Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a vulvar/vaginal infection that affects approximately 75% of women worldwide. The current treatment consists of antimicrobials with hepatotoxic properties and high drug interaction probabilities. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a new treatment to VVC based on micelles containing curcumin (CUR) dispersed in a ureasil-polyether (U-PEO) hybrid. The physical-chemical characterization was carried out in order to observe size, shape, crystallinity degree and particle dispersion in the formulation and was performed by dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and through in vitro release study. The results of DLS and SEM exhibited micelles with 35 nm, and encapsulation efficiency (EE) results demonstrated 100% of EE to CUR dispersed in the U-PEO, which was confirmed by the DRX. The release results showed that CUR loaded in U-PEO is 70% released after 10 days, which demonstrates the potential application of this material in different pharmaceutical forms (ovules and rings), and the possibility of multidose based on a single application, suggesting a higher rate of adherence.

Rhodamine (RhB) adsorption was carried out on MCM-41 and MCM-41 calcined. The effect of parameters such as pH was investigated. The reusability potential of MCM-41 was also established and the mechanism of RhB adsorption was discussed. MCM-41 was synthesized and calcined, with all samples characterized by X-Ray Diffractometry, X-ray Fluorescence by Dispersive Energy, Infrared Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy, and Thermogravimetric analysis. The results of the characterization techniques performed confirmed the formation of the MCM-41 structure. During the adsorption of the RhB dye, high removal percentages and rapid kinetics occur in an acid medium. The adsorption kinetics was evaluated by two models: pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order. The pseudo-first-order kinetic model represented the interaction mechanism well during RhB adsorption by MCM-41. However, the pseudo-second-order model better represented the interaction mechanism during RhB adsorption by MCM-41 calcined. The regeneration study found that the MCM-41 and MCM-41 calcined were maintained at 80 and 90% of their original condition after three successive regeneration cycles. The overall results show that the process could be used as a strategy for environmentally sustainable wastewater treatment.

This study proposed the development of an efficient membrane composed of zeolite-alumina to be used for water-oil separation of wastewater effluents contaminated by oil extraction processes. The efforts made to care for the environment and to decontaminate bodies of water are extremely valuable and constantly being updated. Little research has been done on this subject and this study contributed to remedying this lack. Membrane technology is a reasonable alternative to conventional procedures if economics and eco-sustainability are considered. The objective of this study was to examine the performance of a composite membrane produced through mechanical mixing. The potential of the composite membrane (NaA zeolite/gama-alumina) to separate oil-water emulsions was tested. The results obtained demonstrated that the composite membrane is an excellent alternative for the oil/water emulsion separation process; the membranes are efficient and low-cost alternatives for treating oily wastewater.

In an attempt to synthesize nanomaterial concerning chemistry, the sustainable synthesis of Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 (ZIF-8) nanoparticles by a low-cost approach through the recycling of waste mother liquors was explored and then indicated the potential to remove chlorhexidine (CHLX) from an aqueous solution. ZIF-8 was produced under solvothermal reaction at 25°C and characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, adsorption/desorption of N2, dynamic light scattering and contact angle. The water Chemical stability test was conducted using ZIF-8 and it was immersed in pure water for 24 h at room temperature. Batch-type adsorption was used to check the potential of ZIF-8 (first and second generation) for the adsorption of the chlorhexidine with initial chlorhexidine concentration (0.05, 0.06 and 0.07 mol/L), agitation time (1, 3.5 and 6 h) and the mass of nano-adosrbent (0.04, 0.05 and 0.06 g). Process optimization was performed through a Factorial experimental design. The optimum conditions were selected for the nano-adsorbent mass of 0.04 g, agitation time of 1 h and initial chlorhexidine concentration 0.07 mmol/L. The ZIF-8 sustainable synthesis was efficient and generated a crystalline nanomaterial. The result shows that ZIF-8 is stable in water under ambient conditions. The ZIF-8 first generation and ZIF-8 second generation exhibit a high adsorption capacity (27.17 mg/g and 30.96 mg/g). It was found that, under the synthesis conditions, the recycled mother liquor user did not affect the final characteristics of this nanomaterial. The results indicated that the initial concentration of chlorhexidine and nano-adsorbent mass influenced the adsorption capacity. Experimental design provided the process optimum conditions (1 h, 0.04 g of adsorbent mass and 0.07 mmol/L).