities argued in this work are considered complementary contexts of exceptional interest to motivate the meaningful learning of the periodic table taking into account the current scientific and technological researches.

Abstract: Currently, it is evident the need of discussing the curricular orientation that Material Science should have as a key subject in undergraduate programs of science, engineering and related careers with technological and industrial design applications. In this work, some fundamental aspects for building of Materials Science curricula are discussed from scientific, technological and pedagogical perspectives. A scientific and technological view allows establishing conceptual contents intended from world modern knowledge on research and technological activities performed for Materials and Solid State fields. The pedagogical view shows that meaningful learning and STS (Science, Technology and Society) approach should be combined to yield a suitable educational strategy.

Resumen: En la actualidad es evidente la necesidad de discutir la orientación curricular que debe darse a la Ciencia de Materiales como asignatura clave en las carreras universitarias de ciencias, ingenierías y profesiones afines con aplicaciones de diseño tecnológico e industrial. En este trabajo se discuten algunos elementos fundamentales para la construcción del currículo de la asignatura Ciencia de Materiales, desde las perspectivas científico-tecnológica y pedagógica. La visión científica permite establecer contenidos orientados desde la concepción moderna de la actividad investigativa y tecnológica mundial en los campos de Materiales y Estado Sólido, y la visión pedagógica rescata el aprendizaje significativo con enfoque CTS (Ciencia, Tecnología y Sociedad) como la combinación metodológica apropiada.

In this work was studied the adsorption of sunset yellow dye with different type of activated carbon obtained from vegetable waste. The carbons were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy, obtaining typical results for carbonaceous materials. Surface areas of activated carbon were determined by nitrogen isotherms. Similarly, dye removal isotherms were evaluated taking into account, contact time effect, pH, initial concentration and amount of adsorbent. Corn cob carbons, showed highest removal percentage with respect at the carbons of coconut husks and rice husks. Langmuir’s isotherm model is adjusted more appropriately to these results. We found that, pseudo second order kinetics model describes in good agreement the adsorption of sunset yellow dye with activated carbons.

Se estudió la remoción del colorante amarillo anaranjado con diferentes tipos de carbón activado, obtenidos a partir varias fuentes de desechos agrícolas. Los carbones se caracterizaron mediante espectroscopía infrarroja, difracción de rayos X y microscopía electrónica de barrido, obteniéndose resultados típicos de materiales carbonosos. El área superficial del carbón activo, se determinó mediante isotermas de nitrógeno. De igual manera, se evaluó la isoterma de remoción del colorante teniendo en cuenta el efecto del tiempo de contacto, el pH, la concentración inicial y la cantidad de adsorbente. El carbón de tusa de maíz mostró mayor porcentaje remoción de colorante con respecto a los carbones cáscara de coco y cascarilla de arroz. El modelo de isoterma de Langmuir se ajusta de manera más apropiada a estos resultados. Se encontró que el modelo cinético de pseudo segundo orden describe muy bien el proceso de adsorción del colorante amarillo anaranjado con los carbones activados.

Se sintetizó una serie de sólidosnanoestructurados obtenidos de laintercalación de nanopartículas de TiO2y Fe-TiO2 en los espacios interlaminaresde un mineral de arcilla esmectítico. Losnuevos materiales se prepararon mediantela modificación simultánea de dos mineralesnaturales: bentonita e ilmenita. Los materialesobtenidos se caracterizaron por fluorescenciade rayos X (FRX), espectroscopia infrarroja(IR), difracción de rayos X (DRX),microscopia electrónica de barrido (SEM)y sortometría de nitrógeno. Los resultadosdel análisis químico (FRX) confirmaronclaramente la incorporación de titanio y dehierro en los materiales sintetizados. Losanálisis por DRX, SEM y sortometría denitrógeno verificaron la modificación delmineral de arcilla por incorporación deespecies de dióxido de titanio y la generaciónde estructuras mesoporosas delaminadas oexfoliadas con incremento en los valores deárea superficial y porosidad controlada.

