Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a potent greenhouse gas produced during denitrification, a process that includes several genes coding enzymes responsible for nitrogen (N) forms transformations. In volcanic ash soils of southern Chile, fertilization had increased over the last 10 years with implications for N2O emissions. Despite this, little is still known about potential denitrification and the presence of denitrifying genes. In this study we report the abundance of denitrifying genes and a basal characterization of microbial communities in five volcanic ash soils with different levels of organic matter. The denitrifying genes determination showed that nosZI predominated over nirK and nirS in all soils suggesting a complete denitrification pathway, which would explain low N2O losses in such soils. Estimation of total microorganisms studies using 16S and 18S rRNA showed that in these soils bacteria (10(9)) was most abundant over archaea and fungi (10(7); p<0.05). Sequences of DNA obtained by denaturant gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) indicated that Firmicutes, Acidobacteria and Proteobacteria are the main bacterial classes represented in Andisoils (33, 28 and 23%, respectively) but with a lower diversity. More detailed studies about denitrifiers, gene-activity relationship and N2O emissions are required.

This investigation explored the effects of the pre-treatment temperature on the molecular conformations and electrical performance of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH) membranes. The structure and properties of the membranes were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Raman scattering (RS) and impedance measurements (IE). Water molecules absorbed by the PVOH membranes, which decreased in quantity as the temperature increased caused drastic change to be observed in the relative band intensities of the OH and CH2 bonds with respect to the C-C bonds. The observations for the hydrated PVOH were correlated with the proton transport behavior, which were inferred from conductivity relaxation measurements over various temperature regions and were dependent on the water content in the membrane. The results were corroborated by DSC and TGA. For example, the temperature dependence of the conductivity relaxation frequency, ωmax, followed different Arrhenius-type thermally activated processes at low and high temperatures. The corresponding activation energies in the low and high temperature regions were: 1.42±0.02 and 0.23±0.02 eV, respectively. In addition, the selected fitting temperature regions and activation energies for the ωmax data were equivalent (within experimental error) to the values for the dc-conductivity, σ0(T). This result indicates that the mechanisms for long range ion displacement (dc conductivity) and ion-ion or ion-polymer chain correlations are identical, (i.e., an ion-hoping occurred in the various hydrated phases of PVOH).

We have studied the high-temperature phase transition (HTPT) of crystalline potassium and ammonium dehydrogen phosphates and solid solutions of them with composition (1-x) KH2 PO4 + x NH4 H2 PO4 (KADPx, for x =0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.6 and 1.0), by means of X-ray diffraction analysis at room temperature and in situ Raman spectroscopy as function of temperature. Analysis of the Raman spectra made it possible to monitor the temperature dependence of vibrational bands associated to structural changes taking place during a proposed partial dehydration reaction that starts to take place at a characteristic temperature Tp and tends to increase above it. This assignment is supported using characteristic vibrational bands of phosphates and polyphosphates (produced as a consequence of the partial dehydration reaction of the crystals above Tp). The presence of the polyphosphate vibrational bands assigned to the stretch vibration of its PO2 species (at about 1120 cm_1for pure KDP) accompanied by a broad band assigned to P-O-P backbone vibrations (at about 713 cm_1for pure KDP) [14] become evident at temperature higher than Tp depending on the composition of KADPx.

Os materiais cerâmicos têm sido amplamente estudados durante várias décadas para utilização em Células a Combustível, principalmente em Células a Combustível de Óxido Sólido de Temperatura Alta. Entretanto, não tendo sido superados completamente todos os problemas decorrentes da alta temperatura de operação desses dispositivos, continuam os trabalhos de pesquisa e de desenvolvimento na busca de materiais compatíveis para operacionalizar esses dispositivos em altas temperaturas, assim como em temperaturas intermediárias. Por esses motivos, muitos esforços têm sido concentrados para minimizar os problemas que ocorrem com esses materiais e a atenção vem sendo direcionada para a seleção e obtenção de materiais cerâmicos utilizados na Célula a Combustível de Óxido Sólido de Temperatura Intermediária. Seguindo este contexto, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo apresentar as principais características dos pós de Nd1-XSrXMnO3 e La1-XSrXCo1-YFeYO3, que constituem o eletrodo catódico. Os pós foram obtidos pelo método cerâmico de mistura de pós e pela técnica dos citratos, respectivamente. Os pós desses materiais foram caracterizados e analisados por técnicas químicas, físicas e microestruturais. Como principal resultado, verificou-se que a homogeneidade das partículas destes pós é adequada para a preparação de suspensões que podem ser aplicadas no eletrólito sólido.

