Environmental Analytical Chemistry

This research area aims:

i) to develop new methods applying analytical techniques (chromatographic, spectrometric, among others) for the analysis of organic and/or metal compounds in samples of the environment, biological, food and (bio)fuels;

ii) develop methods for analyzing chemical speciation in environmental and biological samples.

iii) study of relevant aspects of the occurrence, impacts and technologies aimed at reducing organic and metal contaminants in the environment;

iv) determination of pesticides, toxins, mycotoxins, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), drugs, personal hygiene and cleaning products (PPCPs) occurrence, among other emerging contaminants;

v) investigate the level of contamination of the Coastal Ecosystem in food and different environmental and biological samples by metal and/or organic compounds;

vi) to develop new technologies for the mitigation of contaminants in effluents (advanced oxidative processes, for example);

vii) to improve food decontamination technologies;

viii) develop studies in ecotoxicology.

Synthesis, isolation, characterization and biological/technological application of organic compounds

This research area aims:

i) to develop methodologies for the synthesis and characterization of nitrogenous and oxygenated organic compounds obtained from renewable sources;

ii) synthesize fatty amides, fatty amino acids and fat isoniazids, develop methodology and evaluate biological action;

iii) synthesize oleochemical derivatives of technological interest, biodegradable organogel, develop methodologies and gelation studies;

iv) isolate secondary metabolites from plant species, evaluate the biological action of isolated organic compounds, perform quality control, chemical studies and bioactivity of native plant species in southern Brazil;

v) synthesize fatty esters (biodiesel) derived from conventional oilseeds (for example, soybean, mammon, tung, amoung others.) and microalgae through the development of bench and pilot scale methodologies applying conventional processes, evaluating the use of ultrasound energy , microwave, homogeneous and heterogeneous catalyst, as well as the use of co-products in processes, quality control and certification. In all cases, the biological and technological activities of the synthesized and isolated organic compounds will be investigated, seeking the development of products of interest and their possible commercial and industrial applications.

 
Synthesis, Isolation, Characterization and Application of Inorganic Compounds

This research area aims:

i) to synthesize and characterize new complexing agents 'N, 0, S-donor', as well as the respective complexes, determining the complexing structure, biological and technological applications;

ii) synthesize and characterize homogeneous catalysts for application in coupling reactions, as well as the synthesis and characterization of inorganic supports to be applied as heterogeneous catalysts.


Preparation, Physical-Chemical Characterization and Application of Materials; and Development of Molecular Models

This research area investigates:

i) the development of nanocomposites, in this context the catalytic and biological activities are being evaluated, as well as their intermolecular interactions in membrane models, focusing on the product development for the petrochemical and food industry;

ii) Preparation and characterization of nanostructured metal catalysts seeking the product development and their applications in the petrochemical, food and biochemical areas (catalytic and antimicrobial activity);

iii) Study of the diffusion of metallic nanoparticles in multilayer polymeric thin films and synthesis of polymeric films applying ionic liquid and metallic nanoparticles, performing characterization and applications in chemical and enzymatic catalysis;

iv) Characterization methods applied to materials such as: X-ray scattering at low angle (SAXS), X-ray diffraction, light scattering (photon correlation, Rayleigh scattering, Raman scattering), transmission electron microscopy ( TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-MET), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray dispersive energy (EDX), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), spectrofluorometry; turbidimetry; light scattering, calorimetric methods (DSC, DMTA, TGA);

v) Studies in Computational Chemistry that aim at the development of molecular models Quantitative Structure Activity Relationships (QSAR) for the prediction of biological activity of materials and functionalized oleochemical derivatives. The development of Quantitative Structure Property Relationships (QSPR) equations can predict physical and chemical properties of fatty substances (triglycerides, diglycerides, monoglycerides, methyl, ethyl and propylene microalgae esters) in order to determine its performance as a biofuel in diesel engines through the its physical-chemical properties (surface tension, density, viscosity).