Production and characterization of grafting polymers assembled with gold nanoparticles for the application in biosensors

• Grant number: 15/05042-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2015
• End date: August 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Valtencir Zucolotto
• Grantee: Mariana Ricci Noes
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física de São Carlos (IFSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The premature medical diagnosis may make a great deal of difference when it comes to aggressive diseases which develop as time passes, since it guarantees that a higher chance of cure will occur. The development of bio-sensors is an alternate way of coming to this premature diagnosis, since it is through the use of bio-sensors that it is possible to detect analytes as hormonal markers, immune and nucleic acids. Nonetheless, for high-performance recognition to occur through the use of the aforementioned devices, it is necessary to develop new materials which make a wider selectivity with lesser limits of detection possible. This research project is to study new transducer platforms for bio-sensors made of grafted polymers assembled with nanoparticles of gold de (AuNPs). Colloidal solutions of AuNPs, synthesized by the means of the Frens method, will be included to grafted polymeric films. The grafted polymers will be developed by the method Grafting from, which makes use of ultraviolet radiation. When it comes to the concentration, the AuNPs solutions will be identified by the UV-Vis, the size will be identified by the dynamic light spreading (DLS), and the superficial load will be identified by the Zeta potential. The AuNPs distribution in the grafted polymers will be characterized by atomic force microscopy, FTIR, and contact angle technique. The study of the preparation, characterization, and the understanding of the structure as well as the polymeric surfaces properties assembled with nanoparticles in bio-sensor devices are of vital importance, since this object of research is to provide a great development of knowledge.