Towards safe-by-design graphene oxide-based materials: From functionalization and degradation by-products to ecotoxicity assessment and remediation

• Grant number: 23/13630-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: March 01, 2024
• End date: August 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Diego Stéfani Teodoro Martinez
• Grantee: Theodoro da Rosa Salles
• Host Institution: Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais (CNPEM). Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação (Brasil). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 14/50906-9 - INCT 2014: in Functional Complex Materials, AP.TEM

Abstract

Safe-by-design (SbD) approaches are essential for a sustainable nanotechnology. The degradability of nanomaterials is therefore an important aspect to be evaluated in the life cycle of materials toward SbD practices. Graphene oxide (GO) has received a great attention in nanoscience and materials engineering with many applications, ranging from electronics to biomedicine and environmental remediation. However, the behavior and transformations of GO-based materials in the environment is a concern, especially, considering its potential impact on toxicity and interactions with persistent pollutants, which may induce adverse effects on human health and ecosystems. In fact, understanding materials degradation is necessary for SbD linked to a proactive assessment of the ecotoxicity and remediation of degradation by-products. Here, we will be assessing the chemical and biological degradation (i.e., sodium hypochlorite and peroxidase enzyme) of functionalized graphene oxide with organic and inorganic groups/structures (i.e., -NH, -SH; -AgNPs and -Fe3O4NPs) linked to its ecotoxicity assessment (i.e., Zebrafish embryos) and remediation processes (i.e., aluminum sulphate and activated carbon). This project aims to contribute to the safe-by-design and degradation-by-design approaches associated to GO-based materials; it is expected to advance toward a complete evaluation of GO life cycle. The degradation by-products formed will be characterized using integrated advanced techniques. The ecotoxicity will be assessed for all materials and the by-products generated. Additionally, it will be studied the impacts of by-products interactions with environmental pollutants (mixture ecotoxicity). Together, this project is one of the pioneers in this research field and will open the literature discussion about the environmental health and safety aspects of degradation by-products originated from functionalized graphene oxide. Finally, this FAPESP doctoral project will contribute to better understanding the life cycle and risk evaluation/mitigation of graphene oxide-based materials (functionalization-degradation-ecotoxicity-remediation).