The ceramic materials have been studied during some decades for use in Fuel Cells, mainly in High Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells. However, not having been surpassed completely all the decurrently problems of the high operating temperature of the devices developed currently, continue the works of research and development in the search of compatible materials to operate these devices in high temperatures, as well as in intermediate temperatures has been considered. For these reasons, many efforts was concentrated to minimize the problems that occur with these materials and the attention comes being directed for the election and attainment of ceramic materials used in the Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cell. Following this context, the present work has as objective to present the main characteristics of Nd1-X SrX MnO3 and La1-X SrX Co1-Y FeY O3, powders that they constitute the cathodic electrode. The mentioned methods by powders mixture and citrates technique were used for obtaining these powders, respectively. The powders obtained were characterized and analyzed for chemical, physical and microstructural techniques. As main result, it was verified that the homogeneity of particles is adequate for the preparation of suspensions that can be applied in the solid electrolyte.

As células a combustível (CaC) destacam-se como geradoras de energia distribuída, nas quais são dispositivos eletroquímicos de baixo impacto ambiental, que são basicamente alimentadas pelo combustível hidrogênio e pelo oxidante oxigênio, tendo como principais produtos, a eletricidade e a água. Estes dispositivos vêm sendo considerados como uma opção real para a geração de energia elétrica distribuída de maioria dos países, devido à possibilidade de construção modular, baixo nível de ruídos, produção simultânea de energia elétrica e térmica, baixa restrição quanto à localização e elevada eficiência de conversão, dependendo do tipo de CaC. As aplicações da CaC em demonstrações significativas têm atestado a viabilidade em unidades estacionárias, móveis e portáteis. Neste contexto, o manganito de lantânio dopado com estrôncio (La1-xSr xMnO3), é um material cerâmico de grande importância, devido principalmente ao seu uso como catodo em células a combustível de óxido sólido (Solid Oxide Fuel Cells - SOFCs). Nos últimos anos, o grande interesse dos pesquisadores em relação a este material se deve principalmente às suas características tais como: boa estabilidade química e térmica, alta atividade catalítica na redução do oxigênio, coeficiente de expansão térmica razoavelmente similar ao eletrólito sólido (zircônia estabilizada com ítria) e alta condutividade elétrica. No presente trabalho apresenta-se uma contribuição ao estudo das composições químicas e estruturais de La1-xSr xMnO3 com concentrações de estrôncio (15 e 50 % em mol) pela técnica dos citratos. As resinas foram caracterizadas por análise termogravimétrica (ATG) e análise térmica diferencial (ATD); e os pós sintetizados foram caracterizados por absorção gasosa (LECO), espectrometria de fluorescência de raios X (FRX), granulometria por espalhamento de feixe de laser (CILAS), adsorção gasosa (BET), picnometria por gás hélio, difratometria de raios X (DRX) e microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). As características dos pós de La1-X SrX MnO3 foram avaliadas visando a utilização na preparação de suspensões catódicas de filmes finos das SOFCs.

The fuel cells (FC) are distinguished as generating of distributed energy and are electrochemical devices of low environmental impact. These devices are fed by hydrogen and oxygen, having as main products, the electricity and the water. Fuel Cells are considered as a real option for the generation of electric energy distributed of many countries, due to possibility of modular construction, low noises level, potential for cogeneration, minimal siting and substantially higher conversion efficiency. Its applications have been detached in stationary and mobile segments, and portable units. In this context, the strontium-doped lanthanum manganite (La1-X SrX MnO3) is a ceramic material used as cathode in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). Currently, the great interest of the researchers to this material has been the study of its characteristics, such as: good chemical and thermal stability, high catalytic activity in the oxygen reduction reaction, thermal expansion coefficient similar to the electrolyte (yttria stabilized zirconia) and high electrical conductivity. In this work is presented a contribution to the study of the chemical compositions and structural of La1-X SrX MnO3 with strontium concentrations (15 and 50 mol %) by the citrate technique. The resins have been characterized by Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Thermal Differential Analysis (TDA); and the powders have been characterized by Gas Absorption (LECO), X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF), Granulometry by Laser Scattering (CILAS), Gas Adsorption (BET), Picnometry by Gas Helium, X-Ray Diffractometry (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The characteristics of La1-X SrX MnO3 powders have been evaluated aiming at the use in the preparation of cathodic suspensions of thin films of the SOFCs.