Adley Forti Rubira

Biography

Adley Forti Rubira is currently a retired, yet volunteer professor at the State University of Maringa – UEM. During his career, he published over 260 articles, and several book chapters, besides registering 10 patents. He is a member of the Brazilian Chemical Society (SBQ) and the Brazilian Polymer Association (ABPol), and he was a member of the CT-Chemistry from CAPES and CA-Chemistry from CNPq, besides having been the coordinator of the latter. He was also the coordinator of the Chemistry Post-Graduation Program at UEM. Graduated from the State University of Maringa, Prof. Rubira got his Master’s degree in Physical- Chemistry at the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), his Doctorate at the State University of Campinas (Unicamp), and his Ph.D. at the State University Virginia Tech. He devoted his career to teaching the subjects of Physical-Chemistry, Polymers, and Surface Chemistry, and tutoring researchers on polymer miscibility, polymer surface, phase equilibrium, dyes, textiles, supercritical fluids, and, more recently, hydrogels, polymeric blends. 

Abstract

Hydrogels have gained a lot of attention throughout the 21st century due to their versatility and suitability for a wide range of application, going from metal removal [1] to drug delivery [2]. Although synthetic polymer-based hydrogels often display enhanced properties, natural polymer-based materials have the eco-friendly appeal. Starch is one of the natural polymers that is widely used in the synthesis of hydrogels. However, despite its low cost and biodegradability, starch-based materials often display limited performances due to the strong hydrogen bonds from starch [3]. Chemical modification [4], polymer blends [5] and composite formation [6] are some of alternatives used to improve the performance of starch-based hydrogels. We will present recent results on a starch-based material produced from a chemically modified starch, blended with a synthetic polymer, and mechanically reinforced with activated carbon, designed for agricultural applications. 

References

[1] A.H. Shalla, Z. Yaseen, M.A. Bhat, T.A. Rangreez, M. Maswal, Recent review for removal of metal ions by hydrogels, Sep. Sci. Technol. 54 (2019) 89–100. https://doi.org/10.1080/01496395.2018.1503307.
[2] M.C.G. Pellá, M.K. Lima-Tenório, E.T. Tenório-Neto, M.R. Guilherme, E.C. Muniz, A.F. Rubira, Chitosan-based hydrogels: From preparation to biomedical applications, Carbohydr. Polym. 196 (2018) 233–245. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2018.05.033.
[3] Y.L. Chung, S. Ansari, L. Estevez, S. Hayrapetyan, E.P. Giannelis, H.M. Lai, Preparation and properties of biodegradable starch-clay nanocomposites, Carbohydr. Polym. 79 (2010) 391–396. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2009.08.021.
[4] M. Pellá, A. Simão, M. Maurício, D. Dragunski, R. da Silva, A. Rubira, Adjusting Experimental Parameters to Modify Corn Starch with Glycidyl Methacrylate to Tune Specific Properties, J. Braz. Chem. Soc. (2023). https://doi.org/10.21577/0103-5053.20220105.
[5] M. Alfindee, Z. Sweah, T. Saki, Preparation and Characterization of Polymer Blends Based on Carboxymethyl Cellulose, Polyvinyl Alcohol, and Polyvinylpyrrolidone, Egypt. J. Chem. (2021) 0–0. https://doi.org/10.21608/ejchem.2021.57276.3234.
[6] K.M. Salleh, N.A. Zainul Armir, N.S.N. Mazlan, M. Mostapha, C. Wang, S. Zakaria, Hydrogel- and aerogel-based composites, in: Biodegrad. Polym. Blends Compos., Elsevier, 2022: pp. 355–388. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0- 12-823791-5.00019-3.