Development of sensors derived from metal-organic frameworks to detect microbial volatile organic compounds

• Grant number: 20/06421-1
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: December 01, 2020 - November 30, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Diogo Paschoalini Volanti
• Grantee: Diogo Paschoalini Volanti
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas (IBILCE). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de São José do Rio Preto. São José do Rio Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Dorota Koziej

Abstract

The primary motivation of this research is to develop chemical sensors capable of detecting specific molecules produced by microorganisms (fungi and bacteria) that can be correlated with food rot, in addition to causing several diseases. However, there are few studies on the rapid detection and low detection limit of volatile organic compounds produced by microbial volatile organic compounds, mVOCs. The proposal is to evaluate the use of semiconductor metal oxides derived from metal-organic frameworks, MOF, in addition to the effect of p-n heterostructures and nanocatalysts to improve sensitivity, selectivity and response time in the detection of mVOCs. The nanostructured sensors will be prepared from the thermal degradation in a controlled atmosphere of the MOFs previously prepared by ultrasonic spray combined with the microwave-assisted solvothermal method. Sensor responses will be evaluated in the presence of different concentrations in the range of parts per million (ppm) of mVOCs (eg, 2-Butanone, 2-Methyl-1- propanol, 2-Methylbutanal, 3-Hydroxy-2-butanone, 3-Methyl-1-butanol, Ethyl Acetate, Isovaleric Acid, Methanol) and CO2 in controlled humidity (eg, 30 to 70%). MOFs are expected to increase the surface area and porosity of materials and contribute to the selective adsorption of mVOCs, in addition to the better diffusivity in their internal and external layers of structures. The number of active sites for adsorption of oxygen and analyte gas molecules and electronic transport must also be increased in the porous structures. The proposal is an original and promising approach, as few studies aim to develop highly porous sensors with better performance to monitor microbial growth in real-time. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

ZITO, CECILIA A.; PERFECTO, TARCISIO M.; MAZON, TALITA; DIPPEL, ANN-CHRISTIN; KOZIEJ, DOROTA; VOLANTI, DIOGO P.. Reoxidation of graphene oxide: Impact on the structure, chemical composition, morphology and dye adsorption properties. Applied Surface Science, v. 567, NOV 30 2021. (13/07296-2, 18/08271-7, 20/06421-1, 16/25267-8, 18/00033-0, 17/01267-1)

PERFECTO, TARCISIO M.; ZITO, CECILIA A.; VOLANTI, DIOGO P.. Effect of NiS nanosheets on the butanone sensing performance of ZnO hollow spheres under humidity conditions. SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL, v. 334, MAY 1 2021. (20/06421-1, 16/25267-8, 18/01258-5, 18/00033-0, 17/01267-1)

OLIVEIRA, TAIS N. T.; PERFECTO, TARCISIO M.; ZITO, CECILIA A.; VOLANTI, DIOGO P.. Improved triethylamine sensing properties by designing an In2O3/ ZnO heterojunction. SENSORS AND ACTUATORS REPORTS, v. 3, NOV 2021. (16/25267-8, 18/00033-0, 18/01258-5, 19/12345-9, 20/06421-1, 17/01267-1)