Abstract In recent years, cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is used for surface disinfection. However, little is known about its ability to improve biocompatibility of metallic surfaces when compared to thermal plasma methods. In this context, the study aimed to evaluate the response of human endothelial cells (Ea.hy926) on titanium surfaces treated by non-thermal plasma method and thermal plasma method under nitriding atmosphere. The wettability was characterized by the sessile drop method, the topography and roughness were evaluated by atomic force microscopy (AFM), and the microstructure by grazing angle X-ray diffraction (GIXRD). Endothelial cells were cultured and evaluated for morphology by scanning electron microscopy and viability by an MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay. CAP treatment reduced the contact angle of the Ti surface (13.43° ± 1.48; p<0.05), increasing hydrophilicity. Rz roughness was higher on the nitrided surface (220.44±20.30; p< 0.001) compared to the CAP treated surfaces (83.29 ± 11.61; p< 0.001) and polished (75.98 ±34.21a); p<0.001). The different applied plasma treatments created different titanium surfaces improving the biocompatibility of endothelial cells, however CAP results demonstrate its potential for biomedical applications, considering the low cost and ease of use of the technique, allowing surface treatments before clinical procedures.

RESUMO Cera de carnaúba é utilizada, com sucesso, em revestimento de frutos por formar uma barreira contra a perda de umidade, troca de gases e ação antimicrobiana. No presente trabalho, pretende-se melhorar esta última propriedade através do tratamento por plasma. Plasma produzido por descarga de barreira dielétrica (DBD), usando pulsos de voltagem de 45 kV, repetidos na frequência de 405 Hz, durante 9 min, foi aplicado diretamente sobre esporos de fungo Colletotrichum brevisporum (4x104 conidia.cm-1) ou sobre superfície dos revestimentos de cera. Verificou-se que o revestimento, após tratado por plasma, apresentou resistência antifúngica equivalente àquela existente quando aplicada diretamente sobre os fungos. Este resultado foi justificado com base na literatura, em que o tratamento com plasma em lipídios estimula a oxidação das cadeias lipídicas, resultando na formação de compostos carboxílicos, que possuem propriedades antimicrobianas.

ABSTRACT Carnauba wax is successfully used in fruit coating to produce a barrier against moisture loss, gas exchange and microbial action. The present study aims to improve this latter property by plasma treatment. Plasma produced by dielectric barrier discharge (DBD), using voltage pulses of 45 kV, repeated at the frequency of 405 Hz, for 9 min, was applied directly to spores of the fungus Colletotrichum brevisporum (4x104 conidia.cm-1) or on the surface of wax coatings. It was found that the coating, after being treated by plasma, presented antifungal resistance equivalent to that existing when applied directly to the fungi. This result was justified based on the literature, in which plasma treatment with lipids stimulates the oxidation of lipid chains, resulting in the formation of carboxylic compounds, which have antimicrobial properties.

RESUMO Sob condições ainda desconhecidas, cristais denominados de flor de sal, ou fleur de sel, como é comumente conhecido, pode ser formado na superfície de uma salmoura supersaturada durante a evaporação da água do mar nas salinas. Visando produzir flor de sal de uma maneira controlada e fazer melhor uso da solução residual de salinas, denominada de água-mãe, o presente trabalho foi proposto. O mecanismo de crescimento, morfologia, microestrutura e composição química dos sais obtidos foram estudados durante a evaporação da água-mãe, cuja densidade variou de 1,230 g/cm³ para 1,244 g/cm³, mantendo fixos o gradiente térmico e umidade relativa do ar. Análises quimicas, microestruturais e morfológicas foram usadas para caracterização. Cristais cúbicos ocos foram obtidos cujas concentrações iônicas foram dependents da densidade da solução. O tamanho e massa dos cristais também foram dependentes da densidade da solução. As amostras apresentaram fases contendo sulfatos como NaK3(SO4)2, Mg (SO4). (H2O) e K2SO4, cuja porcentagem aumentou levemente com o aumento da densidade. Mesmo assim, as porcentagens de NaCl foram acima de 90% para todas as amostras, mostrando que é possível extrair flor de sal de alta pureza a partir de uma solução residual hipersalina.

