Functionalization of BeetBlue: application beyond color

• Grant number: 21/05656-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2021
• End date: July 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Organic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Erick Leite Bastos
• Grantee: Larissa Melo Marinho
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Betalains are natural antioxidants and water-soluble pigments that have been widely applied as redox mediators. The objective of this undergraduate research project is to functionalize BeetBlue, a pseudo-natural quasibetalain, to develop intelligent hybrid materials based on betalains and silica xerogels or aerogels. BeetBlue will be prepared by a method developed in our group and the resulting materials will be characterized from the morphological, photophysical, and photochemical point of view aiming for future application as luminescent materials, sensors for oxidizing species, and photoresponsive devices. This project is linked to the FAPESP-FAPERGS (2019/15412-9) and FAPESP-SPRINT (2019/08450-1) projects in collaboration with Profs. Fabiano Rodembusch and Jacinto Sá, respectively, and will also have the collaboration of Prof. Pedro Vidinha for experiments in supercritical conditions. (AU)