Metal colloids in 2 propanol using nanoparticles (NPs) of copper, nickel and cobalt were prepared by Chemical Liquid Deposition (CLD) method. The resulting colloidal dispersions were characterized by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The colloids were supported in chitosan. Then, microbiological assays were performed using E. coli and S. aureus in order to determine the bactericide/bacteriostatic activity of nanoparticles (NPs) trapped or chelated with chitosan. Finally, the toxicity of the metal colloids Cu, Ni and Co was tested. Bio-assays were conducted in three different animal species. First of all on earth warms (Eisenia foetida) to evaluate the toxicity and the biocompatibility of chitosan in lactic acid (1% and 0.5%). Secondly bio-assay done in fishes (rainbow trout), the liver toxicity of NPs in vivo was evaluated. Finally, a bio-assay was conducted in Sprange-Dawley rats of 100g weight, which were injected intraperitoneally with different solutions of chitosan metal colloids. Then, the minimum and maximum concentration were determined for copper, nickel and cobalt. The purpose of the use of chitosan was acting as a carrier for some magnetic NPs, which toxicity would allow to obtain new polymeric materials with potential applications as magnet future drugs carrier.

This research aims at clarifying the influence of the granulometry of expanded perlite, on the thermal conductivity, structural strength, density, and water absorption of lightweight mortars. Three original perlite gradations have been obtained and three pairs of twin test mortars have been tested with those gradations. SEM tests have also been run to clarify the interaction, at a microscopic level, between the expanded perlite and the cement grouting. The results indicate that the mere manipulation of the granulometry may have a considerable and very beneficial effect on the mixture’s properties, such as thermal conductivity and water absorption.

In this work it is reported the synthesis of gold nanoparticles supported in situ in chitosan by solvated metal atom dispersion technique in order to study the inclusion of Au nanoparticles in the biopolymer matrix. To study their aggregation along time and compare with the synthesis of Au/2-propanol colloid by chemical liquid deposition technique. Studies of Au nanoparticles aggregation along time, supported nanoparticles and colloidal nanoparticles morphology were also carried out. The characterization of Au nanoparticles was performed by transmission electron microscopy, field-emission and scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, light scattering and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. Metal colloid showed fractal agglomeration type and delay time after the synthesis, the agglomeration size increased to flocculate. Au nanoparticles supported in chitosan showed the same shape as colloids and fractal aggregation was mostly distributed on the matrix.

A study on the nanoparticles size and the antibacterial properties of hyaluronic acid (HA) doped with nanoparticles is reported. Nanoparticles from gold, silver, copper, and silver palladium with HA support were performed. The solvated metal atom dispersion (SMAD) method with 2-propanol and HA was used. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were conducted. The average sizes of nanoclusters were as follows: HA-Au = 17.88 nm; HA-Ag = 50.41 nm; HA-Cu = 13.33 nm; and HA-AgPd = 33.22 nm. The antibacterial activity of solutions and films containing nanoparticles against American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) bacterial strainsEscherichia coli(EC),Staphylococcus aureus(SA),Staphylococcus epidermidis(SE), andPseudomonas aeruginosa(PA) was determined. Inhibition was observed for HA-Ag, HA-Cu, and HA-AgPd. Toxicological tests were performed in rats that were injected intraperitoneally with two concentrations of gold, copper, silver, and silver-palladium nanoparticles. No alterations in hepatic parameters, including ALT (alanine aminotransferase), GGT (gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase) bilirubin, and albumin, were observed after 14 days. These films could be used as promoters of skin recovery and Grades I and II cutaneous burns and as scaffolds.

A prototype of antifouling paints was prepared with a Qs-Cu (I)-Fe (II) complex as a possible replacement for traditional antifouling net paints, which contain a large concentration of copper, finding them in an order of 10-30 % depending on the company, and either in water or solvent based. A Qs-Cu complex was prepared, with a solution at 3% with acetic acid, and then Fe2O3 was added to the solution. FT IR analysis was carried out, as well as analysis of the TGA at the Qs and the complex with Qs-Cu, and with the solution, three different paints were prepared. Those that varied volume of diethylene glycol added to them. The analysis of the paints was carried out, once the paint was pervaded in a network of polyamide, through SEM with EDX and TEM, which was purchased with the commercial paints, water based and solvent based. One of the objectives is to be able to compare the coverage of the network with the commercial paint, and that of the complex Qs-Cu. The results showed that the best paint obtained was paint #2, found to be similar to that pervaded with water based paint.

Global pollution has caused a real interest on the use of biodegradable materials to the sustainable development. PLA and PHB are interesting materials due to their properties and their biodegradability, and their blends in different ratios are proposed in this study; also, Ag and Cu nanoparticles were incorporated to observe possible enhances and advantages on it. Blends were characterized through FTIR, TGA, tensile, and DMA tests. Theoretically, results obtained were coherent; FTIR spectra showed a characteristic band (around 1740 cm^-1) corresponding to the carbonyl bond at different intensities for each blend which is an evidence of the polymers. Likewise, TGA results showed different marked decomposition points (except for PLA/PHB 70/30), which is another indicative parameter. Regarding tensile tests, PLA/PHB/nanoparticle (NP) blends showed higher Young modulus value action improving exponentially some properties and they can act as a powerful complementary component even in small amounts. The NPs incorporated exhibited clustering due to the blending process with ranges from 93.24 nm for Cu to 123.71 nm for Ag.