Application of dead biomass of Hypocrea lixii in the synthesis od copper nanoparticles: bench scale

• Grant number: 14/01870-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: April 01, 2014
• End date: February 29, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Process Industries
• Principal Investigator: Claudio Augusto Oller do Nascimento
• Grantee: Mariana Marangoni Carezzato
• Host Institution: Escola Politécnica (EP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The main purpose of this project is to study the viability of using dead Hypocrea lixii fungi biomass to produce copper nanoparticles in laboratory scale. Nowadays there is growing interest in the production of metal nanoparticles, due to their innumerous applications. The market for metal and metal oxides has a forecast of increasing demand over 6 times until 2020. That includes the copper nanoparticles, whose main applications are gas sensors, catalytic processes, solar cells, wood preservatives, etc.Hence, a wide variety of production processes of nanoparticles has been studied and a large number of them are bioprocesses. Bioprocesses are developed as a way to reduce the environmental and social impacts caused by traditional processes, such as the use of toxic solvents. Many studies explore the use of fungi biomass to produce nanoparticles, however the use of dead biomass is rarely discussed. A recent study published by Salvadori et al. (2013) indicates that the fungus H. lixii has the capacity of synthesizing nanoparticles after being autoclaved. Therefore, the focus of this project is to reproduce and demonstrate the viability of using this fungi biomass in laboratory scale. The process variables (pH, temperature, etc.) will be monitored and controlled and their influence on the synthesis process will be studied.Keywords: biomass, nanoparticles, fungi, copper.

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

CAREZZATO, Mariana Marangoni. Use of hypocrea lixii for the production of copper nanoparticles in laboratory scale.. 2016. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Politécnica (EP/BC) São Paulo.