Biopolymers and hybrid materials with optical and electro-optical applications

• Grant number: 12/23516-0
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Visiting Researcher Grant - International
• Start date: February 11, 2013
• End date: May 10, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Inorganic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Andrea Simone Stucchi de Camargo Alvarez Bernardez
• Grantee: Andrea Simone Stucchi de Camargo Alvarez Bernardez
• Visiting researcher: Maria Manuela da Silva Pires da Silva
• Visiting researcher institution: Universidade do Minho (UMinho), Portugal
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física de São Carlos (IFSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The aim of the present proposal for the visiting professorship of Maria Manuela Silva is to analyze existing results and obtain new synthesis and characterization data of multifunctional materials based on biopolymers such as DNA, polysaccharides and gelatin or hybrid organic-inorganic (ORMOLYTES). The focus of these studies are materials in the membrane form and containing metal cations such as K+, Li+, Zn2+ or lanthanide ions (Eu3+, Er3+, Yb3+, Nd3+) that present ionic conduction or luminescent properties. The obtained materials will be tested in electrochemical solid-state devices with respect to their potential as electrochromic devices. Besides that, it is also proposed that Prof. Silva will offer a course on hybrid polymer electrolytes and organic and inorganic electrochemical devices, focusing on the use of solid electrolytes and/or gels in the development of such devices. Her visit at the USP Sao Carlos will be important to the ongoing collaboration with Prof. Pawlicka from IQSC/USP and also to promote and expand the collaboration with Prof. Dr. Andrea de Camargo and Prof. Dr. José P. Donoso Gonzalez (both from IFSC/USP, in the same campus) who are experts in the field of spectroscopic characterization of materials. (AU)