Development of sensor arrays based on zeolite nanostructures functionalized with porphyrins for polyphenol detection

• Grant number: 23/03632-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: December 01, 2023
• End date: November 22, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Luiz Henrique Capparelli Mattoso
• Grantee: João Otávio Donizette Malafatti
• Supervisor: Roberto Paolesse
• Host Institution: Embrapa Instrumentação Agropecuária. Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (EMBRAPA). Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento (Brasil). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Università degli Studi di Roma Tor Vergata, Italy
• Associated to the scholarship: 21/14992-1 - Obtainment of nanocomposite membranes consisting of PCL/PMMA/zeolite for application as a chemical sensor in the detection of polyphenol residues from the coffee industry, BP.PD

Abstract

Coffee is one of the most consumed worldwide products. Many coffee producers have employed the wet-processing method to meet market demands for higher-quality coffee beans. However, large volumes of wastewater containing toxic phenolic compounds are generated during this process. In this context, developing sensitive and reliable chemical sensors that allow in-situ measurements of such contaminants is highly pursued. In this sense, electronic tongue (e-tongue) systems have shown great promise for environmental monitoring once they are faster, easier to use, and less costly than conventional analytical methods. This project aims to develop e-tongue systems based on nanocomposites obtained by combining porphyrins and zeolite compounds. The obtained nanomaterials will be characterized with various experimental techniques, including Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM, inductively coupled plasma (ICP), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The optical and electrochemical properties of the nanomaterials will be evaluated to choose the best sensing platforms to be applied for the detection of phenolic compounds in coffee wastewater. Then, the performance of the sensors will be evaluated using electrochemical techniques and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Statistical analysis will be further used to process the experimental data to allow the different etongue systems to recognize samples contaminated with distinct phenolic compounds at varied concentrations. The group will take full advantage of the expertise of Prof. R. Paolesse and Dr. C. Di Natalle, leaders of the Sensors Group at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, a reference group for studies on chemical sensors. Moreover, the techniques and methodologies learned by the candidate during the abroad post-doctoral period will also be employed in his post-doctoral period in Brazil upon return. (AU)