A set of nanostructured porous solids was synthesized by intercalation of TiO2 and Fe- TiO2 into the interlayer sites of a smectite clay mineral. The new materials were prepared through simultaneous modification of two natural minerals: bentonite and ilmenite. Synthesized materials were characterized by X-ray fluorescence (XRF), infrared spectroscopy (IR), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and N2-adsorption technique. Results of chemical analysis (XRF) clearly confirmed the incorporation of titanium and iron in the synthesized materials. Modification of clay mineral by incorporation of titanium dioxide species was verified by XRD, SEM and N2- adsorption analyses, showing the formation of mesoporous delaminated structures with increased surface areas and controlled porosity.

Uma serie de sólidos nanoestruturadosforam sintetizados, obtidos pela intercalaçãode nanopartículas de TiO2 e Fe-TiO2 nosespaços interlaminares de um mineralde argila esmectítica. Os novos materiaisforam preparados mediante a modificaçãosimultânea de dois minerais naturais:uma bentonita e uma ilmenita. Osmateriais obtidos foram caracterizadospor fluorescência de raios X (FRX),espectroscopia infra-vermelho (IR), difraçãode raios X (DRX), microscopia eletrônica devarredura (SEM) e sortometria de nitrogênio.Os resultados da análise química (FRX)confirmaram claramente a incorporação detitânio e de ferro nos materiais sintetizados.A análise por DRX, SEM e sortometriade nitrogênio verificaram a modificaçãodo mineral de argila por incorporação deespécies de dióxido de titânio, demonstrandoa geração de estruturas mesoporosasdelaminadas ou esfoliadas com incrementonos valores de área superficial e porosidade controlada.

A complex cation, diNOsarcobalt(III), [Co(diNOsar)]3+, (diNOsar = 1,8-dinitro-3,6,10,13,16,19-hexaazabicyclo-[6.6.6]eicosane), was synthesized and immobilized in the cavities of a Y zeolite by the reaction of precursor species in the pores of the zeolite. The encapsulated material was compared to the compound diNOsarcobalt(III) chloride, [Co(diNOsar)]Cl3. Both diNOsarcobalt(III) chloride and the zeolite-encapsulated complex, [Co(diNOsar)]3+/zeolite, were obtained in high yield and characterized by ultraviolet-visible and infrared spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction demonstrated the incorporation of the complex cation into the pores of the zeolite. The catalytic production of hydrogen peroxide from oxygenated water confirmed the successful synthesis of the complex diNOsarcobalt(III) immobilized in the zeolite.

This paper compares the catalytic activities of some transition metal ions (Fe3+, Co2+, Cu2+, Ni2+, Zn2+) in the H2O2 decomposition in homogenous and heterogeneous processes, including solid mixed systems (Fe-Cu-Co/Al2O3, Fe-Cu/Al2O3, Fe-Co/Al2O3 and Co-Cu/Al2O3). The solids were characterised by X-ray diffraction to explore evolution of phases or possible changes. Different trends of the catalytic activity were observed: in homogeneous medium the most active species was Fe3+, whereas in heterogeneous one the higher activities were shown for Co/Al2O3 and Co-Cu/Al2O3. A strong cooperative effect for the Co-Cu/Al2O3 system was observed, which can be considered as a new catalyst of interest for this type of reactions.

This work reports a study on the attitudes of Colombian students towards Chemistry in different undergraduate programs. The research was performed on 769 students belonging to several Chemistry courses, by applying an adaptation of Salta and Tzougraki's test and using Likert's scale. The results revealed that Chemistry is being considered as difficult and little useful, but very interesting. Thus, the difficulty to learn Chemistry may be associated with its language and abstract conceptual nature. In addition, more attention should be given to the class contents and methodologies provided to the students, in order to engage them with those interest aspects and meaningful topics of each program

Two food products (powders) were obtained by hot-air drying or lyophilisation methods on the whole guava fruits. The powders were characterised by sensory and thermal analyses (TGA-DSC), infrared spectroscopy (IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Thermal, morphological and structural characterisations showed a similar behaviour for the two solids. TGA-DSC and IR showed the presence of pectin as the main constituent of solids. A semi-crystalline profile was evidenced by XRD, and lamellar/spherical morphologies were observed by SEM. Sensory analyses revealed an aroma highly related to guava. These value-added food products are an alternative to process guava and avoid loss during postharvest handling.

