Determination of low levels of free fibres of chrysotile in contaminated soils by X-ray diffraction and FTIR spectroscopy

A new analytical method for the determination of low levels (0.01–1 wt%) of free fibres of chrysotile in contaminated clayey, sandy and sandy-organic soils is described. The detection limit of 0.01 wt% is reached with an enrichment of free fibres of chrysotile in the sample using a standard laboratory elutriator for sedimentation analysis. The chrysotile quantitative determination is performed both by X-ray powder diffraction, using the internal standard and reference intensity ratio methods, and by Fourier-transform infrared absorption spectroscopy. The procedure can be successfully applied to different soils after removal, by a thermal treatment, of the matrix components which can interfere. This straightforward method fulfils the request of public institutions and private companies for an appropriate quantitative determination of chrysotile-free fibres in contaminated soils.     

Modification of nano-fibriform silica by dimethyldichlorosilane

The modification of nano-fibriform silica by dimethyldichlorosilane was studied by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, physical N₂ adsorption techniques, differential thermal and thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and elemental analyzer.The results show that dimethyl silane derivatives have been successfully covalently grafted on nano-fibriform silica. The polarity of the modified product decreases with the substitution of -OH groups by siloxyl groups. Therefore, the modified product can be easily dispersed in organic solvent and its compatibility with organic molecules is improved. After modification the pore volume decreases and the ductility greatly increases, indicating that the modified product is of a higher strength than before. The study demonstrates that the modified product can be used as an ideal additive to reinforce the strength of organic materials.     

Adsorption of sodium dodecylsulfate on chrysotile

Adsorption of sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) onto chrysotile from aqueous solutions was investigated along with varying temperature, ionic strength and surface treatments. Commercial chrysotile fibers were treated by sonication or extensive washings. The ratio of adsorbed SDS per gram of chrysotile is approximately constant with varying chrysotile masses. A steady state is reached after about 2 h of contact between SDS and chrysotile. In general, less surfactant is adsorbed on the sonicated chrysotile than on the extensively washed chrysotile. For the sonicated chrysotile, isotherms presented an adsorption maximum in the region of the surfactant critical micelle concentration, when the experiments were carried out without ionic strength control. The adsorption maximum is due to the presence of magnesium ions in the solution, which can form complexes with dodecylsulfate ions. For the extensively washed chrysotile, the isotherm behavior is similar to that obtained with sonicated chrysotile in the presence of an inert electrolyte. No significant difference in adsorption of SDS on the extensively washed chrysotile was observed when varying temperature or ionic strength. The adsorption of SDS was found to be dependent on the prior surface treatment.     

Saccharomyces cerevisiae entrapped in chrysotile increases life-span for up to 3 years

Long-term viability of microorganisms has seldom been reported but is important from the technological and scientific point of view. In this work we show that Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a well known biocatalyst, remains viable and active in fermentation experiments for up to 3 years, in the absence of nutrients, when supported on chrysotile fibers. This long-term viability is ascribed to a latency state which the cells enter after about 4 months storage, induced by entrapment of the cells within the chrysotile fibers. Adhered chrysotile fibers do not penetrate the cell. TEM results show that the fibers are adhered only to the external cellular wall layer, and that no damage is caused to the cell wall structure. No fibers were ever found inside the cells. The entrapping fibers could be observed as a distinctive, well preserved silk nest in preparations in which the cells were not fixed chemically. No degradation of the chrysotile adhered fibers was observed. The entrapment is ascribed to the chrysotile flexibility and the size of the cells, which maximize adhesion by electrostatic and van der Waals interactions between the fibers and the cell surface polysaccharides.