Ibuprofen (IBU) is one of the most-sold anti-inflammatory drugs in the world, and its residues can reach aquatic systems, causing serious health and environmental problems. Strategies are used to improve the photocatalytic activity of zinc oxide (ZnO), and thosethat involvethe inclusion of metalhave received special attention. The aim of this work was to investigate the influence of the parameters and toxicity of a photoproduct using zinc oxide that contains cerium (ZnO-Ce) for the photodegradation of ibuprofen. The parameters include the influence of the photocatalyst concentration (0.5, 0.5, and 1.5 g L⁻¹) as well as the effects of pH (3, 7, and 10), the effect of H₂O₂, and radical scavengers. The photocatalyst was characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy, Transmission electron microscopy, Raman, X-Ray Diffraction, surface area, and diffuse reflectance. The photocatalytic activity of ibuprofen was evaluated in an aqueous solution under UV light for 120 min. The structural characterization by XRD and SEM elucidated the fact that the nanoparticle ZnO contained cerium. The band gap value was 3.31 eV. The best experimental conditions for the photodegradation of IBU were 60% obtained in an acidic condition using 0.50 g L⁻¹ of ZnO-Ce in a solution of 20 ppm of IBU. The presence of hydrogen peroxide favored the photocatalysis process. ZnO-Ce exhibited good IBU degradation activity even after three photocatalytic cycles under UV light. The hole plays akey role in the degradation process of ibuprofen. The toxicity of photolyzed products was monitored against Artemia salina (bioindicator) and did not generate toxic metabolites. Therefore, this work provides a strategic design to improve ZnO-Ce photocatalysts for environmental remediation.

Mesoporous gamma-aluminas (γ-Al₂O₃) were synthesized starting from an unusual precursor of polyoxohydroxide aluminum (POHA). This precursor was obtained from aluminum oxidation in alkaline water-ethanol solvent in the presence of d-glucose that induces the formation of a gel, which leads to the POAH powder after ethanolic treatment. Precipitated POHAs were calcined at different temperatures (300, 400, 700 and 900 °C) resulting in the metastable γ-Al₂O₃ phase. Whereas at 300 °C no γ-Al₂O₃ phase was formed, unexpectedly, mesoporous γ-Al₂O₃ was obtained at 400 ºC having a high specific surface area (282 m²/g) and a narrow pore size distribution. At higher temperatures, the aluminas had the expected decrease in surface area: 166 m²/g (700 °C) and 129 m²/g (900 °C), respectively. The structural change from POHA to alumina calcined at 400 ºC occurs directly without the need to isolate the hydroxide or oxyhydroxide aluminum precursors. Both POHA and transition aluminas were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), N₂ sorption and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). These findings show an alternative route to produce high standard aluminas.

Polyureas (PURs) are a competitive polymer to their analogs, polyurethanes (PUs). Whereas PUs’ main functional group is carbamate (urethane), PURs contain urea. In this revision, a comprehensive overview of PUR properties, from synthesis to technical applications, is displayed. Preparative routes that can be used to obtain PURs using diisocianates or harmless reagents such as CO₂ and NH₃ are explained, and aterials, urea monomers and PURs are discussed; PUR copolymers are included in this discussion as well. Bulk to soft components of PUR, as well as porous materials and meso, micro or nanomaterials are evaluated. Topics of this paper include the general properties of aliphatic and aromatic PUR, followed by practical synthetic pathways, catalyst uses, aggregation, sol–gel formation and mechanical aspects.

SnO particles were synthesized by an alkali-assisted hydrothermal and microwave methods. The aqueous-based reactions were carried out at pH ~ 8, under inert atmosphere (Ar). The reactions were taken under different times, and a full XRD structural analysis was made to evaluate the conversion from the Sn₆O₄(OH)₄ intermediate to SnO particles. Williamson-Hall analysis showed that the size and strain of the SnO particles were time and route treatment dependent. Microwave heating yielded a single tetragonal SnO phase after 1 h of thermal treatment, and TEM images revealed spherical-shaped SnO nanoparticles with an average size of 9(1) nm. While by the hydrothermal treatment single SnO phase was obtained only after 4 hours, yielding non-uniform and elongated particles with sub-micrometric size. A dissolution-recrystallization process was taken into account as the mechanism for SnO particles formation, in which hydroxylated complexes, Sn₂(OH)₆⁻², then condense to form the oxide. The time-shorting reaction provided by the microwave-assisted synthesis may be attributed to better heat distribution.