EMU granted in process 2022/12895-1: electron magnetic resonance spectrometer

• Grant number: 24/13890-9
• Support Opportunities: Multi-user Equipment Program
• Start date: December 01, 2024
• End date: November 30, 2031
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Sanitary Engineering - Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment
• Principal Investigator: Marcos Roberto de Vasconcelos Lanza
• Grantee: Marcos Roberto de Vasconcelos Lanza
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química de São Carlos (IQSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 22/12895-1 - Advanced processes for the degradation of emerging pollutants: catalytic materials, electroanalytical sensors and scientific dissemination, AP.TEM

Abstract

The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy technique is used to study the electronic properties of materials containing paramagnetic ions, which have unpaired electrons in their atomic orbitals, resulting in a magnetic moment. In EPR, an external magnetic field is applied to align the magnetic moments of the electrons. Then, an electromagnetic radiation source is used to excite these electrons. During the return of these electrons to their original energy state, the emission of electromagnetic radiation occurs, which is collected resulting in the graphs of the first derivative of the absorption band of this energy. The EPR technique plays a crucial role in understanding the magnetic phenomena and properties of paramagnetic materials, providing detailed information about the configuration of unpaired electrons, the electronic structure, the structure of free radicals in solution, the interactions with neighboring atoms or even the detection of impurities or defects. Furthermore, EPR drives advances in areas such as catalysis, magnetism, spintronics and structural biochemistry. We believe that the acquisition of EPR equipment will enable important scientific and technological advances in research on oxidative processes involving organic species, a central theme in the thematic project proposal. This addition will be especially valuable in understanding the mechanisms of radical degradation, contributing to the achievement of relevant results that will undoubtedly be reflected in international publications with a high impact factor for the scientific community. Furthermore, due to the broad scope of the project, the incorporation of this technique offers the possibility of employing yet another tool for the characterization of catalytic materials. In other words, the EPR technique will be useful in the study of materials with unpaired electrons, such as magnets, transition metal compounds or paramagnetic biological systems. With the EPR equipment it will be possible to perform a detailed analysis of the electronic properties of these materials, providing an in-depth understanding of their structure and behavior. It is important to emphasize that the equipment listed is bench-top, which makes it highly versatile and easy to handle. It was carefully designed to meet the requirements of all research groups involved in the thematic project, as well as other research groups in the State of São Paulo working in the areas of environmental chemistry and catalysis in general. In addition, the equipment will include an accessory (flow control) that enables the analysis of liquid samples in an integrated manner with advanced oxidation electrochemical systems. This allows for the nearly simultaneous analysis of the radical species generated, thus expanding the equipment's analytical capabilities. An important consideration is that the laboratories of the Electrochemical and Environmental Processes Group (GPEA), under the coordination of Prof. Marcos Lanza, are physically located in the IQSC Environmental Chemistry Building in Area II of the USP São Carlos Campus. Area II of the São Carlos Campus is located approximately 6 km away from Area I of the same campus, where all the other administrative, teaching and research laboratory buildings of the IQSC are installed, including the Chemical Analysis Center (CAQI). These two areas are not physically interconnected and travel between them is done by car or bus, which makes it difficult to move between the different IQSC facilities, including the analysis center. Another important factor to be considered in this request is that the IQSC does not have any electronic magnetic resonance spectrometer, EPR, in multi-user mode that can be used by GPEA researchers. (AU)