A study of plasmon-enhanced electrochemical conversion in sensors using scanning electrochemical microscopy and atomic force microscopy

• Grant number: 23/14785-1
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: February 01, 2024 - January 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Analytical Chemistry
• Mobility Program: SPRINT - Projetos de pesquisa - Mobilidade
• Principal Investigator: Juliana Cancino Bernardi
• Grantee: Juliana Cancino Bernardi
• Principal researcher abroad: Christine Kranz
• Institution abroad: Ulm University, Germany
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 23/01689-4 - Spectroelectrochemical investigation of sensors and biosensors based on photoactivated plasmonic nanoparticles, AP.R

Abstract

The recent use of photoactivation of plasmonic nanoparticles (NPs) in electrochemical systems offers advantages as it increases the rate and selectivity of chemical reactions, as well as the detection of analytes at reduced concentrations. Understanding the electrocatalytic effect and the photocatalytic contributions of plasmonic nanoparticles can improve the development of more effective and innovative detection systems for biomedical/clinical analytes. This research topic requires an interdisciplinary approach, e.g., combining spectroscopic and electrochemical investigation of these heterogeneous systems. In this context, the emphasis of this academic-scientific mission is to establish a collaboration between the research groups of Professor Kranz and Professor Cancino to investigate plasmonic NPs and apply them in advanced biosensing and electroanalysis. It is important to highlight that the main topic of this project is research performed by Prof. Cancino (h-index 18) financed by FAPESP, which is supported by Prof. Kranz (h-index 42) with her long standing experience in electrochemistry, electrochemical biosensing and scanning electrochemical probe microscopy (e.g., scanning electrochemical microscopy and hybrid atomic force microscopy techniques) to study nanomaterials. This collaboration will foster studies of fundamental electrochemical interface phenomena, transfer knowledge to my group, researching new topics that can open new avenues to researchers from University of São Paulo. (AU)