This paper reports how laboratory projects (LP) coupled to inquiry-based learning (IBL) were implemented in a practical inorganic chemistry course. Several coordination compounds have been successfully synthesised by students according to the proposed topics by the LP-IBL junction, and the chemistry of a number of metals has been studied. Qualitative data were collected from written reports, oral presentations, lab-notebook reviews and personal discussions with the students through an experimental course with undergraduate second-year students at the Universidad Nacional de Colombia during the last 5 years. Positive skills production was observed by combining LP and IBL. Conceptual, practical, interpretational, constructional (questions, explanations, hypotheses), communicational, environmental and application abilities were revealed by the students throughout the experimental course.

The equilibrium geometries and interaction energies in clusters of 1,2-propanediol with 3,4,5 and 6 water molecules were evaluated. This was done to better comprehend the predominant interactions existing at molecular level in aliphatic diols with water. The clusters were stochastically generated and selected by using a modified metropolis acceptance test implemented in the S imulated A nnealing program with Quantum E nergy software. The geometry of these systems was optimized by B3LYP/6-31G(d) calculations. The different generated configurations were characterized by the preferential formation of cyclic geometries. In these geometries, the primary hydrogen bonds have a fundamental role on the stability and probability of existence of these molecular aggregates.

Se reportan las geometrías de equilibrio y energías de interacción de aglomeraciones (clusters) formadas por los sistemas 1,2-propanodiol con 3, 4, 5 y 6 moléculas de agua. Esto con el fin de avanzar en la comprensión de las interacciones que predominan a nivel molecular en compuestos tipo dioles alifáticos con agua. Las aglomeraciones fueron generadas estocásticamente, seleccion adas mediante una prueba de aceptación metrópolis modificado implementado en el programa Recocido Simulado (Simulated Annealing) con Energía Cuántica y optimizados con el nivel de teoría B3LYP/6-31G(d). Las diferentes configuraciones generadas se caracterizaron por la formación preferencial de geometrías cíclicas. En estas geometrías, los enlaces de hidrógeno primario jugaron un rol fundamental en la estabilidad y probabilidad de existencia de estos agregados moleculares.

El presente trabajo muestra la modificación de una zeolita-Y y una arcilla pilarizada (tipo saponita) mediante impregnación con diferentes cargas de Pt (catalizadores a base de Pt). Los sólidos se caracterizaron en cuanto a su composición química y su textura. La caracterización textural revela cambios importantes en los sólidos, mostrando que se genera microporosidad en la serie de catalizadores zeolíticos y se bloquean las estructuras microporosas en la serie de catalizadores obtenidos a partir de la arcilla pilarizada. La determinación de la dimensión fractal (mediante el método de Avnir-Jaroniec) indica que la modificación con Pt afecta significativamente las características topográficas de la superficie de la arcilla pilarizada como consecuencia de la posible formación de agregados de Pt.

This research shows the modification of a zeolite Y and a pillared clay (saponite) by impregnation with different platinum quantities (synthesis of Pt catalysts). The solids were characterized about the chemical composition and texture. The textural characterization reveals important changes in the solids, showing that in the zeolitic catalysts microporosity is formed, whereas in the pillared clay the microporous structures are partially blocked. Fractal dimension (by Avnir-Jaroniec method) indicates that the topographic features of the pillared clay surface are significantly affected due to the modification with platinum, probably as a consequence of platinum clusters formation.