ABSTRACT Direct current (DC) plasma nitriding offers some disadvantages, especially in parts with complex geometries, where the presence of edges is significant, such as gears, molds, and needle punched parts are strongly affected by this effect, leading to irregular formation of nitrided layers and high variation in surface hardness. To solve these problems two techniques were developed as alternatives, namely: pulsed plasma nitriding and cathodic cage nitriding. In this work, these three nitriding techniques were compared using AISI 1045 steel as substrate. Steel discs were nitrided with the purpose of evaluating the influence of these different plasma configurations on the characteristics of the nitrided layer. The treatments in the three techniques were carried out at the same pressure, temperature, time and gas atmosphere. The samples were characterized for the microstructure, microhardness and crystalline phases present. X-ray diffraction with grazing incidence was used to verify the order of the nitrites formed and to estimate the thickness of the single-phase layers. Differences between the configurations with respect to the occurrence of restriction rings, total thickness (xε +xγ') and relative (xε/xγ') compound layers were observed.

RESUMO No Brasil, estudos sobre pigmentos cerâmicos ainda são bastante escassos. Por esta razão, grande parte dos pigmentos consumidos pela indústria cerâmica são importados dos países europeus. Outra parte destes pigmentos são obtidos pela rota cerâmica, entretanto, esta rota de síntese resulta em pigmentos com propriedades bastante heterogêneas, reduzindo a qualidade do revestimento. Por esta razão, vários são os estudos no sentido de desenvolver rotas de síntese que resultem em pigmentos com propriedades mais homogêneas, sendo ambientalmente adequados e economicamente viáveis. Nesse contexto, este trabalho teve como objetivo sintetizar óxidos com estrutura tipo perovskita de composição LaAl1-xCrxO3 (x=0,1; x=0,05) pelo método gelatina, visando sua aplicação como pigmento para colorir esmalte transparentes brilhante. Os pós resultantes do processo de síntese foram calcinados a 800 e 1000 °C. Em seguida, foram caracterizados por análise termogravimétrica, difração de raios-x, espectroscopia na região do Uv-Visível e colorimetria. As perovskitas sintetizadas foram usadas para a preparação de esmaltes cerâmicos pela adição de 2% em peso de pigmentos em esmalte transparentes brilhantes. Os difratogramas de raios-x revelaram que os pós são monofásicos com estrutura perovskita trigonal. A cor das amostras variou em função do teor de substituinte, e a tonalidade mais avermelhada foi obtida para as perovskitas com menor substituição do íon Cr3+ e calcinadas em temperaturas maiores. Não foram observadas alterações na cor do pigmento quando introduzido no esmalte transparente brilhante.

ABSTRACT In Brazil, studies on ceramic pigments are still very scarce. For this reason, most of the pigments consumed by the ceramic industry are imported to European countries. Another part of these pigments is obtained by the ceramic route, however, this route of synthesis results in pigments with very heterogeneous properties, reducing the quality of the coating. For this reason, several studies are aimed at developing synthetic routes that result in pigments with more homogenous properties, being environmentally friendly and economically viable. In context, the aim of this work was to synthesize oxides with perovskite structure of LaAl1-xCrxO3 composition (x = 0.1; x = 0.05) by the gelatin method, aiming its application as pigment for color transparent glazes. The powders resulting from the synthesis process were calcined at 800 and 1000 °C. Then they were characterized using thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and CIElab colorimetry. The perovskite was used for the preparation of ceramic glazes by addition of 2 wt.% pigments on transparent glazes. X-ray patterns revealed single-phase powders with trigonal perovskite structure. The color of the samples varied as a function of the substituent content. The reddish hue was observed in the perovskites obtained with lower substitution of the Cr3+ ion and calcined at higher temperatures. No changes in the pigment color when introduced into transparent glazes were observed.

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.

Electrical discharges in liquids are currently used to synthesize nanoparticles. The plasma-liquid interaction is complex, where parameters such as electric field, ion charges and other species present are important. In order to understand the mechanism of crystallization, mother liquor (saturated solution of NaCl, MgCl2 and KCl) was used to study the effectiveness and selectivity of the crystallization caused by the application of plasma. Discharge was applied with the solution at room temperature or during cooling. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and chemical analysis was used to evaluate the structure and composition effects on crystal structure and composition. It was observed that the discharge induces selectively crystallization, and when compared to crystals obtained conventionally by cooling, were smaller and more uniform. We therefore confirm that plasma in liquid can also be used to selectively crystallize materials in atmospheric pressure, where the sizes of the crystals must be dependent on the parameters used.