Proton injecting systems based on melanin derivatives

• Grant number: 18/02411-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: September 03, 2018
• End date: August 26, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Condensed Matter Physics
• Principal Investigator: Carlos Frederico de Oliveira Graeff
• Grantee: João Vitor Paulin
• Supervisor: Paul Meredith
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências (FC). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Bauru. Bauru , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Swansea University, Wales
• Associated to the scholarship: 15/23000-1 - Vertical organic field-effect transistor using dyes of natural origin as active layer, BP.DR

Abstract

Organic bioelectronics is an interdisciplinary field that is growing at a fast pace. The field promises new methods for detecting, reading or writing biological signals with organic electronic devices to enhance medical outcomes. A key research focus in bioelectronics is investigating methods for transducing a signal from biological media (predominantly due to ions and protons) to modern electronic signals (predominantly electrons and holes); mechanisms of which are not well understood due to the different chemical and physical properties of both species. A promising material to become a viable interface for future bioelectronic devices is the biomacromolecule melanin. Melanin is a natural pigment found throughout nature, therefore it is inherently biocompatible, with protonic and electronic conducting capabilities that can be modulated by the state of hydration of the material. Furthermore, melanin can be fabricated in device quality thin-films making it attractive for applications. Thus, the present project aims to explore the charge transport properties, both ionic and electronic, of different melanin derivatives to assess their suitability in creating solid-state, ion-to-electron transducing elements. Special attention will be given to electrical characterization of the melanin derivatives under hydration-controlled atmosphere followed by the fabrication of prototype devices and characterization of their performance.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

PAULIN, V, J.; BATAGIN-NETO, A.; MEREDITH, P.; GRAEFF, C. F. O.; MOSTERT, A. B.. Shedding Light on the Free Radical Nature of Sulfonated Melanins. Journal of Physical Chemistry B, v. 124, n. 46, p. 10365-10373, NOV 19 2020. (15/23000-1, 12/03116-7, 18/02411-1, 13/07296-2)

PAULIN, J. V.; COLEONE, A. P.; BATAGIN-NETO, A.; BURWELL, G.; MEREDITH, P.; GRAEFF, C. F. O.; MOSTERT, A. B.. Melanin thin-films: a perspective on optical and electrical properties. JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C, v. 9, n. 26, p. 8345-8358, JUL 14 2021. (12/03116-7, 13/07296-2, 15/23000-1, 18/02411-1)

TEHRANI, Z.; WHELAN, S. P.; MOSTERT, A. B.; PAULIN, V, J.; ALI, M. M.; AHMADI, E. DAGHIGH; GRAEFF, C. F. O.; GUY, O. J.; GETHIN, D. T.. Printable and flexible graphene pH sensors utilising thin film melanin for physiological applications. 2D MATERIALS, v. 7, n. 2, APR 2020. (15/23000-1, 18/02411-1)