The role of the different actions headed by the Brazilian Chemical Society (SBQ) for the development of the Graduate Programs in Chemistry in Brazil is highlighted herein. Specifically, the importance of the SBQ journals, such as the Quimica Nova (QN), Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society (JBCS) and Revista Brasileira de Química (RVQ) as vehicles to disseminate the knowledge produced by the different graduate programs in chemistry is demonstrated.

We describe general considerations about the present and the future standing of carbon nanostructures, mainly carbon nanotubes and graphene. Basic concepts and definitions, select structure/property relationships, and potential applications are reviewed. The analysis of the global market for these nanostructures, the commercial products available currently, the role of the chemistry, the main challenges remaining and a brief view of the field in Brazil are also presented and discussed.

Undoubtedly, the chemical element carbon is strategic for the development of any country and herein we show some specific impacts in the economical, industrial and scientific sovereignty of Brazil, with emphasis on sp2 carbn structures, namely graphite, carbon black, carbon nanotubes and graphene. Brazil comprises the second greatest natural reserve of graphite worldwide and ranks as third in world production. Carbon black also has important industrial impact in Brazil, especially in the automobile industry, specifically in tires. Some of world leading companies in the production of carbon black are installed in Brazil. Finally, carbon nanotubes and graphene are addressed as the next generation of materials that have and will have great impact in the next years. Their impressive properties have enabled innumerous commercial products worldwide and Brazil already stands out with some innovative initiatives. Indeed, Brazil has installed capacity in universities and research institutes to meet and foster demands in the area, and can be competitive worldwide.

An overview of different aspects related to Materials and Nanomaterials Chemistry is presented and discussed. The insertion of this field in Brazil is evaluated on the basis of the communications presented on the 30th Annual Meeting of the Brazilian Chemical Society (SBQ). The importance of the Materials Chemistry Division of SBQ for the growth and consolidation of Materials Chemistry in Brazil is also discussed.

The synthesis and characterization of different platinum nanoparticle/carbon nanotube nanocomposite samples are described along with the application of these nanocomposites as electrocatalysts for alcohol oxidation. Samples were prepared by a biphasic system in which platinum nanoparticles (Pt-NPs) are synthesized in situ in contact with a carbon nanotube (CNT) dispersion. Variables including platinum precursor/CNT ratio, previous chemical treatment of carbon nanotubes, and presence or absence of a capping agent were evaluated and correlated with the characteristic of the synthesized materials. Samples were characterized by Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and transmission electron microscopy. Glassy carbon electrodes were modified by the nanocomposite samples and evaluated as electrocatalysts for alcohol oxidation. Current densities of 56.1 and 79.8/104.7 mA cm-2 were determined for the oxidation of methanol and ethanol, respectively.

In this work we show how to build a piece of equipment for depositing thin films by the dip-coating process, using inexpensive components easily found on the market. This equipment allows us to control the dipping and pulling velocity at which the substrate is put in the film precursor solution, two very important parameters for obtain thin films. This article discusses the construction of the mechanical and electric parts of the equipment, a simple method to interface it to a computer and the development of the software to control the dip-coating parameters.

This study reports the preparation of high surface area amorphous carbon by pyrolysis of TiO2/poly(furfuryl alcohol) nanocomposite. This nanocomposite was synthesized by hydrolysis of titanium tetra-isopropoxide/furfuryl alcohol mixture. All samples were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The results indicated the effective FA polymerization on TiO2 (anatase) nanoparticles and polymer conversion to amorphous carbon after pyrolysis, simultaneously with TiO2 anatase-rutile phase transition. After the oxide nanoparticles dissolution by an aqueous HF solution the obtained carbon was extremely porous, with high surface area (700 m² g-1), similar to a carbon foam. With this new carbon material we carried out a study of kinetic of the adsorption of the reactive black 5 (RB5) azo-dye.

This paper describes the synthesis and characterization of organic/inorganic hybrid materials formed from TiO2 nanoparticles and polyaniline (PANI). The preparation method is based on a sol-gel technique using titanium tetra-isopropoxide as oxide precursor, and two synthetic routes to the hybrids formation were employed, based on the addition of aniline after or before the sol formation. Different amounts of aniline were used to verify this effect on the characteristics of the formed materials. Samples were characterized by electronic spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, thermal analysis, X-ray diffractometry and cyclic voltammetry. Results show that the different experimental routes are successful to produce hybrids formed by oxides nanoparticles and polyaniline in its conducting form, the emeraldine salt. There are no strong differences between the samples obtained by the two synthetic routes employed, except by the amount of polymer in the final material.

In this paper we report the synthesis and characterization of novel organic-inorganic hybrid materials between the crystalline antimonic acid (CAA) and two conductive polymers: polypyrrole and polyaniline. The hybrids were obtained by in situ oxidative polymerization of monomers by the Sb(V) present in the pyrochlore-like CAA structure. The materials were characterized by infrared and Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, cyclic voltammetry, CHN elemental analysis and electronic paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. The results showed that both polymers were formed in their oxidized form, with the CAA structure acting as a counter anion.